Ch 10

Goten was miserable. Besides the fact that he was convinced in having dinner with his mother because of his brother's promotion, she wouldn't even let him help her cook. He loved to cook, and she refused to have men working in her kitchen.

A knock came to the door while Goten was sitting at the kitchen table, watching his mother cook. "I'll get," he said as he stood up from the table and opened the door. "Valese, Devin, Mr. and Mrs. Rex, come in," he said as he stood aside to let his soon to be gamily inside.

"I invited them over for dinner," said Chichi as she smiled at the Rex's. "They will be family after all. Anyway, I could use some help in the kitchen. Ginger, Valese."

While the women cooked, Goten lead Henry and Devin to the living room. Before Henry could sit down, he got a phone call and excused himself from the room.

"Nice place you home you go here," said Devin. "Of course it's small."

"I don't live here anymore," said Goten as he sat further away from Devin on the couch as Devin turned on the TV.

Goten sighed in relief. Maybe now he could relax. As he closed his eyes and let out a breath, he felt a hand on his leg and looked up to see Devin's lustful eyes staring back at him. "Devin, what are you doing? I'm marrying your sister."

"Come on, she'll never know. We can go upstairs right now and be back before they even realize what's going on."

"I don't swing both ways. I mean it's not like I'm against it, but I'm not interested in you. I love your sister."

"Are you so sure about that? You haven't moved my hand from your leg," he smiled.

Goten knocked his hand off his leg. "If you touch me again, you'll be sorry."

"I like it when you're feisty."

Goten got up quickly and left the room, closing the door to his old bedroom. It was so bare but otherwise nothing had changed. It was an empty room. Leaning his head against the door, he let out a breath. 'Bulla was right about Devin after all,' he thought as a knock came to his door.

"Goten, it's Devin. Listen, I'm sorry about what I did. Can you come out so we can talk about this?"

Goten came out of his room and walked back downstairs and into the kitchen to see Gohan and his family had arrived with another guest.

"Trunks," said Goten.

"Well I heard about Gohan's promotion and Videl invited me for dinner. I hope I'm not an inconvenience."

"No, not at all. Why would you say such a thing?" asked Gohan.

"There's plenty of food," said Goten. 'That mom wouldn't let me cook.'

Trunks smiled. 'I know how much you love food chibi.'

Goten blushed. 'Thanks for coming Trunks,' he thought as he looked up and smiled at his friend.

'Well I felt your nervous ki and I was worried so I thought I'd insert myself where your mom thinks I don't belong. I always be here for you chibi.'

"Goten, are you sick, you're blushing like crazy?" asked Valese.

"Uh no, I'm fine. It must be the heat from all the cooking. I should step outside for a little while."

"All right," Valese smiled as she briefly kissed him on the lips. "But don't be out too long. We're almost done with dinner."

"I won't be long," Goten said as went outside for some air. The cold wind hit his body, and he shivered before he felt a warm coat draped onto his shoulders. He looked behind him. "Trunks."

"You don't think I would leave you in the cold alone did you?"

"Why are you really here?"

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately."

Goten laughed. "That's never a good thing."

"Shut up. Anyway, I don't think you should marry Valese. She doesn't treat you right."

"Gee thanks for the support Trunks but how would you know how my fiancée treats me?"

"Only what I see Goten. You love to cook, and your fiancée didn't even offer her spot to you. I mean I know your mom has this rule about no men in the kitchen while she's cooking, but Valese knows how passionate you are about food. I know it hurts you when your mom rejects you in the kitchen. Plus, Valese didn't even offer to come out here with you to make sure you're all right."

"I'm not a child Trunks. I don't need to be coddled."

"I know, but I can't just get rid of this feeling of wanting to take care of you."

"I'm NOT your mate Trunks!" Goten yelled as he faced his friend. "I just wish you would leave me alone."

"You'll regret it Goten. If you marry her, you won't be happy."

"No, you won't be happy. I'm sorry Trunks. I can't be with you just because you're dying. It wouldn't be right. I wish it wasn't this way, but there's nothing I can do."

"I love you."

Those three words broke Goten down as he sunk to the earth. "No! Trunks you can't. Please don't."

"Don't what?" asked Trunks as he kneeled in front of his, holding his arms in his. "Goten!" he yelled.

"You—you're ruining everything. I—It can't be this way. I—I supposed to marry Valese, settle down, and start a family. Th—then everything will be ok. She'll accept me, love me again."

"Who will accept you chibi?"

"Mom."

"Goten, Goten look at me," Trunks demanded as Goten looked straight at him with tears falling down his face. "This isn't how it's supposed to be. You have to get out of your mother's shadow and figure out what you want to be happy in life. So, the question is, what do you want?" Trunks asked as he helped Goten stand.

"Goten! Trunks! Dinner is ready," yelled Videl from the door as she looked at the two demi-saiyans. "Are you two all right?"

"I don't know," said Goten as he looked at Trunks. "I'm scared of what I might lose," he said as he felt Trunks' warmth on his shoulder.

"You'll never lose me or my family Goten, and the people who truly accept you for who you are and who you love," Trunks said as he looked to Videl who smiled.

"He's right you know," said Videl as she walked up to the two boys. "Whatever path you choose in life, you know your brother and niece will always be there to support you no matter what."

"I think I should wash my face before I come down for dinner," said Goten as he disappeared from sight and reappeared in the bathroom.

He splashed water on his face, dried his face, and took a few breaths in and then out. Looking in the mirror, there was no trace of tears. He sighed. 'Good, but what happens now? Do I tell Valese and her family that I can't go through with the marriage? My mom will freak.'

Coming down stairs, he saw everyone making their way to the table. He made his way to the table and sat down beside his fiancée. She smiled at him, and he smiled back. Sitting in front of him was Trunks and his heart began to race. 'This is just too much. I can't do this. I have to come clean,' he thought as he was about to stand up, his mother stood up and raised her glass.

"To Goten and Valsese," said Chichi as everyone raised their glasses accept Goten, who stood up. "Goten, sweetie, did you want to say something?"

"Yes," he said as his mother sat back down. "This day is about my brother's promotion. I'm very proud of him. He works hard for his family and loves what he does. Congratulations Gohan! To Gohan!"

"Gohan!" they all yelled as they raised their drinks.

"I-I'm sorry I'm about to ruin this day for you big brother, but I have to get some things off my chest," he said as he looked to his brother who nodded in approval. "I love to cook. It's not just a job for me, it's my passion, and I can't marry you Valese. I'm sorry. I don't love you. I think you're sweet, and I'm sure you'll meet someone who loves you back." Videl took Pan from her seat and left the home.

Valese stood up and faced her fiancée. "I don't love you either. I've been sleeping around with several men ever since we got together. I mean what does it take to sleep with you? Most men want to have sex with their girlfriends but all you want to do is talk, kiss, and cuddle. You're a f**cking girl. It's like you're a virgin or something," she said as she looked to her shocked fiancée, who blushed. "You are a virgin. How pathetic," she said as she stormed out of the home with her family right behind her, leaving the room in silence.

"You!" Chichi screamed at Trunks, who stood up from his chair.

"No mom, it wasn't his fault. He just made me realize that I want to be happy with what I want in life, not with what you want. I know you miss dad, but you have no right to take it out on me. I was just a child! I thought I could help you, but it was too much responsibility for me. I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment."

"You can only disappoint me if you decide to be with him," Chichi said with venom in her voice as she pointed to Trunks.

Goten's heart sunk. "I don't know how I feel mom, but I don't want to lose you. I want to be happy."

"All right, if Valese wasn't the right women, then we can find another girl. It's not too late Goten. We can still be happy."

"I'm not getting married, and I'm not settling down to raise a family."