The next few weeks were an absolute blur for both Bulma and Vegeta. Both knew what was going on, but neither one said anything to the other person. The only change that was noted in the status quo was that Vegeta was decidedly spending less time in the bed snuggling with Bulma. She figured it was due to his training schedule. Little did she know that she was, in a way, correct - but not for the right reasons. Vegeta consciously decided that, in order to train more effectively and since Bulma was pregnant, that he had to separate himself from the whole situation.

Bulma was happy being pregnant. Vegeta had been right. She was more than willing to go it alone. And he also noted that she did not tell him. He respected her for that knowing that the main reason she had failed to mention anything was because she knew that she and the baby would be a distraction. He thought about that long and hard – and ultimately appreciated her for her efforts and understanding. Of course, being the man he was, he would never actually tell her that.

Bulma's parents were also very happy for her. They directly reflected her emotional state about the pregnancy. Since she was happy, they were happy. They bonded over the baby that was growing inside of her and, as much as they hated how Bulma was going about things, they respected her and knew their place as far as never telling Vegeta about what was really going on.

And so life went on…day-by-day.

OlOlOlOlOlO

It had been nearly two months after she had found out about the baby. Bulma was in her room by herself looking at her profile in the full-length mirror. She ran her hand over the slight bump she now could see protruding from her midsection.

Yep, definitely a baby in there. How are you doing baby?

The pregnancy moved along without much ado. Bulma thought that she might have a….different? hard? strange? pregnancy. After all, it was a half-Saiyan who resided in her body. She took some comfort in knowing that Gohan was a great kid and that Chi-Chi had only ever told her good stories about carrying him when she was pregnant.

It can't be too bad then.

She sat there admiring herself in the mirror for a minute or two more.

whizzzzz

Hm? What's that noise?

BOOM!

Oh shit!

Bulma knew exactly what was going on. She threw on a pair of stretchy shorts and a loose T-shirt and bolted out of her room and ran to the stairs right outside of the kitchen door. She made it just in time to see Vegeta's 1000G training capsule lifting off from the ground.

What the hell?

Soon both her mother and father were by her side with their hands up to their brow looking up into the sunny sky. Many of the Capsule Corp employees were coming out of the surrounding buildings and labs to see what the commotion was all about.

Bulma watched until she couldn't see the ship anymore. He's gone.

Although Bulma had thought about this possibility occurring, she did not think that he would just up and leave without even telling her – warning her – that he was leaving. And I never even got to tell him. She placed her hand on her belly.

She was sad. But there was never a doubt that he'd be back. She just didn't know when.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Vegeta was now in a spaceship exiting the earth's atmosphere. He sat there, strapped into the pilot's seat, feeling the pull of the thrusters as he was rocketed away. His body didn't have any problem with the G's that were being pulled - but he'd have to wait until he was further into space before he could begin training once again.

She'll be fine, he kept thinking to himself.

He pondered over what had happened in the last few weeks and what ultimately made him decide to take his current course of action.

Bulma had been a trooper. She didn't say a word to him. But even so, he knew that she carried his child and that tempted him….tempted him to spend more time with her. No, he needed to train. He cared, but he needed to train. His child. She was carrying his child, the heir to Saiyan royalty.

Not only did he battle himself, but the inner battle did take a toll on his sleep. The fact that he could sense her joy bothered him. He wanted to feel the joy, too. No, he had to train. The androids were coming. Best to get away so he didn't have a choice. No temptation in space.

And so the decision was made. And there would be no chances for arguments to occur or attempts to be made to convince him otherwise. He wasn't going to tell anyone.

OlOlOlOlOlO

With Vegeta now gone, Bulma made the decision to call up Chi-Chi and let her be the fourth person to know her secret. She thought it best to invite her to West City and tell her in person. It would be good to see her friend again and have a little one-on-one time.

Chi-Chi arrived one drizzly day in the middle of summer. Bulma saw a taxi pull up to the front of Capsule Corp and Chi-Chi got out.

"Hi Chi-Chi," Bulma yelled, waving from the door to the residence.

"Hi Bulma!" shouted Chi-Chi back.

Chi-Chi entered the kitchen and the two women started off their day together by having a drink at the kitchen table together. Chi-Chi opted for some fruit juice while Bulma just had a glass of water.

"I'm surprised to see you drinking water, Bulma," noted Chi-Chi. "I thought you drank coffee almost all the time."

Bulma laughed. "Well, yeah. I love my coffee," she noted. "It was never all I drank though."

The lack of coffee could have been Chi-Chi's first clue to the change in Bulma if she had been really paying attention. She thought this visit was purely a social one. Well, yes, it was a social visit, but Bulma did have her reasons for reaching out.

After some gossiping in the kitchen for about an hour, Bulma showed Chi-Chi to the living room so they could continue their talking on the couch.

Chi-Chi finally got to the point of the visit when she asked, "So how are you Bulma? Is everything ok?"

"Yes, everything's fine!" Bulma retorted. "Why do you ask?" She wasn't fooling anyone.

"Now Bulma. You look fine, but that answer – let's just say, Gohan gives me a lot of practice to tell when there are things to be read between the lines."

"Gohan? How is he anyway?" asked Bulma.

Chi-Chi gave her "the look" noting how she was trying to change the subject.

Bulma sighed. "Ok, ok."

"I was going to tell you anyway, I was just waiting for the right time," said Bulma.

"Tell me what?" asked Chi-Chi.

"I'm…." she started and paused. "I'm pregnant."

Chi-Chi's eyes opened wide – so did her mouth.

"I know," said Bulma. "Go figure, huh?" Bulma nervously laughed.

"W-Who?" Chi-Chi asked. "Yamcha?"

"No, we're not a couple right now," said Bulma. "We haven't been for a while."

"I knew you broke up, but you almost always got back together. I just figured...wait, it's not…," Chi-Chi started. She looked at Bulma and knew the answer.

"You're kidding!" she was flabbergasted. Chi-Chi was utterly silent after that last comment. She looked like she wanted to say something…wanted to ask something...but nothing was coming out.

"Chi-Chi, I know it is a shock, but believe me….please believe me when I tell you that he is not the man you think he is."

Chi-Chi's eyebrows lifted as if to question Bulma's last statement.

"I've gotten to know him….the real him. Yes, he's a pain-in-the-ass most of the time. He's demanding, selfish, and usually doesn't think before he says things…but I've also seen how sweet and loving he can be. It's just in his own way," said Bulma.

"Is that enough for you?" asked Chi-Chi. "Is the love he is willing to give to you enough for you?"

"Yes, I think it is," replied Bulma. "And now, we have this," she said wrapping her arms around her belly.

Reality was starting to set-in for Chi-Chi. This is really happening to her, she thought. I'm not sure I could be strong enough…I mean, I've lived through a husband who was dead for such a long time, and then he was alive, but on another planet. And here she is…with Vegeta…and I still think I may have had the better deal.

"I'll support you however I can, Bulma," noted Chi-Chi.

"Thanks," replied Bulma.

The two ladies continued their visit. They talked about Goku, Gohan, androids, Vegeta, the Ox King, living in a city vs. living in the middle of nowhere, flying people, Namek, Frieza, training, cooking, Bulma's work, and many other things including what it is like being pregnant with a half-Saiyan. It was a wonderful visit and as Chi-Chi was heading out the door to catch a taxi back to the airport, Bulma made her promise to keep her secret for her. Again, she thought it would be distracting – she knew how hard all the men were training to prepare for the big battle that lay ahead.

Chi-Chi smiled in agreement as she went out the door.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Just under five months in and Bulma was definitely sporting a bump. She could still hide her pregnancy, but just barely. She wore stretchy pants and big shirts. Unlike a lot of women she knew, Bulma was lucky in that her pregnancy seemed to stay firmly in her midsection. Other women showed their pregnancy with fingers and feet swelling and massive weight gain apparent in both their midsection as well as in their chin, arms and thighs. Bulma had categorized pregnancies into two types – those where the body was changed forever, and those where you would never know a woman was pregnant days after she had given birth. She could tell she was going to be the latter type – she was going to grow a beach ball on her front and when it was over, she would look just like she had before.

Early one morning Bulma headed in for her 20 week ultrasound. She was very uncomfortable – in order to see the baby, she had to fill her bladder and not pee for about a half hour beforehand. She was never so relieved when the technician finally gave her permission to hop off the table and relieve herself in the adjacent bathroom.

She hopped back up again and watched the black and white screen intently as the wand slowly caressed her stomach.

"Wait! Is that….?" she blurted out.

"Hm?" the technician, who was concentrating on her job let escape from her lips.

"That, there," she pointed.

"That is what you think it is," the technician confirmed. "It's a boy."

Bulma sat back and relaxed. Vegeta, we're going to have a son.

OlOlOlOlOlO

At that very moment – in space – Vegeta had just showered and was resting on his bed. He felt happier than he had in a while.