Chapter 15 - Fallen
Trunks woke up to Penny's entrance to the apartment. He climbed from his bed to see Penny picking up bottles from the floor that smelled funny. "Good morning sweetie!" she said with a smile. She took him by the hand and led him to his room. "Let's let Mommy and Daddy sleep in." Trunks smiled brightly and nodded his head. Penny went to the dresser and picked out something for him to wear. Once he was "all dressed like a big boy" she took his hand. He giggled as she led him to the main door. "Shush, we mustn't wake them" she reminded. Silently the two crept downstairs for breakfast.
Bulma stirred when she heard the door click shut. She moaned softly as she turned to look at the clock. 8:42 am the red letters read as they came into focus. "Shit!" she cursed to herself as she swung the covers off and jumped out of the bed "I'm going to be late!" She rushed to the closet and grabbed her dress and went to the shower.
Vegeta woke to Bulma's cursing and movement. He opened his eyes to see her running around the room grabbing clothes and then she disappeared into the bathroom. "I feel like I've been hit by an asteroid" he groaned. He left the warmth of the bed and began to gather his own garments for the day when last night hit him. He sat on her side of the bed lost for a moment in thought. Did it work? Is that the end of the nightmares? He was pulled to the present by Bulma standing before him. "Are you okay?" she asked with a smile. He stood and put his hands on her shoulders, "I was going to ask you the same thing." He said with concern on his face.
"I'm fine. I am going to be late for the conference, that's all." She said, confused for his misplaced concern. This was unusual behavior for him. She sat on the bed and he followed, staying close. Bulma tried to think, has something happened? Did I miss something? Vegeta was being unusually protective and concerned for her. Vegeta took her hands in his.
"You missed the conference over seven months ago" he began. He watched her face closely to judge her reaction to what he was telling her. "Myoki is dead. You almost. . ." His words trailed off as Bulma tried to process this new information. Her face scrunched up in confusion.
"Trunks. . ." Bulma ran from their bedroom to Trunks' room. His crib was gone and a toddler bed was in its place. When Vegeta caught up with her, she was sitting on Trunks' bed, holding his teddy bear, weeping profusely. He stood in the doorway at a loss of what to do to comfort her.
She looked up at him, "I remember being in the limo and there was an accident." He stepped into the room cautiously. "The rest is a jumbled up mess. An image here and there" she continued "like a dream just out of reach. If I could just. . ."
Vegeta pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. "It will come in time. Don't rush it." Vegeta did his best to soothe her. She looked up at him as he brushed a stray hair from her face. Vegeta pulled her closer as her breathing began to get rapid and her pulse quickened. He cradled her in his arms. "Just breath, Onna!" he coached.
She looked up at him, "I don't understand. I. . ." She closed her eyes in attempt to focus her thoughts. Her mind was full of images from the accident and afterwards. They stood in Trunks' room embracing each other for a few minutes. He wasn't sure of himself or what to do, so he did nothing but held her. He had been in her mind last night and tampered with walls her psyche had put up. He was fearful to push the issue. Finally finding his voice he told her "You have been through a great ordeal. Let's just get through breakfast." Vegeta teased as they walked back towards their bedroom. Bulma stopped and looked at him.
"You've lost weight." She said with amazement.
He turned to her with a smirk on his face, "Someone's been slacking on preparing my meals."
They meandered and made their way to the kitchen. When they entered Vegeta had his hand at the small of Bulma's back. He went to her seat and pulled out her chair. She smiled at him as she sat. He crossed the table and took his old seat. Bunny bustled up and started putting food on the table by the mound, smiling as always.
When Dr. Briefs took his seat Bulma looked over at the blue print he was studying. She spotted an error in his calculations and leaned in, took his pencil, and corrected it. Dr. Briefs looked at it for a moment before his eyes widened in recognition. He dropped the blue prints on the floor and jumped up in one swift motion before embracing Bulma. "You're finally back" he whispered as he held his only child. There was a sudden crash as Bunny dropped the platter she was carrying as she heard her husband's words. Trunks stood in his chair, his arms outstretched, "Ma-ma!" he cried. All eyes and attention were on Bulma. Vegeta felt uncomfortable watching the Briefs emotions flow forth and so he slipped unnoticed from the kitchen with a plate in his hands and retreated to the GR.
Seeing Bulma back to her old self filled him with pride. He knew there would still be issues to be dealt with as needed and many late night conversations were going to disturb his sleep. But he didn't mind he had his mate back. He had his free time back as well and could return to his rigorous training schedule. Both he and the boy were behind. He grinned as he finished his breakfast at the thought of a good argument with the woman and making up afterwards.
You are no longer needed here. Where will you fit in into this new equation. His mind trickled uncertainty into his thoughts. You have yet to properly claim her as your mate by your or Earth customs. He tossed the plate into the grass outside of the GR and secured the doors. He powered up the machine to 300x, he had some thinking to do. "All things in due time" he whispered to GR.
Meanwhile things were settling back down in the kitchen and Bulma ate her breakfast, Trunks seated firmly on her lap. She felt Vegeta withdraw from the kitchen and smiled to herself when she heard the GR whir into life. At least he stayed close, she thought. She understood his need for space. Her smile broadened at a memory of him caring for her so dearly when she was ill and unable to communicate to him she was there. She wanted to but was unable to will herself to speak or move. He was tender and loving. She had no doubt his feelings for her now.
She was torn from her memories when her mother chimed in, "He took very good care of you" she said as she ran her hand across Bulma's back. Bulma nodded in agreement. "Trunks' party was scheduled for next Saturday. Do you think you will still be up for it?"
Bulma smirked a very Vegeta smirk at her mother, "When am I ever not up to a party?"
Bunny beamed a smile back at her daughter, "Good! The invitations are already out."
Bulma spent the rest to f the day catching up with her mother and father. She played with Trunks in between naps. Penny stayed close for "Just in case." Vegeta did not emerge from the GR for lunch. Shortly before supper he emerged and went straight to their apartment and showered. Bulma and Trunks were in Dr. Briefs' private laboratory looking at some of his blue prints when Vegeta entered. Bulma looked up to see him leaning against the door frame, arms crossed at the chest, smirk in place.
"Oh, I didn't realize how late it was." Bulma said absent mindedly.
"I doubt you would be aware of the time even if you did wear a time keeper." Vegeta teased.
"You missed lunch entirely so don't get on me about losing track of time." Bulma teased back.
Dr. Briefs picked up Trunks and left for the dinner table without a word. Vegeta's eyes never left Bulma as the old man walked passed by him. Vegeta stepped further into the room.
"I have wasted far too much time force feeding you for you to simply forget to eat. It is careless and reckless." Vegeta's tone had changed. He was no longer teasing. If Bulma could sense it correctly, Vegeta was concerned. He may sound angry but he was concerned. She was starting to like this bond that they shared. How many other times had she misread his intentions by the tone of his voice alone. "More than you will ever know, Onna!" Vegeta said with a smirk as he closed the distance between them.
Bulma snaked her arms around Vegeta's neck. "Can you read my thoughts too now?" She asked him, only half expecting a response.
He leaned in and smelled her familiar scent mixed with the scent of the lab. "I can't help but hear your thoughts, you think loudly." He said with a smirk.
Bulma pretended to pout and Vegeta growled which sent Bulma running for the stairs with a giggle. Vegeta slapped her on her bottom as she ran past. Though out dinner Vegeta remained stoic and quiet. Bulma could tell there was something on his mind but he was not ready to discuss it, especially in front of others. After supper Bulma and Penny went to tend Trunks and Vegeta disappeared again.
Dr. Briefs was sitting outside on the back deck smoking when Vegeta came walking up. Instead of taking up his usual position, leaning against the wall, he sat opposite the old man. Neither spoke for quite some time. Dr. Briefs looked at the stars, thanking Kami for this joyous day. Vegeta stared off into space, searching for the words to say.
Dr. Briefs lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply, savoring the flavor. "Why don't you ask what you have come here to ask, my boy" Dr. Briefs said light heartedly. Vegeta turned and looked at him and took a deep breath. I can't believe I am about to do this! Vegeta chanted in his head. He exhaled slowly.
"She has no business in the lab already." Vegeta said plainly. Dr. Briefs remained quiet. "I will not have her taken from me again." Vegeta demanded. Dr. Briefs looked at him for a moment, considered his words carefully. He put out his cigarette before speaking.
"Yes, you can marry my daughter." Dr. Briefs said with a smile. Vegeta's eyes widened in surprise, how did he do that? Dr. Briefs handed him a pocket sized book and a small box before walking away. Vegeta opened the box to reveal a golden ring with a single diamond in the center. Plain, simple and beautiful. Vegeta turned his attention to the book and opened it. It was hand written, presumably by the old man, entitled "Earth Marriage Customs."
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