We made it to chapter 20! Enjoy :)
The next few days Danielle spent some time with her mom while she was still in town. It wasn't until her last day there that Danielle decided to introduce her to Thea. The only thing that's holding her back and making her nervous is how her mom may react to seeing Frieza. With every lunch they met for Danielle eventually got to the topic of her 'Boyfriend' with her mom. At first Cassie didn't know why her daughter kept stressing the fact that he is different. "I just don't want you freaking out when you meet him. He's...not like other men." Thousands of questions were floating around in the older woman's head. She just didn't understand why Danielle was so anxious about it. Was she worried that she wouldn't like him? All Danielle told her is that she would know what she meant once she met him. Cassie kept reassuring her that everything will be fine. The fact that he makes her daughter obviously very happy means that she already likes him. That's where they were headed now after they just finished lunch down the street from Danielle's apartment complex. "So you never told me. What does your boyfriend do for a living?" Danielle started fiddling with her sleeves as they walked down the street. "He's a fighter. A good one at that." That's all she really told the woman. Cassie didn't think anything of it. She just thought her daughter meant he was a professional boxer or something. After five minutes they made it back to the apartment building. Danielle and her mom took the elevator up to the forty-second floor. She unlocked the door to her apartment and let themselves in. Frieza was sitting on the floor in front of the couch with Thea. He was encouraging her to crawl to him. She was wobbling a bit, but making better progress then before.
He looked up when he heard a gasp. Danielle was standing there was a slightly nervous look on her face, trying to gage the older woman's reaction. "I ummm, now see what you mean by different." Frieza picks Thea up and walks over to them. He shifts her to one arm and holds his other hand out to Cassie. "Pleasure to finally meet you. I am Frieza." Her mom doesn't say anything at first. But eventually takes his offered hand and shakes it. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Cassie Morrison." Her gaze shifts from the strange man to the infant he was holding. The baby girl looked at the woman curiously while chewing on one of the ears of her stuffed rabbit. The older woman's gaze softens, "And this must be Thea." Danielle let a small smile make its way to her face. "Yeah, been trying hard the last couple to learn how to crawl." "Something she is starting to pick up rather quickly," says Frieza, chiming in. Cassie smiled at this, "A fast learner, huh? Must be a smart little cookie." Thea smiled around the ear she was still chewing on. "Congratulations you two, she really is beautiful." The beaming parents thanked her. Danielle's mom stayed a little longer and continued to chat with both Danielle and Frieza. While she had her granddaughter on her lap. The more she chatted with Frieza, the more at ease she became around him. Cassie can clearly tell he loves her daughter and granddaughter very much. He seemed like a very educated and well mannered young man. All of this is why she was beginning to overlook the fact that he was an alien being. He certainly didn't talk or act like one. "So Danielle tells me your a fighter? How long have you been doing that for?" Cassie asks as she bounces a giggling Thea on her knee. "Since I was very young. My father saw the potential and encouraged it." She hands Thea her stuffed rabbit, "That's very interesting. It's great when parents can encourage kids to follow their passions." Danielle took a sip of her tea. "True, I was always fascinated by art and history. That's why Daddy encouraged me to go into that field. He even got me a few books on the subjects for my seventh birthday." Thea started her own babbling, trying to talk to the adults. They all looked at her in amusement as she tried to speak. "I'm sure whatever Thea's interests are, Frieza and I will always support her on whatever it is she takes up." He smiles, "Agreed."
Danielle was very relieved this was turning out better than she thought it would. Her biggest fear is that her mom wouldn't accept Frieza because of the fact that he wasn't even human. But they seem to hit it off just fine. it behooves her that her mom would be leaving for Oregon the next morning. But then she did tell Danielle that she was willing to relocate to South City to be closer to them. So it gave her a sense of peace to know that this was a temporary goodbye. Cassie ended up staying for dinner that night trying to spend as much time with them before going home. By 8pm is when they called it a night and Cassie hugged her daughter goodbye. But what surprised Danielle even more was when she went over and hugged Frieza goodbye as well. She gave Thea a kiss on the head and told Danielle that she will keep in touch and let her know when she maybe moving out there. While Danielle and her mom exchanged a few more parting words, Frieza went back to the living room with Thea. "It really was great seeing you again, Danielle. I always wished you nothing but happiness. It warms my heart that you have found it." Danielle smiles, "Thanks, Mom. It's great to hear from you too. I look forward to spending more time with you in the future. Especially now when you say you will try to relocate here. It be nice to have family close by." Cassie reaches for her Danielle's hand and caresses it. "I will not try. I 'Will' relocate to South City. I've already missed twenty-seven years of your life. I will not miss any more." She pulled her mom in for one last hug. "I really am proud of you, Danielle. Your stronger then I ever could have been. And I know your father would be proud of you too." Her daughter bit her lip and nodded, "Thanks, it really means a lot. It's great you were able to get everything straightened out in your life as well." Cassie cupped her daughter's cheek, "Goodbye, Sweetheart. I love you and I'll see you soon."
"I love you too, Mom. Have a safe flight home. Please call me when you land so I know everything went smoothly." Cassie nodded and Danielle lead her out the front door. Once Danielle saw her disappear onto the elevator down the hall, she closed the door with a deep sigh. "Little Mouse, come quick." Danielle headed for the living room to see what was going on. She saw Frieza give her a smile before turning back to Thea. Danielle spotted Thea on the floor and she was...crawling? Yes, Thea was finally pushing forward on her hands and knees. It was cute, her butt was going from side to side as she worked her little legs to push herself across the rug to her father. She went over and sat beside Frieza and coaxed Thea to keep going and that she was almost there. The infant kept going, determined to get to her parents sitting a foot away from her. Her Daddy held his arms out towards her, "Come on, My Darling. You are almost there." Thea smiled and started moving faster towards her Daddy's outstretched arms. After a few more moments Thea made it and he picked her up and pulled her into his arms. Danielle kissed her cheek, "You did it honey! Great Job!" The infant girl gave her Mommy and Daddy a big toothless grin, "Dada! Mama!" Their mouths dropped open in surprise. They weren't expecting to hear that from her just yet. Their daughter really was pretty advanced for her young age. "Can you say it again, Love?" Frieza softly asked his baby girl. Thea put her tiny hands on his cheeks and smiled again, "Dada! Dada!" Thea then started giggling. He smiled back and kissed her cheek. Danielle leaned her cheek on his shoulder and rubbed the infant's back. "I can't believe it, crawling and her first words. All at once. Our girl really is ahead of the learning curve." Thea started waving her arms and legs back and forth in excitement. Danielle and Frieza were chuckling at their daughter's antics. "Indeed she is, Little Mouse. I wouldn't be too surprised if she starts walking within the next couple months."
"Good thing your fast then. Because something tells me I may not be able to catch her." Danielle teased. He sighs, "Yes, definitely be chasing this little ball of energy around soon. But don't sell yourself short. You have been jogging a lot. So there's a chance you may be able to keep up with her." Frieza says in a joking manner. Danielle pinches his side, "Hey, at least I'm staying active. Whereas I think you maybe getting a little flabby around the middle." That was such a big fat lie. Frieza was still solid as a rock and they both knew it. He rolls his eyes, "Hardly, My Little Mouse. My metabolism simply doesn't allow for such a thing." She snorts, "Lucky you, Mr. Hotshot." He poked her side making her pull away with a small giggle. Thea started babbling again at her parents. "What's that baby girl?" Danielle cooed at the infant. Thea looked at her Mommy, and started babbling in baby talk back to her. Frieza handed Thea to her Mom. Danielle bounced her slightly on her lap. He watched the two of them play together. It never ceases to put a smile on his face watching his two loves together. Danielle then preceded to play pickaboo with Thea. The baby started kicking her feet in excitement. Then she started giggling when her Mommy started making faces at her. He never dreamed such a frail and mousy human girl could worm her way into his cold heart. His past self would've shuddered in disgust at such a notion. But things were different now. Danielle showed him that there is so much more to life than just power and being the best. None of that means anything if you only fight for yourself. She taught him that. That is why he was drawn to her from the start. All the times he tried putting her down and calling her out on nonsense. Each time she came back with an answer that just shot him back down. "Hey, Daddy. I think she has something to say to you." Said Danielle, knocking him from his thoughts. He eyed Danielle who was smirking. "Oh, and what is that?" Thea held out her arms to him as Danielle handed her to her father. "DADA!" She yelled out in excitement. Thea leaned in and placed an open mouth slobbery kiss on his cheek. He chuckled at the cute attempt. "I love you too, My Thea."
Just some more family fluffs in this chapter. But don't worry, Frieza's fighting days are far from over. Soon he will be taking up training with our two favorite saiyans. Until Next Time ;)