Tales of Parenthood

Author's Note

Sequel to Coming of Age. Everyone except Goku and Doctor Briefs are alive, but Goku visits. Grand Tour happened and the dragon balls are gone. Ignores Dragon Ball Super.

Pan is 19

Bra is 22

Goten is 32

Trunks is 33

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any characters or variations of DBZ. I only own my OCs.

Chapter Nine: The Big Announcement

Trunks kept an arm around Pan as they waited. They were in the waiting area outside of the interview room along with numerous other parents. Henry was playing with his stuffed dinosaur near the other children. Trunks was answering emails on his phone when he felt a glare digging into his very soul. He looked up to see Pan glaring daggers.

"Trunks this school is in our top three. Could you please refrain from working until we're through here," growled Pan. Trunks swallowed hard. Pan could be hot headed at times, and he knew not to push it. He slipped his phone back into his jacket.

"Panny, we'll do fine, don't worry," Trunks tried to calm his angry wife.

Pan sighed and relaxed her shoulders. "It's okay. Honestly, I not the biggest fan of this place so far, but if it's what's best for Henry I don't want to mess it up," Pan told him leaning her head onto his shoulder.

"Then you're not mad at me?" Trunks asked giving her sad eyes.

"Nope," she said happily. He kissed her forehead lovingly.

Meanwhile Henry was happily playing when a little girl in a poofy pink dress came up to him. "You know I'm getting in here cause my parents are really big deals," she told him.

Henry didn't look up, but he did comment, "good for you."

"What do your parents do? It can't be as cool as mine!" she bragged.

"I don't know," he shrugged.

"You think you parents' jobs are better than mine's" she snapped getting right in Henry's face.

"I don't know," he shrugged again. "I don't know what my parents do… My daddy goes to work everyday, but my mommy stays home with me," explained Henry still unphased by the girl's pushiness.

"Oh so your mom's a house wife. That's horrible. She should be out working like a real woman. I bet she doesn't do anything, but sit around the house like my aunt Yuki," rambled the girl. Henry finely looked up giving the girl a glare.

"My mommy does lots, and she is the best mommy in the whole universe!" snapped Henry.

"I doubt that," she huffed. Henry glared at her while he was getting up and heading back over to his parents.

"Hey little man, you okay?" asked Trunks as he picked up Henry. Henry clung to his shirt.

"She's not nice," Henry told his parents pointing to the little girl that had been bothering him.

xxXXxx

After the interview, they were heading back out through the waiting room when a stuffy looking woman around Trunk's age with sleeked back hair stopped them.

"Hi you're the Briefs correct?" she asked eyeing the three over. Trunks nodded. Pan glared. Henry was asleep in her arms. "Marvelous! My daughter seemed to real hit it off with your son earlier. I think they should spend more time together. You never know they maybe a match made in heaven," she grinned.

"That's your daughter?" Pan asked gesturing toward the little girl Henry had pointed out to them earlier.

"That's her!"

"Then I think were good. Henry told us he wasn't a fan of her," Pan said with a smirk and headed toward the exit.

Trunks was following when the woman grabbed his arm. "Mr Briefs reconsider. We're the Nattaks. I'm sure you've heard of us. Our daughter the heir to our fortune and your son is the heir to Capsule Corp and Satan Enterprises. It would be a perfect arranged marriage… I sure you understand the importance of alliances. I mean you did marry for one yourself."

Trunks erupted into laughter. Once he was able to speak again, he told her, "Pan and I got married because we love each other. It has nothing to do with business. Our families are close so we've known each other our whole lives. I can assure you that we have no interest in arranging a marriage for our son." With that Trunks pulled his arm away and left.

xxXXxx

"He's starting to become more like your dad," commented Pan as she watched Henry practice training in the backyard.

"What makes you say that?" asked Trunks wrapping his arms around her.

Pan looked up giving his neck a peck. "The way he loves to train and the glare he gave that little girl today," she told him with a smirk.

"Oh I thought you were going to bring up the smirk," he chuckled.

"That too… He's like a hilarious mixture of his grandfathers in a little mini me of you," she laughed giving him another kiss.

"I don't see anything wrong with that," retorted Trunks after breaking the kiss.

xxXXxx

Trunks grinned. He had great news. Henry had been accepted to all three of the preschools they had interviewed with including their top choice. He couldn't wait to tell Pan. He walked in to find his home surprisingly quiet. He found Pan watching Henry sleep.

"Hey," he whispered causing Pan to jump then glare at him for sneaking up on her.

They left Henry's room and went into the living room. "Why are you home so early? You spooked me," Pan groaned shaking her head.

"Just wanted to see you. Did you just put Henry down?" asked Trunks a suggestive smirk growing on his face. Pan nodded. "Then why don't we go work on baby number two?" he smoothly said as he pulled her into a deep kiss. Trunks pulled away when Pan didn't respond to the kiss as usual.

"Trunks we need to talk about that," Pan told him staring into his eyes. He had seen that look in her eyes before. It was fear.

"Panny if you want to wait some more, it's okay. There's a big deal going through at work anyway… It's probably not the best time for us to have a baby right now," he explained trying to relieve any guilt he was sure she was feeling. Pan's eyes filled with tears. "Pan talk to me please!" pleaded Trunks as he pulled Pan into a tight embraces.

"I was going to tell you that we don't need to try any more… I'm pregnant," she burst out burying her face in his shirt.

"Panny…"

"I was worried you would have changed your mind and wouldn't be happy about the baby, and I was right!" she exclaimed into his shirt.

"No! No Panny, I didn't change my mind. I thought you had, and I was trying to be supportive," explained Trunks rubbing Pan's back in a comforting manner.

Pan seemed to calm. "Really?" she asked raising her head to meet his glaze.

"Absolutely… So you're really pregnant?" he asked a sheepish smile forming on his lips. She nodded. The two stayed on the couch thinking about the wonderful news.

xxXXxx

Trunks and Pan had now confirmed with her doctor, she was indeed pregnant. Now the couple had to face the next step telling people, and the first person they were going to tell was currently coloring in an oversized coloring book.

"Henry, we need to talk to you little buddy," Trunks called to his son.

Henry came flying through the house landing in front of his parents. Pan gave him a disapproving look. He immediately looked at the floor. "Henry are you allowed to fly in the house?" she asked sternly.

"No Mommy, I'm sorry," he said in a sad whine. He started to walk back to where he had been before when Trunks scooped him up.

"Little buddy what would you think if our family got bigger?" Trunks asked Henry.

Henry thought for a moment before answering, "I think that'd be okay."

"Good, because you are going to be a big brother in a few months," Pan told her son with a soft smile.

Henry's eyes got huge. "Really?" he asked his voice full of excitement.

"That's right you're going to have a little brother or sister," explained Trunks.

"Could I have both?" Henry asked now bouncing up and down with excitement.

Pan choked. Trunks started laughing. "I think it's only going to be one, but we'll know that in a couple weeks," chuckled Trunks.

"When do they get here?" Henry asked excitedly.

"As of right now the best guess if October or November," answered Pan.

Henry excitement seemed to falter. "Why does it take so long?" Henry asked.

Trunks suddenly looked nervous. Pan stayed calm and gave him an answer, "Because sweetie, the baby has to grow in Mommy's tummy first then they can come out."

"Like when Aunt Marron got big?"

"Exactly!" exclaimed Trunks hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions on the subject.

xxXXxx

Henry had been full of suggestions and questions since he was told the news. There was one piece of information he was excited about. Pan and Trunks had given him the job of telling everyone about the new baby. He gets to announce it at the party Bulma is throwing in a few weeks.

"I'm really surprised he hasn't told anyone yet," chuckled Trunks as he watched Henry draw another picture that he assumed would be another present for the baby.

"I know. He's so excited. He asked me this morning if he could help pick the baby's name," giggled Pan.

"What did you tell him?" Trunks asked a little worried.

"I told him that he could help, but we would be picking the actual name," Pan assured him.

A grin formed on Trunks' face. "Hearing his suggestions might be fun," said Trunks placing his tea back down.

xxXXxx

"Gohan why are there pamphlets everywhere? I thought Pan and Trunks had already chosen a school for Henry," called Videl as she gathered up the brochures that cover the living room without truly looking at them.

"I think they have, but they haven't said which. I'm assuming they'll say at Bulma's party this weekend. As for those pamphlets, they are of schools but not for Henry. They're for Pan," explain Gohan a grin growing on his face.

"How do you even know if Pan got a high enough score for these schools?" asked Videl as she now looked of the schools' brochures in her hands.

"I called and got her entrance exam score," Gohan smugly responded.

"Gohan you shouldn't have done that. If you wanted to know Pan's score, you should have just asked her," Videl said disapprovingly.

"It wasn't a big deal. I was still listed in her file as a guardian, so it wasn't any trouble… Come on Videl you can't say you're not curious what she got," Gohan explained with a slight smile as he waved a piece of paper at his wife.

Videl glared at him for a few moments before she finally snatched the paper out of his hand. She read for a moment. "These are great scores… better than mine even," remarked Videl.

"I know right! Between those scores and Trunks' financing, she can go to almost any school she wants," beamed Gohan. "I'm going to bring these to the party, so she can start picking one out."

"Gohan, Pan might not be as excited as you are about this, so please don't be to pushy about this," she told her husband before handing back the papers and the pamphlets.

xxXXxx

The entire Z gang was enjoying Bulma's party. This one wasn't for any particular reason, but since the grand tour, she wanted the gang to stay close knit. This party was also Marron's first real outing since the incident. Maddox was growing more active and independent, which made her overprotectiveness only increase. Bunny was running around giving everyone beverages and complimenting everyone in her own little awkward way. Trunks and Pan had arrived a little late, an extremely excited Henry at their side.

"What's got you so excited kiddo?" asked Yamcha as Henry bounced about.

"Mommy and Daddy say I get to make an announcement later," Henry told him with a grin as he ran off to play.

"An announcement?" questioned Yamcha looking at the rest of the group.

"I think they are letting him announce what school they picked. Trunks and Pan have been looking at preschools for a few months," explained Gohan with a slight chuckle. He was looking forward to discussing universities with Pan after Henry made his announcement.

After everyone had eaten and Bulma had made a toast, Henry ran forward excited to make his announcement. Trunks wrapped an arm around Pan as their son bounced with excitement. Everyone gave a slight laugh before calming down.

"What's your announcement sweetie?" asked Bulma smiling at the little boy.

"I'm going to be a big brother!" he announced.

Chi-Chi and Bulma both squealed with excitement and ran to hug Pan.

Gohan's smile dropped. Videl watched him closely. "Gohan you okay?" she asked moving closer to him.

"Why…" he trailed off.

"Gohan you know this stuff happens. We weren't trying to have Pan when I got pregnant," she comforted her husband. It seemed to work. He nodded his agreement.

Videl headed over to talk to Pan. Bulma had made her way over to speak to Henry. Gohan joined her.

"So that's what you've been so excited about," commented Bulma as she scooped Henry up into a tight hug. He nodded happily.

Bulma sat him down and moved on to Gohan. "How about you? Are you excited about getting a second grandbaby? I've been thrilled since Trunks told me they were trying," Bulma grinned. Gohan's smile dropped again.

He moved toward Trunks and Pan who were in the middle of being congratulated. "So you've decided to just throw your life away as a housewife birthing his brats," growled Gohan gesturing to Trunks. Videl moved to Gohan trying to calm him.

Henry stared at his Pawpa Gohan. "I'd watch how you speak to my wife Gohan," calmly said Trunks his arm still protectively wrapped around Pan.

"Why? She's the one who is choosing not to go to school. She had a perfect opportunity since the little mini you is starting school, but no she decides to try to have more brats!" snarled Gohan.

Tears started to form in Pan's eyes. Trunks energy started to rise, but he tried his best to control it when suddenly Henry's hair flashed gold for a few seconds as he tried to attack Gohan. Vegeta caught the boy midair as he screamed, "Don't be mean to my mommy!"

"I think we should be going," announced Trunks as he took Henry from his father and led Pan away.

Everyone was silent for a few minutes after they left. Finally Videl spoke, "Gohan what were you thinking! She's our daughter how could you say any like that to her! I don't care if that's how you really feel or not. You shouldn't have said it." Videl stormed off.

"She's right Gohan. Your grandson who has never tried to fight anyone just tried to attack you. Let that sink in," Chi-Chi scolded as she went after Videl.

Everyone left Gohan alone to think.

Goten went to talk to Vegeta. "So what do you think?" Goten asked the older saiyan.

"I have no opinion on Kakarrot's brat's behavior," Vegeta spat at Goten.

"I was more talking about Henry," shrugged Goten.

"The boy is going to be very strong," grumbled Vegeta.

"I think he'll go super even earlier than Trunks and I did," grinned Goten.

"Indeed," nodded Vegeta as he walked off.

While Goten was speaking with Vegeta, Rini and Bra were talking to Marron. "I'm going to be an aunt again," grinned Bra. Rini laughed at her excitement. "So Mar, you thinking of having another anytime soon?" Bra asked her blonde friend.

Marron shook her head. "Uub and I talked about it, and we think Maddox is going to be an only child," answered Marron. The two women looked shocked.

"Any specific reason? I thought you wanted a little girl," asked Rini trying figure out her reasoning.

"I did, but there's no guarantee the next one would be a girl either. I enjoyed being an only child, and Uub had to give up a lot being the oldest of five. We think Maddox deserves the attention," Marron explained.

"Makes sense. Since he's close to Henry's age, he already has a friend," shrugged Rini.

"And you can just wait till Maddox gets a little girlfriend. Then she can be the daughter you never had," laughed Bra. Rini was trying her hardest not to laugh.

xxXXxx

"Panny are you okay?" asked Trunks as he ran his fingers through her hair. Pan was currently curled up in the fetal position in their king sized bed. She didn't answer or even acknowledge him. "Please talk to me Pan," Trunks begged. The door crept open and a certain little boy joined them in their bed.

"Mommy, I'm sorry I tried to hit Gohan," Henry apologized burrowing under the covers and into her arms. Trunks couldn't help, but raise an eyebrow. Henry had never called Gohan by only his name.

"It's okay sweetie… You were just worried about Mommy," Pan assured her son snuggling him close to her chest. Trunks got under the covers as he had seen his son do and tried to forcible join the cuddled up duo. "What are you doing?" Pan asked laughing at seeing her thirty-three year old husband try to impersonate their two-year-old son.

"Trying to be apart of the snuggles," Trunks answered with a pout present on his face. Henry hugged his father's chest as Pan snuggled into his side.

xxXXxx

It had been a week since the confrontation with Gohan. There was a knock on the door. Trunks opened the door surprised to find Hercule. "Hercule, what are you doing here?" asked Trunks.

"I just got back from my world tour, and Videl told me what happened. So I figured I should come check on my precious little granddaughter," explained Hercule as he entered their home. "Where is Pan-chan?" he asked looking around for Pan.

"She's in our room. She hasn't gotten out of bed much since it happened," sadly admitted Trunks.

"Don't worry, Old Hercule can handle this," assured Hercule as he went off to find Pan. Just as Trunks said, Pan was curled up in their bed. "Pan!" called Hercule as he entered the room. Pan sat up shocked to see her grandfather.

"Gramps? What are you doing here… did Mama tell you?" Pan asked wrenching her hands in her lap.

"Your mom told me everything including that I'm getting another great grandbaby, and Trunks told me you haven't been out of bed much this week… You know that's not good for the baby," Hercule said as he moved to sit on the bed.

After hearing his last comment, Pan threw herself back down on to the pillows. "I'm a horrible mother and daughter," she cried.

"Pan No! That's not what I meant! I just meant well, spending a week in bed won't hurt anything, but your usual active behavior is better for the baby," Hercule said in a frantic panic. Pan stopped crying, but she didn't sit up. "Your mother is worried about you. She wanted to come check on you, but she was worried it would upset you," explained Hercule starting to rub her back.

"Mama can come over," mumbled Pan still face down in the pillow.

"Pan-chan I want you to understand that parents mess up sometimes. Parents make plans for what their kids should do when they grow up, and they can get a little upset when their kids choose their own path. But that's part of life, realizing your kid is going to make their own choices. I'm not making trying to say you should forgive Gohan because personally I think he owes you an apology, but he got in his head that you were going to be getting back on the path he had laid out for you years ago. He even got a hold of your scores on the entrance exam… You scored even higher than your mom by the way," Hercule rambled on trying to comfort his granddaughter.

Pan sat up. "Really?" she asked rubbing her eyes.

"Oh yeah, and your mom was one of the top students at her school," assured Hercule pulling her into a hug. "How about we go for a walk around the neighborhood. I'm sure they would love to see the world chap out for a stroll. We can even take Henry with us," purposed Hercule.

Pan smiled, "He's in the playroom." Pan stood to get changed.

"The playroom is the one across the hall right?" asked Hecule as he headed into the hallway.

"Yep," Pan answered pulling on some more suitable clothes.

Meanwhile across the hall, Hercule opened the door and exclaimed, "Henry!"

"Gramps!" screamed Henry as he jumped into Hercules arms.

"Your mom and I are going for a walk around the neighborhood. You wanna come with?" he asked the hyper little boy in his arms.

"Yeah!" Henry excitedly answered.

Author's Note- Please R&R it means a lot to me.