The Moments We Treasure
The sound of laughter permeated throughout the air, filling the ears of everyone around. The palpable joy seeped into every crease of the eye and mouth, every movement of cheers, and every moment of grateful acceptance. It was truly an occasion for the gathering of Earth's heroes. Not an emergent huddle for the threat of annihilation, not for the ailments of another, but for celebration. The last occasion of this kind was in response to the resolution of the whole debacle with Majin Buu and the untold destruction physically and emotionally of the world and of those in particular that attended today's event. However, you wouldn't know that to see their faces, for today's celebration was one of love. Today was the wedding of Son Gohan and Videl Satan.
Uniting the two families originally began as a modest affair with preferences for the traditional values, but with a heavy input from a certain heavily publicised 'saviour of the earth', the event became subject to scrutiny from the media and turned into some kind of public interest spectacle. However, once they had retired to the confines of the Capsule Corp compound, away from prying eyes, the wedding party could truly unwind and enjoy the momentous occasion.
Whilst Goku had not entirely understood the traditions surrounding weddings at the time of his own, he had certainly come to appreciate the joy and love that surrounded the act of uniting a partnership. As he looked around, there wasn't a single unhappy face, and the Ki that flooded the area reflected that every single person, beast, or alien was in a calm state. It was a sight to behold.
Looking over at his eldest son, standing and holding animated conversations with Krillin and 18, Goku saw the contentment in his eyes. Although he hadn't always agreed with his wife over the choices made for their firstborn's future, it had been painfully obvious that it was indeed the correct choice. The path that he was on now was right for him, and the light that the son's new wife brought out in him was proof of that. Proof that another option existed. Proof that the plagued life that his future counterpart had experienced never came to fruition because of their actions. Goku watched as Gohan turned to look at his new wife as she spoke. It was a look of love, and when Videl seemingly realised his gaze, she blushed, showing her own feelings in return.
The sight grew Goku's smile even bigger, and his heart swelled with pride. His son had found what he, himself, had experienced all these years. The man's eyes wandered over to his own wife. Ah, there she stood next to the food that she had spent the last two days lovingly preparing. She had not only kept up with feeding him and their sons but also produced this incredible spread for the occasion. He looked over at her stunning dress, her face lightly dusted with makeup, and her silky raven tresses styled up, revealing her elegant neck. He unconsciously licked his lips. Goku knew that marriage could be difficult, especially when you don't agree on things, but it was also magical, just like the feeling in his chest right now. Without realising it, he had gotten up and walked over in what felt like only one step to approach his wife from the side.
"If you're here for food, then there's plenty; but can you just wait until after the photographs, please?" Came the voice of the woman, who was oblivious to the desire and swell of emotion that she stirred within her husband.
In a rarely seen moment, Goku locked his arms around Chi-Chi's waist from behind, so that his chin now rested on her shoulder, breathing slowly past her ear. "I'm not here for the food, yet."
Chi-Chi's breath hitched in her throat as her world tilted slightly. Her husband's close proximity always had this fluttering effect on her, as far back as when they were children. Although she knew that he didn't begin to understand those feelings until a while into their marriage, he had admitted to feeling something towards her, especially when they had rediscovered one another at that fated tournament all those years ago. But right now, his open display of affection was a welcome gesture. And so she leaned back slightly into his muscled chest, which was disguised under the smart suit that he had agreed to wear. Chi-Chi let out the sigh that she didn't know that she had been holding all day; the preparations had certainly taken over everything else in her mind, so this bit of relief was more than welcome. Her husband always knew. Just like she did for him.
The sound of a click alerted the pair, who were in one another's hold for brief solace from the overwhelming day. In one synchronised movement, they both turned to see Panchy's happy, smiling face.
"You both looked just so sweet together. I can see where Gohan learned his love from." She squeaked and guided their gaze to their eldest son, who was standing and talking to their friends while holding Videl around her waist. Goku and Chi-Chi turned back to look at her as the blonde-haired woman spoke again, "Don't forget that the photographer is going to make the call soon. I saw him chasing Trunks and Goten before Bulma beckoned him to sign some sort of paperwork. See you then." And she wandered back off into the crowds.
Chi-Chi turned to her husband's face; normally, they would have immediately left each other's hold when confronted like that. Private moments like these were for those in the marriage, not for the eyes of the world. But here, amongst friends and family, it didn't feel inappropriate; it felt… natural. And if their son's actions were anything to go by, then it was certainly a positive influence.
Over by the background of trees, Gohan approached Piccolo and asked the Namekian whether he would join him for a photo of his new family. Without knowing exactly what to say to the request, Piccolo simply nodded. It was understandable that Gohan felt this way after all they had been through together, especially today, but it still took the Namekian by surprise.
As they banded together, Gohan and Videl positioned themselves side by side with Piccolo behind them, and Chi-Chi stood next to Gohan. As the mother saw the photographer getting antsy, she called out yet again for Goten and Goku to join them. Getting everyone in one place at any one time was always a struggle, especially where those with Saiyan blood were concerned.
Thankfully, on hearing his name, Goten came bounding over quickly; the only one missing now was Goku. With her eyes scanning the crowd, she found him standing at the table of food, tucking into his favourite dishes without so much as taking a breath in between.
"Gokuuu!"
"It's okay, mom, let's just take it as is."
"No, Gohan, we're getting this family photo done. It's important. Those old pictures with your father in them are what kept me going all those years without him." Videl reached past Gohan and placed her hand on Chi-Chi's forearm. The mother looked up and gave a melancholic smile to her new daughter-in-law. "Besides, you're going to need these pictures to show your future little ones."
Videl quickly withdrew her hand with an awkward smile as Gohan let out a half-laugh and called for his father with a slightly strained voice, "Dad!"
Goku turned to see who was calling him now; he had just gotten to the most delicious sticky boar ribs. Oh, how Chi-Chi's cooking always knew which spot to hit in his stomach!
He looked over at his wife and eldest son, beckoning him over with a hint of a stern glare, then to Goten, who was giving him the warning signal that he was about to get told off, when his eyes then dropped to the photographer in front of them, who was impatiently tapping his foot. Oh jeez, I'm gonna be in trouble.
Cramming the last of his handfuls of food into his mouth as he quickly walked towards them, Goku jumped straight in between Gohan and Chi-Chi, slinging his arms around both his wife and eldest son. He made sure to put on his best smile, just as he had been instructed for such moments, although given how happy he was as well as those around him, it wasn't such a feat.
The photographer spoke, "Ready everyone, say 'cheese'."
The moment was briefly disrupted by Chi-Chi's exclamation at her husband. "Oh Goku, you've gotten sauce prints on my dress! Just a minute." As she flitted away quickly just to grab a napkin. While Goku and the others found themselves laughing, the photographer had taken the picture. The only sign of what had happened were the beaming faces etched in a picture.
Turning to return to the scene, Chi-Chi's heart sank. Piccolo had disappeared, Goten was back chasing around with Trunks and Marron, and her newlywed son had been pulled away by Mr Satan.
Videl walked to meet her, as she could see the tears forming in the mother's eyes. "It's okay, Chi-Chi, we have a lifetime for more photos. You're going to be a part of every step of that."
Chi-Chi smiled fondly at her and answered quietly, saying, "Thank you Videl. You know, Gohan couldn't have chosen us a better daughter."
With a warm smile and a squeezing of her hands, Videl left to answer her beckoning father.
With that, Chi-Chi turned her attention to Goku, who was still standing where they had meant to have their picture taken together, with his hand rubbing the back of his neck and a sheepish look on his face. His wife was now storming up to him, and he immediately placed his hands in front of him in a defensive position. That is, until Chi-Chi wrapped her hands around his waist, tucking them in his suit jacket, and pulled him close. For him, this was an unexpected reaction.
Looking down at her, having lowered his arms to lightly wrap around her back. "You're not angry?"
With her face semi-buried in his shirt-clad chest, she answered, "No, I'm just glad you're alive to share this with us."
His arms tightened around her as he placed his chin on her head.
"So am I."