He was relieved to be able to break the news to his family, especially to his Mom. After years of anxiety, he thought his Mom could finally rest easy knowing his romance with his girlfriend would end in a marriage after all.
But his visit to Mt. Paozu took an unexpected turn. While doing the dishes with his brother, his Mom entered the kitchen with a solemn look, his Dad right behind her.
Goten, can you play outside? We need to talk your Big Brother.
His little brother didn't have to be asked twice and exited the room excitedly.
Gohan, please sit.
What's wrong, Mom? He dried his hands, puzzled, and obediently took a seat.
Your Dad and I wanted to make sure your marriage would start out the right way. We have learned from our own experience that not everybody knows what a big deal getting married is to a girl. His Mom glared at his Dad, who grinned sheepishly.
Oh . . . okay. He had a bad feeling about this but tried to remain optimistic.
Now, Videl probably has been thinking about her wedding day since she was a child. So let her pick out her dress, the cake, the music, the venue. Your job is to step back and don't interfere, but make sure everything goes as she's planned.
He wasn't sure how he was supposed to do the two things that were diametrically opposed, but he figured his Mom's premise was wrong to begin with, and his job right now was just to be a good listener. So he simply nodded to indicate he was listening.
There's no point in getting married if you can't show off your new husband to the world, his Mom continued. If you can't make any of the other girls wish you were theirs, you haven't done your job, so ask her what she wants you to wear and how she wants you to act.
Well, he said, on that note. I kind of thought it would be nice if we could have a traditional wedding. I don't really have a lot of opportunities to wear our traditional clothing in the city.
His Mom slammed the kitchen table, startling him. That's not your decision to make! Haven't you been paying attention?
Y-Yes, Ma'am. He held on tightly to his seat. His Mom's anger was rarely directed at him, but when it was she still managed to scare the crap out of him.
Anyway. His Mom cleared her throat, regretting her temporary loss of self-control at her favorite son. Another thing we wanted to mention was the wedding night.
He swallowed. He was afraid of this. Um . . . Mom, you don't have to.
His Mom ignored him. See, on the wedding night, Videl will be giving you the most precious gift you could ever have. You, as her husband, will be the first man she'll give this gift to. Now I know as a man you have your own needs, but your job is to treat her gently and not to take advantage of her. Right, Goku?
He felt his face burning. He wasn't sure which was worse: the allusion to his parents' wedding night or his Mom imagining him as a sexual being.
M-Mom . . . he tried again, suddenly feeling like a helpless child instead of an adult on the verge of starting his own family. I appreciate the advice, but if you could wrap it up, I still have a lot of dishes to do.
Of course. His Mom turned to his Dad again. Goku, do you have anything to add?
Surprised that he was asked to speak, his Dad had to think hard. Finally, a thought crossed his mind. I got it!
The other two looked at his Dad, expectantly but a little doubtfully.
If you're going to spend the rest of your lives together, you should love each other as who you both are, not as who you want the other to be.
He could tell even his Mom was impressed at that line.