TEN
It was mid-morning before the two ladies left for the mall.
"Whew. Boy, I didn't know the mall was going to be so crowded today. I don't think we're gonna have much luck shopping today, Bulma." Chi-Chi commented as the two pushed their way through the crowds of people.
Bulma laughed good-naturedly. "At least we're out of the house. Boy, does it feel good to not have to listen to complaints all day." Chi- Chi nodded in agreement, and the two worked their way around the mall. They had a great time. They even found a new store that specialized in baby clothes.
"Oh, look at this one!" Bulma squealed, holding up an itty-bitty yellow onesie with little ducks imprinted on it.
"Oh, that is so cute!" Chi-Chi picked up a tiny, navy blue hat. "Oh, and what about this?"
"Oh!" Bulma took the hat from Chi-Chi and added it to the cart. It went that way for hours. Either one would find something so 'sweet' or 'adorable' that they couldn't put it down. A few hours (and ten thousand dollars) later the girls decided to grab some lunch.
They were enjoying their meal and having tons of fun gossiping when all of a sudden, Bulma stopped smiling and laughing. She turned her head away from Chi-Chi.
"Bulma, are you all right?" Chi-Chi followed Bulma's gaze. It led her straight to Yamcha and Monique.
"That bastard . . ."Bulma began, but Chi-Chi cut her off.
"Hey, forget about Yamcha, all right? You've moved on, you're above him now. Think of something else, like your baby. Hmm?" Bulma smiled and faced Chi-Chi again.
"You're right. Who needs a bastard like him, anyways? I just feel bad for that little slut of his . . ." she sighed. "Poor thing. She doesn't even realize what she's gotten into." Chi-Chi nodded sympathetically.
"It's a real shame." They continued their 'pro-baby, anti-Yamcha' conversation for quite some time.
Yamcha chose this moment to notice the two girls. "Hey, Monique, check it out."
The blonde smiled sweetly at him. "What say we go and say hello, eh, babe?" Monique smiled and nodded, tantalizing him in a very sexy way. (Have you noticed that she rarely speaks? Interesting . . .)
"Hey, Bulma, what's happenin'?" Bulma's blood ran cold when she heard that all-too familiar voice behind her. You really wanna know, Yamcha? Okay. Well, for starters, I hate you, I love Vegeta, and I'm having his kid. That's pretty much it.
"Nothing, Yamcha." She growled. Her words seemed friendly, but her tone said 'bite-me'.
Chi-Chi made a face at him. "Why, hello, Yamcha. Fancy seeing you here." Her voice was dripping sarcasm.
Fortunately, Yamcha either didn't notice or he was too busy not listening. He grinned when he realized that Bulma was uncomfortable around Monique. Heh, heh. Good. She deserves it, making me look like an idiot at that club.
Bulma was trying very hard to concentrate on something other than Yamcha. Think about the baby, think about the baby, think about the baby she chanted silently. Don't think about that low-life baka, worry about what your parents are going to say. Bulma silently fumed, and Chi-Chi could see her anger rising.
"So, Chi-Chi, how's Goku's training going?" Chi-Chi scowled. She knew good and well what he was trying to do. He's trying to get Bulma mad by having that girl around! Well, we'll just see about that.
"Oh, it's going fine." She rolled her eyes as she spoke to him. Yeah, like you even care.
"Really? Well, I'm not surprised. He's the strongest guy in the universe! So, what brings you two to the mall?" He held Monique closer. Bulma felt like hurling.
"What most people do at malls. Shop." Bulma snapped. She pointed to the bags at their feet. There had to be at least a dozen, and most of them were full of capsules.
Yamcha nodded silently. Monique giggled and wrapped her arms around his.
I think I'm gonna hurl. I'm under way too much pressure for him to be doing this to me. Ugh. If they don't leave soon, I just might have to give that ass what he deserves. Bulma sighed and took a deep breath. Just calm down. Stress can't be good for the baby. Just relax, he'll leave soon. I hope.
Chi-Chi pushed her chair back and stood up. "Well, it was nice seeing you, Yamcha, but we really must go now." Bulma stood, they grabbed the bags, and left.
"Good-bye!" Bulma called out to them. "And good riddance." She muttered to her friend. Chi-Chi started laughing, and they were both giggling when they left.
"Humph." Yamcha snorted. "They were just jealous of you, babe." Monique giggled and they walked off. Yamcha tried to smile, but he felt miserable. Oh, man. Now I've done it. There are few words to describe what he felt: torment, pain, and a sinking feeling in his stomach. But most of all, he felt sad and heart broken. I've got Monique now, I don't need Bulma. He watched Bulma leave through the mall doors, a sinking feeling in his heart. She's gone. I have to get her back. Somehow.
"Hi, Mom, hi Dad. I'm home!" Bulma called out cheerfully. Chi-Chi'd just barely dropped her off at Capsule Corp., and was now on her way home. Fortunately for both of them, the Briefs' car was in the driveway, meaning that Bulma wouldn't have to be alone with Vegeta that night.
"Why, hello, Bulma. Did you miss us?" her mother asked, smiling. Both of her parents were in the kitchen, and Vegeta was gone. Figures. Bulma thought.
"Yes, dear, did anything happen while we were gone?" her father added.
Bulma gulped. Oh! Did they have to ask? Should I just tell them about the baby, or wait? Nah, I guess I'd better wait. Vegeta deserves to know before they do. He is the father, after all. "Nothing, really." I'm just . . .having a baby.
"Nothing?" her mother seemed surprised.
"Well, I did visit Goku and them and Chi-Chi and I did go out shopping today," she said slowly, making sure not to tell them the real reason she had stayed over.
"Was that fun?"
"It woulda been if Yamcha and his girlfriend hadn't been there, too." Bulma practically spit out the word 'girlfriend'.
"Don't worry, dear. You'll find someone soon, I just know it." Her father grinned that 'I'm-so-proud-of-my-little-girl-because-she's-so- independent-she-doesn't-need-anybody's-help' grin.
Bulma tried to smile, but she knew from the sinking feeling in her stomach that her dad's attitude was about to change. Sooner than you think, Dad. Much sooner.
"Humph," Vegeta grunted. So far, none of the Bulma's family had seen him. You don't think they could miss a person hovering by their window. Ugh. Of all the humans out there, I got stuck with the blind bakas. He growled in disgust. At least she's pretty. And smart, too. But blind, if she can't see the man hovering at her kitchen windows.
Calmly he glided in through the open windows. He smirked when he saw the whole family turn and stare.
"Oh, hi Vegeta. How have you been?" Mrs. Briefs asked. The doctor was still watching him, but at the mention of Vegeta's name, Bulma had turned away and was now studying the pattern on the tiles.
How am I going to tell him that he's a father? Bulma suddenly felt like crying. There's no way he'll stay around once he finds out. He'll leave, and I'll have to raise our baby alone. She kept her eyes on the floor. Luckily, both her parents were talking to the Saiyan Prince, and didn't notice Bulma's odd behavior.
Vegeta, however, noted Bulma's behavior right away. What the hell is wrong with her? Damn humans. I'll never understand them. But why would I want to? "Fine." He grunted. He'd never been a real conversationalist, why start now?
"I see the gravity chamber's broken again. I could fix it if you want." Dr. Briefs offered. Vegeta smiled a sly smile. The doctor took this for a yes and went off to repair the broken machinery before Vegeta got angry.
"Anything exciting happen while we were gone?" Mrs. Briefs said in her usual cheery tone. Bulma blushed and hunched over in her chair.
Other than the fact that I'm now as crazy as Kakarot? "No," he growled, and stormed off to his room. I'll find out what's bothering that woman if it kills me.
Bulma straightened in her chair. She wasn't sure if he noticed her or not, but she hoped he hadn't. She took a deep breath. The truth'll come out sooner or later. I have to tell him. If I don't, I'll just be lying to myself. And to everybody else. She sighed, and headed up to her room. Now if only I could figure out a way to tell him . . .
Bulma lay on her bed for hours, trying her hardest to think of a way to tell Vegeta the news. "How do you tell someone that you're having their baby?" she murmured softly. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Bulma! Dinner!" she heard her father call.
"Coming!" she replied. Sighing sadly, she got up and went into the kitchen. She still hadn't figured out how to tell him, and she'd been planning on doing so tonight! Oh, well. A couple more days can't hurt.
She sat down at the table wordlessly. She watched both of her parents enter the room and sit down as well. After they had been sitting for a few minutes, Vegeta entered the house through the front door. He eyed the family at the table. Once again, Bulma looked down, this time at her plate, and refused to make eye contact with him. He raised one eyebrow at her, but said nothing.
Why isn't she looking at me, dammit? Have I offended her? Vegeta tugged at the towel that was hanging around his neck. Damn baka. One day she says she likes me, now she won't even look at me. Baka. Eyeing Bulma again, he left the kitchen and headed for his room.
"Thank Kami," Bulma murmured as she watched Vegeta leave the room.
"Did you say something, dear?"
"Uh, great turkey," Bulma's mother looked wary, but didn't ask.
"All right then." She said happily, and the meal continued.
It was mid-morning before the two ladies left for the mall.
"Whew. Boy, I didn't know the mall was going to be so crowded today. I don't think we're gonna have much luck shopping today, Bulma." Chi-Chi commented as the two pushed their way through the crowds of people.
Bulma laughed good-naturedly. "At least we're out of the house. Boy, does it feel good to not have to listen to complaints all day." Chi- Chi nodded in agreement, and the two worked their way around the mall. They had a great time. They even found a new store that specialized in baby clothes.
"Oh, look at this one!" Bulma squealed, holding up an itty-bitty yellow onesie with little ducks imprinted on it.
"Oh, that is so cute!" Chi-Chi picked up a tiny, navy blue hat. "Oh, and what about this?"
"Oh!" Bulma took the hat from Chi-Chi and added it to the cart. It went that way for hours. Either one would find something so 'sweet' or 'adorable' that they couldn't put it down. A few hours (and ten thousand dollars) later the girls decided to grab some lunch.
They were enjoying their meal and having tons of fun gossiping when all of a sudden, Bulma stopped smiling and laughing. She turned her head away from Chi-Chi.
"Bulma, are you all right?" Chi-Chi followed Bulma's gaze. It led her straight to Yamcha and Monique.
"That bastard . . ."Bulma began, but Chi-Chi cut her off.
"Hey, forget about Yamcha, all right? You've moved on, you're above him now. Think of something else, like your baby. Hmm?" Bulma smiled and faced Chi-Chi again.
"You're right. Who needs a bastard like him, anyways? I just feel bad for that little slut of his . . ." she sighed. "Poor thing. She doesn't even realize what she's gotten into." Chi-Chi nodded sympathetically.
"It's a real shame." They continued their 'pro-baby, anti-Yamcha' conversation for quite some time.
Yamcha chose this moment to notice the two girls. "Hey, Monique, check it out."
The blonde smiled sweetly at him. "What say we go and say hello, eh, babe?" Monique smiled and nodded, tantalizing him in a very sexy way. (Have you noticed that she rarely speaks? Interesting . . .)
"Hey, Bulma, what's happenin'?" Bulma's blood ran cold when she heard that all-too familiar voice behind her. You really wanna know, Yamcha? Okay. Well, for starters, I hate you, I love Vegeta, and I'm having his kid. That's pretty much it.
"Nothing, Yamcha." She growled. Her words seemed friendly, but her tone said 'bite-me'.
Chi-Chi made a face at him. "Why, hello, Yamcha. Fancy seeing you here." Her voice was dripping sarcasm.
Fortunately, Yamcha either didn't notice or he was too busy not listening. He grinned when he realized that Bulma was uncomfortable around Monique. Heh, heh. Good. She deserves it, making me look like an idiot at that club.
Bulma was trying very hard to concentrate on something other than Yamcha. Think about the baby, think about the baby, think about the baby she chanted silently. Don't think about that low-life baka, worry about what your parents are going to say. Bulma silently fumed, and Chi-Chi could see her anger rising.
"So, Chi-Chi, how's Goku's training going?" Chi-Chi scowled. She knew good and well what he was trying to do. He's trying to get Bulma mad by having that girl around! Well, we'll just see about that.
"Oh, it's going fine." She rolled her eyes as she spoke to him. Yeah, like you even care.
"Really? Well, I'm not surprised. He's the strongest guy in the universe! So, what brings you two to the mall?" He held Monique closer. Bulma felt like hurling.
"What most people do at malls. Shop." Bulma snapped. She pointed to the bags at their feet. There had to be at least a dozen, and most of them were full of capsules.
Yamcha nodded silently. Monique giggled and wrapped her arms around his.
I think I'm gonna hurl. I'm under way too much pressure for him to be doing this to me. Ugh. If they don't leave soon, I just might have to give that ass what he deserves. Bulma sighed and took a deep breath. Just calm down. Stress can't be good for the baby. Just relax, he'll leave soon. I hope.
Chi-Chi pushed her chair back and stood up. "Well, it was nice seeing you, Yamcha, but we really must go now." Bulma stood, they grabbed the bags, and left.
"Good-bye!" Bulma called out to them. "And good riddance." She muttered to her friend. Chi-Chi started laughing, and they were both giggling when they left.
"Humph." Yamcha snorted. "They were just jealous of you, babe." Monique giggled and they walked off. Yamcha tried to smile, but he felt miserable. Oh, man. Now I've done it. There are few words to describe what he felt: torment, pain, and a sinking feeling in his stomach. But most of all, he felt sad and heart broken. I've got Monique now, I don't need Bulma. He watched Bulma leave through the mall doors, a sinking feeling in his heart. She's gone. I have to get her back. Somehow.
"Hi, Mom, hi Dad. I'm home!" Bulma called out cheerfully. Chi-Chi'd just barely dropped her off at Capsule Corp., and was now on her way home. Fortunately for both of them, the Briefs' car was in the driveway, meaning that Bulma wouldn't have to be alone with Vegeta that night.
"Why, hello, Bulma. Did you miss us?" her mother asked, smiling. Both of her parents were in the kitchen, and Vegeta was gone. Figures. Bulma thought.
"Yes, dear, did anything happen while we were gone?" her father added.
Bulma gulped. Oh! Did they have to ask? Should I just tell them about the baby, or wait? Nah, I guess I'd better wait. Vegeta deserves to know before they do. He is the father, after all. "Nothing, really." I'm just . . .having a baby.
"Nothing?" her mother seemed surprised.
"Well, I did visit Goku and them and Chi-Chi and I did go out shopping today," she said slowly, making sure not to tell them the real reason she had stayed over.
"Was that fun?"
"It woulda been if Yamcha and his girlfriend hadn't been there, too." Bulma practically spit out the word 'girlfriend'.
"Don't worry, dear. You'll find someone soon, I just know it." Her father grinned that 'I'm-so-proud-of-my-little-girl-because-she's-so- independent-she-doesn't-need-anybody's-help' grin.
Bulma tried to smile, but she knew from the sinking feeling in her stomach that her dad's attitude was about to change. Sooner than you think, Dad. Much sooner.
"Humph," Vegeta grunted. So far, none of the Bulma's family had seen him. You don't think they could miss a person hovering by their window. Ugh. Of all the humans out there, I got stuck with the blind bakas. He growled in disgust. At least she's pretty. And smart, too. But blind, if she can't see the man hovering at her kitchen windows.
Calmly he glided in through the open windows. He smirked when he saw the whole family turn and stare.
"Oh, hi Vegeta. How have you been?" Mrs. Briefs asked. The doctor was still watching him, but at the mention of Vegeta's name, Bulma had turned away and was now studying the pattern on the tiles.
How am I going to tell him that he's a father? Bulma suddenly felt like crying. There's no way he'll stay around once he finds out. He'll leave, and I'll have to raise our baby alone. She kept her eyes on the floor. Luckily, both her parents were talking to the Saiyan Prince, and didn't notice Bulma's odd behavior.
Vegeta, however, noted Bulma's behavior right away. What the hell is wrong with her? Damn humans. I'll never understand them. But why would I want to? "Fine." He grunted. He'd never been a real conversationalist, why start now?
"I see the gravity chamber's broken again. I could fix it if you want." Dr. Briefs offered. Vegeta smiled a sly smile. The doctor took this for a yes and went off to repair the broken machinery before Vegeta got angry.
"Anything exciting happen while we were gone?" Mrs. Briefs said in her usual cheery tone. Bulma blushed and hunched over in her chair.
Other than the fact that I'm now as crazy as Kakarot? "No," he growled, and stormed off to his room. I'll find out what's bothering that woman if it kills me.
Bulma straightened in her chair. She wasn't sure if he noticed her or not, but she hoped he hadn't. She took a deep breath. The truth'll come out sooner or later. I have to tell him. If I don't, I'll just be lying to myself. And to everybody else. She sighed, and headed up to her room. Now if only I could figure out a way to tell him . . .
Bulma lay on her bed for hours, trying her hardest to think of a way to tell Vegeta the news. "How do you tell someone that you're having their baby?" she murmured softly. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Bulma! Dinner!" she heard her father call.
"Coming!" she replied. Sighing sadly, she got up and went into the kitchen. She still hadn't figured out how to tell him, and she'd been planning on doing so tonight! Oh, well. A couple more days can't hurt.
She sat down at the table wordlessly. She watched both of her parents enter the room and sit down as well. After they had been sitting for a few minutes, Vegeta entered the house through the front door. He eyed the family at the table. Once again, Bulma looked down, this time at her plate, and refused to make eye contact with him. He raised one eyebrow at her, but said nothing.
Why isn't she looking at me, dammit? Have I offended her? Vegeta tugged at the towel that was hanging around his neck. Damn baka. One day she says she likes me, now she won't even look at me. Baka. Eyeing Bulma again, he left the kitchen and headed for his room.
"Thank Kami," Bulma murmured as she watched Vegeta leave the room.
"Did you say something, dear?"
"Uh, great turkey," Bulma's mother looked wary, but didn't ask.
"All right then." She said happily, and the meal continued.