Onnimo- Here's that update, finally. Thanks for reviewing!

Kataan- Been a while, huh? Sorry bout that! Thank you for reading and reviewing. Enjoy!

KarineD- Gosh, I suck. Keeping all you guys in suspense for this long. Terribly sorry! Hope you like the new chapter!

Videlchan313- I enjoyed your review! Thanks a bunches. The move went well, thankfully! I'm so sick of moving around though. I've moved back and forth so much the last couple years. It sucks! Anyhow! You know your comment about my stories being made into movies is funny. That's how I write this stuff, cuz I picture it in my head like a movie. I'm odd. I know it! Enjoy! Enjoy! ;)

Seruleyan-Wings- Haha, thanks for that pun! It cracked me up! Sorry, I keep missing you. Things have been interesting around here as of late. I've had a lot of crap on my mind, but enough about that. The main things is, I'm trying to get into my writing again because I've neglected it for far too long now. (hugs) Thanks for everything, girl! I really appreciate it, and I look forward to hearing from you! ;)

Shades of Crimson- Thanks! I can't stand when people just disregard that there was a past relationship in their stories and make their characters get over it in one sentence. That very, very, very rarely happens in real life, and I think it's pretty ridiculous. I mean, come on. I'm completely and totally in love with my boyfriend, but that doesn't mean that I don't still think about my past relationships and wonder about certain things. Sorry, I'm babbling. My point is, and I know you realize this already, that feeling can't just be turned off like a light. So because of that, yeah, this story is going to be lengthy, I hope, and have twists in it because that's life! ;) Luv ya muchly and hope to hear from ya soon!

Veryshortmidget- Wow, I hope this is worth the extremely long wait I've put you through. I'll feel really bad if it isn't. Thanks for reviewing!! It means a lot!

Beeswax- Thank you very much for reviewing and for the congrats! I hope you like the next chapter!

Anorake- Hahaha. Thanks very much! I'm really glad you like the story. Yeah, for some reason, I just think that if Vegeta was a human, he'd be Italian. ;) It just seems right. Enjoy!

Monster under the bed- Thanks for the review! Sorry it's taken so long!

Big B/V fan- Boy do I feel terrible. Very sorry! I hope you like this chapter, and I'm really glad you like my story so far. It means a lot! Thank you!

Chapter 7: Weekend in LA: part 4!

(New York City)

"What are you doing in LA?" Jayson asked while drying off a plate and putting it away in the overhead cupboard.

On the other end of the line, his sister was quickly explaining to him about Vegeta's situation. "But I thought you were going with Chad to the beach for the weekend. What happened?" When he received no answer from her, his eyes narrowed unconsciously at the brick wall of his apartment.

"He's being a dickhead again, isn't he? 18, when are you going to stop letting him hurt you like this?"

"I don't need you yelling at me, 17! I have enough to deal with," she shot back.

He sighed heavily. "I just don't like you getting hurt is all, sis. Chad acts like a great guy, but he's a sleazebag," he finished. The front door opened, and he glanced up to see Karra carrying in an armload of groceries. "Hey. I have to go. Karra's back from the store. I'll call you later tonight, okay?"

"Yeah, bro. I have to go, too, anyway. Bulma's finally out of the shower, and now we have to go meet Vegeta's parents."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

Jayson hung up the phone and walked over to the kitchen counter. "Get me anything good?" He asked, poking through the plastic bags for munchies.

Karra laughed and swatted his hand away. "Get out of there!"

Sighing dramatically, he turned his nose up at her. "Fine. I'll just starve!"

"No you won't," she told him, nudging him aside so she could put away all the food. "So, did you decide when you're going to visit your sister?"

"I was thinking next weekend." He leaned back against the counter behind him and crossed his arms over his chest, watching her with a grin on his face the whole time. "I was also thinking that you should come with me. June would love to finally meet you."

Karra nodded her head absently. "Yeah, okay."

Frowning, Jayson uncrossed his arms. "You okay?"

"Huh?" She glanced up at him, and her tone sounded startled. "I'm sorry, Jay. What were you talking about?"

"I asked if you want to go with me to visit my sister next weekend. Is there something wrong? You've been acting distant for the last couple days."

She let out a short, nervous snort. "Oh please. There's nothing wrong," she told him. "If I'm a little out of it, it's just because of my mid-terms."

"Mid-terms aren't for another two or three weeks, Karra. That's not it," he responded accusingly, not meaning for it to sound that way though.

Karra glared at him and walked toward the door, grabbing her jacket in the process. Following her out into the hallway, Jayson sighed. "Come on, Karra. I didn't mean it like that," he called out after her. "Where are you going?!"

She paused in front of the elevator. "Out for a walk. I'll be back later."

A loud ding echoed throughout the hall and the doors to the elevator parted, and Karra boarded it without so much as looking up at him. When they closed, he turned and punched their front door as hard as he could. What the hell was going on with her lately? He walked into the apartment, ignoring the searing pain in his hand and wrist. In a frustrated fit, he started tearing through all the books and papers and other things scattered across their coffee table. After tossing a chemistry book on the floor, he found what he was looking for. Their cell phones lay on the glass tabletop next to each other, and his angered state, he didn't realize he was taking the wrong phone as he too left their home.

(Los Angeles)

Thankfully for Bulma and Vegeta, Alessa wasn't around when they came downstairs. Bulma nervously clenched and unclenched her fists. She wasn't exactly sure why she was so nervous. It wasn't like she was really Vegeta's girlfriend. It wouldn't matter if they didn't like her. She was just pretending, but as they walked into the dinning room and she spotted the large group of people, she was scared to death. It didn't help that Vegeta actually looked startled too. He had stopped just inside the archway and was staring with wide eyes at his family.

"What's the occasion?" He demanded slowly, gaining everyone's attention.

"Vegeta, don't just stand there. Get in here and introduce us to your friends," his mother called out excitedly, getting up from the table and rushing over to give her youngest son a hug. "Arro and Mara have wonderful news for everyone," she announced happily, referring to his brother and his girlfriend.

"I see," he replied slowly. "This is June Gero," he stated, pointing out 18 to his family. They all smiled at her, and Vegeta reached back for Bulma's hand. He had to make it look as real as possible. "And this is Bulma Briefs, my girlfriend."

Vegeta's mother smiled beautifully and reached out for Bulma's other hand. "This is such a lovely surprise. Please come on and let me introduce you to the rest of the family." She practically pulled Bulma from Vegeta's grasp, dragging her toward the table. "This is my husband, Vegeta Sr.," she said, acknowledging the distinguished looking gentleman at the head of the table. There was no doubt he was Vegeta's father. They looked like they were just younger and older versions of each other!

"On his right is my daughter, Indara, and my son, Cass," she continued. "And on the left we have my son Arro, and his girlfriend, Mara, which have wonderful news for everyone."

Bulma smiled at everyone. The woman next to her was so excited that she was getting excited. What was this news they had to share? Arro stood up with a familiar smirk on his face, that Bulma was starting to realize must run in the family. Now that everyone was seated around the table, it was time for him to make his announcement.

"First of all," he started. "I'd like to thank Vegeta for sleeping in so late and really adding to the whole suspense of the moment," he said sarcastically. "Mother's been having a conniption fit all morning."

Vegeta reached into a basket on the table in front of him, pulled out a croissant, and tossed it at his eldest brother's head. "Who's stalling now?" He asked as Arro easily caught the roll.

"Fine. Mara and I have finally set a date for the wedding."

Lisdore Ouji squealed, "Finally! Oh dear, we have to get started right away."

Mara, a petite, blonde woman with honey-brown eyes, smiled back and reached for Mrs. Ouji's hand. "I was thinking we could have it in Ravenna at the Porto Corsini or the Marina Romea."

"Oh yes! On the beach, at sunset," Indara chimed in, sighing. "That'd be lovely."

Bulma and June just glanced at each other. "Where's Ravenna?" June whispered.

"Italy," Bulma answered quietly.

"How many guests?" Indara asked.

"There's probably going to be close to two hundred. We want to keep it small, not to mention the cost of flying everyone there," Mia replied.

June almost choked on her water, and Bulma had to bite her lip and hold her breath to keep from laughing. Mr. Ouji clapped his eldest son on the back good-naturedly and smiled. "Invite whoever you want. Money's no object," he spoke up for the first time. He had a very thick accent that gave Bulma the distinct impression he was more use to speaking Italian than English. Turning his attention to his other son, Cass, the intimidating patriarch continued, "Now, if we could just get this one here to settle down with a decent woman."

June smiled over at Bulma. It was nice to be sitting around with Vegeta's family and laughing. Bulma felt oddly at home here. June was just about to open her mouth, when she felt something vibrating against her ankle where she had placed her purse. She reached down and pulled out her cell phone to check the message screen. Frowning, she hid the phone in the pocket of her pants and turned to Vegeta.

"I have to go to the bathroom. Excuse me," she said politely.

"Through the foyer first door on the left," he told her.

She nodded and quickly followed his directions. Shutting the door behind her, she glanced at the text message with a confused expression. 'Sis need to talk!!! 911!' What was going on?! 'God, I hope he's alright,' she thought frantically as she hit the speed dial and waited for Jayson to pick up.

(Change scene)

Back in the dinning room, Bulma was sitting quietly next to Vegeta as the rest of the group chatted about wedding plans.

"I hope June's ok," Bulma whispered softly.

Vegeta glanced at his watch. "I think it's safe for us to go now." He stood up and addressed his father in Italian. Mr. Ouji nodded and replied quickly, pulling out a set of keys from his pocket and handing them across the table to his youngest son. "Grazie," Vegeta added before standing up and helping Bulma to her feet. "We'll be back for dinner," he told his mother.

"Bene! Why don't you take the girls shopping while you're out? There are some excellent shops, Bulma."

"Thank you," Bulma said. "It was nice meeting everyone."

"Oh don't worry. Everyone will still be here for dinner," Lisdore replied.

The couple walked into the foyer to wait for June. Vegeta leaned up against the wall and sighed. "What's wrong?" Bulma asked.

"Nothing," he muttered. "I just can't stand being around all that marriage crap."

She nodded. "Understandable, but aren't you happy for them? Don't you like Mara?"

"Yes. She's like another sister to me," he answered.

The bathroom door opened, and June came out with a blank look on her face. "What are you guys doing out here?" She asked.

"Waiting on you. Everything okay?" Bulma questioned with concern. "You look kind of out of it."

"Um, yeah. I had to call my brother. He's freaking out. I was trying to talk him out of doing something really stupid, but you'll never guess where he's at right now." She followed them out the front door. "He's on a plane heading for California as we speak."

"Why?"

"Got into a fight with his girlfriend. She walked out, and he went ballistic. He told me he walked to central park and was about to phone one of her friends that he thought she might go see, when he realized he had her phone instead of his."

Vegeta lead them to his father's BMW and unlocked the doors. "So what?"

"On her caller ID was her ex-boyfriend's number. Jayson went nuts and hopped the closes bus to the airport. He doesn't even know what the guy was calling Karra for. He might have wanted something of his back that she still had or something."

"You don't think she's cheating, 18?" Bulma interrupted.

"No. I didn't get the impression that she was that type of person," June responded, sliding into the backseat. "But who knows? Anyway, his plane's landing at LAX at 8 o'clock tonight. I'm gonna catch a taxi over and meet him there."

"I'll drive you over," Vegeta said. "No point in paying for a taxi. We can go back to San Callisto tonight, too. The house is too packed for my taste," he went on.

(Change scene)

After a long dinner, which the Ouji's were joined by all of their guests, Vegeta announced that they were going back to the college tonight instead of tomorrow. Bulma was a little sad to be leaving. She was really getting alone well with Vegeta's family. His younger sister was a riot, as was all his family. The only problem she had was that Alessa was seated across the table from here, and she had glared at Bulma throughout the entire dinner. Bulma had ignored her as best she could.

Placing the last of her belongings into her bag, she took one last look at the beautiful room she was in. She wished they could have stayed for one more night, but Vegeta had made it clear that he wanted to get out of here ASAP. She zipped up her bag just as Renato walked in.

"I'll take your bags down to the car, Miss Briefs."

"Oh, you don't have to. I can get it," she told him.

He smiled and picked up her bags. "It's what I'm paid to do."

Bulma smiled back. "Thanks."

"Of course," he replied. "Before you leave, Miss Worthington would like to talk to you."

The young blue haired woman stared back at him with confusion. "Um, who?"

He chuckled. "Forgive me. Miss Mara Worthington."

"Oh!" Bulma laughed. "I didn't know her last name. I feel like an idiot now. Where do I go?"

"She's in the den."

(Change scene)

Bulma wandered into the den admiring all the beautiful paintings that adorned the walls. This was such an amazing house!

"Great! There you are," Mara said, walking across the room with a huge smile on her face. "It was so great to meet you."

Bulma returned her kind smile. "It was great to meet you too."

Mara took her by the hands. "I have something to ask you, and it's so, so important."

"Okay."

"Now, I know that you're just here to make Vegeta's parents think that he's found someone new so they'll drop the whole Alessa thing, but—"

Bulma bit her bottom lip nervously. "Whoa, wait a sec. That's not why I'm—"

Mara laughed and motioned for her to sit down on the couch with her. "Don't worry. Vegeta told Arro and me all about it. I'm glad Vegeta's made such good friends. He really needs some. His cousin use to be his best friend, but well, after he caught Brolly with Alessa, he's had such a hard time with things. It really did a number on him."

"Brolly was his best friend on top of it all?" Bulma inquired.

"Yeah, but we shouldn't be talking about all that. Vegeta hates when anyone brings it up," Mara answered. "What I wanted to ask you was if you'd consider being in my wedding with Vegeta. It's tradition to have all of Arro's brothers in the wedding. Indara's going to be with Cass, and I was hoping you'd be with Vegeta."

Bulma was astonished and confused as to what she should say. "Um, I'm not really," she paused, thinking of something, anything! "Don't you have any sisters or friends you'd rather have in your wedding? I mean, we don't really know each other, not that I don't think you're nice person," she added quickly.

"To be honest, Bulma, I'm an only child, and I've grown up with Arro. It's always been the two of us. We never really got close to other people, so I guess what I'm trying to say is, no. I don't have anyone else. You see, if you don't do it, then Mr. Ouji will insist on Alessa being in the wedding, and I can't stand her for obvious reasons."

"Well, when's the wedding?" Bulma inquired slowly. She didn't want Mara to get her hopes up just yet.

"Over your Christmas break from college."

"That's only a couple months from now!"

Mara smiled and sighed happily. "I know. We don't want to wait any longer. You don't have to worry about anything. Our parents are paying for absolutely everything. Your dress and your plan ticket," she responded quickly. "You don't have to worry about a thing."

"But my family. We're very close, and I won't be able to see them before Christmas break."

"We can just fly you out for the wedding, and you can go home the next day if you like. I don't want you to agree to this if you don't want to do it. I'll understand, Bulma."

"I," she started, turning to look out the window. She could see all the way to the guesthouse. Alessa was sitting on the porch primping and fawning over her own reflection in a compact mirror. "I'll do it."

Mara let out a happy squeal and flung her arms around Bulma. "Thank you so much!"

Bulma hugged her back and laughed. "It's no problem really. I feel kind of honored."

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Vegeta entered the room a second later. "I take it she said yes," he addressed Mara.

"She certainly did! Oh, this is so perfect! I'm going dress shopping in two weeks. I'd love it if you'd come along with me and Indara," she told Bulma.

"I'd love to, but I don't know how'd I get here."

"Just borrow Vegeta's car, or ride down here with him. He needs to start visiting more," she added with a scolding tone to her voice clearly meant for Vegeta.

Vegeta just rolled his eyes. "Whatever. We've got go."

His soon-to-be sister-in-law watched the young pseudo-couple walk out the door. "Tell June she's more than welcome to come with us as well, and she's definitely invited to the wedding," she called out after them.

(end chapter)