Bulla sat in her hospital bed, her body sore, feeling weak. Sitting next to her, Goten stayed quiet, clutching a bundle of blankets to his chest. With a smile, she glanced over Goten's shoulder, beaming at their angel. "He really is beautiful, Goten..."
Goten nodded, glancing over at her briefly. He couldn't remember ever being so happy, yet so afraid at the same time. They both glanced up as the door slid open with a whoosh of air.
"Bulla?" It was Vegeta's voice.
"Yeah. We're right here, dad" She said, her voice happy.
Vegeta pushed the curtain aside, his expression solid yet unreadable. Bulla heard Goten gulp thickly beside her. Without a word, Vegeta made his way around the side of the bed, and gently took the baby from Goten. Bulla sighed. She really wished Goten would stand up for himself when it came to their baby.
Vegeta couldn't be allowed to just take him whenever he felt like it...could he? Before she could say a word, Vegeta interrupted her. "Id like to speak to my daughter alone..."
Glancing towards Bulla, Goten gave a small wave and shuffled from the room without question.
The sayain prince looked at his grandson, beaming. A slight smile crept into his face. The subtle sound of the door shutting behind Gohan brought Vegeta back to reality. Shaking his head, Vegeta brought his now glaring gaze up to his daughter.
"Bulla," he sighed through a growl. "Do you realize what you have done?" He questioned angrily, throwing his free arm up in the air in exasperation.
Immediately upon hearing his words her head hung, her eyes falling closed. She had been waiting for this... She had hoped that seeing the baby would bring him around, but all the while a part of her knew that this would come.
"Dad...you don't understand..."
She could hear her own voice crack and hated it. Her father hated weakness, and he would zero in on it like a heat speaking missile.
The blood coursing through Vegeta's veins began to boil at his daughters words. He could feel his blood pressure rising as his body temperature steadily rose to a boiling point.
"I don't understand?" He hissed, clutching the bundle of baby blue blankets in his arms.
"You don't think saiyan men get urges too, Bulla?" He questioned angrily. "I know you're not that ignorant!" He half-shouted. "But you certainly don't see me running around defiling anyone but your mother! Bulla, you allowed not one, but TWO married men to defile you!"
Vegeta could feel his anger rising, the only thing holding him back being the small bundle clutched in his arms. "And one of them was my lifetime RIVAL that I've had since before you were even THOUGHT of!" Vegeta let out a long, deep breath. "Bulla, you're my only daughter. I expected more from you! Do you think this is what your mother or I wanted for you! We raised you better than this!"
She glanced away, her sapphire hair...so much like her mothers...falling across her eyes, throwing her face into shadow. She drew in a deep, shuddering breath. "Dad...I never..." She trailed off, her emotions getting the best of her. Though she had seen this 'talk' coming, knowing didn't make it any easier. "I never meant for it to happen with him..."
"With WHO?" Vegeta exploded, placing his grandson in the safety of his crib. Turning back towards his daughter, his energy coursing around him, growing with each passing second.
"With the incredibly older than you, married Kakarot?" Vegeta's voice boomed at his spawn. "With his married son, Gohan?" He questioned, his veins throbbing beneath his skin, twitching. "Or with Goten? Because he certainly isn't who I would've picked for you." Vegeta turned his nose up at the thought.
"Okay, dad...I get it they-"
A small sound rang out in the room, almost like the mewling of a cat, and Bulla's head shot up. Without a word or a second thought, she rose from the bed and slowly made her way towards the bundle of blankets in the crib behind her father. She scooped her son into her arms, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. She clutched him tightly to her chest, one hand coming up to gently push the blankets away from his face. His onyx eyes, the same dark voids as his father stared up at her, and her tears came faster. She sniffled, turning back towards her father, her free hand absentmindedly running through a tuft of her sons soft, fine blue locks.
"With Goku...it just kind of happened...I didn't start it...but I didn't stop it."
She shook her head, inching closer to him. The babies cries had ceased, and now he lay in her arms, his eyes heavy, threatening to close. She looked from him to her father, her eyes brimming with tears.
"But you know what, dad? I will be damned if I say I regret it. Look at him. Look at this baby and tell me I should regret it." Her free hand came up to swipe at the wetness of her cheeks. "Regardless of what stupid thing I did, I love this baby...and nothing...not your anger, not Gohan, not a goddamned person is going to make me wish it never happened. Ever!" Her voice was rising now, anger heating inside of her.
Vegeta took a deep, frustrated breath. "Bulla, there is a right and wrong way to go about all this. Obviously it is done now, but I know your mother and I raised you better than this." He looked at the bundle that was his grandson, holding back a smile. "You'll understand someday. You wouldn't want something like this for your son, or any other offspring you may have." He sighed. "Bulla, I expected more from you. I know you're smart like your mother, whereas Kakarot is an idiot. He wouldn't know a good life decision if it bit him in the ass." Vegeta drew in a deep breath. "I won't deny that I love my grandson," Vegeta began. "But this certainly isn't how I would have wanted it to happen." The saiyan prince carefully lowered his energy level to a mild roar, still present, but less intense. "First, I would have thought Trunks would be the first to give your mother and I grandchildren," Vegeta paused. "But besides that, I would've wanted more honor for you, for our family." Vegeta brought his anger down to a low simmer, glaring at Bulla with serious, concerned eyes. "I'm just disappointed in how you handled yourself Bulla."
She sighed, staring down at her son. "I know. I messed up...its just..." She drew in a deep breath, "I really don't think you understand what it's like, dad. It's not just urges, okay?! Even Trunks...I tried to..." She shook her head hard, forcing the memory away, shame washing over her. "I will never forgive myself for that either...I just hope he does..." She moved around her father, making her way to the bed, never taking her eyes off the angel in her arms
Vegeta sighed in disappointment. "Bulla, you have to find some self-control!" He spoke heavily. "You have other people to think about." He paused. "Especially now." Vegeta looked down at his grandson.
The saiyan princess turned towards him, her eyes narrowed. One thing she had gotten from her father: His anger. "I KNOW that, dad, you don't have to keep rubbing it in my face. I Fucked up! I know!" Rolling her eyes, she turned away, her eyes coming to rest on her child. "We named him Storrem Vegeta Son..." She glanced over her shoulder at him, though she didn't turn around. "In case you were wondering..."
Vegeta hung his head in his hands. He thought it was very flattering that they would give the child his namesake, but he wouldn't dare comment on it. He wasn't positive she would change. "You know it's not just your son you have to worry about. It's Goten, too." He raised his head once more, his eyes resting on his daughter, narrowing. "You're going to marry him, right?"
Bulla shook her head trying, and failing, to contain a grin, "Cause I had a baby? You mean the same reason you married mom?"
Vegeta sighed deeply. His daughter still has much to learn about life and love, which is why he was disappointed in her rash, permanent decisions. "I did not marry your mother just because of Trunks." Vegeta gritted his teeth. "I may not always get along with your mother, but Bulla, that's how life and love work. Sometimes you will hate the other person. Most of the time you will love them and it's okay" Vegeta sighed, growling under his breath in frustration. His daughter was surely trying his patience with her snappy attitude. He was trying to drive home a life lesson for her. Not just for her sake, but for the sake of his grandson and future son-in-law. Hanging his head in his hands, Vegeta grumbled. "No, Bulla, you're going to marry him because you love him." He didn't understand why she had to fight him at every turn. This was clearly her mother in her.
Bulla rolled her eyes, "I'm not even 16 yet, dad. I cant get married" Still holding her son, she turned to look at him, her eyes wide, and for the first time since Vegeta entered the room, she showed her fear. "I cant marry him dad. Yes, I love him...but its complicated..."
Vegeta grumbled under his breath. She was difficult just like her mother. "It's always complicated Bulla. Welcome to adult life. You have arrived." He swung his arms open to drive home his point. "You said you love him, so you WILL marry him." Vegeta spoke angrily. "My daughter is done playing with other peoples emotions. I think enough people have been hurt already." Vegeta sighed. "If that boy asks you to marry him you WILL say yes."
A look of disgust folded her delicate features, and she wrinkled her nose. "Dad...you don't understand, Okay? Something just isn't right" She laid the baby on the bed, slowly working to unwind his blankets, exposing a tiny wiggling being. She grinned down at him, instantly enamored all over again. "I do love Goten...It isn't about that..."
Vegeta sprang up from where he has been sitting, infuriated. "Then what is it about, Bulla? Enlighten me!"
She shook her head, and suddenly she became very aware of her heart pounding against her rib cage. "Because what if I was wrong, dad? What if Goten isn't..." she stopped, unable to push herself any farther
Vegeta could feel his blood begin to boil again. "You don't even know whose kid he is, do you!?" Vegeta roared, his voice booming. "What were you thinking!?"
She snarled at him, her rage matching in its intensity, "OH, you know! I was just thinking 'how can i disappoint my father today!'" Sarcasm was inches thick in her voice, practically dripping from her tongue. She stared at him for a moment, her jaw set, her anger obvious and overwhelming. Her voice was a low growl when she finally spoke, "For your information, DAD...no, I don't, but it doesn't matter...he has me. All he needs is me..."
Vegeta stood before his daughter. She definitely got her selfish chromosome from BOTH parents. "Bulla, your actions have caused enough pain between our families. Think about it." Vegeta turned on his heels, placing his hand on the doorknob as he paused. "When you decide to be the sensible girl I raised we can talk about this again." Vegeta closed his eyes as he opened the door, exiting into the hall.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Trunks landed softly outside of the Son household, his heart weighing heavy. His mothers words echoed in his head, but his heart pushed him forward. His mother had told him not to speak a word of their secret...but Trunks found himself unable to hold his tongue.
Though Gohan had made many horrible mistakes...he was still a person, and he still had feelings. Slowly, he made his way up the stairs, his head hung low. Without knocking he turned the knob and entered the house. his eyes running in patterns across the scene before him. "Hello? He called out, his voice held a note of anger and despair that he didn't even know he had hidden within him. Puzzled at his own emotions, he took a step forward.
"What do YOU want?" The voice was low, a sinister grumble. Trunks turned towards the staircase. There, hidden in shadows, Gohan stood in darkness.
"Gohan...I need to talk to you...alone"
Gohan scoffed as he moved out of the shadows, exposing his scabbed-over, healing wounds. "We are alone. I'm always alone now, don't you know that?" Gohan huffed. "What is it, Trunks?"
Trunks averted his gaze, his head hung. He had known from the state of his fathers bloody clothing after the fight that Gohan had taken some damage, but he had no idea just how bad it was. Heaving a deep sigh, he forced himself to look Gohan in the eyes, and take in how extensive his damage really was. His face was a mask of scabs and a rainbow of bruises. A bruise in the perfect shape of a hand print stood out on his throat and his arm hung in a sling around his neck. Broken, dislocated?
"C'mon Trunks, spit it out!"
Trunks shook himself at the shouted words, bringing himself to reality. "Oh, uh..." He cleared his throat, taking a step forward, "Bulla had the baby last night."
Gohan rolled his eyes, tossing his head back slightly before hanging his head low. "Yeah, and?" He prodded further. "Is that all?" Gohan sneered, glaring at Trunks. Gohan wasn't born yesterday. He knew that Trunks didn't go out of his way just to tell hm the baby came.
Trunks shrugged, the guilt rising like bile in his throat. Why was he doing this? His mother had specifically forbidden him from doing exactly what her was doing now, yet he insisted. Why? He shrugged, gulping thickly, "I just thought you should know...that she uh..."
Gohan sighed, becoming angry and impatient. "Know what, Trunks? Spit it out already!" Gohan shouted.
He shook his head dejectedly. Gohan sighed, releasing some of his negative energy into the surrounding air as his mood swung wildly. "Just say what you need to say so I can be alone again."
"uhm...well..." Trunks ran a hand through his hyacinth hair, his hands shaking. Why was he so nervous? What could he possibly have to be afraid of? His mind raced in ever tightening circles of thought, with one at the center. Why was he doing this?
"My mom...uh did a test and uhm..." He shoved a hand into a pocket of his pants, his shivering fingers fishing for something. Finally his fingertips found a sheet of folded paper, and he pulled it out, holding it out to his fellow demi-saiyan. "Just read it..."
Gohan looked at Trunks with a quizzical, confused gaze. Moving his gaze to the crumpled paper in Trunks' hand, Gohan reached out and snatched it away. His gaze moved from the paper, back to Trunks then to the paper once more. Slowly, carefully, Gohan unwrapped the paper. He studied the document for a few minutes, analyzing the information before him. Printed in black and white the results were clear, written in smeared pen in his mothers handwriting alongside the results. "Trunks," Gohan began, looking up from the paper, smiling slightly. He was going to be a dad again. "Does Bulla know?" Gohan asked, more excited then he'd been in a long while.
Slowly, Trunks shook his head"no...she doesn't..." He murmured, "and neither does Goten..." He took another step forward, catching Gohans gaze and holding it. "I don't care if Bulla finds out...but I am telling you right now...Goten never can. " She paused, sucking in a deep breath. "I'm sorry Gohan...I really am...but you can't parent that baby..."
Gohan's look of joy slowly morphed into a look of pure sadness, even more depressed than he looked before if that was possible. Gohan shook his head in disbelief. "What?!" Gohan raised his voice. "Why?! He's my son!" Gohan protested desperately, trying to grasp onto possibly the only positive thing left in his life.
"Listen to me Gohan" Trunks lowered his voice until it became a low growl, menacing and serious. "Your mother is losing her mind...my family is fucked up...the only thing holding anyone together right now is the fact that Goten and Bulla are happy. If you fuck that up...I don't know what will happen, but I can guarantee you, both family's will implode" he threw his arms out to emphasize his point. "You've done a lot of damage, Gohan...do you really want to be responsible for destroying both of our families? And what about Goten! What would that do to him? After everything that's happened...doesn't someone deserve to be happy? Do you want your son growing up in a war zone? Because that's what will happen if this gets out..."
Gohan threw his arms up in the air. "Then why are you bothering to tell me!?" He demanded. "Why would you come all the way over here to tell me this? Felt the need to grind my backbone into the dirt some more?" Gohan shouted angrily. Gohan clutched the paper in his hand tightly as he pushed Trunks to the side, gunning for the door. "I'm going to talk to her..."
Reaching out as Gohan passed, Trunks grabbed his arm, holding him back. "I told you because you have a right to know. I told you so you can love him from a distance...and I told you because I feel that even though you fucked up...you deserve a chance to make things right" he released Gohans arm, looking away from him. "Do what's best for your son, Gohan..."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As the door clicked shut behind him, Vegeta glanced down the hall where Goten sat. He was sleeping upright, catching as much sleep as he could being a new parent.
'POSSIBLY a new parent...' Vegeta thought to himself angrily. Either way, it was his grandson's father no matter what the truth was because there was no way he would allow Gohan into his family at this point. Goten's head was propped against the wall, drool trickling down his face and onto the collar of his shirt. Vegeta strutted down the hall towards the unsuspecting Goten. Stopping directly in front of the sleeping saiyan, Vegeta slammed his hands heavily onto the wall above Goten's head, one hand on either side. Goten jolted awake, quickly wiping the drool away from his chin.
"Ve-Vegeta..." Goten stammered. Goten's eyes traveled slowly to the floor, not looking Vegeta directly in the eyes.
The saiyan prince leaned in closer, looking down at the smaller Demi-saiyan. "You will marry her." Vegeta stated, more than asked.
Goten was now shaking slightly from the sudden pounce of Vegeta. "Uh...well..." Goten stammered once more not sure what he had just been discussing with Bulla. Did Bulla say something to him?
Vegeta's eyes narrowed, his teeth showing as he released a low growl of frustration. One hand came up to strike across the side of Goten's head, almost playfully, yet Goten winced in pain. "Grow a backbone you runt!" Vegeta leaned in so that his face was mere inches from Goten. "You will marry her." Vegeta whispered.
Scared for his life, Goten sunk in to his seat, almost becoming one with the chair. "Uh...uh...yes, of course! I uh...I love your daughter. I would like to marry her..." Goten confessed to Vegeta's towering figure, wincing at what Vegeta might do to him in this position.
"Good choice, boy." Vegeta smirked as he stood erect once more. He dug in his pocket, revealing a large sum of money before handing it to Goten. "Make sure to buy her a nice ring. My daughter deserves the best, even if she can be difficult." Vegeta stated before turning around. "Use whatever is leftover for my grandson - you'll need it." He said before walking away.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
The door slammed shut with enough force to rock capsule corp to its very foundation. Bulma released a heavy sigh in a whoosh of air.
"Shit..." She muttered to herself. She rose from her seat, straightening her skirt curtly. She turned towards the doorway as her seemingly steaming husband barged through it.
"Whats wrong now, Vegeta?" She asked, crossing her arm's huffily across her chest.
"Your daughter-"
"MY DAUGHTER?!" Bulma began, taking a step towards her huffy husband, "Why is it that every time she fucks up, she becomes MY daughter?"
"Because no saiyan would ever-"
"No saiyan would EVER WHAT?! Create a baby out of wedlock? No saiyan would ever be reckless during sex? Vegeta, do you even know how Trunks was created?"
"Don't test me woman!"
With a sigh, Bulma brought her hand to her head, grinding her fingers into her temple. "Vegeta, OUR daughter-"
"She just told me that she doesn't know who the baby's father is!"
Bulma could practically feel all the blood drain from her face. Her heart skipped a beat, and when it managed to get its footing, smashed into her rib cage with enough for to shake her entire core. "What..."
Vegeta turned to his wife to give her a stupid look. "She said she doesn't know who fathered her child." Vegeta spoke more slowly this time. Huffing and puffing, Vegeta shot daggers in Bulma's direction. "I want to know. Test him!" Vegeta demanded.
"Uh...I already did" She confessed, wringing her hands painfully. Her mind racing, she reached into the pocket of her dress, producing a small sheet of paper. "I tested all of them but Goku."
"And?"
Hesitating, she unfolded the sheet of paper, her heart thudding painfully. Her breath came in short, quick gasps in her ragged throat. "Goten is the father"
When the words left her lips, she allowed her eyes to fall closed, hating herself inside. She hated lying. She hated the fact that she couldn't be truthful with her husband... But she knew what would happen if she told him the truth. "Goten is Sample B..." She explained, handing the paper to her husband.
Vegeta stated down at the paper, his eyes boring into the black and white answer in front of him. "Goten...his sample is a match..." Vegeta trailed off into a slight sigh of relief.
"So Goten IS the father." Vegeta spoke confidently.
Bulma sighed, looking away "Yea..."
