Roses and Swans

The sun shone through the nursery, lighting the mother and child rocking gently back and forth in her rocking chair. Her fuzzy pink robe rose and fell gently with her breathing and the baby wrapped tightly in blue blankets snored softly in its mother's arm. She planted a sweet kiss on her baby's head and smiled down at her sleeping young one. Such a beautiful scene, such a happy mother and child. That's the way things would have been had Chichi had a normal husband, and normal children. Too bad Chichi had neither.

She sat in a chair profusely rocking her child back in forth in a robe that told tales of diaper changes and bottle feedings gone wrong. On slipper had been missing from her foot, long forgotten in the war for survival. In her arms Goten screamed his little head off, slamming painful fists and kicking with his powerful feet. He was hungry. Always hungry! The appetite of his father with a dash of Gohan mixed in. Never had she encountered such a hungry baby and it exhausted her more than anything. She reached beside her, setting down an empty bottle next to 13 others and lifted up another one, still warm in a pot of water besides her. She stuffed the bottle into the child's mouth and he sucked and gobbled contently.

Sighing to herself, she looked out the window besides her only to be greeted by a streak of lighting across a miserable sky. The rain rushed harshly to the ground and the wind howled as if it were on fire. Damn... was everyone against her! Well at least she still had her son.

Gohan!

She waited 5 minutes and finally the door slowly creaked open, revealing a crawling Gohan, large bags under his eyes and dressed in both plaids and poka dots. He looked as if he were on the front lines of World War III protecting the troops as a human shield.

Yeah mom?

Please, can you do me a favor? Watch the baby, while I go clean up a bit.

Mom, please! No anything but that!

Gohan, please. I need to do the laundry, I need to get some dinner on the table, and I'm in desperate need of a shower.

Mom…I…all right mom…please… hurry.

Chichi nodded and handed the baby to his little brother. Standing slowly, she made her way quickly to the door and shuffled out the room, her other slipper coming off unnoticed. Gohan sighed and sat down with his little brother close to his chest.

I love you Goten, but you're a heavy eater and a light sleeper.

The baby took out his bottle, and cooed softly at Gohan, smiling and laughing. Gohan laughed as well, until the baby spit up on his clothes and the rocking chair underneath him broke. Sitting on the ruins of the wooden chair, and holding tight to his little brother in his arms, Gohan began to cry to himself.

A bird waddled across the grass, the rain pouring heavily upon its wings. It shook and flapped trying its best to free itself of the weight of the rain but alas, it was no use. He was soaked and he was gonna stay that way until he got some shelter and got from under the downpour. He managed to make his way to a house, and sat on the windowsill for a few moments. He shook and shook sending water all over the window glass and making him look like a fuzzy black chicken. Sighing angrily to himself he peaked inside the window and quickly recognized it as Chichi's kitchen… minus the clean. Dirty pots littered her sink, clothes, and cloth diapers spread across her table hoping to get clean in time for Goten's next changing. Her stove was on, food bubbling over on the first two eyes and on the back eyes, 20 bottles sat warming in a hot pot. His eyes wandered over the kitchen, the kitchen he missed so much and then his eyes settled on his beautiful wife. He jumped back appalled at the sight of her. She had been sitting in the chair, her head sleeping gently on the table. Drool fell from her mouth freely, and her hair was terribly matted down and knotted. Her face had all sorts of dried things on it and her robe looked like it had been dragged through a wolf's den. There were bags under her eyes big enough to carry 50 dollars worth of groceries and lines in her face deep enough to reroute the Nile. Heh… Goten was a chip off the old block.

The bird's ears picked up on twin cries and he knew that Chichi had left the baby with Gohan. Heh, maybe he should step in and give those two a rest. Chichi was not saiyan and his son? Well… he was just lazy.

Goku flapped his large black wings and flew up one flight and in through the bathroom window. Chichi always left the window open, being that her husband didn't believe in fragrance sprays, and for this... he loved her. He slipped inside, and waddled slowly across the hall. Man it had been a long time since he been here, and he really missed it. Looking down at the floor he realized it had been a long time since Chichi swept too. Sighing he pushed open the nursery door and stepped inside shielding his noes from the horrible smell of baby poop. Up against the wall, Gohan was snoring lightly, his eyes in the shape of knock out Xs. Damn…even wore out Gohan eh? This child is really going places. The baby was laughing at his brother, tugging and pulling at his long locks of hair. Smiling to himself, Goku made his way over to the babe, and transformed into a different shape… wonder twin powers activate!

After his transformation he sat down next to Gohan, pulling the baby into his own arms. The child squealed happily, and began hopping in its father's arms. Goku pulled little Goten close and lifted little Gohan in his other arm. All right, now to get Gohan to a bed. Goku stepped out the door of the nursery and waddling down the hallway walked slowly to Chichi's room. He struggled under the weight of the two Saiyan children and was forced to open his heavy bedroom door with his butt. Gohan rolled over in his arm kicking poor Goku in the neck. Little Goten grabbed a hold of one of his ears and yanked hard making tears instantly come to Goku's eyes. Breathing deeply, and calming himself, he waddled over to the bed. The same bed he created these monsters in, and the bed that looked two seconds from destruction. He placed his eldest son down on his bed and covered him with the large purple satin quilt. He planted a slobbery kiss on Gohan's head before walking to the vanity and pulling from the first drawer another large quilt. He walked to the door and with one last look took in the room he had not seen in a while. Damn... he missed this place. Cradling Goten on his hip, he began walking out the room, the baby and blanket in arms.

Goku walked slowly down his steps, staring down at his son as he went. He was so lively, had his mother's bright eyes, her chubby cheeks and her baby fat that seemed to not want to go away. He had her violent attitude, always tugging and pulling… but what a lovely violent attitude it was… heh. His eyes always shone though, and he always seemed so excited about everything in front of him… just like his dad. A combination that looked like he was going to be a real ladies man with them eyes. Chuckling lightly to himself he walked to the kitchen, and stopped by his wife. When Goten saw his sleeping mother he became overly excited and began reaching for her almost grabbing a lock of her hair. Goku pulled the child back and shook a finger no at him. Pulling out the blanket from his free arm, he covered his wife, planting a slobbery kiss on her cheek. So beautiful, she was really…no seriously…no, he means it! Shaking his head he waddled over to the stove, and turned the front eyes on the stove on low.

The back eyes held the baby's formula, but in order to reach it, he would have to climb on top and lord knows he was not gonna bring that child over the stove with him, although tempting with the child's constant tugging and scratching, he refused to do it. He waddled next to Chichi and placed the baby in her arms. Instinct took over on that one, he knew any mother to a newborn baby would hold the child tight and sleep through almost any crying, dropping of pans, or nuclear explosions.

He waddled to the stove and climbed on top, pulling out 5 burning hot bottles. His mouth wanted to scream from the pain but his mind knew better than to wake Chichi up. She would surely beat the hell out of him in the state of mind she was in. An animal holding her baby bottles... I think not.

Shoveling the bottles into one arm, he climbed off the stove and took the baby out of Chichi's arms. She whimpered softly but fatigue set in and she turned her head to the side and continued sleeping. And this was where he left his child? Thank God he was home, even if it was for a few hours. Taking the child upstairs he went into the nursery and sat down on the ruins of the rocking chair. Pulling the child close, he stuffed a bottle into little Goten's mouth and the baby began sucking, happily and quietly. Now was father son time.

He pulled little Goten close and began to tell him stories. Stories of how he met his mother, of about his grandpa Gohan, and his brother Gohan. He told him stories that would put a donkey to shame, and then he told him stories of triumph and love. The child listened intently, too young to know what he was saying, and too young to realize that what Goku was speaking was far from English. He listened and sucked, sucked and listened as his eyes slowly closed and he began snoring softly in his arms.

With the child sleeping soundly, he stood and placed it in the baby bassinet near the broken rocking chair. If he kept him in his arms or spoke to him while he was sleep, he would grow accustomed to someone always being next to him, and he would wake up once they set him down. He learned that the hard way with Gohan…sighs, the very hard way.

When he placed little Goten in his crib he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and pain over shadow him His baby… his son was lying in a crib and just may never grow to know him. His mother and his older brother would miss him terrible. And yet, he had no control over it. He had to save the world…no one else was strong enough, and if he didn't then they would all be dead… each one of them. What was he to do? Just sit there and let him die? The same way he held little Goten he longed to hold Gohan… and Chichi too. He missed their smiles the way they called his name. He missed how they always use to cling to him, as if for dear life. He missed how-WHACK!

Suddenly Goku was hit in the head by a broom and sent careening into the baby's closet. OH GOD…someone call the troops… Chichi is awake.

Get away from my child CHIMP! Go! Go on shoo, shoo!

Goku scrambled out the door, Chichi in hot pursuit. They both thundered down the stairs like first graders going to the park with their parents. He dashed to the front door, slamming it opened and disappearing into the buckets of rain. Chichi stopped at the door, swinging her fist at the now disappeared animal. She stayed at the door, watching the rain pour as she stared out into the heavy gray mist, suddenly she felt a tug on her arm.

Mom?

Yes Gohan?

What was that?

Well, It appears that we're not the only ones who have taken a liken to Goten. A little monkey decided to feed and watch your brother while we slept for a few hours.

It was Dad wasn't it?

Chichi lifted her hands up to her cheek and touched lightly where the monkey had kissed her. Yup… it had been her Goku. She and Gohan had known all along. She first knew when she felt him cradled her while she slept, and Gohan first knew when he saved him from the giant fish. He couldn't stay away. Heh, never have never will.

Yes Gohan… that was your father.

Then why did you chase him away?

Just a little pay back for leaving us in the first place. Heh, don't worry the next time he comes around I won't shoo him away. But he had better not put any more animal kisses on me! Who knows what germs he could be carrying!

Sure thing mom. I think he knows better now, hehehe.

Inside now Gohan. I've got dinner on the stove, and if we hurry we can get some more sleep before your brother wakes up.

Okay mom.

Gohan ran off towards the kitchen, leaving Chichi standing at the door. Laughing quietly to her self, she whispered an I love you, to her husband out there in the rain, before closing the door and following her son into the kitchen.

Gosha- Thank you so much Gosha! You're reviews always make me laugh and bring happiness into my little Fanfiction world. I'm happy you're enjoying my work as much as I'm enjoying yours and I hope you enjpy the following chapters as well. Thanks for everything! Lol, love ya much too, Bye bye!

super saiyan 4 chichi- Thanks very much for the review! I always try to add a bit of humor into the stories I write. Always adds a dash of excitement and common sense into what can sometimes be endless reading, lol. I'm happy you loved it, and I hope you enjoy future writings as well. Thank again! Bye!

Monk Stina- Hey There! Yes I know, the chapters have always been a bit on the short side, and very much sorry for that. I've long ago decided to up my chapters up by a few thousand words, but when you're used to writing one way at times it can be frustrating trying. Thanks for you're review! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Hope to hear from you again, see ya!

I know, I know, your not supposed to answer the reviewer, but damn it I think that it can't hurt I mean geez, you're nice enough to review, so I should be nice enough to answer. LMAO and when my story is deleted we all know why! Well any ways how did you guys what do you think of this chapter? Yes, I know, I'm very sorry this was so short, but I've been overly busy and I'll be sure to lengthen the next couple of chapters being that they are gonna be the last in this fanfic. Yup… I'm pulling this bad boy to a close. School is starting, and I'd rather I didn't leave stories open like this, besides, the concept is done with. I'll throw in a lovely ending for you guys alright! I'm a bit sad to be ending it, but there is only so long you can run a story. Thanks for everyone who has read and reviewed. Special thanks on the ending chapter. See you guys! Love you all! Bye bye! Carolina----