Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ, the characters, or the song "I Don't Know You Anymore" by Savage Garden
And we're finally at the end and now I can say this one is completed! Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed, and thank you to everyone who has been patient and stuck around since 2012 XD Sorry it took so long to finish, but now, here we are at the end.
So let's just get into it!
It was a bright sunny day, summer vacation officially starting. Bulma had been thankful that she did so well during the school year, but she had her boyfriend to thank for that.
Her boyfriend…she didn't think she'd ever get used to saying that.
Speaking of, he was running a bit late. That was very unlike him, especially when they were meeting at their secret spot by the lake. She hoped he was all right. She knew his father had been giving him a hard time lately over exams and some other stuff that Vegeta refused to discuss with her. This day had been her idea, a day away from their homes, their first summer as a couple, a picnic lunch. That had to brighten his mood.
When Vegeta finally showed up, she beamed brightly at him until she saw the look on his face. His arms were crossed, his eyes unfocused. He was in even worse shape than she thought. "Vegeta?"
Her boyfriend looked up at her, his eyes finally touched by light. "Hey," he greeted quietly. "Sorry I'm late."
"That's all right," Bulma softly responded, patting the blanket she had set up. "I made us lunch. I figured we could eat and then maybe go swimming in the lake."
An amused brow quirked up. "Oh really? You planning on changing into a swimsuit all the way out here in the open?"
"Oh shut up," Bulma laughed. "I'm wearing a bathing suit underneath my clothes."
"Hm, too bad," Vegeta simpered. "I would have loved to see th-"
"Vegeta!" Bulma shouted, her cheeks turning beet red. "Behave, please."
"Why?" Vegeta whispered encroaching upon her. He managed to get her to sit back, his body looming over hers. "Can't take the heat?"
"N-N-No," she admitted, her breath hitching slightly.
Vegeta smirked at her. "Thought so." He pressed his lips to hers and practically devoured her.
It was nice to return home after visiting her friends in Texas. Bulma and Vegeta had decided to take their kids there, introduce them to everyone. The two were growing up so fast, Trunks five and Bra three. They couldn't believe how much time had passed or how much they had gone through.
Years before, after Cooler Arco had sent his terrifying brother after Bulma, Vegeta was possibly facing criminal charges. Of course, Cooler wanted to go to trial, but thanks to Raditz's report of self-defense and Dr. Briefs's legal team, Vegeta never had to set foot in a court room. In fact, Cooler was the one who was at risk. The doctor had wanted to press charges against him for hiring a criminal to torment his daughter, but he promised to sweep it under the rug if he never went after Bulma, Vegeta, and their family ever again. The police weren't thrilled with the arrangement, but Raditz had talked his chief down. The major crime lord was already gone, and they had all his men in custody. There was no longer anything to worry about.
Of course, Bulma had needed therapy for a while, traumatized from her experience. Though nothing had happened, Frieza's words and plans for her had haunted her. She would not confide what was said in Vegeta. It wasn't because she didn't want his help, but she did not want him to be haunted the same way she was. So, during that time, to keep her from having difficulties for the remainder of her pregnancy, Vegeta encouraged her to see a specialist to talk out what had happened. It had helped her to become more or less at ease with what had happened to her.
That fall, Bulma had given birth to a healthy baby girl, Bra Echalotte Ouji. It had been a crisp November day when Bulma had gone into labor, thankfully while Vegeta was still home, actually right before he had to leave for work. He had raced her to the hospital, Trunks in the back seat looking so perplexed each time Bulma moaned from the feeling of a contraction. Thankfully, there had been a daycare at the hospital so that someone could look after their little boy until his grandparents arrived.
The birth had been nothing like when Bulma gave birth to Trunks. It went much easier, and her labor didn't last nearly as long. When their little one finally graced them with her presence, crying loudly, Vegeta had fallen hard. She was perfect, looked just like her mother. Already, he knew he'd do anything for her. Part of him didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing. It didn't matter, though, after the doctor placed the baby in his arms, her blue eyes peeking open to see him. He was instantly lost in them, her crying ceasing the instant blue met coal. Just like her mother, she was his little angel.
Only a few years had passed, and it had been a whirlwind. Trunks adjusted to his new baby sister very well, always trying to share with her. As they grew, the two would get themselves in so much trouble with their innocent fun, neither ever ratting the other one out. Vegeta recalled one time when he had returned home from work only to find the walls colored on. He knew it was Bra for she was the artist of the family. When he asked his three-year-old son, he just smiled widely and said, "I didn't see anything." As much as Vegeta wanted to be irritated with his children, he was actually thrilled that they were so close and protective of one another. Perhaps it was a good thing that they were so close in age.
"So, random question," Bulma stated as the two laid back on the blanket, both watching the clouds pass overhead. Vegeta tilted his head to compel her to continue. "What do you think it would be like to have a sibling, younger or older?"
Vegeta scoffed and looked away. "Trust me, that won't ever happen."
That was the only response he gave, Bulma glancing at him with concern shining in her eyes. "Is everything okay?"
Vegeta sighed, forcing a nod. In truth, nothing was okay, not anymore. He had finally told his father he was seeing Bulma behind his and her father's backs, and he learned something that made him feel horrible. He had been trying to hide it, but Bulma could always see through him. Still, he didn't need her to know. He was simply trying to forget after a long talk with his mother about the topic. "My father doesn't want anymore kids," he explained while keeping out the fact that the bastard never wanted Vegeta in the first place. "It's not something I want to think about."
"Oh, I see," Bulma replied. "Is…that why you've been so down?"
"No," Vegeta lied. Well, it was partially the truth. He couldn't fully lie to Bulma. He offered his girlfriend a smile and said, "Honestly, I've missed you."
Bulma giggled. "Silly, we saw each other two days ago, and we talked yesterday."
"Not enough time," Vegeta scoffed, and he pulled Bulma close to him. Red dusted her cheeks, her lips drawn into a timid frown.
His eyes were so intense as the bore into hers that her nerves grew. "Vegeta? Is everything okay?"
"It is now," he told her, and he meant it. Just being around Bulma had already lifted his spirits. They hadn't been dating very long, but he knew she was it for him. She had this uncanny ability to soothe his soul. She didn't even know how much just holding her was helping to heal his heart from his father's cruel words. With her, words like "you are no son of mine" or "she should have terminated the pregnancy" didn't matter. He allowed himself to relax, Bulma finally snuggling against him. With her, he felt like he was her everything just like she was his.
"Bulma, Vegeta," Panchy greeted, smiling as she saw them walking up to the door. "Welcome home, you guys."
"Gwamma!" Bra exclaimed happily practically jumping out of Vegeta's arms. He set her down and watched as his children ran inside to embrace their grandmother. The woman laughed happily and knelt down before the two of them.
"Hello, sweets," she greeted. "Did you enjoy Texas?"
"I got to ride a pony!" Bra cheered.
Trunks snickered. "Yeah, we both did. It was fun."
"And look at you!" Panchy praised. "You were gone just a couple of weeks and you already sprouted. Are you excited about starting school soon?"
Bra pouted. "He's gonna leave me!"
"You're gonna be fine," Trunks assured her. "You'll have Goten to play with, and when I come home we'll play, okay?"
The blue-haired child seemed unconvinced, crossed her arms, and looked away to brood. "Fine."
Panchy's mouth dropped open as she looked up to Vegeta who already knew her train of thought. He too crossed his arms and looked away grunting, "Hn."
Bulma laughed and shook her head. "Yes, she gets that from her father," she teased, placing her hand on Vegeta's shoulder and squeezing it. "Is dad home yet?"
"He just got back from the company a little while ago. Everything's been fine while you were away."
Vegeta nodded, kissing his wife on the cheek before he went inside, leaving his wife with her mother and the children. She knew Vegeta was eager to see her father. A smile appeared on her face, and she went inside, her mother telling her that Kalina would be over soon. The two women watched the children take out some toys to play with, turning the living room into an obstacle course. It really was good to be home.
Dr. Briefs's office was where Vegeta found his father-in-law. He cleared his throat to earn attention, the doctor looking up from the document he was reading and smiling. "Vegeta, my boy," he acclaimed. "You're back. You look well."
"As do you, Trunks." Once the doctor had accepted Vegeta, the man met him halfway and started calling him by name. Their relationship had improved over the past few years, and Vegeta had found himself growing closer to the man, closer than he ever was with his father. "I wanted to thank you for assisting my mother at the company while we were away. How is she?"
"She's still feeling very lonely," Dr. Briefs replied, "but working at the company served as a very good distraction. We had her over for dinner almost every night while you were away."
Vegeta nodded his thanks. He had determined, so long after his father's death, that his mother was suffering in silence. Though she and his father were hardly in love, they at least had each other all those years. Vegeta had been so distant from her for so long, but his mother never complained. After he had invited her to help him and Bulma out at the company, her spirit had brightened, though she was still low whenever she was at the house. Vegeta and Bulma would either have her over or call her every night, the kids helping to keep her active. They were working on plans for an add on apartment to their house so that his mother could move in and sell the last reminder of his father and the pain they all experienced. He thought it might be better for her. "Thank you," he answered the man. Dr. Briefs grinned and nodded.
But Vegeta didn't leave after, which the man expected. He simply took a seat across from him, and stared him down. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes," Vegeta assured him. "Bulma and I had a thought. When we were in Texas, two of her friends who have been married awhile decided to renew their vows. Her family finally accepted her husband, and since they weren't there for the first ceremony, they wanted another."
"O…Okay?" Dr. Briefs responded. "So, what thought did you and Bulma have?"
"We want to have another ceremony to renew our vows," Vegeta stated. "We would like you to be there."
Dr. Briefs wasn't completely shocked that Vegeta was discussing this with him, but at the same time he never expected either his daughter or son-in-law to want something like this so soon after their marriage. Truthfully, the doctor had just been happy to be a part of his daughter's and grandchildren's lives. This wonderful offer wasn't something he had needed, but once it was presented, he couldn't say "no." "I'd be honored, Vegeta."
Silence stretched between them, but both men felt very light and content, both smiling/smirking at one another. Out of nowhere, the silence was broken by Vegeta's screaming children running through the halls and laughing. The two men chuckled, Vegeta shaking his head. "So, are you worried about those two trying to compete with each other?" Dr. Briefs asked.
"Not really," Vegeta admitted. "They have a very healthy sibling rivalry, mainly trying to make the other better. Those two are terrors together."
"I'm glad they get along," Dr. Briefs stated. "To be fair, I was concerned that Trunks would have more of a difficult time adjusting."
"It wouldn't have surprised me," Vegeta revealed, "but he was always a very friendly and outgoing baby. He was still very young when Bra was born."
"Probably a good thing," Dr. Briefs pondered. "Now, let's get out of this stuffy, old room. I want to see my grandkids."
"As you wish," Vegeta murmured contently. To be honest, he wanted to see what his little ones were up to, make sure they weren't causing any extra trouble. A little bit, though, was fine. Only a little bit.
Bulma snapped Vegeta out of his thoughts, splashing him with the freezing, cold water. Summer had just truly hit, and the lake's temperature hadn't fully caught up yet. "Damn it, Bulma!" he shouted at her. "You're a fucking troublemaker."
"You love me," Bulma teased, winking at him as she blew a kiss. As the words left her mouth, she sobered up and looked horrified and flushed. "I mean…I…er…nothing."
Vegeta couldn't help but snicker at the woman, finally diving into the water. He grabbed her and sunk her down beneath the small waves. His woman yelped, tried to get away, but to no avail. He felt her struggling, hitting his chest, so he released her and allowed her to surface, surfacing with her. "Vegeta, what the hell?"
"Seemed like you needed to cool off," Vegeta taunted. "I didn't realize I made you so hot and bothered."
"S-Stop," Bulma stammered, looking away from his chiseled chest now covered in water droplets. He didn't know how true his statement was.
"In all seriousness, Bulma," he stated, "you mean the world to me. I adore you." Again, Bulma blushed, mainly because of the intensity of Vegeta's words. He rarely ever spoke like that. It made her wonder what exactly had him acting so off.
He swam over to her and hugged her once again, his grip tight. Bulma took a deep breath before asking, "Hey, Vegeta?"
"Yes, woman?"
"Do you…do you think it's possible…do you think maybe, one day, we could have it all?"
Though Vegeta didn't understand the question, he was fairly certain she was talking about a wonderful relationship between the two of them, and maybe improved relationships between their families. His father was a lost cause, he knew, but that didn't mean it wasn't possible. Well, a big part of that would have to be Bulma's father giving up on the stupid feud, also. There was no reason for him to treat his daughter as badly as his father treated him. "Maybe," he finally said, Bulma looking up at him with hopeful eyes. "As long as we're together, I think we will."
Vegeta finished unpacking and looked over to his and Bulma's bed. The kids had long since been changed for bed, both of them cuddled up against their mother. He couldn't help but beam with pride for his family. They were his everything, and he had been right all along. As he looked at their peaceful, sleeping faces, he had to admit they really did have it all.