All I got was confused and shocked expressions. Both the Sons and Briefs families were there, just outside the skating rink with me.

"No, Desmond, that'd be crazy," Trunks said.

"No, it wouldn't. You guys have done it before. Why not now?"

He didn't respond.

"How are you sure it was her, anyway?" Goten crossed his arms, though had a curious expression. "You said you didn't see her face. Maybe it was someone else?"

"He's right," May said. "Purple cardigans, jeans, and boots are common."

"Who wears a cardigan in winter?" I countered.

"Someone who misjudged the cold."

I gave her a look. "How do you misjudge snow so bad that you wear a cardigan?"

She shrugged. "I dunno."

I shook my head. "It was too similar. She had the same hair color."

"So when you saw her, you didn't see her anytime before?" This time it was Bulma.

I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head. I didn't want to explain the time I saw her in the yard. I still wasn't sure if I actually saw her. It still seemed too unbelievable.

I heard Trunks sigh. His breath came in a cloud, the cold still there to show itself. "Even if you saw her, you're expecting she's trying to tell us something?"

"No, no..." I myself still didn't know why I've seen her. Why she was - possibly - in the yard and why she was outside the skating rink. I glanced at the front door, seeing Donna and Louis with Lucas inside. I didn't want any of them to get hopes up. "I just think we should...bring her back, just for a day."

Augustine came into view from inside. We locked eyes for a moment, but then I looked to Trunks. I was still pissed off at him, especially now.

"Why?" Trunks didn't look convinced at all. "Why do you need to bring her back?"

I didn't have an answer. Then I realized how crazy all of this made me sound. I ran a hand through my snow-covered hair. "I...I don't know. I really don't. It's just eating at me. It would only be for a day. I swear."

He still looked skeptical. "I think you need to get home."

"What?"

"I understand you're feeling some emotions about her being gone, but you seeing her...it's probably some form of depression-"

"You think I'm crazy." My hand fell to my side. I was in disbelief. He wouldn't bring her back. He thought I was seeing her because I was depressed? Was he serious?

Just what part of this made it seem like I was depressed?

Well...everything. But did he expect me to explain it all?

I just needed answers.

No, I needed to see her again.

See her smile.

Hear her laugh.

Feel her touch.

I was being a selfish jerk, but I couldn't help it. I was desperate.

"No, I don't think you're crazy. I just think-" He was cut off when May tapped his arm and shook her head. He sighed, rolling his eyes. He didn't say anything else.

My gaze fell to the sidewalk. Snow covered the concrete, though there was a pink flower on top of the snow.

Pink.

Pink paper.

Why the hell was there a flower in winter?

I picked my gaze up, forgetting the flower. "Fine." My voice was shaky. I headed to the door, hearing the crunch of snow.

I opened the door, seeing Donna, Louis, and Lucas look over. I waved them over, then continuing out to the parking lot. I didn't give a second glance to the two families.

"Maybe you were too harsh," I heard Jennette say. I guessed it was to Trunks.

"No. He's just experiencing loss."

"After ten years? What if he is actually seeing her? It wouldn't be the oddest thing that's happened."

"Jennette. Loss can go on your whole life. He'll get over it on his own."

He'll get over it.

I'll get over it.

I have to get over it.

I heard the crunch of footsteps behind me. I stopped and lifted Louis onto my shoulders, holding Donna's hand and glancing to Lucas.

Why did I have to get over it?

Both Augustine and Trunks were saying it.

Well, Trunks was at least being rational, in a sense. Augustine was telling me to completely move on and find another woman. Trunks I could deal with.

Not for long, however.

I set Louis down once we got to the car, opening his door and then opening my own. Louis chatted with Donna, but Lucas didn't say a word. I had a feeling he knew not to talk to me.

I was going to get someone to help me out. I couldn't get her back on my own.

Of course I knew the person to ask. He would help anyone, not to mention he could teleport.

Goku was the one to ask. Even if he hadn't said a word, he was probably not paying attention. If I asked him, he'd tell me.

I started the car and continued to drive home.

About a week had passed since the skating rink. It was still snowing often. Both Donna and Louis were at school, Lucas at Vanilla's or some place for a date. Being alone was not something I was fond of.

I looked down to my coffee that I was drinking. It was a light brown, much like iced coffee, as per usual. It still made me think about Donna. The gone one.

I stirred the drink idly, the cream making little swirls.

I sighed.

Nothing else had happened in the week that had passed. Maybe it was just some depression. Though I didn't feel that depressed, it didn't mean I didn't miss the hell out of her. I wondered why.

Maybe it was because she changed me? Perhaps for her ability to not judge me for my previous actions? Of course, I didn't feel much guilt, other than the whole catastrophe with Bulma.

I glanced outside. I hadn't cried about Donna in a long time. Was that a good thing? Did it mean I didn't miss her? No, I missed her to death. Was I used to her being gone? She never moved in, and she never married me. So why did it feel like something was missing here in the house she never spent a night in?

Well, that was wrong as well. She did spend that one night when she had accidentally gotten drunk at a party with Augustine. It was a low-key party, but she had gotten to the alcohol. She didn't have the ability to hold her liquor that well. She took maybe two glasses and she was down for the count.

She was so surprised when she woke up in my bed. Of course, I didn't sleep in the same bed with her. I went into the guest room. But, of course, she assumed I had slept with her and got extremely flustered and upset. Eventually, with the aid of Tylenol to help the headache, she accepted that I didn't sleep with her.

Thinking about alcohol made me want to have a drink. But of course, I didn't have any here. I was way too paranoid to have it here with Donna and Louis. I've only gotten drunk a few times, but I've left welts and bruises on people because of my extremely short temper while under the influence. Those were on rare occasions, of course. Only twice of the four times getting drunk. But I didn't want to make Donna or Louis scared in any way.

I took a sip of the coffee. I glanced at my left hand. On the back of it was a light scar, one from where I was stupid enough to play the knife game. Augustine had dared me to, and ended up having to get stitches on my middle finger and back of the hand. I glanced at the ring.

The same ring that I would've been wearing if I was actually married.

I never had a reason to wear it. It just made me feel a bit better, as silly as it sounds. Since Donna died, I couldn't stand to think about a different woman placing a ring on my finger, and me hers. Having a ring there made it seem as if I was already reserved.

There was a vein in the left ring finger that connected to the heart. That was why wedding rings were always worn on that specific finger. Knowing that and already having Donna in my heart forever, it seemed right to have a ring there. The potential wedding ring that connects to the heart where she rested.

The ring I had gotten her was still on the end table in my room. Well, in the drawer. I took another sip of the coffee. It was already growing cold. I set it down. I was already growing tired of the coffee. For a while after her death, I had stopped drinking it just because it reminded me too much or her iced coffee.

I ended up drinking it again after two months. It sucked not to have something to wake you up in the morning.

It was extremely quiet in the house. I glanced at my watch. My appointment wasn't until 2:30. It was 11:28 right now. My VSD - Ventricular Septal Defect - wasn't growing any better. The mesh pads, the cover over the whole in my heart, had to get checked for infection. That and also to check my heart rate for any further heart murmurs. I really doubted the second check, as there was only one hole in my heart, but it was just to check.

My mind wandered to her dislike of my previous career. I hadn't touched a gun in years. The last time I did was when I had gone to a small shooting range with Augustine. That was probably only a year after Donna's death. He thought it would help with the stress a bit. Maybe when Donna came back she would-

A knock on the door broke my thoughts. The knock was followed by something resembling the sound of an object being dragged across the door. I left the living room, keeping my coffee on the coaster on the coffee table.

Opening the door, there wasn't anyone outside. I blinked. That was odd. The flash of color in front of me made me almost close the door. But then I realized it was just Goku teleporting in front of me. He grinned. "Hey!"

"...Hi..." I murmured. It was odd to see someone teleport in front of you and then grin as if they didn't just jack up physics.

"I already contacted Baba-"

"Who?"

He laughed. "Oh! Right! Baba is a crone. She's the one who's gonna bring Donna back from Otherworld-"

"Hold up, what? Otherworld?"

The Saiyan blinked. "Huh. I would've thought that you would know about Otherworld if you knew we've brought people back..."

"No...so...heaven isn't a thing? Hell?"

"No, no! Those are different planes of Otherworld. You take planes to heaven, and...uh..." He paused, scratching the side of his head. "Well, I'm not sure how you get down to hell unless you fell from Snake Way like me!"

I blinked. "Um...okay. Anyway..." I cleared my throat. "Do you want to come in? It's snowing and all-"

"Oh, no! I was gonna take you to Bulma's place! That's where I told Baba to bring her and all..."

I sighed. "Okay...fine. How long until she gets there?"

"Um..." He crossed his arms, thinking. "She probably won't be here for the next ten or so minutes..."

"I, uh...can you postpone it for, like, thirty? I need to get the kids," I said.

"Why? From where?" He glanced inside.

"They're not here, that's why. Lucas is at Vanilla's. The other two at school."

"Oh...I dunno if Baba'll let me, but I'll try!" He grinned. "Just give me a shout when you need me to come get you!"

"I can just drive there."

He blinked. His grin returned. "Whatever you say! See you later." He raised two fingers to his forehead, disappearing in a flash.

I closed the door, my heart racing. Was it really that easy? Was that it? All you had to do was ask? It seemed unreal that Donna was that close. Just a mere half hour. I tugged my coat on, barely tying my shoes on before racing out the door. I only had half an hour to sign the kids out. As soon as I got out the door, my shoes slid on ice on the walk way. I fell into the snow.

The frost managed to get into my coat, but I was barely fazed. Even though my bare hands were freezing just by these few seconds out the door, I didn't feel it. I got up, closing the front door and locking it. I shivered, the snow slowly melting in my shirt. I took a deep breath, calming myself. I would end up speeding in the car at this rate.

I walked back to the car, pocketing the house keys in a pocket of the coat. I opened the car door, getting in. I dialed Lucas' number while pulling out of the driveway. "Lucas, it's Desmond."

"I have caller ID," he responded.

"Good for you. Gold star." I rolled my eyes. Of course we both knew it wasn't meant to be anything rude. "I need you to head to Capsule Corporation, Bulma's place."

"Why?"

"Just go, okay? I don't care what you're doing, whether it's making out with Vanilla in a closet or delivering a baby in the aforementioned closet, get to Capsule Corp." I hung up, not allowing him to answer. It was important that he was there - seeing his mother again would definitely make him feel better.

The loss of Donna had effected him badly. This would patch up any loose ends.

I thought of how the younger Donna and Louis were supposed to react. I didn't speak much about their mother. Would they like her? What if things got awkward?

I gripped the steering wheel. What was I going to do? Hug her? Cry? Smile? Welcome her back for her temporary amount of time?

What if she was mad at me for her death? Did she blame me?

What if she thought I raised the kids wrong?

I stopped in front of the school, getting out of the car. I shifted the collar of the coat, the snow chilling me further. I pressed the button for the ID identification, opening the door when I was allowed entry. I went through the second set of doors, going into the front office and signing the sheet to allow the two out of school. After a few minutes, Donna and Louis came down the hall. I left the front office into the main hall.

"Hi, Daddy!" Donna beamed.

"Heyo," said Louis.

"Hey, you two. We're heading over to Bulma's place, okay?"

"Why?" Donna asked, tilting her head.

"You'll see." I grinned, leading them out the door and to the car. They both sat in the back, listening to the radio once I put it on. Something by a British band came on.

"Oh! Coldplay!" Donna smiled.

"Coldplay?" I glanced in the mirror at her and Louis. She nodded.

"Uh huh. Senpai likes them. This one's called 42."

I nodded.

It wasn't that bad.

Though it was more focused around death than anything else. It was a little odd for my taste.

Right after that came another song by them.

"That's 'O'," Donna informed.

I nodded. "Thank you for the info."

"I don't like Coldplay," Louis jut in. "They're boring."

Donna gave him a pouty look and they both started bickering. I sighed. For once I wasn't as agitated. They only argued for a few minutes before quieting. Right after the Coldplay song was over, a different genre of music played.

Cool For the Summer by Demi Lovato.

I debated turning it off due to the message in the song, but I doubted they knew about it. I mean, I kept them well-protected against those factors. Unfortunately, I couldn't control how much they learned at school.

In only a few minutes, we stopped in the driveway of Bulma's house. I was starting to get nervous. What if Donna was already there and I would walk in and end up bawling? That would definitely go a different way than I would like. How much had I changed in ten years? Would Donna have aged?

I got out of the car, seeing Louis and Donna do the same. Louis still had his cast, so I opened his door for him. I let them both walk to the door before me. I knocked on the door, placing my hands in my pockets after.

The door opened. It was May. "Oh, hiii." She smiled.

"Hi!" Donna said.

"Hi," Louis said. I gave a small wave. She let us in, closing the door behind us.

I didn't think to take my coat off until May suggested it. It was hot in here - that or I was just insanely nervous. I was starting to think it was the nervousness. I shrugged the coat off, placing it on the coat rack. I took both Donna's and Louis' and placed them next to mine for them.

"Everybody's in the living room," May informed. I nodded. I put my hands into the pockets of my jeans. I was growing more nervous by the second. It was nerve-wracking to think that I was going to see Donna again with our kids.

I would finally see her after the too many years without her.

Would I be able to hug her? Would I just phase through?

What if she cried?

Would be both end up crying?

I would see her smile again. Maybe even laugh. I would be able to have her in my reach instead of just in dreams. It felt pretty unreal, to be honest.

Maybe she was nervous? Did she know about the kids? Maybe she thought they died along with her.

I walked behind Donna and Louis, hearing a car door slam from outside. I guessed it was Lucas, but I wasn't sure. I heard May open the door from behind us. Her greeting sounded - Lucas' voice responded. So he did come.

Part of me had thought he wasn't going to come. But there he was. I didn't see him due to my walking, but Lucas was there nonetheless.

"Desmond," Lucas said, catching up. He never called me "dad" or anything. I wasn't even his step-father. I was just his legal guardian. Donna had passed before he was able to be my step-son.

"Why did you want me?"

"You'll see."

I motioned for him to follow us, ending up in the living room. Goku was there, a grin on his face and turned away to face those who were sitting on the couch. The ones he was speaking to were Videl, Gohan, and Pan.

He laughed, then turned to face us. "There you guys are! I was worried Baba would come and it would ruin everything."

Donna, the current one, went to sat down in one of the plush chairs. Louis followed suit, sitting on top of her. "Guys, no-"

"I'm sitting here!" Donna exclaimed.

"No, I am!"

"I was here first!"

"Guys!" I said it louder than I had wanted. Both of them snapped their eyes over to me. "Not now. No fighting." Louis got off the chair, sitting in another one. I sighed. My nerves were making me too tense.

"Here we are."

Everybody turned their attention - including me - to an old woman with pink hair sitting on top of an orb. "The girl will be here in a moment. I figured I needed to address some things first." She glanced at me. "She cannot stay any longer than a day, no less than a day. You can't mess with the laws of nature in any other way." Her eyes lingered on mine for a long time.

"That is all. Your time starts now." That said, she disappeared at the same time Donna appeared.

Donna.

She had the same eyes, same hair, same soft expression. My heart felt like it froze. Everything seemed like it froze. Donna was right there. Only a foot at most. It was the closest she ever was to me, hallucination or no. Her eyes locked on mine. It felt like for so long until Louis said something.

"Who's that?"

I cleared my throat. "It's...it's your mom."

He looked at me with a confused expression. "Nuh-uh!"

"It is," I said, swallowing the urge to hug her. It was only fair the kids met her first. I glanced to my right, seeing Lucas already had tears in his eyes.

I felt the pinprick of tears in my own eyes. I blinked them back, looking over to Donna. I looked across the room and saw Alexandra and Nathaniel were there. The room seemed insanely silent. Donna got off the chair, the younger one, approaching the one with the halo.

Donna Jr. gave a small smile before hugging the other's legs. Donna Sr. instantly hugged her back, a large smile on her face. "You're the cutest little thing!" She said with a tight squeeze around her daughter. I could see she had small tears rolling down her cheeks. Louis rushed out of his chair.

"Hey, I wanna hug Mommy!" He exclaimed.

Donna Jr. ignored him, hugging Donna Sr. tighter. The mother gave a light kiss on her forehead before letting her go and hugging Louis. "Aw, you're so cute."

Louis buried his face into her chest, hugging her back. Donna ruffled his hair, kissing the top of his head. She gave him a squeeze. Little Donna seemed to be getting upset by the lack of attention. Older Donna smiled to her before holding an arm out to her. She instantly hugged her, joining the group hug.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I knew you'd cry."

I looked to Lucas who was wiping his eyes. He placed his glasses back on correctly before smiling at me. Was I actually crying?

I touched my cheek, feeling a track of tears. I wiped it away, glancing at Lucas. "Guess I can't help it," I said, my throat hurting from the lump.

She was right there.

After ten years I could cry for a different reason.

After ten long years I could see her again. I could apologize and thank her for everything she's done.

Finally I could feel her in my arms again.

I saw Goku motion to the others - Gohan, Pan, and Videl - to leave to another room. Alexandra was busy fangirling over the cute sight of the three. Nathaniel decided to follow Goku and the rest, showing no emotion as usual. Of course, he was nice kid. That much I knew. But he didn't exhibit emotions often.

All that was left was Alexandra and my family. Even May had gone in a different direction.

Eventually both Donna and Louis let go. "Senpai must know about this!" Donna declared. "Be back soon!" She darted away in the direction of everyone else. I didn't think Christopher was here, but I could've been wrong.

Louis glanced at me and then left to follow her. Lucas approached Donna.

"Lucas!" Donna beamed, throwing her arms around her son. Lucas returned the hug. From the way his shoulders were shaking, he was crying.

Donna didn't seem to have changed. She seemed too happy to care about anything else.

I took a deep breath. I was attempting to make sure I wouldn't cry. I wiped away a tear, controlling my breathing.

Donna was right there.

She smiled. She hugged.

I could hug her.

I could touch her.

She was here. Actually here with me.

After going for so long without her, there she was.

Even if she had the halo on top of her head, I got to have her for one day.

One day.

Those two words were enough to fill me with joy.

I got a whole day with her.

Two words. One day.

I was granted a day with her.

I could have her for a day.

No constant thinking about her smile, her laugh, her coffee.

No constant thinking about those odd sounds and sightings.

She was here and that was all I needed.

Lucas parted from the hug, tears streaming down his face.

Donna smiled at him, tears of her own on her cheeks. "I've missed you, Lucas."

"I've missed you a lot more." Donna kissed him on the cheek, smiling again.

"Have you found someone yet?"

"Huh?"

"A girl. Or are you still freaking over Vanilla?" She teased.

Lucas laughed, wiping his eyes. "No. We're together."

Donna's smile grew. "Oh my gosh! Congratulations!"

Lucas smiled. "Thanks."

Lucas looked over to me. "I'm going to go call Vanilla." Donna nodded, her eyes moving to mine as well.

That said, Lucas left the room. It was just Donna and I.

It was silent for a moment. I took a step forward.

Her smile was gone. "Desmond, I'm sorry-"

I hugged her. It was a tight hug. It felt like if I ever let her go, she'd be taken from me again.

She was warm against me. I could hear her heart beating. It was the first time in a long while I had heard her heart beat. I only remembered it silent, still. My breath hitched.

"What are you sorry for?" I asked through tears.

She gently hugged me back. "I...I thought you were mad at me-"

"No, no." I hugged her tighter. "No, Donna, no...I was never mad at you, I swear."

"You...weren't mad when I...?"

"I couldn't be mad when you died. Donna, I love you." The words sounded so incredibly foreign. "I could never be mad at you."

Donna didn't respond. But I knew she was smiling. I just knew she was.

"I missed you..." She said quietly.

"Multiply it by infinity and you'd know how much I missed you."

I got a light laugh from her. I smiled. It was through tears, but I smiled. It felt good to smile. It felt amazing to smile about Donna. It had been ten years since I had had a real reason to smile about Donna.

All those long years without her. How did I even make it through? It seemed impossible now, with her in my arms. That's where I wanted her to stay. In my arms. I never wanted her to leave.

But I knew she would.

I leaned onto her, unable to hold myself up. She supported me. I felt so happy to have her here. I felt so sad that it wasn't forever. My thoughts gave way to sobbing, burying my face into her neck.

Donna gently sat down with me on the carpet. She patted my back, allowing me to cry into her. Why was I crying? I was happy.

I just missed her so much. All of the emotions I held came flooding out. The raw feeling of being alone and heartbroken. The burning feeling of loss. They had been covered up with the other Donna and Louis. I had no reason to feel that way with them. But now that she was here, it all just hit me full force.

I lifted myself off of her. I felt her hand wipe away the tears. A soft smile was on her face. I couldn't help but smile. I moved my hands to her cheeks, kissing her on the forehead. I moved to do the same to her temple, cheek, nose, and then her lips. It was a short kiss.

"I missed you like you wouldn't believe," I whispered. "I can't even describe how horrible I felt when you stopped breathing. Nothing was the same without you."

"I'm sorry. I really am. I couldn't continue. I knew it would happen."

"I didn't even get to tell you I loved you. I didn't get to say goodbye. I..." My voice broke. Donna hugged me when she saw the next few tears.

"I know...but I already knew how much you loved me. I don't need words for it. Just like you don't need words to feel comforted."

She was right. Her arms around me was enough. Hell, if she just looked at me I would feel alright.

"I love you, Desmond."

I moved out of her hug.

"And I love you too." I pressed my lips against hers. It felt so long since I had felt her lips on mine. It had been too long. Too long with a broken heart. Even if it was just a day, I felt so much better. If she had to leave now, I'd feel better.

Now whenever I thought of her, I would smile. The kiss went much longer than the first. I parted the kiss. Donna smiled. I wiped away a stray tear of hers.

"What did you think of the kids?"

"Oh, they were the cutest. What are their names?"

"Donna and Louis." She blinked.

"The girl was named after me?"

I nodded. "When you died, I didn't know what else to call her. You were the only person on my mind."

Her smile broadened. "I see. Why Louis?"

I paused. "I...um...I always liked that name. That's all."

She laughed. "Good enough. I like the name. He looks a lot like you."

"Donna looks like you."

"I noticed."

"Did you miss Lucas?"

She sighed, but with a smile. "Too much. I'm so happy he found somebody, though."

I laced my fingers with hers. It felt good to have normal conversation with her. She gave me a surprised look. She looked down at the hand I had joined with hers, my left. "Did you marry?" She looked a little hurt.

"Wait, what?" I looked down at my hand, seeing the ring on my hand. I eased. I smiled. "No, no. It just comforts me to think about the wedding we would've had. I still consider myself with you, even if you're gone."

She smiled. She was smiling so much. "I see. I'm sorry I said no."

"It's fine. It was a little soon."

She shook her head. "No, I said no because of the cancer, remember?"

I nodded. "I know. But I don't mind." I kissed her on the cheek.

"What do you have planned for the day?"

"I dunno. Whatever you want. Anything you've missed. We'll bring the kids along. It'll be great."

She nodded. "I'd like that."

I kissed her forehead. Every kiss was proof that she was here. That she wasn't just an illusion or dream. It was just comforting to me.

"Are we going now?"

"In a moment. I still want you here with me and only me."

"Desmond-"

"No, nothing like that." I laughed. I hugged her with my free arm, my other hand still laced with her fingers. She smelled of a mixture of things. It was like her favorite shampoo, the citrus kind. "I wouldn't make out with you. I just like having you here in front of me for me to touch."

Donna nodded and smiled, resting her head on my shoulder. I pulled back, a smile on my face.

"Now we can go."

She nodded, another smile on her face.

I untangled my hand from hers, wiping my eyes for any extra tears. I felt refreshed and revitalized. I stood up, helping her do the same.

"Ready to get the others?"

"We're leaving already?"

"I thought you wanted to," I responded, confused.

"I just want to spend time with you all. I don't want to go somewhere to get distracted from my family. I want to spend my 24 hours with you all."

I hesitated. "Okay." I took a deep breath. I didn't know why it bothered me so much. I figured she would want to go out somewhere, but I was wrong. But it was whatever she wanted.

After all, I wanted her happy on her only day.

This would definitely be the last time I would see her.

I'd be down in hell, she'd be in heaven once I died. If this was the last time I saw her, I wanted her to smile.

Her smile for the one day here.

One day.