"Can't you call Emiko?" Vegeta questioned after an hour.
"I tried. Her phone keeps going to voicemail; I think her phone is off. As far as we know, she could be asleep already." Trunks replied with a sigh.
"Damnit! What the hell is the point of having her as a buddy or whatever it is she is?!" Vegeta snapped.
"The point is for her to help Knickers with his schoolwork and to talk with him when or if he needs. She's not for us to call whenever we please for anything that doesn't have to do with Knickers. Dad, calm down; I want Mom back to normal—to how we knew her before, too. However, Yuki even stated that Emiko may not be able to do anything; it may too late. It all depends on how long ago the curse was placed." Trunks replied, trying to stay calm.
"I'm going for a walk." Vegeta grumbled, standing up.
"Ok." Trunks replied with a sigh.
"Why Pop-Pop mad?" Momo softly asked, confused.
"Oh, Princess: it's not anything for you to worry about; you're too little right now. But I promise he's not mad at you. Ok?" Trunks calmly replied, lifting Momo onto his lap.
"Otay." Momo replied, leaning against Trunks.
"Daddy?" Momo questioned, trying to look up at Trunks.
"What is it, Baby?" Trunks replied, shifting her a little.
"I's has moe, pease?" Momo requested more food, holding up her bowl.
"Of course, you can have more. Knickers, do you want anymore?" Trunks happily allowed Momo to have more food before asking Knickers, concerned.
"No, thank you." Knickers dully replied.
"Knick-Knick, no feel good?" Momo asked, holding onto Knickers's knee.
"No, I'm just frustrated. But like Daddy said, it's nothing for you to worry about; I'll be ok." Knickers replied to Momo as she climbed onto his lap.
"Nana be otay. Emi make sue dat." Momo insisted, hugging Knickers.
"Yes, Nana will be ok. But we can't put all that pressure on Emiko because if she can't, for whatever reason, help Nana, everyone will feel bad. But yes, one way or another, Nana will be just fine. And so will Pop-Pop, Knickers, you, and me. But for now, you need to eat your dinner and not worry about this adult stuff. Ok? The both of you." 'Time to be careful about what's said around Momo. She's smarter than others give her credit for—and she certainly pays more attention than Leo ever did." Trunks calmly yet firmly told Momo and Knickers before thinking to himself.
A Few Hours Later:
11:45 PM:
"Pop-Pop." Momo whined and stretched when Vegeta walked through the front door.
"What are you still doing up? It's way past your bedtime." Vegeta, "scolded" Momo.
"She was worried about you. You were so mad when you left—and with how long you've been gone, Momo didn't want to go to bed believing you were mad at her. Yes, I told her you weren't mad at her, but you know Momo. Knickers went to bed about an hour ago. He's stressed because of everything, but with Momo's help, he's calmed down quite a bit. I'll explain later." Trunks explained, setting Momo on her feet and allowing her to waddle to Vegeta.
"I'm not mad at you. I don't think I could ever be mad at my little princess." Vegeta insisted, lifting Momo into his arms.
"Da bad man dat hort Nana?" Momo softly questioned, leaning against Vegeta.
"Yes, but that's none of your concern. You just need to concentrate on being my little princess—and going to sleep." Vegeta awkwardly told Momo. He hated censoring himself, but he did around Momo because Trunks asked him to. He also didn't like excluding Momo from things, but he knew she was too young; she wouldn't understand and become confused.
"Yes, Pop-Pop. Nigh-Nigh." Momo replied, gently kissing Vegeta's cheek before going to Trunks.
"Now, let's get you to bed." Trunks told Momo, lifting her into his arms.
"Yes, Daddy. Nigh-Nigh. Wuv you." Momo mumbled, leaning against Trunks, shocking him a little.
Momo has only ever told Trunks she loved him when he was upset; she knew it made him feel better. She's heard others tell others they loved them and figured out what it meant, but for some reason, she can't seem to say it on a regular basis; she hasn't told anyone except Trunks and Knickers. Of course, they all know she loves Trunks, Knickers, and the rest of her family; she just doesn't speak often. Although, recently, since they moved after her surgeries, she's started talking more. Not much more, but a little more than before.
But anyway, Momo always showed her love but hugging people or clinging to Trunks or Knickers.
Trunks took Momo to several doctors and a few therapists: they all told him Momo would never say more than two or three words at a time, and she would probably never tell anyone she loved them. She would never hug Trunks, Knickers, or any of their family or friends, and she would never form any attachments to anything but her toys. And she would never be intelligent and would be behind her peers intellectually.
No, she doesn't talk much, but she sure as hell talks more than the doctors said she would.
If she knows and feels safe with someone, she loves hugs—mainly from Trunks, Knickers, Pop-Pop, Nana, Aunty Bulla, and sometimes Uncle Gin. Sometimes she allows Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Chi-Chi to hug her.
Momo is very attached to Trunks, Knickers, Vegeta, and Bulma. And it seems she really likes Emiko. She loves her stuffed animals and toys, but she would rather have her family.
Trunks didn't know how often he'd hear it from her, but she just told him she loved him, so he had hope she'd say it more. But, for him, hearing her say it just once was a miracle.
And as for her intelligence? She's three. And yeah, she may be slower than most her age, but she sure as hell is not stupid. It just means she may need extra help or time to get something done. And Trunks will make sure she has all the time she needs.
Once Trunks got Momo tucked in, she was out like a light. He was going to talk to Vegeta, only to find him passed out on the couch.
"Thank, God." Trunks mouthed, looking toward the ceiling before going to bed himself.
Three Weeks Later:
It was now the second week of August, and things had been between hectic and quiet:
Every few days have been quiet and easy. And just like that, it'll switch, and all hell breaks loose.
Nobody hears anything from Bulma one day, and a few days later, she's out on dates and having sex with whoever. Still, everyone who knew her—the true her, new Bulma was still in there because she won't have sex with strangers unless they had condoms.
She won't say, and they can't prove it, but everyone is sure she's seeing Yamcha somewhere. And even if she's not, she has had sex with Android 17 a few times. Though, that was just to piss Vegeta off—at first. 17 started becoming bored and annoyed with Bulma coming around all the time.
If she wasn't having sex, Bulma was begging or demanding to see Knickers and Momo. Or she was screaming about how Trunks was making massive mistakes in his life and how he raised his children. He was going to ruin their lives like he was ruining his.
And on top of all that, they haven't seen neither hide nor hair of Emiko. Now and then, they'll see Yuki, but none of them can get a hold of her unless she allows them. But they haven't seen her in the past few days either.
"Momo, are you ready to pick up Knickers from the library?" Trunks questioned, watching Momo; she was watching DuckTales.
"Yeah." Momo replied, making her way over to Trunks.
'Let's see what we'll see today. God only knows.' Trunks thought to himself.
"Up we go." "Wha-hahaha!" After lifting her up, Trunks tossed Momo into the air; she happily squealed in laughter.
"Pop-Pop?" Momo questioned as Trunks got her shoes on for her.
"I don't think Pop-Pop is home right now. I think he left a few hours ago to go train with Uncle Goku and Mr. Piccolo." Trunks answered Momo, walking out the front door.
"Pop-Pop sad." Momo stated.
"Yeah, but he won't admit it. So, you can't anything to him." Trunks replied.
"Why?" Momo questioned, confused.
"It's complicated. Do you want to take the car, walk, or fly?" Trunks inquired, changing the subject.
"Car, pease." Momo answered, looking at the sky.
"Okey-dokey. Are you feeling ok?" Trunks questioned, somewhat concerned.
"I no wan Pop-Pop be sad. And I wan Nana come back." Momo cried.
"I know, Baby: we all do. But until we get a hold of Emiko, I don't know when that can happen. But as for Pop-Pop: maybe you could draw him a very nice picture to help him feel better. Ok? Cheer up. Pop-Pop wouldn't want your smile to be upside down." Trunks gently told Momo, placing her in her car seat.
"Daddy, can I's has water?" Momo softly requested, her little face turning red.
"Of course, you can. It's only going to be cold, ok? It's not going to be ice cold—not in this heat." Trunks told Momo, handing her a sippy cup of water.
"If I's be good, can we gets ice cream?" Momo requested once Trunks turned on the air and started driving.
"We'll see. For now, keep drinking your water. You let me know right away if you need more, ok." Trunks answered before firmly instructing.
"Yes, Daddy." Momo replied.
Knickers loved the summer reading program; it got his mind off everything around him. And he started making new friends his age or around his age.
Momo, on the other hand, didn't take to the program as well. Trunks decided to wait until next year to put her in the program. He apologized to the librarian and all the other parents—all of whom were sympathetic and understood.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
"Daddy." Momo softly spoke up.
"What is it, Baby?" Trunks replied, pulling into a parking space at the library.
"I's out of water." Momo softly spoke.
"Ok. I'll get you some more in a minute or two." Trunks replied, getting out of the car.
"The library has cold water if you'd rather have that." A familiar voice spoke, walking over to Trunks.
"Hmm…? Oh. Tanya, right?" Trunks questioned, looking at the woman.
"Yes, that's correct. I wasn't sure if I was going to have to remind you or not. You're Trunks, right?" Tanya replied before questioning.
"Yes, that's me." Trunks replied, lifting Momo into his arms along with her sippy cup.
"And Momo. Sorry. We should get out of this heat. I have to pick up my kids from the summer reading program; I'm guessing you're picking up Knickers." Tanya insisted, heading inside, followed by Trunks.
"Yes, that's correct. Then, with how hot it is, I may take them to get ice cream." Trunks replied.
"That sounds nice. I'd love to take my children out for ice cream, but after I get Vera, Tatsu, Kaya, and Ryo here, we have to pick up Broly from work before. And then we have to drive two hours to pick up Hatori and Hiei from their summer camp. Oh, I'm sorry: I swear that wasn't me trying to intrude or anything like that. I'm always messing up." Tanya randomly babbled before apologizing.
"Oh, no; it's perfectly ok. Hey, how was your day?" Trunks sincerely replied before asking Knickers when he walked over.
"Good. Next Thursday is the last day for group activities and readings. And then the Tuesday after that, we get our final awards." Knickers, holding some books.
"Romeo and Juliet, The Princess Bride, and The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe. With what I know you like to read, Edgar Allen Poe makes sense, but I'm a little surprised to see Romeo and Juliet, and The Princess Bride." Trunks honestly spoke, seeing the books Knickers had this week.
"Miss Dotty challenged us to read something we typically don't read. Hello, Mrs. Tanya." Knickers explained before greeting Tanya.
"Good afternoon, Knickers. Have you seen my tiny terrors?" Tanya greeted Knickers before joking around.
"Last I saw them; Vera was looking through the "Goosebumps" books with Tatsu. Because she doesn't read them but he does, Tatsu is helping her pick out a good one or two. She was then going to help him look through the "Magic Tree House" and "The Adventures Bailey School Kids" books because he only reads "Goosebumps." Miss Dotty was helping Kaya find a book. And Ryo was arguing with one of the other group leaders." Knickers answered Tanya, thinking a little.
"Oh, no. It was nice seeing you again, Trunks. Ryo, you can't be arguing with the group leaders." Tanya told Trunks before going to scold Ryo.
"Well, if he knew what he was talking about, I wouldn't have to correct him." Ryo was heard defending himself.
"Are you ready to go? We're going to get some ice cream." Trunks questioned.
"Yes." Knickers replied with a smile.
"Daddy, I's need moe water, pease." Momo tugged at Trunks's sleeve.
"Give me just a minute, please. How much is a water bottle?" Trunks told Momo before asking the librarian.
"Free. Especially on days like today. Just grab one out of the cooler." The librarian answered with a friendly smile.
"Thank you. Knickers, I want you to grab a water as well." Trunks thanked the librarian before firmly telling Knickers.
"Yes, Dad. What about you? You should get one as well; you're not immune to this heat either." Knickers insisted, watching Trunks.
"Of course." Trunks replied with a smile, grabbing two water bottles.
"You drink this slowly. I don't have the extra arms to pour it into your sippy cup." Trunks told Momo after opening the water bottle.
"Yes, Daddy." Momo replied, taking the water bottle with both hands, and started drinking.
"Come on, the ice cream parlor is just down the street; we can walk." Trunks insisted as they started walking.
"Where the hell have you been?! Don't you know my family needed you! Didn't your cat tell you anything?!" Before they could enter the ice cream parlor, they heard Vegeta yelling at someone—Emiko.
"Oh, no. Come on. Keep drinking your water." Trunks instructed, hurrying toward Vegeta and Emiko.
"Watch your sister, and stay in the shade. Stay with Knickers and in the shade. And both of you continue to drink your water." Trunks strictly ordered, setting Momo on her feet next to Knickers.
"Yes," "Dad." "Daddy." Knickers and Momo obeyed Trunks and stood in the shade against the cool brick of a building.
"Dad, stop! Leave her alone!" Trunks yelled, pulling Vegeta away from Emiko.
"She needs to help us! Doesn't she know she needs to help us?!" Vegeta yelled, fighting against Trunks.
"Dad, stop! Knickers and Momo are right over there. Do not let them see you like this. And as for Emiko: no, she's not around to help us; she's around to be Knickers's school buddy. She's around for his school and someone to talk to. And I have to speak to her first and ask her if she'd be ok with talking with Momo as well; she has every right to say no. Just as she has every right to say she can't help us. She's not here for us; she's here for Knickers. And while we know he's willing to share Emiko's time, it's not only his time; it's hers as well. Emiko is a person, too, Dad." Trunks stood his ground and firmly held Vegeta back.
"I know that! But Bulma… My wife… My Bulma…" Vegeta replied, unable to form any real sentences as he broke down in one of his rare moments.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand what's going. I know Yuki tried telling me a few times, but I've been sick, so I haven't been able to pay attention. The doctor said it was something called the flu." Emiko apologized, upset.
Looking at her, Trunks could see that Emiko was visibly distressed and looked like she would panic any second now.
"You have nothing to be apologize for. Bulma, my dad's wife, my mother, and Knickers and Momo's grandmother isn't well; she's been cursed. Umm… Where's Yuki?" Trunks started explaining until he noticed Yuki wasn't around Emiko's shoulders where she usually was. He figured that's why she was so upset.
"It's just me. Yuki had her kittens a few days ago, so she's not allowed to leave the house—or very far from her bed." Emiko softly replied, shaking.
"I'm taking the kids out for ice cream. Would you like to come with? You cool down for a little, try to relax, and we can all talk. Then we can take you home." Trunks offered, closely watching Emiko.
"I can get home on my own." Emiko defensively insisted.
"I'm not saying you can't; I was just offering. But if you don't want, I'll let you go home on your own. However, I insist you join us for ice cream. We still need to talk about the buddy program—if you're still interested in being Knickers's buddy." Trunks calmly replied.
"I still want to be his buddy if that's what he wants. I understand if you don't want me anymore." Emiko immediately stopped Trunks.
"Ok. That's great. I know Knickers still wants you as his buddy—we all do. So, please. Let down your walls for a little bit, come have ice cream, and talk with us for a little bit." Trunks calmly insisted.
"And we can talk about your Bulma." Emiko softly spoke.
"If you'd like; we don't want to push you too far." Trunks insisted, watching Emiko.
"Ok." Emiko softly replied, causing Trunks to sigh in relief.
"Ok. Let's go. Dad, are you coming with?" Trunks asked Vegeta, walking to Momo and Knickers.
"You bet your ass I'm coming with. I want answers." Vegeta determinedly declared.
"Of course. But you're not going to push Emiko too far." Trunks sternly warned Vegeta.
"No, of course, not." Vegeta mumbled, following Trunks, Emiko, and Knickers to Kori's Ice Cream Parlor…