Ch 39

"Thanks for bringing me to mom's, dad."

"Hey no problem, although I don' think Trunks was pleased that I interrupted you two in the morning—

Goten blushed. "Uh no, sorry he yelled at you dad. I think he's worried about what might happen to me if he's not around."

"It's probably a saiyan thing. Besides I'm more than capable of protecting my family," he said as he walked though the door with Goten. "Hey Chichi, Goten's here to visit us. Isn't that great!"

"Goten," said Chichi as she turned around from the sink counter to see her son. "You're just in time. I'm making lunch."

"Sounds great mom, do you need any help?" he asked, hoping she would say yes one day.

"Nothing would make me happier honey," she smiled.

"Thanks mom!" Goten exclaimed excitedly as he hugged her. "I promise I'll do whatever you say in the kitchen."

"Sounds like a deal," she said as she shook his hand.

"Well I'm going to get Gohan, Pan, and Videl. Have fun you two," said Goku as he left the house.

Chichi didn't waste anytime barking orders to her youngest son, and he was enjoying every minute of it. It was just honor for him to work beside his mother in her kitchen.

"So, where's grandpa?"

"He's visiting his girlfriend in town."

"Wow, I can't believe it, grandpa?" he looked at his mother. "How do you feel about that?"

She smiled at her son's caring nature. "Well, my mother died during my birth so I never knew her. I've met his girlfriend. She's lovely. They'll be coming over for dinner tonight so our family can meet her. How late are you working tonight? I would love it if you came honey."

"I work till seven tonight, so I can come but—

"What is it Goten?"

"Trunks is my mate now. In saiyan terms we're practically married. Plus he's family. I wouldn't feel right if he wasn't with me. You know just like you and dad, and Gohan and Videl."

"I don't know. I'm just not to the point where I can accept the relationship. He's so unpredictable and hard to read. I mean besides his father, and I never thought Bulma would end up with him. A lot of people were surprised."

"Well this will be a chance to get to know Trunks better. You know Trunks the kid, Trunks the teenager, but I don't think you know Trunks the man. Trunks, who loves me so much. Please mom, I'm just asking for tonight."

"Ok fine," she said as she opened the oven so he could put the roast inside. "I promise I'll try," she said as she closed the door.

"Thanks mom, you're the best!" he said as he kissed her on the cheek as the rest of the family came in to eat lunch.

Goten was showering in his old childhood room for the arrival of his grandpa and his date. Once he was done, he turned the water off, stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, and walked into his old bedroom, making his way into his walk in closet, searching for something decent to wear.

Looking through his clothes, some made him smile and other made him frown in past memories. Once he got passed those clothes, he spotted a casual suit and took it out of the closet with a pair of underwear. Before he could drop the towel to change, he heard a familiar voice.

"Don't keep the towel on for my account."

"Trunks," he blushed. "You know you didn't need to come up here. I can get dressed on my own."

"I know. Your mother sent me up here to check on you," he smirked, "big mistake," he said, as he got closer to his mate.

"N—now Trunks," Goten said as he moved away from the lustful gaze in his mate's eyes, "my mom wouldn't like it very much if you had your way with me under her roof, especially my grandpa."

"Oh come on chibi," he smirked, "I promise I'll make it quit," Trunks said as he had his mate cornered.

Trunks' warm, panting breath on his face was turning him on and before he could give into his mate's charm, a knock came to the door. "Put some clothes on Goten and back away from Trunks," said Gohan. "You don't want dad to walk in on you two again," he chuckled.

"I can't believe your dad told Gohan," said Trunks.

"He's right, we shouldn't do anything, especially here," said Goten as he dropped his towel.

Hearing the sound, he looked to see his beautifully naked mate bending down to put on his underwear. Trunks groaned in disappointment. "Fine, I guess I'll just watch you dress."

"Ok Trunks," he smiled and then laughed, "boy you're a weird guy," he said as he pulled up his pants, zipped them up, buttoned up his shirt, and then finally put on the jacket. "So, how do I look?"

"Good enough to rip your clothes and have my way with you on your old bed."

"Um." Goten blushed. "Thanks."

Making their way downstairs, they came into the living room and sat down with Goten's family.

"About time you two made it downstairs. What took so long?" asked Gohan as he smirked.

"Shut up Gohan, we weren't doing anything. He was just helping me—you know what anything I say you're just going to tease me about."

"Oh come on Goten, you and Trunks embarrassed Videl and I all the time when you two were kids. It's just a little pay back."

"So much for being the bigger man Gohan," said Trunks.

"All right now that's enough!" said Chichi. "My father should be here any minute with his date."

"Knock, knock! Chichi," said the Ox King as Chichi opened the door to reveal her father and his date to her family.

Everyone sat at the dinning room table as Chichi and Goten brought the dishes to the table. Eyes lit up and excited smiles showed on the people around the table. Chichi and Goten sat down.

"Wow Chichi, everything looks so delicious!" exclaimed Sharon.

"Well I can't take all the credit," smiled Chichi. "My son Goten cooked some of the dishes as well. He's a great chef and has a restaurant in the city."

"Impressive," said Sharon.

"All right everyone, dig in!" said Chichi.

Plates were filled and stomachs were happy as everyone was enjoying himself or herself. Sharon smiled at the Ox King lovingly. "So, how did you two meet?" asked Gohan.

"At Satan market in the city. We reached for the same orange and fell in love at first sight," said Sharon as she took the Ox King's hand in hers. "How about you Gohan?" she asked.

"Videl and I met at my first day at Orange Star High. I wouldn't say it was love at first sight, but there was something special about her I couldn't deny."

"Always the smooth talker huh Gohan?" said Videl as she smirked at her husband while Trunks and Goten laughed.

"Gee thanks a lot honey," Gohan said, "and I wouldn't laugh Trunks, Goten."

"Why, it was funny?" smirked Trunks. "I mean your are a dork after all. You were stuttering the first time you tried to ask Videl out. It was hilarious."

"And you're so smooth?" exclaimed Gohan.

"Why thank you Gohan," he smirked. "I think I'll take that as a compliment."

"Why you little—

"Quit it you two," said Chichi. "The way you two are acting you'd swear Trunks you were eight and Gohan you were sixteen."

"It's all right Chichi. It's nice to be in a carefree environment. I'm really enjoying myself," said Sharon. "You're family is great, but I was wondering about you Trunks."

"Well I've grown up with the Son family. Goten's been my best friend since he was born, and we're a couple so—

"You're Trunks Briefs."

"Yes."

"I'm a couple's therapist. I counseled your grandparent's years before their unfortunate deaths. My condolences Trunks."

"Thank you Sharon," said Trunks as he felt his mate's supportive hand rubbing his back. "Can you excuse me for a minute?" he asked Chichi.

"Sure Trunks," Chichi said as Trunks went outside to get some fresh air.

"Mom?" said Goten as Chichi nodded.

"I'm sorry Chichi. I hope I didn't ruin your dinner," said Sharon.

"Of course not Sharon. The Briefs family is just going through a lot right now," said Chichi.

"I should think so. Bunny Briefs was given the death penalty. She got the chair this morning," said Sharon.

"For murdering her husband?" asked Videl. "That seems a little severe."

"They opened up an investigation on her and apparently this was not her first murder.

"Trunks, wait!" said Goten as he followed his mate out of the gate of his mother's house. "Talk to me, what's going on in your head?"

"I'm—he turned around to face the concerned eyes of his chibi. "I'm sorry I just needed some air. "My grandmother was put to death this morning. I went with my parents to see it happen. Bulla didn't want to go. She said it would be too much. Anyway we sat down and saw through a clear class as two people brought her in and strapped her down to the chair. She smiled at us and was asked if she had any last words. She did. What she revealed was devastating. All the animals that mysteriously disappeared she strangled to death and buried in random places in the backyard. She tried to prevent Bulla and I from ever being born by making my mother sick," he said as tears ran down his face.

"My mother was devastated as she clung to my dad with tears running down her face. They left, and I watched my grandmother who was still smiling before she became a lifeless rag doll. She was dead, and we left. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I wanted to be here for you, so I buried it in the back of my mind."

"I'm so sorry Trunks. I know how hard this is for you and your family. We didn't have to be here tonight Trunks. We could have been home with your family, so we can deal with this together."

"I wouldn't know how Goten. It's just been one big nightmare that I wish I could forget. I don't like feeling this way."

"There's nothing wrong with you grieving the loss of your grandpa. I know how much he meant to you, and it's ok to feel hurt, pain, and anger that your grandmother caused. It's healthy, but you can't cut yourself off from these emotions because you don't want to feel them. You know what will happen if you do. You'll become cold and indifferent from the world, cutting yourself off from the ones that love and care for you. It wouldn't be a permanent fix but a temporary solution until break and do something you can't take back."

Trunks smiled sadly. "You know me too well chibi," he said as he looked up at dark sky and sighed.

"Just like you know me Trunks," Goten smiled. "So, I guess we can go home now?"

"Well, I actually told my dad I would be staying over here for the night. He understood that I needed some space. He'll take care of mom and Bulla."

"I guess we should ask Gohan if we can stay over hi house."

"It's fine Goten," said Gohan. "Is everything ok?"

"No, but I'll deal with it," said Trunks.

"Not by yourself I hope?" asked Gohan.

"No," Trunks said as he looked to his mate, "I'm not alone anymore."

"Smooth talking Trunks," said Videl as she smirked, "but that doesn't mean you get to sexually assault your boyfriend in one of my guest rooms."

"Anyway, grandpa took Sharon home and mom and dad are cleaning up," said Gohan. "She had a nice time."

"So grandpa has girlfriend? I like her," said Goten.

"Yeah me to but I know my family and I would like to know what she knows about my grandparents. That's if the Ox King well let her anywhere near my family. I'm not exactly his favorite person."