Author's Note: Special thanks go out to Thomas Drovin, SSJ-Spiderfan, Trupan, and Cappucine for reviewing!
Thomas Drovin: Yep! I did update! looks really proud And, you're quite welcome! Of course I would add you to my favorites. Other than being one of the first few people who reviewed, you seem to be a great writer! I'm glad to know that the story is going on nicely to you, and it's quite okay that you have no ideas to give. After all, most of the chapters that are to come are from last year, when I was in the eighth grade. Maybe after about six chapters, I'll be fresh out of pre-done chapters. :P And that's where, you, the reader, can come in! Don't worry! I shall update regularly- if my schoolwork permits!
SSJ-Spiderfan: Thanks! I was hoping that my first FanFic would have a great beginning. I'm glad that you'll be looking forward to reading more of it. The first few chapters are about Bulma's pregnancy, and they'll be really brief. They just show the characteristics of certain key characters, such as Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks, Goten, and Chi-Chi. The others are just as important, though! :P Hope you like this chapter! waves By the way, are you a Spiderman fan? I was a bit curious, as he is my favorite superhero, better than Superman and Batman! I enjoy watching the movies. They're great!
Trupan: Muchas gracias, Trupan! I'm glad to see that the story's really good so far, seeing as how I merely looked over each chapter once or twice to check for grammatical errors. (Looks really sheepish) I shall continue, and I think I'll update every week or so. I couldn't do update sooner mainly because of schoolwork, and my mother's birthday, which was the 7th of January. Also, you're quite welcome for the review! I really like Usher! Mind you, it's not love… yet. Tries to hide four-foot poster of Usher but fails miserably :P See you later!
Cappucine: Aw, thank you! That was my goal- character development- and I'm glad to see that it's working! Expect the next few chapters to be the same. Yes, I've been planning everything out for the longest time- since last June, to be exact. Thank you for noticing the relationship between Bulma and Chi-Chi! I've been looking for some remarks on my characters, and I'm pleased that you took in every aspect of my story so far! Thanks for the compliments; they are much appreciated! I'm looking forward to your next review!
Without further ado, Chapter 3 is here!
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.
Chapter 3: The Pregnancy
Bulma was now five months pregnant, and enjoying every single bit of it, with the exception of the morning sicknesses and all of the other unpleasant symptoms that usually accompanied pregnancy. At present, she happily dug into a pickle, mustard, and vanilla ice cream dessert while Trunks and Vegeta looked on, both amazed and disgusted.
"How could you even think about eating that?" Trunks finally asked, standing beside her as she ate. "I thought you didn't like pickles or mustard, and now you're mixing them with ice cream? Gross!"
Vegeta could barely keep a smirk off of his face. "She ate worse with you in her body," he explained to his astonished son. "She had pickles, topped with mustard and mayonnaise and ketchup, in her strawberry ice cream."
"That sounds disgusting! Boy, am I glad I'm a guy!" Trunks exclaimed.
Bulma looked up from her delectable dessert to gaze at her son lovingly. She was so proud of him, even though he hadn't been very delighted when he'd first learned about the baby. He'd learned to accept the new addition to the family all the same, though, and was anticipating the big day as excitedly as his parents were.
"It's just the cravings, sweetie. I remember when Chi-Chi was pregnant with Goten -- she wanted hot peppers with her apple pie. Now, doesn't that sound nasty?" She finished her food, licking the bowl clean in an unladylike manner. Then she rose from the table, one hand on her bulging belly, and the other clutching the plate.
Trunks and Vegeta rushed to her side to help her steady herself. "I'm okay, Trunks. Your dad can help put me back in balance," Bulma grunted, tightly gripping the arm of her chair. "Go help Chi-Chi around the house, dear."
Trunks went obligingly to go find the woman. It wasn't difficult, as she was humming obnoxiously in the very next room, dusting the furniture.
Chi-Chi had been coming to the Briefs residence twice a week (Vegeta had insisted that Bulma call her and beg her to change her mind about the every single day thing), and was thoroughly enjoying helping with the dusting, sweeping, and cooking. No matter how much she insisted, however, Bulma chose to help with the work, as Vegeta, and even Trunks, would have no part in it.
"Bulma? Did you just eat that ice cream again? Can't you at least control your own cravings? It can't be good for the baby!" Chi-Chi now yelled from the sitting room.
"Shut up."
"You shut up! You're letting her eat that unhealthy food!" Chi-Chi retaliated, bristling in her rage. Vegeta was just a... a... "Stupid, disrespectful, arrogant, lazy man... He has no manners whatsoever. His wife is pregnant with his baby, yet he doesn't do a thing around the house..." she added, muttering brusquely under her breath.
Trunks abruptly appeared, and she quickly ceased her grumbling. "Why, hello, dear! Are you hungry?" she asked the boy, who stood before her, shuffling his feet anxiously. 'Poor boy, he must be bored as anything…'
And what of her own son and husband? She shook her head. They should be alright, as she'd prepared more than a week's ration the day before.
"You must want to train with Goten, don't you?" she asked Trunks.
The young boy nodded energetically. Forget helping to dust the furniture. If she got Goten here to train with him, Trunks would dust the whole house.
"Alright, I'll call Goku to send him over," she continued, heading to the nearest phone. Trunks followed exuberantly.
Meanwhile, Vegeta took the (thankfully plastic) bowl from his wife and tossed it into the sink. He then joined her in the second largest living room they owned, sitting beside her with his arms crossed. Eyes staring straight at the blank wall ahead, he asked her shortly, "Well, how are you feeling?"
"Besides the slight indigestion? Nice and full," she replied back, patting her rotund belly. She didn't mind his curt behavior; she knew it was his way of showing his concern for her.
Vegeta frowned, and his eyes flickered momentarily at her tummy. "I can't remember your pregnancy with the boy taking this long, woman."
"Aw, is Daddy eager to see his darling baby?" she teased.
"Be quiet."
She shrugged and shifted a bit in her seat. "It's only been five months, dear. We've only just passed the halfway mark, you know." Suddenly she laughed, feeling a certain sensation arise from within her. "It looks like the little one wants to say hi, Dad."
"What…" Vegeta had no opportunity to ask what she'd meant by that statement – Bulma had quickly lifted up her shirt a little to expose her belly, taking his hand and placing it on top of her. The Saiyan Prince grew quiet, feeling the weak but certain movements from the unborn baby. "Hmm."
"What?"
"Not strong enough," he replied, but she noticed that he still kept his hand pressed lightly against her tummy.
She took advantage of the situation and rested her head against his shoulder, snuggling up close to him. When he didn't budge, she smirked. "You know, you're a lot more affectionate when I'm having your babies. I ought to get pregnant more often."
He didn't reply for several moments, still staring reflectively at her stomach. "Don't push your luck," he finally said. "And don't ever tell Kakarot about this, or I'll kill you." A pause. "After you've had the child, of course."
Bulma smiled. "Don't tell Goku that you love your family?"
His frown only deepened. "I mean it, woman."
"Fine, then. I won't say anything to him," she promised. An idea suddenly dawned upon her, and with a sly grin, she removed his hand from her belly and pulled her shirt back down again.
He only gave her a curious glare in response, daring her to continue.
"Well, I did promise not to say anything to Goku," she started playfully, getting up from her seat. She leaned forward and gave him a quick and gentle kiss against the lips. "…But I didn't promise not to say anything to Chi-Chi!"
Vegeta rose up to his feet almost immediately to pursue his mischievous wife, who wobbled unsteadily out of sight. "Get back here!"
Goku and Goten instantaneously appeared in the kitchen at the moment, having used Instant Transmission. They hardly had time to marvel at Chi-Chi's hard work, though, as Bulma was seen waddling herself hastily into the immaculate room.
"Hey, Bulma!" the former of the two waved.
Bulma took one glance behind her and quickened her pace. "Bye, Goku!" she giggled, waving back behind her and exiting the kitchen.
"Bye!" he called after her. "Boy, that was weird," he added, turning to Goten. "Wonder what's going on?"
The boy nodded wholeheartedly. "Should Bulma be moving that fast, Daddy?"
His father had no chance to respond, as Vegeta promptly flew into the kitchen and out again. "Move out of my way, Kakarot!" was all that he said.
"Okay... Now that was really weird," Goten commented, scratching the side of his cheek.
In the sitting room, they could hear Chi-Chi's scolding: "Bulma, I heard all that screaming! What was all of that for? Wait a second... Stop! That can't be good for the baby! Slow down!" In a split second, they could hear: "No flying in the house, mister! You'll break something!"
"Hey, Mom, I'm going to go train with Goten and his dad in the GR. Do you need anything?" Trunks asked as Bulma made her way toward him.
He quickly dodged her as she collided with the couch, giggling. "…Mom?"
Vegeta stopped in mid-air and landed smoothly on the floor. A small frown grazing his features, he jerked a thumb towards the now-furious Chi-Chi. "You're full of nothing but idle threats, aren't you? I think you missed the woman quite a while ago."
"Your wife is going to have a baby, you jerk! You shouldn't play with her like that! What's wrong with you?" This man was going to give her a heart attack!
"Who's playing?" Vegeta snapped right back. "Mind your business for once, you insufferable harpy--"
"Vegeta," his wife sighed exasperatedly from the sofa. "Do you always have to be so short-tempered?"
"None of this would have happened if you..." Vegeta started. Before he could continue his accusation, however, Chi-Chi screamed again, and the three began a heated, full-fledged argument.
Goku and Goten entered the doorway of the room and watched the scene with looks of astonishment on their faces. Trunks glumly joined them, a crimson blush seen on his cheeks.
"Whoa, are your parents always like that, Trunks?" Goten finally asked, awed.
"Yeah," Trunks said shortly, scowling in obvious embarrassment. He leaned back on the doorway as Chi-Chi angrily slammed her duster down on the sofa. "Ever since Mom got pregnant, that is. I'll be so relieved when my baby brother is born."
"How do you know the baby's a boy?" wondered Goku. "Did your mom ask the doctor?"
"Dad, it's going to be a boy," Goten responded knowingly. "We know it."
Goku shrugged. So far, all boys had been born between the two families. It made sense to him. "Now, who wants to train a little before dinner?"
"Uh, Dad, we just had lunch," Goten reminded him, walking with him towards the GR. "Mom might get mad if we eat again so soon."
Trunks nodded. "Yeah, we just ate, too." Well, maybe his mother had eaten. He and his father had unquestionably lost their appetites upon seeing Bulma devour her raw-fish-and-eggs lunch, and her ice-cream-and-condiments dessert.
"Well, aren't you just a little hungry?" aforesaid man whined.
The two boys nodded.
"So let's go train!"
June 22, 2009: This chapter's main scene (Vegeta and Bulma's time alone in the living room) was completely revamped. In my opinion, it was rightfully done, as I felt that the past scene was a bit OOC. Hope you enjoyed the new situation, though! It's different, but hopefully better. Until next time!
Ladii-Chocolate