(31) Wednesday at The Son Home…

Goten didn't have any classes today, so he decided to see how his mom was doing. He only worked part time at the pet store and was off today as well. He saw Videl outside, hanging out clothes to dry. "Hey Videl."

"Goten, it's good to see you."

"How's my mom?"

"She's resting in her bed. Gohan told Goku to make sure she gets rest."

Goten walked inside to see his father begging his mother to take it easy, but Chichi wasn't hearing any of it. "Chichi you know what the doctor said."

"Goku, I'm fine, and Gohan's just freaking out. It's not like I'm going to die. I'm very healthy for my age."

"It's true," said Goten.

"Oh sweetie." Chichi hugged her son. "It's so good to see you here."

"Same here." Goten let go. "Gohan still acting like an maniac?"

"Your brother is just so protective of his family."

"I know, and it's increased ever since he became a dad."

"Well at least he has a good wife to reel him back a little."

Goku put his hand on his son's shoulder. "How are you doing, son?"

"So, Videl told you guys everything?"

"Yes," said Chichi. "It's a shame. I feel so bad for Bulma."

"What does that mean, mom?"

"He's becoming like his father, and that's not a good thing."

"Well he's turning himself in and admitting to his crimes. Is that enough for you?"

"Goten."

"No, I thought you would stop this kind of talk, but it turns out you can't let it go."

"Sweetie, my feelings don't disappear over night."

"Well you didn't have to say that about Trunks and besides, Vegeta is a different person now."

"I just want you—

"Whatever you want from me mom, you can never have. I know this is not what you want to here, but I will mate with him. We've already partially completed it."

Chichi left the room and went upstairs to rest a while. Goku could sense his son's spike in energy. It was amazing. He was happy for his son. "She'll come around Goten."

"It's just going to take some time I know."

Goku watched as his son went out the door, and he went to his wife to hopefully talk about what was going on.

"Uncle Goten."

Goten saw Gohan drive up, and Pan get out of the car and run to him. He held open his arms as she jumped into them. He couldn't help but smile. He loved her so much. He picked her up and held her to his chest. "How was your day?"

"We got to make gingerbread houses at school today. It was so funny. I almost didn't complete mine because I was eating the candy."

"Goten laughed. "I did the same exact thing at your age except I ate my gingerbread house before my mom got home."

"Pan did to," said Gohan. He smiled.

"Great minds, huh?" said Goten. He put Pan down, and she ran into the house to tell her mother about her day.

"Hey Gohan."

"What's wrong?"

"I didn't say anything was wrong."

"I can tell. What happened?"

Goten sighed. "Mom."

"Oh, Goten I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it Gohan."

"You want to come inside?"

"Sure, why not?"

Videl was starting on dinner, and Gohan and Goten settled in the living room. Pan was doing her homework in her room. Gohan was waiting for Goten to talk, but he wasn't. He decided to start the conversation. "Is Trunks working late tonight?"

"Yeah, but you'll never believe it."

"What?"

"Trunks is going to be an uncle."

"Really?"

"Yeah, twins."

"Wow! How's Vegeta taking it?"

"I'd imagine not very well."

"How about Trunks?"

"I think he's nervous about it, and I think I should have told him that being an uncle is awesome."

"You're a great uncle to Pan."

"Thanks."

"Bulla and Uub are going to be parents. Good luck to them. Especially with twins, that's going to be a handful."

"Yeah that was why he was over here and acting weird." Goten looked at the clock. "Well I better get going. I'll see you around Gohan."

Goten got to the door and said goodbye to Videl and before he opened it, he felt Pan holding on to his leg. "Uncle Goten."

"Yes Pan."

"After school tomorrow don't forget to come here for the Christmas tree contest."

"I wouldn't miss. It's a tradition here in the mountain area you know." He got her off his leg, kissed her cheek, and closed the door behind him.

He looked into the night sky and smiled. He decided he would bring Trunks into the tradition. He just hoped he wasn't working late tomorrow. He flew off into the sky and headed home. His mouth frowned at the thought that crossed his mind. Soon he would be living there alone. Sure he could move back with his parents, but he didn't want to hear it from his mom. What would he do without him? He swallowed the lump in his throat, no one to lie beside at night or hold him. The tears finally fell. He couldn't hold back anymore.