My Immortal: Epilogue

 

In the year 2037, Cherise finds herself at the age of 42, still residing under the same roof as her mother. Although her son has recently tied the knot and ventured out into the world, he hasn't strayed too far from Cherise's side. The anticipation of becoming a grandmother is building up, as her son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child. Meanwhile, Cherise's closest companion, Lana, is a mother of two. Interestingly, Cherise's stepfather continues to lead an independent life in his own apartment located in the OC. Cherise's mother maintains regular communication with him. It was the end of August, and Cherise decided to go for a leisurely drive to Crystal Cove beach in her sleek blue Tesla. As she cruised along, a nostalgic tune from the 80s, "Endless Summer Nights," filled the car. Lost in her thoughts, Cherise couldn't help but reminisce about the Doctor. 

A wave of emotions overwhelmed her, causing tears to well up in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and carried on with her journey. Finally arriving at her destination, she parked her car and stole a glance at herself in the rearview mirror. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes stand out more now compared to when she was 37. The wrinkles on her forehead are hardly noticeable, and as her hair began to turn slightly gray, she would dye it, however she has managed to maintain her slim figure, prioritizing self-care for her mental, physical, and emotional well-being, yet she is aware that aging can be unforgiving, and the body may start to show signs of wear and tear over time. As soon as she found a suitable spot to park her car, she eagerly made her way down to the beach. Exploring the tidepools has always been a cherished activity for her, a passion that has remained with her since her childhood. Immersed in the beauty of marine life and the tranquility of the surroundings, she lost track of time. Eventually, she decided to head back, noticing that the beach was surprisingly quiet for this time of the month. However, Cherise was too engrossed in her thoughts to pay much attention to it. Suddenly, a sudden and unfamiliar metallic sound broke the silence, causing her to freeze in her tracks. “No, it can’t be,” she thought. Shaking her head in disbelief, she gradually pivoted her body. And there he stood, gazing at her with a gentle grin adorning his face. Although he appeared slightly more mature, there was no doubt about it - it was the Doctor. His attire consisted of a waistcoat and trousers in a striking maroon and turquoise tartan pattern, layered over a crisp white shirt and a navy-blue double-breasted overcoat.

She was hesitant as she approached him and with a trembling hand, she touched his face. He smiled and said, “You can touch whatever you want, Butterfly.”  Her eyes flew open, “You look like the first Doctor I met,” she said, bewildered. She couldn’t believe her eyes. He held her in his arms. At first, she didn’t want to embrace him back, but she slowly raised her arms up, wrapped them around him, and cried. 

“Oh my God, you’re back.”

He sighed, “I missed you too.” As always, the Tardis is cloaked, people can’t see it. They walked hand in hand, down the beach. 

 "I can't forget the last time we were in this place," he reminisced.

"Yeah, I remember it too, and it was before you took off," Cherise said with a hint of sarcasm, wiping away tears. The Doctor picked up on her tone and comforted her, "I understand, I know why you're upset, but I'm not leaving."

"Sure," she replied with uncertainty. Little does she know he has a surprise planned for her, something wonderful. They headed back home in Cherise’s car, with her holding his hand tightly as she drove.

"I need to make sure you're actually here and that I'm not losing my mind," she playfully teased. He gently kissed her hand and grinned. When they reached her house, and parked into the garage, they walked into the Livingroom, and the Tardis materialized in her bedroom as it had done many times in the past.

“How is our son doing?” He asked. 

She replied, "Our son is now married, and they are anticipating a baby soon." Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "I'm going to be a granddad!" and hugged and kissed her. “Cherise, I can't express enough how grateful I am that you entered my life. Your presence has brought me immense happiness.” As they settled on the sofa, they began to reminisce about the years they had been apart.

 "Are you currently staying with Donna's family?" she asked with curiosity. He simply nodded in response.  

"I guess you'll be going back to them soon," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "No, I've made up my mind to spend the rest of my life with you." Cherise was taken aback, "Wait, are you saying that you’ll stay?” He gazed at her with sincerity in his eyes. He promised, "I'm willing to spend decades by your side, whether it's 20, 30, or more years," as he embraced her tightly and planted a kiss on her forehead. The proposal was irresistible, considering the aging of both her and her mother, and the comfort of having him around for the future. The Doctor experiences time differently, ensuring that he will outlive Cherise. Their son, on the other hand, will have a slightly longer lifespan than ordinary humans and will have descendants spanning multiple generations.

“If you’re going to stay here, does Donna know?”

“No, but then again, when I return to her and her family, I will return at the exact same time I left. She will never know,” he said, holding Cherise in his arms.

“Do you want to see the Tardis?”

“Why, has it changed?” She asked. Rising to his feet, he reached out and grasped her hand. With a beaming smile, she eagerly anticipated what was to come. Together, they ascended the stairs and entered her bedroom. There the Tardis stood in the same place it had appeared before in the past and they found themselves stepping into it. Cherise stood frozen, her jaw slack and eyes bulging as she beheld the Tardis's astonishing new interior. The space was immense, the blinding white walls almost blaring, and ramps led to mysterious doors of other rooms. Completely taken aback by the radical change, she instinctively clamped her hand over her mouth, absorbing the breathtaking scene around her. 

"Wow, it's completely different," she finally managed to utter, her voice filled with awe.

"So, what do you think?" he asked, grinning. She nodded and glanced at him hesitantly. He led her to his bedroom, which proved to be just as remarkable. Leaning closer, he whispered something in her ear, causing her cheeks to blush. "But Doctor, I’m old," she admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed by his suggestion.

 “I'm old too," he replied, playfully flashing a coy smile. They removed their clothes, and he noticed that she was still wearing the pendant. He is happy that she values it greatly and would keep it on forever. Cherise's mother was relieved that the Doctor chose to stay, letting go of her anger towards him for his actions against Cherise, and reconciled with him. If Cherise was content, then that was all that mattered. The Doctor and Cherise got married a year later. As time passed, Cherise aged while the Doctor stayed unchanged. Cherise's mother passed away in the following years, leaving the house to her. Cherise and the Doctor enjoyed a serene and tranquil life in each other's company. Occasionally, his son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren paid them visits. Cherise passed away at the age of 92 in the year 2087, leaving behind her loving son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. During the viewing, the Doctor, overwhelmed with grief, lowered his head and tears welled up in his eyes. Beside him, his son provided solace and support. Once the services concluded, they made their way back to Cherise's house. While the Doctor was upstairs in her room, his son handed him a precious memento that once belonged to his beloved mother. “The unique wooden box belonged to mom, and she intended for you to have it.” After handing it over, they both went downstairs and settled on the couch. "Are you planning to return to Miss Donna?" His son asked. With a sigh, the Doctor replied, "Yes, I must. I made a vow to her as well." Cherise had previously explained to her son the significance of Donna to the Doctor, emphasizing that their bond differed from her own with the Doctor. Two weeks later, the Doctor departed, assuring his son of occasional visits in the future. As he journeyed through the time vortex, he found himself in his own room, where he decided to open Cherise's box. Inside, he discovered a few precious jewelry items, such as the pendant he had gifted her and the gold wedding band. 

His finger sported a matching wedding ring. His son, opting to cremate her body, decided against adorning her with jewelry. The Doctor produced a diary, flipping through photos of them together and his previous incarnations that had crossed paths with her. As he delved into her diary, a letter that she wrote in her fifties slipped out, catching his attention.

To my Immortal,

You are my life, and from the time I met you until the time I die, I will cherish every moment we spend together, forever. You’re like an angel watching over those you love. Love you forever.

Cherise, your Butterfly.

Tears filled his eyes as he let out a heavy sigh. His son understood that he was a Time Lord, destined to outlive them all. The Doctor returned to Donna's house at the exact moment he had left, never revealing his secret of spending decades with Cherise. Despite the passing years, the Doctor made sure to visit his extended family, throwing a watchful eye on them like an angel.

Fate catches up to everyone, and time is a thief.

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