This is it. The final chapter. It's been fun writing this fanfic. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
THE WAY WE WERE
Epilogue: "And That's the Way It Was..."
"Today in the news, the world was stunned to discover that the world's most eligible and richest bachelor, Trunks Briefs, who just happens to be the president of Capsule Corps, announced his engagement to his longtime childhood friend in unconventional style. Some eyewitnesses heard the corporate mogul shouting his declaration of love from the roof of CC headquarters, much to the embarrassment of his fiancée. Sources say Mr. Briefs and his bride-to-be are planning a lavish gala, which is sure to be the media event of the year."
"Bra, why didn't you tell me about their engagement?" Bulma demanded, shutting off the T.V.
Bra shrugged her shoulders.
"It's a long story."
"I'm listening."
"Well, okay. Do you remember when they were first engaged? It turns out that they really weren't because Trunks only made that up so that his fans would stop bugging him. They weren't interested in each other romantically, but no one would believe them. That's when Trunks and Marron had that fight and called off the wedding. They would have been off the hook, except that Trunks had to go off and get drunk. That's when you found them in bed, but they hadn't really slept together. So Marron cooked up this plan to get you to object to their wedding. It worked, but by then it turns out they had genuine feelings for each other and soon fell in love. They kept it a secret for three years and was going to announce their real engagement, but Trunks had to leave for space. Marron broke up with Trunks when he came back because she was afraid that he needed someone stronger than she was, because she felt guilty over her father's death. But he finally convinced her that they belonged together and cleared things up between them, and that's why they're engaged, yet again. Understand now?"
Bulma's head was spinning as she was bombarded with all this information at once. Why was the mother always the last one to know?
"I think I'm going to go lie down for a while."
"Are you okay, Mom?"
"I'll be fine. Oh, and Bra?" she said before leaving the living room.
"Yes?"
"Do me a favor, and don't get married yet for the next ten years. It'll take me that long to recover from this one," Bulma replied.
Bra sat back in her chair and chuckled to herself.
"I'm glad those two finally got together."
When the press and photographers showed up at the wedding a week later, everyone was shocked to find that no one was there at the church! Trunks had the last laugh after all. True to his character, he had "accidentally" leaked out bogus information that the wedding would be in town with all the glitz and glamour that was expected of the president of CC. When in fact, at that very moment, a small gathering of the Z senshi and their families had gathered at Kame House for a very private ceremony.
Trunks fingered the collar of his tuxedo nervously and wiped the perspiration off his forehead every few seconds as he waited for the music to start. It was warm sunny day and the sea breeze blew gently, creating a romantic atmosphere.
"Relax, pal. This isn't your execution, you know," Goten whispered.
Trunks smiled sheepishly at his best man.
"Is it too late to elope in Vegas?"
"Yup. Anyway, you know that your mother would kill you. She's waited too long to miss out on your wedding."
"I'm glad she agreed to having a small wedding."
"I think she's satisfied that you've given up the idea of leading a bohemian lifestyle. Don't question it. Just be glad that she agreed to it."
"I just hope I can make it through the ceremony."
"Just keep thinking about the honeymoon."
Trunks turned bright pink in embarrassment. The familiar melody of the wedding march began to play as Marron was ready to make her entrance. First, Bulma and Vegeta walked down the aisle, then Juuhachigou came next reluctantly escorted by Master Roshi, followed by the maid of honor. Bra looked lovely in her lavender chiffon dress with her hair piled on top of her head. Trunks only had eyes for his bride. His eyes lit up automatically when he finally saw Marron in her wedding dress. She had worn a simple, but elegant off-the-shoulder gown made of a diaphanous white material and a wreath of white daisies that crowned her head and held her veil in place. Marron's eyes locked with Trunks, and she smiled at him. She was simply breathtaking.
"She looks like a fairy tale princess," he thought to himself.
Krillen escorted his daughter down the aisle, beaming with pride and joy. When they reached the bridegroom and best man, Krillen leaned over to whisper something in Marron's ear.
"It's still not too late to change your mind. I've got the motor running out back. Just say the word."
Marron smiled at her father, but shook her head.
"Not even for all the money in the world," she replied happily, giving him a warm hug.
Krillen shrugged. "Can't blame a father for trying." He handed his daughter to Trunks.
"Be good to her Trunks."
Trunks smiled confidently. "You can count on it."
"Oh, and if you ever hurt our daughter, Juuhachigou will kill you."
Trunks chuckled. He had no doubt that Marron's mother would follow through with her threat. He turned his attention back to his bride and escorted her the rest of the way. Dende had been kind enough to perform the ceremony, even though it was his first time, but no one really noticed.
Trunks and Marron looked at each other intensely as they listened to Dende's words. As far as they were concerned, they were the only two people there.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss..."
Trunks interrupted Dende and promptly kissed Marron before he got a chance to finish his sentence. Bulma and Krillen broke out in a fit of uncontrollable tears.
"It's sooo beautiful!" they both wailed in unison. Vegeta and Juuhachigou groaned in embarrassment.
"You don't have to do this, Trunks," Marron protested lightly clinging to her newly wed husband, as he carried her across the threshold of their private suite, overlooking a beautiful stretch of white sand beach on the secluded island resort. Trunks had made sure that they would be the only patrons there during their honeymoon.
"We've already come this far. Why not go all the way? Well, here we are Mrs. Briefs," he replied before setting her down on the floor.
"Here we are," she repeated nervously. An awkward moment of silence passed as neither one of them made the next move.
"Are you as nervous as I am?" Marron finally asked.
"More," he said in all honesty.
"You are?" she asked in surprise.
"Well, it's not like I get married everyday."
"Um...if you're not up to it, we don't have to...you know."
Marron ventured shyly, suddenly overcome with apprehension.
Trunks wrapped his arms around Marron and brought her against him before bending down to kiss her passionately. She linked her arms around his neck and returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm.
"I think that answers your question," he replied smirking confidently before lifting up his wife in his arms and carrying her purposefully to their bed.
Several hours later, the two lovers lay in each other's arms reveling in the aftermath.
Trunks traced his index finger lazily over Marron's bare shoulder and down to the curve of her breast, making her shiver in delight.
"You are insatiable," she said teasingly, holding his hand still, but kept it where it was resting.
They were both so shy in public, but when they were alone together, it was a different story.
"What about you? How am I going to explain these marks on my back?"
Marron blushed at her own reckless abandon.
"I wouldn't talk, Trunks. I'm going to have a hickey the size of all outdoors."
"That's what happens when you marry a Saiya-jin, Mrs. Briefs."
"Mmmm," she purred happily. "That has a nice ring to it."
"You know, I think we missed dinner."
"And there's a probably a good chance we'll miss breakfast too," she replied impishly.
Trunks grinned wickedly at her. "You're a woman after my own heart, Marron."
His hand rested at the curve of her neck as he began a fiery trail of kisses down her throat before she stopped him.
"Would you do something for me?" she requested.
"Anything. Your wish is my command."
"Would you turn into a Super Saiya-jin? I've never made love to a Super Saiya-jin before."
He was more than willing to oblige, immediately powering up.
"How long do you think you can keep this up?"
"There's only one way to find out," he replied huskily and proceeded to show her that she was getting more than she bargained for.
Two years later...
"Mr. President, please call the reception desk immediately," a voice came over the loud speakers paging Trunks, just as he was about to go into the board room. These days, he was no longer worked up over running Capsule Corps anymore. Being married had changed his whole outlook on life. Marron had filled up that empty hole and made him happy.
He flipped open his portable phone immediately. "This is Mr. Briefs. What is it?"
"Your mother just called from the hospital, sir. Your wife has just gone into labor."
There was a dead silence for five seconds and then came a resounding thud.
"Hello? Mr. President? Mr. President, are you all right?"
Trunks' head hit the floor as blackness overcame him. For the first time in his life, he fainted.
"No way! There is no chance in hell that I'm going to take Trunks' place," Vegeta roared in the lobby of the hospital where Marron had gone into labor. The males on Vegeta-sei had never been allowed to be present when the females gave birth, and he wasn't about to start now. Children on Vegeta-sei weren't born. They were removed.
Bulma glared at him angrily. "Oh yes, you are Vegeta. Marron can't do this by herself. She needs someone to be in there with her. I haven't heard anything from Trunks, so you'll just have to be his substitute."
"Why can't she do it by herself? You did it before, didn't you?" he protested.
"Yeah, thanks to you," Bulma replied resentfully.
She knew all too well, the pain of bearing children, especially when they were part Saiya-jin. And she also knew that when the pain kicked in, she didn't want to be within the range of fire. Better it was Vegeta than her anyways. It would be poetic justice, considering that he didn't show up for Trunks' birth.
"Having your children wasn't any picnic in the park, you know."
Vegeta's scowl deepened, but he knew that she was right. Damn. He must be getting soft with age.
"Fine. Anything to stop your incessant nagging."
"You say the sweetest things," Bulma replied sarcastically as she pushed her reluctant husband towards the delivery room.
Several hours later, Trunks burst into the maternity ward looking tired and frazzled. He was panting heavily as sweat poured from his face.
Bulma stared at him in surprise. "Trunks, did you run all the way from Capsule Corps?"
"Thirty...five...long...blocks," he replied in between wheezing breaths.
"Baka," Vegeta remarked. "You could have flown you know."
Trunks gave his mother a dumbfounded look, as he realized that his father was right.
"Does parenthood get any easier?"
Bulma smiled at her son sympathetically.
"Why don't you go see Marron? She's resting in her room now."
Trunks suddenly noticed that there was big purple bruise on his father's cheek that wasn't there before.
"Dad, what happened to you?"
"None of your business," he replied curtly. Bulma just smiled knowingly in amusement.
When Trunks came into Marron's room, he found his wife propped up against the pillows sleeping soundly. He came over and kissed her forehead softly, waking her up.
Marron fluttered her eyelashes slowly before turning her head towards her husband and acknowledged his presence.
"You had the baby," he stated emphatically.
She smiled ruefully at him and gently patted her now flattened abdomen.
"You noticed."
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you," Trunks said regretfully. Marron just shook her head.
"You're here now. That's all that really matters."
"Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm exhausted, but I'll live."
"The doctor said that you weren't due for another two weeks."
"Believe me Trunks, it wasn't MY idea."
"Well, don't just keep me in suspense. Was it a boy or a girl?" he asked excitedly. They had opted to not know the sex of their baby to keep it as a surprise.
"Yes," Marron answered cryptically.
"Huh???"
"Trunks, do you remember how your mother always wanted to have lots of grandchildren?"
"How could I forget? She kept dropping hints every time we came over to have dinner."
"Well, she's having them sooner than she expected."
"Them?" he echoed in confusion, but then looked at his wife in shock when he suddenly realized what she was implying.
"Marron, are you telling me that we have more than one baby?"
She nodded her head affirmatively. She had already suspected her condition months earlier, but kept it a secret from everyone.
"We are the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy and girl."
Trunks stared at her thoughtfully and chuckled. After all, Juuhachigou had been a twin herself.
"Twins. I should have known. You knew all along from the very beginning, didn't you?"
"You're not mad that I didn't tell you, are you?" she asked slightly worried.
He responded by taking her hands and bringing them to his lips.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" he replied, assuaging her fears.
"Tell me again," she said softly. She would never get tired of hearing it.
"I love you Marron."
Tears glistened in her eyes and ran down her cheeks, as Marron saw the emotion reflected in Trunks' eyes as he uttered those simple little words that carried so much power.
"Now look what you made me do," she quipped lightly, trying to regain her composure.
Trunks leaned over and kissed away her tears, then her nose, and then finally her lips. Marron melted into his arms and stayed in his loving embrace.
It wasn't until they heard a familiar voice interrupting them, that they realized that they weren't alone anymore.
"Ahem, you DO realize that's the reason you're here in the maternity ward in the first place," Goten commented teasingly.
They both pulled away from each other immediately and found that they were surrounded by their friends and family.
"How long were you going to stand there before saying anything?" Trunks demanded.
"We didn't want to interrupt," Bulma explained. "You both looked so cute like that."
"Oh, mom," Trunks replied in embarrassment.
"We came to see the twins and make sure that Marron was all right," Krillen added.
"I'm fine, Papa. Or should I say 'grandpa' now?"
Krillen put a hand behind his head and grinned sheepishly. "I guess I am. Isn't that right, 'grandma'?" he asked his wife.
Juuhachigou gave him a stern glare in response.
"Do NOT call me that. You know that I prefer Juuhachigou."
She tended to be a little sensitive about her age, even though she was still an attractive woman.
"Have you seen the twins yet?" Trunks asked like a proud father.
"We stopped by the nursery before coming here, and they're doing just fine."
"And they're soooo cute!" Bra gushed excitedly. "I'll even baby sit at no charge, big brother."
"You're all heart, 'sis," Trunks replied dryly, but smiled as he spoke. "Are you sure you can handle two babies at once?"
"Of course, I can," the younger girl objected. "I'm almost eighteen, you know."
"Hey, Trunks, you got two for the price of one," Goten quipped jokingly. "Way to go, buddy."
ChiChi knocked her younger son's head in chastisement. Men were all alike.
"Well, he had a little help, you know," Marron added.
"All right, everybody, let's leave the new parents alone," Bulma ordered, ushering everyone out. "We'll come back later."
Marron leaned over and whispered something in Trunks' ear.
He looked at her uncertainly. "Are you sure?"
She nodded affirmatively.
"If you need me, I'll be right outside in the hall."
Marron waited until everyone had left the room, until Vegeta was the only one left.
"Vegeta, could I speak to you for a moment?" she asked shyly. She had always been a little nervous around him, and with good reason. When she was a child, she used to always hide behind her father when Vegeta was around. For a split second, she almost changed her mind.
"No, I'm going to go through with it," she resolved silently.
"What do you want?" he asked in his usual brusque manner.
"I...I just wanted to thank you for taking Trunks' place today. I don't think I could have done it without you."
"I didn't have much choice, did I?" he countered back.
"I'm also sorry for what happened earlier in the delivery room."
So was he. He didn't know that Marron could hit so hard.
"Anything else?"
She took a deep breath and linked her fingers together in her lap.
"I also want you to promise me that whatever happens to Trunks or myself, you will make sure that the twins will always be taken care of."
Vegeta stared at her incredulously. He was more than surprised by her request. In fact, he was speechless. She waited anxiously for his response, when he didn't answer immediately.
"Do you realize who you're talking to?" Vegeta asked. He wasn't going to get any awards for father of the year, especially with his track record.
"I can't think of anyone else who could assure me that my children will always be protected," Marron replied in all honesty. "Even though you'll never admit it, I know that you care for your family. Besides, you helped to bring the twins into the world and you are their grandfather."
"Why aren't you asking Krillen?"
"I already did, months ago. But it's a tremendous responsibility and I think both of you should share it."
"Why are you doing this?" Vegeta demanded.
"Saiya-jin blood flows through my children now. I want them to know about their heritage as much as they can. It's a part of who they are. And you are the only full-blooded Saiya-jin left," she finished in a quiet voice.
Vegeta was silent for a moment, lost in his unreadable thoughts. Finally, he gave his answer.
"You have my word that they will be protected. And I will make sure that they know what it means to be a Saiya-jin."
Marron smiled at him. "Thank you, Vegeta."
He turned to leave the room, but stopped abruptly at the door. His back was turned to her as he spoke.
"You did well," he said quietly, and then left the room.
Marron stared at the door in shock. She leaned back in bed, not certain if she was dreaming or not.
"He never ceases to amaze me," she thought to herself.
Trunks poked his head into the room.
"I saw Dad leaving. How did everything go?"
"Surprisingly well. You know, it's pretty funny when you think about it."
He came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "What is?"
"After all these years, Vegeta and Krillen finally have something in common."
Trunks burst out laughing. "Hell must have frozen over."
"Starr? What kind of a name is Starr, anyway?" Vegeta asked in obvious displeasure as he peered into the crib where his newborn grandchild lay, sleeping next to her twin brother, Trunks Junior (Chibi Chibi Trunks). The infant twins were anything, but identical. Even for being less than one month old, they were already exhibiting contrasting temperaments. Trunks Junior was less fussy and easier to handle, where as Starr always seemed to be need more attention and Trunks was always at her beck and call when she cried during the night. In addition, Trunks Junior had a thatch of blond hair like his mother, while his sister took after Turnks, having the same lavender colored hair and demanding temperment.
Bulma gently picked up the infant in her arms and made cooing noises, much to the disgust of her husband. "Starr is a perfect name for our very first granddaughter," she replied proudly. "Isn't she cute, Vegeta?"
"Adorable," he replied sarcastically, but there was no malice behind his comment. It was just his way.
"Holding Starr like this makes me want to have another baby."
Vegeta looked at his wife in horror. Two brats were enough and Bulma wasn't getting any younger. Neither was he.
"Well, just don't get any ideas," he warned.
Bulma chuckled at her proud Saiya-jin husband. She would have to remember that in the future.
Trunks Jr. began to wake up and then started to cry, squalling very loudly.
"Why don't you pick him up?" Bulma suggested.
He looked at her disdainfully and wrinkled his nose in disgust. "What for?"
"Because he's YOUR grandson. He probably just wants some attention."
Vegeta stared at the wailing infant in his crib and grunted. The child certainly took after his father. He cried just as loud as Trunks did when he was a baby. He reached in and reluctantly picked up his grandson and put him under one arm like a football, before Bulma quickly corrected him. The baby stopped crying immediately and opened his blue eyes to look up solemnly at Vegeta.
"How did you do that?" Bulma asked in complete surprise.
He replied with his usual smirk.
"You shouldn't be surprised. after all, he's got my genes."
"Well, we won't hold THAT against him," she quipped facetiously.
Vegeta was about to say something rude, when Bulma came over and kissed him playfully on the lips, diffusing his anger.
He looked down at his grandson and held out a finger in front of him, causing the tip to glow brightly. The infant, entranced by the light, automatically wrapped his tiny fingers around the digit and clung tightly, exhibiting incredible strength. Vegeta was amazed at the strength that Trunks Jr. was already showing at his age.
"He's definitely my progeny," Vegeta beamed proudly. "He'll be a strong warrior. I will see to that."
When Starr began to cry, Bulma tried everything she could to calm her down, but was unsuccessful. Finally, out of sheer desperation, she gently thrusted Starr into Vegeta's other arm. The baby stopped crying immediately just like her brother had done. It must have been the Saiya-jin blood in their veins.
"The twins seem to have taken a shine to you Vegeta. You should baby sit more often."
"Forget it. I have better things to do with my time that to play nursemaid."
"Oh, no you don't buster. You are NOT going to ignore our grandchildren like you did with their father."
"The prince of all Saiya-jins does not respond to threats," he replied haughtily.
Bulma rested her hands at her hips defiantly. He always threw that same old excuse when he didn't want to do anything.
"Really? Well 'his majesty' had better, or else he'll find himself sleeping alone from now on."
Vegeta cursed under his breath. Blasted woman. She WOULD have to blackmail him with the only weakness he had.
"You drive a hard bargain, woman."
She smiled smugly in satisfaction and leaned over to whisper in his ear huskily, "I learned from the best." She then proceeded to nuzzle his ear seductively with a promise of a sleepless night.
"When did you say that Trunks was coming by to pick up the twins?" Vegeta asked distractedly.
"In about two hours."
"Tell him to haul his butt over here in twenty minutes."
Bulma smiled at her husband. "I'll make it ten."
Six months later...
Marron slowly rocked back and forth in her rocking chair after giving the twins their bottles and watched as they played with the buttons on her blouse with their chubby little hands. She couldn't believe how much they had grown over the past few months. It only seemed like yesterday that she came home from the hospital with them. In retrospect, she was glad that she decided to take some time off before returning back to work at the office. Trunks had been so supportive of her when she decided to accept a position offered to her from a rival company of Capsule Corps. They often joked with each other about divulging company secrets and insider trading, but it was all in good fun.
"I've got a surprise for you two. Guess what? Your papa's coming home tonight," Marron said to the infants, who responded by gurgling happily. She smiled with motherly pride and affection as she watched her children drift off to sleep. They both took after Trunks in so many different ways, and he was quite the doting father. The once rambunctious hellion had finally settled down. He now had a legitimate reason to leave work, without having to sneak out anymore.
When she stepped outside into the hallway, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, pulling her against a warm body. Marron immediately recognized Trunks' aftershave. He kissed her neck affectionately.
"Guess who?" he whispered into her ear.
"What are you doing here? I told you not to come until AFTER my husband went to sleep," she replied teasingly.
Trunks turned her around abruptly. "What?!" he demanded angrily, his eyes flaring with jealousy.
She leaned forward and kissed him softly.
"You see, my husband can be VERY jealous."
Trunks' expression relaxed momentarily before he tightened his hold on her in mock retribution when he realized that she was just pulling his leg.
"I'm not going to forget this you know," he growled.
"Can't you take a joke?"
"Let's see how you like it," he replied, picking her up in his arms and carrying her into their bedroom where he proceeded to tickle her mercilessly.
"Give up?"
"Okay, okay, I give up! You win!" she spurted out breathlessly.
Trunks smirked victoriously still keeping his fingers against her ribcage.
"Never mess with a Saiya-jin prince."
"You never did play nice, you big cheater."
"I beg to differ. You're just a sore loser."
"What are you doing home so early? I didn't expect you to come back until later tonight."
"The contract was finalized earlier than planned, so I came back as fast as I could. I thought I'd spend some quality time with my wife."
"What did exactly did you have in mind?"
His fingers wandered to the buttons in front of her blouse and pulled apart the fabric, tracing his lips over the area he had just exposed.
"Oh," she murmured in familiar pleasure, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close to her for some much needed quality time.
Several hours later, Trunks was awakened from slumber by the insistent wailing of the twins in stereo. Marron was curled up against his side, fast asleep. He brushed a blonde strand away from her face and left to tend to the twins.
Both Starr and Trunks Jr. were flailing their tiny limbs in the air, demanding immediate attention. He soon discovered the reason for their discomfort and promptly changed their diapers. Afterwards, he sat in the rocking chair that Marron had used to put the babies to sleep and gently rocked back and forth. No matter how crazy the world got, whether it was business or some new wacko enemy, he could always count on coming home to his family. And then the world always seemed better.
He looked down at his son and daughter proudly as they stared back at him. The reality that he was now a father was beginning to sink in. There was nothing he wouldn't do for them and for Marron as well.
"I'm going to spoil you two rotten, you know."
The twins listened in rapt attention as if they understood every word he was saying to them.
"I know you don't understand me, but I promise that I will always be there for you, no matter what."
Starr reached up with a chubby hand and patted his face.
Trunks smiled at his daughter, his little Starr. She was aptly named for she shone brightly and held a special place in his heart, just as his son did. Now that he had a daughter of his own, Trunks realized just how easy it was to give in to her demands. It was no wonder that Bra could make Vegeta do almost anything. And if heredity played any part in determining personalities, Trunks Jr. was going to be quite a handful as well. Heaven help him. The old adage was true. What goes around comes around.
He decided to bring the babies back to his bedroom and placed them beside Marron. He climbed into the opposite side of the bed and stared thoughtfully at his family. For the first time in his life, he had everything he could ever want.
Marron stirred and opened her eyes to find that Trunks was watching her.
"Hi," she murmured sleepily.
"Hi," he replied softly.
"What are you thinking about?"
He leaned down to kiss Starr and Trunks Jr. and then kissed his wife deeply before answering her.
"That life is good. And I am a very lucky man."
THE END
Written by,
Babboo (veggies4utoo@yahoo.com)
11/26/01
Like I said, it was a lot of fun writing this fanfic. I'm just glad I got to finish it. My eternal gratitude goes out to all who took the time to read this and for your responses. Believe me, I couldn't have done it without all of you. On to the next fanfic!
Take care!
