Good Kami, I only just realized that I never posted this. For anyone who has impatiently waited for the conclusion for this story, I am so sorry. My only defense is way too many story ideas in my head and not enough memory to keep track. Anyway, better late than never, here's the conclusion to Circle of Love.

Disclaimer: Do I look like a sixty-year-old Japanese executive? If so, get new glasses. Sara DeSantos and The Creep belong to me, everyone else is FunMATION's fault.

Chapter Three: Keeper of the Stars

The scene was eerily identical to the one where we had announced our mating. I knew Vegeta had noticed it too, because he rolled his eyes, dodging his mate's attempt to shut him up.

"What, are you two getting married now?"

"Well, yes." Goten admitted.

A loud buzz erupted from around the yard and I held up a hand before anyone could say anything. "But that's not all. We found out this afternoon that ChiChi's fondest wish is going to come true." I said, smiling at my 'mother-in-law'.

Trunks looked wide-eyed. "You mean..."

I laughed and nodded. "Hai. We're going to have a baby."

ChiChi let out a gasp and promptly fainted--fortunately, Goku was prepared and waiting for her with open arms. Marron squealed excitedly and promptly tackled me in a huge hug.

"Oh my Kami Sara! This is wonderful. Congratulations. On both counts."

I laughed. "Thanks Mar."

Trunks grinned impishly at me. "So now you two are getting married?"

Goten and I exchanged a sheepish smile. "Actually, Goten asked me to marry him first. It wasn't until I fainted that we found out that I was pregnant."

Trunks and Marron exchanged concerned looks. "Fainted? Why?"

"We were at the new house. The paint is still a little wet and the smell was too much for her." Goten explained.

I smiled sheepishly. "I hadn't told him that I had been sick the past few mornings. Neither one of us expected me to have that reaction."

"But you're all right now?" Trunks asked, worried.

I nodded. "Gohan gave me the clear as long as I take it easy until the morning sickness passes."

I winced as I heard a shriek from behind us. "Son Gohan you knew and didn't tell me?!"

I turned to see both ChiChi and Videl glaring at the eldest demi and gave him an apologetic look. "Please don't be angry at him. We wanted to tell everyone together."

The two Son women exchanged a wide-eyed glance and promptly tackled me in a hug. I giggled as both of them spouted advice on how to get through the morning sickness.

"Thanks you two. You two will be the first I'll come to when it's time to shop for the baby." I promised.

"Don't forget us." Juu said, Bulma in tow.

I smiled. "Of course not."

"So how does it feel to join the ranks of the hormonally challenged?"

I laughed. "Scary. I mean, I'm carrying a life inside me. I don't know if I'm ready to be responsible for another living being." I admitted.

"Trust me, we all felt that way. It'll get easier, I promise." Bulma said reassuringly.

The five of us exchanged a glance when we heard Krillin whisper something to Goten.

"So how does it feel to join the ranks of the terrified husbands?"

I snickered as I heard my mate's response. "Scary. Very scary."

I threw a smirk in Goten's direction. "You should be. I might just have to take a page from Videl's book in the delivery room." I winked at my sister-in-law when my mate paled and burst out laughing with the rest of the group.

Goku snickered and clapped a hand on Goten's shoulder. "It's a rite of passage son. You don't truly become a man until your various body parts are threatened during the delivery of your child."

Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta chimed in their agreement and I could only laugh harder at the look on my mate's face. The look on his face was such a mix of terror, nausea, and anxiety that I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

I sent as much love and warmth as I could manage to him. Oh Koi, we're just teasing you. You know I would never do anything to hurt you...permanently at least.

Pregnancy does strange things to women, Tenshi. I know you wouldn't hurt me normally, but you can't blame me for being nervous after seeing Videl and Bulma before Pan and Bra were born.

All I ask is that you bear with my hormonal mood swings and to believe that I love you no matter what I might say.

I love you Tenshi. I'll stay by your side no matter what the risk to my reproductive organs. Just don't be hurt if I seem nervous around you at times.

Fair enough.

I smiled and excused myself from the women, walking over to my mate. Goten smiled down at me and put his arms around me comfortably. I guess he could sense that I needed a little quality time, because he excused himself from the men and led me to a quieter spot under a tree. He sat down and pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist protectively.

I sighed in content and leaned back against my lover, just enjoying being close to him. I felt his hand press against my stomach gently and smiled, covering his large hand with my own.

"We're going to have a baby." Goten whispered in awe.

I giggled. Apparently it hadn't completely sunken in yet. "I know, Goten. I know. We created a life." I whispered back.

"Are you scared?"

"Petrified. You?"

"Oh yeah. What are you afraid of Tenshi?"

"Being a bad mother. Leaving my child when he or she needs me the most. You?"

Goten chuckled. "Being a bad father. I don't exactly have the best example to live by."

I gasped softly. "Oh Goten, you could never be a bad father if you loved your child with every fiber of your being. Goku might have been a little impulsive when he asked to not be wished back, but he was only doing what he thought was right. He wanted Gohan to live in a world where he wouldn't have to constantly fight and train because he didn't have a choice. And he may have not known about you at the time, but I'm sure he would have wanted the same thing for you."

Goten was quiet for a long moment, then squeezed me gently. "Tell me why you're afraid of being a bad mother." he requested softly.

I paused a moment, collecting my thoughts. "I loved my mother, but she didn't give me what I needed. It was always them against me. I needed her to stand up for me, to love me unconditionally. Then, shortly before I came here, I found out that she had stolen my father from his first wife. She posed as him and sent her divorce papers."

"Sara, I promise you, you aren't that kind of woman. We've both learned from our parent's mistakes."

I smiled. "I guess I just needed someone to tell me I was being foolish."

"Same here Tenshi. Same here." Goten chuckled, leaning the side of his head against mine.

I was silent for a moment, then turned my head to look up at Goten seriously. "Goten, I swear to you, here and now that I won't be like your mother. She's a wonderful woman, but she needs to learn when to let go. I know how important fighting is to you and I promise with all my heart that I won't keep you from that."

Goten smiled tenderly down at me. "And I won't be like my father. I won't leave you to raise our child by yourself. I promise you that."

I smiled. "I love you Goten."

Goten grinned and leaned down to press a soft, gentle kiss to my lips. "I love you too Sara." he whispered.

We both jumped as we heard yelling from across the yard and rolled our eyes when we saw Goku cowering in front of his wife. I kissed Goten quickly and climbed to my feet.

"Time to go rescue your father."

Goten raised an eyebrow at me. "Think you should?"

I grinned impishly at him. "She wouldn't dare hit a pregnant woman."

* * *

I took a deep breath as I looked in the mirror. It was a month after Goten proposed to me and here we were, about to make it official. I was just barely showing and everyone had agreed that now would be the best time for the stress of a ceremony and relaxation of a honeymoon.

Marron and I had searched for weeks before we found the perfect dress. The dress that sent chills down my spine. Even though I was obviously not a virgin, Marron had encouraged me to wear white anyway. Speaking of the blonde quarter android, she was waiting patiently by the door for the music. Marron was my maid of honor and Trunks (like there was any doubt) was the best man. Krillin had agreed to walk me down the aisle and he and Juuhachi had agreed to be the ones to present me. Pan and Bra were the flower girls, Bulma, Videl, and yes, even Paris were bridesmaids and Uub, Yamcha, and Gohan were ushers.

It had knocked everyone on their ass when Paris and Uub had gotten together and now that the redhead wasn't after Goten, I found that I rather liked her. She had apologized profusely over what she had done when Goten and I had gotten together and after some time and a lot of soul searching Goten and I had forgiven her.

A knock on the door drew me from my thoughts and I smiled nervously at Krillin when he came in. "It's time." He said softly.

I took a deep breath and went to him, taking his offered arm. The music began and we began to slowly walk down the aisle of the huge church. I had to stifle a giggle as I saw Goten shifting nervously at the end. Served him right for making me nervous.

I didn't know what it was that made me look toward the loft when Krillin handed me over to Goten, but I gasped when my eyes fell on a figure I had never thought I would ever see again. I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and looked down to see Trunks smiling warmly at me.

"She's here for one day. Marron's and my gift to you."

I felt tears spring to my eyes and I quickly handed my bouquet to Goten before hugging Trunks, then Marron tightly.

"You two are the best friends a girl can have. I don't know how I can ever thank you."

Marron smiled. "Every girl deserves to have her mother there for her wedding day."

"Now stop crying before your make-up ruins that beautiful dress." Trunks teased.

I laughed tearfully and hit him on the shoulder playfully. "Shut up Boxer boy. This is my party and I can cry if I want to."

I heard a soft male voice sing the next verse and a yelp as someone hit him for it. I looked over my shoulder to see Yamcha holding his head while Bulma crossed her arms haughtily as everyone burst out laughing. I rolled my eyes and hit Goten in the shoulder when he whispered something into my ear.

"You'd think they were the ones getting married."

"Don't even go there. I don't want bloodshed on my wedding day, thank you very much."

Dende cleared his throat and the four of us quickly composed ourselves, getting back into our positions.

"We're gathered here today to join this man and this woman in a life bond. Son Goten, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Goten smiled down at me, squeezing my hand gently. "I do."

I smiled back as Dende turned to me. "Sara DeSantos, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." I said softly, squeezing Goten's hand back.

Dende smiled. "If anyone should oppose this union, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."

To everyone's shock, a loud, clear voice rang out from the back of the room. Goten and I turned with wide eyes to see the jerk who had approached me the morning after we had become mates.

"Okay, now I'm going to murder him." I growled.

Vegeta stood from his seat next to Bulma and bowed respectfully. "Allow me."

Goten and I exchanged a wide-eyed glance as the Saiyan no Ouji turned around and ki blasted the creep into the next world.

"What? Isn't it customary to give the couple a wedding gift?" Vegeta said when everyone stared at him in shock.

Bulma put her face in her hands and shook her head in embarrassment, then pulled her husband down. Goten and I exchanged another glance and laughed nervously.

"Err, thank you ouji-sama." I said, bowing in respect.

Goten and I turned to face a sweating Dende. It took the small green God a few moments to compose himself, then he cleared his throat nervously.

"Right. As I was saying, if anyone should oppose this union, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."

Me, Goten, and everyone else in our wedding party turned to scan the back of the room. If anyone wanted to, they sure as hell weren't, whether because of their fright of Vegeta, or the fact that every Saiyan in the room was sending glares to anyone they suspected. Satisfied that no one was going to speak out against us, we turned back to face Dende.

"In that case, by the power of Kami and the country of Japan, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Goten grinned and lifted my veil, kissing me sweetly. Then, after several shouted jests, he grabbed me and dipped me, kissing me passionately. I laughed and clutched his arms as he swung me back upright.

"You're insane."

"And you love it."

I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Almost as much as I love you."

"C'mon guys, you have a whole week in Jamaica for that." Marron teased.

"I'll remember that when you and Boxer boy are standing right where we are." I shot back with a smirk.

"Me and Trunks? Never." Marron said quickly.

"Thou doth protest too much." Goten grinned.

I grinned as well as I heard my mate's sly voice in my head. You grab Trunks, I'll keep Marron occupied.

I hid a smirk and slipped away to find my lilac-haired friend. I found him talking to a cute girl from our class and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him over to my mate and Marron. Before the two teens knew what was happening we had shoved them at each other and Trunks had to catch Marron in his arms to keep her from falling to the floor.

Goten and I high fived and went to greet our guests. Juuhachi gave me a smirk when she and Krillin got to us.

"Slick, very slick."

I smirked as well. "Those two have to admit it sometime."

"And you'd better believe that we're gonna hit them with everything we've got when we get back." Goten grinned.

Krillin shook his head. "They won't know what hit them."

Goten and I laughed and we talked for a little more before they moved on and Bulma approached us.

"I'm terribly sorry about Vegeta."

I laughed. "Don't worry about it Bulma. It was either him or Goten. Personally, I'm glad it wasn't Goten. I'd like to keep my husband out of jail, thank you very much."

Bulma laughed. "Well, I'm off to keep Vegeta from getting himself into even more trouble." She sighed, walking away.

Goten and I chatted briefly with the rest of the guests and finally it was just the entire Son family and Marron and Trunks left standing in the church.

I was thanking ChiChi again for her help when the figure from before approached us. I stepped toward her for a moment, then froze when the halo above her head reminded me that she was dead. Then she held out her arms and I couldn't stop myself from diving into them, hugging her tightly.

I felt like a child again. "Momma, I'm scared."

She pushed me away from her gently and looked into my eyes kindly. "Why Sara?"

"I don't know anything about being a wife...or a mother." I whispered, wiping my eyes absently with the back of my hand.

Mother lifted my chin gently to look at her. "All you need to know is how to love them Sara. Everything else will fall into place after that. You've learned from my mistakes. I have no doubt that you will be an excellent mother and wife."

Goten took me gently into his arms and I tilted my head back to smile up at him before looking at my mother again. "Momma, I miss you."

"I miss you too Sara. But you have your own family now. Your husband and the little life growing inside of you."

ChiChi stepped forward to embrace me gently. "And while we can't take the place of your family in your birth dimension, we'll always be here for you. We've always loved you as one of our own. And now you are."

Momma nodded. "Please, take care of her for me." she asked Goten and ChiChi.

My husband and mother-in-law nodded solemnly as she began to fade away.

"I love you Momma." I whispered, tears falling down my face.

"I love you too Sara." we heard faintly as the form of my mother vanished completely.

Trunks and Marron came up to wrap their arms around me and Goten. "Are you okay?" the lilac demi said softly.

I smiled up at him. "I think so. I don't know how to thank you Trunks, Marron. You don't know how much that meant to me, being able to see her one last time."

"Oh honey, we just wanted to make you happy. You needed her reassurance, didn't you?"

I nodded. "Hai. I know everyone's been telling me that I'm gonna be a good wife and mother, but..." I shrugged helplessly.

"You needed to hear it from your mother. I'm the same way sometimes." Goten chuckled.

"We all are. It's natural to believe our mothers know everything." Trunks said.

"What do you mean believe? We do know everything." Videl and ChiChi smirked.

I sent Goten a long-suffering look. "If I ever get like that, please shoot me."

"What do ya mean ever?" Goten teased.

I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest. "Well if you really feel that way, you can just sleep alone tonight."

Videl and ChiChi laughed. "Oh, you're gonna do just fine." Videl chuckled.

Gohan clapped his brother on the back. "Bro, welcome to the world of marriage. You will never have the power again."

This time I joined into Videl and ChiChi's unanimous response. "Who said he had the power in the first place?"

The three Son males shuddered in unison. "Now that's just scary. You've been married only half-an-hour and she's already been taken over by the pod people." Gohan joked.

I narrowed my eyes and began to back my brother-in-law into a corner. "I'm gonna let that one slide on account of you've forgotten what it's like dealing with a pregnant woman." I growled.

Videl made no attempt to rescue her husband. "Oh how quickly men forget how hormonal a woman gets when she's pregnant." she laughed.

Gohan waved his arms frantically. "Dad, Goten, help!"

Goku laughed. "Sorry son, you got yourself into this one."

Goten didn't miss a beat. "Sorry bro, but I'm the one who has to live with her. Better you than me."

"Mommy?" Gohan whimpered.

ChiChi laughed. "Gohan, you should have known better. It hasn't been that long since Pan was born."

Gohan's back hit the wall and I stared him down until he slid down to the floor. Then I smiled sweetly at him and patted him on the head.

"The next time I get a craving, you get to be the one to find it for me."

With that I straightened up and walked back to where the others were standing, winking at Videl. When I turned back around, the look on Gohan's face was priceless. Videl laughed and gave me a high five.

"I think you broke him."

Everyone burst into laughter and Gohan slowly turned red, slumping down and crossing his arms like a petulant child.

"Man, no mercy." he muttered.

Goten laughed and gave him a hand up. "That's what you get for pissing off a pregnant woman."

"Man bro, your wife is evil."

"You'd better believe it." I smirked.

Trunks laughed. "What can you expect from the mate of half the Demon Duo?" he cracked, referring to the name he and Goten had been known as when they were children.

* * *

I giggled as Goten carried me over the threshold of our private cottage. Bulma had given us this trip for our wedding present and we had exclusive access to the entire island just off the coast of Jamaica. He laid me gently on the bed and sat down beside me, looking at me with so much love and desire that it sent a shiver down my spine even after all this time.

Goten slowly bent his head to place a gentle kiss on the scar on my neck. "My mate." Then he lifted my left hand to his lips and kissed the knuckle above the ring he had placed there only hours before. "My wife." Finally, he gently lifted my shirt from my stomach and pressed a gentle kiss to the barely noticeable rise. "My child."

Then Goten kissed me softly on the lips, whispering into my ear, "I love you both so much."

I smiled tenderly and kissed him back. "I love you too Goten. So much. You have given me so much in such a short time. Your love, your child, and now a family to call my own. I love this child with all my heart and I can't wait to see the life we created together."

Goten smiled. "Me neither. What do you want, a boy or a girl?"

"It doesn't matter to me. I'd love to have a little boy with your good looks and teach him to be a gentleman."

"And I'd love to have a little girl with your beauty and intelligence." Goten grinned.

"But we'll love him or her no matter what." I finished with a smile.

"With every fiber of our being." he said softly, reminding me of my earlier words.

"Forever." I replied with a soft smile.

"Forever." he agreed.

No more words were said that night, none were needed. We made love like it was the first time, slowly, passionately, and full of love. We had the rest of our lives to hurry. Right now we wanted to savor the moment, that final perfect release. We were a man and a woman and we were in love.

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And that's the end. I pretty much came up with this in one long session. Gotta love sudden inspiration. Anyway, review please ; )