BULMA'S DIARY

Looking back, neither Vegeta nor I can say now that the day he asked me to marry him – or, in his words, "make it official" - was the happiest moment of our lives. It's true that we were over the moon and deeply in love, but since then we've kept our expectations unpretentious: live each day appreciating what we have. There's no doubt that we had to face down more difficulties together, both in our marriage and outside of it, but we kept our promises to each other in the only way we knew – as warriors. Vegeta considers me his equal, which I most assuredly am, though I don't say that arrogantly. No matter how much he's attained, which is astounding, he recognizes that. He's done his best to keep his vow to do everything in his power to return to me and, by extension, our children.

One of the most difficult admissions I made was to my parents, sister, friends and Trunks about my drinking. Unfortunately, I relapsed two years after staying at Rontana's village, and I returned there to recover and have been sober ever since. Everyone supported me. My husband listened to what I needed and again gave me the space to battle the monkey on my back. He understood. We didn't argue. He didn't overreact, express disappointment, hover or try to fix everything. He didn't become sullen. Like I had done for him on many occasions, he just let me "be" - and, along with my parents, cared for our son. I wanted Vegeta to train and do what he loved. He wanted me not to reject what I have loved for my entire life - and, because of them all, I haven't.

I am thankful that we made it through together, and I am happy. Best of all, I am free.

THE CEREMONY

Blue sapphire

Its hue most revered...

The color of royalty, of kings and queens...

Forty-five years later, Vegeta and Bulma renewed their wedding vows on the day of their sapphire anniversary. A year earlier, in anticipation of the event, Bulma had a formal military suit tailored for him with matching white gloves. Their beauty and majesty brought Trunks and his sister Bulla to tears.

"He earned it," was all she said, wiping her own tears. "He's made his life count."

When Bulma surprised him with the outfit, Vegeta followed their marriage's decades-long tradition each time he received newly crafted clothing from her: one kiss on the crown of her head. On the day of their ceremony, she and Trunks dressed him immaculately. A few hours after sunrise, Vegeta waited for his eternal bride in their back garden, supported by none other than Goku and Gohan. Bulma wore a lace dress and crown adorned with cream-colored pearls and flowers, escorted to the altar by her children.

"I, Vegeta, take you, Bulma, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

"I, Bulma, take you, Vegeta, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

Later that afternoon, Gohan came to retrieve his father from the garden's shaded gazebo. The hard-earned hallmarks of old age lined Goku's facial features now, along with gray streaks through his hair. Any further visible signs would likely stop there until he died, which wouldn't be for many more years. He remained just as handsome and had grown more reflective. Even Vegeta had come to tease his friend about such seriousness, telling him they were "both too old to mope about much of anything anymore."

"Dad, you OK?"

"For now I am, Gohan. For now."

"Maybe you should return inside."

Goku turned toward him, dropping his head with a puckish smile. "My fighting days aren't over yet, son."

"I know." Gohan's chuckle carried a thread of sadness, but also pride. "In more ways than one."

"You know, I'll never think of Vegeta as old. Bulma either, but I guess we really are."

"I'll never think of us as old either, honey," Bulma said from a video screen inside the house. "But we have the benefit of wisdom – and if Vegeta weren't… weren't…" She dried her eyes, almost letting her thoughts drift off until Trunks hugged her from behind. "Come on in now, Goku. My renewed husband isn't done with you yet, honey."

The two dear friends embraced when Goku returned to the house. He wrestled with his necktie uncomfortably, making Bulma laugh.

"You never have liked formal dress," she said, untying it for him. "But you do look hunky."

"If Chi Chi were alive, she'd tell you not to compliment me too much."

"Oh Goku, I doubt that. She'd probably be gushing over you."

"Maybe. Your husband and I got really lucky having you as our wives - and you as my friend."

Bulma winked. "Tell me about it. You two certainly did get lucky, but I will say this: Vegeta does give you some credit for being the biggest fanboy of our marriage."

Goku grinned a little despite the sadness in his eyes. "Does he now?"

"I wouldn't lie about that." Bulma touched his shoulder, holding his chin up. "Go be with him, Goku. I know it's hard, but Vegeta and I are ready. It's going to be OK."

Goku choked up, holding his fists over his mouth. "Bulma, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. When things got tough, seems like you just got tougher."

Bulma held out her hand. "We've all learned from each other. Now come with me. We'll go in together."

Vegeta's perceptive partial smile brought some cheer to the few remaining guests as Goku entered the living room. He was resting with his feet up on a broad sofa, with a quilted blanket across his waist. Understanding that the two should have time alone, the others soon departed, hugging Bulma on their way out. Before leaving with Trunks and Bulla, she momentarily touched her husband's face. One of his hands had a tremor, which he kept under the blanket.

"I'm comfortable, Bulma. We won't be too long. I know you're tired too."

"I'm not concerned about that, Vegeta," she said, moving the blanket up. "Say what you need to say. Let's go kids."

Goku seated himself, watching and listening to the soft patter of new raindrops outside. His gaze had been drawn to Vegeta's tremor at first.

Vegeta's head cocked. "Oh stop brooding, Kakarot. My wife and I just renewed our vows in front of you. Be your normally annoying, happy-go-lucky self. We didn't invite anyone to our first wedding."

"That's only because I was hanging out with Old Kai that week, Vegeta, and you seem to have disremembered that at least ten other people did attend your surprise wedding, including my sons."

Vegeta snorted. "Oh? I guess I did forget that. Maybe it's age. Not my problem now."

Goku laughed. "Yeah, right. Don't blame that flub on being an old fart. You're as sharp as a tack. Besides, you probably wouldn't have told me where you were getting hitched anyway."

"Unfortunately, my wife would have."

Both men took hold of each other's arms, as brothers would, with abiding respect. The tremor in Vegeta's weaker hand and arm slowed.

"How are you doing?" Goku asked.

Vegeta pondered that question as his cloudy eyes focused on his friend. "Tired in body. Energetic in spirit. But you're already aware of that, considering that you kept me from falling on my face like a drunk pigeon today."

"You had everything under control after seeing Bulma. She looked lovely. It's always been a hoot to see that little twinkle in your eye when she's nearby, even when you two are as angry as killer bees. That wedding suit was spiffy too."

"Spiffy? A hoot?" Vegeta side-eyed him. "Where do you get this shit vocabulary from?"

Goku chuckled faintly. "Heh. Guess I'll never be as sophisticated as you. I'm just a country boy."

Vegeta held up his gnarled hands, staring gratefully at his wedding ring. "Kakarot, even as my body turns against me, I am free, and so is my wife. That is how I want you to remember us."

"I know, my friend. I know."

The husky, reverberant depth of the prince's voice could still silence the loudest room. Bulma's spirited laughter made even the smallest party a celebration.

Goku kept those memories close to his heart for the rest of his long and well-lived life, especially the final kiss Bulma and Vegeta shared that day.

Notes: It has been a thrill to share this story with you. Thank you for the privilege.