Just One Week
III.
Needless to say, four long months passed since the whole Cell incident occurred, and things did pretty much go back to normal. Pretty much. I began working like crazy on my inventions again, pulling all-nighters (which actually came in handy when Trunks woke up in the middle of the night) like I did when I was a teenager. Trunks was beginning to walk and say things, mostly "What?!" in response to what anyone ever said to him. Yamcha left South City for his baseball career, so after that one sweet night we spent together, I haven't seen him that much. I'm guessing Krillin still lives at Master Roshi's place, training away, but who knows.
I think the only one of us who didn't go back to normal was Chi-Chi. In fact, she got worse. It was quite horrible actually, especially for poor Gohan. His mother wouldn't cook at all, even though she knew she had two of her kids to feed, which made her sick also. As far as what Gohan's told me, she hasn't been going outside or cleaning or doing anything. I myself even have to say that when I went over to visit them, she didn't look too healthy. I often yelled at her, telling her to get over it and take care of herself and her family, but do you think she ever listened? Of course not!
To tell you the truth, I think she meant to do all of it. She knew how hard it was to have a baby and she knew it would be even harder if she was unhealthy. Chi-Chi knew she couldn't survive that…and that's what made the day Gohan called me, all out of breath, telling me that his mother was going into labor, Freak Me Out part two…
Sweat dripped from Bulma's head as she rode in her CC plane towards the Sons' house, going as fast as she could. Yes, it was déjà vu all over again. She wasn't able to think a single straight thought ever since Gohan called her five minutes earlier, sounding terribly frightened; one of those things that made her want to put Barney on the television, just so she could see something overly joyful.
Thinking the stupid plane was taking too long to get her to her destination, she clicked a few buttons located on the control panel, thanking herself for adding the fast speed button to the collection.
Yet when she saw the little cottage come into view, she suddenly wished she could just turn around and go back to her own home. But of course, she couldn't do that to Gohan, so she just swallowed her fear and moved the stick shift forward, landing the plane right outside the door.
Bulma stepped out of the plane, pausing before she went any further. It was hard to admit to herself, but she suddenly felt extremely guilty when she realized that she hadn't visited them in…about three to four weeks. Who knows what could have happened between that time.
It was strangely quiet. She was right against the door and she couldn't hear anything. Not Chi-Chi yelling from labor pains (or just yelling in general, which was eerie in itself), not Gohan telling her to be strong and hang on…nothing.
She let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.
Stop being like this, Bulma! Now is not the time…
She put her hand on the doorknob and opened it as quickly as she could, not wanting to waste any more time than she already has.
"Gohan?" she called out, closing the door behind her and walking through the living room.
Suddenly, Gohan popped out from his parents' bedroom, looking just as frantic as he sounded on the phone.
"Bulma! Thank goodness you're here! There's something wrong with my mom!" he yelled, disappearing within the bedroom again.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Gohan. She said mentally, running in after him, only to see a sight that literally took her breath away.
Chi-Chi, who was half-laying, half-sitting on the bed, was utterly and completely pale. Her once dark raven black hair was dulled and frizzed. It was quite obvious she hadn't been taking care of her hair from the knotty look, plus most of her hair was matted to her forehead from all the sweating. Her eyes were wide open, her pupils dilated, and if it wasn't for the fact that she let out heavy breaths every ten seconds, Bulma would've sworn Chi-Chi was already gone.
"Oh, Chi-Chi…" Bulma whispered, feeling tears feel up her eyes, "What have you done to yourself?"
Gohan went back to his mom, grabbing her hand and wincing, indicating that he didn't like the frozen feel whatsoever, "Mom, you're gonna have to hold on, you're gonna live through this!" He shouted, tears already running down his cheeks.
Chi-Chi didn't even look over at him. Her eyes were fixed down on her stomach, unblinking, like she was amazed.
Bulma began to walk closer to Chi-Chi, but stopped in her tracks and jumped from surprise when Chi-Chi suddenly squeezed her eyes shut and let out a pain-filled scream. That's when Bulma ran over to her, standing on the opposite side of Gohan.
"Chi-Chi! Do you think you have enough strength to deliver your baby?" she asked. She wasn't sure if that was the question she should be asking, but she couldn't just say to hell with the kid and worry about Chi-Chi, who was hardly listening to them anyway.
Breathing heavy for a few more moments, trying to catch her breath, Chi-Chi finally looked over at Bulma.
"Yes…I'll live as long as it takes for me to have my baby…" she groaned in pain and winced, throwing her head back against a pillow and squeezing the life out of Gohan's hand. If it wasn't for the fact that Gohan was strong or not worrying about anything but his mother, his hand would be broken.
"Don't say it like that, Mom…" Gohan choked out, not being able to see any longer from the blurry vision his tears were giving him.
Bulma gave Gohan a sympathetic look. They all knew Chi-Chi wasn't going to make it to see tomorrow, but they all also knew that Gohan believed in the impossible and wouldn't give up until he actually saw that she wasn't with them anymore.
She looked back down at the woman laying helplessly on the bed. Her only close female friend…okay, so maybe they weren't that close, but still…if Chi-Chi died, she would be the only female in the group.
What am I saying?! That's not what I should be thinking right now…is it?
Bulma let out a little smile of encouragement, wiping some of the hair that was sticking to Chi-Chi's forehead out of the way, "Let's get this over with…"
**********
"It's almost here, Chi-Chi…!" Bulma yelled, now sweating like crazy herself.
"You can do it, Mom!" Gohan yelled also, still letting his mother squeeze his hand as much as she pleased.
The only response Chi-Chi gave to both of them was a loud groan as she pushed harder, having a determination beyond believe to have the baby.
"I see the head," Bulma said, but mostly to herself, happy it was almost over. With Chi-Chi being in labor for more than two hours, how could anyone blame her?
Chi-Chi took in a deep breath and gave one more push, feeling as though her heart exploded inside of her.
Please…let this be it…
As all three of them thought this, an overwhelming cry came from the baby. Bulma quickly got a blanket that was thrown from the bed amidst all the chaos and held it open in her hands for the baby, gliding it out the few more inches it needed and wrapped the warm blanket securely around the body, also wiping off some access blood that was on…his head.
Chi-Chi slumped down on the bed, yet not loosening her grip on Gohan's hand. Her breath came out unsteadily, her eyes opening just to squint, "Is…my baby healthy?"
Bulma smiled at her and walked back over to her side, showing her the child, "Yep, a healthy baby boy. Do you want to hold him?"
The dark hair-ed woman tried to lift her arms up, but found it was no use. She shook her head, not wanting to hurt her baby by accident, "No…" Her eyes began closing, her grip finally loosening on Gohan's hand, "But Bulma…take care of Gohan and Goten for me…"
Chi-Chi's eyes closed, her hand falling from Gohan's.
"…Mom? Mom?" Gohan kept calling, shaking her body a little, getting closer to her face, "M-mom…?"
Bulma looked upon Chi-Chi, seeing her body lay perfectly still. She looked down at the newborn, who Chi-Chi said was Goten, before looking over to Gohan, "I'm sorry, Gohan…"
"Mom?" he whispered out, before shaking his head viciously and screaming at the top of his lungs with tears streaming down his face as fast as a flowing river, "NOOOOO!"
Feeling her nose begin to sting from the pressure of holding back her own tears, she looked on helplessly as both of the boys cried their hearts out…at the loss of both of their parents.
~*~
That was the last time I ever saw Chi-Chi. When we had her funeral, they left the casket closed, her face and body were too horrible to look at. The one that was taking it the hardest was of course Gohan. Losing both of his parents in the same year, I know, has probably traumatized him for life. In life, all kids lose their parents, whether it be when they're all grown up and their parents die from old age, or a tragic accident, leaving the young kids hopeless, helpless, and parent-less. But not all have to go through what Gohan has. After all, he had to watch both of them die right in front of his very eyes…
And now it's been four long years later…
Just like Chi-Chi asked me to do, I took Gohan and Goten in as if they were two of my own. That left me with three kids before I even had a chance to notice it. Though, Gohan was a big help. Whenever I was extremely busy, he would offer to watch his younger brother and Trunks for awhile. At first, I thought he was going to isolate himself from the world and get himself sick, just like Chi-Chi had done. But after the first week, which was the hardest, I'm sure, he was going back outside, training and running around like he used to. His heart wasn't healed, but his spirit was growing.
I always found it funny, throughout the years, watching little Goten. He looked exactly like his dad with his wacky hair and big, innocent eyes; he even acted like him! As soon as he would hear the word 'food', he was there within an instant, eating as much as he could within a five-minute period.
Trunks and him fought as though they were brothers, but also got along as though they were best friends.
My parents were hardly ever home, I think the longest they stayed at Capsule Corp. was two weeks. And no, it wasn't because they couldn't stand being around kids, they just decided to have more of a life on the road. Yep, Cell coming affected them just as much as it did everyone else. But hey, I didn't mind…
I mean, after four years of getting up in the middle of the night to change diapers (or once they were out of diapers), taking them to the bathroom, getting them a drink of water, soothing them after they had a bad dream, or just getting up because they were up…doesn't mean I couldn't handle it! I was a mother of three with no man around to help, but who needs 'em! I think Gohan was better anyway.
Oh, who am I kidding?! I was worn out and I knew it! I began to get dark circles under my eyes that was way too noticeable for my liking, especially in the morning. My eyes were tired, my hair wasn't as shiny as it used to be…I did keep my figure though. Guess that's one plus.
Did I mention that not only Trunks called me Mom? Yeah, Goten did to. Heh…every time I hear that I have to smile. Goku's kid was calling me Mommy…why did it affect me like that? I have not one answer to that question…
Gohan still called me by my name though, but he's also the one who remembers his real mother, so I'm not holding anything against him. I just hope Trunks or Goten don't ask why he doesn't call me Mom…I can't give Goten an answer! Maybe when he's old enough to understand…but can I actually get up enough courage to tell him what happened to his real parents?
Hmm…maybe I'll leave that up to Gohan.
Anyway, back to "Four Years Later". Trunks was now five, Goten was four, and Gohan-sixteen. He turned into quite a handsome, young boy, if I do say so myself. He never had a girlfriend though…I don't know why. We're surrounded by tons of girls in South City…oh well.
There was one day in particular that stood out from all the rest…the day that changed my life around once again. But this time…it was for the better. For everyone.
* * * * * * * *
"Mommy, what's for lunch?" Goten came into the kitchen where Bulma was. She was in the middle of untwisting the strap that was wrapped around the opening of the bread.
"Something light, just some sandwiches. Did you want anything special on yours?" Bulma asked, going over to the refrigerator and opening it up, ready to take out all the things that Goten said.
Goten smiled and put a finger to his chin, looking up as if deep in thought, "Hmm, I want ten peanut butter and jelly ones, ten with bologna and mayonnaise, five of those you can put cheese on!" he giggled and thought some more, "And ten more with peanut butter and bananas!"
About time he got done saying all this, Bulma already had everything out on the counter, ready to be made.
"All right-y, that's thirty sandwiches for you, multiply that by three, and that leaves me to make ninety sandwiches," she nodded and began taking out bread, also getting a butter knife.
"Yea!" Goten yelled, jumping up and down before Trunks came running in, knocking him to the ground, but also falling over in the process.
Goten made a "oomph!" sound as he hit the floor, catching himself with his hands just as his head was about to smack. He turned himself around and sat in the middle of the floor, eyes narrowed as he glared at Trunks, "Hey, that wasn't very nice!"
Trunks just laughed and pointed at the younger boy in mockery, though he himself was still on the floor also, "It wasn't supposed to be nice!" He stood up and crossed his arms, turning his back towards Goten, "Besides, it's your fault for being in my way."
"Trunks, be nice," Bulma said matter-of-factly, hardly paying attention to them at all anyway. By this time, she had about twenty-five sandwiches down, the pile growing off to the side.
The lavender hair-ed child just humph-ed and sat in a chair at the table, waiting to be fed.
Gohan then came into the kitchen, stretching and yawning loudly.
Bulma smiled, "Good afternoon, Gohan. Or should I say good morning?"
He returned the smile and stood next to Goten, putting his hand atop his head, "Anyway is fine."
She nodded, adding another twenty sandwiches to the pile, "Well, I hope you're hungry, 'cause there's a lot of sandwiches to go around."
Gohan walked over to her, looking over her shoulder to see what kinds she was making and his smile grew wider, "They look tasty, Bulma! Oh, and that reminds me, would it be okay if I take Trunks and Goten to the woods for a picnic? I saw that it was a nice day out and figured they would have fun outside."
Another ten sandwiches done, "Of course, Gohan, do whatever you want. It'll get those two outta my hair for awhile," she joked.
He laughed and turned back to the younger boys, "How 'bout it? Wanna go?"
"Yeah!" both of them screamed at once, eyes lighting up in excitement.
"Cool," he said, going to the other side of the kitchen and opening a bottom cupboard, pulling out a ridiculously over-sized picnic basket and putting it on the counter. "This should be able to hold everything." Gohan began grabbing the sandwiches and entering them into the basket while Goten and Trunks were busy taking out cans of soda.
Bulma put the last two pieces of bread together and added it to the basket, "There, all finished."
Gohan closed the basket once the two younger ones were done putting the soda in the other side, running out of the kitchen and into the living room.
"Hurry up, Gohan!" Trunks yelled.
"Yeah, we wanna go!" Goten added, the door was heard opening in the mean time.
Gohan chuckled and looked to Bulma, "Guess we'll see you in a little bit, okay?"
Bulma nodded, pressing her back against the counter, "Yep and be careful. Now shoo! Go away!" she waved her hands, telling him to get going.
"Right!" Gohan turned around and ran into the living room also, the excited voices from Goten and Trunks disappearing as the door was closed behind them.
She smiled before lifting her arms up in the air and spinning in two complete circles, "Yes! I got the whole house to myself!" She giggled as her childish-self came out suddenly, "Now, what should I do? Work on one of my projects? …Nah!"
Turning back to the counter, she made one more sandwich for herself and looked up at the clock, "Hmm…ninety-one sandwiches within seven minutes…I'm getting pretty good if I do say so myself!" She took a bite into her sandwich, walking into the living room and plopping down on the couch, looking around the room at what she could do, she spotted her romance novel laying on the coffee table in front of her and picked it up. She turned it to the back and read the summery for it out loud.
"Shiori, a beautiful young woman who is loved by many, was abruptly abandoned by her husband. Just when she thought her life was settling down with her twin daughters, she is left alone with no one. She loses hope in everything, the only thing keeping her alive is her love for her children. But when her best friend from the past, Takeru, shows up suddenly, can things change around for her? Will their friendship be able to be turned into something more? Find out in this dramatic tale of Losing Hope!"
Bulma turned back to the front and shrugged, taking another bite into her sandwich, "Doesn't sound half bad." She opened it the first page and began reading…
**********
She felt tears well up in her eyes. Don't let him get away, you idiot! She screamed to the book in her head, reading anxiously as she passed the part up where Shiori's husband was leaving her. Of course…she let him get away.
Bulma groaned in frustration, laying the book on her lap after marking the page she left off on, "I can't believe she just stood there…if she would've said something, he wouldn't have left!"
She shook her head, very disappointed in the character. She dropped the book down on the coffee table, standing up to stretch. She was just about to walk into the kitchen again when she heard a loud knock at her door.
Stopping, she turned around and headed the other way again, "Now who could that be?"
She opened the door wide and stood in the doorway, facing her visitor.
"Hey, Bulma!" A rich, innocent laughter was followed as the man closed his eyes joyfully and waved, "How you doing?"
Her eyes got wide as she looked on at the guy in front of her, "…Goku?"
Another chapter done! ::Congratulates self:: And it wasn't another four months for this update. ^_^ Thank you everyone that reviewed and please review this chappie, okay? =)