This one takes place in the same setting/world as the last fic, but takes place a few years later. An AU set after Journey's End/The End of Time. The Doctor didn't regenerate, and Donna didn't marry Shaun. Instead, the Doctor is choosing to live as a human to be with Donna.

Donna blinked away the haunting image of the police box as she drove, wishing that she could erase it from her mind as easily as she had binned the calendar that Francine had given her. It was nice, with all of its pictures from London's past and present, but the front cover had given her chills. So much for Secret Santa being any fun this year. Her head was pounding and she felt nauseous, and she just wanted to lie down and have a good cuddle with her husband. Was that too much to ask?

She pulled up in front of the house and took a moment to calm down. She wiped away the tear stains on her cheeks before she walked to the door. John knew how she suffered, but she didn't like their twin sons seeing her like this.

She could hear the three of them talking in the kitchen as soon as she walked inside. The Christmas tree in the corner of the living room was brightly lit and shining, not washed out even under the bright ceiling lights. They had all decorated it together yesterday, and she smiled to see a few wrapped gifts placed underneath.

Unfortunately, her smile didn't last long. She walked into the kitchen and gasped at what she saw. It was a disaster zone! John, James, and Alan were covered from head to toe in flour. Spilled sugar and broken eggs littered the floor. Alan had smears of something blue across his face, and James' mouth and chin were covered in chocolate. The table and counters were covered with bowls and measuring cups, and a mountain of dirty dishes filled the sink.

Donna couldn't help but cover her mouth as her tears started flowing in earnest. She'd only just cleaned the kitchen this morning. "What are you doing? Don't you know how much work this will be to clean up? Why- Why would you do this to me?"

"Mummy, we made Christmas biscuits," Alan said, pointing to the oven.

"For you," James added. His bottom lip trembled as tears filled his big brown eyes.

"You made a huge mess!" If she was shouting, well, she couldn't help it. "I just wanted to come home and go to bed, and now… I can't even get two seconds of rest with you lot. Why can't I ever come home to a nice, clean house? Don't you know how hard I work? Don't you even care?" Her head pounded with each word, and she grimaced with the pain. She massaged her temples with her thumbs, hoping for some relief. Bloody calendar.

"Donna," John said, as he reached out to touch her shoulder.

"Don't." She stepped back, not wanting him to get flour on her new red top. "Were you even watching them at all, or did you let them run wild in here while you did your work?" John taught university maths and physics classes online so that he could stay home with the twins. Unfortunately, there was so much going on inside his big brain that sometimes he got distracted.

"Donna, they're only four. Of course I helped." He ran a hand through his hair and anxiously tugged at a few strands, leaving a grey-looking streak behind. "We wanted to surprise you with the biscuits. We didn't expect you to come home early, so I thought we'd have plenty of time to clean everything up."

"Oh," she said, softly, as realization began to sink in. She was home awfully early. Maybe they hadn't planned on leaving it a mess. Her shoulders sank. "You- You're right. I'm..." She shook her head and turned to James and Alan. "I'm so sorry for shouting, boys. I had a bad day at work, but that's not your fault. I'm sure the Christmas biscuits will be delicious." She gave them each careful hugs. "I love you."

John caught her eye. "Why don't you go lie down, and I'll get everything cleaned up. The kitchen will be spotless again before you know it!"

Donna nodded and dragged herself to bed, feeling like a horrible person. Why had she shouted like that? They were only young children. They didn't deserve that kind of treatment. If only she didn't feel so awful all of the time. She used to be a happier person before her car accident. All she'd done in the six years since was cry and mope around, suffer with migraines and wonder about the missing years of her life. She still didn't know what John saw in her. He was such a wonderful, brilliant man. He could have anyone he wanted, and yet he'd chosen her and given her two wonderful children.

She had only just drifted off to sleep when he slipped into bed behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle, waking her. She shifted, opening her eyes halfway. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Shh. Everything is okay, love." He kissed the top of her head. "James and Alan are down for their naps, and I got everything all cleaned up. The biscuits will be there whenever you get ready to have some."

"Thanks, but I really shouldn't have acted like that. I'm so ashamed." Her eyes welled again, and she let out a frustrated sigh.

John stroked her side. "I could tell you were just barely holding it together as soon as you came in the kitchen. Another migraine?"

"Yeah. It seemed to be triggered by this calendar my friend gave me. There was a photo of an old police box on the front cover, and it was like a lightning bolt flashed through my head."

"Oh." John stiffened against her for a second before he relaxed again. "That's odd. Anyway, I know it's hard to be patient when you don't feel well. I think maybe the boys are old enough now for us to have a little chat with them about your health. In simple terms, of course."

Donna nodded and shifted to rest her head on the crook of his shoulder. "You're probably right. It's not an excuse for my behavior though."

John wisely didn't respond to that. "Well, no matter what, just remember that our boys love you, and so do I. Nothing you can do or say will ever change that."

Donna sniffled as more tears poured from her eyes. God, she loved this man. "I love you too, John. So much."

He took her hand, entwining their fingers. "Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?"

"Just this. Just be here," she whispered.

"I can do that," he said, softly, and nestled closer against her. "Good night, Donna. I hope you'll feel better when you wake."