This is the final short story in this series. It's also the final part of the ficverse from chapters 22 and 23. Thanks to TKelParis for the idea about Handy.

The Doctor was asleep and dreaming when a weight settled on his chest and little hands tugged at his hair. He stirred and blinked sleepily at his three year old daughter. "What're you doing?" he rasped.

"It's Christmas!" Emily shouted in his ear. "Get up!"

He winced, turning away from from the sound. "Okay, okay," he said, and shifted to sit up. He looked to the right and was surprised to find the space next to him empty. "Where's Mummy?"

"I'm right here," Donna answered, as she appeared in the open door frame. James and Alan hovered behind her, peeking in at him. "I told them to leave you alone since you were actually sleeping for once, but she wasn't having it."

"Oh, that's okay. I slept plenty," he said, and swung his feet out of bed. "Ready for breakfast?" he teased Emily.

"No! We have to open our presents first!" she shouted.

"Yeah," Alan echoed, grinning.

"Oh, right. Suppose we should do that. We wouldn't want Santa to get cross with us if we ignore his gifts, after all." He stood up, stretched, and followed his wife and children out into the living room. They gathered around the Christmas tree.

Donna wrapped an arm around his waist as they sat on the sofa and watched their children gleefully start to unwrap their gifts from Santa Claus. They shared a few soft smiles as they watched. "This almost feels like my very first Christmas," Donna said, just loud enough for him to hear. "Now that I have my memories back, something seems different."

It had happened one day the week before. She had woken up from a fitful night of sleep and realized that she remembered everything from the missing years of her life. The metacrisis was safely gone, and she was made whole and safe again. Just like that.

"I'm still just so glad to have you back properly," he whispered, and looped his arm around her in return, pulling her against him for a hug. She went willingly, curling up against him with her head on his shoulder. There had been a rough few hours as they had talked everything out and made sure that she was really okay, and then that they were okay as a couple, but in the end, they still loved each other and their family, and Donna had decided that there was no point in being angry at the Doctor. He had done the only thing he could do in an impossible situation, and he had given up so much to be with her. He would forever be grateful to her for forgiving him.

"We really do need to talk to them about all of this," Donna said, nodding at Emily and the boys. "How are we even going to tell them that they're part alien? They'll think we've gone round the bend." They had discussed it almost every night since she had remembered, talking about how to best introduce their kids to the universe. Unfortunately, they had found no easy answers.

"Quick trip in the TARDIS after Christmas dinner?" he suggested, softly, raising his brow in jest.

"Really?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Well… They can't deny it if they can see it. Plus, they know my brother travels a lot, so maybe it won't be such a shock to them if he's there to help explain."

When the twins were just wee babies, the man who had been created from his hand, and who he now called his twin brother, had found a way back into the proper universe, and they had reconciled. They were lucky to have Uncle Handy in their life. He was the one traveling and minding the universe while the Doctor went full domestic with Donna.

"You know, I think that's a good idea," Donna said. "Oh, I can't wait to see the old girl again. I wonder if my bedroom still looks the same. You saved it didn't you?"

"Oh, I suppose finding out can be one last Christmas gift for you," the Doctor teased, hugging her tighter. "'Course I saved it."

"Speaking of gifts… There's a special one for you that's not under the tree," she said, softly.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I've got it right here in my pocket." She used her free hand to reach into her pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Here, open it."

The Doctor let go of her and did as she said, carefully tearing open the little white envelope. A sheet of paper fell out, and a quick glance revealed it to be blood test results. He scanned it quickly, curious. When he realized what it was, he gasped. "Oh, Donna!"

Donna smiled softly at him. "I thought I was a bit old now, but I guess not. Are you happy?"

"I'm going to be a father again? Of course I'm happy!" He only just managed to lower his voice as turned in his seat and pulled her into a tight hug, the paper falling to the floor in his haste. "Oh, and that's got to be our answer! Brilliant!" He pulled away to look at her, fighting to keep his voice low. "Our children have each absorbed a bit of regeneration energy when they reached the third week of gestation, I knew that, but now it must have finally been all been used up. It's brilliant, Donna! You're brilliant! Our baby is brilliant!"

Of course all three of the kids noticed his excitement, and soon everyone was sharing in the joy of expecting a new family member.

"Maybe this news is enough for now?" Donna asked, quietly, once the kids were occupied again. "Tomorrow might be better for the other bit."

He nodded. "You're probably right."

"And this might be a silly question, but how would you feel about keeping up the aging thing? Might freak out the kids a bit if you come in here looking ten years younger. Plus, you know, I've kind of grown fond of your laugh lines." She ducked her head shyly as she reached up to stroke his face, tenderly brushing her thumb against the corner of his left eye.

The Doctor smiled at her as he reached up to cradle her hand in his. "Anything for you, Donna." He really didn't mind his aging appearance so much anyway. He wanted them to look like a proper family even when Donna was ninety years old, and even his brother was using the technology so as to not confuse anyone who saw them together.

"Merry Christmas, Spaceman," she said, softly, before leaning to give him a kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Donna." He took her hand and led her over to the kids who were busy opening boxes and putting toys together. As they sat down on the floor and joined the excitement, he knew life would only get better from here.

Thank you so much for reading my little series! All of the reviews I've gotten have made me feel so very happy, and each and every one is very much appreciated. I didn't expect such a great response to this series, so it always felt like a great surprise each time I got a review. The support and kindness I got from you all was wonderful, and that was the only thing that enabled me to write these fics so quickly. Thank you!

BMG, I hope you enjoyed your fic! Merry Christmas to you! :D

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Thank you again! *big hugs for every single person who read, reviewed, left kudos, suggested a story, and/or sent me a nice message*