The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
8 1/2 Months Later, Wednesday, Jan.2nd...
Frieza breathed a sigh of relief. After all this time, he finally gotten everything straightened out. It wasn't easy at first. Especially when trying to explain to his subordinates where he's been for the better part of half the year. Had they not known him well enough they probably wouldn't have believed him. But everyone knows there are a lot of powerful forces out there and what they are capable of. This is why no one bat an eye when he told them deities were involved with his cross dimensional travels.
Still, he wishes it didn't have to take this long. He really wanted to be done with everything in a few short months. Instead, it took up the better part of the year. Frieza was especially relieved when he found the dragon balls his men pilfered from Earth were not lost and still where he left them. It was most likely Berryblue's doing. His oldest and most trusted ally always knew to store or keep everything where Frieza left important aspects.
He found them where he left them on his Main Ship. Stored in that secret compartment in his quarters. Frieza gathered them up in a bag and brought them with him into a mini cruiser. Which he is currently flying through space right now at top speed to get back to Earth. It irked him that they were so far out. But if he kept gunning it, then he'd be back at Earth in a few hours.
Frieza was eager to get back to Eve and start a life with her. The look on his subordinates' faces were priceless when he informed them he was going back to Earth and not returning to his Empire. At first when he told them he was going back to Earth, Kikono and Berryblue became excited. They thought he meant he was going back to reclaim the rest of the dragon balls and get rid of the saiyans once and for all.
Their excitement quickly turned to shock when their Emperor told them that he was going back not only to return the ones they've already collected but take up residence there. At first, they didn't understand why. Kikono was quite flabbergasted at Frieza's explanation. But Berryblue's smile only deepened when he mentioned Eve and how he became increasingly fond of her.
Berryblue had her suspicions on what he meant by that. And her thoughts were confirmed when she spoke to him more about it in private. She was both surprised and a little stunned at first when Frieza told Berryblue that he fell in love with Eve. Eventually, her surprise turned into happiness. After all, she practically raised him as her own after his father killed his mother. And she remembers the time in his youth when he still had love and compassion in his heart before his father broke him; or so everyone thought.
But it was quite clear by the look on his face, that King Cold hadn't completely broken down his son. The caring side of him was just buried under several layers of malice and ice. It was also clear that Eve melted through the ice and replaced that deep seated rage and malice with kindness and compassion again. And for the first time in decades, Berryblue saw a glimpse of the fun-loving boy he used to be back when his mother was still alive and Arcose still existed.
She told him she was happy for him and that she will always stand behind him no matter what decisions he makes. It's one of the many reasons why she stuck by his side for so long. Whether it was beside him while he destroyed worlds or by him when he pursued his own happiness. Frieza was elated upon hearing this. But then he knew if anyone would understand, it was her. Berryblue had always looked out for him and was like a surrogate mother to him in so many ways.
And if there was anyone he would miss from his so-called Empire; it would be her. At one point near the end of their conversation, the stout blue alien woman pulled him in for an embrace. He gladly hugged her back, something he hasn't done to her or anyone else since he was a child. What really warmed his heart though, is that she said she will come and visit him.
It's something she will get to freely do as often as she wants. Especially now since he appointed her as the one in charge of the Empire and all of its aspects within. In the meantime, she did her best to help him settle all important affairs he needed to get done before he left. Most of them involved settling affairs with other world leaders and their dealings.
He didn't stop there, he also made amends with a couple worlds he had been recently oppressing before he was transported to Eve's reality. Some were grateful, while others remained skeptical and distrustful of him. Frieza could care less if they didn't believe him. They will all see soon enough, when he pulls the last of his remaining force off their planets. Which he eventually did.
All of this felt like a long and grueling process. If anything, the former tyrant was a little surprised he was able to pull all of it off in just under a year. Frieza knew there was still more that needed to be done on his end. But Berryblue told him just to leave the rest of it to her and go home. He was eternally grateful for her taking over and settling the other affairs. And because of this, he was now finally free to go home.
The closer Frieza got to his destination the more anxious he became. His only regret was he didn't get a chance to send spy drones to check in on her. He's just been so damn busy trying to settle things before he leaves that he just couldn't find the time to send any out to Earth. He hopes she has been faring well these past many months.
Frieza also hopes she settled in ok while he was gone. Perhaps she found a new job during this time. And maybe she got her own place too. Either way no matter what has taken place these last few months, he has no doubt that Goku and Vegeta along with their families have helped her out in one way or another. It's because of all this, it allowed him to rest a little easier knowing this. He knew she was being well taken care of.
When the familiar green, blue, and white planet came into view in front of him, his heart rate kicked up, and he became excited. Frieza thrusted the controls forward, pushing to go even faster. Soon, the tiny planet became bigger and bigger as he drew closer to its atmosphere. The coordinates already set to his destination. Once he breached the Earth's atmosphere, he made a sharp right with the small cruiser heading east.
It took him another fifteen-twenty minutes before South City came into view. He gradually brought the cruiser down lower as he got closer. By the time he made it to the city he was flying just above the skyline.
Vegeta's home wasn't very hard to find. It was one of if not the biggest home in the area. He sought out the large balcony and landed the tiny one-man cruiser on it.
Seeing and hearing the ship's landing, Trunks ran out onto the balcony to see what was up. Only to spot Frieza exiting the mini cruiser with a bag in his left hand. He saw the youth cautiously approach him. Funny, how he looks very much like a human child, but the former tyrant can still see Vegeta in the way Trunks held himself and the air of caution he gave off. And the same stern, serious expression, as his father.
"Hey, your back." Trunks said.
"Yes, and I also brought with me the dragon balls my men came here for a while back." Frieza said, as he handed the bag over to the purple haired youth.
Trunks took the offered bag and peaked inside. He looked back up with a smile.
"Awesome! Now there all here again! Thanks!" Trunks said, in excitement.
A small smile appeared on Frieza's face.
"You're welcome. Might I ask if Eve is currently in?" Frieza asks.
Trunks' smile slowly melted away and turned serious again.
"Uhh actually, she's currently at the hospital. She went there earlier this morning." He informed the former Galactic Emperor.
A feeling of dread sunk to the pit of his stomach.
"What? Why? Is she alright? Where is this hospital?" Frieza asks, trying to hide the anxiety that was building up.
"I think so. The hospital is not very far from here. It's over in that direction. You can see it from here it's the tall building with a bright red cross on it." Trunks explained as he pointed at the building in question.
Frieza quickly thanked him before he took off in that direction. Had he stayed a split second longer, Trunks would've told him why she was there to begin with.
"Guess he'll figure it out once he gets there." Trunks mumbled as he trudged back into the house with the dragon balls. For now, he will just put them in his mom's lab until she gets back.
Frieza got there in only a couple minutes, touching down not far from the entrance. He ignored as people stared at his freaky entrance once he landed. And he walked through the doors of the hospital. He looked around frantically. The place was huge he was going to have to ask someone who worked here where she was.
Several eyes were on him as he approached what looked to be the front desk. The receptionist looked up from her computer screen and did a slight double take at his appearance before composing herself once more.
"Umm, can I help you sir?" She asks hesitantly.
"Yes, which area is Eve Maggio located at?" He asked.
The receptionist plugged in the name. And after a few moments, the young woman's info came up.
"She's currently on the twelfth floor, room 1214. Checked in early this morning around 5:33am. The elevators are to the right over there." The receptionist said and pointed to the elevators at the far end of the lobby.
He thanked her and quickly made his way over to the elevators. Frieza hopped in and pressed the button for the twelfth floor. Some many things were going through his mind on the way up. How badly was she hurt? Was she gravely ill? Is she in a coma? He tried to push the dark thoughts from his mind.
The elevator came to a stop, and he squeezed out before the doors opened all the way. Frieza surveyed the area and spotted small numbers on the wall by several doors lining the hall. He followed the numbers down. As he continued looking for the room, he just about walked past the waiting room which was sitting across the hall from the rooms.
Frieza spotted a familiar face in the waiting area and quickly approached them. Bulma looked up from her magazine, her eyes widened in surprised when she saw Frieza headed her way. She closed the magazine and threw it on the table before standing up.
"Frieza what..."
"Please, just tell me she is ok." He said, with worry in his voice, cutting her off.
A warm smile made its way to her face.
"Eve is doing just fine. She's in the room right over there." Bulma said, pointing to one door on the left across from the waiting area.
"Thank you." He said, before heading over to the room.
Bulma opened her mouth to tell him the rest. Then paused and decided not to say anything since he will be there shortly.
As soon as he stepped into the room and looked around, he froze when he spotted her in bed in the far-right corner of the room by the windows. As far as he could tell, she was alright. But what had him nearly dropping his mouth to the ground in shock was the sight of her round protruding stomach. He almost didn't believe what he was seeing as he slowly approached her bedside.
Eve was currently looking out the window, she was dozing in and out because she didn't sleep all that well the night before and because she woke up extra early this morning. It's because of this, she didn't notice someone came into her room. She flinched when another contraction hit her. But she still never tore her gaze from the window.
She gazed longingly into the bright blue sky; a couple tears rolled down her cheeks. Eve wonders where Frieza could be right now and how much longer he will be. It hurt her knowing he wouldn't be here for this and what's worse; he didn't even know. A shaky sigh left her, and she tried to swallow back down the thick lump in her throat.
Eve suddenly felt a hand slowly cover hers and felt a thumb gently caress her knuckles. Then felt another hand cup the side of her head and brush a few hairs back. She furrowed her brows and turned to face the person in question. Only to be surprised when her gaze landed on a familiar pale face with crimson eyes.
"Eve." He whispered softly.
A few more tears left her eyes. Was this real? Or was she dreaming? But the solid weight of his hands on her confirmed that she was awake and Frieza...was really here.
"Frieza." She gasped.
A teary smile appeared on her face. He leaned in and sealed his lips over hers in a gentle kiss. A small sob left her as she kissed him back. He came back and ironically, just in the nick of time.
They pulled back after a few moments to breathe, he rested his forehead against hers, and cupped her cheek. His gaze slowly drifted away from hers and down to her swollen stomach. He swallowed and placed his hand on top her stomach. Frieza could feel it as well as sense it. Their child's life force and their rather high energy signature.
"I'm so sorry, Eve. I should've done more to speed things along up there. Had I known I..."
"It's ok. The important thing is you're here now. And I must commend you on your impeccable timing." She said, with a slight laugh.
He smiled back, it's just like her to be making jokes at a time like this. But Eve made a point. At least he came back to be here for their child's birth. His mind was still reeling on coming home to see her laid up in a hospital bed pregnant. It certainly was the last thing he'd ever expect to come home to. But nonetheless it was a very welcoming surprise.
"How...how are you feeling? Are you in a lot of pain?" He asks, concern laced in his voice.
"Not really, the specialist just gave me an epidural about...five minutes before you came in. It's starting to kick in. We're doing fine." Eve says, as she rubs her stomach.
His smile widens, "Good."
He pauses as his smile falters a little.
"When I came here, and they told me you were in the hospital, I came as soon as possible. I was so worried; I thought the worst had happened." Frieza added.
She gave him a questioning look.
"Why? What did they tell you?" Eve asked.
Frieza looked away for a moment and awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.
"Vegeta's son and Wife didn't tell me anything. Probably because I left before they could get another word out. As soon as they said hospital, I came running." He confessed, all embarrassed that he didn't stick around long enough for them to give him an explanation as to why she was here in the first place.
Amusement danced around in her eyes at his confession. But she understood his concerns.
"I'm just glad you came when you did. My due date was actually not for another couple weeks. But she's decided to come early apparently. Must be a bit on the impatient side like her Daddy." Eve teased.
Frieza couldn't help but chuckle at the remark.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Love. You must have me confused with someone else. Because I'm anything but impatient." He replied as he gently rubbed her stomach.
Eve rolls her eyes, full on knowing that at times he could be a bit impatient and a tad impulsive at times when he wanted to be.
"Careful Capt. Obvious. I see bullshit leaking out of your ear nodules." She joked.
He sighs in exaggeration.
"Excuse me while I apologize in advance to our child for having a mother who is a real pain in my ass." Frieza replies.
Eve just gives him a big shit eating grin at his remark making him laugh.
"Of course, if this child is anything like you, I'm certainly going to have my hands full." He said, between laughs.
They continued chatting and about an hour later, Goku and Vegeta came. Bulma had called out to Whis earlier to tell him to tell her husband and Goku that Eve was in the hospital and going to be delivering soon. Both saiyans were quite surprised to see Frieza when they wandered into Eve's room. Goku went over and greeted him like an old friend. While Vegeta gave the former tyrant his signature scowl.
Trunks eventually came to the hospital as well with Goten. Apparently, he got tired of waiting for his mom to come home and asked if the baby came yet. He huffed in disappointment when she told him not yet. While Goten seemed pretty excited as they waited for the newest arrival.
Another couple hours went by before it was finally time. Frieza could tell Eve was extremely nervous. He sat on the bed next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her hand. It was very reassuring for her that he was here with her during this very important and special moment. Up until this point, Eve was very scared about giving birth. Especially when she thought of having to do it alone without Frieza here.
He gave her a lot of encouragement while she pushed. And had quite a grip on his hand the entire time. Frieza wiped the sweat off her brow with a damp cloth and gave her some water between pushes. This went on for a little over a half hour, then at 2:23pm Eve gave birth to a healthy beautiful baby girl.
She was quite tiny and squirmy as the doctor and nurses assessed her. Frieza watched as they weighed her, listened to her heart, and cleared her passageways. Afterwards they swaddled the fussing infant and gently handed her over to her father. He carefully took his daughter and held her close and watched as she snuggled into his chest for warmth.
Warmth spread throughout his body, and he felt nothing but love for this tiny child he helped create. Frieza gently caressed her pale cheek, and he bent his head to gently kiss the top of her head. He then brought her over to Eve. Who was sitting there anxiously waiting to hold her baby.
Frieza gently set the tiny girl in her mother's arms. For the second time that day a teary smile took up Eve's face.
"She's so beautiful." Eve gasps.
Their daughter was a perfect blend of them. Pale complexion like her father. She had dark nails and lips like him too. And when she opened her eyes, she had Frieza's deep, crimson-colored eyes. She had a dark head of hair like her mother. Along with human ears and feet. She didn't have a tail or biogems, nor did she have black lines that trailed from her eyes to beneath her chin like her father.
"Within all this time we were talking, I forgot to ask what her name was earlier." Frieza said.
"Leah, her name is Leah. and her middle name is Rose. So, it's Leah Rose." Eve told him, never taking her eyes off their child.
"Leah." Frieza said, testing it out.
"I like it. It suits her." He added.
Eventually, everyone cleared out to give the new parents some alone time with their newborn. And all Frieza could think was their love and this child was the best gift he has ever been given. It may have been unexpected, and he didn't truly have time to prepare for his role as a father. But he looks forward to learning along the way as time goes on.
It's a great start to their new life.
I hope everyone enjoyed this lovely little surprise of a chapter and the tremendous fluff. Leah's birth date pays homage to my late Grandma. Her Birthday was Jan. 2nd. and mine is only a couple weeks later on Jan. 18th. Miss you every day since. There are probably only a couple to maybe a few chapters left to this story. It will be filled with the joys of parenthood and at some point, Whis will allow Eve to see her family again. Frieza may even pop in his own little surprise for Eve. Until Next Time ;)