"Finally," Tora sighed as he crushed the last moving box and looked around at their new home. He couldn't stop the huge smile on his face. He loved the new home he'd purchased for himself and Eighteen. It was perfect. A big house in the suburbs with the large backyard, complete with a white picket fence. Okay, so maybe it was almost too picturesque, but he loved it. He was proud of himself that he was able to do that for them with the money he'd saved back from the fights. He inhaled deeply, loving the scent in the library already. He couldn't believe he had a room just for his books.

He trotted into the living room where Eighteen was arranging some pictures on the wall and he wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing at the side of her neck. "I'm so excited to spend our first night in this house," he grinned as he admired the photos on the wall. A warm summer breeze blew through the open window, curling around them, and he purred deeply as he held her.

Eighteen laughed warmly at him, tilting her head to the side to give him better access to her. "Going to be marking your territory?" she laughed. "It's a warm night out, they might appear when you least expect it," she said, remembering the idea that Tora had suggested, saying that her husband had mentioned something about catching fireflies with Marron, that it could trigger her memory. She remembered that night when Krillin had taken their daughter out to catch the fireflies. She had been so enveloped by the experience, laughing as she and Krillin had chased the bugs around the house. The way her eyes sparkled as they put them in a jar and watched them glow. "I hope this works."

"Only one way to find out," he answered and kissed at her neck once more. Her comment about marking his territory didn't go unnoticed and he tucked it away for a discussion later that night. Right now, his mind was preoccupied with Marron. He gave Eighteen a big grin before he headed to the kitchen and grabbed up an empty mason jar. "Hey, Marron!" he called up the stairs. "Me and your mom are going out in the backyard for awhile. You wanna come with us? I want to show you something." He was practically dancing from toe to toe with hope that this might help her remember. He snickered at the memory of dealing with the realtor, how surprised she had been that his major concern was that there were plenty of fireflies around in the summer.

Marron looked up from the book she had been reading and smiled brightly, nodding enthusiastically as she jumped up and ran to the Saiyan, jumping up into his arms, giggling as he caught her. "What is it? Are we going to roast marshmallows?" she asked hopefully. She loved being out in this house. Plenty of space, there was even a barbeque pit where her mom and Tora made the best ribs ever. She bounced in his arms as they stepped outside, smiling at her mother who lit the little fire pit on the deck.

"Maybe here in a bit," he said as he looked around at the waning light in the backyard. The sun had just about set, casting long, dark shadows across the yard. He walked out into the grass, loving the feel of the cool blades beneath his bare feet. "I want to show you something first," he said and gently set her down. He crouched next to her, trying to get on the same eye level as she was. He grinned brightly as he spotted the first little glowing light near the bushes. "Look, Marron. You see that?" he asked and pointed.

Marron's eyes darted over to where Tora pointed, they went wide as she saw the little glowing light for the first time. She frowned, was it the first time? She had this weird feeling that she had seen them before. "What is that?" she asked as she wandered over to it, gasping out as it vanished. "Where did it go!?" she exclaimed, her head turning this way and that. She saw it again, but farther away and she took off after it, giggling as it vanished once she got close to it. "Tora! What are they?! They keep going away!"

He laughed and hurried after her as more of the little bugs began to appear in the yard. "They're fireflies," he said. He unscrewed the lid to the jar and showed it to her. "We can catch them and put them in here for a little while so you can look at them." He grinned at her as she looked questioningly at him. "It's okay. They won't hurt you," he assured her. "Watch." He set the jar down in the yard and carefully reached out to grab one of the bugs with his hands, making sure he didn't crush the tiny thing. "Look," he said and knelt in front of her, slowly parting his hands to show her the little glowing light.

Marron tilted her head at the little bug, watching as it crawled in Tora's hand. It would glow every so often and it made her giggle. She reached out and let the little bug crawl into her own hand, laughing as the little legs tickled her fingers. She paused for a moment, her world shifting a moment as she flexed her toes into the grass. She could have sworn she had done this before, but it had been on a beach. Water lapping at her toes and a full jar of the bugs glowing for her. They still glow for you, Marron, my little firefly. Her eyes went wide, tears springing to her face, "Daddy?"

Eighteen watched, her hand to her mouth and tears forming in her eyes. She felt something, him. He was there in spirit with them. Watching their little girl, encouraging her. "Krillin," she whispered as she watched Tora and Marron from the deck.

Tora felt it, too. The same presence he had felt when he'd met Krillin in a dream. He felt encouraged by it and he watched Marron carefully. "Let this work," he whispered under his breath. "Krillin, if you can hear me, help her remember. Please." His pulse raced, hope welling up within him at the expression on Marron's face. He cleared his throat, speaking a little louder so she could hear him. "Your daddy told me you liked fireflies," he said to her. "In a dream, he told me that you and him used to catch them."

Marron blinked down at the bug watching it for a moment before she moved and placed it in the open jar that Tora had waiting for her. She peered into the glass, watching it crawl around for a moment. She could have sworn she felt a hand on her shoulder, but looking up at Tora she realized he had both of his hands on the glass jar. "This is…" she started, rubbing at her eyes, "We didn't catch fireflies in the yard... They were on a beach," she said, "And he would call me his little firefly." Her eyes widened as she remembered it. Everything came pouring back to her in a rush, as if someone had turned a key deep inside of her mind. She remembered. Her birthday party and climbing over the fence. Her fear at the earthquake and the rock falling towards her. "Tora, you saved me that day at the party." Her eyes watered and she blinked up at him, throwing herself into his arms. "I remember!" she cried.

Eighteen couldn't stop the tears of happiness that poured down her face as she watched her daughter shouting in joy. She wasn't entirely sure, but the light from the fireflies... they lit up in a way next to her daughter… It almost looked as if Krillin was standing right next to her, patting her little head just like he used to. "Thank you, my love," she whispered, trying not to gasp out as she saw the form shift and lift its hand to her before the fireflies dispersed.

Tora gave a watery laugh as he hugged Marron tightly. Happy tears flooded his eyes. She remembered. "Thank you, Krillin," he gasped as he held the little girl in his arms. He gave another laugh and pulled back, cupping her face in his hands. "I'm so proud of you, Little One. I knew you could do it. Oh, I'm so happy for you, Marron. I know your dad is proud of you, too."

Marron's eyes watered and she nodded, remembering now her time with him when she was in her coma. "Daddy visited with me while I was sleeping. He kept me safe. We played games, caught fireflies. Ate as much as we could and then he stayed up late to tell me stories." She wiped her eyes. "I knew you were a good guy, Tora," she said as she hugged him tightly. "Thank you for saving me!"

"I'd do it all over again," he said, hugging her and looking over her shoulder at Eighteen on the porch. He gave her a small smile before he wiped at his eyes. Saiyans weren't supposed to be emotional like this. He sniffled and coughed slightly before he looked at Marron again. "So you think it's okay if I stay, right?" he teased her. "You think your mom's gonna keep me?"

Marron laughed and nodded, looking over to her mother as she came down off the porch and settled down in the grass next to them. "You'd better keep him mommy. I like him!" she proclaimed and hugged Tora protectively. "Please?" she asked, grinning at her mom as if someone told her a secret just then. "You love each other! You can't send him away!"

Eighteen laughed and wiped her eyes again. "Yes, I'm going to keep him." She looked at him with a wink, "He provides, he's funny and he likes books so he can help you with your homework." She laughed at Marron's look before she turned to Tora. "I'm going to keep you until the end of time," she said.

Tora's heart swelled to near bursting as he stood and looked at her. "You sound like you wanna marry me," he said, only half-teasing. He took her hand and pulled her closer, carefully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Marron's right. I do love you, Eighteen. I can't imagine my life without you or her now." He swallowed roughly, trying to keep his voice from trembling. "So what do you say? Can we really be a family? Will you marry me?" He knew it was sort of out of the blue, but he didn't care. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with this amazing woman.

Eighteen smiled at him, her heart bursting with happiness. She looked at Marron, tears in her eyes, "What do you think baby? Should we let him marry us?" She grinned as her daughter smiled widely at them and nodded and flung herself into her arms.

"Yes!" Marron exclaimed, "Yes! Marry us! Marry us!" She flung herself into Tora's arms, crawling over him. "Daddy says he'd be the best man, but it'd be awkward!" She giggled and fell against him, looking up at her mother and the Saiyan. "Well? Kiss her silly!" she said with a mock punch.

Tora's face split in a huge smile and he grabbed Eighteen up, lifting her feet off the ground as he kissed her deeply. He gave a small moan as his tongue slid against hers, drinking in the sweet taste of her. His heart pounded against his ribs, more butterflies dancing in his stomach. He had one more question, one that made him even more vulnerable to her, but he didn't care. He wanted it. Still holding her tightly, he nuzzled into her hair, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Will you mate with me?"

Eighteen felt her heart pounding as she heard his words, the way he looked at her. The sincerity of the question. It made her weak to think about it. She thought about all the others who had mated with the Saiyans. She remembered Goku's words on the wind about what Vegeta had said about multiple partners so that if one died they wouldn't be alone, "Yes. Please. I want to be mated with you so that I'm never alone again," she said. She smiled against him, "Let's do it."

A happy sob escaped him as he hugged her tighter and kissed her once more. He didn't know it was possible to be this incredibly happy. He fell to his knees, still holding her and reached out for Marron, pulling her into a hug with them. "I love you," he gasped. "I love you both." He couldn't believe it. He finally had the one thing he had always wanted. He finally had a family of his own.

Vegeta lounged in the big backyard beneath a shade tree, letting Jenny lean against his side. It had only been a few months since the scare at the hospital, but already she was looking better. She was still thin, but her appetite was back and she had more color in her cheeks. He chuckled as he watched the children running and playing together. Paige had taken over whatever game it was that they had created and was bossing everyone else around. "That girl is nothing but trouble," he snickered with a look of pride in his eyes. He looked over the crowd gathered there. Everyone had arrived it seemed, save for Tora and Eighteen. He was sure that Bulma had invited them. He wondered where they were.

Jenny blinked herself awake, she had been dozing. Saiyans were so warm and curling up against her dad made her sleepy. It's all she had ever thought about since she had her last visit in chemotherapy. Her family had made sure that after her last visit to the accursed place that she had plenty to eat, all that she could stand. Vegeta had started taking her back into the gravity room. Nothing fancy yet. Pushups at a low low gravity that she could handle. It felt like heaven to her to have that energy once again. She felt cherished and loved. She turned over, slipping her arm around his waist as she peered out over the party. "You did say Paige was going to be the ring leader." She yawned and looked out, seeing Alice still following Dende around. "Might as well be, but I think Gramma was right. Alice is going to be the one watching over them all someday."

He nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, letting her cuddle closer to his side. "You're right," he agreed. He had to stifle a yawn of his own and playfully bumped against her. "Knock that off. You're going to put me to sleep, too." He leaned back against the tree a little more, a soft purr rumbling in his chest. He loved this hot weather, but he hated how it tempted him to be lazy.

Tora appeared in the yard a short time later with Eighteen and Marron. He grinned when Marron's eyes lit up as she recognized the other children running and playing in the yard. "Go ahead," he said, giving her a gentle push towards them. "Go play with your friends." He smiled and rubbed Eighteen's back as Marron scampered off. He leaned down and kissed her temple. "I'm gonna go brag about having the most beautiful mate in the world," he rumbled in her ear before he turned, seeing Goku standing nearby with Tien. He gave a big wave and walked over to the younger Saiyan, a cocky grin splitting his face. "Check it out," he said proudly, tipping his head to the side to display the still rather fresh mating mark on his neck.

Goku turned from Tien, whom he was having a heated discussion about being lazy in the summer, soaking up all the sun so he would have energy for sexy times later in the night. Tien wasn't going for it. "Hey Tora!" He looked to the Saiyan and grinned, "Wow! Hey! You finally mated with Eighteen!? That's great! I was wondering when you guys would get together!"

"Yup," he answered, turning to look at his new mate. Gods, just the mere thought of it sent a thrill of excitement up his spine. "She's amazing," he murmured, more to himself than anyone. "We got moved into our new place. You guys will have to come by sometime. Oh! And Marron got her memory back! I can't hardly believe the way everything turned out." He smiled when he saw Jenny and Vegeta lounging beneath the tree across the yard.

Goku's eyes widened. "Really? Wow! How did you do that?" He looked over at Marron laughing and playing with the other kids as if it had been the day of the party, "That's awesome!"

"I think it was more Krillin than me," Tora admitted. At Tien's questioning look, he explained, "I had a dream about him. He told me Marron liked fireflies. So, you know, I kinda ran with it. It worked. She saw the fireflies and it all came back to her."

"I'm glad things turned out the way they did," Tien said and shook Tora's hand. "Congratulations. Hope you can handle her. I know she gave Krillin a run for his money." He raised an eyebrow and sighed, grabbing Goku by the wrist. "I see you eyeing that spot in the yard. You can't just go curl up in the sun and sleep while we're at a party."

Goku snorted. "Come on, Vegeta's doing it," he whined as he took advantage of Tien's grasp on him, flipping him over his shoulder. "It's a party, we can do what we want," he said as he waved at Tora, "You should come and join us!" He flopped on the ground, curling up with Tien in the grassy spot. He sighed at the warm spot. "See? This is great until more food gets put out."

Tora watched them for a moment, then doubled over in laughter as Tien tried to get up and Goku pinned him back down. He could see Gohan across the way, shaking his head at his dad. He turned away to go sit next to Jenny and Vegeta as Tien's shouts of protest echoed across the yard. "You're lookin' good, kiddo," Tora said as he settled himself next to her beneath the tree.

Jenny looked over at Tora, curling around Vegeta more protectively, "Mine." She said before blinking and looking at Tora again. "Oh, thank you. I feel better. Dad's been helping me restart my training. I feel like I'm back at step one. I hope it will come back to me as we go along," she said, breathing in deeply the scent of her father's shirt. She gained a new appreciation of everything since she had recovered and she didn't want to forget one moment of anything. Every detail she wanted committed to memory.

"It'll come right back to you," he said, leaning back on his hands. He snorted at the possessive way she curled around Vegeta. "You can have him. He's all grumpy and shit anyway."

Vegeta growled low in his chest at Tora. "Watch it," he warned. "I'll let her use you for target practice. Her aim's improving, but it needs a little work." He snickered to himself as his tail thumped lazily in the grass. He looked down at Jenny. "He hasn't been around for training for awhile either. I think I should turn you two loose on each other. That would be entertaining." He lowered his voice, but not so much that Tora couldn't hear him. "My money's on you," he said to her.

Jenny chuckled and looked over at Tora, grinning widely, "I can take him." She chuckled and looked over at Goku and Tien, it seemed as though Tien had finally given up and accepted his fate, enjoying the sunshine.

Alice was wandering around, following Dende and Rose as they mingled with everyone. She laughed as she got to Trunks and Catie who were lounging by the pool. Her eyes widened and she toddled over to Catie, reaching up and climbing gingerly into her lap. She smiled widely as Dende and Rose greeted the couple. She interrupted them when she reached out to Catie's stomach and grinned. "Baby!" she exclaimed happily.

Catie's eyes went wide. "What?" she half-cried, half-laughed. She blinked at Trunks, confusion on her face and his as well. "What on earth is she talking about?" She leaned forward until her forehead touched Alice's. "You're so funny." She gave a start at the serious look that crossed the little Namek's face. Her hands flew to her flat stomach, surprise ripping through her. "No way," she breathed in shock.

Alice gave Catie and Trunks a serious look, pointing at the lavender haired Saiyan. "Daddy!" she said firmly as she looked at Catie, "Mommy." She pointed at Catie's belly, "Baby!"

Dende laughed and rubbed the back of his head, "Ah, well, I've been teaching her how to pick up on energies. She's, ah, really good at it." He smiled at them and bowed. "Then I believe congratulations are in order," he said smiling over them before he looked over to where Vegeta was reclining in the shade. "You might want to pick a better time to tell Vegeta, looks as if Jenny is still hogging him for the day. She's never been happier to visit with her father."

Catie pressed her hand to her stomach, her eyes going wide as she felt the little energy there. "Trunks!" she breathed, her voice higher than normal. She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her stomach. "Oh my god! We're going to be parents!" Her voice was hushed, but it did nothing to hide the excitement and nervousness there.

Trunks felt his heart going a million miles a minute. "Oh wow," he said as he sat up and placed his hand over Catie's stomach. "Gosh, I can feel it! Do you guys know what it's going to be or is it too early?" he asked. He blinked widely at her stomach, stroking his thumb over it as a huge smile split his face. "I can't believe I'm going to be a dad!"

Dende shook his head. "Invite us back in a few months and I'll be able to let you know," he said happily. "And don't let Goku know. He will steal this baby away from you," he added in a serious tone.

Rose laughed and looked over at Goku, who was curled up at Tien's side as they laid in the yard. "Kidnapper," she muttered affectionately and shook her head. She smiled in spite of herself. It was good to see him happy after everything he'd been through. And it was good to have Jenny back, watching her heal and recover from her ordeal. She could feel the peace that was growing in the world. It was good.

Catie's eyes went wide as she looked at the glass of wine she'd been sipping on. "Oh! No more of this!" she cried and grabbed Trunks' glass to dump her wine into his. She set the glass aside and looked at Alice. "Don't tell anyone yet, okay? Promise aunt Catie you won't tell anyone. Today's party is for your mommy. We don't want to steal her attention. We'll tell everyone later. Promise?" She grinned as Alice nodded her head. "Good girl," Catie said and kissed Alice's forehead.

She looked at Trunks for a moment and grabbed the front of his shirt, yanking him over to her so she could kiss him fiercely. She was so excited and scared at the same time. He'd said he wanted to have a baby with her the night they mated; she hadn't expected it to happen so soon. She snickered against his lips as she thought about Bulma's reaction. She might have gotten away with not being called a grandma by Alice and Paige, but not this time.

"Get a room," Sabriena teased as she walked by, completely oblivious to the reason for Catie and Trunks' happiness in that moment. She paused and looked around, searching for either of her husbands. She snorted when she found them lying on the grass in the middle of the yard. "You two are bums," she said dryly as she stood at their feet, looking down at them.

Tien cracked open his eyes and gave her a lazy grin. "It's his fault," he said, giving Goku a little shake, but all the Saiyan did was give a slight snore and continue to sleep. Tien rolled his eyes and stretched out his free arm to Sabriena. "C'mere, girl," he rumbled and pulled her down to lay on his other side. He couldn't describe the calm that surrounded them. Something had changed in the world, it had been changing for awhile, but now it felt solid. Complete. Like the peace they had might just last for a little while this time.

Sabriena laid her head on Tien's chest and stared at Goku for a moment. She reached over and stroked her finger down the bridge of his nose, repeating the action over and over until he gently woke from his rest and blinked sleepily at her. "You lazy Saiyan," she grinned at him. "You're rubbing off on Tien. I swear, you're like a big cat."

Goku yawned and smiled, reaching out over Tien's chest to stroke lovingly at her cheek. "I've heard that one before. Can you blame me? It feels so good out here. You'd be hard pressed to find a Saiyan who isn't getting a catnap in the sun," he said as he yawned again and turned his face into Tien's neck, purring affectionately against the mark there. It wasn't sexual, it was contentment. "I think I could get used to this. This peace," he said. "I'm ready to have a life with you guys when we aren't bombarded by pain and danger."

A smile split Tien's face as he gazed up at the clouds overhead, wrapping his arms around his loves. "Peace," he said almost longingly. "Yeah, I could get used to that." He sighed contentedly as Goku kissed gently at the mark on his neck, a warmth spreading through him. "Well, peace or no peace, as long as I have both of you, I can be happy."

Sabriena smiled and reached over to lightly touch Goku's mark, closing her hand protectively over it. She could feel the warmth from Tien radiating within herself. "Listen to him being all mushy," she teased and giggled when Tien frowned at her. "You know I love you anyway."

Goku laughed and smiled at them. His two perfect mates. He looked over at his son playing with Paige and Marron, the other kids. Their large family was ready for a long era of peace.

Final Author's Note: Wooooooot! I had fun writing this one, you guys. There will be a new story out shortly. We're unsure of the title at this point. But there will be a bit of a time-jump between this story and the next. (About 14 years to be exact.) Hope you guys stick around for the next one. Thank you so much for all the reviews! And I look forward to seeing what you think of the next one! Been thinking about this for over a year now. I can't wait.