I stood on the steps on the Capsule Corp building with Trunks, staring down at Bulma who sat at her desk, going over some kind of paperwork. It felt so strange to be back in our own time. Gone were the lush green fields and thriving cities, replaced with ruins and destruction. While a large part of me was bitterly disappointed that our trip hadn't effected own timeline, a small part was glad, glad that I could still be with my mate, glad that life hadn't done a complete 180. I was ashamed at myself for feeling this way, but with one glance from Trunks, I knew my thoughts were no secret and to some degree, shared.
"Hey mom," Trunks said.
"We're back!" I declared. Bulma's head shot up, her expression becoming one of utter joy at seeing our return. She shot up from her chair and rushed up the steps, her arms coming around both of us as her voice wavered with emotion. She stepped back, looking us both over in the way a mother does to ensure we were both in one piece.
"You've gotten taller," she said to Trunks. "And your hair!" Trunks laughed and Bulma turned to me.
"Both your hair!" she exclaimed with a giggle. "And you're...you're glowing!" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, but she said no more on the matter.
"We spent some time in this room up at the lookout called the Hyperbolic Time Chamber," Trunks said. "It let's you squeeze whole whole years worth of training into a single day. It was pretty cool."
"Sounds like some pretty high tech stuff," Mama said, amused by our enthusiasm. "But the important thing is that you're home." Her hands moved to cup our cheeks, a sheen to her eyes as she looked at our grinning faces.
"So, how did it go?" she asked. "I dare let those smiles make me optimistic?"
Trunks and I looked at each other, then back at her.
"We have so much to tell you!" I exclaimed, bouncing eagerly on the balls of my feet. Bulma smiled and took our hands, pulling us to the kitchen.
"Lets get you some tea and you can explain everything," she said.
Trunks and I followed her, watching as she pulled out a beaten up kettle and set it on the stove. Trunks slid into one of the chairs, pulling me into his lap and resting his hand on my stomach. I smiled at him, intertwining my fingers with his as we lay our hands on my belly, feeling the soft Ki signature from the growing life within me. Bulma eyed us curiously, wandering, no doubt, about the affection in our eyes as we gazed at each other, the lingering touches we exchanged, knowing that something had changed.
She poured the tea and handed us our cups, sitting down as we launched into our story.
We told her about the androids, Cell, Broly, the tournament, using the Dragon Balls and Goku's decision to remain dead. We talked about our bond, what it had been and what it now was, about what had happened on 'New Planet Vegeta', leaving out some of the more gruesome details. Bulma was thrilled when we told her about the baby, her eyes lighting up.
"So, Vegeta showed his soft side?" she asked with a smirk.
"I was as shocked as you," I laughed. Trunks huffed.
"You guys make it sound like he's the devil incarnate," he said in a sulky voice. I smiled, cupping his cheek and placing a gentle kiss on his pouting lips.
Before anything else could be said, the music on the radio cut off, an alert about the androids attacking taking it's place. Trunks fists clenched in anger and his Ki flared. I slid off his lap as he stood, shrugging off his jacket.
"I've had enough of this!" he snarled. "Their time is up!"
"Trunks," Mama begged. "Please!"
"It's alright, Mom," he said. "This is the whole reason I went back in time in the first place."
"He can do it, Mama," I said. "He's gotten so strong. I could probably do it!" Trunks grinned as he effortlessly powered up to super Saya-jin, his hand brushing over my belly.
"Not while you're pregnant," he said. I nodded, moving close to him, cupping his face in my hands.
"Make sure you don't do anything stupid," Mama fretted. Trunks turned his head, nuzzling my palm for a moment before he looked towards Mama and nodded.
"The usual?" he asked. I shook my head.
"You will win, my love," I said. "So end it, once and for all."
"As you wish, my soul," he said, dipping his head and giving me a mind numbing kiss as his ki tickled my skin. Mama and I watched as he blasted off out the door. Mama walked up behind me, her warm hands cupping my shoulders.
"You two seem so happy," she mused.
"We are," I said. "We're...whole now. It's hard to explain." She nodded and I could see the twinge of sorrow in her eyes. She would never know that feeling. Vegeta was forever lost to her. I knew that despite everything, she had loved him, and his death had effected her more than Trunks or I would ever know. She longed for a chance to have what her son and I did, what her alternative self no doubt would have, but it was a dream that would never be. I gave her a sad smile and she kissed my cheek.
"I love you, honey," she said.
"I love you, Mama," I replied, reaching up as a lonesome tear crept down her cheek, probably the only one she would ever allow herself to shed for her hopeless dream.
DHMB: Well, the end of yet another chapter. A little happy a little sad. Now...should I do the Bojack movie? I have to admit, seeing Trunks with his hair all long, the sleeves of his jacket ripped and looking all like a rock star made me go all kinds of fan-girl. Tell me if you want the Bojack movie or if I should just go ahead and wrap it up.