Okay, so I'm thinking I'll write this part and then write the next part and that will be the end

Okay, so I'm thinking I'll write this part and then write the next part and that will be the end. So ten parts all together. This one will be a little shorter than usual, but have patience. Thanks for all the comments, keep them coming! And I already have a sort of sequel mulling around in my mind. But I don't know if I should start writing it yet, considering the fact that I'm in the midst of three other stories as well as a collaboration with jade. Be sure to check that one out when we put it out. She already came up with a title, it'll be called "The Best of Both Worlds" and it'll be a sort of alternate reality DBZ fanfic. It's really cool, so check it out. We'll probably start putting out parts a week or so after I finish this series. Okay, so on with the story…

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A Shelter From My Storm

Part 9

A few days later, Bulma drove home with Vegeta and the baby. The child had been named Trunks after Goku explained who this child was and would be. Vegeta had been rather irked by this turn of events for two main reasons. Firstly, Kakarot had known all along that Vegeta would produce a brat with that woman, while Vegeta had not. Secondly, Vegeta had planned on naming the child Vegeta, as was tradition in the Saiyan royal bloodline. He claimed that he didn't approve of the silly human name in the least, but he would allow it since his son was already ruined beyond salvation by that woman's impure human genes.

Other than Goku coming to tell them about Trunks, no one had visited the hospital or had seen baby Trunks at all. Vegeta was still at the hospital because he hadn't left, claiming that he didn't trust the weak, incompetent hospital staff to care for his brat or his mate. Bulma didn't press the subject. She was so amazed that Vegeta would give up a full few days of training time for Trunks and her that she didn't want to push her luck. She didn't even get angry when Vegeta commented on how even the horrible hospital food was good compared to her cooking.

When the three of them returned to Capsule Corporation, they were met by Bulma's parents as well as all of the other Z warriors, who were eager (in varying degrees) to see the chibi version of the silvery-lavender haired warrior from the future.

"Ooh, Bulma honey! Vegeta! You're home!" Mrs. Briefs immediately latched onto Vegeta's arm, pulling him into the house. The prince was too surprised by the cheery woman's unexpected assault to resist this treatment. Bulma chuckled at the look on his face while she followed them in, cradling the swaddled Trunks in her arms protectively.

"Bulma, where's that grandson of mine?" Dr. Briefs peered eagerly at the small bundle from across the room.

"Yes, let's see him." ChiChi encouraged. Everyone closed in to get a look, but they stayed back a little bit as they noted the threatening glare Vegeta was shooting all of them with from where he stood behind Bulma. He was much more composed now that he had extricated himself from the flirtatious Mrs. Briefs' grip. Goku was fidgeting excitedly and ChiChi had to hold his arm tightly to keep him relatively still. Yamcha cocked an eyebrow at the over enthusiastic Saiyan.

"Goku, didn't you already see the baby?" Yamcha asked.

"Yeah, but that was two whole days ago!" Goku continued to hop about as ChiChi rolled her eyes and shook her head at her childish husband. Bulma giggled in giddy pride before she slowly unwrapped Trunks' blanket and held the pajama-clad infant up for inspection.

"Ooh!" squealed ChiChi and Mrs. Briefs simultaneously.

"Aww, he looks like a cute little baby Vegeta!" exclaimed Goku, ignoring the venomous glare Vegeta was focusing on the simple-minded Saiyan.

"His eyes are like yours, but stuck into Vegeta's face." Yamcha observantly told Bulma.

"Where's his tail?" Tien asked in confusion.

"We had it removed." Bulma replied, "I didn't want my baby turning into that monster whenever there was a full moon. Right Vegeta?"

"Hmph." Was the only reply Vegeta offered.

"He's cute, don't you think so Mr. Piccolo?" Gohan looked up at his Namekian mentor who was too busy relishing in Vegeta's obvious discomfort to notice Gohan's query.

"Can I hold him?" Goku asked Bulma in wide-eyed excitement.

"Well of course you ca-" Bulma began before Vegeta stood between Goku and Bulma protectively.

"No!" Vegeta protested.

"Oh, why not Vegeta? Goku's a father, he's handled babies before. He knows how to hold Trunks." Bulma spoke to Vegeta in a soothing tone. Goku enthusiastically nodded his head in assent.

"I will not allow it!" Vegeta crossed his arms stubbornly, "That is my brat! He is of royal Saiyan blood! And I will not have some lowly, third-class warrior putting his filthy, inferior hands on my brat!"

"But I thought you didn't care." Bulma commented casually as she made her way around Vegeta.

"I…I don't!" Vegeta stammered momentarily. "Do as you wish! It makes no difference to me! I just wanted you to know that it is hardly proper!"

"Well, since when did propriety matter to you?" Bulma smirked at the silent, scowling Saiyan as she handed Trunks to Goku. Goku immediately began to tickle the child, who appeared to be delighted with the other Saiyan's odd hair. Vegeta grimaced in disgust at how friendly Kakarot was acting with his child. Bulma's triumphant smirk softened as she saw Vegeta growling and clenching his teeth in an attempt to quell his anger. She stepped up to him and lightly placed a hand on his tensely crossed arms. He turned his attention to her with a small grunt of surprise. Smiling, she leaned up slightly until her mouth was right next to his ear.

"It'll be okay Vegeta. I know this is all new to you." She whispered. "A lot of it is new to me too. But we'll learn together, okay?" she paused, a devious grin forming on her lips. "Poor Vegeta, you've been deprived for nine months. But I'm not pregnant anymore. And my parents are going out tonight…" she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, not wanting to embarrass him too badly in front of the others, though they were all watching Trunks at the moment.

Vegeta smiled briefly at Bulma before setting his face into its customary scowl as he turned his attention back to the others. Bulma noted the alarm flashing in Vegeta's eyes as Goku began to toss Trunks up in the air, catching the chortling baby on the way down. She decided not to push it any further.

"That's enough, Goku." Bulma smoothly took her son back from the elated Goku.

"Thanks Bulma!" Goku turned to ChiChi, putting an arm around her shoulder. "I like babies. Maybe we should have another one ChiChi!" he suggested enthusiastically. ChiChi blushed furiously before thwacking the Goku's unsuspecting head with her swift hand. "What?" he rubbed his head in surprise. ChiChi glared at him in embarrassment as almost everyone else laughed at their friend.

***The End (Of Part 9, That Is)***