"Daddy! Look at me!" yelled Goten from where he hovered several feet above the rippling water of the lake.
Chichi reflexively reached toward him. "Be care-!"
Goten tucked himself into a ball and dropped out of the air. He hit the calm water with a mighty splash. His waterlogged head popped out of the frothing water with a broad grin.
I patted Chichi knee. "He's fine, Chi." I cupped my hand around my mouth. "Pretty good, Goten!"
Gohan floated above the water where Goten had hovered moments before. "Hey, Goten! You better move!"
Goten glanced up and dove. He resurfaced a moment later closer to the rocky shore near Chichi and me and then Gohan—like Goten—tucked himself into a ball and let himself freefall. Gohan's splash dwarfed Goten's. I grimaced. Gohan's splash might actually reach us! Droplets of water splattered Chichi and me.
"Easy there, Gohan!" yelled Chichi as she smoothed her hair.
Gohan laughed. "Sorry about that, mom!"
Chichi shook her head but smiled.
I brushed a droplet of water off the tip of her nose. Chichi giggled.
"It's a good thing you've already got the fishing done because you boys would've scared them all away!" said Chichi as our waterlogged sons slogged ashore in only their boxers.
The boys and I laughed.
"You've got a point there, babe," I said.
The boys dried themselves with a quick burst of ki, pulled on dry pants, and flopped down next to Chichi and me on our family picnic blanket. Flat on his back and spread-eagled between Chichi and Gohan, Goten yawned. Chichi brushed her fingers through Goten's thick, dry hair as Gohan laid down, too.
"This is nice," said Gohan after a wide yawn.
"It sure is," said Chichi as she made herself comfortable between Goten and me. Chichi hummed. "Our first picnic as a family of four."
My heart swelled. I turned to my side and braced my elbow in the soft, thick comforter. I propped my head up on my hand and leaned to kiss Chichi's temple but she turned her head and caught me on my lips instead. I laughed lightly and went in for another as the warm breeze rustled the tall, soft grass around us. Life really didn't get better than a late afternoon nap with my family in the great outdoors of Mt. Paozu.