Chapter Five:

Welcome to the Family

Piper and the Doctor arrived back in Williamsburg after a full wardrobe change and clean up, back around 11:30 am. Somehow the Doctor had a whole other brown suit set, complete with a slightly differently designed necktie and white undershirt. Piper decided to dress down to a loose, light blue wool sweater and jeans, and a pink beanie. As they walked back down the road, with the crisp, cool air blowing, they were completely oblivious to the fact that the whole Dominique family had witness their entire spectacle on the television. They would have a lot of explaining to do. The door was unlocked to the house, so the Doctor and Piper just walked in.

When they got into the living room, they were stopped suddenly by all the faces staring at them in suspicion and confusion. The boys had been shooed out of the room and onto the porch, with the door closed. Ironically, Aunt Leanne looked more sympathetic out of all the Dominiques, for having this awkward situation happen. The Doctor was speechless. He honestly didn’t know what to say. He was the stranger here. It wasn’t his place. That left poor Piper Ksenia Dominique to take the stage.

.

She stepped forward, her legs beginning to shake and buckle.

“I guess…We…I…probably owe you an explanation…” she stammered.

She folded her hands, shifting her weight back and forth, and staring at the ground. She lifted her head and began to speak again.

“As you probably know already, my Mum, your sister and daughter-in-law, isn’t…my real Mum, in that…I was adopted.”

She glanced at the Doctor for a moment, who was standing behind her, nervously before continuing.

“John Smith…Isn’t really John Smith…His name is the Doctor…and he’s not my History teacher…He’s my uncle. My last living, blood-relative.”

As if it was a presentation, the Doctor stepped forward next to her. She grabbed his hand, and squeezed it. He squeezed it back, encouraging her to keep going. She smiled slightly at him, then turned back to her audience.

“As if being my last living relative wasn’t enough,” Piper continued, “The reason why you saw us on television…wasn’t a result of doppelgangers. We were really there. My Uncle is a time traveler.”

There was a moment of silence, as if Piper was pausing for effect.

“I know it sounds absolutely and completely bonkers! That’s the reason why neither I, nor my parents wanted to tell you. We didn’t want any trouble! Uncle Doctor is a great man, and I want him to be a big part of my life; and…If you can be gracious…maybe he can be a part of our family as well…”

.

There was a long moment of silence. The Dominique’s were shocked at all the information being thrown at them. They just stared, letting the facts sink in. Piper had never been so nervous in all of her life. What if they weren’t accepting? What if they hated her now? What if this would result in putting her parents on bad terms with the rest of the Dominiques? What if-? Then, Aunt Leanne stepped forward. She put a hand on Piper’s shoulder, knelt down to be eye level with her, and smiled warmly.

“I don’t know if I completely understand the whole ‘time travel’ thing, but I believe you, and I’m grateful to you coming forward quickly about this.”

Then, she turned to the Doctor.

“From what I’ve seen, you seem like a very fun uncle” she joked.

The two chuckled. Leanne reached out her hand to shake his.

“Welcome, Doctor.”

The Doctor was a bit surprised. Out of all of Piper’s relatives, he honestly wasn’t expecting Leanne to be the most understanding. However, he shook her hand, grateful.

“Thank you, Leanne.”

Soon after, Liliah and Adrien came forward. Liliah pulled him into a warm embrace, and Adrien also shook his hand.

“Welcome to the family, Doctor” said Liliah, friendly.

The Doctor nodded, smiling. He and Piper looked at each other and grinned. Finally, the whole family was together.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Carla and Dominique arrived later that afternoon, completely dumbfounded in all the events that occurred in their absence. But they were also relieved that the Dominique family weren’t cross at the secret they had kept. It soon came time for Thanksgiving dinner. The Doctor was very hesitant about staying.

“Please Uncle Doctor, just for dinner?” Piper pleaded.

“Yes, Doctor, you’re part of the family now!” Announced Mr. Dominique Sr., “At least stay long enough to try Liliah’s Sweet Potato Pie.”

The Doctor looked at Piper for a moment. Then, a smile tilted up on his lips.

“Alright, maybe just a little while,” he swung, playfully mumbling, and leaning towards Piper.

Piper grinned, and clapped her hands.

.

Everyone gathered around the table and began to dig in. The Doctor sat on Piper’s right. They sat at the table for a while, even a little after dinner. As the clock struck six, Piper snuggled up on the Doctor’s arm, holding his hand, smiling, satisfied, and happy.