Chapter 1: Born Alone
"Goten? If you're not busy, could I talk to you for a minute?" Paris's voice was edged with fear and anxiety as her husband followed her into the living room. She motioned for him to sit down as she sat on his lap. "Do remember about a month ago when we both had really bad days?" He nodded. "Good. Well..." She hesitated, not knowing what to say. "Well, I went to the doctor two days ago and... as it turns out..." She paused and looked into his eyes. "I'm pregnant."
For a good two minutes, Goten was overcome by the incredible shock and muttered nothing more than, "God. Oh, my God." Then, coming to his senses,, held his wife tight and kissed her passionately.
* * * Three nights later at dinner * * *
Paris looked around at her in-laws. She loved them dearly but couldn't figure out why. They were the lovable type, but they were all just weird. Lovable, but weird.
She sighed, looking at Goten talk to his older brother, Gohan. She knew they were both half alien, and that her own child would be a quarter. Then Goten would teach him or her how to fight. Her four year old niece, Pan, had already won tournaments. Paris sighed again and took a big gulp of her non-alcoholic Sprite.
"What wrong, Paris? You look stressed." Said Goten's mother, Chi Chi.
Paris perked up. "Actually. Goten and I have something we wanna tell everybody!" She smiled, motioning for Goten to stand next to her. "Well, I'm gonna have a baby!" She exclaimed as Goten lit up with premature fatherly pride.
The rest of the evening, hugs, kisses, and warm congratulations were given to the happy couple.
* * * * * *
The next few months were uneventful, so they won't be included.
* * * Eight months later * * *
Goten's car was doing almost 110 on the highway when the one thing he prayed wouldn't happen happened. He got pulled over.
"You have any idea how fast you were goin' there, son?" The state trooper asked.
"105 miles per hour, sir." Goten answered.
"Do you know what the speed limit is here?"
Goten sighed. "55 on major highways. 25 on local roads... I took my driver's test two years ago! I know this!"
The state trooper leaned down. "Then why weren't you applying it?" He stood back up. "Tell ya what, son. You look like you're in a big hurry to get somewhere. Tell me where you're going. If it's a good enough reason to be going 105 miles per hour, I'll let you go without a ticket. Now. Where are you headed, son?"
"I'm going to the hospital! My wife just went into labor!" Goten yelled back.
"Hell. That's a good enough reason for me! Get going! And congratulations!" The trooper yelled as the car sped off.
At the hospital, Goten had nothing more to do than wait, pace, and wait some more. His family and friends had shown up, but he was too anxious to talk to them.
After a few hours, a nurse walked out of the delivery room.
"I really hate this part of my job." She muttered to herself. "Mr. Son?" She called.
Goten stepped up to her. "Yes? That's me."
She forced a smile. "Congratulations. You're the father of a healthy baby girl."
After shouting a few times and getting a few hugs and slaps on the back, he turned back to the nurse, who was not smiling.
"What about my wife? How's she?"
"Mr. Son, I'm afraid your wife didn't make it through the delivery. Her body wasn't strong enough to give birth. I'm very sorry."