Author Notes: While I stand by the thought of Goku and Chi-Chi not visiting his friends at all during this time period, you know they were out having a blast with their new little family anyway. Probably just enjoying each other and Gohan and being content.

Time Period: Pre-Z

Words: 727

Rating: PG


29. the sound of waves


Chi-Chi sat on the sand and watched her little Gohan playing in his sand castle. After she'd put him down in the center of a circle of sand that she'd built up as walls, he had gone to town adding to it. He was still too young to really build anything complex, but she was proud of what he was able to accomplish while having fun all the same. Her precious little boy was going to be so smart when he grew up – she'd make sure of that!

"Hey, Chi-Chi," Goku called from the edge of the tide. "Watch this!"

Turning from Gohan, she focused her attention on her husband, trying not to focus on the way those light blue swim shorts of his fit so nicely around his sculpted legs and butt. Goku seemed to be just as excited as their son to be out here in the summer sun, enjoying a nice family trip. He hadn't gone out to train in the wilderness as much since Gohan had been born, but out on the beach, he'd decided to play around and give himself a good work out once she had told him she'd rather watch Gohan play than rough house anymore in the ocean with him.

No wonder his eyes were shining as they glanced back at her.

Chi-Chi nodded to let him know she was watching, and Goku grinned back at her. His attention turned to the ocean waves and she stared as his legs spread into a fighting stance. Then came the all familiar chants of the Kamehameha. She pursed her lips. As much as she enjoyed watching him while training, she didn't get to see this iconic move of his very often – though she supposed it was more Master Roshi's move that Goku liked to use and improve on a lot.

The blast exploded across the waves, parting the ocean like it was nothing. The blue energy beam traveled far into the distance, and Goku turned back to her, grinning wide like he was proud of himself for he feat. She had no idea if that was considered impressive among his friends who could all do so much more than her, but she knew that look meant he wanted to hear her words of praise.

So she smiled back at him and opened her mouth -

Only to be interrupted by the wails of her son. Gohan now sat in a pile of sand, the castle he'd worked so hard on having been destroyed after Goku's little blast show. She had felt the ground shaking around them as the Kamehameha went off. And the ocean waves were just now crashing back to their normal state, though the water was still restless and out of balance as it churned against the beach sand and rocks.

"Oh, Gohan, sweetie," she whispered as gently as possible while picking him up into her arms. "Hush now, it's okay. It's okay."

Goku walked over to crouch next to them, and she could see a little pout on his face. "Aw, what's got Gohan so upset?"

She eyed him. "What do you think?"

Goku chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, sorry, Chi-Chi, I was just trying to show off -"

"Show off and scare our baby boy, obviously!"

The shout earned her another round of wailing from Gohan and she instantly bounced him in her arms, cooing gently to calm him down. No more thought for his father. His father who so often caused problems unintentionally like this, all because of… Well, okay, it was sweet of Goku to want to show off. Kind of cute, too, if she was being honest. He liked to do those things because he wanted her to be proud and happy.

How did she tell him she was proud and happy? With all of them. With all of this. Oh!

"Goku," she murmured. "Come closer."

"Huh? What is it, Chi-"

As soon as his face was in range, she smacked his lips with a quick kiss. Goku's face turned a nice shade of pink and she smirked. Gohan giggled in her arms. At least he wasn't yelling anymore. Children could be such a handful, and so could her husband sometimes.

But as he leaned down to land another kiss in response, she knew she wouldn't wish for anything more.