Jean placed the last fork into the drawer. After finishing the dishes, she didn't have much else planned for her day. She looked out the window in front of her, noticing the morning was still hers for the taking. Summer break was in session, meaning Jean had a small reprieve from her duties at the school.. Being a college professor, most of her days were filled with reading essays and papers of her students. It was rare that she actually got out like she used to.
Chi-Chi was running errands most of the day and wouldn't be back until this evening. Goten was playing at his friend's, leaving her in an empty home. Jean thought about curling up in her chair with a good book. It would be the perfect way to spend a day off.
You know… Jean thought to herself. I've become such a homebody lately! I need to get out there and explore the city like I used to. Maybe there's a new shop in town! I've heard great things about this Yoga Studio across town. I actually have time to check it out today. The brunette quickly sets her drying towel down, rushing to her room to find something to wear.
As Jean looked for an outfit, she heard the phone began to ring in the other room. Making her way to the living area, the brunette picked up the phone on the fourth ring. "Hello?"
"Jean?"
"Yes? May I ask who's calling?"
"It's Videl! I'm so glad you're home!" The mother said quickly. "Is Chi-Chi home?"
"Not at the moment. She'll be running errands most of the day. Did you need something?"
"Are you busy today? Is there any way you can do me a huge favor?"
"It sounds like someone forgot to book a babysitter." Jean mentions with a laugh.
"I'm so sorry about the short notice. I over scheduled my own life, and I completely neglected to include Pan in my plans. Gohan has gone away for some scholastic conference and won't be back until late this evening. Is there any way you could watch her for a couple of hours?"
"Sure thing! You can drop her by any time. I'm just getting ready to walk around the city. We've still got a stroller, the two of us can go to a park or something!"
"That sounds great!" Videl said excitedly. "Thank you so much Jean, you're a lifesaver."
The two ladies said their goodbyes and Jean went back to her closet. She was more than happy to take Pan on her adventure today. When Chi-Chi and her partner used to babysit, Jean would observe the little Saiyan attempting to practice yoga poses. The brunette began to wonder if her mother was teaching her.
It didn't take long for Videl to reach their home. Jean heard a knock at the door, causing her to smile. "Come on in!"
"Thank you again for watching her!" Videl praised. She set down Pan's bag while the little Saiyan could be seen getting herself out of the car. The mother turned around, shaking her head. "Here comes Miss. Independent."
"Hi Jean!" Pan waved happily.
"Hey Pan!" The brunette smiled. "I was thinking we could go do some yoga today?"
"Yay!" The little Saiyan clapped happily.
"She loves doing Yoga." Videl said with a smile. "Have you been to The Harmony Center?"
"Is that the new place that opened up? I know it's been a couple of years, but I don't get out much." Jean mentions with a chuckle.
"Yea." The mother smiles. "We've been going since it opened. The owner has done amazing things with it!" Unsure whether to tell Jean who the owner was, Videl decided for now she wouldn't say anything. It didn't sound like she would make visiting a regular thing. "Little Pan has become a favorite there. Just don't tell Chi-Chi."
"There's a reason I shouldn't tell her?"
"No!" Videl laughed her comment off. She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. "I just know a lot of our friends and family go to the studio."
"Well it looks like I'll have to check it out!" Jean smiled.
Videl nodded as she bent over, kissing her little girl on the forehead. "I'll be back to pick you up in a couple hours."
"Okay mommy." Pan said with a smile. "Have fun! I love you!"
"I love you too sweetie! Have fun with Jean today." Videl smiles before kissing Pan's cheeks. The mother looked at Jean one last time before exiting. "Take care!"
The brunette smiled at little Pan. "Whataya say? Let's take a trip to The Harmony Center. Would you like to walk, or take the car?"
"Walk!" Pan said with a huge smile on her face.
The two set out on their adventure quickly. After moving to their home a week or so ago, Jean and Chi-Chi haven't really gone out to explore their little piece of the city. The two have been focusing on making their house a home that her children want to come to. Huge changes have been made to their little piece of heaven, Chi-Chi began a garden in the back, as well as several flowerbeds in the front. Photos of the family have been plastered on every wall and crevice of the home. Jean loved how warm and inviting their new home felt.
But with the transformation of their home, the couple made it a place they never wanted to leave. The time Jean did get away from her office and classroom was always spent at home. The woman felt she never got enough time in the day to do everything that needed done.
It didn't take much time for the two ladies to reach The Harmony Center. Seeing the studio in their sights, Jean looked down at the little Saiyan who was skipping next to her. The woman thought back to what Videl mentioned. Why on Earth would telling Chi-Chi I came to a yoga studio be a problem? Jean thought to herself. So what if a lot of her friends and family go there.
"Come on Jean!" Pan began to tug on her babysitter's arm. Seeing the Harmony Center in the distance made her even more excited.
"We'll get there soon, dear." Jean chuckled. However, the little quarter-Saiyan had quite a bit of strength. Pan was nearly pulling her babysitter down the street. Jean couldn't believe how strong the toddler was. Whatever Gohan and Videl were feeding her, it was definitely working.
Once they were across the street and parking lot, Pan slipped her hand out of Jeans and ran to the door as quickly as she could.
"Well hello, Miss. Pan." Bedde watched her run in with wide eyes. "Is your Mom or Ellery with you?"
"Pan!" Jean runs inside, panting heavily as she looks at the little Saiyan in the middle of the room.
"Jean wants to do Yoga, please." Pan says politely as she walks up to the desk.
"You must be Jean?" Bedde snickered at the older woman that was chasing Pan.
"Yes." Jean nodded, still trying to catch her breath. The brunette picked up the little girl, holding her so she wouldn't run off again. "It's my first time here."
"Don't worry!" Bedde smiles as she types some stuff into the computer. "I just need you to fill out this form for me. The next beginner class actually starts in about ten minutes, so you made it in perfect time!"
"Sounds great." Jean took the clipboard from the young woman, taking a seat with Pan.
Jean waved goodbye to everyone in the class. After only a thirty minute session, the woman made an entire group of friends. The group seemed so supportive, Jean could see why Videl and her friends always come to this place.
"Will we see you next session, Jean?" Sophai asked with a bright smile.
"I hope so!" The woman happily stated. "You'll definitely see me again. This has been an amazing experience. Thank you for teaching me!" Jean took a hold of Pan's hand, making sure she stayed close.
"It's my pleasure." Sophai beamed. "We'll see the both of you soon!"
Pan looked up at Jean, tugging on her hand gently. "Are we leaving?"
"Let's walk around for a minute." Jean mentioned. "I haven't seen the whole place."
"Okay! They have stairs!" Pan said as she pointed towards reception.
"We'll get there." Jean smiles. "Let's take our time and walk around."
The duo walked back down the hallway, seeing several rooms devoted to yoga. The main reception area was gorgeous with the water fountain. Jean noticed a set of double doors to the left of her. There were large windows inside the doors, peering to several platforms with people outside. A man with a bright orange outfit was at the center of attention.
"Grandpa!" Pan yelled before slipping her hand out of Jeans, running for the double doors.
The warrior was finishing up his last martial arts session for the day. "Alright guys! Everyone really showed some improvement today! We're going to keep working on our breathing technique and timing this week. Class Dismissed!" Goku's Saiyan ears perked as he heard a yell come from inside the building.
"Pan! Come back here!" Jean hollered as she ran after her, but the little one was too quick. Pan was outside almost before the brunette could blink. She watched as the toddler ran up to the man in orange, who had a similar look of shock on his face.
"Grandpa!" The little Saiyan yelled once again as she flew through the crowd, landing square on Goku's chest.
"Well hello Panny." Goku laughed as he hugged his granddaughter close to him. Kissing the top of her head, the warrior began to look around to see where Videl or Gohan was. "Did your Mom and Dad bring you up here?"
"Actually," Jean interrupted. "I was babysitting her and we decided to come do some yoga together. I don't believe we've met, my name's Jean." The woman extended her arm for a handshake.
The Saiyan felt the blood drain from his face. Jean? As in Chi-Chi's new partner, Jean? Noticing her extended hand, Goku did his best to make light of the situation. "Hey Jean! My name's Goku."
"So you're the infamous Goku that I've heard so much about." The woman mentioned with a smirk.
"I'd hope all good things, but I know that's probably not true." Goku rubbed the back of his head, still holding his granddaughter tight. Looking at Pan in his arms, the warrior sighs. "Was there a reason you came here today?" The Saiyan asked. With his ex-wife, there was always an ulterior motive when it came to things like this. One doesn't just show up at the studio he works at out of the blue, especially his ex's new partner.
"Videl needed a babysitter." Jean shrugged, taking a seat on one of the wooden platforms. "When she came to the house, I told her I'd thought about giving this place a try. She had nothing but good things to say about it. She only asked that I don't tell Chi-Chi, which now I can see why." The woman chuckled. "I didn't realize this was the studio you and your partner built."
"We've been in this spot for two years now." Goku said with a smile. "I built the place for her. Before this, she was teaching yoga and giving massages out of her own home."
"That's amazing." Jean mentioned. "It's quite a feat to build a building like that for someone you love."
"I'm good with my hands." Goku began playing with Pan in his arms. "I built and made all of the repairs on the home Chi-Chi and I created together. I guess it's just something I do for the people I love. I build them things."
Jean watched the Saiyan in front of her. The man was nothing like she thought he would be. Goku was thoughtful, and it seemed that he had a good head on his shoulders as well. Jean couldn't fathom why Ch-Chi was holding such animosity towards him.
"Can I ask you something, Goku?" Jean said timidly.
"Sure?"
"How did the relationship between you and my partner end? I want to hear your side of the story, since I've heard so many others."
"How exactly will this help?" The warriors brow furrowed.
"It will help me understand the situation." Jean explained gently. "Hearing every side of the story allows me to find consistency in order to find out the real story."
The warrior took a deep breath, unsure of where to start. "I'll be honest, Jean. Over the many years I was with Chi-Chi, it was very rare that I put her first. I always put the safety of the Universe over the happiness of my wife."
Jean's brow raised. "Safety of the Universe?"
Goku sighed. "I'm sure Chi-Chi's told you I'm not exactly human. I come from a warrior race called the Saiyans. Fighting is in my blood and a lot of the time I'm unable to stop myself from getting into fights with other warriors, mostly bad guys.
"Over the thirty-five years we were together, I put her on the back burner countless times.. One night after I came home from training, we had an argument, which wasn't out of the ordinary. She decided she was going to stay with Gohan and Videl. I was devastated at the time. I wanted to keep our family together, but I also knew it wasn't fair to Chi-Chi to keep her from truly being happy."
"It was around that same time that I met Ellery through my friend, Bulma." Goku continued. "The two of us instantly hit it off. I'd never felt a connection like that to anyone before. I came to find out, she's a Saiyan just like I am." The warrior couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face.
"We dove into our relationship head first, and I think that rubbed Chi-Chi the wrong way. She saw me doing all of the things she'd been begging for over the course of our relationship. I can't imagine the kind of heartbreak that put her through. I feel terrible about it, but at some point I realized that she was relying on me to make her happy. I can't create someone's happiness for them, and that's kind of what it came down to."
"After meeting Ellery, I realized what it truly meant to love someone, to want to marry them and spend your lifetime together. With Chi-Chi, the two of us were so young that I didn't understand the seriousness of the commitment I was making. I stuck through it however! I did what I thought a good husband should do for so long."
Goku sighed deeply, it felt nice to get that off his chest. "I'm very glad the two of you found each other. Now Chi-Chi has someone to take care of her and make her happy." Goku mentioned it finally.
"She means the world to me, that's for sure." Jean beamed at the thought of her partner. "I'm glad you were able to find happiness as well."
"Thank you." Goku smiled before looking at the wiggle worm in his arms. "Time to go back with Jean, little Pan." The Saiyan hugged her tight once again. "Grandpa has to go check on something important at Bulma's house."
"Okay." The little Saiyan pouted but hugged her grandpa back just as firmly. Pan flew to Jean's arms, startling the woman before she just laughed it off.