Lucrin's a Daddy!
(Thank you for reviewing! How will that sexy beast, Lucrin, react to being a dad? Read and find out!)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own DBZ! I do Own Sherona!
Lucrin slumped down onto his bed. Ruby was already fast asleep beside him. He quickly pulled off his heavy boots, cloak, and shirt, and yanked the covers up to his chest. He had not had an easy day and he was dog-tired. Veggie had spent the night over at Bardock's, which was a very bad idea, because as soon as he returned home he stripped off all his clothes and ran around the whole palace yelling "BANZAI!" over and over. What the hell goes on over there? That little monkey had Sherona and him chasing after him for over two hours! Lucrin was finally able to catch him after he ran into the Dining hall…during Ruby's baby shower. Lucrin had never felt more embarrassed in his entire life! All of those beautiful women were laughing at him! Him, of all people! His face had to have been as red as the punch! Lucrin had half a mind to spank the little brat! But truth was, the kid was too damn cute! So instead he went up to the roof and sulked for the rest of the afternoon.
Now that he thought about it, the last nine months had been tough. He had a lot on his plate: keeping the king on task, scheduling appointments, checking with the squads, health checks, taking care of Ruby, preparing for the baby, getting the nursery ready, taking care of Prince Vegeta, helping Sherona with her daily tasks! "sigh" That last one he didn't really mind. He enjoyed helping Sherona run the house, prepare for banquets and festivals, and such. Most of all, he just liked spending time with her. She could always bring a smile to his face, no matter what mood he was in. Not to mention, she was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOS!
He turned onto his side and closed his eyes. As his mind slipped into a peaceful slumber, images of Sherona's lovely face danced around in his head.
Lucrin found himself standing in mist with darkness all around him. His body felt strange, when he looked down at it he saw that he was wearing his old armor. Strange, this thing was burned years ago! Lucrin thought. His inner thoughts seemed to echo through the room.
Then the awful laughter began to ring in his ears, enveloping him in its horrible sound. But this was a laughter he knew all too well. Razela! At the very moment that name was thought, Razela herself stepped out of the shadows. She was dressed in her usual black cloak with the hood covering most of her face. The only part of her that was visible was her pale lips.
She approached him very slowly, painfully slow, obviously enjoying the look on Lucrin's face. He tried to back away from her but he couldn't move. His entire body felt cold and numb. Razela stopped in front of Lucrin. She was terrifyingly close. Her body, nearly touching his. Lucrin could feel her icy gaze on him, freezing him down to his core.
"Hello Lucrin, dear." She said in a cheerful yet frigid tone. She lowered her hood, revealing her unnatural face. Her face was very pale, making her red eyes stand out even more. She shook out her long black hair. It fell down to her lower back. Lucrin stared at her, unable to even blink. He watched as she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small, shell lip color container. She opened it and smeared some on her pinkie finger. She rubbed the blood red lip paint on her lips, then smacked them together. Leaning closer to his face, she kissed his cheek lightly, leaving a mark. Lucrin cringed inwardly when her cold lips hit his skin.
Her ran her long nailed fingers through his hair, her face was still very close to his. "Such a good boy," she whispered, "I hope you've behaved yourself while I was away." "What do you want from me?" Lucrin managed to ask. She stroked the side of his face, "I am in need of your assistance again my pet." Lucrin's stomach lurched at her words. He wanted to spew foul words at the vile witch but his mouth suddenly felt like it was filled with sand. Razela's eyes glared into Lucrin's, "It is a small task. I simply need you to give me your child if it is a female." Lucrin spat in her face, "Never!"
Razela wiped the spit off her face with a sleeve. "Come now, Lucrin, I gave you my only daughter in return for your services. I need an apprentice, and the way I see it, you owe me." Lucrin scowled at her, "I learned my lesson the last time I helped you. I won't do it again!"
Razela smirked slyly, "Every one has a price. What will yours be? Money, land, status, women. Take your pick. I can give you all these things and more! Just ask and it will be yours." Lucrn frowned, his eyes darting to floor, "There is nothing you can give me that would persuade me to betray my king again. Please leave me and my family alone, witch!"
Razela put a finger to her lips, like she was deep in thought, "I know. It's the same as last time, isn't it? A woman, a woman as unreachable to you as the stars." Razela's lips disfigured into a wicked grimace as she chuckled in a demonic hiss. She began chanting in the old language. Lucrin could not understand her. Suddenly smoke engulfed her. She disappeared from Lucrin's sight. When the smoke cleared, Lucrin's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Razela did not look like Razela then. Her body had morphed into that of the lovely queen! And she was completely naked! It was Sherona's body he saw and her voice that he heard, but he knew that it was still Razela's soul that he felt. The icy chill down his spine assured him of that.
Razela pressed her body up against Lucrin's chest. "You want her don't you? The queen? I can see it in your eyes. I can give her to you. If you give me your daughter." Lucrin glared at her, "For what? So she can become a witch like you? No deal!" Razela frowned, "Sherona's heart belongs to the king. Without me you will never be able to win her. She will forever be out of your reach." Despite his better judgement, Lucrin found himself actually considering it. Little did he know Razela saw this weakness.
She pushed off of him and in a flash of light she was herself again, fully dressed in her black robes. "Tell me Lucrin, where do your loyalties lie? To your king or to your own desires?"
Lucrin yelled out in his sleep, twisting and thrashing in the bed. He felt a light touch on his shoulder and shot up in bed with a start. Ruby jumped back from him. "Lucrin. I'm starting to have some contractions. I think we should get to the hospital." She told him. Lucrin stared up at her. After a few minutes, reality sank in. He wiped sweat from his forehead, "Ok Ruby let's go." He quickly freshened up and got dressed. Then he took Ruby to the hospital.
Many hours later at the hospital:
Ruby had yet to give birth. Lucrin stood out in the hall, outside the nursery, staring at all the infant saiyans. Never thought I'd be in this predicament. Then he heard it, that cute little giggle that he loved so much. He turned his head towards the entrance hall. Sherona was running down the hall in a silk, scarlet bathrobe! Oh yea, that's just what I need right now!
She stopped in front of him, breathing heavily. "I ran all the way here when I heard the news." Lucrin sighed, "you really didn't have to; it's going pretty slowly." She shrugged her shoulders, "I didn't want to miss it." Lucrin looked down at her robe, "Why are you wearing a bathrobe?" Sherona tugged at the belt self-consciously, "I was in the bathtub when King Vegeta told me Ruby was in labor. I was in a hurry so I just threw this on." Lucrin's face reddened, "you put on underwear right?" Sherona put her hands to her hips and glared at him, "Of course I did!" Lucrin put his hands up defensively, "just kidding."
Just then, a young nurse came out of the birthing room, "Lucrin?" Upon hearing his name being called, Lucrin walked calmly over, with his hands in his pockets. "Right here, miss. How's Ruby?" he asked politely. She gave a slight bow, "Congratulations! You are now the proud father of a beautiful baby girl." Lucrin felt his knees begin to buckle. "I-I'm a f-f-f-father!" The nurse nodded, "We're just about to move her into the nursery." Lucrin braced himself on the wall, "Thank you." He mumbled.
Sherona ran over to him, and gave him a quick hug. "I'm so happy for you Lucrin! You're a daddy! Te he he!" she giggled. Normally Lucrin would be in total bliss from Sherona's embrace, but right now his head was swimming. What the hell am I going to do! I don't have the slightest idea how to be a father! Sherona's voice, calling his name, brought him back to reality.
"Lucrin, they just put her in an incubator," said Sherona, looking through the nursery window, "She's beautiful!" She looked over her shoulder, "Come see!" Hesitantly, Lucrin went to the window. Peering through the glass, his dark eyes went to the incubator that Sherona was pointing at. Inside it was a small infant. A little saiyaness with hair just like her fathers and big dark eyes. Her skin was a creamy olive tone like Ruby's. The baby appeared playful, her eyes were wide with wonder as she played with her tail. Lucrin stared at her in stunned silence. He heard Sherona muffle a giggle, "Oh my gosh! She's adorable, Lucrin!" He couldn't help but smile at his baby girl.
It's funny, a few months ago he was dreading this day, but now he had no doubts. He already loved her. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but he would try his best to raise his daughter right, to protect her, and support her. He knew it would be hard, but he would get through it. He was, after all, her father. Isn't that what being a father is all about?
"Awww, what a cute baby! I bet she'll be hot when she's older!" said a rugged voice to Lucrin's left. Both Sherona and Lucrin looked over and saw Bardock standing beside them. Sherona cried for joy, "Bardock!" She jumped up and grabbed a hold to his neck, giving him a big hug. He spun her around in his arms, happy to see his friend again after so much time apart. He put her back down gently. "What are you doing here, you big lug?" asked Sherona with a huge grin. Lucrin glared at him, "besides hitting on my infant daughter!" Bardock put his hands on his sides, "Roder's wife had another baby. I'm just here for a visit." Sherona stared in disbelief, "She had another one! My god, they already have like twenty of 'em!" said Sherona. Bardock snickered, "Actually, this one makes nineteen." Sherona rolled her eyes.
Sherona gazed at the infants through the observation window. "Which one is it?" Bardock gestured towards a baby to the far left, "That one. Isn't he cute little tyke! They named him Turles." Sherona looked over at the baby with gray skin, who seemed to be shooting the bird at them. She almost had to pick her jaw off the floor. Only one man on the planet on the planet had hair like that! Bardock! Sherona and Lucrin sighed inwardly. He looks just like his father. They both thought simultaneously.
A thoughtful look came over Bardock's face, "That reminds me." He stepped to the side, revealing a three year old Raditz, who was obviously hiding behind his father. "This is my son, Raditz." Raditz glared up at his dad like he was the scum of the earth. Sherona squealed with glee, "Awww! Bardock, he's adorable!" She went to pick him up but he dodged her and scurried back behind Bardock.
Bardock frowned down at his son, "Excuse him, he's shy." Sherona straitened her back, standing tall, smiling at the little boy, who peeked at her from behind his dad's leg. "I can't believe how big he's gotten. Has it really been that long?" her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Bardock smiled his five hundred watt smile, "Going on three years now." Bardock felt a tug on his pants' leg. "Papa, I wanna see mama."
Bardock picked up little Raditz, "alright, we'll go find your mother. Keep your pull up on!" Bardock looked back at his old friend, "Have you seen Kira?" Sherona pointed towards the cafeteria, "I saw her having lunch when I came in. She might still be there." Bardock saluted the young queen before running off towards the cafeteria.
Lucrin leaned against the railing, admiring his new daughter. "That reminds me, where is King Vegeta?" Sherona stood beside him, "He went to pick Veggie up from school." Lucrin shot Sherona a confused look, "Veggie's one!" Sherona smiled, looking at all the little babies, "I know it seems too soon, but Vegeta says the sooner he begins school the smarter he'll be when he's older." Lucrin sighed, and rested his head on his knuckles, When is she going to realize her husband's a moron?
"Look there they are now!" Sherona yelled out excitedly. Lucrin stood up straight. Looking down the hall he saw a casually dressed king leading a chibi prince in armor on a leash towards them. Lucrin cocked an eyebrow at the bizarre sight. King Vegeta was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt with a smiley face on it. The imbecile! And why the heck was Veggie on a leash?
Sherona waved to them, "Over here, Hun! Come see Lucrin's baby!" When the king and the prince reached them, Sherona kissed her big man on the cheek then did the same to her little man. Lucrin gave the big Vegeta a "you're a dumb ass" look, "Your majesty, why are you dressed that way?" he asked in an emotionless English drawl. King Vegeta stuck his hands in his pockets, "I get tired of wearing that stupid armor all the time. Give me a break!" Lucrin's facial expression didn't change, "And what about him?," he pointed at the armor clad prince, "Why is he wearing armor?" Vegeta huffed like a question-berated teenager, "He's a prince, it's about time he started looking like one." Lucrin's eyebrow cocked even higher, "And the leash?" King Vegeta glared down at his son, "He ran away from school today." Baby Veggie gave his dad a puppy dog pout.
Lucrin kneeled down so that he was at Veggie's level, "Why did you run away Veggie?" he asked in a pleasant tone. Veggie's big eyes became beady with terror, "M-M-Monsters!" he stuttered. Lucrin looked to the king for conformation, "His teacher said that the moment he saw the other kids he started screaming and ran off."
Sherona folded her hands in front of her, she knew what her husband was thinking, "Of course he got scared, he's never been around that many kids before." She said trying to get her baby off the hook. Vegeta folded his arms across his chest and glared at his wife, "Or maybe you're turning him into a pansy!" That set off a huge argument that would most likely go on and on into the night.
Prince Vegeta tugged at Lucrin's pants leg, "Lucin, why they yell?" asked the little boy, innocently. Lucrin decided to distract the kid while his parents were at each others throats. "Uh…Veggie, why don't you come with me and I'll let you meet my new baby girl." Veggie nodded excitedly.
Lucrin led him over to the nursery window and lifted him up so he could see. Lucrin pointed at his daughter, "That's her right there." Little Vegeta stared at the baby for a few minutes, not saying a word. It was like he was mesmerized or something.
"NO BALLS! NO BALLS! NO BALLS!" the boy was freaking out! He thrashed around flailing his arms around. Poor Lucrin didn't know how to console him. Finally, Sherona came to the rescue and after explaining that girls and boys are different, Veggie finally calmed down.
About an hour later, after the royal family left, Lucrin went to visit Ruby. He gave her some flowers as he entered, and kissed her lightly on the lips. She was surprisingly comfortable and sitting up in bed chatting away, as usual. A few minutes later the nurse brought in the baby. She handed her to her mother and then left as quickly as she had come. Ruby looked her baby over, checking to make sure she had all ten fingers and ten toes. "She's beautiful, Lucrin." Said Ruby, fighting back the tears. "She looks like you." Lucrin sat in the chair next to the bed, "She looks like my mother." Ruby smiled at her lover, "your right, she does look like her. Do you want to name the baby Luka, after your mother?" Lucrin thought for a moment, staring at the little miracle in Ruby's arms. "How do you feel about the name, Lirie?" (that's a play off of his fist wife's name, Princess Zirie.) Ruby held the baby's tiny hand in hers, "That's a pretty name. What does it mean?" Lucrin stroked the baby's sweet face, "It means starlight. In the old language." He whispered to Ruby without shifting his gaze from the child's face. Ruby rested her head on Lucrin's shoulder, "I like it. Lirie, that's a perfect name for her.
That night, while Ruby lay sleeping in the hospital bed, Lucrin held his daughter. He whispered to her, knowing that his secret was safe with her. Your name shall be starlight. For like the northern star you will lead me back home no matter how far a stray. Lirie my child, guide me through my inner darkness, bring me back to the glorious light, back to the man I used to be. Help me be a better person, so that I may protect you from the evil of this world…and the next.
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Next chapter: A bride for a Prince
(An arranged marriage! The king wants to join his family with that of another powerful noble. You know what that means! Poor Veggie! Who will be his future queen? )
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