AN: Here it is folks the beginning of the second part of my Vegeta and Bulma fanfiction. This is the Sequel to my story How it Happened I would suggest reading it before you get too far into this one. Otherwise, some of this story won't make much sense to you.

I gotta say I am really excited to write this story. Vegeta the stay-at-home dad is my favorite part of that complicated Saiyan Prince. Mostly because I took a very similar approach to raising my own son as Vegeta did Trunks - lots of tough love, no whining, no baby talk, and time out was horse stance or wall-sits. He was allowed to explore his world and all of his physical accomplishments were congratulated but he was always encouraged to do better and more. We always spotted him so he didn't fall, my boy is human after all and didn't have a head as hard as a Saiyan's.

I do not own anything belonging to the Dragon Ball universes that privilege rests with Akira Toriyama.

Vegeta felt strange, he'd never knocked on this door before, and standing in front of it made him feel... like…like a stranger. He knew he'd fucked up, saying Bulma and Trunks weren't important, had been a mistake. To make matters worse he'd said it to their son, the future one. Of course, he cared, otherwise he wouldn't have worn the armor she'd made, or come here the night before the battle started just to see the boy.

It was a sick joke some kami was playing on him, the woman's effect on him had been immediate. Seeing her had made him freeze up, again. It was the reason he didn't stick around the night before to see her, he couldn't control himself around her and he needed to be focused on the battle so he could survive and keep her and his son safe. The fear that had gripped him when her craft had been hit by Andriod 20's photon beam and began to fall from the sky was unlike any he'd felt before. The only thing he could compare it to was Namek when he had watched Krillin be violated by Frieza and again when Gohan was beaten within an inch of his life. He froze up, and in his embarrassment said something he wasn't sure if Bulma would ever forgive.

Trunks, from the future, had given Vegeta hope. While locked away in the hyperbolic time chamber together, Trunks had told Vegeta how his mother had fallen in love with the grouchy Saiyan that was his father and loved him still in his time. It had more so been an argument about how selfish Vegeta was, but the boy had said it nonetheless. The elder had declared love a meaningless word incapable of conveying any real depth of emotion, a silly intangible concept created by the weakness of the human race. Trunks had stopped then, staring at his father strangely for a moment. Agreeing 'love' was just a silly word but it is the word earthlings use to express their deepest emotions, and that things were different here on Earth.

"Actions speak louder father," the younger had finished before wandering away to train alone and leaving Vegeta to his thoughts.

If actions spoke louder what did Vegeta's say about how he felt for the blue-haired vixen somewhere on the other side of that looming door? After spending time with his grown son Vegeta finally admitted to himself that Bulma made him feel… safe. At least he had felt safe with her until she rejected him but she hadn't known she rejected him had she? He was scared and hid behind words that confused her further. All so he could blame her for her reactions when he felt slighted, but he had created her ignorance to begin with. Building it up as a means to keep her at a distance, thinking he was protecting himself from emotional harm. Looking back, it was idiotic of him to do that he had already been so invested in her that he had forced her to reject him. In the end, Vegeta had inflicted the pain on both of them anyway, like a damn fool. As the Earth saying went "a fool in love". The prince hoped he wouldn't have to grovel for her to forgive him. Swallowing his ego-induced-pride he rang the bell. (I love this part)

Inside the Briefs' house, Bulma was trying to wrangle her recently mobile infant son. The boy was a handful at seven months and she was terrified what the "terrible two's" would have in store for her. Trunks was born incredibly strong and would be walking soon if the way he scooted towards furniture and pulled himself up onto his unsteady feet was any indication. The child was quiet and determined when he wanted to be, but also loud, and when he threw a tantrum no one in the house was safe from any projectile he may launch their direction. Bulma scooped Trunks off the floor just before he could reach the stairs and was walking back into the living room with him when the doorbell rang. Bulma handed her son to her mother, who promptly gave the boy a giant wet smooch and put the little tyke on the floor of the living room.

"Ugh, Mom! He is only going to head for the stairs again," Bulma declared as she reached the door. Putting on her best smile she opened the door. Quickly it deteriorated into shock then frustrated anger when she saw exactly who was on the other side.

"Vegeta!? What do you want? Why are you here?" Bulma asked bitterly after she opened the door to find the almost panicking Saiyan on the other side. Part of her was happy to see he had come home but she was still angry at him for what he'd said about her. After his late-night visit to their son, she had wanted to see him. Maybe even let him hold his son before the defenders of Earth tried to rewrite history, but after what he said she wasn't going to let him know that.

Yup. She was still angry.

His scowl deepened and he cut his eyes down and to the side. Mentally kicking himself for his actions. Kakarot and Trunks had been right, his ego would bite him in the ass one day. This was about to be the first of many instances where he felt the sting. He had given his word to his son and wouldn't run away, living with her was going to be hell though.

"I thought my room was still here and I was welcome to it?" He challenged her with a raised brow and an unreadable look.

"What makes you think it's still available after what you said?" Bulma questioned shifting her weight to one hip and folding her arms under her chest emphasizing her anger, and to Vegeta's discomfort, her full, perfect chest. The lifted bosom and cocked hip accentuated her womanly curves. Bulma was gorgeous, especially when she was mad, and her anger had always been something that drew him to the beautiful genius.

Recovering faster than she could recognize his appreciation of her figure, Vegeta all but purred, "Because you aren't that cruel."

The Prince would be damned if he let her have all the control. Vegeta also needed to know if she was still as drawn to him as he hoped she'd be, as he was to her. He leaned forward and caught the shiver that traced her spine and the lustful glaze that glossed over her eyes for a split second. Now he openly checked her out this time, an appreciative hum escaping him. She was even more alluring than before. When her scent spiked and her knees were about to wobble he stepped away and walked past her into the house, satisfied with her reactions.

He just had to let out THAT purring enticement. She felt utterly defenseless when he made that sound, it just wasn't fair. Bulma was barely able to contain her gasping moan when Vegeta openly raked his eyes over her and hummed a sound so similar to the one he used to make when she was finally bare before him that it made her knees weak and heat to pool in her core at the memory. Before she could embarrass herself further he stepped past her, releasing her from the effect he clearly still had on her.

Cursing that Saiyan's sex appeal and nose, Bulma slammed the door making her mother jump, and Trunks began to cry.

"Oh, Trunks? Did that big ugly Saiyan scare you?" Bulma said in a cutsie voice.

"Bulma, don't speak like that about his father," Panchy said in Vegeta's defense. "V is very handsome and Little Trunksie-wunksie looks just like his daddy. Yes, he does!"

Vegeta hadn't missed the conversation but all of the adults had failed to notice the real reason Trunks had cried. His mom was only half right. While Vegeta was the cause of the fussing, not her slamming the door or her mother's surprised gasp. It wasn't Vegeta's face or presence but the fact that he hadn't acknowledged the boy that had upset the infant.

Trunks didn't pay any mind to the doorbell when it rang. He was too busy trying to get away from the wet kisses and tickling fingers of his crazy grandmother to care about a random visitor. At least that was until his mother's voice rang through the house as she said that name… Vegeta, his father's name. The man that was in that picture in his room, the man that came to see him once in the dark of night. He wanted to see the man again, he wanted his dad.

Trunks stopped crawling towards the kitchen and turned to crawl to the front door instead. He could hear his mother sounding upset and the lower rumble of his father's voice. Why was his Mom so upset, she had been so happy after the late-night visit from his dad a few weeks ago. He didn't get to make it halfway across the room before he was caught and smothered in kisses again.

Pushing the older woman off his face Trunks watched as his father marched past the doorway down the hall. A dark expression on Vegeta's face, lip curled up in a sneer and his brow furrowed in concentration. Trunks wanted to say something to catch his dad's attention but his mouth couldn't form words yet and all that came out was babbling that the other members of his family always failed to understand.

Trunks had only ever seen the one picture of his father and remembered him from that night a few weeks ago. This real-life version of the man was something Trunks wanted more than anything to emulate. The power that radiated from this stoic warrior left the boy in awe. The way the Saiyan held himself all pride and confidence, every step measured with a lethal grace. Trunks couldn't wait to start walking, he was determined to follow his father until the man acknowledged him again.

Bulma just rolled her eyes at her mother's comments and went after Vegeta. She wasn't about to let that arrogant Sayian walk away from her that easily, he owed her an apology at least.

"Hey, you jerk!" she poked Vegeta in the shoulder, stopping him from climbing the stairs.

Vegeta clenched his jaw, all he wanted to do was take a hot shower, and get his thoughts together. Arguing with her, was not something he had the patients for right now. He didn't want to add to the list of reasons he was loathing himself. He didn't turn around, for that reason and because he hoped she would wear herself out and let him continue along his current course.

Bulma noticed him tense but pushed forward, "You can't just waltz in here like you own the place. Besides, you owe me an apology, don't you think?" Bulma placed her hands on her hips and waited for Vegeta to give her what she wanted, what she felt she deserved.

The nerve of her to demand he apologize, and in the open where her mother could hear him of all places. Had carrying a child robbed her of her senses? Bawling his fists Vegeta strained with his waining control. The mantra of I will not give her control, I will not give her control, ran on a loop in his head.

How dare he ignore her. This was her house and she would be damned if he thought he could come back here and treat her this way after everything that had happened between them. Bulma would not let him shut her out like they were complete strangers.

"Don't you dare ignore me you selfish prick." When he failed to turn around Bulma lost all control and screamed at Vegeta, "Fuck you Vegeta, after everything that's happened you don't get to treat me like this. I'm the mother of your son and I deserve some kami-damned respect from you. If you want to treat me like a stranger that you can just GET THE HELL OUT!"

"Bulma!" Dr. Breifs was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, "I did not raise you to speak that way to a guest."

"Dad!? But he-"

"The boy is crying and your mother is becoming hysterical. Perhaps instead of interrupting my need to bathe, you should go be a mother to the child and stop dumping the responsibility off on another."

Both Bulma and her father turned stunned eyes on Vegeta. The prince hadn't turned around completely, he was only looking over his shoulder at Bulma. She was about to open her mouth to retort but her mother called for her as she entered the hall from the other end and trunks wails filled the space before ending abruptly.

Everyone turned their gazes to Trunks, who was staring wide-eyed at Vegeta. As their eyes connected Trunks threw his arms in Vegeta's direction and whined a cooing sound. Eyes widening Vegeta was about to respond when Bulma sighed and walked down the hall to her son. Scooping him out of her frazzled mother's arms Bulma unwittingly interrupted the moment between father and son. Vegeta used the distraction of all the occupants to escape to his room.

"Bulma, I think little Trunksie is hungry," Panchy stated. "Would you please take him and I'll get him some food," She felt like she was about to lose it. Her grandson, while she loved him dearly, he was fast becoming more than she could handle.

"Okay, mom. I'll take Trunks outside, and you go into the kitchen, and pour yourself a glass of wine. I'll grab a jar of mashed carrots to feed Trunks on the way. Come on," Bulma said gently coaxing her mom to walk with her to the kitchen.

Outside Bulma put Trunks in his outdoor corral and sat down in one of the lounge chairs nearby. She needed a moment alone so no one would bear witness to her tears of relief mixed with disappointment. Her hopes that Vegeta would apologize to her were dashed, she had played out the scenario of his eventual return so many times in her head. Never once had it remotely gone the way that encounter just did. She didn't expect him to throw himself at her feet and beg her while he professed his love and need for her, or even him saying the words "I'm sorry". Something along the lines of her not deserving his cruel words would've sufficed, but no, he instead goaded her anger then flipped the tables and left her breathless and weak in the knees.

Too what end though? Why would he want to do that? Was it possible he wanted her still?

That thought made her heart do a little flip. Shaking her head Bulma reminded herself getting involved with Vegeta again would only cause her more pain. Besides he had ignored her and then had the nerve to tell her how to parent, before sneaking away while her back was turned like a damn coward. She didn't need him, she was arguably the most desirable woman on earth possibly the galaxy and that good for nothing prince was… dammit he was a fucking prince! No, she would not let his title sway her into letting him back into her heart. Vegeta was the prince of nothing, a destroyed planet, and all but extinct race. Giggling she thought, "He's the prince of Goku, what a joke."

Trunks watched his mom while he smashed two toys together. He didn't understand why she had been yelling at his dad, so he had begun to fight his grandmother until she took him into the same room as his parents. Then his father had looked at him, and he thought for a moment that maybe his dad had understood his babbling. The man had looked contemplative and was about to say something to him then his mom had interrupted them again! He was going to yell at her for that until he saw her face turning red and the tears fall, Trunks decided he would let it go. Then her giggle rang across his ears and he called to her, wanting to snuggle her and keep her cheery.

When Trunks cooed at her from where he was standing against the wall of his pen Bulma wiped her tears away. She went and picked him up and fed the child in her lap on the lawn.

Upstairs, In the room he had claimed years ago as his own private space, Vegeta sat naked on the bed, water droplets still clinging to his damp flesh while he contemplated his next move. The shower had been refreshing and soothing at the same time and now his thoughts were in clearer focus. Nothing had changed for him, if anything, his emotions towards Bulma had grown stronger with the arrival of his heir. Bulma still wanted him, sexually at least, which was a starting point. Vegeta wanted Bulma to know how he felt but wasn't good at expressing these kinds of emotions. So he decided he would show her or find a way of telling her without saying the cliche words "I love you". The problem with telling her would mean he would need to create a situation where he could be intimate with her again so they could slip out naturally in the heat of the passionate moment. Could he simply seduce her tonight and have them out and be done with it and then work together to raise their son afterward as… what?

Partners?

Groaning Vegeta slumped forward and dragged his hands roughly down his face before staring at the floor. He didn't feel like a partner, in fact, he felt like the exact opposite of a partner. He had abandoned her right after her pregnancy came to light and had been unnecessarily cruel to her while he had been in space and she had been carrying his offspring. Kamis alive what he wouldn't give to make that up to her, and their son in the process.

That was it! That was exactly how he could make it up to her.

Their son was the answer. If he could take more of a role in raising the boy it would hopefully soften some of Bulma's bitterness towards him. First off he would observe the family in it's typical day to day life with his son being his main focal point. All the while he would formulate a strategy to enhance the current way of life with an infant around.

Good grief, what was he thinking? He didn't know anything about children!

Flopping back on the bed he stared at the ceiling and decided that his fear of failure in this couldn't outweigh the benefit of having his family in his life. And they were his family, his son, and his mate, eventually, he hoped.

Hope.

It was still such a new concept for him, and he tried to push away the taunting voice in his head that told him he didn't deserve this. That he was nothing more than a ruthless killing machine not worthy of a life of his own making. No matter what way he looked at it, he didn't think he did deserve this life, this family. However, Bulma and Trunks deserved it and he would make it happen for them. He would do anything to make that a reality for them.

Notes: Yes, it is entirely possible for a seven-month-old baby to be scooting across a floor and pulling themselves up to stand by furniture. I myself did this, as did my own son. My boy has been running since before he was a year old, climbing gates, fences, and old radiator pipes since before he could walk and speaking full sentences since 14 months of age. Vegeta's parenting style and disciplinary tactics are very much like my own and I hope one day my son might become president of Earth too. The boy is still working on his first Ki ball though, fingers crossed he will achieve this goal and change the world as we know it.