Epilogue
I can't return to sleep. I had been enjoying a relatively peaceful rest for being a heavily pregnant woman - and I mean heavily. I take the discomfort in stride, but sometimes I feel I'm carrying a baby walrus inside of my body. I have to admit that I am ready for this child to come out.
On this night I'm thinking about my child's father and our parting months earlier. It was, indeed, an unusual separation, but nothing about our relationship before that was normal. I pleasured Vegeta in one of the most intimate ways a woman could before he took off into space. He was surprised, which was understandable. We were walking away from a chance at being together - or, rather, he was. Along the way, we had plenty of overheated arguments about our choices that led to this ending.
The intimacy we shared that night together came down to this: I wanted it, and I wanted us to enjoy it. It's that simple. No strings attached. I didn't spend much time immediately afterward analyzing my feelings over what happened or speculating about his reaction. Vegeta may never believe that anyone can give to him freely and openly and not expect something back. I had made my case to him about choosing to be a couple separately from our sexual act together. However, looking back, I can see how what happened may have muddied the waters for him more than me.
Do I love him? Well, yes, but suffering over his inability to commit I will not do. Not now, especially with the baby coming. Given his past behavior, he may also reject any connection to our son. I must be ready for that. I may be hot-headed and impulsive - sometimes - but I am also empathetic. The way Vegeta and I have managed traumas in our individual lives is radically different, and I have always had a strong support system to fall back on. Having a child can bring out the best in a person - or the worst, depending on that person's insecurities and fears. He's incapable of giving this child the emotional support that I can.
No surprise that my father was furious when I announced my pregnancy. He was smart enough, though, not to ask if I was trying to trap Vegeta into staying with me. (Nope.) That insult would have been the ultimate breaking point for our relationship. He apologized about Capsule Corporation. Although I am the most qualified person to run the company, I made it clear that he had a right to do whatever he desired. However, if he wanted me to take the job, then there would be no more emotional blackmail whatsoever. I meant it. To be fair, now that I'm going to be a parent, I'm starting to understand better why he acted the way he did after Vegeta and I became closer. The awareness hit me months ago, and all at once, after my at-home pregnancy test kit results turned out positive. I fainted in my bedroom. Afterward, I ordered a sausage pizza and ate a tub of chocolate ice cream.
Oh well, I guess I deserve this payback a little bit. It may sound strange, but thoughts like this help me laugh through my own anxiety about the future.
I'm hauling myself out of bed to gaze at the stars. It's crazy, but I thought I heard Vegeta's voice tonight. I know he's all right physically. I'm just not sure about the rest.
I do miss him.
The baby and I will be fine, though. Our world will be protected. I have to believe that. Hope must win... for everyone's sake.
Author's notes: Hello, everyone! I wrote this closing section after noticing new followers. You inspired me. Thank you for supporting my work. I don't see writing a sequel anytime soon, but I am delighted that you enjoyed the story.