I know, I know, it's been half of forever and a day but you guys will not believe how busy I have been! OMG!! Well…that and I've been having a bit of writer's block, so hopefully this chapter will be worth it. And yet, this is the LAST CHAPTER!!! AHHHHHH!!!! I know, this chapter skips around a lot, but I didn't want to drag the story on and on, so I'm deciding to end it now.

Oh, by the way, Vegeta might be a liiiiiitttle bit OOC, but…hey, I tried!!

Chapter 25 - Endings and Beginnings

Valedictorian.

She never thought it would actually happen to her. Well, no, she used to think that it was possible…probable actually, but that time seemed so far away now, like an abandoned era that had vanished in the mist. And now…the senior class had chosen her as their valedictorian.

She'd laughed when they had first asked her, concluding that they were joking with her, trying to trick her, but they had assured her that they were completely serious; they wanted her.

The next two weeks had been a nightmare for her. Between taking her final exams and trying to write her speech she hadn't found hardly any time to sleep, but the day finally came, and there she was.

She had walked up to the podium slowly, her mind reeling with every step. She placed her hands on either side of the small pedestal, searching every face.

Her eyes stopped on her boyfriend and her son, the two best things that had ever happened to her. She smiled, cleared her throat and began.

"We are all here today for one reason, to witness, and in some cases experience, the graduation of the senior class of West City High School…"

She heard her voice waver as she started, but she gained confidence as she continued.

"This year has been one of the worst, and the best, of my life…"

He sat in the very back row, on the last seat, in the corner. He had been watching her for a long time, waiting for the right moment. He smirked as she stood up and started her speech. He shifted in his seat, holding the small gun close to him, wouldn't be long now.

She smiled; it was finally over! She thought she would never get through her speech! There wasn't a dry eye in the audience when she had finished talking about how much her son had changed her life. She couldn't believe it!

She had received her diploma with a giant smile and was now waiting to exit the large auditorium. She spotted Vegeta and Trunks and rushed over to them.

"Hey!" She called, getting both of their attention.

Trunks laughed and held out his arms and she took him, kissing him on his chubby cheek.

Vegeta crossed his arms and took off his cap and gown, "God I hate these stupid things," he growled.

She rolled her eyes and kissed him, "So…how'd I do?"

"Horrible."

"Thanks." She smiled and started out the door.

He pulled the flaps of his coat closer as he inched through the crowd toward her; he had to do this! He had to! He watched the three of them from a far; they looked so happy together. They were a family. Not a traditional family, but none the less…they were a family.

He felt a twinge of bitterness as he thought; that's what he always wanted. He wanted a family. He was the one who deserved to have a beautiful girlfriend and a wonderful son, not Vegeta!

He began to push toward them with more vigor now, his anger fueled by the recollection of what he had done. He deserved to die.

She turned and saw him and a beautiful smile slid across her face.

"Austin! I'm so glad you came!"

She handed Trunks to Vegeta and gave him a firm hug. She felt the gun tucked securely into the inside pocket of his coat and gave him a puzzled look.

"What's that?"

This was his chance! He had to do it now! No one would be expecting it.

He reached into his pocket, but he stopped, glancing up at her son, Trunks, and then…he couldn't do it. He couldn't just take away the boy's mother like that. Vegeta was definitely not responsible enough to take care of a child by himself! Bulma was all the child had, he couldn't take her away from him.

"I--it's nothing. See you later," he said before dashing off.

Bulma glanced after him, slightly confused, but she shrugged it off, not knowing exactly how close he had been to taking her life.

"Come on, woman…" Vegeta grasped her arm and started to steer her out of the building.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He smirked, he had quite an evening planned for her.

She gasped, completely in awe, as they stepped onto the huge yacht.

"Vegeta…what--how--?" She couldn't even speak.

He chuckled and took her hand, leading her to a small table on the top deck, "A friend of my dad's rents out these yachts. It's ours for the night."

She placed a hand over her heart and sat down, gazing about the large, spacious boat. "All this…for me?"

He nodded and sat down across from her. He gazed at her for a moment then looked away, not quite able to swallow around the lump in his throat. He had to tell her.

"Woman, I…"

She smiled that dazzling, heart-stopping smile and gazed at him. "Yes?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box, then stood, coming around to her side of the table to kneel before her.

"I…wanted to wait until after dinner, but…"

She gasped, cupping her hands over her mouth as she gazed, wide eyed at him. Was this really happening?

"Woman, I…I want you to marry me."

"Marry you? But I…we…oh Vegeta we can't! I mean…we're barely out of high school, and--"

"Look, woman…I'm not asking you to leave your family and travel around the world with me, I just…" he sighed, this was really hard for him. "I can't live without you, Bulma. I need you. I…I love you."

She bit her lip as the tears began to worm down her cheeks and plunge from her chin.

"I love you too," she whispered, sliding out of her seat to throw her hands around his neck. "Yes, I'll marry you!"

He smirked and held her; this was the best night of his life.

Austin sat on his couch at home, staring blankly into the television, a million things on his mind.

He vaguely heard his cell phone ring and he picked it up.

"What."

"Austin…it's Brooke. Did you do it?"

He sighed, "No, Brooke, I didn't do it. I couldn't."

He heard her sigh in frustration, "I knew you wouldn't do it! You're too much of a softy! That's why you couldn't save Ayana!"

He flinched at her name, but couldn't move. "What really happened?"

He heard her laugh maliciously, "What really happened? She had cancer. She'd had it all of her life, but it got worse when you left. She just…gave up. She died hoping to see you one last time, but…you never came."

"But you said--"

"I know what I said, but it's not true. I said that so you would kill Bulma, but you didn't! I paid your 'granny' to say everything she said. None of it was true. It was all a lie."

Austin couldn't believe it. She'd died from cancer. Everything he'd known was a lie. He shook his head and threw the phone across the room, holding his head in his hands. How could he be so stupid?!

He couldn't believe how close he was to taking Bulma's life…neither she nor Vegeta had anything to do with Ayaya's death! And at that instant he dropped to his knees and began to pray.

Funny, he had never prayed in his life, but he couldn't help but feel that he had to confess to someone, and God was probably the best choice at the moment.

Bulma smiled at Vegeta as the both sat on the couch in front of her parents, Val, Squid, Vegeta's parents, Chichi and Goku, Krillin and 18, and a few miscellaneous people who had just shown up.

"Okay everybody…Vegeta and I have something to tell you." Bulma was smiling from ear to ear, trying to cover up the ring on the third finger of her right hand.

She elbowed him and he rolled his eyes and started to speak but she cut him off.

"--We're getting married!" She held out her hand to show them all, grinning like a child with a lollipop.

For a moment there was a deafening silence as everyone just stood there, staring at the two of them in total astonishment.

Chichi, noticing the worried look starting to materialize on Bulma's face jumped up.

"Oh my gosh, B, that's great!"

Everyone immediately started talking once Chichi had made the first move, and no one could make out anything anyone else was saying, but…no one cared, they were getting married!

"I forbid it! I will not have my son getting married to some woman he hardly knows just because she had his child… you're far too young…you still have college ahead of you…what about your career?" Vegeta's father made excuse after excuse, not willing to accept the fact that his son couldn't care less what he said.

18 had demanded a closer look at Bulma's ring, and was now trying to hint to Krillin that she wanted one.

Goku was slapping Vegeta on the back and kept talking about what kind of food would be at the wedding.

"The wedding?!" Chichi and Mrs. Briefs were both thinking the same thing.

"Oh my gosh, Bulma, I know the absolute best celebrity wedding planner!"

"And I know exactly what flowers you're going to want!" Chichi exclaimed.

"Have you picked out a dress yet?" 18 questioned.

"What about bridesmaids? And who will be your maid of honor?"

"Whoa, you guys! We haven't done anything yet!"

"Well…let's get started!" Mr. Briefs said.

Bulma smiled shyly under her veil as she walked slowly down the aisle with the music on her father's arm.

"Are you ready for this, daddy?" she whispered.

He chuckled and shook his head, "No, but I don't really have a choice. He's a good boy, and he better take care of my baby girl!"

They reached the end of the aisle and Mr. Briefs handed his daughter to the man who would hold her for the rest of both of their lives.

She smiled at him as they both walked up to stand in front of the pastor. Bulma's mother had almost had the Pope marry them, but Bulma had insisted that she didn't want that, so they had settled for the pastor of a nearby church.

After about half an hour, Vegeta began to sigh; why was this taking so long?! Bulma smiled at him and reached out to take his hand. He began to play thumb war, and they proceeded to play until the priest got to the vows.

"Do you, Vegeta Ouji, take this woman to be your wife…?"

"I do," Vegeta said in his strong, deep voice.

"And do you, Bulma Briefs, take this man to be your husband…?"

"I do," she smiled at him.

"Then, by the power vested in me by the state of (A/n: Umm…where are they??) California, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

He turned to Vegeta, "I know you've been waiting for this… you may now kiss the bride."

He smirked and threw back the veil, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.

"You're mine, woman," he whispered before kissing her passionately.

She smiled against his lips and pulled away, "Not 'till tonight," she winked and took his arm, then followed him out of the chapel.

Yes, I know…not my best work, but hey…at least it's up, right? I can't believe it's over! I'm gonna cry!!! Lol. Umm…for anybody whoz interested, I will be starting another fic, (An A/U this time). So…watch for it. Any questions, comments, suggestions, and/or concerns email me

Any of those I will receive your email and hopefully reply within 24 hours. Luv all of yaz! See ya next time!!

Oh, I almost forgot…the thank u's!!

First and foremost:

ShadesofCrimson: You are like…mynew best friend, my inspiration. I don't know what I would've done without you. (Your stories are great, by the way!) Luv ya lots!

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And to everybody: I can't thank any of you enough for reviewing. You guyz will never know how much it meant to me!! I luv all of u guyz lots!! Make sure you read my next story, okay? Lol. Hope I didn't miss anybody. If I did…email me and I'll be sure to add you. I luv all of you guys!! Cyz!!

P.S. Don't forget the final review!!