Unexpected Love

Part Twenty-Four

Trunks and Goten flew in sky with Gogeta riding alongside them on Nimbus. All three of them were going to the movies to see a flick Gogeta wanted to see. Trunks checked his pocket to feel for the money because he usually paid since his family had money and Gogeta and Goten's family weren't wealthy.

He felt for his wallet. 'Hold on. I thought I had it with me when I left.' He stopped in midair and so did Goten and Gogeta. "Wait a second, guys."

"What's up, Trunks?" Goten asked.

"We're gonna have to stop by my house first. I left my wallet there. I thought I had it on me but I must have forgotten it."

Goten flew closer to Trunks to talk to him so Gogeta wouldn't hear. "Trunks, isn't your Mom home?"

"She is, but she's in her lab. She usually doesn't come out for hours. Besides, she's been busy showing her assistant the ropes. She comments that I'm more like my Dad in fighting and doesn't seem to be interested in science and making things like her, so she's training someone else."

"Okay. Let's go to Trunks' house, Gogeta," Goten said.

The three boys flew to Trunks house and landed. "I'll be right back," Trunks said running in the house.

Goten and Gogeta stayed outside waiting for Trunks. Mrs. Briefs pulled up in her car. She came out trying to carry all the loads of bags with her. She dropped one and picked it up and when she did that, another bag slipped out of her hands. Goten walked over to Mrs. Briefs to give her a hand.

"Let me help you with that," Goten said taking some of the bags.

"Oh, thank you, Goten. That's so sweet of you," Mrs. Briefs said walking into the house.

"Gogeta, stay out here until Trunks and I get back," Goten told his little brother.

"Okay!" Gogeta said cheerfully.

Trunks raced to his room and looked for his wallet. He found it on top of his chest. 'How did I forget that?' He left the room and head out when he saw his grandpa stepping out of the menagerie.

"Hi Grandpa. Bye, Grandpa," Trunks said in a rush.

"Trunks, wait. You're the young man I wanted to see."

Trunks looked back at his grandpa. "I'm kind of in a rush."

"It won't take long. I need your help in here. One of my dinosaurs is giving birth and I want you assistance."

Trunks rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know. I mean, I'm suppose to meet Goten and Gogeta outside. We're going to the movies. Whoa!" Trunks yelled as his grandfather pulled him in the room.

"Oh, it won't take long," he said cheerfully pulling his grandson into the room.

'Oh, man,' Trunks groaned.

Mrs. Briefs opened the door to her bedroom and Goten walked in carrying all her bags. 'Boy, all this shopping and she didn't buy any food. How can someone go shopping and not get food?' Goten wondered. He sat the bags on the floor. "Here you go."

"Goten, wait. You're a young man. Why don't you help me decide which dress would look lovely on me? My husband and I are going out to dinner tonight."

Goten rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, I don't know about this stuff. I'm only thirteen."

"Thirteen? Oh, well you're a good age to know about what looks good on a woman. Now you stay right here and I'll be back with a new outfit."

Goten watched Mrs. Briefs walk into her bathroom to change. He sat in a chair and frowned. "Oh, man. I hope Trunks is out there with Gogeta. I'm gonna be here a while."

Bulma stepped out of her lab and stretched. She was tired for the day as she worked with her assistant, Ami. Ami was already a young bright, scientist working for Bulma's father when Bulma decided to take the young woman under her wing. Ami was almost as ingenious as Bulma with inventions and gadgets. She met all of Bulma's family including Vegeta and Trunks. Vegeta greeted Ami with a cold stare but everyone else welcomed her warmly. The two chatted as they entered the kitchen and pulled two sodas out of the refrigerator and handed one to Ami while she drunk one herself.

"That's all for today. Why don't you go home and relax?" Bulma suggested. "We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Aside from the other days," Ami joked.

"Being the daughter of the world's smartest man isn't always easy and fun. Why don't you take up my suggestion of moving in here? That way you won't have to make that long commute home and I'll enjoy the company. I have plenty of room here."

"What about your husband?" Ami asked.

Bulma thought about Vegeta. Over the past five years, she and Vegeta had gotten closer. He even moved back to the bedroom he and Bulma shared before this whole ordeal began. He was allowing her to sleep close to him and even shared intimate kisses with him every now and then, but they haven't been together intimately yet. It was going to happen soon Bulma knew but she didn't know when exactly.

"Vegeta's not much of a talker and besides you've seen him. I can't have women conversations with him."

Ami laughed. "You're right about that." She glanced out the window and did another take as she saw Gogeta happily sitting on Nimbus. This startled the young woman. "Bulma, there's a child outside and he's on a floating cloud."

'Child? Floating cloud?' Bulma quickly looked to the window and saw Gogeta sitting on Nimbus alone. 'I don't believe it. It's him.'

"How can a child sit on a floating cloud? Do you know him?"

"Yes, and no. It'll take too long to explain now and you have a long commute home. Why don't you go home, Ami? I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Sure," Ami said leaving. "And I'll think about what you said."

Bulma stepped outside walked to the little boy. He looked so much like Goku and Vegeta when they were fused. Gogeta saw her and just smiled and waved.

"Hi!" He said cheerfully, having never met her before.

"Gogeta," Bulma whispered as she approached him.

Gogeta furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Yeah, that's me. Who are you? How do you know my name?"

"I'm Bulma--Trunks' mother."

Gogeta frowned. "Trunks never mentioned he had a mommy. Do you live here?"

"Yes."

"So, you must be Vegeta's wife then since Trunks is his Dad."

"Yes, I am." She laughed at Gogeta's innocence. "Are you hungry? Would you like to come in?"

"A little. Me and Goten and Trunks are suppose to go the movies but Trunks forgot something and Goten went in the house with Mrs. Briefs because she had a lot of bags."

"It's Goten, Trunks and I. I'm sure your mother would want you to speak properly," Bulma corrected the little boy. She held her hand out. He hopped off the cloud and took her hand. "Come on. I'll get you something to eat." Gogeta followed Bulma into the house and kitchen. Gogeta sat in a chair while Bulma made some sandwiches for the little boy and cut a few slices of her mother cakes she bought at the bakery and poured a large glass of milk which Bulma had to be refilled time to time because of the little boy's large stomach. Gogeta ate the food quickly.

"Do you like it?"

Gogeta nodded. "Mm-hmm," he said while eating. He swallowed his food. "How come you never come by my house? Vegeta and Trunks do sometimes."

"I'm a very busy woman. I don't have time to get out much like Vegeta and Trunks," Bulma answered solemnly. 'Besides, your parents hate me for what I did to you.' She smiled to change the subject. "So, do you get along with Vegeta and Trunks well?"

Gogeta nodded again. "Trunks is fun to play with. He's a bit bossy and thinks he's stronger than me. I just started training by my Daddy and even Vegeta is giving me some lessons. Daddy says Vegeta acts tough but he's a really nice guy and a softy. Vegeta heard him and started fighting my Daddy. He lost though. Nobody can beat my Daddy," he said proudly.

Gogeta put another piece of cake in his mouth and swallowed some more milk. "My brother Gohan is gonna get married soon to Videl. Are you gonna come to the wedding?"

'Gohan's engaged?' Bulma thought surprised. She smiled wistfully. 'I wonder how he's doing. I wonder how his whole family's doing.' "Um, I don't know. We'll see." Bulma took the empty dishes and carried them to the sink. "I think you should go outside and wait for your brothers--er, um, your brother and Trunks."

"Okay," Gogeta said and hopped off his chair.

"Don't tell them you met me," Bulma called out.

Gogeta stopped at the door and frowned. "Why?"

Bulma turned back nervously. "Well, um, you three are going to the movies. I may have spoiled your appetite by feeding you so don't tell them you saw me."

Gogeta didn't understand. "Oh…kay. Bye, Bulma. Hope to see you again soon," Gogeta said and ran out.

Bulma waved goodbye and bit her lip to stop herself from crying. "I hope so, too."

****

Goten and Trunks came back outside as soon as they could get away from Dr. and Mrs. Briefs and found Gogeta outside on the cloud. The little boy kept his promise and didn't tell his brothers about meeting Bulma. However, Gogeta thought as his mother tucked him in for the night, he didn't see the harm in telling his mother. After all, Bulma told him not to tell Goten and Trunks, not his mother.

"Mommy, guess what?" Gogeta whispered.

Chi-Chi leaned closer to her son. "What?"

"I saw Trunks' Momma today."

Chi-Chi's whole body tensed and all color left her face. She pulled back. "You…did what?"

"I saw Trunks' Mom," Gogeta answered.

"You did? What did you do?"

"She fed me sandwiches and cakes and we talked some. She told me not to tell Trunks and Goten about it because they were taking me to the movies and I had to eat there. I don't know why she said that."

Chi-Chi hid the panic in her voice though her heart was beating twice as fast. "What else did you talk about?"

"Nothin' much. I told her about Gohan's wedding and ask if she was coming. Is she, Momma? She seems nice."

"Um, sweetie," Chi-Chi began. "I don't know. What did Bulma tell you?"

"She said she might be busy. She works a lot. Can't she take a break, Momma?" Gogeta asked.

"Well, she might," Chi-Chi said still pretending to be calm. "You'll just have to wait and see." She tucked him in his bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Good night, son."

"Night, Mommy," Gogeta said and snuggled in the covers.

Chi-Chi turned the light out and left the room. She marched downstairs where Goten was with Goku arm wrestling. "Goten, how can you let Gogeta meet Bulma?! I thought you were going to the movies!" She clamped a hand over her mouth hoping her youngest son didn't hear her.

"What?" Goku said surprised.

Goten blinked confused. "Gogeta didn't meet Bulma."

"He just told me he did but Bulma made him not tell you and Trunks. What were you doing at Trunks' house, knowing Bulma was there?" Chi-Chi nearly screamed but didn't because Gogeta was trying to sleep.

"Trunks forgot his money and we had to stop at his home. Mrs. Briefs came home with bags of clothes and I offered to help bring her in. I only meant to leave Gogeta alone for a minute, but Mrs. Briefs kept talking to me and wanted my opinion on the clothes she bought. When I finally got away from her Trunks was leaving the house, too. His grandpa had him busy with something, too."

Chi-Chi and sunk into a chair in astonishment of the news that just came to light. "Gogeta's wondering if Bulma is coming to Gohan's wedding."

"Is she?" Goten asked.

"No," Chi-Chi said quickly. "Why ruin Gohan's happiest day by inviting her?"

****

Chi-Chi sat with Videl at her kitchen table drinking coffee and looking through wedding magazines. The wedding was well on it's way now. With his work as a scholar and Videl's money from her father, Gohan and Videl were able to afford a large capsule home for themselves to live in when they marry. They also expend some of their fortune on Gohan's parents to improve the size of their house and give them more modern conveniences such as a dryer and washer though Chi-Chi still sometimes opt to clean by hand and dry by air.

"This will be a lovely dress for you to wear, Videl," Chi-Chi commented seeing a picture of the dress Videl has picked out.

"My Dad's has some famous designer making my dress. He's really going out for this wedding with all the caterers, bride maids' dresses, and all the other arrangements. I've gotten him to not invite the mayors and presidents but everything else, I couldn't stop him. I told him I didn't need all that but he said I'm his only girl and this is the only wedding for me so he's going to spoil me silly," Videl said shaking her head in a playful manner.

Chi-Chi laughed. "I recommend him get the caterers to bring all the food they can. With Goku, Gohan, Goten and Gogeta there, he's going to need it."

"How did Goku eat at your wedding?" Videl asked.

Chi-Chi laughed at the memory. "He went to town. He said we should get married every year because of all the food."

Videl laughed. That did sound like Goku. She closed one of the magazines thinking intently on something that's been on her mind. It won't be easy bringing this topic up knowing how Chi-Chi will react. Still, someone had to mention it sooner or later.

"Chi-Chi, there's something Gohan and I have been wondering about--the invitations to the wedding. Gohan and I have them all ready to invite my friends and family and his friends and family, but there's someone we don't know what to do about."

"Who?"

"Well, Trunks is invited to the wedding. We've invited Vegeta but we're not sure he will come and there's Bulma."

"No," Chi-Chi said immediately. "I will not have that woman ruin my son's wedding. How can he even want her to come after what she did?"

"We thought she might want to be a guest. I mean, she has known Gohan as a little boy. Gogeta already met her and said she was nice to him. He might be confused to see Trunks at the wedding and not see Bulma or Vegeta. Besides, Bulma might want to come."

"After what she did," Chi-Chi thought bitterly.

Videl looked at her future mother-in-law sympathetically. She never went through what Chi-Chi but she could understand her resentment. "I know it was horrible about what Bulma did, but it has been five years and she's trying to change. She was the one who invited Gogeta over at Capsule Corp. while she went out of town and Gogeta had a good time there, and when he met Bulma, she was extremely nice to him."

Chi-Chi's fists clenched that her nails were digging into her skin. "You think I can easily forgive her for what she did to my child let along me?" Chi-Chi asked. "What if it was your child Bulma hated so much that she had killed? How would you feel?"

"I would probably be feeling the same thing as you. What does Goku think about Bulma now?"

"When he first learned about it, he was shocked. He never thought Bulma was capable of killing, especially someone as innocent as a child. He knew she was selfish, rude, jealous and vain at times but he never thought she could be a killer. None of us thought that."

Chi-Chi let out a heavy sigh and eyed Videl warily. "Do you and Gohan want to invite her to your wedding?"

"It did cross his mind since everyone else, even Piccolo is coming. Of course that took some convincing, and with Gogeta asking Gohan if she was coming, he's wondering if he should, but Gohan won't do it if it makes you and Goku uncomfortable because you're the ones who she hurt the most."

"So, it's up to me and my husband. It's your and Gohan's wedding, Videl," Chi-Chi pointed out.

Videl laid a sympathetic hand on Chi-Chi's and gave her a soft smile. "But you and Goku are Gohan's parents. You're an important part of the wedding, too. Goku is Gohan's best man. Bulma is just or was a friend of the family. Her feelings aren't as important as yours and Goku's."

Chi-Chi knew what Videl was doing--leaving it all to her. "I'll think about it, but I don't guarantee anything."

Goku and Gohan walked in the woods near his home. With Gohan now working as a scholar and preparing his wedding with Videl, he didn't have as much time as he used to with his father.

"I always liked the woods than the city, Dad. Here, you can think but with the loudness of the city it's really hard to concentrate. Videl likes it here, too. I'm glad she agreed to live in the mountains. This is going to be a good place to raise a family."

"Are you ready for the responsibility?" Goku asked his son.

"I'm a little nervous and scared, yeah, but I think I'm ready for it. I had a really good role model," he smiled at his father proudly.

They stopped by an apple tree. Gohan smiled fondly at the tree. He remembered walking Goten here when he was a baby just like his parents when he was a baby. This was also the same apple tree, he, his father, and Krillin picked apples from days before he died by Cell. Gohan always wondered how that big hole got in the side of the tree.

"Dad, were you nervous a little bit when you married Mom? I know about your wedding and all but were nervous just a little?"

"No," Goku answered simply. He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Looking back on it now, I guess you could say I didn't know what I was getting into. All I was thinking of was I was going to live this woman for the rest of my life. I was fine with that. From what I could remember of Chi-Chi as a kid, she was a good girl with a lot of strength. She even hurt me and she was one of the few people who could ride Nimbus."

Gohan looked at his Dad in disbelief. "Mom hurt you?"

Goku laughed again. "Hard to believe, isn't it? I remember when we met as kids she talked to me about our wedding and I didn't know what she was talking about. Chi-Chi thought I was kidding and playfully slapped me, sending me into a tree. Your mom has always been strong. She's even strong now."

Gohan thought to a moment in his childhood and laughed. "That's true. I remember when you were still gone after your fight with Frieza, Mom got me a tutor. He insulted you and Mom threw him out of the house."

Goku burst out laughing, his face resembling pride for his wife. "That's Chi-Chi. I know your mother sent us out here so we can talk and she and Videl can talk. I'm your father so I should give you advice on this matter to ease your nervousness but I never was nervous. I can tell you that marriage is a good thing. It's probably one of the best and important decisions in your life. I learned a lot from your mother. I didn't know anything about love or what a family really was until I married her. She might have gotten mad at me at times but she was also very patient with me. Your mother changed my life for the better. Without her, I never would've married, and you, Goten and Gogeta wouldn't have existed."

Goku put an arm around Gohan's shoulders. "It's okay to be nervous but don't worry. It's going to work out for the best. I'm sure of it."

"Thanks, Dad. I really do miss talking to you. It really helps me a lot." The two resumed walking. "The wedding's coming up, but there's something that concerns Videl and me."

"What?"

"Bulma." He saw that his father had ceased moving. He looked at his father and saw Goku looking confused. "Well, Gogeta met Bulma and he's wondering if she's coming to the wedding because Trunks is coming. I'm not sure about Vegeta though."

"Yeah, I heard about Bulma and Gogeta meeting. It does seems like she's changing. She was nice enough to let Gogeta spend the weekend with Vegeta and Trunks and she has never been in the way, respecting our wishes. She was even nice to Gogeta offering him something to eat. I know she wants forgiveness, but it won't be easy. The hardest person to forgive Bulma would be Chi-Chi. If she came to the wedding, I know Bulma wouldn't do anything to harm Gogeta, but I'm not sure how Chi-Chi would feel about it. She's the person most hurt about this."

****

Chi-Chi closed the door to her bedroom as she entered it after tucking Gogeta in. She pulled the barrette out of her hair and ran her fingers through her hair. Goku was already taking his clothes off and tossing them carelessly on the floor. Chi-Chi let out a wistful sigh as pulled off her dress.

"I can't believe it. Our oldest son is getting married, and he's marrying a good girl. I've been helping Videl with her cooking and I think she's going to be a wonderful cook for Gohan."

"The meal she cooked for us tonight is a good start. She's gonna have to cook a lot for a Saiyan husband and possible Saiyan babies," Goku said, pulling off his pants and getting into bed.

Chi-Chi pulled on her long night gown and joined Goku in bed. "Soon, it'll be Goten next and then Gogeta and it'll be just the two of us again in our home. It'll be like us as newlyweds again."

"Did Videl talk to you about…Bulma?" Goku asked carefully.

Chi-Chi frowned. "Let me guess. Gohan did, too?"

"He said it's up to us if we want to invite her or not since Bulma hurt us the most."

Chi-Chi rolled on her side. "What did you say?"

"I told Gohan that Bulma is trying to change her ways. She did offer Gogeta to stay to Capsule Corp. and she was nice to him when she met him. I think Bulma is trying to change." He looked at Chi-Chi calmly. "Don't you think so?"

"What do you want me to do, Goku--just forgive her for what she did as if it was nothing?"

"No. All I'm saying is Bulma is trying to change to be a better person. Maybe we should try giving her another chance." Chi-Chi rolled over with her back to Goku. "I know you're the one who suffered more than everyone else. After all, you were the one to carry Gogeta."

"I carried him for eight months, Goku. I was looking forward to giving birth to him like any mother would for her child. I was looking forward to you being the hospital room with me as I give birth. You weren't there for Goten but you were here now." Chi-Chi sniffed as a tear fell. "And she took that away from me.

"Instead, I wake up to find my baby dead and me suffering from injuries after being pushed out of a car. Then it turns out that Bulma, supposed friend of mine who was behind this. She took what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life from me."

Goku held Chi-Chi as she began to cry. "But, Chi-Chi, Gogeta is alive now. That's what really matters. I've missed a lot, too. I missed Goten's birth, his first step, his first word. Just like Gogeta's birth, those are moments I'll never have, but I cherish every moment I have with him now. We can't always get what we wanted, but we should be grateful for what we have. Our child is alive and happy."

"I hate it when you're right." She rolled over to look at him. "I also hate it how you can be so forgiven and so optimistic about people changing."

Goku looked sympathetic toward his wife. "It's not easy for me, but I think we should try. Bulma wouldn't try anything when we're around anyway."

Chi-Chi looked into Goku's promising eyes and knew he was right. She then what she had to do. "All right. If Gohan and Videl want to invite Bulma, I won't argue."

****

Gohan and Videl's wedding was held in the city. The ceremony was held in Hercule's vast home while the reception was held in the large backyard. Chi-Chi sat in the front row next to Gogeta and Goten. Goku stood at the alter besides Gohan who was watching Videl being walked down the aisle by her father, Hercule.

A little over ten years ago, Chi-Chi despised the man for taking credit for the defeat of Cell when it was her husband and son who did it. The bumbling goof changed over the years, admitting to himself that he was a shameless fake and would, but never to his public. He was also generous enough to expend some of his fortune he was given after defeating Cell to the Son Family after some heavy convincing from his daughter.

Now these strange pair were going to be in-laws by the union of their children. Chi-Chi watched happily as her son and Videl made their vows. Chi-Chi ignored the fact that Bulma was there somewhere and was just happy to see her oldest son get married.

After Gohan and Videl were declared husband and wife, the audience clapped and cheered. Gohan and Videl joyfully walked out of the room as husband and wife as their friends and family congratulated them with claps and cheers. Everyone else soon followed going outside for the reception.

Gohan and Videl spent nearly an hour taking pictures with themselves, their friends and family. They cut the cake together and Goku actually gave a nice speech to Gohan and Videl.

There were several pavilions outside to shield guests from the hot sun. Chi-Chi looked around to see Gohan and Videl talking to other guests while her husband and sons sat at a large table eating away. Ox King was there with them eating but not as much as his son-in-law and grandsons. She looked ahead to the rest of the guests. Krillin was sitting at a table with 18 and Marron. Their daughter was growing into a pretty young woman. With them, were Yamcha and his wife Kaori. It surprised everyone that he got married or more correctly eloped and now he was expecting his first child. No one thought he would get married or find anyone after his breakup with Bulma.

Tien and Chiaotzu who rarely attend reunions and group events were there as well with Piccolo and Dende. Master Roshi was flirting and getting smack by Videl's bride maids. Oolong was trying to look up these same women's dresses and getting scolded by Puar.

She was about to see where Vegeta, Bulma and Trunks were when Gohan and Videl walked over to her table. "Enjoying the wedding?"

Videl laughed as she saw several plates in front of each male Son. "I think your father and brothers are enjoying the food more, Gohan, than the wedding."

Chi-Chi laughed. "They are Saiyans. They love to eat."

Gogeta looked up at his big brother, cake crumbs was around his mouth. "Ooh, Gohan, since you and Videl aren't far away, can I come over everyday?"

"Um, Gogeta, why don't you wait on that?" Chi-Chi suggested. "Gohan and Videl are newlyweds now and they are going to want to spend some time alone together for a while."

"But they see each other almost everyday," Gogeta whined. "Don't they already know each other by now?" Gogeta asked.

"Yes, son, but they get to know each other more now as a married couple."

Gogeta didn't get what his mother was saying which was a good thing, considering he was only five years old. "Like what, Momma?"

"Trunks said married couples smooch a whole lot when they marry. Is that what you are going to be doing?"

Gohan and Videl blushed. "Uh, yeah. Sort of."

A song played and Videl began pulling Gohan to the makeshift dance floor outside. "Come on, Gohan. Let's dance," Videl said as she pulled an uncomfortable Gohan to the dance floor. Other couples began to follow them.

Chi-Chi sighed wistfully watching the two dancing. "See, I knew those dance lessons would come in handy." She looked over at Goku who was stuffing his face. "Come on, Goku. Let's dance."

"But I'm eating," Goku protested.

"It's just one song," Chi-Chi said taking the drumstick out of Goku's mouth and leading him to the dance floor.

Chi-Chi looked over at a table and saw Vegeta and Trunks sitting together snickering at something more than likely her and Goku dancing and how amazing Goku wasn't stepping on Chi-Chi's feet. Strange, Chi-Chi thought, after this whole incident, Vegeta and Trunks have gotten closer in their own way. Another strange thing was she didn't see Bulma. She hadn't been looking for her. Chi-Chi shrugged and looked at Goku enjoying the day with her family.

Goku paused in his dancing just as Chi-Chi felt a tapping on her shoulders. She turned to see Bulma. She and Goku stopped dancing immediately.

"Bulma." Chi-Chi said surprised not only to see her but in her appearance. Bulma was still wearing her short dresses but it was more conservative than the one she wore when at the world tournament. There was also something else different about Bulma. She looked a lot different from when she last saw her. She was getting older, which would explain the few wrinkles around her eyes and mouth but there was something else that Chi-Chi couldn't pin on exactly. She looked tired. There was just something about her eyes that didn't seem right.

"Hi, Chi-Chi." She looked up at Goku. "Hi, Goku. Long time no see, huh. I just came to say congratulations on Gohan's marriage." She paused and looked very nervous. "It's really nice to see you two again. I, um, met Gogeta a few weeks ago. He was sitting on Nimbus by himself and I, uh, invited him in for a snack while he waited for Goten and Trunks. He's a very nice boy."

"Thank you," was all Chi-Chi said.

"I also wanted to say that I'm very sorry for what I did. It was a mistake I'm going to live with for the rest of my life. If I could change things, I wouldn't have let this happen."

Chi-Chi nodded solemnly. "Thank you."

There was a long pause and Bulma was feeling uncomfortable since no one was saying anything. "Well, that's all I came to say. I'm feeling a little tired so I'm going to get Vegeta to take me home."

"Bulma," Chi-Chi interrupted. "Are you all right?"

Bulma smiled. "I'm fine." She looked hopeful at Chi-Chi. "Maybe we can get together again and talk sometime. I'd really like to try to be your friend again, Chi-Chi."

'Something's not right with her. What's wrong?' Chi-Chi thought. What anger Chi-Chi had felt for Bulma was slowly slipping away. Now, she was becoming concern for her. Chi-Chi extended a hand to Bulma. "Maybe we can talk again. Soon."

Bulma smiled and instead of shaking Chi-Chi's hand embraced her much to everyone's surprised. What surprised Chi-Chi even more was that everyone was watching them. Bulma pulled away and walked back to her seat.

Chi-Chi looked at Goku. "Goku, did you see that?"


"Yeah," Goku looking baffled. "Bulma apologized and you two hugged. I thought you were going to fight again."

"No," she said shaking her head. "How Bulma looked. She's a little pale and there was something about her eyes." Chi-Chi looked at Goku concern. "Goku, I think Bulma's sick."

Goku looked back at Bulma. "She is? Sick from what?"

"I don't know."

Bulma sat back at the table with Vegeta and Trunks who were surprised it didn't turn into another fight either. She was glad to get what she had to say to Chi-Chi off her chest. Now she was exhausted and ready to go home. "Vegeta, I'm tired. Could you take me home?"

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you?"

"I have a headache and I need to rest. Please, I need to go home."

"Fine," Vegeta said. "We're going home, Trunks. You can stay however long you like."

Vegeta lead her outside and carried her home. Bulma leaned against Vegeta closely as they flew in the sky to their home. "You know, you never took me flying. How about we do that sometime?" Bulma asked hopefully.

Vegeta suddenly got a bad vibe. Why was Bulma making strange requests? Vegeta decided to get to the bottom of it tonight. When they landed, they walked to their room.

"That was a lovely wedding," Bulma said as she pulled off her earrings.

"What's wrong with you?" Vegeta asked.

Bulma continued to look in the mirror and she pulled off her jewelry. "What do you mean?"

"You don't seem like yourself."

Bulma laughed as she walked to sit on her bed, pulling off her shoes. "Don't be silly. I'm fine."

"No, you're not and you haven't been for some time now." Vegeta glared at her. "I want to know what you're hiding."

"Vegeta, I'm not hiding anything," Bulma said lamely.

"Bulma, stop lying to me." He argued. He knew she was hiding something now and it was making him angry.

Bulma sighed and rose to her feet. She walked to her vanity as if in a strange trance. She stared at herself in the mirror for a long while before speaking, as if contemplating telling him what was wrong with her. "It's funny how one day you look in the mirror and you're young and you don't have a care in the world. You think you're invincible, think you can do anything, but then one day you look in the mirror and you see yourself older, a little bit wiser and you realize you're not as invincible as you thought yourself to be."

"Bulma," Vegeta spoke with concern in a softer tone. "What are you talking about?"

Bulma looked at Vegeta, no longer hiding behind the mask she was putting up, but revealing her true self. Vegeta saw the sadness, pain and vulnerability in Bulma's eyes. Tears started to pool from her eyes as she realized she couldn't hide the awful truth anymore. She collapsed and cried heavily. Vegeta fell to his knees in front of Bulma and allowed her to embrace him. She clutched to Vegeta tightly not wanting to let go.

"Bulma…" Vegeta whispered. "What's wrong with you?" The fact that Bulma continued to cry and not say anything, worried him. "Tell me."

Bulma looked at Vegeta with stained eyes due to her mascara. She didn't want to tell him but she knew she must. "Vegeta…I'm dying."

To Be Continued

AN: Yeah, you know I'm near the end with that ending. Oh, boy, review time. I know some people aren't going to be happy about this. Well, I did warn you.

Chi-Chi: Mean? I thought it was funny. Yeah, sadly it's coming to an end. I had fun writing this but I knew it had to end some time. I think you better run for your life now that you've seen the tape.

Dr. Brown: Are you a real doc? Trunks not neglected. This whole ordeal made Vegeta closer to his son so Trunks isn't going to hate the kid of feel left out.

Leigh: I thought the whole Vegeta taking the teddy bear was funny. You know how Vegeta is. He usually does things his way and Chi-Chi's not going to find out. I'm getting that all good things must come to an end with Dragonball. The 23rd Tournament is coming and thus the end of Dragonball. Sad, but I'm accepting it.

Quasi Saiyan: Yeah, I really like this and I don't want to end it but I must. Wow. I can't believe I've been working on this story for four months.

Moonlight: Yep, the Unexpected Love Saga is coming to an end. WHAAAA!!! I never seen Bra in DBGT but I heard unpleasant things about her. I'll wait until DBGT airs. The next generation doesn't interest me anyway and the whole pairing of the characters is a little too much in the family for me, not to mention the age differences. It's like a soap. No, Trunks doesn't feel neglected. I guess I'll rewrite and explain more in the next chapter that he's not. The whole incident really brought them closer together.

Midnight Goddess: If I wrote a lemon between Bulma and Vegeta, you would dictate how I write. Hee. Hee. You might even strangle me. I don't think Vegeta wants you to read soft moments of him like that.

Xmadgirlx: Yep, I'm finished. It's the end of an era, people. Hee. Hee.

Dark Magician: Thanks.

Dragon's Moon: Wow. A lot of people want a sequel. I guess you'll have to wait and see.

Three Fates: You're still here? I thought you had stopped reading this a long time ago because of what Bulma did. I don't think you like it now. Don't strangle me. ::hides behind Midnight Goddess:: hee. Hee.

Moon Girl: Yep, she's sick.

Dark Angel: You're right. She's sick.

Danichan: Be nice here. Some people don't want Bulma to die.

The Lost Saiyan: What little girl develop abandonment issues. I keep hearing sequel. Hmm, what should I do? Guess you have to wait and see.

Negi Ramen: They have forgiven her son. Trunks is talking to his mother and Vegeta and Bulma are getting closer, but you're right, it's hard to forgive a murderer.

C-town Chica: Mrs. Briefs is an airhead. Did you see her in the Piccolo Saga where everyone was getting out of West City and Dr and Mrs. Briefs were still at their house because of her?

La De Da: Satanic ways? Ouch. I can tell you don't like Bulma.

Oninu: I'm not sure you understand what fickle means. Fickle means indecisive and picky. Bulma did that a lot through the series and told Oolong once there's nothing wrong looking for someone better when they were talking about Jackie Chun before he showed up. Yamcha only looked at the girls at the gym. He wasn't looking for a replacement like Bulma was. That's a difference. A lot of guys may look at other women but they are also committed to their partner. The same goes for women and Maron, he wasn't serious. Yamcha would never do that to his friend Krillin. He never said that he was looking for someone better than Bulma. Yamcha seem more sad than upset Bulma had Vegeta's child. That's pretty much all I will say on this topic so nothing happens.

Lady Athena: I bet you're jumping for joy at the end of this chapter. Mustn't be too mean to some of the Bulma fans that are still reading. Chi-Chi hasn't fully forgive her but she's slowly beginning to. I agree that part of Bulma's problem is due to her parents. She has gotten away with so much as a kid and I noticed she was very rude to her parents in the DB series, a lot more ruder in the Japanese version. I know my parents wouldn't tolerate that behavior from me. Watch out for Bulma, she's gonna go after you and me for this chapter.

GD: Ooh, please no spoilers on Inuyasha. I keep hearing they will air DBGT in October. The month's not over yet, so we'll see. I already know it's not going to be good because it wasn't created by Akira Toriyama and a lot of people are right, the story should've ended at DBZ and left it at that. Gohan doesn't have glasses in my story because it doesn't make sense for him to have glasses. Look at his genes. Goku has excellent hearing and sight, far better than a human because he is a Saiyan. Chi-Chi never wore any glasses so her vision is good. It's crazy to think that Gohan never had glasses as a kid and all over sudden need to wear it as an adult.

Gogirl: You know me well enough to know what I will do. I had already worked my way around ChiChi meeting Goku. It was something else and it had me thinking if I should really write this story. I could work my way around that too, but it wouldn't be right. Besides with the way things are going, I wouldn't be able to put in certain things. So it was best that I stopped it.

Chuquita: I wonder if you will be saying that when it ends.

SSJ Kain: Yes, four years has past. Nothing wrong with speeding things up. Gogeta's still a child and besides he's living with Goku and Chi-Chi and would be more influenced on their habits. Look at Mirai Trunks and present Trunks. They have the same parents, but their personalities are different.

Dark Goddess: Because he didn't want his son playing with it. He thinks it might make him look weak and nothing a boy should have. Will Gogeta find out about Vegeta being his father? Guess you'll have to wait and see on that one. The camera? It's still there, just out of Vegeta's reach.

Contrail: It probably shows that he still cares for her I guess. He's still often seen around Capsule Corp. on the show and she's always giving him things like that Capsule Car in "He Always Late".

SsJchika: I thought those shows were on the WB. No, I never watched them. Well, I think Vegeta started acting more as a father when he became one for the second time. As I stated before, I don't think he was ready the first time because he was so consumed with beating Goku and being a SS and nothing else. After Goku's death, he slowly became more involved with Trunks and slowly began to love him but when his daughter was born, he was ready and more responsible the second time.

Lady Kouga: Gogeta is cute. Let's say it over and over again. The picture taking will benefit later.