"Stolen Youth"

January 2003 Debs-dragon

Chapter 21

Pan emerged from the bathroom having finished her washing ritual and gazed at her husband who was reclining on the bed.

"All done?" he asked softly.

"Yes. Bathroom's yours," she replied as she moved towards the bed.

Trunks stood up and fetched his things before entering the bathroom to wash up and clean his teeth.

Pan pulled back the covers and slipped between the sheets nervously. She knew what a wedding night was all about, but given her pregnant state she wasn't comfortable with the idea that Trunks may wish to consummate their marriage. She twisted a lock of hair as she ran the thought through her head.

Trunks emerged wearing a pair of blue silk pajamas. He smiled at Pan as he placed his removed clothes on the chair and slid into the bed beside his wife. He noticed the nervous, absent look on her face and guessed what the problem might be. He leaned over and pulled Pan gently to him. He lowered his lips and kissed her softly. "Don't worry Mrs. Briefs, I won't try to do anything. I can wait, your health and the baby are more important to me," he whispered softly and knew he had said the right thing when he felt Pan relax against him.

Pan was relieved and snuggled deeper into Trunks' warm arms. "Thanks," she whispered in reply. "It's not that I don't want to, but with the baby and all..."

Trunks silenced her with a kiss. "Hush. I know and I understand. Your feelings are important to me, Pan, I want you to always remember that and tell me if I ever do anything to upset or displease you." He kissed her again.

Pan was quite happy to just be kissed and held. The fatigue of the day soon caught up with her and she drifted off to sleep, still safe and warm in Trunks' embrace.

#

They spent their honeymoon enjoying each other's company, discovering the little things such as Pan's weakness for ice cream and Trunks' hatred of cold water, that Pan preferred no salt on her food while Trunks was apt to drown his in tomato sauce.

When they returned home they discovered even more quirks. Trunks would leave his clothes sitting on the back of a chair, whereas Pan would put them in the laundry basket or fold them up and place them in the closet.

Trunks needed two cups of coffee before he was remotely human in the morning and liked to lie in as long as possible, where Pan would be up with the dawn chorus and a cup of tea would start her day off.

Trunks had bought them a house and hadn't told Pan of its purchase until they were on their honeymoon. It was situated about half way between her parents and the Capsule Corp. Close enough if they should need their respective families yet far enough away that they could lead their own lives.

When they returned from the honeymoon Trunks had taken them straight there. Pan was eagerly looking forward to seeing the house that would become her home and she wasn't disappointed. It was large enough for them to raise a family in without being a burden to Pan for cleaning. The rooms were large and airy, the color scheme pastels, and Pan loved it.

Trunks gave her free rein to select whatever furniture and accessories she wanted. Armed with a credit card and her mother for company, Pan went shopping. Bra joined them a little later as did Marron, and the four women had the time of their lives selecting the pieces of furniture, curtains and knick knacks that would make up Pan's home.

Pan also shopped for baby things.

She and Trunks had selected the room they wanted to turn into a nursery and Trunks had employed a painter to come in and decorate the room to Pan's wishes. Now all she had to do was fit it out with the items a baby would need and for advice she turned to her mother. They spent an entire day at the local mall selecting the various things she would need and Pan was grateful to her mother for coming along. A lot of the things they bought Pan hadn't even thought of. They purchased the usual items such as a crib, diapers, clothing and the like. They also bought towels, linen, toiletries, change table and other smaller items. Pan was particularly taken with a mobile of the stars. It played the tune "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and the many moons and stars attached to the strings twirled around lazily.

Pan arranged to have the purchases delivered and returned home. Trunks was awaiting her presence and kissed her enthusiastically when she arrived.

"Come and see!" he exclaimed like a child with a new toy as he led Pan to the newly decorated nursery.

Pan gasped when she saw the room. She had asked the painter to paint the room in a pale yellow, she had mentioned to Trunks that she would like to paint some murals on a couple of the walls as well and unbeknown to her, Trunks had arranged for an artist to do the work.

The room was decorated with the pictures of fairy tales; knights and dragons, princesses and unicorns, rainbows and fluffy clouds adorned the walls and ceiling. It truly was a lovely sight. "Oh, Trunks, it's beautiful," Pan said softly as she gazed around, taking in the exquisite detail.

"I wanted to surprise you," Trunks replied.

"I think it's wonderful." Pan turned around again and then wrapped her arms around Trunks' neck, kissing him soundly. "Thank you."

"You're most welcome." Trunks beamed. "When the furniture arrives tomorrow you tell me where you want it and I'll set it all up for you."

Pan smiled. "I will, don't you worry; now I'd better get on with making the dinner." Pan placed another tender kiss to Trunks' cheek and left to start cooking their dinner.

Life settled into a routine over the next few days. Pan spent most of her time sorting through their purchases and organizing the house the way she wanted while Trunks was at work. He usually called a couple of times a day to make sure she was okay. Her mother stopped by every second day and both Bra and Marron became regular visitors.

As her due date came closer so Pan was visiting the doctor every four days. He was happy with the way her pregnancy had progressed so far. "Well, your blood pressure is fine and your general health is good," the doctor said as he examined Pan. "The baby has turned and is engaged in position so now it is just a matter of waiting." He assisted Pan to a sitting position on the examination table.

Pan climbed down and sat in the chair opposite while the doctor wrote his notes. Once done he looked up. "Just keep doing what you are doing and don't stress or strain yourself. The little tyke will be with us soon," he smiled.

Pan smiled back and stood. "Thank you doctor. I guess I'm getting a little impatient now, I mean it's been almost nine months."

The doctor patted Pan's hand. "I know my dear, but babies will come when they're good and ready and not before. Make the most of it while you can, once the baby is here you won't have much time for yourself or your husband," he laughed.

"I guess you're right," Pan sighed and left.

#

Pan was sitting in the garden enjoying the fading rays of the sun. The day had been a warm one and so she had done a little gardening. Trunks was due home from work any moment and tea was all ready in the refrigerator. Closing her book Pan stood up and rubbed at her back. The ache had started a little while ago now and whilst not painful, it was uncomfortable and Pan wondered if she may have pulled a muscle while tinkering in the flower beds. Her thoughts soon changed though as she sensed Trunks' ki and looked skywards. She could just make out a small speck in the distance.

She smiled to herself and went inside to pop the kettle on to boil and make them both a cup of coffee. Moments later Trunks stepped through the back door and enveloped her in a bear hug.

"How has your day been, my princess?" he asked as he turned her in his arms to kiss her soundly.

"Nice and relaxed," Pan replied and returned the kiss. "Tea is ready whenever you want it." Pan turned back to making the coffee.

Trunks slipped his jacket from his shoulders and hung it on the back of the kitchen chair, he took the offered mug and sat down. He watched Pan as she busied herself in the kitchen, fetching the bowl of salad, plates, cutlery and cold meat and placing them on the table. She refused all his attempts to let him help her and so he observed instead and again sent silent thanks to whomever was responsible that he had woken up to what he wanted and that Pan had forgiven him.

They ate their meal, discussing Trunks' day and their future plans. The ache in Pan's back was forgotten temporarily as they shared the chore of the dishes. It wasn't until Trunks had gone to take his shower and Pan was reclining on the sofa that the twinges returned. Idly she rubbed her back as she surfed the television channels.

Trunks returned, his hair still damp and noticed her discomfort. "Are you okay, Pan?" he asked in concern as he went and knelt at her side.

"I'm fine, just a bit of a back ache that's all."

"Are you sure?" Trunks obviously wasn't convinced.

"Yes, now stop worrying." Pan smiled at him but underneath the smile was unease. She had had back aches before and they usually went after she had rested for a while, but this one wouldn't go away, if anything it was getting stronger.

They sat and watched a movie together, Trunks still darting glances from time to time at his wife. He knew he couldn't force her to go to bed or call the doctor, but he still wasn't happy.

The movie finished and Pan stretched. "I think I will go to bed, I'm rather tired."

"I'm going to retire as well," Trunks said and assisted Pan to get up.

They made their way through to the bedroom and while Pan got ready for bed Trunks did one last tour of the house, making sure everywhere was locked up securely. By the time he went back to the bedroom Pan was between the sheets and drifting off. Trunks smiled to himself and switching off the light climbed in next to her.

#

Pan wasn't sure just when the pain started, all she knew was that one minute she was enjoying a nice dream and the next she was wide awake and gripping her stomach as a wave of pain passed over her. "Ohhhh..." she groaned softly and then relaxed as the pain subsided. She looked at Trunks in the moonlight, his eyes were closed in sleep and his breathing regular. She debated whether or not to wake him and decided to wait a bit and see what happened.

She wasn't sure just what was happening to her, was it the baby? Was there something wrong? Another wave of pain began to make its presence known and she gritted her teeth as it built to a peak and then faded away. Sweat began to bead on her forehead and she looked at the clock.

2am.

She continued to lay quietly, one hand massaging her swollen stomach as she waited to see what would happen next. Another build up of pain and this time Pan knew it must be the baby. Her labor had started, no doubt about it. As the pain subsided and she could move again she gently reached over to Trunks and shook his shoulder. "Trunks..." she called softly.

Trunks began to stir.

"Trunks," she called a little louder this time and shook harder. Then another contraction hit. "Trunks!" she gasped and squeezed his shoulder tightly.

Trunks yelped and shot up in the bed. "What? What's happening? What's going on?" He looked around frantically, his heart pounding. He couldn't sense any danger so what had woken him up? A groan of pain to his right soon solved that question and he turned to Pan. "Pan? What is it? What's wrong?"

Pan waited until the contraction started to ease and then panted out. "The baby, Trunks... I'm in labor."

"Oh shit!" Trunks was wide awake now. "What do I do? Shall I take you to the hospital? Are you sure? Dammit! Where's my clothes?" Trunks had hopped out of the bed and was busy running in circles while Pan couldn't help but laugh, it seemed so comical.

Trunks was desperately trying to yank his shirt on and pull his pants up at the same time. He hit the floor with a thump as both legs disappeared down the same hole in the pants. "Ow!" he said as he managed to straighten himself out, rubbing his head.

"Trunks, slow down," Pan laughed and then grimaced as another contraction forced its way along her muscles. As the pain left so she panted slightly. "Ring my mother while I get dressed and tell her to meet us at the hospital please. Then ring the hospital and tell them we are coming in." Pan paused for a moment to catch her breath. I have a suitcase packed in the bottom of the closet. Once you have made the calls come and fetch it and then get the car to take me to the hospital in."

"Right," Trunks replied and then shot out the bedroom, shirt still undone and flapping as he went.

Pan shook her head. No wonder it was the women that had the babies, left to the men it would never happen. she thought wryly as she managed to dress herself in-between contractions. They were starting to get stronger now and a little closer together.

Trunks returned, his shirt now buttoned and tucked into his pants. "I've made the phone calls. Now what do you want me to do?" He ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Calming down would be a good start," Pan chuckled. "Go into the closet and get my bag please. Ohhhh..." Pan's face screwed up as another contraction hit.

Trunks raced over to her side and grabbed her hand. "You okay?"

Pan couldn't answer him, the contraction taking all of her focus right now.

Trunks became agitated when he received no reply and gazed in concern at his wife. Finally the contraction eased and she looked at him through pain filled eyes.

"I think we should get going, Trunks. This baby isn't going to wait much longer."

"Right." Trunks opened the closet and took out the bag. With the bag in one hand he assisted Pan from the bedroom and out the lounge where they paused again for a few moments while another contraction came and went.

Eventually they managed to get outside and Trunks flipped the dyno cap. As the smoke cleared so he escorted Pan to the passenger seat and made her comfortable. Sliding behind the wheel he fired the engine into life and pulled away from their home, heading for the hospital and the arrival of his son or daughter.

~ oOo ~

to be concluded