A New Beginning
Part Four
The first trimester was difficult for Chi-Chi. Whoever said morning sickness happens only in the morning, obviously never been pregnant. Chi-Chi had it in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. What comfort it was for Goku to be there. Whenever she came out of the bathroom, Goku had hot ginger tea for her and a pack of crackers. However, it didn't stop Chi-Chi from doing her housework. She may have been pregnant but she wasn't an invalid. Chi-Chi refused to let morning sickness get her down. She made compromises with herself such as keeping a window open when she cooked so the smells of the food wouldn't get to her, eating small meals every two hours, drinking enough fluids, taking her prenatal pills and resting when needed.
After reading the pamphlets, Goku understood more about the pregnancy and what Chi-Chi will be going through in each trimester. He read that as the father-to-be, he should help his wife and understand the changes she will be going through because of the baby. Sometimes, Chi-Chi yelled at him for no reason, walked around the house depressed or completely happy. Sometimes one of her moods would last for days or all of them happened in the same day. Goku read in the pamphlet about pregnant women going through different moods so Goku wasn't confused or startled by his wife's actions. He just went with it. It wasn't so bad as he thought about it. If Chi-Chi was upset with him for something trivial, she was quick to make up to him, but if it was something Goku did like walking in the house with dirty shoes after it rained or trampling dirt over the clean floor she just mopped, Goku made sure not to do it again. He was doing his best working on stopping his bad habits from a child, but sometimes it was hard to break.
Goku went with Chi-Chi for her first checkup. While some husbands were bored, it didn't bother Goku and Chi-Chi appreciated the company. It was the usually routine of checking Chi-Chi's blood pressure, her weight measured and the first sonogram of the baby.
Chi-Chi was in happy tears as she saw the small dot of the baby. Goku looked in confusion not understanding why Chi-Chi was so excited to see a dot. They heard the sound of the baby's heartbeat which was loud and strong on the Doppler. That impressed Goku. When they left the hospital, Goku and Chi-Chi decided to go to the Ox King's castle to deliver the good news.
"It's just a dot," Goku said as he stared at the sonogram picture.
"It's not just a dot. It's our baby, silly," Chi-Chi told him. "I can't wait to tell Papa about the baby. He's going to be so happy. I haven't seen him since we got married. I wonder how everything with his kingdom is."
When they arrived at the Ox King's village, Goku and Chi-Chi saw that the villagers were still building his castle. From the looks of it, it appeared they were half way done. Nimbus landed in front of the castle and Goku helped Chi-Chi off Nimbus. A villager told Chi-Chi where her father was.
"Papa!"
Ox King looked back and saw his daughter with her husband approaching him. "Chi-Chi! Goku!" He picked up his daughter and son-in-law and hugged them both. "It's great to see you two!" He placed them on their feet. "What brings you here?"
"We came to see how you were doing and to tell you that Goku and I are going to have a baby!" Chi-Chi said excitedly.
Ox King's eyes lit up in joy. "My baby's going to have a baby?"
"Yes!"
Ox King hugged his daughter again. "Oh, this is great news! I'm so happy for you, sweetheart." He sat his daughter down and slapped Goku hard on the back to which Goku grunted in surprise at the Ox King's strength. "Congratulations, my boy! This is joyous news indeed!"
Ox King faced the villagers who were working on his castle. "Villagers! Wonderful news! My daughter is having a baby!"
The villagers cheered loudly at the announcement and congratulated the couple. "Oh, Papa, you didn't have to tell everyone." Chi-Chi blushed not used to all the attention.
"Why not? My daughter is having a baby. I'm the happiest grandfather-to-be in the world!" Ox King cheered. "You two should stay for dinner. I can have the villagers round up something. This calls for a celebration!"
"Thanks, Papa, but no. I'm still not ready to eat some foods," Chi-Chi said. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a picture. "We got a sonogram of the baby. See?" The Ox King leaned over to look at the picture. "That little dot is our baby."
"Oh, I see." Ox King was amazed. He looked at Goku. "Gohan would be so proud, too, Goku."
The two spent the rest of the day with the Ox King. He explained to the couple how the villagers were helping with the rebuilding of his castle. Chi-Chi was eventually talked into staying for dinner to which Goku happily agreed as he wanted to eat the meal.
****
Chi-Chi lied in bed early one morning as she casually caressed her stomach. Goku was sleeping soundly beside her. She was sixteen weeks pregnant and was showing with a round bump on her stomach that was becoming noticeable through her clothing.
She had an appointment that morning. Today, the doctor was going to perform a sonogram of the baby, listen to the heartbeat and give an ultrasound where they will view the baby. At her first appointment, the baby was a dot but at this appointment, they will be able to see the body of the baby.
Chi-Chi was excited. She couldn't wait to see the baby. A light flutter moved under Chi-Chi's ministrations. Chi-Chi stopped moving her hand and lied in wonder for a moment. She felt something under her hand again. Chi-Chi sat up in bed and placed both hands on her stomach. She wondered if it were true. Did she really feel something?
There it was again! She felt it! She felt her baby move! It was the first time! Chi-Chi shook Goku awake. "Goku! Goku, wake up!"
Goku slowly awaken hearing Chi-Chi call for him. "Huh?" He yawned and smacked his lips tiredly. "What is it?"
"I felt the baby!" She screamed and placed Goku's right hand on her stomach. "Here. Feel."
"You did?" Goku said as he ran his hand carefully over the round bump. He moved his hand around not feeling anything. Goku was about to give up when he felt a flutter under his hand. He looked at Chi-Chi wondering what that was. Chi-Chi nodded happily as a tear shed from her eye. "That was the baby?" he asked in half awe, half excitement.
"Yes!"
Goku rubbed a hand on her stomach. The ki he felt was stronger than when he last checked it. "Wow. Its ki is impressive. This baby may be very strong."
"Of course," Chi-Chi said gently as she stared into her husband's dark eyes. "It comes from good stock."
Goku smiled at his wife as he stared at her. She looked so beautiful to him this morning from her smile, the happy tears, and with the morning sun lightly dancing on Chi-Chi, it was as if she was glowing. Glancing down, Goku saw one strap of her lacy gown had fallen across her arm. Her breasts were filling the gown that it was nearly spilling out of the soft cloth. His eyes wondered lower to Chi-Chi's gently rounded abdomen and desire was slowly growing in Goku. How long had it been since he seen her naked or even been intimate with her? Goku wondered. During her first trimester, they weren't intimate because Chi-Chi was feeling so ill. Now, he wanted to make up for lost time. Looking in Chi-Chi's eyes again, he was seeing he wasn't the only one.
Chi-Chi was finding that in her second trimester she was becoming more aroused. Lately, she had been having erotic dreams about her and Goku and waking up frustrated, especially when she woke up when the dream was getting really good. Chi-Chi wasn't sure if she should tell Goku this. She wasn't sure if Goku wanted to be intimate with her now that she was getting bigger. Just the normal things Goku did would get her excited. The other day, Goku walked from the bathroom to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. It was an ordinary event with Goku and it never got her excited as it was now. Even watching him performed his morning exercises was arousing. Chi-Chi never did anything about it. She waited until the urge went away or focused on something else. Several nights, Goku woke up in the middle of the night to find Chi-Chi in the kitchen cooking. It didn't bother him since he would eat the food. Now looking in Goku's eyes, it was clear he didn't care what she looked like. He wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him.
Goku touched Chi-Chi's lips with his tenderly at first and then ravenously. Goku pulled Chi-Chi closer to him feeling her softness and inhaling her new scent due to the pregnancy. It was intoxicating. He couldn't get enough of her. He pulled back to look at her wanting to remember this moment. Her cheeks were flushed, lips parted and her eyes bright and wanting of him. She never looked more beautiful to him than she did now and he realized at that moment how important Chi-Chi was becoming to him. He didn't want to lose her ever.
Goku crushed Chi-Chi to him again, taking them both down on the bed. He rained tender kisses all over her face and on to her neck.
Chi-Chi gripped his shoulders, urging Goku closer. "Goku," she murmured softly. Goku tugged on her clothing, getting it off as fast as he could. Chi-Chi wanted him as much he did her but something bothered her--her appointment. "Do we have the time?"
Goku smiled wickedly at her. "We'll make the time." He silenced her doubts with a kiss and there was no more talk on the subject.
****
Chi-Chi sat in the hospital bed drinking another cup of water. She was getting ready to have an ultrasound and she needed to drink plenty of water to give a clearer image of the child in the picture, though having a full bladder wasn't comfortable. She handed her empty cup to Goku which he filled and gave it back to her.
"That's it," Chi-Chi said handing her cup back to Goku. "No more. I am full."
Goku placed the cup on the table by the pitcher of water. He looked around the room at all the ultrasound equipment. He tapped the monitor which was off now. "We will actually see the baby through this TV?"
"That's what the doctor said," Chi-Chi said.
Dr. Korma and her nurse entered the room with a cheerful smile. "Hello," she said to the couple as she read Chi-Chi's chart. "It seems you gained more weight this past month than expected, Chi-Chi. We'll have to monitor that." Dr. Korma handed the chart to her nurse and prepared Chi-Chi for the ultrasound. She rubbed some cool, clear gel on Chi-Chi's stomach. "You haven't been eating any fatty or too much greasy foods have you?"
"No," Chi-Chi answered worried about her condition. "I've been eating nothing but nutritious food."
Dr. Korma listened as she put a smooth paddle attached to the ultrasound on Chi-Chi's stomach. "We'll have to keep a closer eye on your weight then. All right, nurse, if you would turn on the monitor and turn up the Doppler we'll be able to hear the baby's heartbeat and see it move around."
The nurse did what she was told. There was a loud, whooshing airy sound coming from the monitor as Goku and Chi-Chi looked at the baby on the screen. The couple was in awe of what they were seeing.
"There it is," Dr. Korma said.
"Oh, Goku, isn't it cute?" Chi-Chi asked her husband.
"Yeah, it is. Wow. I can't believe we can see the baby on this monitor. Is that a thumb in its mouth?" Goku asked.
Dr. Korma looked carefully at the screen. "You're right. Good eye. Would you like to know the sex?"
"The sex?" Goku said confused. "I thought that's what Chi-Chi and I did to create the baby."
Dr. Korma blinked stunned at what Goku said. "Goku," Chi-Chi chided gently. "Knowing the sex of the child means knowing if it's a boy or girl."
"Oh!" Goku understood. "Well, in that case, okay!"
"Actually, Goku, I want to wait. That way it would be a great surprise to us when the baby is born."
"Oh, okay, if that's what you want," Goku said. "We'll wait then," he told the doctor.
"All right then. Let's take a closer look here. I'll have the nurse print out a picture later. The head and spine looks good. You're not having twins. Your child has a healthy, strong heartbeat. Hmm," Dr. Korma said curiously as she noticed something.
"Is anything wrong?" Chi-Chi asked.
"The baby is a little larger than it should be at this stage. We calculated that you should be sixteen weeks now, but looking at this monitor…if I'm judging this correctly, the child looked to be nineteen weeks."
Chi-Chi looked at Goku worried before she looked back at the doctor. "Is our baby all right?"
"Your baby looks to be in good health. I'll run some more tests to be sure. Have you felt the baby move?"
"Yes," Chi-Chi beamed. "This morning. It was a light flutter."
Dr. Korma nodded. "I suggest we do an amniocentesis. That way I can test to see if there are any abnormalities, infection or possible signs of premature labor."
Chi-Chi became worried. What was wrong with her baby? Was it something she did? Chi-Chi just didn't know. "When can I get the results back?"
"If we do it after this ultrasound, I can call you with the results in less than a week," Dr. Korma answered.
Everything else went well on the checkup and after her amniocentesis Goku and Chi-Chi went home.
"It'll be okay, Chi-Chi," Goku assured his wife on the drive home.
"I'm scared, Goku. What if something is wrong with the baby? What if I harmed it somehow? I'm carrying it. It's my responsibility to protect the baby," she cried.
"Don't cry, Chi-Chi." Seeing Chi-Chi cry, created a pain in Goku's heart that he didn't like. "The doctor did say the baby looked to be in good health. It's just that baby is bigger than expected."
Chi-Chi looked back at her stomach where her hands were. "I hope everything's all right."
"It will be and if it's not I'm sure it will get better. I promise you."
****
Chi-Chi tried to keep a happy mood the next few days as she worked around the house and waited for the doctor to call but she couldn't. Goku tried to cheer her up but it barely worked. She was just too worried about her baby to be happy.
Goku came rushing in the house as Chi-Chi washed the dishes from dinner. "Chi-Chi! Chi-Chi! I've got to show you something!"
Chi-Chi turned her head to Goku. "Show me what?"
Goku took the dry plate out of her hand and led her out the house and into the forest. "You just have to see."
They walked two miles into the forest until they saw it. Goku pointed to the deer and doe in the forest. Chi-Chi saw the male deer with the antlers and the other without antlers had to be the female deer. The two were drinking water by the river. Chi-Chi didn't understand why her husband brought her here. "Goku, why are we here?"
"Look at the doe."
Chi-Chi said looked at the female more carefully. She noticed the female looked bigger around the stomach. Chi-Chi gasped quietly. "Is she pregnant?"
"I think so. These are the same animals I stumbled upon in the forest a while back."
Chi-Chi smiled with a tear in her eyes. "A baby. They're going to have a baby." She looked back at Goku who was smiling down at her. "Just like us."
Chi-Chi looked back at the animals. The deer nuzzled his head affectionately against the doe and the two walked off. Goku and Chi-Chi followed them further in the forest where the deer and doe entered their home in a cave. The doe rested on a soft patch of grass and the deer laid beside her. Chi-Chi stepped on a stick and the noise alerted the attention of the deer. He looked defensively at Goku and Chi-Chi. Goku pointed to Chi-Chi and placed his and her hands on Chi-Chi's round belly and then pointed to the deer and the doe. The deer looked at its mate and then at Goku and Chi-Chi. He nodded as if understanding what Goku had said. He then resumed his position beside the doe.
"Oh, he's protecting her," Chi-Chi murmured.
"Just like how I'm going to protect you," Goku said as he placed his hands on her stomach. "I'm going to protect both of you. If there's something needed to make you and the baby better, I'll get it. I promise."
"Oh, Goku," Chi-Chi said softly, giving him a hug. He loved her. Chi-Chi knew it now. She only wondered if and when Goku would say the words to her.
Goku hugged her back, gently pressing her soft rounding frame against his muscular one. He felt something pressing against him just below his stomach. He pulled back from Chi-Chi and the two looked down at her stomach. Goku placed his hands on the stomach feeling the baby move a little faster now. At first, it was to the left and then center of her stomach and then to her right.
"Wow. Frisky, isn't it?"
"I know," Chi-Chi laughed.
"I think this is a sign telling us that everything's going to be all right, Chi-Chi."
Chi-Chi looked up at Goku. "I think you're right."
"I found something else out here, too," Goku said and pulled out the four-star dragon ball from his pocket. "It was in the lake when I went swimming. I'm going to tell our baby all about the dragon balls and grandpa."
"I think that's a wonderful idea."
The two walked in the forest for a while looking at the other animals going about their lives peacefully before Chi-Chi admitted that she was tired and wanted to go home. Goku picked her up and carried Chi-Chi the rest of the way home.
When they entered the house, the phone was ringing. Goku placed Chi-Chi on the sofa and answered the phone. "Hello? This is Son Goku."
Chi-Chi watched her husband intently wondering who was calling. They never got calls unless it was from her father. The only other person who had their number was the doctor, which meant that's who Goku was talking to.
"Uh-huh. Really?" Goku said and looked confused. "What does that mean? Oh! Okay, I'll tell Chi-Chi. Goodbye."
"Goku, what did the doctor say?" Chi-Chi asked as soon as Goku hung the phone up.
Goku sat beside Chi-Chi on the sofa. "Dr. Korma finished the testing on that fluid she got from the stomach. She said the baby is in perfect health."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Chi-Chi cried and threw her arms around Goku in a hug.
Goku continued. "She still doesn't understand why the baby is growing faster than expected and that if this keeps up you may go into premature labor."
Chi-Chi looked horrified at the thought. Goku just smiled. "It's going to be okay. Dr. Korma said there's a strong chance that you may give birth early and she's very positive the baby will be in good health."
Chi-Chi didn't listen as she cried and Goku held her. He kissed the top of her head. "It's gonna be all right. I promise you."
****
Chi-Chi looked on in amazement at the clear, ocean water and bright blue sky as they neared their destination. That morning, Goku suggested going camping to an island Goku visited when he was younger. Chi-Chi was up to the idea and getting out of the house for a little bit. She was seven months pregnant now and she knew she would have to take things easy as she was getting later in her pregnancy and the warning that she may go into premature labor. The two packed enough for two days and set for the island.
Nimbus took a smooth dive and landed on the island. Nimbus lowered itself until it was touching the ground where Chi-Chi was able to get off with Goku's assistance. She looked around taking in the warm weather and view of the wide jungle trees, vines and various colorful, tropical flowers. Chi-Chi looked in awe of a tropical bird flying past her and up to a tree branch with his family in a nest.
"Oh, this place is beautiful, Goku. Thank you for bringing me here."
Goku picked up their belongings, hopped off Nimbus and began setting camp. Chi-Chi helped by gathering a few sticks upon which Goku started a fire.
"It's nice and quiet here. When I was last here, I didn't see any people. Come on. Let me show you around."
Goku lead Chi-Chi around the area showing her a small waterfall where he told her he did a lot of training here. A family of monkeys swung from tree to tree with their tails. Goku told Chi-Chi this was the place where he learned how to train his tail so it wouldn't hurt when someone pulled it.
When they returned back to camp, Goku told Chi-Chi he was going to hunt for dinner. This gave Chi-Chi time to rest since she did a lot of walking around the island.
"What are you getting? Wolf? Fish?" Chi-Chi asked as she sat on a log. From living with Goku, he often brought dinner home and sometimes that was a fish, wolf or dinosaur. Chi-Chi had eaten the first and latter when she lived in her village but she had never eaten wolf before. Chi-Chi was a bit reluctant about it but Goku told her it was fine and he eaten a lot of them when he was a kid. Chi-Chi listened to her husband and ate it and found it was really good.
"I don't know. There weren't any wolves around here last time. Maybe I'll get a good dinosaur or fish."
"All right," Chi-Chi said.
Thirty minutes passed now and Chi-Chi stirred the fire with a stick, keeping it up. She wondered what kind of dinner Goku would be bringing until she heard a low growl. She looked behind her and jumped in surprise.
Two lions crawled out from the shadows. They growled at their prey and licked their lips hungrily.
"Stay back," Chi-Chi warned.
The lions didn't listen as they made their way towards her. Chi-Chi set fire to the end of her stick. The lions moved closer coming at her from both sides. As they got close enough to attack, Chi-Chi swung the stick at the lions.
The lions growled and waved a paw to knock the fire away.
This wasn't good. Even Chi-Chi knew she couldn't stall the lions for long. 'Oh, Goku. I need you.'
One of the lions bared its teeth and attacked again. Chi-Chi put the fiery end of the stick in the lion's mouth. The lion roared in pain. The other lion aid its friend by pulling on the stick yanking it out of Chi-Chi's firm grasp. Chi-Chi stumbled as she lost control of the stick and fell back against a tree. The lion whose mouth burned growled fiercely and stared at Chi-Chi angrily as if he was going to get revenge for what Chi-Chi did. Both lions glared at Chi-Chi and growled as they walked to her. Chi-Chi knew she was trapped. In her condition, she couldn't do anything so she did the only thing she could do and that was scream.
Goku rose from the lake with a large fish in his hands. He swam to land, got out of the lake and shook the water from him, like an animal. Goku was about to put on his clothes when he detected something wrong somewhere nearby. He stood and looked around.
'Strange. I have a bad feeling about Chi-Chi.'
Though the forest was teeming with noisy life, a loud scream silenced everything as it made its way to Goku's sensitive ears. Goku's heart clenched in fear at that dreadful sound. "Chi-Chi."
Goku took off without a second thought with his fish in tow. He ran as fast as he could, past the trees and vines to the camp where he left Chi-Chi. With his super speed it would take him seconds to reach Chi-Chi, but it felt like hours. His heart was pounding in fear of what was happening to Chi-Chi. 'Why did she scream? What if I'm too late? What if she's hurt? What if she's--' he refused to acknowledge that thought. 'No, she can't be. I…I can't lose her.'
When he reached the camp, Goku looked in horror as he saw two lions surrounding Chi-Chi.
"Chi-Chi!" Goku screamed as he raced to her aid. The two lions turned their heads to Goku when they heard him scream. Goku took the fish in his hands and smacked both lions across the face knocking them away from Chi-Chi. He turned to her. "Are you all right?"
"I am, Goku, but," she screamed and pointed behind her.
Goku looked back as the lions were about to pounce on them. Goku pushed Chi-Chi out of the way and the two lions attacked Goku. One of the lions scratched his back with its sharp claws and Goku screamed in pain as the claws tore through his skin.
"Goku!!" Chi-Chi screamed.
Before the lions could harm him any further, Goku rolled on his back despite the pain and grabbed both lions by the neck. He held the lions back as they furiously swung at his face, trying to knock it off his body. Goku pushed both lions off him and rose to his feet.
Goku took both lions on. He punched one, knocking them into each other, but the lions wouldn't give up. One of the lions got up and ran towards Goku again. He grabbed the lion by his tail, swung him around and released it, sending him into a tree head first. Both lions shook their heads as if getting their bearings and charged on Goku again. Goku really didn't want to hurt them but he was going to let them know who was boss.
Chi-Chi watched in horror as the lions fought with Goku, but he held his own as he fought them off until the lions knew to admit defeat. When it was over, the lions whimpered in pain and submission. The lions panted heavily out of breath from fighting Goku. They slunk to the ground exhausted. Despite the pain in his back, Goku rushed to Chi-Chi and gathered her in his arms.
"Are you all right? They didn't hurt you, did they?"
Chi-Chi never heard that tone of voice from Goku before. He sounded so scared for her and he was shaking. "Goku, I'm all right." A finger traced the mark on his back and she felt Goku winced. "But it's you who--"
"I was so worried for you, Chi-Chi," he cut her off. "I was scared the lions hurt you. I thought I lost you when I heard you scream."
Chi-Chi quietly gasped at the thick emotion in Goku's voice. She looked at Goku, seeing all his emotions spread on his face. He looked so scared as if he was about to cry. Just looking at his face, gave Chi-Chi the knowledge of how Goku looked as a little boy losing his grandpa. Chi-Chi never saw this expression on Goku before. He looked so scared to lose her.
Living with him for nearly a year now, she was picking up on his habits and learning the real Goku. It was a wonder to her if his friends knew what he was really liked. She listened to the stories Goku told her of them and it didn't sound as if they did. They often thought he was a bit slow or stupid when Chi-Chi never saw that. The more she was around him, the more she learned about him and saw things that no one else saw.
"Goku," Chi-Chi whispered.
"I love you," he said suddenly.
Chi-Chi caressed the side of his face and smiled; a tear shed from her eyes. "I know. I love you, too."
Goku drew her close for a kiss. However, Chi-Chi was the one to pull back. Even though she wanted to kiss him, now was not the time. "Come on. Let's fix your wound and get your clothes." With the excitement over, she realized Goku fought off two lions in his boxers.
Goku nodded looking at his lack of clothes. "Yeah."
Goku set up the fish over the fire, got dressed and went with Chi-Chi to find the herbs for his wound. Over the fire as the fish cooked and the lions sat at the campsite now guarding the two, Chi-Chi mixed the herbs into a pasty substance using a stick and gently put healing concoction on Goku's back. He winced in pain as it stung his skin.
"Does it have to sting so bad?"
"Sorry, Goku. It's like an antiseptic. It should healed the wound and prevent infections," Chi-Chi said. She covered the wound with an herbal green leaf.
After they ate dinner, they threw the remaining food they had left to the lions. Chi-Chi was reluctant to the idea but Goku knew the lions wouldn't try anything especially after being taught their lesson.
****
With Chi-Chi being in the third trimester, she was finding it more uncomfortable and too tired to do things. Chi-Chi received extra help from Goku around the house. When he wasn't outside training, he was gradually learning how to do chores by himself. He did the laundry, washed dishes without breaking them and even put them up in the right cabinets. He used all the appliances in the kitchen without hurting himself.
When her body ached, Goku massaged the pain away. Chi-Chi's pregnancy was going very smoothly aside from the speedy growth of the baby. Still, despite her tiredness, Chi-Chi made sure to cook for Goku, knowing he loved her meal and he deserved it for taking time out of his training to help her out.
The dinner table was fuller than usual since Chi-Chi was eating for two. Still, she still couldn't compete with Goku's stomach or at least she thought. She had been working hard on filling Goku and cooked more and more food each time she cooked. When Goku cleaned his plate, Chi-Chi left to get the last of the meals out of the refrigerator and oven. On the table, she placed a large bowl of chicken salad, a large dish of macaroni and cheese and two plates of pork chops.
Goku gulped. "You have more?"
"Yes," Chi-Chi said. "I'm full. I'm going to finish up on the dishes." She gathered her plates, some of Goku's and placed them in the sink.
Goku looked at the food before him. They all looked and smelled so delicious. He wanted to eat them so bad but he couldn't. He was full. For the first time in his marriage to Chi-Chi, he was full.
"I can't eat this. I'm full."
Chi-Chi nearly dropped the plate she was washing. She looked back at Goku, her eyes wide. "You're what?"
"I'm full. I can't eat another bite."
Chi-Chi's look of shock turned to complete joy. She went over to hug Goku. "Oh, you're full! You're full! I finally did it! I'm such a good wife!"
"It's no fun, Chi-Chi. I can't eat this food and I really want to," Goku whined. "And I really wanted to eat dessert," he mournfully eyed the four layer spice cake with vanilla icing, which he knew would be really good as all Chi-Chi's dishes were. It wasn't fair. He really wanted to eat that cake and he couldn't because he was full.
Chi-Chi kissed a temple. "You can have that tomorrow. I'm just so happy I finally filled you up. Now I know how to prepare meals." Chi-Chi resumed washing dishes in a much happier mood while Goku sulked that he was full. He could barely move. His stomach was so tight that he was afraid it would explode.
Goku sat at the table until Chi-Chi was through with the dishes. Chi-Chi was tired and decided to lay down. Goku didn't have anything else to do so he joined her. Chi-Chi groaned as she felt pain in her lower back.
"Your back sore again?"
"Mm-hmm," Chi-Chi said once they entered their bedroom. She removed her clothes and put on her maternity nightgown.
"I could massage it if you want."
Chi-Chi looked grateful. "I appreciate that." She laid on the bed. Goku sat on the bed beside Chi-Chi and massaged her lower back soothing Chi-Chi's aching back. "That's nice."
Goku worked his hands methodically on Chi-Chi's lower back. He looked at her and noticed her eyes were closed but her face was pleasant.
"Oooh," Chi-Chi said placing a hand on her stomach.
"What is it?"
"The baby," Chi-Chi rolled over and sat up. "It's moving. Ow! It's kicking me hard. Look."
Goku looked at Chi-Chi's stomach. He saw some strange patterns on her stomach. It looked like punches and kicks. "It's punching and kicking you," Goku said amazed. "Wow. We got a little martial artist here, Chi-Chi. I wonder if he can do a Kamehameha," he added jokingly.
Chi-Chi started to say something on the subject but it was forgotten when she felt the pain of the baby's kicks. "I know. I feel it," Chi-Chi groaned.
Goku saw Chi-Chi's anguish. He rubbed her stomach soothingly and pressed his face close to it. "Hey, baby, don't kick so hard. You're hurting your Mommy," he told the child in the stomach softly.
Chi-Chi couldn't help but laugh at Goku. He was so adorable. To her amazement, the kicks and punches were lighter. "It toned down."
Goku smiled as he rubbed her stomach. "Yeah, it did."
"Ow!" Chi-Chi cried as the kicks started again. "No, this baby wants something. Maybe if I eat something, the baby will settle down."
"I know what it wants," Goku said and rushed out.
Chi-Chi wondered what that could be but she got her answer when Goku came back with the four layer spice cake in his hand with two forks. She folded her arms as Goku made his way to the bed. "I think it's you who want that. Can you eat that?" Chi-Chi asked. "I thought you were full."
"That was an hour ago," Goku said as he carefully got in bed holding the cake.
"Goku, we can't eat in bed."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not proper. We could get crumbs in here and alert ants and--"
"But the baby wants to eat," Goku cut her off. "You can't ignore that."
No, she couldn't. Even Chi-Chi knew that. "All right, but I'll get one piece." She took a fork. "Where's the knife?"
"I didn't bring it." Goku said and begin eating with his fork.
"If the baby wasn't hungry, I'd send you to get it," Chi-Chi said and began eating.
"Wanna race?" Goku asked.
"Are you kidding?" Chi-Chi responded.
"Loser washes morning dishes tomorrow," Goku said and begin eating faster and faster.
"No fair, Goku!" Chi-Chi said and ate fast like him, getting as much cake as possible in her mouth.
Goku was amazed by Chi-Chi. She was eating nearly as fast as he. The two looked at each other, mouths stuffed with cake with crumbs and vanilla icing all around their mouths. They looked at the forks in their hands and realized how dull it was to eat this way. Together, they tossed the forks away and ate with their mouths and hands. They laughed like children and resumed eating determined to beat the other. When the race was over, Goku came out victorious. They ate the whole cake in less than fifteen minutes.
"Ha! Ha! Yeah, I won!"
"That's because you're used to eating contests," Chi-Chi pointed out. "And look how messy your face is."
Goku didn't have to look in a mirror to know that. He could feel it. He laughed at his wife with cake crumbs and icing all over her face. "You're no different."
Chi-Chi laughed. "I guess not." She had never done anything like this before but being with Goku made her act funny, so light and happy like a child at times. She wiped some of the crumbs around her mouth and ate it. "I guess so." She rolled out of bed. "I'm such a mess. I'm going to clean my face and get some water to wash this cake down. I'll wash breakfast dishes as usual but you're washing these dishes tonight."
Goku agreed and when he returned to the bedroom. He found Chi-Chi in the bathroom wiping her face clean of cake. Goku had yet to do the task. She saw him and waved him in the bathroom. "You're such a mess," Chi-Chi said playfully as she wiped Goku's face clean. She placed the towel in the hamper. "You'll always need me."
Goku picked her up and carried Chi-Chi back to their bed. She laid on one side while he laid on the other. They stared at each other for endless moments before Goku was kissing her again. This wasn't a gentle kiss goodnight. It was an I-wanna-make-love-to-you kiss. Not only was he touching her in the right spots to get her in the mood, but his body was reacting to her that Chi-Chi felt it.
"Goku," Chi-Chi moan quietly as Goku kissed her neck and one of his hands sought out her more intimate spots. As much as she wanted to, they had to stop. "Wait. We can't. Stop."
Goku stilled and he looked at Chi-Chi. "Why?" he nearly whined.
"Remember what the doctor said? She said I risk premature labor and we can't have sex now. We have to wait until after the baby is born."
Goku frowned, not happy he had to wait but relented. He had to get himself off the topic of sex so he slowly moved down Chi-Chi's body. Chi-Chi watched him place an ear to her stomach. Chi-Chi ran her fingers through Goku's hair. "What are you doing?"
"Listening."
"For what?"
"I hear the baby's heartbeat."
"You do?" Chi-Chi found that impossible but since Goku sounded certain, she believed him.
"It's very strong."
"You're different you know that?"
Goku tilted his head up to Chi-Chi. "Different?"
"I don't mean it in a bad way. You're a man but you haven't grown any facial or body hair. You're old enough to have it." She touched his hair. "And your hair, you never need it to be cut. Your hearing and eyesight are strong, too. I have 20/20 eyesight but you can see farther than me. Haven't you noticed how different you are from others?"
"I guess it is strange, but I can't help with what I'm born with, can I?"
"No, I guess not. I wonder if our child will inherit that," Chi-Chi thought absently.
"You think it will have my tail?" Goku asked as he stroke Chi-Chi's stomach.
"I don't know. We didn't see it when I had that ultrasound. The child might not have it."
"What do you think the child will look like, Chi-Chi?"
"I don't know. It'll be a combination of both of us. That could be anything. It could have your eyes, my hair. Anything."
Goku laid beside her and wondered. "I wonder if it will have your quick temper and my strength. Boy, that will be a force to reckon with."
Chi-Chi playfully plopped a pillow on Goku's head. "Ha. Ha."
****
Goku looked at the strange objects in his hand. He hoped he was doing this right. He looked at the sticks in his hand and at the piece of paper with the instructions. He saw what was written and put it together.
"Oh, I see." He put the two sticks together. "There."
He looked at his accomplishment. He was halfway done but the crib was shaping nicely.
Ox King had visited the other day with things for the baby. He brought over Chi-Chi's crib from when she was a child, baby books, toys and a few of her stuffed animals that a boy or girl could play with. When Chi-Chi admitted to her father that she and Goku were running a bit low on money, Ox King happily gave her more money without a second thought and told his daughter to not worry about money since he will always be there to help them out.
"Goku," Chi-Chi called gently as she entered the room with a plate of sandwiches and bottles of water. "How's the crib coming along?"
"Uh, fine."
"I brought you lunch." Chi-Chi sat the plate beside her husband. She looked at what he had done to far. "You're making good progress."
Goku mumbled thanks as he ate his sandwich and drunk some water. He noticed Chi-Chi was rubbing her stomach and her eyes closed tensely as if she was in pain. "Are you okay?"
"I'm not sure. I've been cramping all day. Usually, it's minor and the pain goes away but it's not this time. It seems to be getting more intense. Oh!" she cried in pain.
"It's not the baby kicking hard?" Goku asked.
Chi-Chi shook her head. "No. It's worst." She cried out in pain again, louder this time.
"Chi-Chi," Goku gripped her shoulders gently. "What can I do?"
"Take me to the hospital! I think I'm having a contraction. I'm going into labor!"
Goku gathered Chi-Chi in his arms and flew out the window. 'This isn't good,' Goku thought worriedly. 'Chi-Chi's way too early to deliver. She's only seven and a half months.' He looked down at her as she cried in intense pain again. She started crying, saying what he was thinking.
"It's too soon," Chi-Chi burst into tears. "I'm not ready to deliver. Oh, Goku, I'm so scared."
Goku didn't let her see the worry on his face. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine." He looked ahead focus and flew even faster to the hospital.
Chi-Chi's doctor was already on staff so knowing her condition, she was rushed to an emergency room where it was discovered it was a false alarm.
"You mean I'm not in labor?" Chi-Chi asked.
Dr. Korma shook her head. "No, it's just Braxton Hicks. Pregnant women has these pains all through their pregnancy but it doesn't become noticeable until the final weeks." Chi-Chi relaxed a little. She was in her final weeks of pregnancy so her pains were a normal thing. "However," Dr. Korma friendly face was full of deep concern, "these pains you're having are too intense for a pregnant woman of seven months…unless."
"Unless I'm going to have premature labor," Chi-Chi finished.
Dr. Korma nodded. "The good news is that the baby appears healthy. You're both in good health, which doesn't explain why you may go into labor early. We'll keep you here overnight for observations, but we can send you home tomorrow."
Chi-Chi nodded and the doctor and her nurse left to leave Goku and Chi-Chi alone. She ran a hand over her stomach, keeping quiet.
"I told you everything would be all right, Chi-Chi," Goku said confidently, though inside he was breathing a sigh of relief.
"I hope it continues to be all right, Goku," Chi-Chi said as she continued to rub her stomach. "I really hope it does."
To Be Continued
AN: In case you're wondering what's wrong with ChiChi's pregnancy; that is her possibly going to early labor, yet the baby is in perfect health; it's a theory I made up and I thought it would be interesting to the story. Saiyans sends babies as early as newborns out into place to conquer planets. They are naturally born with a lot of power. I figured while Saiyans may look like humans their physiological structure is different. I made up that Saiyans gestation periods are eight months while humans are nine and a child mixed of both humans and Saiyans genes will have a gestation period between eight and nine months, depending on the child.
Sadako: Well, he got his license's on first try. Everyone's confused by some things at first. That's good for Goku. Yeah, he's still new to the falling in love thing.
Koolrunnings: ::hugs Koolrunnings:: Yay!! Someone got it! Someone understands me!! That was why Goku was no match for Raditz. It came to me a couple months ago when I bought the 1st graphic novel for DBZ and Piccolo asked Goku if he had any new tricks and Goku said that he's fresh out for once. That confused me because Goku always had some new trick. It surprised me even more when Raditz mentioned how Goku and Piccolo were nearly even in power, which is why he mistaken Piccolo for Goku because every time Goku fought an opponent and if they were tied the first time they fought, in the rematch Goku clearly surpasses them. Goku vs. Tien is a good example so after five years, Goku should've been way ahead of Piccolo instead of being nearly even in power. If Goku had trained vigorously all those years, then Goku might have been even with Raditz or had enough strength to defeat him with Piccolo.
I agree with what you say about Goku and DBZ in general. I think it's stupid of Funimations to change plots and personalities of characters. I understand the reason to edit and change the dialogue of the more 'adult' themes for TV because of FCC regulations and kids shouldn't be knowing about that anyway, but when it's uncut, they should put it in since it will be on DVD and never air on TV. Like you, it really frustrates me when I watch the dub. I used to buy tapes not the DVDs because I thought it was the same thing (Boy, was I dumb! Hey, I didn't know any better.) but I bought "Super Saiyan Goku" on DVD because I couldn't find it on tape and when I watched "Transformed at Last" in Japanese, I was thinking, "Why didn't they translate like that? It was a lot better and if written right, the words could've fit in the voice flaps since the dub is particular to that when the Japanese animes aren't." So, I bought the DVDs of all the tapes I had and didn't have to see if there were more changes, and the more the sub I watched, the more frustrated I got with Funimations. A lot of things started to make sense when it didn't in the dub and it really upsets me that Funimations goofed so much.
Lady Athena: I read in the Japanese version that one of the reasons Piccolo went with Goku to get his license was Piccolo thought he shouldn't underestimate ChiChi's power since she was able to make Goku get his license, considering he was the most powerful man in the universe. LOL! ChiChi teaching Goku about fatherhood. Oh, boy.
Chuquita: Yeah, the sub always makes more sense. If you ever get confused watching the dub, know that's Funimations goofing up again.
Moongirl: Oh, thanks for the pic! ::hugs:: I really like it. The story's name is Unexpected Love and it's Lady Thundera if that wasn't a typo.
Carrie: Well, someone had to teach Goku love. I'm explaining things Goku had to learn from ChiChi. I think it came slowly to him since e he never experience it before. Taking tips on pregnancy clues? ::WHACK:: Ow! I guess I deserved that. I guess the last chapter had to deal with a lot of learning from G/CC.
Nagash: I don't blame you.
Sara: Oh, I know typos. I make a lot of them. I never saw Goku as dumb either when I watched the dub but as I talked to people online, I learned a lot of them thought he was and gave examples which are blunders from the dub and the viewers own misinterpretation. Goku is different in the sub. He's just a fun loving, naïve man, but if you compare him from the sub to the dub, the dub does insults Goku's true character and make him look dumb when he's not, and since a lot of kids are watching the show because it's aim to them which is wrong, a lot kids thinks he's dumb because of how the Funi writers portray him. I have a lot of DVD's of DB and DBZ and when I look at the English Version, I think they are insulting these characters. Some changes had to be made but a lot of them didn't.
Keebler: First of all, don't tell me how to write my story. I'll do whatever I want with my story and second you don't understand what went on in those five years. I'm doing this for a reason to explain a major difference from Goku in the end of DB to the beginning of DBZ. Yes, Goku trained during those five years (as well as in the previous chapter) but not as much as he normally did and use better grammar when you review.
Animeholics: Hmm, the child's name will be Animeholics!
Gogirl: Well, I had to explain myself to others who might have not seen the graphic novels.
Marshmallow: Yes, Funimations is stupid a lot of times. I can't begin at the number of blunders they made that weren't necessary. As you read ChiChi went through a lot of things a pregnant woman can experience. I'm basing ChiChi how she is portrayed in the Japanese version not the English version, which does a horrible job with her character several times. Many times they make ChiChi unlikable and unreasonable which I don't understand since she is the wife of the hero of the show and the writers at Funimations change a lot of the positive, reasonable and kind things she says in the Japanese version and changes it into something that makes ChiChi looks bad in the English version. It's annoying to watch DBZ on TV when ChiChi is saying something that makes her look bad when I know in the Japanese version, she didn't say anything like that.
Jessica C: Weekly.