The twins are around six or seven months, and Nora's getting closer to two. Last chapter!
Pan's POV
"Come on, baby girl, you can do it." I cheered, gently leading Dora across the living room floor, holding her soft, tiny hands in my own. She didn't seem too concerned with learning how to walk, too busy giggling and cooing at me. Her soft lavender hair fell in her eyes, and I had to laugh as she pulled a hand free to swat at it, squeaking indignantly at the offending hair. Her blue eyes glowed with infantile joy, and she grasped my hand again, making tiny steps with her little socked feet. "Toran, you want to go next?" I asked, looking over at the baby in the bouncer. He giggled and flailed his chubby little arms. I chuckled and continued to lead my youngest daughter across the floor, recalling the first four months of her and Toran's lives...
... "They just won't quiet down, and now Nora's getting irritable." I said, raking my hands through my hair as my two babies wailed in the nursery I'd just walked out of. Nora was clinging to my leg, whimpering and telling me that she couldn't sleep. "This is getting out of hand, why are they so irritated?" Trunks whispered, gently tugging Nora's hands from my robe and cradling her in his arms. Frustrated tears began to form in my eyes, and plain, frustrated crabbiness built in my chest. "How the hell should I know," I snapped, irritated, "I can't read their minds, Trunks, I'm not super woman!" Nora lost it and started bawling, and my own tears boiled over. It was three in the morning, and none of us could get a wink of sleep, what with unhappy two month old twin super saiyans in the house. I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor, sobbing hopelessly. Trunks was still trying to soothe Nora, and the twins were just crying and crying. "Let's just call your parents and my mother, again." I sighed unhappily, wiping at my tears, "This is the fourth time this week that we've needed them to help us. They'll think I'm a failure as a mother..." I mumbled that last bit, thinking he wouldn't hear it, but a felt his strong hand jerking my chin, forcing me to look into his tired, stormy blue eyes. "Pan. Son. Vegeta. Briefs," he snarled, emphasizing each of my names, "You are not a failure. Don't ever let me hear you say that about yourself again." I whimpered, more tears flooding down my cheeks, "I can't get my babies to stop crying, Trunks, I haven't been able to do it on my own for the past four nights. It's the truth..." he growled louder, "Pan..." suddenly, Nora stopped crying, and we both looked down at her. Her little cherubic face was wet with tears, and her periwinkle eyes were dry. The twins, however, weren't done with their symphony. "Oh, Nora, mummy's sorry for raising her voice. I'm just a little sleepy." I murmured, taking her in my arms.
A little was an understatement. The most sleep we'd gotten in the past month was catnaps that seemed like second intervals, and it was taking a toll on us all. My eyes resembled a raccoon's; Nora was always snappy and irritated, and Trunks was falling asleep during important meetings at work, so Bulma made him go on paternity leave to get some rest. That was the thing; no one was getting any rest, not while the twins were in the midst of getting adjusted to their new surroundings. The only time they marginally calmed was when I laid them on my chest and let them listen to my heartbeat, the only sound that had any type of calming effect on them. Other than that, nothing helped.
Nora snuggled under my chin, her little body tensed up with stress and the desire to sleep. I ran a hand through her hair and hummed her lullaby. We had the option of taking Nora in our room, turning on the soundproofing and getting a load of sleep, but my maternal instincts balked at the very idea of letting my babies crying go uncomforted. "What if we put Nora in our room and turn on the soundproofing. She's young and she needs her sleep." Trunks murmured, wrapping his arms around us both. "Ok." I carried my chibi hime into our bed room and tucked her into the middle of the bed. She burrowed down and snuggled into my thigh as the soundproofing came into effect. I continued to hum, gently stroking her soft, dark purple curls. She closed her eyes and lapsed into slumber. When I was sure she was deeply asleep, I regrettably left the silent room and headed back into hell. Trunks stopped me at the door, however, and I looked up at him questioningly.
"Panny, why don't you go lie down and sleep with Nora while I handle this?" He asked softly, caressing my cheek. I frowned, gently running my thumbs over the dark bags under his bloodshot eyes, "You need rest, too. Did you call them?" he nodded, grasping my hands and kissing the palms affectionately, "You deserve it more than I do, love." My body yearned to listen to his demands, but my maternal instincts screamed louder. "Babe, I can't. I just... I can't leave them in there, wailing until they get exhausted and go to sleep." He sighed, "Panny, you look like you've been dragged through the lowest level of hell. Out of the three of us, you're the one who's been stressed out the most. You can barely eat, your hair's been falling out, your eyes are almost entirely red, and you've lost more than just the weight you gained from the twins, a lot more. Go get some rest and let me take care of things for you for once." I leaned heavily on him, "I want to, but my maternal instincts won't shut up." He released a sharp chuckle, "I know the feeling, Panny, but at the rate you're going, you'll be nothing but skin and bones before the month is out. Go get some rest for everyone's sake." At that moment, the doorbell rang, and I shook my head sadly, "I just can't, Trunks."
My mother was the first to come in, and her eyes popped wide at my appearance. "Trunks," she barked, "why is she still up?" I huffed, "because 'she' is the mother of the wailing infants upstairs." She hit him in the chest, "what did I tell you to do if she got stubborn?" I frowned and released a yawn as Papa, Aunt B, and, shockingly, Vegeta came in. "Pan, please... go lay down." my husband pleaded. "How many times to I have to tell you? I'm not going." Mama released a saiyan-worthy growl, "If you don't go lay down, Panny, I will make you. Let us take care of things while you regain your energy and strength." I shook my head, "Mama, I really want to, but I just can't. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I-" I felt a strong set of fingers deftly hit the nerve in the back of my neck, and I realized, with slight rage, that Papa had snuck behind me and knocked me out. I plummeted into the darkness...
*next morning*
I woke up to my parents, Trunks, and Bulma leaning over me. I groaned and shut my eyes again. "Oh my poor Panny," Mama cooed, cupping my face, "You're so skinny and pale..." I leaned into her comforting touch, forgetting, for the moment, that she'd tricked me. "Pan, let's get some food into you, hm? You'll need it to produce milk." She whispered, and I felt strong arms underneath me, lifting me into an equally strong chest. I presumed it was Papa, because it'd been a while since Trunks possessed the energy to carry me, and laid my head in the crook of his neck.
Breakfast was a nice, steaming hot bowl of brown sugar and maple syrup flavored oatmeal, complete with cinnamon, butter, and sugar, just like I liked it. I ate it in a half asleep daze. Giving in to my urges last night must've induced this strange, half reality I was now lost in. I just wanted to gain all of my lost sleep back.
"She has to eat more to produce enough for the two of them." I heard Mama murmur to someone, most likely Bulma. I felt surprisingly cool hands on my face and looked up into Trunks's worried, exhausted face. "Umm, Videl, Pan's burning up." I faintly heard Mama call out my name, but it was too late, and I'd passed out...
I ended up having some rare severe virus and had to stay in the hospital for a few days. My lack of sleep and eating properly had lowered my once-stellar immune system and allowed me to get sick for the first time since my childhood. Luckily, in the hospital, I caught up on my sleep and started gaining my weight back. I wasn't a hundred percent me yet, but I was getting closer with each day. My face and body were still a little gaunt, but the doctors said that the virus would have a long lasting effect on me, and it would be normal for me to feel worn out, weak, or tired every once in a while over the year, as well as having varying blood pressure. I was forced to take a vacation from my job and stay at home with my now much calmer children while I finished recuperating. Another casualty of the virus was waiting at least two to three years until we tried to have another baby, just in case I wasn't entirely over the long term effects. Trunks was a little put out, but my health was more important to him than adding on to the family. We had more than enough to deal with as it was...
"Good girl, Panda," I cooed, watching her wobble as I tried making her stand on her own. So far, she'd been up for about five seconds. Dora whined and plopped on her diapered bottom, looking up at me pleadingly. I chuckled and picked her up, "let's get you fed, pretty girl." Using my foot, I pushed Toran's bouncer into the kitchen along with me. The sight I found was both hilarious and sweet.
Trunks was dressed in a frilly white apron, cooking at the stove. Nora stood on a stool at his side, directing him in preparing the meal, decked out in her own apron, as well as a too-big chef's hat.
"Babe, should I be afraid to eat whatever that is?" I asked curiously, coming over to him with Panda on my hip. "No, love, I actually can cook, thank you." He chuckled and leaned down to kiss me and Panda on our foreheads. Toran squealed and bounced in his bouncer, demanding that he receive attention as well. Trunks laughed and went to go grant his request, leaving me with the adorable little nymph balanced on the stool. "I hope you've helped Papa make something good, chibi hime." I crooned, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She giggled and chirped, "It will be magnifeet." I chuckled, "It's magnifique, sweet pea, not magnifeet." Nora blushed and laughed. Panda bounced in my arms, her little hands waving in the air as she released a shrill, excited squeal. I winced and rubbed my ear, she DEFINITELY has my lungs. Trunks moved back to the stove, and told me to set the table for dinner. I obliged, setting out Nora's child-sized eating set and putting the twins in their high chairs next to me. I also laid out two 'big people' sets, as Nora often called them. Trunks reported that dinner was ready, and I immediately sat down. My blood pressure had been low today, and I was hoping that some food would help it balance out.
*Dinner*
Trunks had prepared a lovely chicken risotto alfredo, topped with a creamy three cheese sauce and sprinkled over with oregano. The sides were a delicious Caesar salad, complete with dressing and shredded parmesan cheese, and some Supa Tuscany, modeled after the delicious dish at Olive Garden. The soup consisted of potato bits, chunks of Italian sausage, and herbs and seasoning.
"Mmmm... Trunks, this tastes amazing." I breathed, sipping away at my soup. The twins were, as usual, creating a mess with their small portion of alfredo. Nora ate primly like the little lady that she was... whenever the need struck her. Underneath that calm exterior was the raging spirit of a tom boy, not unlike my own. She'd already asked me when would she get her chance to train, and that time would come in about three years, when she was walking easily. I was so excited; I absolutely couldn't wait to get her started.
"Thanks, Panny." He grinned at me lovingly. I smiled and turned to sort out the small food fight that had commenced between Panda and Toran.
We weren't the model family; no one was, but we were happy, and we loved each other, and that was all that mattered to me. When the time was right, and my health deemed it possible, we would have what would be our last baby. Or babies. Who knows, I might have twins again. The horror. Don't get me wrong, they were angels... now, but those first few months very nearly killed us. Sleep was a cherished thing nowadays, as well as keeping ourselves; meaning me, healthy. I know my husband desires a large family, but I'll have to place a limit at five children. Knowing him, he'll probably persuade me to up it to six, but I refuse to have seven.
'You're day dreaming, love. Toran threw his salad in your face and you didn't even flinch.' I gasped and reached up to my face, wiping the slimy Caesar dressing from my face before it could get into my eyes. Toran giggled and clapped, smiling at me with what few teeth had grown in. I rolled my eyes skyward, knowing I wouldn't be able to stay mad at my adorable boy.
I love my family...
The ending's so cliché, I know, but I'm kinda getting bored with the consecutive one shots and stuff. I was going to do one last outtake, but I don't like the concept I picked, so I'm ending it. Thank you to all of my faithful readers who kept up with each of my posts and offered lovely ideas for me to use, I love you all. Leave a review before you go on your merry way, and I'm so friggin happy you guys enjoyed it so much! I wasn't expecting to get so many positive reviews! Much Love, SukiChan ^-^