Romancing the Wife

Part Two

Chi-Chi blinked in surprise at what Goku told her. Did he just say that he was going to take her out to dinner? Of course Vegeta is bringing Bulma and Krillin his wife, 18, and she rather have dinner with Goku alone instead of him with his friends, but she was going to take what she can get.

"What for?" Chi-Chi asked curiously.

"Because we want to."

Something didn't seem right. Goku, Vegeta and Krillin weren't the type of guys to just suddenly take their wives out. Well, maybe Krillin since he seems to do anything to please his wife, but not Goku and Vegeta. They were pure Saiyans, born fighters. What did fighters know about doing nice things for their wives?

Not much in Chi-Chi's opinion. Goku only did things for her because he had to, like marrying her and when she was pregnant with Gohan, she had to rest and Goku cooked and clean. She appreciated his help, but just once she wished he did something nice for her voluntarily. But she never expected that from Goku. He was so simple. Things like that didn't occur to him.

"I must admit that sounds nice. It would be nice to not cook for one night. I still have to cook something for Goten and Gohan."

"How about we give them some money and let them order in?" Goku suggested.

"That would be a good idea." Chi-Chi said. "Well, I'm heading for bed," Chi-Chi said putting her knitting needles and yarn in a small basket.  "Are you coming up?"

"Yeah, I'll be up in a minute. I'm just gonna get a little snack."

Chi-Chi nodded and headed upstairs. Goku still didn't have a clue what to give his wife and he now had five days to think of something.

****

Vegeta walked around West City one afternoon. He passed the shops with muted interest. If he was going to get something for his wife, he's going to have to pay for it. He frowned on that. On his home planet, he could take whatever he wanted without paying for it. He was a prince, but here on Earth, he was a normal person with the power to destroy the planet. Sometimes he's annoyed that he's mellowed, not as evil as he used to be. Still, he had it in him to make everyone fear him. He loved it when he shouted and everyone became silent and cowered in fear around him. Well, everyone but Goku and his sons. No matter how loud he shouted or how angry he got they never seem affected. Goku and Gohan would just stand there with their grin and let him vent, unaffected and Goten would just laugh, commenting how funny he looked when he was angry.

Normally, Vegeta wouldn't agree to such a thing—a bet to prove who can romance his wife the best. Stupid, emotional thing he thought. It wasn't fitting for a Saiyan Prince. He would've said no, but knowing the other two would get something for their wives, Bulma would feel left out and yell at him and probably won't allow him to touch her for a while.

So, where could a Saiyan Prince find money and fast without doing much work for it? Vegeta stopped walking and looked from the corner of his eye. The same pink-haired woman, who had been following him for the past ten blocks, stopped and looked around as if she was looking at something else. She was following him he knew. Vegeta resumed walking and went around the corner. The woman walked around the corner and looked stumped when she didn't see him.

"How did he disappear so fast?" the woman thought aloud.

"Looking for me?" Vegeta asked from behind.

The woman jumped, turned around and stepped back as she saw Vegeta staring at her. "You scared me."

"Who are you and why were you following me?" He asked angrily.

The woman looked scared. Vegeta enjoyed that. "I'm sorry for following you, but I mean no harm, like I can be any harm. I mean, look at you, all muscular and deadly and look at me, all skin and bones," she babbled and when Vegeta didn't react, the woman took out a card from her purse and handed it to him. "I'm Fugika—talent consultant for Playgal magazine and I think you would be perfect for it."

Vegeta looked at the card and then a Fugika. She was shorter than him with a fit figure who likes to show it off in tight outfits like his mate. "What's a Playgal magazine?"

"It's like Playguy but it's for woman."

"What's Playguy?"

Fugika couldn't believe it. A man like him doesn't know what Playguy is? Now she's seen everything. "Well, it's a magazine where men pose for a camera. I can tell you workout a lot and have a great body that millions of woman will drool over. You have that 'bad guy' look that lots of women like. I'm doing a series called, 'Hot Men of West City' and I think you can be on the cover. It also pays a lot."

"How much?" Vegeta asked.

"Well, it depends. We can start from 1,000 up to 5,000 zeni and higher if you do a full frontal," Fugika explained.

That would be enough money to buy Bulma a gift, but he had to make sure what exactly he was getting into. Being paid up to 5,000 zeni just for taking pictures sounded a bit suspicious.

"What kind of poses will I be doing?"

Fugika dug in her purse and pulled out a magazine and gave it to Vegeta. Vegeta thumbed through the pages. The men were naked and half naked. He closed the book and tossed it back to Fugika.

"I'll do it but I won't be naked."

Fugika beamed. "Yes! Thank you!"

"And I want ten thousand zeni and I want it in cash!" Vegeta ordered.

Fugika looked flabbergasted. "But, you won't be naked."

"So? You said yourself I will be on the cover of this magazine and you want me very bad because I am the best looking man in West City so why not?"

He was a good businessman she knew. She wouldn't have been following him if she didn't want him on the cover and willing to pay. "Fine, but you're not just going to be in jeans and shorts, mister. You're going to be in a couple of speedos."

Vegeta didn't know what speedos were, except for the fact it's clothing. "Whatever. As long as I'm dressed."

Vegeta followed Fugika back to the studio and took various seductive poses—topless in a pair of jeans on a motorcycle, in bed wearing a pair of black boxers, speedos, flexing his muscles as it was covered in oil to make his skin glisten, shower photos where steam hidden his most important parts. Vegeta didn't mind it much. He was confident about his body and the thought that millions of women will be ogling him made his ego grow.

It was nighttime when he was through shooting poses and got his money in cash. He left to go home and found an angry Bulma yelling at him about where he was. Vegeta just ignored her as she went on and on. She would be yelling now, but by Friday, she would be all over him.

Krillin who was returning home from winning his money to buy his wife a present from a few street fights, spotted Vegeta leaving a building.

"Where did Vegeta come from?" Krillin asked himself and walked to the front of the building. He walked inside and asked the receptionist what kind of building it was. When the receptionist told him, Krillin laughed out loud and left the building. If Vegeta did what Krillin thought he did, he was going to make sure that Vegeta know that Krillin knows his secret.

When Krillin returned home, 18 was waiting and was furious. "And just where were you?"

"I went to buy takeouts, see?" Krillin said holding Chinese takeout.

18 frowned and took the bags from him. Krillin made his way over to Master Roshi who was playing checkers with Marron. He gave his daughter a kiss on the head. "Why don't you help your Mom, Marron?"

"Okay, Daddy," he said cheerfully.

Once Marron was in the kitchen out of hearing distant, Roshi spoke. "So, did you get her gift yet?"

"No, but I got the money. I know what to get her. That's easy." He said and started laughing, thinking about what Vegeta did.

"What's so funny?"

Krillin stopped laughing. He knew he couldn't tell Roshi. "I'm just thinking about the gifts Goku and Vegeta are going to get their wives."

Roshi started laughing. "Yeah, what would a bunch of Saiyans know about romance? I can't wait to see Goku's gift."

"I'm sure Goku would get something nice for Chi-Chi. Vegeta is the gift I want to see."

The men started laughing when 18 approached them. "What's so funny?"

Krillin stopped laughing and rubbed the back of his head. "Funny? We're just talking and Roshi's joke was—"

"I don't want to hear it," 18 said disgusted, thinking it was a perverted joke from Master Roshi. "Your food is warmed up."

Krillin got his food and settled at the table. 18 sat beside him and Marron. "So, why are you taking us out to dinner?" 18 asked.

"We just want to treat you guys for a night out. I of course had to talk Vegeta and Goku into it," he said proudly. "I thought it was high time we did something nice for our wives."

"Are you up to something?" 18 asked suspiciously.

Krillin nearly chocked on his food. He spoke a little to nervous. "Up to something? Why would you think that?"

Although 18 doesn't hang around Goku or Vegeta, something about this dinner didn't sound right. "Call it woman's intuition."

Krillin put on a winning smile. "Well, it's wrong this time, 18. It's just dinner."

18 ate her food and just watched her husband. 'He's putting on that smile and he sounds nervous. Now I know he's up to something, but what?'

****

Goku sat outside under a tree in front of his house, watching the sunset, another day has gone by and he still didn't know what to get Chi-Chi. He figured Vegeta and Krillin will get their wives great gifts and he...nothing and Chi-Chi will scream at him or something.

"Hey, Dad," Gohan said as he approached his father.

"Hi, Gohan."

"Listen, Dad, I'm sorry about what I said the other day. I was just tired with Krillin's teasing that I lost it and I didn't mean what I said."

"It's all right, son. I forgive you."

"So, Krillin told me about the dinner you guys are having Friday. Have you got Mom's gift yet?"

Goku shook his head. "No, I haven't. I'm not sure what to give her."

"Just give from the heart, Dad. I think Mom will be pleased with what you get her as long as it comes from you heart," Gohan advised.

Goten came bouncing out of the house cheerfully. He jumped in his father's lap. "Dinner's ready."

Goku laughed, standing up and putting Goten on his shoulders as he and his other son head back in the house. Chi-Chi smiled seeing her youngest child laughed happily as he entered the house on his father's shoulders.

"Are you boys ready to eat?" Chi-Chi asked cheerfully.

"Yeah!" Goten said.

Goku sat Goten down in his seat, Gohan sat down in his and Goku sat besides his eldest son leaving an empty space for his wife. Chi-Chi laid the rest of the meal on the table and fixed their plates. Goku watched as Chi-Chi does this. She fixed their plates first and her plate last before the family ate. Goten mentions how he wants some water and Chi-Chi would get up from her seat and get a pitcher from the refrigerator and our her youngest son his water. Before Chi-Chi could continue eating Gohan would ask for a second helping of dinner that were on the stove and Chi-Chi would rise from the seat and get it.

"Momma, can I have some more rice?" Goten asked.

"Hey, Goten. How about getting the rice yourself and let your mom eat?" Goku suggested.

Chi-Chi blinked and looked at Goku wondering what made him say that.

"'Kay," Goten said and got the rice on the table and pour it on his plate. He resumed eating not noticing the looks of his parent as they look at each other.

Goku just smiled and kissed Chi-Chi on the cheek and resumed eating. Now Gohan was looking at them oddly. He and his mother shared a look and went to finish dinner.

After dinner, Chi-Chi would clear the table to get started on the dishes. Goku helped her much to her surprise. Goten bounded in front of the television to search for some cartoons.

"Hey, Mom, could you start the outside bath for me later?" Gohan asked.

Goku looked at his eldest son. "Hey, Gohan, since your Mom and I are going to do the dishes, why don't you start your bath? You've seen your Mom do it enough times right?"

"Uh, sure, Dad," Gohan said and went outside to start his bath.

Goku started loading the dishes in the sink until he felt an eye on him. He looked at Chi-Chi was looking at him oddly. "Chi-Chi?"

Chi-Chi felt his forehead. "Are you sick? Goku, what's wrong? Tell me what's wrong?" She begged worriedly.

"Nothing's wrong, Chi-Chi. I just think Gohan should make his own bath. He is an adult now and Goten's old enough to get his own extras," Goku explained.

Together, they washed dishes. Goku could feel that Chi-Chi was still tense and worried so he tried to ease her up by picking up the soap from the dishwater and blowing it at her. Chi-Chi would laugh and smack it away and Goku would tickle her to make her laugh some more.

'She does so much and ask for so little in return. I have to find her the perfect present.' Goku thought as they finished the dishes.

After everyone went to sleep, Goku and Chi-Chi decided to prepare for bed as well. Once the couple settled in bed, Chi-Chi was changing into her nightgown. Goku had stripped to his boxers and was already in bed, waiting for her. Chi-Chi got in bed and looked at her husband worriedly.

"Goku, now that we are alone, you can be honest with me? What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you're being helpful and telling the boys to do things on their own. The last time you did that was with Cell. You're not going to kill yourself again, are you, Goku?"

Goku was taken back. "No, I don't plan on killing myself ever again."

"Well, then why are you acting this way?" Chi-Chi asked curiously.

Goku wasn't sure on how to put that in words so he gave Chi-Chi a kiss. "Thank you."

Chi-Chi looked confused. "For what?"

"For everything," Goku said and saw the worried look on his wife's face. "What's wrong?"

"You're scaring me, Goku. Last time you talked like this, you died. I actual believed you would come back and then you didn't."

Goku took hold of her shoulders seriously. "I'm not gonna die, Chi-Chi. There isn't even a fight so don't worry."

"Your heart isn't attacking up is it?" Chi-Chi asked holding back tears. "I get uncomfortable when you do things you're not suppose to do like telling Gohan to study, when you should say, 'Hey, Gohan, let's train.' Or telling Goten to get his own food."

Goku hugged Chi-Chi. "It's okay. Don't cry. I'm fine. My heart is fine. I'm in good health. I think that you've become so accustomed to my habits that when I do something you don't think is normal, you panic."

Chi-Chi laughed in his chest. "I am your wife. I'm supposed to know you."

"I'm fine. I just wanted to help you out that's all."

"That's all?"

"That's all," Goku assured her with a kiss. 'I have three days left and I still don't know what to get her. What am I going to do?'

To Be Concluded

Bec126: Thank you.

Star: Thank you.

LN: Yep. Love the 'Cosby Show' and thanks for the review. Hopefully, ff will let me review soon.

Kristina: He may not be the best husband, but all his intentions were good. That should score some points, right?

Juunanagou4ever: Goku's gift was the toughest for me! That was what was holding this story back. I couldn't figure out what he would get Chi-Chi until I finally got inspiration.

Polka Dot: I am, but the story is really going to center Goku and Chi-Chi.

GD: No offense taken. I thought it was obvious. I think in this chapter Chi-Chi was thinking 'WTF' a lot. Chi-Chi will be surprise at the gift all right.

Catnip: Obviously, you didn't see that episode of the "Cosby Show". I think they were in their right minds. I also think you're missing the bigger picture—it's just a story. Also, why wouldn't a guy in his right mind do something like this, especially if it guarantees them a little action later on? And even if a guy who wasn't in his right mind did this, so what? There are lots of things some men and women do when they are not in their right minds, like cheat, steal, etc. You're not making any sense. How did I go about it wrong? It's basically a competition among the men, like some men will say they have the best wife or girlfriend because they did this or that. Maybe if you finish reading the story, you'll have a better opinion or maybe not. I'm sorry, but you need to explain yourself if you're going to give constructive criticism. If you like, we can continue this privately in email.