I'm not ready to have kids yet.
He admitted he didn't expect this. He did assume having kids was part of the package when he co-signed to this marriage. After all, all of the married people he knew had kids, or at least planned to have kids, and the ones who weren't able to have kids didn't seem too terribly happy about it.
There was absolutely no reason for him to think getting married wouldn't lead to having kids. The two were inseparable in his mind.
Okay, he responded, suddenly more alert than he was just minutes earlier. At the wedding, one of the wishes people gave him was to have plenty of kids, and soon. He was on board with that. He had always been ready to be a Dad.
And although she told him she wasn't ready for kids, that was years ago and when they'd just started dating. He just assumed because she was older now that would've changed. He read somewhere the maternal instinct in women would kick in eventually. He just assumed for her it had happened when she asked him to marry her.
Assumed. Maybe that was the problem. He wasn't listening to her.
I'm sorry. We should probably talk about this tomorrow, she said quietly, sensing he had a lot in his head right now although none he was verbalizing. She quickly added, I love you.
I love you, he said right away. How could he not? She was his everything. Kids or no kids. Right?
The stay at the hot spring resort was a gift from Mr. Satan. As part of the arrangement, the resort had cleared the area off other visitors, and the newlyweds didn't have to share the venue with anyone else other than staff members while being on their honeymoon.
It was a privilege, really. He had never been to this kind of place before. His own mother, who prioritized education over vacation plans, would never have considered spending so much money on what she considered frivolity. Like a child, he was amazed over everything he never knew existed before.
Videl, on her part, enjoyed seeing the look on his face every time he discovered something new. Unlike him, she grew up knowing how to navigate these places and could serve as his tour guide even without ever being to this one specific resort.
As they came across the hot spring area, she warned him, Now, we're not supposed to go in there right after we eat, before at the same time we shouldn't go in with en empty stomach. I know about your appetite. Just find a balance, okay?
Um . . . okay. He turned to face her. I don't think I brought a swimsuit with me though.
She giggled. This isn't a swimming pool. You go in there naked. Or if you're feeling modest, wear a towel. But anyway, we're the only ones here, and you have nothing to hide from me.
R-Right. He felt a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. They had seen each other naked, sure, but taking a bath together seemed to be a whole new level of physical intimacy. And in an open space, where anyone could theoretically see them? He wasn't sure about this. Maybe he should've done more research before saying yes to Mr. Satan's idea.
It'll be fine, she assured him. By the end of the two weeks you'll barely realize you're not wearing anything. Besides—a smirk, and he felt her hand on his crotch area—I'll make sure only I get to see this, no one else.
Right, he said again. He swallowed, but let her hand stay where it was.
It wasn't until they had dinner and were back in their bedroom that it seemed right to bring up what she said last night. She seemed to know it too. The avoidance wasn't intentional; there were just so much to explore on that first day.
She plopped herself down on the bed. He sat down gently.
I didn't know you still weren't ready for kids, he said tentatively.
I can't be a Mom yet. I'm okay with being your wife, but raising kids is a lot of work. I can't do it before figuring out who I am yet.
He blinked. What do you mean? You are Videl. You are . . . you.
She rolled her eyes. See? Even you don't know how to describe me. You're Son Gohan. Half-earthling, half-Saiyan, probably the strongest person on this planet. Right now you're in college pursuing your childhood dream of being a scholar, but your true love is moonlighting as the Great Saiyaman, which you would've done full-time if it was a paying job. Me, what am I?
You're Videl, he repeated. You're smart, you're beautiful, you don't take heat from anyone, and you can do anything you set your mind to.
She shook her head. No. Nice try, but that's not enough. I'm sorry, I just don't want my identity to just be Mr. Satan's daughter, or your wife, or Pan's Mom. I want to exist independently as a person.
He raised an eyebrow. Pan?
That's the name that our daughter will have. You can pick a name for our son. She looked at him shyly. I want to have kids with you someday too, you know. Just not now. I'm not ready yet.
He moved close towards her to plant a kiss on her forehead. I'm sorry you're going through this. Take your time. I'm also your husband now. My job is to put your well-being above anything else.