Chapter 53: heart to heart

After we get mom, and head home the worry face, that dad had this whole time, is gone. Almost like it was never there. Even mom is acting like everything is normal. I really don't like this. It's actually making me even more worried. Once we are home, does dad truly hug mom. I don't know how I should feel about this. I've seen dad hug mom plenty of times, but this one feels different. Almost like I shouldn't be watching. Then dad picks me up, and even mom. What's going on? He brings us inside, and sits on the couch. He still hasn't let us go, but now I start to feel this strong sadness, I didn't know I had. I then try to embrace my parents, as much as I could, and began to cry. I could feel them rubbing my back, and dad telling me it'll be all ok.

After dinner, mom suggest that we have family bath time. We haven't had those since I was super small. Dad and me did do bath time when we trained, but this will be the first with mom. I actually feel like I would cry again. This kind of feels weird and nice. Both mom and dad are cleaning me, and showering me with affection. It's kind of embarrassing, but I don't care. After bath time, it was free time before bed. We ended up playing a card game together; it was so much fun. Then both mom and dad tucked me, and dad even acted out a story was reading. For once I felt like a kid again. Is this what normal 9-year-olds supposed to feel?

Dad and mom are really actually like there's nothing to worry about. Dad even suggest we should take a family picture. And that we should throw a big party for my birthday. Dad is way too excited when he talked about my birthday. I don't get it. Dad hates his birthday, and seems to enjoy when me and mom celebrate our birthdays. But this one, he seems beyond excited for. It's almost like he knows we're going to lose, and he wants to make each moment as if it's our last. Well in that case, I will too. Going to make everyday count. "Mom! Let's go on a picnic tomorrow!" They love the idea. Mom even ask what she should cook for it. "Bear! No, Tiger! No! Wait! Deer and wolves!" My parents both giggle at that, and dad even suggested that I should hunt with him. "You really mean?" He said yes, and mom didn't even say anything about it. "YAY!"

Dad gave me tips on how to hunt different animals, and I caught pack of wolves on my own. This was so amazing. Dad even showed me how to cut and skin them. I was then sent to get some supplies for mom, and I met someone that knew my dad. Dad then told me about him, and how they had some bad history. During the picnic, it felt so nice to watch my parents goofing off. And to top it off, Krillin even showed up and joined us. Krillin even mention how dad behavior was weird, but I can't focus on that.

At night I was even allowed to sleep in my parents' bed, and when I did, they would hold me so close. my birthday was so much fun, and mom didn't get mad about the cake. What made things so fun was that dad brought Dende, and he became our new guardian earth. That meant, once everything is over, I could visit him as much as I want. I was even allowed to now. This was just too awesome.

It's the day before the Cell Games, and now I feel nervous. I can even tell mom and dad are showing signs of feeling nervous. Dad is even making sure that none of us has a frown on our face. If we did, he would tickle us, and give us a big hug. I think dad is the one who's really worried out of all of us. During breakfast, the day of, mom even said how dad didn't leave my side till I was fast asleep. As we flew, he had the biggest smile I ever seen him wear. Poor dad.

What have I've done? No! It can't be! "DADDY!" I was so stupid! I was a damn fool! It's all my fault! If I wasn't so cocky, and finish Cell off, dad would… would… "DAD!"

…

My boys are back… Wait! What did Gohan do to his hair? Is it dye? No, good. So, does that mean? I guess so. On our home I was kind of mad with Goku. He was laughing at me for being so worried and scared, about Gohan's hair. The moment we landed, at our home, was when he brought me into a big hug. I felt so smothered at that moment, that I didn't want to be let go.

He then carries me and Gohan, and has us in a big family hug, on the couch. That's when our Gohan begins to cry, and we rub his back. Our poor baby. Mommy and daddy will do anything for you. It's when Gohan finally calm down, do their stomachs says hi. I couldn't help giggle, and Goku lands a kiss on my forehead, before letting me go. As we ate dinner, I thought we could take a family bath. My boys got so excited about that one.

During bath time, Goku even helped me clean Gohan. What has gotten over Goku, that he's wants to do everything together. But hey, my boys even cleaned me. I felt so special. And while in the tub, we had a bubble fight. Seeing Gohan smile and laugh was so touching. It's feels almost forever that we all smiled and laughed like this. After bath time, Gohan suggested we played games. We played cards till we were tired, and then we tucked Gohan to bed. But he didn't want us to leave just yet, and he asked if we could tell him a story. Gohan laughed at Goku, as he played every part. It was so fun. Gohan even fell asleep with a smile. The moment we entered our room is when Goku finally frowned.

He finally told me, how he didn't feel he was strong enough. He told me all his doubts and worries. He even held me tighter, saying how he'll make sure Gohan will return to me. How no matter what, Gohan will return. I begged that he'll return too, but he said he couldn't promise that. As we lay in bed, is when he had his head on my stomach, and started speaking. "Hey there baby, I'm daddy. I might not be here to greet you, but always know I love you. That no matter what I will love you." I began to tear up, as I rubbed my Goku's head. I even felt moisture on my stomach. Is my Goku crying? "You're going to have a wonderful big brother. You're going to be so loved. And daddy and mommy loves you so much." He then did something he used to do when Gohan was still a newborn, he was humming.

The next day we were all smiles; Goku wore the biggest one of them all. He also suggested going on a picnic, and doing something big for Gohan's birthday. Goku even wanted to help plan it, and make it super special. Then Gohan suggested that the picnic should be tomorrow, and he even wanted to be the one to hunt for it. Goku was way too excited about that. he even went about showing Gohan how he hunted, and take apart the animals. I feel like Goku is trying to pass everything he knows to Gohan, almost like he's trying to not have any regrets. The moment the boys left to hunt, is when I finally broke down. My Goku really thinks he's not going to make it. For that, I'm going to plan a special big dinner for the night before the Cell Games. I'm going to make all his favorites, and put extra love into each dish.

The picnic was a blast, even the fact Goku wanted to drive us to the location, instead of flying. He really was making sure we were all happy. To my surprise, Krillin came by and joined us. Even though I wanted it to be about family time, he almost felt like family, so I wasn't so mad. Heck, it was nice hearing him share stories, and watching Gohan get all excited about them. At night, Gohan didn't want to sleep in his room, and that actually made Goku happy. He would even hold Gohan like when he was a baby. Goku would hold us so protectively, that it made me feel like everything will be ok.

It's the day before the tournament, and I'm worried. I tried my best to look ok, but I was failing. And whenever me and Gohan started to frown, Goku would tickle us and make us laugh. He did everything he could to not let us frown. When it was dinner time, he was so surprised that I made all his favorites, he was also slightly upset that I didn't make anything Gohan and I liked. "I'm making Gohan's favorite for breakfast." He was happy about that, and when he dig in, he couldn't stop complementing how good everything was.

It was finally here, and Goku couldn't even promise me that Gohan wouldn't fight. I already knew he would, but it didn't stop me from hoping. To my surprise, Baba came over, and we watched the events unfold on her crystal ball. That fool Mr. Satan. My baby and Goku. I have the up most faith they'll make it out fine. I also noticed the weird look Baba was giving me. I have known Goku went to visit her, the other day, but why was she giving me a weird look.

Why does my heart feel like it just broke?

…

Why did he had to go and kill all those people? That monster. I have to fix this. Thankfully I was able the Namekians were so helpful, and to my great surprise, the one my son befriended was a great fit. Not only do we have a new guardian for the earth, new dragon balls, but also, Gohan gets to see his friend again. Gohan would have a friend of his whole, not one that was mine. Maybe after this is all over, Gohan can finally go to school and make more of his own friends. Chichi would be so happy.

Once I collected the dragon balls, and made the wish, there was one more order of business I had to take care of. After breakfast, Gohan went to the look out, and I told Chichi I'll be back by lunch time. She asked why, so I just told her I needed to speak with someone. She didn't give it a second though, and just told me to come back hungry.

"Hello, Baba."

"Well, hello Goku. Nice to see you… still alive." I couldn't hold back a nervous grin.

"What if I did die?"

"You want something, don't you? Just spill it out, and I'll think about it."

"I know it's too much to ask, and there's no way I could ever pay you back—"

"Goku! Spill it!"

"Is there anyway you could do what you did for grandpa, but for me!" She looked at me surprised. "If I'm asking for too much." I looked away. "I understand."

"Goku."

I couldn't hold back the emotions within, but I tried to keep smiling. "Chichi is pregnant." She looked shock beyond belief. "If I end up dying, I would like to meet my child one day." She had placed a hand on my shoulder. "I would at least like to meet them while they're still living."

"What you're asking for, I can do. But you must understand something."

"Anything."

"It takes some years before I could do that. So, don't get your hopes up too high."

"Thanks Baba. At least it's something." Baba was now starting to float away. "Baba?" She turned back. "Gohan doesn't know. So, the day after the fight, if I'm dead, could you visit Chichi and Gohan, so I could be there to give him the news." That's when a tear finally escaped my eyes. Baba said she will, and if it would make me feel better, that she visits Chichi during that the battle. "Thank you so much Baba. I really don't know how I could ever repay you."

"You done enough, so it's I who feels honor in fulfilling this request." She then smiled. "Just don't get used to it."

What was I thinking? Was I so blind that I put my own son at risk? NO! I have to do something!

"Good bye, my son." With one last smile at Gohan, I left.