Hello lovely readers! It's been way too long! Hope you are all doing well, and that you had a great festive and New Year! I have been working on catching up, and have written a few chapters of Beauty so far... Updates will be frequent! I hope you enjoy and would love to hear from you... Kim :)
famoso – I am not actually elaborating on the dinner party, I do hope you like what I've come up with so far lol. Sorry for the long wait! She is definitely more at ease with her family around.
Guest – Here ya go! Enjoy
msanimegeek – lol… That's Trunks for you and yes hehehe. Missed you too Becca and hopefully there will be regular updates from me hehe
amcox1307 – Just the way I like it lol…
KaitAstrophe95– hehehe… Leave it to Bulla. Enjoy XD
LVR4Trunks-n-Vegeta – She does indeed. Oh Trunks is in for a lot of surprises hehe. Here ya go and sorry for the wait!
Loreena85 – I know, such bad timing… lol… I love them ;p
trunkspanlover89– lol! Gotta love those cliffies hehehe… I love writing him that way in this story. Sorry for the long wait and hope you enjoy.
Awesomegirl789 – Nope I'm sure not only you… Me too hehehe… Sorry about the wait! Here ya go :)
Vegetable lov3r – lol! Those Briefs siblings I tell you! Thank you so much! Though I must admit I had a rough year after… personally, but it's all good now and I hope to be back with frequent updates *fingers crossed*
dbzfan the first– Thank you :)
NiceNipps– Me too! Thank you so much :)
dbzprincess1– lol… Thank you :)
Morisako83 – No problem and thanks for the review… Glad you like the story so far and hope you enjoy the rest :)
Natellah – That's Bulla for you! Yep they sure are! Here ya go! Sorry about the wait…
Ashley – Awww I'm sorry *hides* sorry about the wait too, here ya go!
Rainbow Iris34 – Sorry… *hides* I'm so happy you do! Sorry about the long wait… please enjoy!
DeDe – lol… I just had to do it XD
Asuna-pan – Thank you show much and I will definitely do my best to finish it!
Kasumi Michaelis – Here ya go and sorry about the wait
seoulandheart – That's okay I also have a lot of catching up to do with writing , reading and reviewing lol. Thank you so much! That makes me so happy…
Aliinai Rajayli – Thank you so much! I will definitely do my best to finish it! I do love them cliffies lol
Guest – lol… she will tell him… soon ;p
Chapter 16
Pan studied her reflection in the full length mirror, turning sideways and smoothing her t-shirt over her belly. She bit her lip as she brought one hand just under her breasts while the other remained below her navel. There was the smallest of bumps, barely visible to the naked eye, but it was there, and she knew that she would not be able to hide it for much longer. After Bulla's interruption on Bulma's birthday, she never found the chance to tell Trunks. She didn't want to just throw it in his lap, especially not after the arguments they had.
This wasn't just some trivial topic, it was life altering and a huge responsibility for both of them. She already suspected that he would be upset either way- about the news, or because she took so long to tell him. Lucky for her, he had been away on business most of the time since their last talk and when he was home- which was few and far between- they were too busy not talking… And, with her preparing to expand her own business they barely had time to breathe. Both too occupied with everything else...
###
Gohan was pacing up and down at the front entrance, his mind racing a mile a minute. He had made it this far, so why couldn't he just take the final steps. He raked his hand through his hair wondering if he had made the right decision to just show up without warning. He knew that had he requested a visit, that he would most likely be turned away, but was an 'ambush' the right choice?
After his visit and talk with Trunks he had done a lot of soul searching and realized he had become a despicable, power hungry, controlling human being. The one question that he kept asking, and still had no answer for was how he could have given his only child such unfair ultimatums. He was filled with so much resentment that not once did he stop to consider the type of life she was leading, or if she was healthy, secure and happy. All he knew was that he had to make amends and try to salvage his relationships with his wife, daughter, brother and parents respectively and collectively.
The sound of the automatic doors opening with a swish brought him to a halt and his breathe caught in his throat. There was no turning back now! Black eyes met an identical pair, and they were both caught in a trance like state, their minds blank as each thought of a way out of the heavy atmosphere. Seconds ticked by as they stood just staring at each other- after which felt like hours- before Gohan awkwardly made the first move. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words caught in his throat just as she rushed by him to her car and sped away.
###
"Pan…" Kelly touched her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
She jumped at the contact. "Uh… sorry. My mind has been occupied lately… you know? With all that's been happening.
"That's understandable… It certainly has been hectic around here." She chuckled. "At least we're nearly done with the set up, then we just need to worry about the opening."
"That sure is a relief! I also need to take care of the interviews. Do you have the short list with the people who are coming in?"
"Yeah I do, it's on my tablet… let me just go and get it… Oh-" Kelly turned back to Pan, handing her the clipboard. "Here is the checklist. I already went through it, but it always helps with an extra set of eyes. So far everything is here, and all the ovens and shelves have been installed. You just need to decide where you want the mixer and all your tools. I can help you go through all the utensils, baking tins and so on."
"Thanks, Kelly! I don't know what I'd do without you. Sometimes I think I must have lost my mind wanting to start up another bakery. It's just that the little shop can hardly cope with all the orders and clientele, I had no other choice. Well, anyway... I will give you a list of all the kitchen supplies, if you can get Hiro or Izume to check through it later. I am going to leave early today…" She sighed. "Trunks came back this morning."
Kelly frowned. "You don't seem too happy about him being back.
"Oh, no… I am happy… It's just, well you know the story with my father… When I left my apartment this morning he was outside, and it took me by surprise."
"Oh my Kami, Pan! What did you say to him? What did he say to you?" Kelly asked, shocked.
Pan bit her lip. "Nothing… I sort of ran away before he could say anything."
"Do you think he'll come again?"
"I have a feeling he's not going to go away, no matter how much I wish he would…"
###
Pan lit the candles and checked the table settings before dimming the lights, making sure the mood was just right. The food was cooked and the dessert was in the fridge. All she had to do now was change before Trunks got home.
She settled on a white spaghetti strapped dress with a sweetheart neckline. It was covered in little pink cherry blossoms. The front of the dress was tight around her breasts and loose around her waist, stopping just below her knees while the back flowed down to her heels... The bottom of the dress was separated by two layers of beautiful white lace. She decided to go with simple white sandals and her hair was tied up in a low ponytail.
She heard the key in the door and gave herself a once over, making sure her outfit was okay, and that it was hiding her mini bump… At least for now.
She turned to the door just as he entered his room, and ran into his arms just as he dropped his briefcase.
He leaned down and captured her lips hungrily his hand moving down to her lower back, pressing her firmly against him and groaning as he slipped his tongue into her mouth… He explored every inch, drowning in the sweet taste. His body was stirring, and he pulled away slowly his eyes half lidded as he looked at her swollen pink lips.
"I should definitely go away more often if this is the welcome I will get upon every return."
His hot breath and low gruff voice sent shivers down her spine. She was sorely tempted to continue, and knew if they did they would end up between the sheets until early hours of the morning. She placed her hands on his shoulders attempting to push him back, but he tightened his grip around her waist.
He moved his lips over hers. "You're not escaping that easily." He caressed and squeezed her bottom while peppering kisses along her jaw line. "You know how much I've missed you? I will die if I don't have you soon…"
She giggled. "Oh, I'm sure you'll survive through the dinner that I've been slaving over. I promise you can have your way with me after for as many times as you like."
He leaned his forehead against hers and pouted while running his hands up her sides. "You tempt me, looking all sexy and edible in that dress, and then you deny me the pleasure… No fair, Cupcake."
"You're such a kid, ya know?" She laughed and grabbed his face between her hands giving him a quick kiss before wriggling out of his grasp. "Why don't you change and I'll dish up?"
"You little temptress! Are you really going to leave me hanging?" He whined.
She sighed as he looked at her woefully and shook her head. "Can we just eat, Trunks? And talk?"
Her voice cracked slightly and he immediately grabbed her face tilting it upward, so he could search her eyes. All thoughts regarding his libido dissipating… "Are you okay?"
"Yeah… can we just…"
"Of course, I don't need to change right now." He let go of her and loosened his tie and the top button of his shirt, then rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. "Let's eat… and talk." He took her by the hand and led her back to the kitchen.
###
"So, what's this I hear about your Uncle and my sister?" He asked between bites.
"Is the chicken okay?"
"Mhmm… delicious. Are you avoiding my question?"
"Not at all… How do you know about them?"
"Goten… He couldn't stop talking about Bulla this and Bulla that. Grossed me out!" He cringed.
"Trunks!" She scolded
"What! It's gross! She's my sister and the last thing I want to know is about her love affairs!"
"I take it things are progressing well with them. I knew they would hit it off." She smiled.
"Why didn't you tell me you were setting them up?"
"Because, I knew you would tell Goten. I swear the two of you are worse than females when it comes to gossip!"
"We're so not!"
"Enough about them… I missed you."
"I missed you, too." He narrowed his eyes. She would usually be over excited about a new development, especially when she was involved. "What's wrong?"
"My dad… He was at my apartment this morning."
"Why did you wait so long to say something? You should've called me, or better yet come to my office. You knew I was back today! Did you talk to him?"
She lowered her head looking at her plate. "No…"
"What then?" He tilted his head, so he could look at her face.
"I just left before he could say anything, and then I came here after work. I had a feeling he would be waiting for me. To be honest, I have been walking on egg shells all day. I thought he would show up at the bakery, but he didn't." She sighed, relieved.
"Why don't you just talk to him? Ask him what he wants."
"I can't, Trunks… Not now. I have enough on my plate with expanding the bakery and the ba-" She almost slipped.
He frowned perplexed… "And the…?"
It's now or never, Pan… She took a deep breath and gazed directly into his questioning blue eyes. "I'm pregnant, Trunks…"
There was a long pause… "Oh My Stars…" He whispered.
