His Special Gift

Part Three: A Reason for Living

Gohan sat on the bed with his mother. He looked at her concern. "Mom, what's wrong? Did the doctor tell you?"

"Yes. Nothing's wrong, Gohan. It's just that I'm pregnant."

Gohan looked stunned for a moment and then his face lit up into a brilliant smile. "You're pregnant? Mom, that's great!"

Chi-Chi smiled a genuine smile. "Yes, it is."

"Boy, will Krillin and Bulma be excited to here this."

Chi-Chi suddenly frowned. "Krillin and Bulma are here?"

"Yeah. Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just that I don't want their sympathy. I know they are going to give me looks of pity because Goku isn't here. Krillin may say something without even thinking."

"Aw, no they won't, Mom. They'll be happy for you. Come on. Let's go tell them."

Chi-Chi sighed knowing what will happen despite Gohan's cheerful optimism. He was so much like his father at times. She allowed Gohan to lead her out of the room to the emergency waiting room. She hadn't spoken or seen any of them since Goku's funeral and had no plans to see them. She just wanted to be left alone.

Krillin and Bulma stood when the two entered the room. "Well?" Bulma asked cautiously.

"I'm pregnant," Chi-Chi said simply.

There was a moment of silence as the two took the news in and then smiles. Bulma hugged Chi-Chi. "Oh, congratulations! That's wonderful news."

"It sure is. It's a shame Goku's not here," Krillin said and suddenly clamped his mouth.

"Krillin!" Bulma yelled and bopped him on the head. "Can't you think before you speak?!"

"Oh, sorry," Krillin apologized. "I want you to know that if you need anything, I'm here for you."

Chi-Chi felt sorry for being angry and slapping Krillin six weeks ago. Of all of Goku's friends, she thought he was the only one who was actually a good influence on Gohan and he was the only one she liked. He looked out for Goku when they were little boys, training on Master Roshi's island and looked after Gohan when they went to Namek. "Thank you, Krillin. I'm sure you didn't mean anything about it. Come on, Gohan. Let's go home." Chi-Chi told her son.

"We'll see you later," Gohan said as he and his mother left the room.

"I told you so," Chi-Chi said outside the hospital.

"I don't think he meant anything about that, Mom."

"Yeah, I know," she said dryly. "Forget it. I have other things to be concerned about." She looked down at her son and rubbed a hand through his hair the way his father used to. "Now, I think you were going to cook dinner? I'm famish."

Gohan smiled and nodded rapidly. "I'll fix you the best meal, Mom!"

****

Bulma went to check on Trunks once she got home. She found her son sleeping soundly. She left the room and saw Vegeta standing outside with his arms crossed and looking straight ahead.

"So, what's wrong with Kakarot's wife?"

It surprised her that Vegeta had given a thought to it. He was in the room with her when she got the call from Gohan and his snide comment that Gohan couldn't do anything right claiming he let his mother get sick told her he didn't care.

"Chi-Chi's pregnant." She watched his face for an expression but didn't find any. "It's a shame really--losing her husband so violently and now learning she was pregnant. Goku was a great Dad and I feel sorry on what this new kid will miss out on." She looked at Vegeta wondering if he would say something but he didn't. "I'm going to check on Chi-Chi more from now on. I know what it's like to handle a pregnancy alone."

Vegeta still refused to say anything. His eyes were focused on the wall ahead. It still amazed her how Vegeta could hide his thoughts from her like that.

"I'm going to get something to eat and then I'm going to bed."

Vegeta stood there in his thoughts. Something wasn't right. 'Kakarot knew he wasn't stronger than Cell, but knew his son was. That was why he took things easy, but his wife…did he intentionally get her pregnant?' He thought about what Trunks had told him on the Lookout where Goku refused to come back. "That Kakarot truly is an idiot."

Krillin entered Master Roshi's house. Yamcha and Puar were there with Master Roshi and Oolong as they ate the takeout. Krillin got him some of the takeout and sat with the guys.

"So, what's wrong with Chi-Chi?" Yamcha asked.

"She's pregnant," Krillin said eating an egg roll.

"Pregnant?" Yamcha was surprised as were everything else. "I wonder how she reacted to that."

"Whatever her feelings were, she was hiding it. I think she wanted to get out of there. She's still not comfortable with us."

"Well, I think we should check on her anyway. She's going to need some help. As Goku's friends, we should check on his wife and son," Yamcha explained.

Krillin was surprised with Yamcha's words. Before the incident with the Androids, Yamcha would complain about Chi-Chi's nagging behavior over Goku and Gohan, especially Gohan, but ever since Goku got sick, Yamcha was very different. He was very nice to her when she stayed at Master Roshi's house while Goku and Gohan trained in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and when Goku went off to find the dragon balls, giving Chi-Chi compliments on her cooking and acting on his best behavior. He was very sympathetic to her when Goku died and often thought he and the others should check on her. He was easily voted down on that. It was probably the guilt he had felt like everyone else did when Goku nobly sacrifice himself for the planet Krillin figured.

Still, it was odd to Krillin that Yamcha would be so concern over Chi-Chi. Krillin knew Goku did what was best for everyone. 'You're overdrinking things, Krillin. Yamcha didn't mean anything. He's just concern about Goku's wife. Chi-Chi was very important to Goku. She was his wife and to honor my best friend, I'm going to make sure his family is taken care of.'

"Let's wait a few days before doing anything. I think Chi-Chi and Gohan need this time alone for now," Krillin explained. "I wonder what Goku would've thought to know Chi-Chi's pregnant."

"Who's to say he didn't know all along?" Master Roshi asked as he finished up his carton of food.

"What are you talking about, old man?" Oolong asked.

"Look, we all know Goku wasn't stronger than Cell. He was acting stranger than usual. He refused to train and spent the nine days kicking back. When I use to train Goku, he would train right until the day of his fights. Goku already knew Gohan was stronger than him in the Time Chamber. What I can guess, Goku was expecting to die."

"How can Goku expect to die and leave his wife pregnant?" Yamcha asked irritated.

"You're missing the point, Yamcha. Don't you remember what he told you on the Lookout? Goku felt he was a threat to the Earth since anyone coming to the Earth were after him, so he was probably expecting to die on the battlefield for the Earth's safety. It's possible he left Chi-Chi pregnant so she would have something to remember him by once he leaves."

The group sat there thinking for a moment. It did make some sense. "You know what I think," Oolong began. "You've been watching too many soap operas."

Master Roshi bopped Oolong on the head, making a large bump. "I know what I'm talking about!"

Yamcha shook his head. "It doesn't make sense. Even if it was a noble idea, how could he intentionally leave his wife pregnant? A real man wouldn't do that."

"Who are you to judge if Goku is a real man or not? He kept the same woman for twelve years. You can't keep a woman for two weeks. You lost your last girl to Vegeta and you see how rude and obnoxious he is," Oolong pointed out.

Yamcha began chasing Oolong around, calling him names, threatening to cook him over a grill once he catch him. Krillin shook his head at the men. 'Man, I've got to get a girl and get out of here.'

****

Chi-Chi looked out her window that night; her hand was placed on her still flat stomach. Pregnant. She couldn't believe it. She knew when it happened. The night before the Cell games. It was just her and Goku in the house. She blushed thinking about it. He probably knew what his intentions were the moment Chi-Chi stepped in the bathroom, arguing about him getting the floor all wet. He just put on his easy smile and told her not to get mad and invited her to join him in the bath. She had no idea what he was intending to do until it happened.

Chi-Chi knew she was turning even redder in the face thinking about all that happened in the bath. She told him not to go Super Saiyan, a lot of good that did. It could've been then that their child was conceived. "That's one secret I'm taking to my grave."

She thought about Gohan and how happy and excited he was about being a big brother. He talked about all the things he wanted to do with his new sibling. Sadly, he did mention about wanting his father to be there to share in the moment and wished it happened while he was alive. Chi-Chi had wanted that, too. There were plans to expand the family before the Saiyans, but Goku died and once he got back from Yardrat, Chi-Chi thought they could get their lives back on track. However, with the threat of Androids looming, Goku had to concentrate on his training. Chi-Chi wasn't happy about that though she understood. Goku promised her once the Androids were taking care of, they would start on expanding the family. With Cell, Chi-Chi wasn't sure anymore about having more kids, but during the last days before the Cell Games he made her believe it was possible for them to have their life back, to continue their family like they had planned.

"I'm sorry," she apologized to the child in her. "I'm sorry for not taking care of myself, for not taking care of you, the last gift from your father. I was so lost and emotionally distraught from losing your father that I haven't been taking care of myself. I could've lost you." A determine looked cross her face. "I won't lose you. I've already lost your father. I'm going to take care of myself and I'm going to take care of you."

****

Starting immediately, Chi-Chi went back to eating more healthy and often, gaining her weight back. She even started to smile more and was becoming more like herself. Bulma had came by often to talk to her.

Chi-Chi thought it was odd Bulma would talk to her but she welcomed the company. Sometimes when Bulma came over, she would bring Trunks and Gohan would play with him while the women talked or Chi-Chi would give Bulma tips on raising a half Saiyan baby. She considered herself a pro since she raised Gohan. Today, Gohan had gone off to see Piccolo and Chi-Chi was lonely.

"Chi-Chi, you need some new clothes."

Chi-Chi looked at her dress. It was a simple green maternity dress that was long, nothing like Bulma would wear but Chi-Chi liked it. She knew Bulma would still wear revealing clothes even when pregnant. "I don't see anything wrong with what I'm wearing."

"It's so old fashion. Were you wearing that when you were pregnant with Gohan?"

"Yes. It's still fits and the fabric is a lot stronger than the some of today's clothes."

"Maybe," Bulma reluctantly agreed, "but you need a new wardrobe. Let me take you shopping. You don't have to worry about money. I'll cover it."

"No thanks. I have some money."

"No, let me do it as a treat to you. I have plenty of money going to waste at Capsule Corp. You need that money for your family. Call what I'm doing as a gift. You can even get some clothes for Gohan and the new baby."

Chi-Chi placed a hand on a round abdomen, feeling the child kick. The baby started kicking a month ago and Chi-Chi was ecstatic. It happened in the middle of the night while Chi-Chi was trying to sleep. Chi-Chi quickly awaken Gohan to feel his new brother or sister.

"I think the kid wants you to go."

Chi-Chi rubbed her hand softly on her stomach. "Somehow, I think this baby is going to be a lot like Goku."

"How do you know?"

"A strange feeling. Whenever I may feel sad, the baby would kick as if trying to cheer me up. Whenever I was sad or cry, Goku would hold me and rubbed my back soothingly until I wasn't feeling bad anymore."

"That had to have been often," Bulma thought aloud.

"Yeah, it was. Ever since Goku's death, I felt I lost a part of myself, but this new child…I feel like a part of me has been revived, that I have a new reason for living."

"I'm glad you're not depressed anymore, Chi-Chi, so let's celebrate by shopping and having a baby. Goku would want you to be happy."

Chi-Chi smiled knowing she was right. "Let me get my purse."

****

"I don't see how I let you talk me into this dress." Chi-Chi said to Bulma once they left a clothing store.

"That dress looks great on you, Chi-Chi." Bulma unlocked the door and helped Chi-Chi put the clothes in the car.

"It does but it's kind of voluptuous, don't you think?" Chi-Chi asked looking down at the outfit. She was wearing a floral print maternity dress that tastefully displayed her growing belly and the rest of her womanly figure nicely.

"What's wrong with being sexy and pregnant? Besides, it shows off your legs and you're getting some stares. I wouldn't call it short either. It's not like it's a mini dress," Bulma said. "You're in great shape, pregnant or not. I don't see why you don't wear dresses that shows off how in good shape you are."

"That's not how I am, Bulma. A woman doesn't need to wear short, revealing clothes to get a man's attention."

"What about Goku? Didn't he like it when she showed a little more skin around the house?"

"If he didn't, he's the craziest man on Earth."

Both Bulma and Chi-Chi turned to see Yamcha. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a mall, Bulma," Yamcha said flatly. He looked Chi-Chi over. "You look real pretty, Chi-Chi."

Though she still had a grudge with him about what happened to her husband, she chose to remain polite. Distant, yet polite. "Thank you, Yamcha."

"I never seen you in anything so feminine," Yamcha said. He saw the glares Bulma and Chi-Chi gave him. "I don't mean like that. I mean, you keep yourself in constricted clothing that you don't show off your, I, uh, I mean, you look really nice," Yamcha babbled, trying to get on Chi-Chi's good side.

"You see, Chi-Chi. You even got Yamcha drooling over you," Bulma said and a sneaky smile crept her face. "I wonder what Goku would think about you lusting after his wife. I know Goku's naïve, but he's still a guy."

"It's not like that!" Yamcha screamed. "I don't lust after, Chi-Chi! I was just trying to give her a compliment!"

"Calm down, Yamcha. I was only kidding," Bulma said and saw that Yamcha really looked panicked. He was even blushing. It reminded her when they were dating and he was caught looking at another girl. 'No. He couldn't be.'

To Be Continued

Part Four: A Father's Secret Revealed

Gogi: Thanks.

Lady Athena: Oops. I made a mistake. I meant in this chapter not the last one.