45- Growth

Early Winter

Pan let out a heavy sigh as she rested her head against Trunks' arm and watched Takehiko and Takara sleep. She couldn't believe how beautiful they were.

A week had passed since they had arrived, and already Pan and Trunks' world had changed completely. There was no going back now, or even wanting to. Their children were everything to them.

Takehiko and Takara's favorite things to do were eating, sleeping, and being held. Pan assumed that it was pretty typical for most newborns. Still, it was so cute when Takara would pucker her lips when hungry, and how Takehiko would suck his thumb while he slept.

"Come," Trunks' voice was gentle as he reached down and grabbed Pan's hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze and led her over to their bed, which was a few feet away.

If they were lucky, they would get a few hours of sleep before one or both babies woke up hungry. They got in the bed quietly, and soon they were laying down. Pan's head rested on Trunks' arm as he held her. His eyes were closing as he stroked her back.

"Trunks," Pan whispered.

"Hm?"

"Will you teach me how to fight?"

Trunks' eyes opened up. "What do you mean?" He raised an eyebrow. "You already can fight. You're one of the strongest people I know."

"No, I don't," Pan shook her head. "Not really. Every time I have fought, it's been that power inside of me. Although last time I was aware of it, I wasn't the one controlling it. I don't want to rely on that power all time. What if one day it stops working? I want to be able to protect the ones I love, Trunks-" she reached out and caressed his face. I don't know how this body of mine would hold up in training, but I haven't been sick in a long time. I think it's a sign saying that everything will be okay now. Even if I can't learn all the things others can do, I want to try at least."

"You've changed," Trunks said quietly.

Pan leaned back and looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"When I first met you, you were cautious and so unsure about yourself. You were shy and timid. But you've grown to be quite confident these last few months."

Pan did feel more confident. She used to think that there was nothing special about her. That she was simply a weak person who go sick often. Now though, she knew there was this power inside of her that she could use to protect the ones she loved.

"Is that a good thing or bad?" Pan asked.

"Good," Trunks smirked. "Definitely good," he nodded. "I fell in love with the shy and gentle human you were, but as I've watched you grow into this strong and confident Saiyan, I have fallen even more in love with you," he said gently. He reached up and caressed her warm face as he smiled. "I love you, Panna."

Pan let out a breath as she smiled at him. "I love you too, Trunks."

He leaned down and kissed her for a few short moments before he pulled away. "If you want to learn how to fight, I will teach you," he said. "But, let's wait a few months so you'll have plenty of time to rest since you just gave birth. And, Grandpa has to approve it, too."

Pan pooched out her lips slightly. She adored Dr. Briefs and knew he always had her best interest at heart. She would just have to prove to him that she was capable of handling training. Pan wouldn't be the sick princess- not anymore.

Early Spring

Trunks grinned as he watched his grandfather make faces as Takara and Takehiko as they sat in his and Pan's lap. It had just turned spring, which meant that Takehiko and Takara had been around for one season already. Trunks couldn't imagine his life without his children.

Takara loved to babble already. She would coo and gurgle at anyone who talked to her, much like she was doing now. Her hair had already grown too, and Pan always had a bow to put in her hair. Takehiko was quieter, though he loved to laugh. Once you got him laughing over something silly, he would stay in a fit of giggles for minutes.

The two of them were growing bigger each day. They could both hold their heads up and look around, but they hadn't mastered the art of rolling over yet- though they were close! Each day was exciting to see what else they would learn how to do.

"Just as I excepted," Dr. Brief smiled. "They are as healthy as any three-month-olds can be," he said. "Takehiko is still a small, but he's healthy and right there with Takara, where he should be on everything else."

"That's wonderful!" Pan beamed, and she hugged Takehiko to her as she reached over and kissed Takara's hand.

"Now," Dr. Brief's voice was still gentle as he looked at Pan. "Let's take a look at you."

They laid out a thick blanket on the floor and laid the twins on it before they followed Dr. Brief to the examination table a few feet away.

Pan's stomach had gone down a lot since she had given birth, but she was still swollen. Trunks and her both knew it was the pearls, and it made him nervous. They hadn't acted up during the labor, but what if they were still growing? Was there still no way to get them out of Pan? Would she be stuck with them forever? Trunks hoped not, since they didn't even know what they were.

Pan laid back on the table as Dr. Brief began the ultrasound. It was quite, other than the soft babbling of Takara and Takehiko nearby. Trunks held Pan's and stroked it gently, and she smiled. He knew she was nervous, but she didn't act like it. She pretended like she was okay like everything would fine.

After several minutes, Dr. Brief finished up and told Pan she could sit up. He let out a heavy sigh as he looked at Trunks and Pan.

"The pearls are a little smaller than apples. It's the same size they were when the twins were born. They haven't grown any, nor have they shrunk."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Trunks asked.

"I don't know," Dr. Brief's sighed. "But I would like to say it's a good thing since they haven't grown anymore. I would suggest being careful," he eyed them. "Another pregnancy could make them grow again."

Pan's cheeks turned scarlet, and Trunks could feel his cheeks growing warm. "We were safe the first time around, and we ended up with two-" Trunks motioned to the twins.

"Dr. Brief, the pearls haven't grown any, and I've been healthy since before the twins were born. Would it be okay if Trunks trained me?"

Dr. Brief's eyes widened in surprise. "Train as in teaching you how to fight?"

"Yes," Pan nodded her head. "I want to learn how to fight. It wouldn't be okay, right?"

Dr. Brief furrowed his brows for a few seconds before he nodded his head. "I don't see why it would be a problem. Take it easy at first, though. Nothing difficult that could cause her to drain herself," he said, now looking at Trunks.

Trunks nodded his head in understanding. He was excited about the chance to teach Pan how to fight. He knew she would be a force to be reckoned with.

Pan glanced around the ballroom with a warm smile. She held Takara to her chest as they swayed gently. Bulla and Goten's wedding had been lovely, and Pan couldn't help but think about her and Trunks' wedding. It was hard to believe that they had been married for almost a year!

Without trying, Pan's eyes found Trunks'. He was across the ballroom, next to his distraught mother. Bulma was holding Takehiko as she sniffed. Trunks gave her a 'what can you do' look and shrugged, and she couldn't help her giggle. She felt for Bulma. Both of her children were now married. Pan wondered if she would be just as emotional one day whenever Takara and Takehiko got married.

"Hey, Panny," Marron walked up to her. Her cheeks were a little flushed, and Pan grinned.

"Having fun with Han out there?" They had been dancing almost all night.

Marron's cheeks turned a few shades darker. "Ha, ha," she said. "Hi, cutie," she greeted Takara as she grabbed her hand.

Takara grinned at Marron and started to coo.

"The wedding was so beautiful," Marron sighed.

"Yeah, it was," she nodded. Bulla had been a beautiful and beaming bride. Goten hadn't been able to keep his goofy grin off of his face, either. I'm the love they had for each other was shown so clearly. "Is it giving you any ideas?" Pan raised a sly eyebrow towards Marron.

"Well-" Marron tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and laughed gently. "I would say that's still a few years away for us. We just started dating, but it's nice to think about," she smiled gently.

"I'm so happy for you two," Pan told her genuinely. She had watched them flutter around each other for almost an entire year before they finally confessed to one another.

"Thank you, Panny," Marron smiled at her brightly. "Um, I was wondering- would you like a babysitter tonight?"

Pan's eyes widened. For some reason, her cheeks were growing hot. "What?" She whispered.

"Don't take this the wrong way," Marron said with a small smile. "But, you and Trunks have been giving each other some serious bedroom eyes for the last hour."

Pan's face even hotter. "H-huh?"

"And, you guys haven't had a break since you've had the twins have you?"

Pan tightened her hold on Takara and furrowed her brows as she frowned. No, they haven't. There had been a few times when they've met up in the shower, but they had been nothing but quickies so they could get back to the babies.

"Marron, I appreciate your offer," Pan smiled. "But you don't have to. I mean two of them-"

"Panny," Marron grabbed her shoulders and gave her a grin. "Bulla's already off enjoying her honeymoon. And you've been dealing with parenthood with two children. You deserve a break," she laughed. She held out her arms, and Takara smiled a warmly as Marron grabbed her. "Don't worry," she told Pan with a laugh. "I'll make sure Gohan gets Takehiko, and we'll have fun tonight! Won't we, cutie?" She grinned at Takara. "Now, go tell your Mama to go get your Appa and enjoy her night!" Marron gave her a wink before she took off.

Pan was left staring after Marron with a hot face. She trusted Marron and knew her babies would be safe with her. Part of her felt a little nervous because she had never been away from Takehiko or Takara for an entire night. Then, she felt Trunks' eyes on her, and her body started to grow warm. It was okay. The twins would be with Marron and Gohan. It was for one night, and she and Trunks did deserve a break.

Pan turned and rushed across the ballroom. Trunks met her halfway and grabbed her waist as he pulled her to his chest. "Where's Takara?" He asked.

"Marron has her. Takehiko?"

"Gohan's got him now," he said with a grin. "He said something to me about getting you out of here?"

"Ah," Pan's eyes widened. So Marron had planned the thing with Gohan. She smiled up at Trunks. "I think we got ourselves a break for the night."

Trunks' eyes widened. "Did we?" He asked quietly.

"Mhm," she nodded slowly. "It will be just us for the night."

Trunks squeezed her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Sounds very exciting," he said before he leaned down and kissed her.

In a matter of seconds, they were disappearing to their bedroom.

"She fell so naturally into my arms like a flower to the sun."
-Atticus