Chapter 55: Goten

When mom reached out to me, she sounded so panicked. I rushed out, and when I got there, I saw grandpa. We had to rush mom to the hospital. I was starting to panic. The doctors and nurses didn't let me go with mom after a certain point. "MOM!" I was so scared. Grandpa tried to keep me calm. I just ended up pacing back and forth, and trying to keep track of mom's ki. Which was hard to do, since I was also trying to keep track of my new sibling's.

In my panic state I had failed to realize that Bulma, and Krillin were here. Krillin tried to snap me out of my state, and after a while it worked. That's when I noticed him, and then Bulma. She was talking with a nurse. She looked like she was damning something. The nurse finally lead her behind the doors. I followed her ki, and she was with mom. That's when I finally tried to calm down. Me and Krillin ended up playing cards. And soon enough, Yamcha showed up. When he did grandpa left, saying something about getting something for mom.

Hours felt like years. Mom ki was up and down. When it finally was ok, is when I stopped panicking all together. Then Krillin and Yamcha had the biggest smiles when they looked at me. What does that mean? Then Bulma came out, and told me to come see. I rushed over to her, and she took me to mom's room. When I saw her, she was holding something in her arms. She was also wearing dad's jacket. Bulma said that nobody was able to take that away from her. That mom wasn't giving birth, unless she was wearing the jacket. She even punched a nurse for trying to take it from her. Was this her way of having dad be here? I felt tears blurring my version as I walked over to mom.

"Hey kiddo. Want to meet your baby brother?" She said that with the biggest smile I've seen since dad died. I couldn't help smile back, as I said yes. She handed me my new brother, and somehow, I was overwhelmed with joy. "He still needs a name. Would you like the honors?" I was surprised that I was even allowed to do such a thing. I nodded my head eagerly, and then looked back at my brother.

He looked so small, and cute. Somehow a name just slipped my tongue. "Goten." He smiled at that. He smiled? "Goten." He smiled again. "Mom I think he likes it. Don't you, Goten?" He smiles again. And the moment he opened his eyes, time just froze. For a split moment, I thought I saw dad smiling. I then started to crying, and hold my brother closer. I silently promise to be the best big brother ever.

…

I can't believe it! I was going into labor a month early. When we got to the hospital, I was so happy Dr. Knight was there. She made this so much easier. But be damn if they think I'm taking off Goku's jacket! Goku wanted to be here for our second baby, and if he's dead, I'm going to make sure he's here, in any form. My Goku is going to be here with me, and if anyone dares, I'll kill them. The face of horror when they kicked Goku out plays in my mind. The pain I went through to deliver Gohan comes back. Almost like a whisper reminder I could have died that day. Now I'm about to give birth to another child. I hope I survive this one. I can't leave Gohan alone. I need to be there for my boys.

Surprising, this time it was easier, but Dr. Knight tells me that there's no way I could have more. I asked why, but all she does is look away from me. I try to ignore her as I hold my new baby boy. He doesn't have a tail. That actually makes me sad. It would have been nice. As I look at him, I can't help pinpoint little details that remind me of my husband. I poke his little cheek with the sleeve of the jacket, and he smiles. He's being a little cutie. Goku would have loved to poke his little cheeks to see this smile. Goku, if you're watching, it's a boy and he kind of looks like you. At that moment I felt an overwhelming sense of joy wash over me.

When Gohan was finally allowed to enter, it made everything even more magical. I told him to name his new brother, and the name he gave was just perfect. Goten. I held both my boys, and looked down at my new baby. "Welcome to the family Goten." He gave a big smile, and I couldn't help smile back. That's when everyone else joined us, and congratulated me. I even saw that Piccolo was floating outside my window. My little Goten is going to be so loved. He may not realize it, but he's surrounded by love.

…

"Goku, why are you here and not at the Kai planet?"

"Sorry King Yemma. Baba told me today was the day. I just wanted to be as close as possible." I couldn't help it. I might not be able to see, I still wanted to feel what was happening. Today Chichi was giving birth, and I wish I was there.

"You know it's against the rules."

"Yeah, I know. But I really couldn't help it." And that's when I felt something. It felt like an overwhelming sense of joy. Does that mean the baby was born? I couldn't help smile, as I got off of King Yemma's desk. "I'll leave now. Sorry for the trouble."

"Actually, Goku." I turned to him. He shook his head. "Never mind. Maybe another time." I was confused, but I didn't think much of it, as I walked away. I could easily instant transmission, but I wanted to bass in this joy for a little longer. My family is happy. Wish I was there to see it. But this is fine, too. Maybe when the day comes, I get a chance to shower my new child with all the affection I have for them. Even if it's for a day. I'll give them everything I have, and hope it's an enough for them to understand how much I love them.

Um, I wonder if it's a girl? Or maybe another boy. Chichi is going to give them hell if they don't listen to her. Just thinking about that, puts a smile on my face. Chichi is a wonderful mother, and my children are lucky. I hope they realize it. Chichi. Gohan. Baby. I love everyone of you. Kids keep your mother happy for me. With that I finally went to meet up with King Kai. Why not get another round of long hours of training? Actually, today I'm going to take a break. After all, I became a father again. With that, I just had a big smile, and I ignored everyone around me. I'll find a quiet spot, and I enjoy this little knowledge.

…

This is what I didn't miss about having a baby. The endless crying, and sleepless nights. I didn't allow Gohan to help me, even though he tried. I even had to kick him out a few times, so he couldn't do anything in the house. Well, this time it's slightly easier to calm a baby down. If rocking it doesn't help, I would do sit-ups and that somehow worked. Goten doesn't eat as much as Gohan did. Also, he's developing slower than Gohan. Gohan had a schedule down by a month, Goten is taking longer. Dr. Knight did warn me of this. How premature babies grow at a slower rate than normal babies.

Even though he showed no signs of illness, he is at risk. But she theorize that's since he's half alien the only thing he'll worry about is his growth. So, does that mean my baby is slow? When I asked her that, she only answered with a maybe. But slow how? She said slow in growing, maybe even in learning too. She also said that regardless Goten was consider a healthy baby, compared to premature babies his age. When I asked what she meant, all she told me that a good number are hospitalized for a good time. Some would have illness that they would have to monitor their wholes lives. And some just don't even make. So, Goten is extremely lucky. And for all she knows, Goten will be a healthy adult. But she did warn me to not push it like with Gohan.

It didn't make sense at the time, but I don't care. All I know, and care, is that my Goten is healthy and he's going to be happy.

…

It's officially my 10th birthday, and mom is making me take Goten with me to Bulma's. This suck. At Bulma's, Goten plays with Trunks, and I got dragged by Mr. Vegeta to the gravity room. This birthday is starting to suck the more is continues. Mr. Vegeta is making me do light training with him. Saying how I'm growing soft. At first, I just wasn't into it. But as we continued, I came to realized how much I missed actually putting my muscles to work. I came to realized that I had too much energy. At the end of the training session I thank Mr. Vegeta, and asked if I could train with him more often. He said to not get used to it, but he wouldn't mind once in a blue. That actually made me happy.

When I returned home with Goten, my house was dark. When I came inside, I was surprised by everyone. My birthday party was so much fun. Even Dende was there, and Mr. Piccolo. Mom even gave me a new gi. It was the colors I wore as Mr. Piccolo's, but it looked like dads. I couldn't help cry into it. I still really miss dad. I felt someone pat my back, and it was mom. I then smiled, and enjoyed the rest of my birthday. I wore my new gi to bed, and I said good night to the photo of dad, that was on my night stand. "I wish you were here. You would have liked the cake. Mom it was extra icing."

…

"Hey, Goku." I looked over to Pikkon. "Want to spar?"

"Na, I'm good." I went back to looking at the sky.

"Are you ok? You been acting weird today."

I just smiled over at him. "I'm fine." I didn't want to tell him, that today was my Gohan's birthday. I might not be there to celebrate, but doesn't mean I can train through it. Ever since I his first birthday I made sure to make his birthday all about him. The same for Chichi's birthday, and our anniversary. Now I need to engrave the new one's birthday.

"Goku, you're acting weird. This is the second time this month you turned down a fight. What's up?" I couldn't help feel a little annoyed with King Kai. I finally sat up, and looked at him.

"How is it weird?" I tried to hide my annoyance, but I don't think I did a good job at it. He then gave me a weird look, and shook his head. Then he said never mind, and walked away. So, I laid back down, and watched the empty sky. I then couldn't help smile. My little Gohan is a year older. So proud of him.

…

It's the first anniversary of his death, and all over the news they're celebrate some clown. A clown that not only took credit for my boys' victory, but also shame them. How dare he! I turn off the tv, and go in search of the boys. They're in their room, playing with Gohan's toys. "Boys." Gohan looks up at me. "It's lunch time." Just as I'm about to leave the room. "And Gohan, please get your brother dress."

"Yes mom." With that, I'm off making sure we have everything for our little picnic. Today we're going to the same spot Goku took us for Gohan's birthday all those years again. It'll be a nice place to have a memorial picnic. After that we could visit grandpa. Ever since Goku's first death I visited his grave, and it just makes me feel all better. Maybe it'll do the same to Gohan.

As I set up the picnic, I can't help watch Gohan holding Goten, and pointing at clouds. It's such a sweet moment. Once everything is out, is when I noticed someone is walking our way. Well, more like floating. When they get close enough, I feel I could choke. I don't believe my eyes. I could feel the tears running down my face. I get up and run to them. They have their arms wide open, inviting me in. "GOKU!"

That's when I sit up, and realize that I'm in bed. I look to the clock, and it reads 3am. Was that really just a dream? Such a curl joke to play on me. Just for the moment I really believed his was back, and was with me and the boys. I looked over to his side, and I see I am still sleeping with his jacket. Maybe it's time I officially put this away.