Hello everyone! I think I am going to continue Last Resort Babysitter. This chapter is with an infant Trunks, set just after the Cell Saga. Enjoy!
Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu is just finishing their lunch break before venturing out to continue their training. With their Saiyan friend's death, Tien had come to terms that he will never be as strong as Goku, or Gohan for that matter, but as the three-eyed man had told Gohan so long ago, he is a martial artist first. He wants to push himself to his limit and beyond.
Just as Tien reaches for the front door knob, the phone in the capsule house begins to ring. Chiaotzu rushes over to it and answers.
"Hello? Oh, hi Bulma!" The small telepath waits a moment. "Yeah, Tien's right here. Hold on." Turning to his lifelong companion. "Bulma needs a favor from you."
Tien is taken aback by Chiaotzu's last statement. Bulma, of all people, is calling him for a favor? That woman never asks for a favor, if she couldn't pay for it or build it herself, usually she goes without. The tall man reaches to take the phone from his best friend. "Bulma, is anything wrong?"
"Tien, are you busy tonight? Could you come watch Trunks for the night? Dad and I have the Inventor's Banquet tonight. I had Chichi and Gohan lined up to come watch him, but Chichi is sick and doesn't want Gohan to watch Trunks by himself at night. Yamcha has a date tonight and I can't get a hold of Krillin." Bulma rattles out so fast, Tien almost didn't catch it all. Almost.
"Uh… Sure, Bulma. How soon do you need me to get there?" He asks as he glances at the clock, which reads 1:45.
"As soon as you can. I need to get my hair and makeup done and Vegeta is holed up in the Gravity Room until 4:00 before he's willing to get ready. Thank you so much, Tien. I'll get a list of things you may need for tonight and program the service bots to make you dinner. Any requests?"
"Ok, could you have them make chicken parmesan and whatever sides will go with it?" Tien smirks.
"O…K… Done. Thanks, again, Tien. I'll see you when you get here. Just come to the backyard and come on in." She instructs.
"No worries, Bulms. I'm heading your way now." He hangs up and looks at Chiaotzu and shrugs. Both men share a laugh before Tien dashes out the door.
Not long after, he lands in the backyard beside the pool. Shoulda brought my swim trunks, I bet Trunks would have fun swimming. Oh, well, next time. He strides to the back door and knocks.
Dr. Briefs opens the door while trying to get his bowtie even. "Tien, my boy, wonderful to see you. Thank you for being willing to watch my grandson tonight. This is a big night for my Bulma."
Tien bows to the elder man. "Not a problem, Dr. Briefs. Just out of curiosity, why is tonight such a big night for Bulma."
The inventor only gives Tien a side smile. "I'm going to let her tell you when we get home tonight." The larger man simply shrugs and follows the doctor into the kitchen where Bulma is bent over the countertop scribbling the baby's evening schedule. The usual; bath time, bedtime, how much he eats. Along with a couple numbers to call, her cell phone and Chichi's home number. "Bulma, your friend Tien is here."
"Thanks, Dad, I'm just about done… And there." She stands and Tien notices that the woman is only wearing a robe with her hair wrapped in a towel. "Come on, Tien. I'll take you to Trunks to get acquainted while I get dressed." She grabs his shirt and leads him up the stairs and into the baby's room. Lucky for Tien, Trunks is just waking from his afternoon nap. The woman reaches into the crib and pulls out the baby, talking to him. She turns to Tien, "Have you ever changed a diaper before?"
"Uh… No." Tien suddenly felt completely underqualified for watching an infant. Tien follows Bulma to the changing table and watches her closely. She pulls a diaper from one drawer and wipes from another one after laying Trunks onto the pad.
The blue-haired genius of their friends looks to Goku's first rival, catching his attention. "Slip off his shorts and you'll see three snaps on the bottom of his shirt. The shirt is called a onesie." She continues to show Tien how to undo said snaps. "Tuck the bottom half under his back and the front flap to his chest. Then prepare the diaper under his butt BEFORE unfastening the diaper he's soiled. Otherwise, he WILL pee on you. I learned the hard way. Are you with me so far?" At Tien's nod, she continues. "I will grab the soiled diaper and jerk it out with one hand then use my other hand to close the new diaper over as soon as it's out of the way. Tabs go in the back and will stretch just enough." Bulma slowly demonstrates pulling the tab to secure the front of Trunks' clean diaper. "See? Pretty easy, then dress him back up." She finishes, picks her son off of the table and sets him in Tien's arms.
Trunks looks back and forth between his mother and this strange new person a few times before Bulma coos at him and introduces him to Tien. She grabs his stuffed skunk and hands it to her son. "Sit with him in the rocking chair and let him get a feel for you. He likes to sit with a new person and figure out for himself if he wants to trust you or not. I'm going to go get dressed." Bulma swiftly exits the room.
Tien looks down at Trunks and knits his eyebrows before looking around the room for the rocking chair. Once he spots it, he takes two long strides before carefully sitting down and instantly starts rocking the chair. As soon as he is situated in the chair, he moves the lavender haired boy to sit on one of his massive knees. Trunks' big blue eyes stare in distrust at the three-eyed man. Tien sighs, "Come on, kid. I ain't that scary. At least, not anymore." I'm sure by the time you start school, you'll be about to beat me in a spar. Tien gives the baby an awkward lopsided smile. Trunks suddenly reaches out and slaps his hands to both of Tien's cheeks. The man flinches in surprise. Surprise by the action and the fact that it kinda stung.
Feeling the man jump, the babe giggles, releasing the scowl he inherited from the Saiyan prince. Tien smirks at him. "Was that fun for you? Huh? You're gonna be a trouble maker for all of us, aren't ya? Figures. Gohan is a strong kid, polite and helpful. Then again, look at who his dad is. Well, you'll hear stories about Goku, I'm sure. Your mother always has a plan, but part of me would be interested in what your dad was like as a young child. Though, I suspect you'll be just like him." Trunks grabs at the front of Tien's shirt and tries to pull himself to stand on his lap. Tien pulls the boy up to his shoulder and stands up. "I suppose I should go check out the note your mom left me for tonight."
Tien is relieved to see that the boy is content to sit on his forearm and hold on to his shirt. Maybe it's a good thing I don't swim with him for a few years. As Tien and Trunks enter the kitchen, the Triclops spies Vegeta reading over the note Bulma wrote for the night. Great, just what I need. Though I doubt he's really going to care.
Vegeta glances up at the weaker man carrying his son. "Anything happens to my son, I'll make what Kakarot's brat did you Cell look merciful. Catch my drift?"
"I got ya, Vegeta. Is that my instructions for tonight? May I look them over so I can ask any questions before Bulma leaves?"
"I can answer them. Here." Vegeta slides the notepad across the island counter to the tall man.
"Da!" Trunks squeals as he reaches for his father. The prince simply grunts and walks out of the room. Trunks scrunches up his little face in a pout and looks up at Tien, tears in his blue eyes.
"Don't start that. I'm sure if I weren't here, your daddy would have held you. He doesn't like to show other people who don't live here how much he cares. You're ok." Seemingly understanding what he is told, Trunks lays his head on Tien's bulky shoulder.
Tien reads the fairly straight forward note, noticing that Goku's home number is listed to get suggestions from Chichi on how to care for an infant, or more specifically, a half-Saiyan infant. So, he won't be 100% flying solo. Suddenly Bulma bursts into the kitchen, "Did you look at the list? Any questions?"
"Nope, you've pretty much got everything explained. Go have fun, I got him." Bulma gives Tien a relieved smile before walking over and pulling him to the side to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Thanks so much, Tien. I appreciate this. Honestly, I trust you more with him than Yamcha or Krillin. I'll be sure to bring some cash home for you." Bulma's parents and Vegeta enter the kitchen, looking ready to go to the banquet. "Be a good boy, Trunks." She kisses his forehead. Doctor and Mrs. Briefs stroll out the door, with Bulma and Vegeta following close behind.
Tien sighs. What in the world am I doing? I've never been around a baby. How can I take care of one? The tall man glances down at the paper and looks at the time. The little boy makes his skunk prance along Tien's pectoral muscles with soft giggles. The sound catches the former conman's attention. He smiles down at the boy; glad he wasn't constantly grumpy like his father. I need to set him down so I can get his supper going. All there is in the kitchen for the little one is a high chair. Tien walks out of the kitchen and into the living area to find a playpen. Perfect. At least now I can have a moment to myself. He walks over and deposits the lavender haired boy into the pen.
As soon as Tien sets Trunks into the baby cubicle and turns away, the little boy begins to wail. His daddy doesn't really hold him a whole lot, so he wanted to be held in this man's arms. He felt safe. He LIKED being held by this guy. Sure, he was a stranger, but by his scent, Trunks could tell he was a good guy. He wanted UP! But this guy was just staring at him.
Tien couldn't believe the lungs on this kid. Sure, Gohan has his moments, but they were becoming farther and farther away from this kind of tantrum. Why was his screaming now? He couldn't read his mind, nor could he speak baby talk. Tien looked around at a complete loss. The cordless phone caught his third eye. Chichi! Bulma said that Chichi would help via phone. He rushed over to the phone, reminding him briefly of his training on King Kai's planet after dying against Vegeta and Nappa.
He dials the number quickly. While it rings in his ear, his inner mantra became a desperate Come on… Come on, Chichi. Pick up… Pick up!
"Hello, Son residence." Gohan answers.
Cringing from an even louder wail, "Gohan, it's Tien. Get your mother for me. I need help."
"Right. Hold on." Tien can barely hear Gohan calling his mother. The proud former assassin in training felt absolutely ashamed of himself. One of the strongest on the planet and a baby is what makes him call for help. He felt like such a fool.
"Tien? What's wrong? What happened?" Chichi sounded surprisingly calm at the other end of the phone. She wanted to hear what the events were to why the baby was shrieking so much.
"I don't know what happened. He was fine in the kitchen, but when I put him into the playpen in the family room, he freaked out. I need to get his supper going so I can feed him. What'd I do wrong, Chichi? I don't know anything about babies. Why did I agree to watch one?"
"You agreed because you are a good man and wanted to help an old friend. How long ago has his diaper been changed?"
"About an hour ago. Bulma showed me how to change it before she left."
"Ok, so he probably doesn't need that. You are about to make him food… Tien, were you holding him the whole time in the kitchen?" Chichi's smile slowly grew. She had a feeling that what her husband's first rival did 'wrong' was simply set the boy down. Which wasn't really wrong, just something that Tien really could only do one of two things, pick the baby back up, or let him cry it out.
"Yeah. Why does that matter?" The tall man was, to say the least, utterly confused.
Chichi gives a slight giggle. "Tien, you held him. Then you suddenly set him down. He's mad that you aren't holding him anymore. You did nothing wrong. You can either leave him be, or pick him back up."
"THAT'S what he wants? Me to pick him back up? I can't cook one handed." Tien looked at the boy, feeling pitiful. Guess I'm gonna have to try cooking one handed. Sighing, "Guess I'm gonna learn. Thanks, Chichi."
"Tien, I think Bulma might have one of those hands-free baby slings you strap to your body. I'm not sure where she keeps it though. Good luck." Both adults hang up. The taller ponders about going to look for the carrier. Not a chance. I'd look ridiculous in one of those things.
The bulky man strides quickly to the baby in his care. He stands looking down at him with hands on his hips. "Alright, kid. I get it now." Trunks quiets down and glares up at Tien. "Don't look at me with that tone of voice. I'll pick you back up, but you have to be good while I try to make your supper. Deal?"
All Trunks understood was 'up.' The boy grunts in acknowledgement, like his father to Tien's dismay. The adult bent double and grabs the baby under each armpit and straightens up. The boy instantly smiles before realizing that he was missing a friend. Seeing his skunk in the playpen, Trunks points and Tien sees the beloved animal. Sighing with a chuckle, the tall man reaches in and grabs it. "Is this what you want, kiddo?" The man laughs as the baby snatches his friend out of Tien's hand. "Come on. If you have a stomach anything like Goku and Gohan, I bet you are getting hungry."
Tien had a hard time concentrating on making the bottle and the baby food. Well, they were premade, and he didn't know if he left it all room temperature or did he warm it all up… Bulma's instructions say to warm it up, but for how long? He knew that just right for him was too hot for the baby… Sighing, he grabs the phone again and hits the redial button.
After two rings, Chichi answers. "How can I help you, Tien?" She says with a giggle.
"I'm glad you find my struggles so amusing Chichi. Bulma left premade food for Trunks and her note says to warm it up, but doesn't say for how long. And how hot is too hot for temperature for a baby? Could you fill in the blanks for me?"
"Oh, times for warming up can vary. When Gohan was a baby, I had learned to warm up a bottle under hot water for about 15 seconds, shake it up, then test it on the inside of your wrist. You're going to want it lukewarm. Baby food can be warmed up in the microwave, 10 second intervals and stir it up between. Lukewarm on your wrist as well. Don't forget to put a bib on him, because he will push the food out of his mouth, a lot."
"Why will he push the food out?" Tien is puzzle at that key factor.
"He's learning how to work his tongue. For not only feeding himself, but how to talk and communicate. So be at the ready with the spoon to catch what he spits out. You can always put it back in. Oh! And do NOT give him full spoonfuls. I'm sure she has a baby spoon out for you. It's a teeny tiny spoon, with probably soft plastic on the basin. Do you see it?"
Tien looks around and spots the utensil Chichi is describing. "Got it. How much of this spoon do I give him at a time?"
"About half of the spoon. Anything else?"
The man thinks for a minute. He already decided he was NOT giving this kid a bath without someone to help him. "No, I think I should be able to manage the rest of the night. Thank you, Chichi. Though, I do wonder, you sound fine for someone who isn't feeling well. Were you just not wanting to come help Bulma?"
"Well, yes and no."
"Huh?" Yes and no. How is that a thing?
"Promise not to tell anyone?"
Now the three-eyed man was suspicious. "I promise not to tell anyone."
"I'm about 2 months pregnant, Tien. Goku left us one last gift of himself before he died."
That statement stops Tien in his tracks. Two months ago, was the worst day that many of them has had since Vegeta arrived on Earth. Gohan lost his father, his hero, for the second and final time. Goku died trying to save his son again, and this time it was permanent. Unfortunately, Goku sacrificing himself was in vain. Cell lived and Gohan was angry at himself. "Poor Gohan…" The statement slips from his lips. "Chichi, have you told Gohan yet? He was beside himself about that battle, I know he was angry at himself for causing Goku's death, but now he's going to feel even more guilty because he has taken his new sibling's father from him. The new baby will never know Goku."
"He knows. You're right, though. He's been having a very rough time with it. Nothing Piccolo or I can say has been able to get through to him that what happened was his father's choice. Hopefully, he will be able to come to terms on his own."
"Ok. Thanks again, Chichi." Tien hangs up and warms up Trunks' supper. He hands the bottle to him. Trunks instantly shifts and reclines in Tien's arm to drink. Easy enough. Once his food was ready, Tien sits the boy in the high chair and attempts to put the bib onto the squirming boy. After finally getting it on, Tien understood what Chichi meant by him spitting the food back out.
The big man realized that he would not be able to stand while feeding the boy. He leans over to grab a chair and takes a seat. "Kid, you are teaching me that I don't have as much patience as I thought I had." It took a while to feel him, but then Tien took him up to his room and put some pajamas on him. He tried placing Trunks in his crib, but pauses upon hearing the boy whimper. Sighing and dropping his head, Tien turns back around and lifts the baby into his arms.
The former conman spies a rocking chair in the corner and strides to it. Sitting in it and taking a slow motion, both adult and child sighing in relaxation. Tien smirks as the child nuzzles into his chest. Maybe this babysitting thing wasn't so bad, if the giggles and the snuggles were anything for him to go by.
There you have it, folks. Here's the Trunks experience for "Last Resort Babysitter." Remember to Follow/Subscribe, Favorite/Bookmark, and Review/Comment if you want more.
Love you All!