Disclaimer: You get the picture :)
After utilizing hand sanitizer, adjusting his face mask, getting a quick temperature check, registering his visit, and answering "No" to all COVID-19 related questions, Vegeta finally found himself in front of the Labor & Delivery Unit of West City Hospital.
He pushed through the entrance of the unit with such force that the doors almost came off their hinges. You could say he was excited, maybe a little too excited, possibly ecstatic, he simply forgot to monitor his strength.
Sure, he wanted to kill Book for intentionally infecting Bulma with the virus. He hadn't wanted to kill anyone so bad since Frieza. But he knew Bulma wouldn't approve of the killing and he wouldn't be setting a good example for Trunks. Besides, he had an unscheduled blind date with a newborn Saiyan princess. He was indeed a changed man.
Vegeta briefly met with Bulma's medical team. Bulma remained incubated but had been able to give birth via emergency c section. She was strong, impenetrable almost, and reminded him of the Saiyan women from his home planet. The medical team reported no other changes in her treatment progress and would continue to provide monitoring and palliative care.
Vegeta was accompanied to the nursery by medical staff. He finally found himself on this blind date, face to face with his second child, his first daughter, his Saiyan princess.
As Vegeta held her for the first time, he reflected on how she with the mini version of his wife. He had traveled throughout the Galaxy as a member of Frieza's Planet Trade Organization and she was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid his eyes on. She seemed to melt in his arms. This blind date had definitely resulted in love at first sight. His little one cried as a newborn does but she immediately stopped when he picked her up. He was lost in her eyes, eyes, that reminded him so much of his wife.
He named her "Bra" it sounded like a name that would go right along with Trunks. Not his #1 choice but he knew Bulma would love it.
Bra was born a healthy weight, tested negative for COVID and to Vegeta's surprise, was born without a tail.
Outside, the hospital was filled with what his in-laws called "press" which apparently were news reporters who had questions about his wife's progress and newborn daughter's birth. His In-laws and son met him at the hospital. Apparently, he needed a "car seat" for his daughter. He wanted to fly but he was forced to drive home with them. He was sure they picked him up to make sure he didn't hurt one of the news reporters. Their presence annoyed him so the thought did briefly cross his mind.
Thankfully there were no news reporters at the Capsule Corp. Campus which included the Briefs family home and the corporation headquarters itself. It had been built on the largest piece of land near West City which ensured the family and company's privacy.
Bra had her own room but Vegeta brought her basinet in the room he shared with Bulma and he slept right by Bra's side. His training was on pause as he fed and cared for his princess. Trunks would come in the room from time to time to visit but Vegeta never left her alone with him. His in laws often came to visit. The Z Warriors had tried to visit but after their surprise visit last time, Vegeta didn't want to be bothered with them. Besides, he didn't trust anyone with his princess.
Bra often accompanied Vegeta on his nightly visits to see Bulma. They watched her from the hospital window. He wanted her to know her mother.
It was during one of these nightly visits that Vegeta stumbled upon an interesting scene.
Bulma's Doctor looked sadly at her as he wrote some notes down in his pad. He then picked up his cell phone and dialed a number. The doctor was calling Dr. Briefs personally.
Vegeta caught on to their conversation through the open window of Bulma's hospital room.
"I know you're listed as her Health Proxy, Dr. Briefs, sadly there's been no progress. I know you love her, she's declining, it might be time to let her go."
Vegeta didn't wait to hear Dr. Briefs response.
He flew home slowly. He didn't want to wake the sleeping princess in his arm.
Those doctors, including his father-in-law, were crazy to think he would let them take his Bulma away from him. He knew what he had to do. He was one Dragon ball away from saving his wife.
"That's my Bulma. They can't take my Bulma. I won't let them!" Vegeta ruminated while he bathed and fed his princess. She had awoken when they arrived home. He started to make his way to find the remaining Dragon ball. It was near West City Hospital. That night he left Trunks in charge of babysitting for the first time.
"You're going to get the Dragon ball dad?" Asked Trunks.
"Yep." Vegeta responded.
"Everyone agreed…"
"And she's my wife" Vegeta interrupted while giving Trunks a look that effectively ended the conversation.
"Remember who you're talking to, remember who your father is, I am not one of those fools. I would give my life, move heaven and hell for my family, especially my wife. I don't know what kind of marriage Kakarot has with his harpy or your grandmother has with your grandfather but my love for your mother, my love for you is unconditional and everlasting. If I can save your mother, if there is anything I can do, I will do it, and there's nothingor no one that will stop me.
Trunks watched his father go.
While flying quickly through the dark night sky, Vegeta felt a familiar Ki as the distance closed between him and the Dragon ball that could heal his wife. Vegeta smirked. This would have to be fast. He'd been without his wife for long enough.
"Kakarot."
Goku stood above the body of water where the final Dragon ball was hidden. He was the only thing standing in Vegeta's way.
"Vegeta, I can't let you go through with this. Bulma wouldn't want you to use the Dragon balls. It would have drastic impacts on the world. All eyes would be on us, how would we explain it?"
"It's not my problem, Kakarot, now if you would excuse me, I've got a Dragon ball to collect. "
"I can't let you do that Vegeta, we all agreed, not just the others but Mr. and Mrs. Briefs too, she's our friend and she's their daughter."
"But she's my wife!" Vegeta angrily yelled as he lunged toward Goku. How many times did he have to keep saying this? He had enough spatting with Kakarot. He was wasting time. He powered up immediately. He was so angry, so tired, of everyone telling him what Bulma was to them. What about what she was to him?
He woke up to her every morning, listened to her complain every day and made love to her every night. He knew what made her tick, loved every ounce of her. His heart ached, it had been almost 8 months, it seemed like the world kept going…but for him it stood still. There was no life without her. His world was filled with darkness these past months. Bra's birth had brought some light back but he would not let his Bulma go. He was not ready.
Goku wasn't prepared for Vegeta's attack, it honestly caught him by surprise. Every blow Vegata made Goku barely blocked. He usually was able to match Vegeta blow by blow but he was slipping, he powered up too hoping it would at least get him on the same level with Vegeta.
Vegeta's knuckle landed on Goku's face with force, his foot came next, Goku was able to block the attacks with more precision. The force of their attacks caused ripples in the water below. The brunt of the attacks was painful for Goku but Vegeta raged on. For the first time ever, the roles had been reversed. Vegeta usually struggled, he usually had to use every ounce of his strength to fight Goku in battle but now Goku found himself in the opposite position. He no longer had the upper hand. The difference was in the way the Saiyan warriors approached this battle.
Goku approached it as if it was an ordinary training spar needed to settle a disagreement. Vegeta approached it as if it was life or death. And for Vegeta it was, he was fighting for his wife's life, he would not allow her to die. Not yet and if Kakarot had to die at his hands for Bulma to live then so be it. Besides, Kakarot's family was used to him dying, he once chose death over them, it would no big deal, almost as normal as masks currently being worn during this pandemic. Was he being a little harsh? Maybe, but this was his wife's life that was at stake, all bets were off.
"We don't have to fight like this Vegeta." Goku said as he blocked another one of Vegeta's blows. Vegeta was relentless, blow after blow. Goku was both in pain and in awe. Obviously, Vegeta's training was paying off but it seemed that he was fueled by something even Goku could not comprehend. It seemed Vegeta had even surpassed Goku in this moment. Goku smirked as another knuckle met his face. Chichi was going to be pissed when he came home with all of these bruises.
Chichi…Goku thought with a smile.
That was what was fueling this fight.
Goku stopped as Vegeta's next blow sent him flying into the very water that hid the remaining Dragon ball. Goku could see the Dragon ball at the bottom of the water. He swam to the bottom to retrieve it for his friend.
Vegeta was surprised when Goku re-emerged with the remaining Dragon ball in his hand.
Goku nervously smiled as he scratched his wet hair.
"I get it now Vegeta, if it were Chi, I would do the same thing, I wasn't thinking of it that way."
"Do you think at all Kakaraot? Don't compare my wife to yours, Bulma's made from a different cloth."
Goku chuckled and ignored Vegeta's comments. "It's yours." Goku said as he threw the Dragon ball in Vegeta's direction.
Vegeta caught the gold orb with ease, his relaxing face changed into one of anger as he noticed the Ki arriving in his direction. If something happened to his daughter, there would be hell to pay.
"Where is your sister?" Vegeta spat at Trunks, who just arrived to the scene.
"Uncle Goku, are you o…" Trunks started looking at Goku with concern.
"I asked you a question boy!" Vegeta yelled at Trunks causing him to focus on why he came to talk to his father.
"Right, sorry dad, she's home with Grandpa, there's something you need to know…we don't need the Dragon balls, I think they found a way to save mom."
Wine: Yes, Book's actions were very disturbing! Love makes you do some disturbing things!
Guest: Lo, sé, Book nos sorprendió con sus acciones! Incluso Pensil se sorprendió!
Daughterofrisingsun: Thank you for all of your comments, they made my day! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Dolphin96girl:Thank you, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!