Goten opened the door and we all walked in. I was holding Trunks' hand and I
must have been squeezing it too tight.
"Pan...You're hurting me."
"Oh! Sorry."
I let him go, and Goten lead us to the living room. My tou-san was there along
with Goku and Bra. I could smell the food cooking in the kitchen, so I assumed
that was where Chi Chi was. I did have to give Chi Chi some credit. Her cooking
smelt wonderful. But that didn't lighten the mood any. I could feel my tou-san's
eyes on me. I looked over to him. I could tell I wasn't welcome, but there was
something different about the way he was looking at me. Yes, the hate was still
very evident, but there was something else there. The only problem was, he's
very good at hiding his feelings. Or at least masking them.
I pursed my lips and looked away. It had been a month since I'd last talked to
him. I thought coming to the dinner would be easy, but I was wrong. It hurt that
I couldn't run to him and give him a hug. Or tell him that I loved him. Trunks
noticed how uncomfortable I was and lead me to sit down on the love seat.
"I'm surprised you decided to come, Pan." said my tou-san.
I couldn't help but flinch at the tone of voice he used. I think his comment
made Trunks mad because he only put his arm around my waist and pulled me
closer.
"I'm surprised you agreed to let her come, Gohan." he said.
Tou-san just gave Trunks a quizical look.
"'Gohan'? What happened to addressing me by 'Gohan-san'?"
Trunks didn't answer. He just tensed and "hmph-ed". Goku walked into the room,
and saw the way Tou-san was looking at me. I don't think he appreciated it.
"Gohan! She's a guest in MY home and you're staring at her like she was Cell.
Stop it."
Tou-san stood up and walked into the kitchen. I started to get uncomfortable.
"Pan," Goten started, "Are you okay? I thought you could handle this."
"So did I. But it's hard. I'll be 18 in less than a month you know. And until a
month ago, I thought my tou-san loved me unconditionally...So I didn't want to
be a part of his side of the family. I know that it seems harsh, but wouldn't
you feel the same way, Goten? If for the first 18 years of your life part of
your family didn't want anything to do with you, would you not act the same way?
And Tou-san expects me to immediately forgive and forget? I'll admit that I
never would forget. Maybe I could have forgiven with time, but not now. Not
ever."
"Dinner."
Goten got up, not speaking and lead us to the dining room. When I got there, I
sat down where I was directed. Between Trunks and the newly arrived Bra.
~It figures...Chi Chi made the seating chart...~
We began to eat dinner, and I couldn't help but devour my plate. It was
delicious. I had to give Chi Chi credit. She was a very good cook. It was rather
silent at the table until Goku spoke up.
"So, Pan...Are you planning on going to college?"
"I was, but now I don't have the money. Trunks got me a job so I'm saving up
now."
Tou-san was looking at me and when I said that he put his head down and started
playing with his food. That was something he did only when he felt bad or
regretful for something. I knew what it was. He had always dreamed of me going
to college and becoming a teacher or doctor, or something like that. Now I
couldn't do that because I didn't have the finances for it, and he knew it was
his fault. Chi Chi noticed his change of mood too.
"Gohan, what's wrong?"
"Nothing Kaa-san. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You only get this way when something's bothering you."
~No Chi Chi...he only gets this way when he feels regretful...you would know
that if you'd been there for him these past 17 years...~
"Yes Kaa-san, I'm sure."
Chi Chi looked over to me and caught me giving her a dirty look. I don't think
she liked that very much.
"What's your problem, Pan? Is there something wrong with what you see."
"Not with what I see as much as who I see."
Everyone's heads shot up and focused on me and Chi Chi at that point. Trunks and
Goten were giving me the "now is a good time to shut up" look. But I wasn't
about to back down. This woman needed to be told off. And it seemed like I was
the only one willing to do it.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I don't like you. Ever since I moved here, you have made my life
hell."
"Oh really? Well, if you didn't have such an attitude problem, I might have made
your life a little easier."
"This is exactly why I hate your side of the family Tou-san. SHE is exactly why
I don't like your side of the family. I've come to realize that Goku and Goten
are really cool, and I'm sorry for the way I treated you two. But, you Chi Chi,
I hate. I will never respect you. It's because of you that I never met the rest
of my family, and it's because of you that my otou-san hates me. You're nothing
but a control freak and a bitch."
That las sentence made Chi Chi really mad. She slammed her fist on the table and
abruptly stood up, knocking the chair over as she did so.
"This is exactly why I didn't want Gohan with that woman. Her entire family has
no respect for anybody!"
My tou-san didn't like that last comment. He was always defensive of my
okaa-san.
"Kaa-san please don't talk about Videl that way."
"Why not? It's her fault you left. It's her fault you had to get married to her.
If she hadn't gone and gotten pregnant..."
My eyes widened in shock. Did I just hear her right?
"You're lieing Chi Chi. My kaa-san and tou-san loved each other."
"Only because they had to. If you hadn't come along they wouldn't have even
gotten engaged."
"SHUT UP KAA-SAN!"
Everyone's eyes turned to Tou-san. He had never raised his voice to Chi Chi. He
definately never told her to shut up. I was the only one who didn't turn to him.
I was to shocked. I ran out of the house and started to cry. It wasn't true. I
was conceived out of love. They both loved me and they loved each other. I was
running so fast that I didn't even realize when I made it back to my apartment.
I was just about to go inside when two strong arms wrapped themselves around me.
At first I thought it was Trunks, but then I recognized the embrace. It was the
way Tou-san held me when Kaa-san died.
"What do you want?"
I could barely speak through my tears.
"I'm so sorry Panny. I love you. You don't know how much I've missed you. You're
all I have left to remember your okaa-san by."
"But you didn't even want me. I was an accident remember?"
"That's where you're wrong Panny. Your okaa-san and I tried for you. We knew it
would be the only way your grandma Chi Chi would let us get married. When we
found out Videl was pregnant we were both over joyed. Chi Chi wasn't, but we
were. Don't you see? You were a god-send to us. That's why I've always cherished
you. I don't know what came over me when I made you leave. Please forgive me
Pan-chan. Please."
I would have said forget it except my tou-san had started to cry. I had only
seen him cry one other time. When Kaa-san died.
"You hurt me Tou-san. You abandoned me. My home is with Trunks now. He and I are
closer than ever now."
"What do you mean by that? Have you two..."
"No. I remain as chasted as the day I was born. He's helped me get back on my
feet."
Tou-san exhaled. He must have been holding his breath. He let me go only to
allow me to be embraced again. This time I knew instantly who it was.
"Trunks..."
"I'm here, Pan-chan."
I turned around and leaned into Trunks' embrace.
"I want to forgive him Trunks, but it's hard. He just left me."
"Shh...I know it's hard Pan, but he loves you. You should have heard him yell at
Chi Chi. Man he really put her in her place."
I looked up to Trunks and then over to my Tou-san. He looked sad, hurt. I slowly
walked over to him. When I got to him I stopped right in front of him. I stood
there studying his expression. He looked so anxious for my response. I decided
not to keep him waiting. I gave him a big hug, and he gratefully returned it.
"I love you, Pan-chan."
"I love you too, Tou-chan. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too."
We separated from the hug and he just stood there studying me.
"I assume you're going to stay here with Trunks."
"Umm...I'm not sure. Do you want me to come home?"
Tou-san looked to me then to Trunks. My gaze followed his and I was a little
surprised at what I saw. Trunks looked...disappointed.
"Well, I want you to come home, but I think you should stay here tonight. It'll
give us both time to collect ourselves."
"Sounds good to me."
I smiled at Trunks and he immediately perked up. When Tou-san turned around and
flew off, Trunks walked over to me and gave me a long, passionate kiss. When we
broke for air, I looked into Trunks' eyes. There was something in them that
didn't look right.
"Trunks, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. For once, everything's right."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see soon enough."
We walked up to the apartment. When we got inside, I practically fell on the
couch. Trunks sat down in the chair beside me.
"Tired, Pan?"
"Just a little, but I'll live"
I smiled to Trunks again and made myself comfy on the couch. I closed my eyes
and was almost asleep when I heard Trunks say something shocking.
"I love you, Pan."
must have been squeezing it too tight.
"Pan...You're hurting me."
"Oh! Sorry."
I let him go, and Goten lead us to the living room. My tou-san was there along
with Goku and Bra. I could smell the food cooking in the kitchen, so I assumed
that was where Chi Chi was. I did have to give Chi Chi some credit. Her cooking
smelt wonderful. But that didn't lighten the mood any. I could feel my tou-san's
eyes on me. I looked over to him. I could tell I wasn't welcome, but there was
something different about the way he was looking at me. Yes, the hate was still
very evident, but there was something else there. The only problem was, he's
very good at hiding his feelings. Or at least masking them.
I pursed my lips and looked away. It had been a month since I'd last talked to
him. I thought coming to the dinner would be easy, but I was wrong. It hurt that
I couldn't run to him and give him a hug. Or tell him that I loved him. Trunks
noticed how uncomfortable I was and lead me to sit down on the love seat.
"I'm surprised you decided to come, Pan." said my tou-san.
I couldn't help but flinch at the tone of voice he used. I think his comment
made Trunks mad because he only put his arm around my waist and pulled me
closer.
"I'm surprised you agreed to let her come, Gohan." he said.
Tou-san just gave Trunks a quizical look.
"'Gohan'? What happened to addressing me by 'Gohan-san'?"
Trunks didn't answer. He just tensed and "hmph-ed". Goku walked into the room,
and saw the way Tou-san was looking at me. I don't think he appreciated it.
"Gohan! She's a guest in MY home and you're staring at her like she was Cell.
Stop it."
Tou-san stood up and walked into the kitchen. I started to get uncomfortable.
"Pan," Goten started, "Are you okay? I thought you could handle this."
"So did I. But it's hard. I'll be 18 in less than a month you know. And until a
month ago, I thought my tou-san loved me unconditionally...So I didn't want to
be a part of his side of the family. I know that it seems harsh, but wouldn't
you feel the same way, Goten? If for the first 18 years of your life part of
your family didn't want anything to do with you, would you not act the same way?
And Tou-san expects me to immediately forgive and forget? I'll admit that I
never would forget. Maybe I could have forgiven with time, but not now. Not
ever."
"Dinner."
Goten got up, not speaking and lead us to the dining room. When I got there, I
sat down where I was directed. Between Trunks and the newly arrived Bra.
~It figures...Chi Chi made the seating chart...~
We began to eat dinner, and I couldn't help but devour my plate. It was
delicious. I had to give Chi Chi credit. She was a very good cook. It was rather
silent at the table until Goku spoke up.
"So, Pan...Are you planning on going to college?"
"I was, but now I don't have the money. Trunks got me a job so I'm saving up
now."
Tou-san was looking at me and when I said that he put his head down and started
playing with his food. That was something he did only when he felt bad or
regretful for something. I knew what it was. He had always dreamed of me going
to college and becoming a teacher or doctor, or something like that. Now I
couldn't do that because I didn't have the finances for it, and he knew it was
his fault. Chi Chi noticed his change of mood too.
"Gohan, what's wrong?"
"Nothing Kaa-san. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You only get this way when something's bothering you."
~No Chi Chi...he only gets this way when he feels regretful...you would know
that if you'd been there for him these past 17 years...~
"Yes Kaa-san, I'm sure."
Chi Chi looked over to me and caught me giving her a dirty look. I don't think
she liked that very much.
"What's your problem, Pan? Is there something wrong with what you see."
"Not with what I see as much as who I see."
Everyone's heads shot up and focused on me and Chi Chi at that point. Trunks and
Goten were giving me the "now is a good time to shut up" look. But I wasn't
about to back down. This woman needed to be told off. And it seemed like I was
the only one willing to do it.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I don't like you. Ever since I moved here, you have made my life
hell."
"Oh really? Well, if you didn't have such an attitude problem, I might have made
your life a little easier."
"This is exactly why I hate your side of the family Tou-san. SHE is exactly why
I don't like your side of the family. I've come to realize that Goku and Goten
are really cool, and I'm sorry for the way I treated you two. But, you Chi Chi,
I hate. I will never respect you. It's because of you that I never met the rest
of my family, and it's because of you that my otou-san hates me. You're nothing
but a control freak and a bitch."
That las sentence made Chi Chi really mad. She slammed her fist on the table and
abruptly stood up, knocking the chair over as she did so.
"This is exactly why I didn't want Gohan with that woman. Her entire family has
no respect for anybody!"
My tou-san didn't like that last comment. He was always defensive of my
okaa-san.
"Kaa-san please don't talk about Videl that way."
"Why not? It's her fault you left. It's her fault you had to get married to her.
If she hadn't gone and gotten pregnant..."
My eyes widened in shock. Did I just hear her right?
"You're lieing Chi Chi. My kaa-san and tou-san loved each other."
"Only because they had to. If you hadn't come along they wouldn't have even
gotten engaged."
"SHUT UP KAA-SAN!"
Everyone's eyes turned to Tou-san. He had never raised his voice to Chi Chi. He
definately never told her to shut up. I was the only one who didn't turn to him.
I was to shocked. I ran out of the house and started to cry. It wasn't true. I
was conceived out of love. They both loved me and they loved each other. I was
running so fast that I didn't even realize when I made it back to my apartment.
I was just about to go inside when two strong arms wrapped themselves around me.
At first I thought it was Trunks, but then I recognized the embrace. It was the
way Tou-san held me when Kaa-san died.
"What do you want?"
I could barely speak through my tears.
"I'm so sorry Panny. I love you. You don't know how much I've missed you. You're
all I have left to remember your okaa-san by."
"But you didn't even want me. I was an accident remember?"
"That's where you're wrong Panny. Your okaa-san and I tried for you. We knew it
would be the only way your grandma Chi Chi would let us get married. When we
found out Videl was pregnant we were both over joyed. Chi Chi wasn't, but we
were. Don't you see? You were a god-send to us. That's why I've always cherished
you. I don't know what came over me when I made you leave. Please forgive me
Pan-chan. Please."
I would have said forget it except my tou-san had started to cry. I had only
seen him cry one other time. When Kaa-san died.
"You hurt me Tou-san. You abandoned me. My home is with Trunks now. He and I are
closer than ever now."
"What do you mean by that? Have you two..."
"No. I remain as chasted as the day I was born. He's helped me get back on my
feet."
Tou-san exhaled. He must have been holding his breath. He let me go only to
allow me to be embraced again. This time I knew instantly who it was.
"Trunks..."
"I'm here, Pan-chan."
I turned around and leaned into Trunks' embrace.
"I want to forgive him Trunks, but it's hard. He just left me."
"Shh...I know it's hard Pan, but he loves you. You should have heard him yell at
Chi Chi. Man he really put her in her place."
I looked up to Trunks and then over to my Tou-san. He looked sad, hurt. I slowly
walked over to him. When I got to him I stopped right in front of him. I stood
there studying his expression. He looked so anxious for my response. I decided
not to keep him waiting. I gave him a big hug, and he gratefully returned it.
"I love you, Pan-chan."
"I love you too, Tou-chan. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too."
We separated from the hug and he just stood there studying me.
"I assume you're going to stay here with Trunks."
"Umm...I'm not sure. Do you want me to come home?"
Tou-san looked to me then to Trunks. My gaze followed his and I was a little
surprised at what I saw. Trunks looked...disappointed.
"Well, I want you to come home, but I think you should stay here tonight. It'll
give us both time to collect ourselves."
"Sounds good to me."
I smiled at Trunks and he immediately perked up. When Tou-san turned around and
flew off, Trunks walked over to me and gave me a long, passionate kiss. When we
broke for air, I looked into Trunks' eyes. There was something in them that
didn't look right.
"Trunks, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. For once, everything's right."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see soon enough."
We walked up to the apartment. When we got inside, I practically fell on the
couch. Trunks sat down in the chair beside me.
"Tired, Pan?"
"Just a little, but I'll live"
I smiled to Trunks again and made myself comfy on the couch. I closed my eyes
and was almost asleep when I heard Trunks say something shocking.
"I love you, Pan."