Tales of Parenthood
Author's Note
Sequel to Coming of Age. Everyone except Goku and Doctor Briefs are alive, but Goku visits. Grand Tour happened and the dragon balls are gone. Ignores Dragon Ball Super.
Pan is 19/20
Bra is 22
Goten is 32/33
Trunks is 34
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any characters or variations of DBZ. I only own my OCs.
Chapter Eleven: Early Arrival
"Pan you're working too hard," Trunks warned his wife. She ignored him continuing to rush around preparing for Henry's third birthday. "Don't make me call Chi-Chi," warned Trunks again. She stopped this time giving him a glare.
"You wouldn't," she narrowed her eyes increasing the intensity of the glare.
"I would. The doctor said you need to relax more or else you'll end up on bed rest," Trunks reminded her.
"I just want his birthday to be perfect," she sighed hugging Trunks. She knew he only was worried about her and the baby's health.
"It will be. Mom and Dad have Henry for the rest of the morning then they are bringing him to the party. Chi-Chi, Videl, Bra, and Rini are all coming to help at noon. So relax you don't have to have everything ready before they get here," assured Trunks holding her tight.
xxXXxx
The party went over great. Most of the Z warriors showed up along with a few of Henry's friends from the park. Marron and Uub brought Maddox, and Marron even let him play without being too over protective. Maddox apparently calls Krillin Pops and 18 Mimi. Everyone got a kick out of that. Henry showed everyone how his toy room was moving to a different room because it was becoming Cora's nursery. Everyone who wasn't actual family had left now. Trunks watched Henry race Goten around the back yard.
"Henry do you want your last present?" Trunks yelled into the yard. Pan gave Trunks a curious look. They had already given Henry his gift. What could he be referring to. Henry came running into the house careful not bump into anyone. "Alright, I didn't run this by Mommy, so I might be in trouble. But if we both ask her nicely she might let us keep it," explained Trunks as he left the room returning with a wicker basket with a towel in it. Something was moving under the towel. Out popped a little black kitten. Henry looked almost as excited as he had when he found out he was going to be a big brother.
"Mommy please please please. Can we keep her?" Henry begged picking up the tiny kitten.
"I suppose, but it's you and your father's responsibility," Pan gave in. "Trunks where exactly did this kitten come from?" she asked giving him a suspicious look.
"My secretary's cat had kittens, and she's been trying to find home's for them all. And this one reminded me of Gramps' cat Scratch, so I thought Henry might like her," Trunks answered hoping he wasn't in too much trouble.
"As long as you weren't purposefully looking for a cat, I guess I'm not mad," she told him giving his cheek a kiss.
"What are you going to name her?" asked Goten leaning down to pet the little kitten.
"Shadow or Spooky," announced Henry. "RiRi, which do you like?" Henry asked her causing Pan to make a slight face and Trunks to chuckle.
"I think they both sound like great kitty names. Maybe you should as your dad since I like them both," answered Rini not thinking anything of Henry's question.
"Daddy which do you like?" he asked turning back to his dad while Goten and Rini played with the kitten.
"I like Shadow," answered Trunks letting another chuckle escape his lips.
Bra picked up the little kitten. "Trunks is it a girl kitten?" she asked.
"Yep, like Scratch was," he grinned.
"Henry, shouldn't she get a pretty name instead of Shadow, that sounds like I boy name," suggested Bra making a face.
Henry took the kitten from his aunt staring at her for a few minutes. "Her name is Shadow Rose Briefs," he announced very mater of factly. Both Pan and Bulma erupted into laughter. Bra made a slight face. Trunks held back a snicker as he watched his son and sister argue over the kitten's name.
xxXXxx
"Thank you for doing all this. You really didn't have to. I still have Henry's baby stuff," Pan protested as Bra and Bunny led her to her seat in the living room.
"That's all boy's stuff. You need some girl stuff," retorted Bra.
"We also got a few things for Henry," chirped Bunny in her always cheerful voice.
"Henry just had a birthday," groaned Pan knowing her family was going to spoil him.
"His birthday was almost two months ago," corrected Bulma. Pan gave her mother-in-law a look.
"Pan how many more weeks till your due Pan? You still hardly look pregnant," asked Marron. Pan's shower was the first event anyone had seen her at without Maddox.
"Five weeks. I haven't been able to keep any weight on. The doctor is probably going to put me on strict bed rest when I go in tomorrow. For the last month, I've haven't been allowed to do anything. Next month it will be the same but confined to a bed," groaned Pan.
"How have you been keeping up with Henry?" asked 18 casting a glance at Pan.
"Bunny's been over to help," Pan answered a smile coming to her face.
"It's no problem at all. I just pick him up from school and either take him home or over to Capsule Corp," assured Bunny waving off the comment.
Pan opened her gifts finding lots of tiny dresses, pink hooded towels, and pink toys. Pan couldn't believe how much pink there was, and she hadn't even opened half the presents yet. Rini handed her a pink box giving her a smirk. Pan grimaced on the inside, more pink. She opened the box to discover little lavender jammies and a little lavender dress.
"Rini, they're adorable," she cooed holding the jammies.
"I hope she doesn't have lavender hair cause that will totally clash," Bra said off handedly earning a glare from her mother.
Pan continued opening presents relieved to find that the second half of the presents had been mostly yellow, green, and lavender.
Everyone was now eating cake and chatting.
"Have you and Goten set a date yet?" asked Videl giving Rini a playful nudge.
"Not yet, but it will probably be October of next year when we get married," answered Rini.
"Has he at least met your family yet?" Bra asked joining the conversation.
"No, but he's coming with me to Thanksgiving to meet the part that lives in the U.S.," explained Rini.
"I bet they'll love him," assured Videl as Hercule and Trunks walked in with Henry.
"Mommy, I got to see Uncle GoGo teach a class, and Daddy beat Uncle GoGo in a spar, and Gramps let us eat ice cream in his office," Henry rambled on excitedly.
"He did!" Pan exclaimed as she listened to son.
"Henry we got you a couple presents," Bulma told him patting for him to sit down on the couch next to Pan. Henry hurried over and sat down. Bulma handed him a blue box. He opened it up to a shirt that said World's Best Big Brother.
"World's Best Big Brother," read Pan as Henry held up the shirt.
Videl handed him another box that had book about being a big brother. Henry started trying to read it. Pan giggled putting it away. "We can read it later buddy," she assured him.
"But Mommy I want to read it!" he whined.
"Here Henry open this one," Marron told him handing him a gift bag. He opened it to find a dragon stuffed animal. It reminded Pan a little of Shenron.
"It's a dragon!" Henry exclaimed clutching it in a hug. "Thank you Marron!"
xxXXxx
"I'm home!" Trunks called as he entered his home.
"Daddy!" exclaimed Henry as he latched onto Trunks' leg.
"How's Mommy doing today?"
"Good, Grandma Bunny and I made crispy treats," answered Henry holding on to Trunks leg as he walked.
"Trunks! Pan is resting and the treats Henry and I made are in the kitchen. I'll be back over on Monday," Bunny assured giving her grandson and great grandson hugs and kisses as she left.
"How about you go play while I check on Mommy. Then we can figure out dinner," suggested Trunks looking down at the three year old still attached to his leg.
"Okay Daddy," Henry said running off to play.
"Panny!" Trunks called as he slipped into their bedroom.
"I'm going crazy Trunks," Pan groaned sitting up in their bed.
"Only three more weeks of bed rest," comforted Trunks.
"Twenty two days Trunks twenty two!" she growled trying to get cozy in their bed.
"I love you," Trunks said giving her a kiss hoping it would take her mind off the fact she was on bed rest.
Later on after Henry had gone to bed. Pan was snuggling up to Trunks. "You okay Pan? You've been a little quiet," Trunks asked as he ran his fingers through her hair that was surprisingly damp. He felt her forehead. She was warm.
"My stomach hurts that's all," she mumbled cuddling closer.
"I think you have a fever," announced Trunks sitting up bringing Pan up with him.
"I'm fine. I just feel a little out of it," she said seeming extremely tired.
"I'm taking you to the hospital," Trunks exclaimed as he grab some clothes.
"Henry…" she muttered in her half asleep state.
"I'll call Goten. He should still be up it's only eleven," commented Trunks pulling out his phone. He called Goten as he worked to dress Pan.
Trunks was carrying Pan to the car when Goten appeared out of no where.
"Is she okay?" Goten demanded looking over his niece.
"I'm not sure. Henry's asleep in his room. I'll call you as soon as I know what's going on," Trunks said as he and Pan rushed of to the hospital.
Goten went back into the house and called Chi-Chi and Gohan to tell them what was happening.
xxXXxx
"Trunks sweetie, are you okay?" asked Bulma pulling her son into a tight hug.
"They won't let me see Pan. They said she was in labor, but they think it may have been false labor. Then they told me I had to wait out here," Trunks explained looking like he might cry. He looked up a little surprised to see his father there.
Videl, Chi-Chi, and Gohan walked into the hospital. "Trunks!" called Gohan rushing over to see what information his son-in-law had on Pan's condition.
Trunks told Gohan the same thing he told his mother.
They waited three more hours. Trunks was pacing like a mad man.
"Trunks sit down," ordered Bulma who was sitting with Vegeta in one corner of the waiting room.
"I can't," said Trunks in a gruff tone. He paced to the other side of the room where Videl and Gohan were sitting.
Gohan stood and stopped Trunks from pacing. "Is Goten the only one with Henry? Because one of us could go check on them," Goten suggested. He wasn't honestly worried about Goten, but he hoped it would get Trunks' mind off what was happening.
"No, Grandma Bunny went over there, and I think Rini might be over too… And Henry's probably still asleep," Trunks sighed thinking of what was happening at his house.
Then a doctor approached Trunks. "Are you ?" the doctor asked.
"Yes," Trunks answered quickly.
"Can we speak privately?"
"It's okay. These are my wife's parents," Trunks said gesturing to Videl and Gohan.
The doctor nodded his understanding. "We gave your wife medication to stop the contractions which it did for a few hours, but her water broke. We're prepping a delivery room as we speak. If you would like to be in the room with her, you will need to change into these scrubs," the explained handing Trunks a pair of hospital scrubs.
"Will she and the baby be okay? We went to the doctor two days ago, and he said he was concerned about the baby and Pan being underweight," Trunks asked looking slightly panicked.
"Your wife is thirty seven weeks along, and she has had excellent prenatal care. They both should be fine," the doctor assured.
Before the doctor could walk away Gohan grabbed his arm. "Is there anyway we could see her?" Gohan asked in a hushed tone.
"Only for a moment. get dressed and meet us at her room. It's third on the right," the doctor motioned for Videl and Gohan to follow him.
When they reached Pan's room they found her exhausted and upset. "Mama Papa, where's Trunks?" Pan asked looking around for her husband.
"He's getting changed into some scrubs," Videl answered wiping her daughters stained face.
"Mama, I'm scared what if something's wrong. Why is this happening?" Pan sobbed wincing slightly in pain.
"It will be okay Pan. Henry was early, and he was perfect," Gohan attempted to comfort his daughter.
"Henry was three days early not three weeks… Where's Henry!?" Pan yelped a new panic had taken over. She looked ready to tear through the hospital to find her son.
"Goten and Bunny are watching him at your house. Goten said he got there before you and Trunks left. Do you not remember?" Videl asked stroking Pan's cheek.
"No. I remember trying to tell Trunks we couldn't leave Henry then it all goes a little hazy," Pan answered calming after hearing her son was safe.
Trunks entered the room with the doctor. "It time to go to the delivery room," the doctor announced. As Pan was wheeled out holding Trunks' hand, the doctor looked to Videl and Gohan and said, "you both will need to head back to the waiting room."
They walked back to the waiting room. "I'm going to call Goten. Henry would hate us if he missed his sister being born," smiled Videl as she walked off taking out her phone.
xxXXxx
Pan had been taken back to the delivery room over an hour ago. Goten walked into the waiting area caring an asleep Henry in his arms. Bunny was with them.
"We didn't miss it did we?" Goten asked his family.
"No, Pan's still in the delivery room… Goten, why is Henry in his pajamas?" Chi-Chi asked looking over her great grandson.
"Mom, it's four in the morning. I think pajamas are what he's supposed to be wearing," Goten answered. Chi-Chi shook her head at her son.
Rini walked in wearing sweats that looked similar to pajamas. "Car's parked. Is Pan still back there?" Rini asked. Goten nodded.
Hercule arrived within the hour. Then another guest arrived. "Hey guys, you okay?" Goku asked.
"Dad what are you doing here?" Gohan asked looking ever more surprised than last time.
"Well, I only used a little time last I was here, so I was able to visit again. I'm only here for the next three hours though," Goku explained. He was now eyeing the little boy in Goten's arms. "Is this Henry? He got so big!" exclaimed Goku as took the little boy from Goten. "Do you know who I am little guy?" he asked giving him a hug.
Henry nodded. Hugging him back. "Did you come to meet Cora?" Henry asked.
"If that's your new little sister then yes," Goku gave him a big Son grin.
Trunks walked into the waiting room looking drained. Henry jumped down from Goku's arms and ran to his father. "Is Cora here?" Henry asked latching onto Trunks' leg.
"Yep, you can see her once she and your mommy are settled into a room," answered Trunks leaning down and ruffling Henry's hair. Everyone else in the waiting room gathered around Trunks to hear about Pan's condition. Trunks smiled when he realized Goku was there. "Cora is on the low side for weight, but she's perfectly healthy. Pan's came out fine too. They are going to keep Pan and Cora for the next thirty six hours to make sure she and Cora both are in good health," Trunks elaborated on his wife and daughter's conditions. Everyone nodded. Trunks scooped up Henry. "I am going to go check on your mommy. I'll be right back," Trunks told Henry as he handed him to Bulma.
Trunks headed to the room he was told Pan would be taken to. Inside he found an exhausted Pan cradling their newborn daughter. Trunks walked in sitting slightly behind Pan, so she could lean back onto his chest for support. "Five pounds ten ounces," Pan said running her fingers through the small amount of black hair that topped their daughter's head.
"She's perfect just like her mother," Trunks commented kissing his wife's forehead.
"Henry was seven pounds"
"She's petite like her mother," complimented Trunks kissing Pan on the lips this time. "She has your hair color and your nose," Trunks observed lightly touching his daughters tiny pointy nose.
"She got your eye color," Pan noted giving Trunks a kiss on the neck as they fussed over Cora.
"How can you tell, they're blue like all newborns?" Trunks asked raising an eyebrow.
"They are the same color as Henry's were when he was born. They'll lighten up in the next few months, and they'll match her daddy and brother's," Pan smiled hugging her daughter close.
"I'm going to go get everyone from the waiting room. Oh by the way, Goku's here," Trunks said with a smirk as he left the room.
xxXXxx
Goku carried Henry as everyone followed Trunks to Pan's room.
"Hi Mommy!" greeted Henry trying to get a better look at his little sister.
"Want to hold her?" Trunks asked taking Henry from Goku. Trunks sat on the bed next to Pan setting Henry between them. She laid Cora in Henry's arms with Trunks helping him to support her head.
"She's pretty, like you Mommy," Henry grinned at his little sister.
"I think so too buddy," Trunks said smiling at his family.
"What's her full name?" asked Rini.
"Cora Bunny Briefs," announced Trunks proudly. Bunny immediately started crying.
"Can I hold her?" asked Goku. Pan nodded carefully handing her newborn daughter to her grandfather.
"She precious," cooed Chi-Chi as touched the tiny baby in her husband's arms.
Slowly everyone but Gohan and Videl had held her. Videl was currently holding her. "She looks almost just like Videl when she was born. Nose is a little pointier, but everything else looks the same. Videl was a small baby too," Hercule explained. Pan smiled hearing her daughter looked like her mother. She had always thought that her mother was beautiful. Videl put the little girl in Gohan's arms. For the first time since everyone entered the room, she started crying. Gohan looked slightly frazzled as he tried to calm the little girl. Bulma got a grin on her face as she took the little girl from Gohan and gave her Trunks. She instantly stopped.
"She's a daddy's girl already," snickered Bulma.
"She's probably hungry," Pan said softly taking Cora from Trunks. Everyone headed back to the waiting area.
"Daddy, when can Mommy and Cora come home?" Henry asked eyeing his father curiously.
"Sunday evening," Trunks answered a worried look coming to his face.
"You okay Trunks?" Goten asked his friend.
"Since she came early, we don't have a plan for Henry," Trunks admitted looking down at the little boy who was darting around the room chasing Goku.
"We can watch him," Videl volunteered.
"Goten and I are free too," Rini said taking Goten's arm.
"He has his own room at Capsule Corp," reminded Bulma.
Trunks looked between them all and sighed. "I'm too tired to pick. Can you guys work this out amongst yourselves? Grandma Bunny and Goten have keys to our place. I'm sure Pan would want him to spend some time with Goku, but other than that have fun and call me if you need me. I'll be here with Pan… Oh and don't let him stay in his pajamas all weekend and remember to feed Shadow," Trunks said shaking his head. He walked over giving his son a hug and explaining that he would be staying with Pan, so Henry would be spending the weekend with family.
xxXXxx
"I have just a little over an hour so you will have to show me pretty fast," Goku explained to Henry who was now changed into a green gi. Vegeta, Goten, Goku, and Gohan were all out at Mount Paozu.
"Okay!" happily responded Henry powering up and quickly launching an attack at Goku.
"Not bad. You've got good form," Goku commented blocking the three year old's attack. "Try this," Goku showed him a new combination of attacks. Henry quickly imitated his great grandfather.
Goku landed as Henry continued training. "He's a fast learner and has a very high power level for three. He'll definitely be stronger than Pan, maybe even Trunks if he works at it," Goku observed.
"Pan's stronger than you think. She went super last year," Goten told his father.
"Wow for real. I didn't think she had enough saiyan blood. That's amazing!" exclaimed Goku.
"Someone threatened the boy," said Vegeta nodding toward Henry.
"It's like you always said, "Power comes in response to a need, not a desire"" quoted Gohan. Goku nodded his understanding.
"Henry's hair also flashed gold once when he got upset, so I think he might go super even earlier than Trunks or I did," mentioned Goten.
"Whoa, he's already showing signs that's amazing," Goku couldn't believe that little Henry was already so strong.
Author's Note- Please R&R it means a lot to me.