The Doctor stood still, lost deep inside his thoughts. His tux was on, his head bowed so it appeared he was in prayer. His hands rested on the old faded wood of his desk, holding him up, grounding him to this room so he didn't feel like he would simply fade away.

Ancient hands on ancient wood…he had had this desk since he was in one of his early bodies. It had served him well, been solid and steady and now he opened his eyes and looked down at it. He swallowed hard and acknowledged the fact that no matter how good this desk had been for him and to him, it was one of the many things it was time to move past.

This was to be Anna's room too, and the TARDIS would have it fully redecorated by the time they returned to it, but he was clinging to the desk. He leaned on it as he had many times when the weight he carried had become too much, and to him it was a symbol of survival.

But now he had something better, something real. Arms that would hold him when it all became too much, a heart…soon to be two hearts…that would love him through the worst, and he knew that was so much better.

He…the Doctor…the little boy who had been born to run…who had dreamed of more had found so much more than he knew possible. He was getting married today, and this wasn't like any of the other times he had been married.

This wasn't to save their lives, or in some form of a game for him. This was real, this was forever, and he knew it was right. He had never loved anyone as much as her, not even…he still got choked on Rose's name. It wasn't because he wasn't over her, at least not these days. It was because she had been stolen from him, and he often wondered if she had gone when he sent her if perhaps his memory would be kinder to him.

The Doctor's mind wandered to others he had loved. Oh, how he loved Donna, and he smiled at the memories of all the times that people had thought they were a couple. They had both denied it fiercely but that wasn't because they didn't love each other. It was because he didn't love her in a way that made his hearts stutter whenever she smiled.

Or because he couldn't quite breathe when she laughed. Those were things only Anna had inspired in his life.

Anna…his Anna. The hand he wanted to hold till he breathed his last breath forever. He had given her a shot this morning. It had been early, Donna claimed he wasn't allowed to see the bride before the wedding, but he trusted no one else to deliver something so important.

He had snuck in while she was still asleep, and done what he had to do, and left her with a gentle kiss on the lips. He ran his fingers over his lips now, still tasting the sweetness he associated with her.

That shot was going to make her into a Time Lord. It was the reason they hadn't been married months before, because he wouldn't do it until he could make it permanent. Anna wasn't someone he could lose. It was slow acting, hopefully causing her minimal pain while the change occurred.

He didn't know how long he had been standing there, or how deeply he had been involved in his own thoughts until he heard a very annoyed Donna speaking to him at his side.

"I knocked for a long time…glad I didn't walk in on you naked…again," she said, mumbling the last bit.

That had been an embarrassing day, though it had managed to clear up some questions she had been harboring about how close to a human he was. He looked over at her now, her blue-green eyes full of light and he pulled her into a hug.

"You look beautiful," he told her.

It was true; she was wearing a pretty blue dress that flattered her features quite well.

She chuckled and patted his back. "Save it for your bride, Spaceman."

He let her go and kissed her cheek and said, "Thanks for everything you've done to help me get here Donna."

She brushed it off and hurried him along. "Anna is waiting. You need to get out those doors and onto that cliff."

He smiled. "Yes ma'am."

He took off at a jog before she could ruin his face with a slap. He had to be ready for pictures…apparently it was a requirement though he was pleased Anna hadn't been any more excited than he had been. He opened the TARDIS doors and took a breath of the fresh sea air. They had picked a little spot overlooking the ocean, and he thought the backdrop was stunning.

He hurried out and shook the preacher's hand. It was a dark blue man by the name of Astrin. He was good man that the Doctor had met many years ago.

"Hello son," Astrin said, greeting him as always. "It's a pleasure to be doing this for you."

"Thank you," he said, once again.

Music started, slowing floating out from the TARDIS and Donna walked out first, slowly making her way down to stand on the other side. Jack would join her as soon as he walked Anna out. The decision about where to have the wedding wasn't taken lightly, and when they had chosen to do it here, he had triple checked Anna didn't want to have one on Earth.

She told him firmly she had no family she wanted to witness this, aside from those in the TARDIS. So here they were and he winked at Donna, pretending he wasn't the most nervous man on this planet at this moment.

Then she stepped out and the universe was gone. She wore a long white dress that dragged behind her with every step closer to him. She looked so beautiful, and he longed to hold her now. They had done nothing more than kiss, and he wanted for so much more with every passing day. But tonight…tonight was the night.

Jack left her by him, and Astrin began to talk. He heard the words but he wasn't listening. He had already made every promise in the universe, and what he was saying now was just the official version. He would never leave her behind; he would never give up on them no matter what came.

She had looked past the storm he called a past and still loved him. He thought maybe that was all anyone in this universe could hope for in life.

He took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.

"Anna," he said and swallowed hard. "You know where my hearts are, and they are with you. I promise that forever."

She took his ring and slid it onto his finger and said. "Doctor, you are the greatest man I have ever met. And I promise you my hearts forever."

They kissed and Jack and Donna cheered. He pulled her up into a tight embrace, her feet hanging above the ground. Now it was time to party.