Disclaimer: I don't own DragonBallZ.
Now for my very appreciative and grateful thanks to all reviewers! Your support has really kept me going, and so I would like to propose a toast to animeprincess1452, Trugeta, Spring Rain of Harusame, Ladii Chocolate, and DrAcOmAlFoYiShOt888! You're all so outstanding!
To animeprincess1452: Thank you so very much for those compliments! They really keep my spirits up and make me so glad! I hope I can get your good opinion with this chapter, too! Thanks again!
To Trugeta: Well, you are certainly right when it comes to a father's pride in the resemblance between him and his son. But I wouldn't say that he hasn't grasped it yet that he is a father, just that the full responsibility of fatherhood hasn't completely sunk in. But I would agree that he'll get used to it! Thank you!
To Spring Rain of Harusame: Oh, thank you so much! You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear such a compliment! But you do a very good job with your characters, too! Just know that. Well, at present, I would say he looks like Trunks did when he was a baby; I suppose that means he'll resemble him more as he grows. Thank you once again!
To Ladii Chocolate: Thank you! I like babies myself, especially those that are well-behaved and relatively quiet... :) Thank you! #waves# Do come again!
To DrAcOmAlFoYiShOt888: Oh! Good to hear from you again! Thank you, glad you like the story so far! Hope you enjoy this next chapter!
And now for the chapter...
About three months later and it was now early November, and everything was going through the lovely, seasonal changes. As Trunks and Demi did live high up on a mountain, it provided the most wonderful view for this early-winter phase. The vineyard rows on the sides of the mountain had drawn back to a type of preserving elegance, and at night the city lights below provided a romantic sight (at least Bulma thought as much when she would visit).
Bulma called on her son and his family rather frequently and even brought Vegeta and Chain along sometimes. Naturally, she enjoyed spending time with Trainer, and it came as no surprise when she brought him little gifts now and then. Even the proud Prince of Saiyans couldn't fully hide the fact that he held a type of fond regard toward his grandson.
Trunks and Demi were very attentive to their six-month-old. Especially the latter, who loved spending time with him. Trunks could often find Demi fixing lunch in the kitchen or folding clothes in the laundry room, and leaning Trainer securely over her shoulder or balancing him on her hip.
When she wasn't busy, she would read him his baby books or sing him a song. Of course, if anyone but Trunks caught her singing, she would promptly stop, which was a shame. She had a nice singing voice...
But now, with the arrival of early-winter, the mood was beginning to change. Although Trunks and Demi were, to some extent, less observant of the 'wonderful elegance' that had settled over the mountains, they couldn't help but feel that sense of romance, and the busy parents began to yearn for the joy of being lovers again.
It was on a nice quiet evening in front of the lit fireplace – after the baby was sleeping for the night – that Trunks finally brought the subject up. "Hey, Demi, do you want to do something this weekend?"
"Such as...?"
"I don't know. Whatever you want to do..." he told her, averting his gaze.
She glanced over. "You're the one who asked."
"Yeah, but you deserve something nice, so you can decide what we do."
She remained silent for a while, the apparent look of deep thought reflected in her eyes. Finally, she gazed over at him from her chair, and said, "What day?"
"Saturday?" he shrugged.
"In the evening?"
"If you want..."
Another prolonged moment of silence. "What if we go to that restaurant your mom goes to. You know, the one close to here with that real fancy food?"
She was obviously referring to the Cevarelli Restaurant, a favorite to Bulma and all of Capsule Corporation's employees for dinners and meetings. Naturally, Trunks had eaten at the Cevarelli a couple of times, and, as Demi had so mentioned, it was extremely fancy. Finely prepared food, elegant interior, famous view, strict dress-code, soaring prices...They left out all of the delicate details when one put 'fancy' and 'Cevarelli' in the same paragraph.
Trunks, having only dined there for company conferences, usually looked upon the Cevarelli as a 'business restaurant.' But, realizing that his wife had never dined there herself, he was willing to let her do so. "If that's where you want to go, I can make us a reservation."
"Okay. You do that, and tomorrow I'll try to find someone to baby-sit," she stretched her arms out tiredly and then leaned back in her seat.
"What?" he wondered.
"Sorry, dear, but I'm not planning on leaving Trainer completely alone in the house for a whole evening. Maybe your mom will baby-sit him for us; you know how she likes to spend time with him."
So, next morning, after Trunks had gone to work, she began calling in search of a babysitter. Demi balanced her son on her hip and glanced at the clock, listening into her cordless phone, waiting for someone to pick up on the other end of the ringing line. At last, she heard her mother-in-law's familiar voice. "Hello?"
"Mom..."
"Hello, Demi. What can I do for you?"
She adjusted the phone while Trainer contentedly sucked on the back of his hand. "Trunks and I want to go out this Saturday evening, but we need someone to baby-sit Trainer."
"Oh, I would, dear, you know I would. Unfortunately, Saturday's not a good time for me. I have an important meeting with someone from another company."
Demi simply sighed. "I'll try someone else, then. Bye."
Next she dialed for Gohan's, hoping that one of the Sons might be free this Saturday (no doubt they'd do them this favor, being good friends to her husband). After a few rings, said man of the house answered. "Hello, Gohan Son speaking."
"Yeah, it's me."
"Oh, Demi. Good morning. How are you?"
"Good. Listen, Trunks and I are going out this Saturday evening, and we need someone to watch Trainer while we're gone."
"I see," he replied. "Well, unfortunately, I already told Videl and Pan I'd take them out this Saturday, too. As much as I'd like to help out, I'm afraid this weekend is kind of a bad time..."
"Don't worry about it," she said, rolling her eyes. 'Everyone is so busy...' "Thanks."
After she quickly hung up, she dialed for yet another residence. Finally, the voice answered. "Hello?"
"Bra..."
The unmistakable deep and feminine tone of her sister-in-law brought a small nod from Bra. "Yeah, what's up?"
"Can you watch Trainer this Saturday evening? Trunks and I were kind of hoping to spend some time together then..."
"Hm..." She glanced at her calendar, trying to remember if she and Goten had made plans for then, only to find that they had not. "Sure, I can watch him. When do I come over?"
"We're going out at seven, so you should probably get here around six-thirty."
"Okay. Anything I need to bring for him?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that. Just try to get here at about six-thirty and I'll tell you what he needs. Thank you, too. See you Saturday." She turned the phone off and then held her son up so that he was eyelevel, smiling. "Well, sweetie, it looks like you get to hang out with your Aunt Bra this Saturday. Are you excited?"
Trainer smiled in response to his mom's grin and high-pitched tone before receiving another doting, motherly kiss on the cheek...
. . . . . .
Saturday evening...
Trunks stood before the mirror, straightening his tie and the collar of his formal black jacket. As said, this restaurant had a very strict dress-code, but he was not about to complain. He'd promised this evening to Demi, and had every intention of making it nice for her.
After pulling his hair into a ponytail again, he called out for his wife. "Hey, are you almost ready?"
Soon enough, Demi came through from the master closet, wearing a slim black dress with long sleeves and a pair of small, silver hoop earrings. Her hair was styled into a lovely, wavy appearance, and she carried a shawl over her arm, for she would need to wear it once they left.
To Trunks, she looked radiant, even though he knew that she was simply following the dress-code. Forgetting that she could mentally overhear him, he thought, 'She looks fantastic tonight...'
Demi – having heard his quiet statement as well as being unaccustomed to receiving compliments – blushed, clearing her throat and looking away.
Then, the doorbell caught their attention, and Trunks turned to go out into the hallway. "That's got to be my sister." He pressed the button on the wall to unlock the front gate outside, and soon the entrance door just downstairs opened and Bra stepped inside.
She headed up the carpeted steps and stood before the couple, smiling while she proceeded to remove her black leather jacket. "Hi, guys. You both look very nice." Judging by the rosy hue in her cheeks and nose, it must have been considerably cold outside.
"Hey, Bra," Trunks replied.
"Let me get the baby," Demi said, and left brother and sister so as to retrieve her son from his bedroom.
"So I'm assuming that you're both going to the Cevarelli, otherwise you wouldn't look so fancy. Either that or there's a wedding somewhere and you're hoping to get free food," she joked.
"Funny, but yeah, it would be the former. Demi wants to try the food. And you know about the dress rules there..."
She nodded slowly, and then emphasized her point with a shudder.
Finally, Demi returned, carrying Trainer, who glanced at everyone present. She then handed him to Bra, who held him securely in her arms. Said baby looked up at his aunt with curious eyes, and she silently prayed that he wouldn't start crying.
Demi pulled her thick shawl on. "He should be fine, but if he gets fussy you can read him books or let him play with his toys. When he gets hungry, there's milk in a couple of bottles in the fridge and some baby food. And you should try to put him to sleep at eight-thirty, please."
"Sure thing. How long are you two going to be gone?"
"Probably a couple of hours or so," Trunks told her.
"Okay, well you two have a nice time," she grinned, and waved to them as they went down the stairs and out the front door, leaving her to try and keep order within the household.
Chapter finished, and you have no idea how long it took me to write this one! It has been a ridiculously busy week. Please be sure to review!