In all her years living on Vegeta-sei, Bulma had never been to a single wedding. They were often closed-off, private affairs: a simple ceremony to announce to the mates' closest friends and family that they were a bonded couple.
But in all her years living on Vegeta-sei, there had never been a royal wedding.
As she nervously awaited her summons down the flowing gold-and-white carpet that comprised the aisle, Bulma tried to get a peek at the familiar faces all throughout the massive audience. Near the front, she saw her mother and father beaming as proudly as parents of a soon-to-be princess consort possibly could. In the next rows back, she spotted Captain Roshi, Admiral Kami, and several ambassadors from various systems throughout the quadrant. Lieutenant Piccolo and Lieutenant Commander Krillin sat alongside many of their academy friends and crewmen from each vessel they'd worked on. The rest of the rows were filled with Saiyan councillors, Saiyan military officials, Starfleet officers, friends, and distant relatives, as well as many of the surviving crew of the Legacy.
An exception had been granted to allow Chichi to stand in as a bridesmaid even though she wasn't Saiyan, but the duty of matron of honor fell to Gine, Goku and Raditz's mother.
Standing up for the prince were Goku, known to many of the Saiyans now as Kakarot, and Raditz, who was still recovering from the battle but held himself with all the grace and dignity expected of a groomsman.
Presiding over the wedding was King Vegeta himself, standing tall and regal in his resplendent gold ceremonial armor.
And Prince Vegeta stood facing his father, red cape brushing against the floor with each minuscule movement of its wearer.
Then the music started and Bulma took her first steps down the aisle and toward her new life with her husband.
The homeworld Saiyans weren't much for parties, but they sure knew how to throw a feast. The bride and groom sat at the head table with the pick of the crop spread out in front of them.
Similar to Earth weddings, there were speeches, toasts, and a few words said by the king welcoming Bulma as the first non-Saiyan member of the royal family. Then he gave them a knowing look and invited them to stand and say a few words.
Bulma's heart raced with anticipation. Nobody outside of their immediate family and Dr. Korin knew their surprise, and she had been impatient to announce it ever since stepping foot back on Vegeta-sei after the mission. She was only just beginning to show, but the traditional royal wedding garb for brides was comprised of long and flowing dresses that hid her growing figure.
Vegeta helped her stand before stoically clasping his hands behind his back. "Thank you all for attending this historical celebration. Today, we honor the first royal wedding between Saiyans and Humans. We are proud make public the news that my wife, Bulma, is expecting our first child."
A happy murmur rippled through the audience as people looked at each other in surprise before one of the Saiyan Generals burst into applause, and everyone else followed suit.
"Now please," Vegeta said once the ruckus had died down. "Eat and enjoy yourselves."
A band of musicians in the corner took their cue to begin a soft melody that had been a favorite of the happy couple's back in their academy days.
Bulma caught Goku's eye from where he was conversing with a diplomat and summoned him over, but furrowed her brow in confusion when he brought along a small child wearing a green hat with a peculiar orange orb on top. Chichi joined him halfway to his destination, and the two adults took turns hugging the bride as the boy watched on with his thumb in his mouth.
"And who's this?" Bulma asked, crouching down to meet the boy at eye level and smiling invitingly.
He hid behind his mother's skirt, peeking out shyly from behind the fabric.
"This is our son, Gohan," Goku announced proudly.
Bulma's jaw dropped. "You have a son, too?"
"No more surprises, I promise. Gohan, say hello to the princess."
Gohan stared wide-eyed up at his father, who nodded encouragingly, before turning his fearful gaze back to Bulma. "Hello," he whispered.
"Go on, tell her how old you are," Goku encouraged.
Gohan held out four fingers and then ducked behind Chichi again, ready to be out of the spotlight.
Bulma straightened up again and placed her hand on her belly. "Well, Chichi, you'll be hearing from me about raising a half-Saiyan son."
"I'll send a care package," Chichi said as deadpan as possible before breaking out a grin. "You're going to need it."
Goku stiffened up next to her, eyes locking on a point past Bulma's shoulder before bowing out of respect for the proud father-to-be as he approached his wife. "Prince Vegeta," Goku acknowledged. "Congratulations."
Bulma turned to face her husband, whose face cracked the tiniest hint of a smile. "Thank you," he said. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have important matters to attend to."
Chichi shot her friend a knowing look and herded her family back toward the buffet table, waving her fingers over her shoulder at the newlyweds. "Alright, boys," she said with a grin, turning back to them. "Let's get you some more food."
Bulma's round belly filled out nearly every square inch of room in her gown. She cradled her hands beneath it, soothing her rambunctious unborn child as Prince Vegeta prepared to speak to the assembled crowd beneath the podium. Raditz stood to Bulma's right, decked out (and uncomfortable) in his newly-appointed captain's regalia, and Goku stood to her left, looking dapper in his formal Commander's uniform.
Vegeta scanned the crowd with his dark gaze and cleared his throat. "Today," he began, his deep voice booming out across the masses. "We honor those brave men and women who set out intrepid among the stars a hundred years ago aboard the generation ship Legacy. Saiyans of every class and rank left behind their homes and families to forge a new life in the cosmos, not knowing the perils that lay ahead.
"Standing among us now are their descendents, whom we welcome home to a different and better Vegeta-sei than the one their ancestors left so many decades ago. And finally, we honor our fallen brethren who did not live to see the place their forefathers called home.
"This monument before you will serve as a reminder of everything they lost," he continued, gesturing to the newly-unveiled statue behind him. He glanced at the reunited brothers behind him. "And of everything they found. The meaning of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it, and Vegeta-sei stands united behind its sons and daughters as they set out once again among the stars."
Bulma watched as he took a long moment, surveying the gathered Federation diplomats and Starfleet officers alike before taking a deep breath.
"To say a few words in honor of his late father, who saved thousands of lives by his heroic actions, I would now like to invite Captain Raditz to the stage."
Bulma watched the enormous Saiyan stood with trepidation at the podium, sweating nervous bullets before the crowd as he adjusted his uniform. She felt a surge of affection for him, not unlike what she felt for Goku, and she turned to smile at her still-seated friend as Raditz began to speak.
Vegeta took his place next to his wife. "He'll make a fine captain," he murmured in an undertone, leaning over so only she could hear.
Bulma nodded. "I agree."
Then he swallowed and reached over almost subconsciously to rub her protruding stomach, turning imperceptibly toward her with a question in his eyes. "Our son will be a child of two worlds, just like us. Do you think we'll be good parents to him?"
She rested her hand on top of his and gave it a squeeze, glancing over his handsome, worried features with a reassuring smile. "Yeah," she said, her stomach flexing as their unborn son expressed his agreement. "I think we will."