Two & A Half Hours Later:
"Do you think Momo will be ok?" Knickers asked concerned as they sat in an ice cream shop, after finishing dinner about ten minutes ago.
"I'm sure she'll be fine." Bulma said with a reassuring smile.
"She is part of this family; she is a fighter…even if it's not like us." Vegeta said calmly.
"Very well said." Bulma said with a smile.
"Can we go to the park?" Leo asked, looking out the window at a park across the street.
"Hold that thought. Hello; Trunks?" Bulma said after her phone rang, before asking.
"Yeah, it's me." Trunks sighed on his end.
"Is she out of surgery? How is she? Is everything ok? She made it, didn't she? Trunks, what's going on? Hold on, I'll put you on speaker. Wait, is that ok? Is it ok for the boys to hear this, or no?" Bulma asked when she heard him sigh like he did.
"Yeah, you can put this on speakerphone; I'm sure they'd find out eventually anyways." Trunks said with another sigh.
"Ok. Hold on. Ok, we're all here. Is everything ok? What's going on? Is she alive? Did she die?" Bulma asked panicked, after she put him on speakerphone.
"She just got out; she's alive. But… *Sigh…* She has severe pneumonia and is having a hard time breathing; and her fever has gone up to 104.2. And, they said her heart stopped twice; once for only a few seconds. But the second time, it stopped for about three minutes. *Sigh…* Once that happened, they did an ultrasound on her heart…" Trunks explained, sighing here and there, he was becoming very emotional.
"Trunks, what's going on?" Bulma asked right away, very worried.
"…" Silence on his end.
"Trunks! What is wrong?!" Bulma asked, pretty much demanding an answer.
"They said she has a weak heart and that she had a mild heart attack. There's also a newly small puncture wound in there. They said it wasn't natural and that somehow something entered her body somehow and shot something there. They said it happened as recently as this afternoon. They don't know what it is yet. The only problem is, I don't know where, when, who or how. I don't know who would want to hurt her like this…" Trunks explained extremely upset, he was trying not panic or cry.
"What are they going to do?" Bulma asked right away.
"Well…she's going to be here for Kami only knows how long with how sick she is. So, she's going to have another surgery in a few days to remove whatever it is that's stuck in there." Trunks explained calmly.
"Why don't they just do now or when she had the other surgery?" Knickers and Leo asked right away.
"She's too little to handle surgeries at once. With how weak her heart is right now; they don't think she'd survive a second surgery right away. So, in a few days-three to five-she'll have the heart surgery. Oh Momo, it'll all be ok; I'm here, and I will be until it's time for you to go home." Trunks explained, before they heard Momo start fussing.
"I just don't get it; who would want to hurt her? She's just so innocent." Bulma said upset.
"They're sure someone shot something into her?" Vegeta asked, speaking up.
"Yeah, they are one hundred percent sure. Why, do you know something?" Trunks asked right away.
"Yes and no… No, because I don't think they ever got close enough to her to shoot her; but I also don't know how far their shooting range is. Yes, because I know for fact, humans don't have any type of abilities, and Saiyans don't have that type of control. Not to mention, the only Saiyans ever around her, are us and Kakarot and his family. The only type of beings that have that type of control to shoot someone, only just a little and not kill them, are Venarians." Vegeta explained calmly, but seriously.
"And she hasn't been around any Venarians." Bulma said simply.
"Yes, she has. Earlier, when we were at the clinic, Miki was just getting done with her yearly physical. And then, after she said something, right as she was about to leave, we had the honor of meeting her parents. Apparently, they believe they're perfect and that there's no way that someone of their bloodline could have autism. Oh, and they don't like Saiyans; we're their mortal enemies. They called her an abomination and to keep her away from them. They were then escorted out while Miki left on her own accord, saying she was sorry." Trunks explained calmly.
"Why didn't you say something before?" Bulma asked, becoming upset.
"I didn't see the point at the time. I was too worried about Momo. I'm sure I would've told you eventually…once I knew Momo was out of the woods. Which now, I don't when that'll be." Trunks said annoyed with a hint of worry.
"Home…wan go home!" They heard Momo cry.
"I know baby; but you can't go home yet. You're still much too sick; we have to stay here for a while yet. But, I promise, we'll go home soon. Hey mom, I have to go; I'll see you later tonight or sometime tomorrow." Trunks said quickly as Momo started coming too.
"Ok. We'll see you later." Bulma said calmly as they both hung up.
Four Days Later:
Momo was still stuck in the hospital with pneumonia, a small fever (that's down to 101.3) and her heart problems; her breathing however, has gotten a little better, and she no longer needs the mask.
Trunks was there with her, like he always was, just like he promised.
Bulma and Vegeta were at the hospital with her as well; but, they were only there for the visiting hours (8:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
Knickers and Leo, much to their distain, had to go back to school two days ago; they couldn't just keep missing it.
Bulla has stopped by everyday for a few hours…but she refused to talk to Trunks or her parents; she was still very mad at the three of them. She was, however, very kind and loving to Momo and the boys; she even stopped by Trunks and the kids' house to get Momo's blanket she had left on the couch, and bring it to her (her boyfriend brought her).
Goku and his family have been by to visit a few times, as have Krillin and 18.
Tien and Chiaotzu have only visited three times in the last three days because they just got back from wherever. They gave them information about Yamcha and what he was doing and such.
Master Roshi came to visit the other day; he brought her a rainbow fish…in a sense. It was a fake; it just looks very real. There's no lid…so when Momo flipped it over the first time, everyone freaked out.
The texture, when you touch it, feels like thick gelatin and doesn't go anywhere; it's so tightly packed in there as well, that it won't fall out no matter how much you shake it while upside down.
However, when you set it down and just look at it, it looks like the fish is swimming around in there just as if it were in water.
Master Roshi had this specially made for her. It was supposed to be a birthday present; however, he figured now was just as good a time as ever.
Even 18's brother, 17, showed up once and brought her pictures of the animals he takes care of.
"Well, hello again. How are we doing today?" Zeke, the anesthesiologist asked, walking in.
"Home… No more surery…" Momo mumbled; she really didn't want to be there anymore.
"Home? Well, I'm sorry…but I don't think you can go home just yet; I think you need this surgery to be strong and healthy. Hey; so, I hope you don't mind…but I told my nephews about you… Well, actually I was talking with my sister, their mother, about you…and they just so happened to be listening in. But anyways, the younger one, he's a little younger than you; he has autism as well. He may only be two, but he made you a get well card. He understands just what you're going through and how scared you must be; a few months ago, he had to have almost the exact same surgery as you…just a little more severe. You see, he was born with holes in his heart; but now, since he had he surgery, he feels a lot better and can do the things he couldn't do before. Now, he older one; he just turned four a few weeks ago. Much like your big brothers, he is very protective of his younger brother. Now, I suppose it's different because both of your brothers are in school and he wasn't; he was with his brother the entire time. And I'm sure, if they could, your brothers would be here as well; in fact, I'm positive they'd rather be here with you right now. Actually, I don't think they're even at school right now; I think they're right here, in the room with everyone. However, they're invisible and nobody can see them. But, I bet, if you relax a little and concentrate hard enough, you'll be able to feel them. Oh, and I see your teddy bear is feeling better. Is your teddy a boy or a girl?" Zeke asked with a smile, talking to Momo like he had a child like her.
"…Girl…" Momo answered slowly and softly.
"Does she have a name?" Zeke asked with soft smile.
"…Berry…" Momo answered slowly and softly again.
"Well, that's a very pretty name; you did a fantastic job naming her. I bet your daddy got you Berry, didn't he?" Zeke asked calmly, with a smile.
"Yeah…" Momo answered softly, holding her teddy close.
"Well, I bet you anything, that both Berry and your daddy, and the rest of your family and friends want you to get better real soon. You want to get and feel better, don't you?" Zeke asked calmly, looking at Momo.
"…Yes…" Momo mumbled, looking down.
"And you know what else?" Zeke asked, looking at Momo.
"What?" Momo asked softly.
"If I can't do my job and make you sleep for a little while, my boss will be really mad at me; he'll yell at me…a lot." Zeke explained.
"Why?" Momo asked, confused.
"Because he's a big meanie. So, will you let me put you to sleep for a little while so that the doctor can make you feel better and make your family and friends not so worried?" Zeke asked calmly.
Trunks, Vegeta and Bulma were just watching in shock; this is the most she had ever talked to someone she didn't know.
"And Berry?" Momo asked softly.
"And Berry." Zeke said seriously.
Momo laid there, holding onto Berry, thinking, before looking at Trunks.
"I'll be right here. So will Pop-Pop and Nana." Trunks said calmly, rubbing her hand.
"What about Knick-Knick and Leo?" Momo asked softly.
"They're in school. But…if grandma or grandpa want to, I can call their schools and have them pick them up." Trunks said seriously.
"I can go get them." Bulma said seriously.
"There we go; grandma will go get your brothers and bring them here. Ok? Please let Mr. Zeke do his job so you can feel better." Trunks said, looking at Momo while rubbing her hand with his thumb.
"K…" Momo said softly, looking down, trying not to cry.
"Don't worry baby; it'll all be ok." Trunks said before kissing her forehead.
While Trunks had her distracted, Zeke injected her medication into her IV; she was out cold within minutes.
"Ok; she'll be back in a few hours." Zeke said as he paged for a different bed.
"Wait. Before you go…" Trunks started.
"Yes?" Zeke asked, looking back at Trunks.
"How did you get her to talk like that? She never talks to people she knows; she barely talks to any of our family or our friends. She really only talks to me…" Trunks said, looking at Zeke.
"Is she newly diagnosed?" Zeke asked, looking at Trunks.
"Yeah…about a week and a half to two weeks ago now." Trunks said, looking at Zeke.
"So, you don't know much about it then, do you?" Zeke asked, looking at Trunks and then his parents.
"No, we don't. We know it's an intellectual learning disability and that socializing with others is hard. Thanks to my mom, we found out she really likes soft things; although, I kind of already knew that; she's always liked soft things. When I found out, I had "Berry" specially made for her, and mom and dad got her, her favorite blanket." Trunks explained.
"Well, I can't really talk a whole lot, because I have to get her to surgery; but I will say, it's not always intellectual. Some children or people with autism are really smart. An autistic person, however, will latch onto one or two things…such as video games or writing or reading or math. It really just depends on the person. Tell you what; when I bring her back up, I'll bring you a piece of paper with websites and the best books to read and even some groups you can to, to learn as much as you can. I'll see you in a few hours." Zeke explained quickly, before leaving with Momo for her heart surgery…