Thank you for the feedback! Like you, I have numerous questions running around my mind, but I tend to overthink - kinda like what Whis told Vegeta during training. :)

Bulma felt a lump rise in her throat.

"Holy shit. Are you absolutely sure about this, doctor?"

Vegeta shook his head in disbelief. "I think… I need to sit down."

"Yes, Bulma," Ron said. "I'm absolutely sure. You're almost twelve weeks into your pregnancy. I'm not sure why your morning sickness started so late - and all at once. I want you to stay on the anti-nausea drug I provided when you go home."

Vegeta struggled to maintain his composure. Anxiety had been an unwelcome, commanding presence in his mind ever since he and Bulma stopped sleeping together. The intensity was unusual, and this development didn't help.

"Another child?" he said. "Bulma is in her late - uh, I mean, her mid-forties. How did this happen?"

Bulma frowned. Vegeta wasn't trying to insult her, but his unenthusiastic reaction hurt. However, she was more upset about the looming threat to their relationship if her experiment harmed the fetus.

"Oh, come now," she said. "We may not have had as much sex lately, but we're still in great shape, apparently."

Vegeta was having none of it.

"Am I the only sane person here? This is serious, Bulma! You have a much higher risk for complications."

"You're right," Ron said, "but I'm sure we can work through that. And it's not uncommon for some women to discover they're pregnant later. Bulma, perhaps you've been in some denial…"

"Stop right there," she said. "You know better than to say something like that to me. I was on birth control and it didn't work this time. It happens. It's likely that I didn't notice early signs because of stress."

Ron bowed and smiled. "I didn't mean to offend you, Dr. Brief. I'll leave you two alone now."

Vegeta's silence made Bulma uneasy. She was relieved that the doctor left the examination room safely before being thrown out. Only when she began to cough again did he look up.

"Well," she said, "I guess it will take a few more days before this cold clears up completely."

"What did you mean it happens?" he said quietly. "Your other pregnancies strained your body, and that was with the best medical care. Are you sure about carrying another child full term?"

"This isn't the time, Vegeta," she said, nodding at the door. "Your mind is crossing into territory that we should discuss once the shock wears off. I want to go home right now."

Taking Bulma's cue, he stood and clutched the handle. "That is not an option. You heard the doctor. You have extreme exhaustion. Staying here overnight for monitoring is appropriate."

"Papa, may Bulla and I come in now?"

"Yes, Trunks. Your mother and I have something to tell you."

Something wasn't right. Vegeta's gut reaction unsettled him. Fathering for a new child wasn't the problem. He had another 50 years or more of living to do, he hoped, and expected to be fit and mentally sharp through them all. He would always be prepared for battle, though, for good or ill. Fighting was in his blood, and his family understood that, but his children would always know he cared deeply for them.

What he feared was losing Bulma far too early, either to premature death or emotional separation. Even though they were middle-aged, their marriage was still in young adulthood in some ways. They had been through a lot, and they needed each other's support now more than ever.

###

Vegeta's return to their bed was bittersweet for Bulma. She had a lot of ground to cover and not much time. To his chagrin, she returned to work within a few days, even though she was advised to rest another week. Rather than argue, he simply gave her space, but he reserved the right to intervene if she didn't care for herself suitably. She won many arguments in the past because he strongly identified with her ambition. Her work ethic matched his, which invigorated him, but the stakes were higher now.

Kaleb had been deep in thought when Bulma entered his lab. His eyes swiftly scanned her from top to bottom. Her unsteadiness concerned him, but he was pleased she visited in person. He dimmed the lights as a preventative measure so she wouldn't become overstimulated.

"You need more rest, doctor. Have a seat."

Bulma put on a lab coat and waved her arm at him dismissively. "Yeah, I'm not fully recovered, but I must know if the fetus has been harmed. That's the only reason why I'm here. Vegeta has watched me like a hawk since I've been home, so let's be efficient."

Kaleb lifted her chin as she stood in front of him. "Let me examine your eyes."

"I don't need you to look at my eyes, Kaleb."

"Bulma, sit down," he said impatiently. "Your stubbornness will only make things harder. This won't take long."

The self-interested scientist in Kaleb was thrilled by his discovery, but he remained calm. Stopping Bulma from losing faith was his highest priority. She was his test model. If all went well, he could repeat the results endlessly.

"Your eyes are changing color, and your retina is forming a new layer of photosensitive cells," he said. "It won't be too long before your hair texture and skin color change. I know you're upset, but please keep your senses. You know we need a couple weeks before performing standard prenatal tests for the baby."

Bulma shook her head. "I have to tell Vegeta right now. I have to tell him."

Kaleb was tired of hearing her fret over Vegeta. They had grown closer as they worked together, but he knew where Bulma's loyalty would always remain. He encouraged her countless times to tell her husband up front about their work, in case something went wrong, even if it wrecked his plans temporarily. Vegeta may have been a reformed family man, but he still had a fearsome temper, especially if he felt any member of his clan were in danger. Kaleb certainly didn't want to be murdered for his role in the experiment. Bulma could be persuasive, so he hoped Vegeta would see the benefit given the extent of her sacrifice.

He had his own ideas for the Prince, too.

"Look, Bulma, you can't return here until Vegeta knows. We'll weather whatever happens afterward."

"You know I haven't given up my identity," she said. "That just won't happen. I just didn't expect the rest of this."

Kaleb embraced her as she wept. He hadn't held a woman in a long time, and this felt good. He let go when he felt his hands move toward the small of her back. She didn't realize what happened, but he knew he had to stop. There was a time and place for everything, and this wasn't it.

"I know," he said. "Now go see him."

###

Vegeta had powered up before Son Goku appeared behind him. He quickly pivoted and placed his rival in a choke hold, until Goku fired a medium-strength ki blast into his left side.

Disgraceful. That was a terrible move. What is he doing?

Vegeta flipped over Goku's head and landed on the ground. "You insult me, Kakarot! I did not come to play warm-up games."

"Neither did I," Goku said, "and remember, you asked me to come. You're distracted."

Vegeta crossed his arms and leaned against a tree. "You know nothing, you fool."

Goku slapped him on the back and grinned. "Give me a break. I know you better than you think. Something is on your mind."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed. "Really, Kakarot? Since you know so much, what do you think the problem is then?"

"Bulma, of course!"

Vegeta's face turned red. "I have fought repeatedly without letting my feelings for my wife distract me… too much."

"Oh yeah, but there's something different," Goku said gleefully. "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"

"Stop that before I kick you hard enough to end your sex life, you idiot."

"You like me too much for that, Vegeta. Now tell me. I promise I'll keep it to myself."

Vegeta chewed inside of his cheek. Sharing all of his insecurities wouldn't happen, but he figured his fellow Saiyan should know about his plans.

"Kakarot, I want to visit with the Saiyans in Universe 6 for a while, but Bulma is pregnant. I wanted to taker her and our children with me, but now…."

"Bulma's going to have a baby?! Congratulations!"

Vegeta stamped his foot on the ground. "You asked me to talk, now shut up and let me finish!"

"OK." Goku scratched the back of his head. "Just don't yell anymore. It's grown a bit old."

Vegeta sighed. "I have been interested ever since we learned about our kinsmen and their good works there. Beyond meeting you on Earth, I never thought I would see any Saiyans ever again after my planet was destroyed."

"Um, so what about the compound and Capsule Corporation?"

"I am sure both will be fine. The rest of you are here, and Bulma has considered giving Gohan full access to manage some operations at the compound. That depends on how much he wants to research rather than work directly with patients."

Goku hurled some apples at Vegeta and smiled. "My son is much smarter than I am, so I'm sure he'll make the right choice. It's great that you and Bulma have faith in him."

Vegeta laughed heartily. "Yes, indeed. Gohan is more intelligent than you. I suppose it makes up somewhat for his choice not to train anymore. He'll do well."

"Vegeta, I know you're trying to be mister tough guy, but it sounds like you want to stay on Planet Sadal longer than a while. Taking your family is a big deal."

"I want them to see another side - Bulma especially. Perhaps I can persuade the Saiyans to visit here as well."

Goku wasn't surprised. He understood Vegeta's motivations, but he would never have the same aspiration.

"Maybe you can do that," he said, "but you know, it's OK if you decide to live there. I won't take it personally if you left with Bulma. She is my best friend, so continue to take good care of her."

"Kakarot, you did not hear me say a thing about leaving permanently. I am committed to protecting Earth with my wife and the rest of you."

###

Bulma returned to bed after leaving Kaleb's lab. Vegeta arrived shortly thereafter. He felt the full weight of her fatigue before entering their house, even though she had been feeling better.

Stubborn woman.

"Vegeta, is that you?"

"Yes."

"Are you coming upstairs?"

"I will be up soon to shower, Bulma. I saw Kakarot."

Vegeta emerged later from the bathroom surrounded by a wall of steam. The hot fog forced Bulma to remove her reading glasses while he sat and dried his hair. He thought he saw a slight tremor in one of her hands but then berated himself for being overprotective.

"So you decided to come back and rest," he said. "Good. Your business will be fine a few more days without you."

Bulma lifted the blankets for him to lie down. "I can't stay in bed for another week."

"Only your body can tell you that, woman, but you know my terms. I am not worried currently. You came home early, so it appears that you recognize your limits."

"My god." Bulma covered both cheeks with her hands. "Who stole my husband's body? You're an impostor! Help!"

Vegeta winked and kissed her shoulder. When his head neared her breasts, she grabbed him by the chin and bit his lips.

"Damn it," he said, dropping his face onto her chest. "Your humor is unwelcome. I was enjoying that."

Bulma patted his forehead. "Yes, you were."

"Hn. Very well. I am going to the kitchen."

"That's fine, Vegeta. I guess we have a lot more catching up to do."

He paused and looked back. "I agree."