Chapter thirteen: Epilogue
"There's nothing we can do for him anymore" the doctor said, shaking his head. "He probably won't make it through the night"
Bra heaved a sob and hugged her brother tightly. Trunks, 32, held his 23 year old sister close for a minute, then left her side and approached his father's room.
"dad?" he whispered when he reached Vegeta's bed side. Bra closed the door to Vegeta's room, deciding to leave Trunks to talk to their father alone. She came out into the den in time to See Trunks' wife let herself in the front door.
"Hello, Washu" Bra sniffed, wrapping her arms around herself. Washu brushed a strand of pink hair out of her face.
"Bra, how is Vegeta?" Washu asked carefully, putting an arm around her sister-in-law's shoulder.
"The doctor says all we can do is wait for him to die" Bra said softly, putting her hand to her mouth, trying not to cry aloud.
"Oh no…" Washu whispered, hugging the younger woman close.
"I've never had a father…in all my 28 years I've never had one…I can't imagine what you must be going through" Washu said, stroking Bra's hair.
"—I—I want Goten---can you get me Goten?" Bra whispered. Washu nodded.
"Of course. I'll call him right now" A few minutes later, Goten opened the door and wrapped his girlfriend up in his arms. Washu quickly wiped a stray tear away, and opened Vegeta's bedroom door quietly. She saw her husband kneeling next to the bed, talking to his father.
"Dad," she heard him say, "I know I was nothing but a burden to you and mama for a long time-"
"Son, you were not a burden…we just weren't ready to have a brat, that's all" Vegeta said raspily. He coughed pitifully. "stupid heart"
Trunks smiled through his tears and hugged his father.
"I love you papa" Vegeta turned his head to him.
"I love ya too, brat"
Washu silently approached the two men and put her arms around trunks from behind. Trunks noticed her long hair and realized who it was. He clutched her hands lovingly. Washu got the approval of her husband, and knelt next to vegeta's death bed.
"Vegeta, you are the closest thing to a father I have ever had. You are quite the pain in the ass-"
Vegeta smirked.
"But I still love you" Washu finished, kissing his cheek. Vegeta eyed the pink haired woman.
"You better be good to my son, or I'll come after you in your worst possible nightmares and I'll---"
"Ok dad that's enough" Trunks laughed, putting his arms around washu.
"I'm going to go get bra. Don't die on me now, ok?" Trunks joked sadly, a tear falling out of the corner of his eye. Washu wrapped her arm around his waist and they walked out. Seconds later, Bra walked in, Goten following closely.
"Daddy" Bra whispered, seeing vegeta looking up at her.
"Daddy---you can't leave us yet!" Bra cried, kneeling down and hugging her father's hand to her cheek. Vegeta cupped her face and wiped her tears away.
"Princess, I love you very much" Vegeta started. "And if your heart is set on Kakarotto's brat, then I approve of him" he finished, looking at Goten. "and if you hurt her---"
"No I won't sir! Thank you sir!" Goten said nervously, stepping forward and shaking Vegeta's outstretched hand. Vegeta grasped Goten's hand as tightly as he could in his weak state. Bra sobbed in her throat and wiped her eyes. Vegeta let go of Goten's hand and gently stroked his daughter's long turquoise locks.
"I want you to be happy" Vegeta said sincerely. Bra held his hand and cried.
"Spawn of Kakoratto, go get my kid and his mate" Vegeta ordered.
"Yes sir" Goten ran out, and brought Trunks and Washu in. All four of them gathered around Vegeta's bed as he started to breath deeply and slowly. Bra buried her face in Goten's chest, crying loudly. Trunks held Vegeta's hand in both of his and leaned on it, watching is father for any signs of discomfort. Washu let her tears fall silently as she stroked Vegeta's hair, praying silently.
"Bulma" Vegeta rasped suddenly. All the young adults looked at him expectantly.
**
A white light had taken over Vegeta's area of vision. Vegeta looked deeper, seeing an even brighter ray advancing towards him.
"Bulma….my love….i'm coming…." He whispered, then took his last weary breath.
The room was cold and silent.
"DADDY!" Bra howled, jumping out of Goten's arms and laying over Vegeta's unmoving chest, shoulders heaving heavily. Trunks squeezed Vegeta's hand to his face, and let the tears begin to fall. Washu bowed her head and signed the cross over herself, then took Trunks in her arms and rocked him gently. Goten pulled Bra off her father slowly, holding her tightly as she cried. Yet all their tears were bitter sweet, for they remembered Vegeta's final words.
Bulma…my love….i'm coming…..
*~ She's gone to heaven
so I've got to be good
so I can see my baby
when I leave this world~*
-Pearl Jam
The End
Washu the Goddess, December 7th, 2001
Author's ending notes:
This has, by far, been the saddest story I have ever written. Also, statistically, my most popular.
I got so many comments on how much the story was enjoyed, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you. This mainly goes for those "Too lazy to sign in" because I make my best effort to acknowledge everyone who signs in or leaves email.
I also received many pleads to bring Bulma back. yes, it would have been simple just to get the dragonballs, but it just wasn't working for me. I wanted the ending to be bittersweet. I wanted you to grieve for veggie-chan, but also be happy that he will be with his precious bulma once more.
"Speaking of, Vegeta may have seemed OOC, but I hope you can get past that minor issue and still enjoy this story.
So tell me. Did I do good? ^^ I loved having you! That's the end! Thanks for reading!
-Washu the Goddess
