Chapter Three: Closed Door
Trunks stepped cautiously into the Son household. It was a week after the incident'
and he was still fearful. He saw Gohan, sitting quietly, staring into the nearby
fireplace, which burned brightly.
"Gohan-san?" Trunks stood in the doorway, not sure if he should enter. Gohan didn't answer, but looked in his direction, then turned back.
"Umm, Gohan-san. I really think we should talk about this. Even if you don't care, you could at least do it for Pan's sake."
"And why do you care about that?"
Trunks frowned, and entered the room to sit across from Gohan. "I care because I love her. Don't you see that."
"No I don't. And I don't believe it's there for me to find."
"Well it is. Whether you look for it or not, it's there. I love her Gohan, and I can't change that. I only wish you could accept that. You fought to keep her from me; I'll never understand why you did that. But despite that, I still loved her, and I do now. That's why we did what we did. I can understand your anger over that but can't you at least be happy for your daughter?"
"How do I know you even give a damn about Pan. For all I know you just plan to keep her as your own little toy, and I don't doubt that you would! Prove to me that you care!"
"I ALREADY HAVE!" Trunks shouted, startling Gohan. "Call me crazy, but I thought the fact that I put my ass on the line nearly every night just to see her would be proof enough."
"Your ass? And what about Pan?"
"What about her? I was the one you were gonna kill! You proved that last week!"
"But you didn't stop to think of how Pan would be affected."
"Of course I thought about what might happen to her, but I gave her the chance to say no, the chance to go home and not come back, but she didn't! She chose to stay with me when she knew full well the consequences! We both took a risk, but it was one we were willing to take, and it turned out to be worth it! Now why don't you get off this self pitying protective father bullshit and let me marry her!"
Gohan's hand came hard across Trunks' face, sending him into the nearby wall. Gohan opened his mouth to speak but turned to leave instead.
"Coward." Trunks spat.
"Just go home Trunks"
Trunks closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry you still feel this way Gohan-san. You know I have the utmost respect for you, but my love for Pan overrides that. I didn't even have to come here. Everything is set at the church, and all the guests have arrived; only you are missing. Just know we still want you to be there."
Gohan watched with cold eyes as his future son-in-law left. He scoffed, then turned back to stare at the flickering flames once more.
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Pan stood in the doorway, gazing happily at the group of people gathered at the front of the room. She smiled as she looked them all over. Kuririn wore a navy blue suit, and next to him Vegeta stood in the dark blue saiyan unitard, along with white boots and gloves. Across from them, Videl stood in pale blue dress. Bulma and Bra stood in dresses which matched Videl's, save for the fact that Bra's dress was sleeveless, and exposed more of her near perfect body. Between them all Trunks stood wearing black three-piece suit. Pan couldn't help finding him stunningly handsome in his new attire.
"Are you ready?"
Pan spun around to face her uncle who was actually dressed up for once. Pan smiled, resting her head on Goten's chest. "You look great. I only wish dad were here to give me away" she whispered as music began to fill the next room. Slowly Pan took Goten's hand and walked into the room. She wore a beautiful wedding dress, which she, her mother, Bulma and Bra had chosen. A pale blue, almost white, veil covered her face. Everyone turned to watch her, smiles on their faces. Pan took the time to look at each and every one of them as she made her way to the front.
Juuhachi-gou sat with her daughter Marron and Master Roshi. Yamcha was there with Puar and Oolong. Mr. and Mrs. Briefs sat in front, and across from them Chichi sat crying with tears of joy, next to Mr. Satan, who was crying as well. Ubuu sat alone, as did Paris, Gotens longtime girlfriend. There were some people missing, those who had not been seen in some time, and those who had passed on, like Goku. Still, there was enough to fill Pan's heart with joy. She and her uncle reached the altar and he stepped aside, standing next to Vegeta. Pan smiled as she stood along Trunks and the priest began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of these two people. Marriage is a blessed thing, a bond never to be broken. Through these vows, these two shall forever be joined.
"Trunks, do you take Pan to have and to hold, love and cherish, honor and obey, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do you part?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. And do you Pan take Trunks to have and to hold, love and cherish, honor and obey, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Okay. Now then, the rings?"
Bra and Goten walked over, giving the rings to the couple, then stood back. Trunks slowly placed the ring on Pan's finger, followed by Pan placing one on his own.
"If no one objects to this marriage" Pan glanced nervously around the room. Had her father been there her concern would be on him, but he hadn't shown up despite Pan's hopes and prayers.
"I now pronounce you husband, and wife. You may kiss the bride."
The two kissed happily, as their friends all cheered in their honor. When the two finally parted everyone went outside to celebrate.
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Chichi, Bulma and Videl called everyone to the back of the church, where tables of food were laid out. Together they all quickly made their way through the feast.
When it was time to go Pan decided to stop by her house before meeting Trunks at the airport for their honeymoon. When she got home she found her father waiting for her.
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"Umm hi Dad. Were you waiting for me?" Gohan shook his head, still staring at the fire which had now dwindled down to the size of a burning match. Pan swallowed hard. "Well, I just wanted to see you before I left. We're going to America to see a few of the states, then to Paris. We should be back in a month or so." Gohan still didn't answer. Pan's mouth tightened. She had hoped to find some connection between the two. Less than a year ago she and her father had been inseparable, but now there was nothing. She nodded her head, despite the fact that he couldn't see her. "Okay then, I better go. I'll see you when I get back."
Pan left, closing the door to her father, the life she once knew, and every chance she had of ever getting it back.