Vegeta sighed as he leaned back in his chair, watching Bulma and Jenny fiddle with some last minute decorations before the rest of their family arrived for the Christmas party. His tail thumped irritatedly against the armrest as he crossed his arms over his chest. He normally tolerated the get togethers they had so often, he was used to it after so many years, but this year he was most definitely not in the mood to celebrate anything. It had been over a month since Alice had been able to see her sister, to check in on them on their journey, and he became increasingly worried every day that they did not return. Just a week ago, he had broke down and gone to the cabin, demanding that Goku go to them, just to check on them. But even he was unable to find their energy. "I can't believe we're still having this stupid party," he grumbled.

Alice looked to her side, reaching out and laid a hand gently over her grandfather's arm. She gave him a sad smile before she looked back over everyone fiddling around in the living room. Goku, Sabriena and Tien would be there soon. Catie and Trunk's laughed as they put up mistletoe over the doorways. "The dragon is still here. It has not cracked which means that they are alive out there. There is still hope." She sighed. It had been a long month when she couldn't feel them out there in the world. "Be at ease," she said, eyeing his thumping tail.

He sighed and looked at his granddaughter. How many times had he been told that over the past months? Not to worry, they could handle this, to be patient, let them do it on their own. "I thought she'd be home by now," he said roughly as he looked away from her.

Piccolo shared Vegeta's disappointment. The sleepless nights of worrying over his daughter were wearing on him and he felt much older than he really was. He'd tried to hide it from his wife and daughter, but they knew him too well. He gave Jenny a soft smile as she walked over to him and he pulled her into his arms to kiss the top of her head. "I know," he muttered before she could even say a word. "It's not the same this year without them." He continued to hold her close as their family arrived, everyone giving cheerful greetings to each other as presents were piled under the large tree. Although some looked a little less excited about the holiday than others.

Jenny wiped at her eyes, nodding at her husband. She looked out over the entire room, sighing. "I miss my daughter," she said sadly, the action bringing even more tears to her eyes. "I can't even remember how long it's been. Forever it seems like." She laid her head down on his shoulder, breathing him in.

Piccolo rested his chin on the top of her head, taking comfort in the feel of her in his arms. He exchanged a sad look with Goku and he knew that the Saiyan had to be missing his son and grandson as well. Piccolo nearly snorted at himself; even he missed the younger Saiyans antics. The party seemed unusually quiet without them.

Bulma wiped at her eyes as she brought in a small tray of snacks and handed them off to Seventeen for him to pass around. She sighed and looked over at her husband, her mate looking annoyed on the couch. Sabriena had settled herself in a chair with Tien and refused to meet anyone's eyes. Even with the soft Christmas music drifting in the air, it just didn't feel like a holiday. "Dinner will be ready soon," she said quietly, looking at the presents under the tree. She had bought a few presents for each of the missing children as well. She bought a game for Phoenix, a bunch of raw materials for Goten so he could make fishing lures. For her granddaughter, she made a new set of training clothes. Lightweight, modeled slightly after Vegeta's but a bit more of her style. She'd done so with the determined hope that they would be back in time for Christmas. Now she felt foolish and disappointed.

Tien rubbed at Sabriena's back. "C'mon now," he said in a soft voice. "I'm sure that wherever they are, they are having the time of their life. They're probably doing their own thing for Christmas. They wouldn't want us to be sad tonight."

"You're talking about them as if they're dead," she hissed and scrubbed at her eye with the heel of her hand.

He sighed through his nose and continued to run his hand over her back. "I didn't mean it like that," he said. "I just meant that we're supposed to enjoy ourselves tonight. We're here with the rest of our family, Bulma made us all a big dinner, you got to shop for everyone. Let's try to have a good time." He reached over with his free hand and grasped Goku's, giving it a squeeze. They'd practically had to drag Sabriena out of the cabin kicking and screaming to get her to come with them that night.

Sabriena sat up straighter and pulled away from him, an angry look in her eyes. "How am I supposed to enjoy myself?" she spat loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "Oh don't you all look at me like that! You know you're all thinking it, too!" She looked at Tien again. "This sucks. I swear, if they don't come home before-"

Her sentence was cut off as the front door banged open. Everyone looked curiously at it for a moment before Phoenix popped his head in the door and grinned brightly at everyone. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" he exclaimed as he bounced into the living room, looking extremely pleased with himself at the shocked expressions on everyone's faces.

Paige grinned as she followed Phoenix in, followed closely by Nadia and Faelon. She had almost protested leaving Dracula's castle that day. After the hot shower, warm meal and the comfy bed, it was hard to pry herself out of that castle. She had slept a long time, nearly twelve hours. The half Namek couldn't help but chuckle at the shocked, open mouthed faces staring back at them. Everyone was there. "Uh, hey guys! Merry Christmas. Time flies when you are… you know, stuck in between worlds. I think just yesterday it was November for us."

Piccolo felt rooted to the spot for just a moment before he jumped up, pulling Jenny with him, and rushed to Paige, pulling her into his arms. Tears stung his eyes as he squeezed his daughter tightly, a knot forming in his throat. "It's about time you came home to us," he whispered. He thought his heart might burst. He wrapped an arm around Jenny, pulling her into the hug with his daughter. "I was so worried we wouldn't see you again."

Phoenix laughed as his own parents rushed forward to hug him, his mother crying and slapping at his arm, telling him simultaneously how stupid he was for leaving like that and how happy and proud she was of him for coming home safely.

"Yeah, I singlehandedly saved the day," Phoenix bragged in a cocky tone, shooting a wink at Paige as she rolled her eyes at him. He hugged his parents back, incredibly happy to finally be home with them. He hadn't realized how much he had missed them.

Gohan had to pull his glasses off his face to wipe at the tears in his eyes. He had been miserable over the past months as he waited for his oldest son to return home. He'd thrown himself into his work, taking on more and more hours at the hospital, volunteering to be on call as much as possible, just to keep himself busy so he didn't worry himself sick. "Thank the gods you're home," he choked out and shoved his glasses back on his face to hug his son once again. "I'm proud of you," he whispered in Phoenix's ear.

Phoenix buried his face into the side of his father's neck to hide the tears in his own eyes. "Thanks, Dad," he answered, beaming on the inside at his father's words.

Goten was the last to step in the door and he grinned brightly at his parents. Without waiting for them to speak a word, he ran to them and threw his arms around all three, hugging them for all he was worth. "I MISSED YOU!"

Sabriena broke down as she wrapped her arms around his neck, tears pouring down her face. "Oh my god," she gasped, clinging to him. "You are not EVER allowed to leave the cabin again! Do you hear me? Oh, I should beat you for making me worry so much!" She kissed his temple and buried her face in his shoulder. "Damn you, Goten."

"GOTEN!" Goku cried. He smiled widely, hugging his husband, wife, and son together. "And she means it too, Goten. You should see the cabin, it's spotless. She's been compulsively cleaning it night and day." He rubbed the back of his head, "Even made the bed with Tien and me still in it. She knows how to tuck, I have to say!" He laughed and ruffled his son's hair before his eyes drifted to the two new faces standing in the doorway. "Hey! Come on in! The more the merrier!"

Nadia looked around, a bit jittery being around humans like this. The whole mood seemed to be lifted from when they had first walked in. It was shocking how deeply these people cared for each other. She lifted an eyebrow at Goten's family. Two dads and one mother. How peculiar, she thought but shrugged it off and stole a glance at Faelon who seemed just out of his element as she was of hers.

Paige laughed and nodded over at them from her parents' arms, slinging one arm around Alice's shoulders. "Everyone! We'd like you guys to meet Nadia and Faelon. If it weren't for them, it would have been one hell of a long trip. Well, longer than it was," she teased and smiled at them as they looked nervous.

Faelon nervously stepped forward and gave a slight bow as he introduced himself and Nadia. He'd been nervous to come here, but after looking around for a moment, he realized they didn't stick out as much as he thought they would. This was certainly a strange family, but they seemed warm and welcoming.

A sudden ringing filled the air and Lindsey reluctantly pulled away from her son to answer her phone. She spoke only for a brief moment before a grin split her face and she slid it back into her pocket. She glanced over at Goku, "Hey Dad? Can I ask a favor? Gramma wants you to go get her really quick so she can be part of our Christmas party."

Goku's eyes lit up and he laughed. "Alright! Now it's going to be a party!" he exclaimed happily. He wondered if he could get Gramma to play with his hair again. Maybe right next to Vegeta so he could annoy him and purr as loudly as he could. He grinned to himself and pressed his fingers to his forehead and vanished for a moment. He returned quickly, Gramma Arthusia in his arms, "I got her!"

Vegeta groaned and tried to slink down in his chair to hide from the old woman, even as a small smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. He never did know whether to be embarrassed or flattered by her attentions.

"I see you," Gramma said, narrowing her eyes at the prince. "You're not getting away from me tonight. Now be nice, or I'll catch you under the mistletoe." She turned and gave a big hug to Phoenix before she stole Goten away from Sabriena and hugged him as well. "I knew you three could do it. Well, with a bit of help that is," she smiled, looking over at Nadia and Faelon. She studied them a moment before she gave an approving nod. "You have excellent taste in who you surround yourself with, Goten," she said. She tipped her head at Paige expectantly. "Well do I get a hug or not, young lady?"

Paige grinned and spread her arms wide, flinging them around the older woman and breathed in deeply the scent of cloves. "I missed you, Gramma. We did it. We kept the book safe. She nearly had it though." She smiled and lightly pulled away from her, "Thank you for trusting me with the book. A lot of things would have been different if we didn't have it."

"Well of course I trusted you with it," Gramma answered. A big smile split her face and she leaned closer, dropping her voice just a bit. "You think I would've trusted these boneheads with my book?" she asked, jerking a thumb over her shoulder at Phoenix and Goten.

Nadia reached beside her and slipped her fingers into Faelon's hand. She was never much for public displays, but what Paige said was frighteningly true. Had the three not had the book, they might have never stumbled into Dracula's castle. If that hadn't happened, she wouldn't have met Faelon and the prospect of a future with him. It was so odd to think like that. To have someone she could be herself around without fear of them turning into something they were not.

Jenny watched the two newcomers carefully, she didn't miss the pointed ears or the sharp fangs glinting in the fire light. "A vampire and an elf?" she said, almost dumbfoundedly. "I didn't think those things were re…" She stopped and shook her head. "No, I should know better by now. I married the green skinned alien, after all. I should definitely know better."

Faelon chuckled and looked at Jenny and Piccolo. "You are Paige's parents?" he asked, although he was certain of the answer.

Piccolo sighed at his wife. "What gave it away? Her tendency to speak without thinking, just like Paige?" he asked dryly, although a smile played across his lips as his wife scowled at him. "I know, my wife is so charming."

"No," Faelon laughed. "Paige has spoken highly of you both on our journey. And her sister Alice as well." He gave Jenny a smile. "In all fairness, we do tend to keep to our own kind. Most of the known world believes that we are no more than myth."

"And the ones who do believe are considered crackpots. That's a good cover," she said thoughtfully. "Who knew? Tolkien had it right all along," she mused and looked to Nadia, "And you, did Anne Rice tell the truth about vampires? You waiting to suck us all dry? You survived the group, so I imagine you found something that works." She managed a laugh, but gave the children a look over to see if they were a bit more pale than usual, but they were fine.

Nadia smiled and shook her head. "No, afraid that is one of the more exaggerated parts of vampire lore. We do drink blood, but we take from donors only and keep a healthy supply in our refrigerated cold room." She sighed and waved her hand in the air, "I'm fairly sure that's some kind of movie too, but the humans we have are highly trusted and are not locked in any cage awaiting milking day. Or whatever they call it."

Piccolo fought the urge to wrinkle his nose. That didn't sound appealing at all. Still, he didn't want to be rude to the newcomers, especially if they had helped keep his daughter safe. He turned to look at Paige again, barely daring to believe that she was actually home.

Gramma clapped her hands together as she looked from Goten to Paige. "So! What's the plan, then?" she asked happily. "Have you thought about where you're going to live now that you're mated? Oh! And I almost forgot. Here, I have a gift for you two," she said as she dug in her pocket and pulled out a small black box. She placed it in Goten's hand and loudly whispered to him, "You're supposed to give that to her."

Goten's mouth worked like a fish out of water. He and Paige had deliberately made sure to cover their marks so that they could tell their families about their mating after the party. They had decided it would be better to do it quietly, for fear of Piccolo or Vegeta making a scene. He blinked widely at Gramma, who he suspected had announced it just to see the reaction she could get from everyone. "Gramma!" he hissed at her.

"What?" she asked loudly, blinking her eyes innocently. She reached up and tugged away the scarves around their necks. "Deny it," she challenged as both of their marks were revealed.

Piccolo's eyes narrowed, surely his baby girl was too young to be mating, but his blood turned to ice when he saw that mark on her neck and then looked over at Goten to see a matching mark on him. "What?! Paige you are barely of age, you can't be serious!" He rounded on Goten, "What did you do to her?"

'God, just be blunt about it, Gramma,' Goten thought to himself. She was no better at breaking news to people than his dad. He swallowed nervously and turned towards the Namek; he'd forgotten how tall Piccolo was, how intimidating he could be. He winced as Piccolo shouted at him, but squared his shoulders. "I love her," he said firmly. "And I know she loves me. There isn't anyone else I want to spend my life with."

Goku looked at them both, his smile growing wider. "Oh my god you guys! Congratulations!" He scooped Paige up in his arms, hugging her fiercely. "I should have seen it coming! You two are practically inseparable already!"

"Goku, don't encourage this!" Piccolo barked.

Goku smiled goofily at the angry Namek. "Relax, Piccolo! They've known each other since they were little! I mean, it only makes sense."

Piccolo glared at the Saiyan. "And how many women does he go through in the span of a month? He's just going to get bored with her in a week's time and toss her away. Paige, did you even stop to think about this?!"

Jenny placed a hand on her husband's arm, seeing Paige reaching for Goten. She was shocked. She really didn't see her girl with Goten. But then, the way Goten was looking at Paige, warm., indeed loving, she'd seen the same look on Piccolo's face many times, nearly every day. "Dear, hold on a second. She's known him all her life. She's the one who's been beside him all this time."

Goten cringed again as Piccolo shook his head. He felt ashamed. He HAD gone through a lot of "girlfriends." But he would never treat Paige like that, not in a million years. She was the one he always came back to, joked with, confided in. "Piccolo, I would never treat her that way." He looked at Paige, something snapping in his heart. No, he could never treat her like that. He reached for Paige's hand, pulling her closer to him. His eyes begged her to not turn away from him, no matter what her father did or said.

Paige smiled at Goten, winking at him. She felt more confident with him holding her close, their fingers laced together. "Daddy, this is what I want." She looked over at her father, "He knows better than to do that to me. He won't, but if he did, he'd regret it. He's too scared of you and Papaw. Besides, Mom would hex him and he knows it." She nipped at Goten's chin, "But he's too much like his dad. He'd never hurt me. Ever. "

Jenny had to chuckle at that. Yes, she would hex him, and Piccolo and her father would be one hell of a of force to reckon with. "True enough." She regarded them for a moment, still holding onto Piccolo.

Goten rubbed the back of his neck, a blush spreading across his cheeks. He swallowed hard and turned to look at her parents again. "I'll take good care of her. I promise. I... I don't know how, but I'll figure something out. I swear." Jenny looked understanding; Piccolo still looked furious. But it was the slow, cat-like movement from Vegeta that made his heart stop.

The Saiyan prince moved with the calculated steps of a predator as he stalked closer to Goten. "I warned you, boy," he growled.

Gramma had seen enough to amuse herself. "Now you stop right there," she snipped at Vegeta, who paused in his steps, blinking at her as if she'd slapped him. "Now I know everyone's emotions are in overdrive at the moment, but what's important here is that they're all home safe and sound. And you two," she said, looking from Piccolo to Vegeta, "are not going to harm that boy in any way, you hear me? She's not a child anymore and what's done is done. Goten has never hurt her before. He's changed. It's more than obvious to me that he is not the same as he was when they left. Now you both just calm down before I hex you into next week."

Vegeta shook his head slowly at Paige. "Figures," he muttered. He thought about it for a moment before he spoke again. Really, it made sense that those two would mate. They'd spent their whole lives together, had grown up together. No one would understand either of them the way they understood each other. And they had both always been fiercely protective of one another. Goten was a good kid, really, and Vegeta knew that if anyone were to ever get that boy to settle down, it would be Paige. "Good choice," he finally said in a low voice to Paige. "As long as you can control him."

Piccolo walked over to Paige, casting a menacing glance at Goten before he turned his attention to his daughter again. He looked down at her, the mark on her pale green skin standing out glaringly to him. It hurt to think of her being a grown woman now, but he couldn't deny it anymore either. He felt like he was letting his baby go. "Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked her quietly.

Paige looked up at her father, taking his hands in her own, and she nodded. "Without a doubt it is. Don't you worry about me. I'll keep him in line," she said, giving him a genuine smile.

Piccolo sighed through his nose, knowing that arguing about it was useless. What was done was done and there was no changing it. "Alright then," he finally said and cast another warning glance over at Goten before he turned and walked away. There was no need to say anything else; he knew Goten knew better than to break Paige's heart.

Jenny laughed at Goten's worried look. "Don't you worry about him, I'll talk with him. He'll come around. We just, you know… Paige and Alice are precious to us. We just want our girls safe and protected. But i know Paige is a tough woman, and with Vegeta and Piccolo training her, she would never allow herself to be taken advantage of." She shook her head, "So, honeymoon first then the wedding?"

Goku laughed at that. "As if you could expect them to do anything the normal way. Normal is boring." He grinned, ever the proud father as he clapped a hand on his son's back. "So! Are you two going to have any little ones running around?!" Goku was full of excitement, happy that his son who seemed to jump around with girls had picked Paige to be his life mate. "Careful, son, she's spirited!" He winked at her, teasing, "And you. You better not mistreat my son!"

Goten was so relieved. He should've known his dad would be on his side. "Mistreat me?" he laughed.

"He likes the abuse!" Phoenix cut in.

Goten swatted at him to hush him. "She'd never mistreat me, Dad."

Goten smiled and threw his arm around Paige's shoulders. "I don't need protecting," he grinned cockily. "If memory serves me right, it was I who saved you from the giant ape Phoenix turned into..."

"GOTEN!" Phoenix shouted, his face turning red. He hadn't been ready to mention that in front of his grandpa yet.

Goten jumped and his eyes went wide. He clapped a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle a laugh as he leaned into Paige. "Oops," he snickered, his shoulders shaking.

Goku raised an eyebrow at Phoenix, giving him a stern look, but it turned to surprise when he saw his grandson's tail still firmly wrapped around his waist. "You looked at the full moon and attacked them? How do you still have your tail?" He looked at Paige and Goten and nodded his understanding, "Oh wow. You guys took him down when he was transformed? Without cutting his tail off?!" He rubbed the back of his head, "Man you guys are lucky! And you are lucky they didn't cut it! Do you remember anything? Now you know why I said not to look at the moon! It's dangerous! For you and those around you."

"I didn't mean to," Phoenix said, looking at the floor, dragging the toe of his boot through the carpet. "I don't remember any of it. I was just sore the next day." He wrapped his tail tighter around his waist. "Sorry, Grampa."

Goku sighed and hugged his grandson. "It's alright. I'm just glad they didn't have to cut your tail off and I'm glad they're okay." He pulled back and laughed. "We're gonna have to set you up with Vegeta and Tora so you can learn to control yourself if you transform!"

Sabriena was still blinking in surprise at her son. She grabbed Goten's chin and tipped his head to the side. "Oh dear lord. Well, at least you picked Paige. Unlike those other bimbos you usually hang around."

A smile pulled at Goten's lips and he nervously scratched the back of his head. "Yeah... No more of those for me."

A wicked grin split Sabriena's face. "Let me tell Chichi. Please, oh dear gods, pleeeease let me tell Chichi."

Phoenix threw his head back, laughing. "Sabriena has a death wish! Oh, I would NOT want to be around when grandma Chichi hears about this." He paused, "Actually, on second thought, I kind'a would." He despised that old woman and had a delightful image in his mind of her head exploding at the news. She'd gone on for years that Goten would become a doctor like Gohan and marry a nice, quiet, lady-like girl who would stay at home and cook and clean for him. Phoenix couldn't help but snort. There's no way Paige would ever fit that description.

"So since Goten mated, does that mean I can have his room?" Scarlett asked eagerly, and bounded forward with a big grin splitting her face as her tail swished happily behind her. She cringed at the look Goten gave her and giggled. "Whaaaat? Your room is bigger than mine!"

Goten rolled his eyes and shook his head. He felt a relief wash over him now that Piccolo had somewhat accepted their mating. He'd been worried about it for too long now.

Gramma thumped him on the arm and nodded at the little box he still held in his hand. "Are you going to give that to her or not?" she demanded and placed her hands on her hips.

"Oh!" Goten said as he jumped and looked down at the little velvet box. It creaked as he opened it and his eyes went wide. "Gramma," he breathed and looked up at the old woman, who beamed at him. The box held a beautiful antique diamond ring, a large square cut diamond surrounded by smaller ones in an ornate, yet elegant setting. He grinned at Paige and pulled the ring out of the box as he reached for her hand. "Looks like you get a ring anyway," he murmured. He paused and met her eyes, "May I?"

Paiges eyes widened as she looked at the ring, there was a small glimmer of magick hovering around the little gemstone. "Oh wow," she breathed. She wouldn't dare reject this; Gramma's gift was beyond amazing and she found herself nodding at Goten who gently took her hand and slid the ring over her knuckle so it could fit snuggly. It was a perfect fit.

Goten smiled as the atmosphere in the room lightened, Bulma announcing that the party was now officially on since everyone was there. He leaned a little closer to Goku, speaking softly, "I have another gift for you when we have a chance to get away from everyone. It's just for you and Mom and Dad."

Goku blinked at his son and drew him in close to his side, kissing the top of his hair. "Oh, you didn't need to get us anything, kiddo. Just having you back for the holidays, with all of this good news. It's gift enough," he said as he led the way to the dining room, the smell of hot food making his stomach rumble. He watched on as Paige talked excitedly with her father and mother, hugging her sister every chance she got. "Everyone is happy you are back. It hurt us so much to have you gone."

"I know, Dad," Goten said as he sat down at the table between his father with Paige on his other side. "We missed you all, too. I've been so homesick. I can't wait to go home. I miss my bed at the cabin." He blushed a bit at the admission. "I can come stay at the cabin tonight, right? Me and Paige?" He wanted nothing more than to fall into that soft, squashy bed in the loft and curl up with his mate for a long-needed sleep, knowing that they were both home and safe.

Goku smiled and nodded, "Of course. You are always welcome there you know." He looked over at Paige who was talking excitedly with Alice. "As long as you know, I don't get blamed for stealing you two away before everyone has had a fair turn with you," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Goten chuckled. "Ah, we'll stay long enough to pacify everyone. I just want to get home."

Tien paused behind Goten and Paige and leaned down to speak softly to them. "Congratulations, guys. We're proud to have you officially as part of the family, Paige," he said and gave her a quick hug before he moved down the table to pull out a chair for Sabriena on Goku's other side.

Everyone ate their fill as they listened to Phoenix, Goten, and Paige tell bits and pieces of the story of their adventure. Faelon and Nadia began to relax a bit as they were asked questions and made to feel welcome at the table. Faelon was amused by Phoenix's younger siblings as they asked him questions. Scarlett stared at him in almost starry-eyed wonder until her twin called her out on it and she blushed something furious as she ducked her head and mumbled something about a movie trilogy she was fascinated with.

After dessert, the party moved back into the living room and Faelon found the opportunity he'd been looking for. Clearing his throat, he approached Alice before she could sit down. "Alice?" he asked politely and she turned to him. "Forgive me, but I wanted to speak with you. Your sister told me that you are the guardian of the earth and that you were working to create a new set of dragonballs? I only ask because my sister was murdered by the Atlantian we hunted down. Paige told me that you might be able to revive my sister if your dragon was complete." He barely dared to hope, preparing himself to be disappointed if she hadn't completed it yet.

Alice smiled gently at the elf standing before her. It had been a long time since her sister had left on their venture. Throughout the meal, Paige had been telling her about what a help that Faelon had been for their quest. The special mirror that allowed them to quickly track down Antonia and Orion. She nodded. "As you have kept my sister safe, the dragon balls are now active. I finished the carving about two weeks ago. We have already collected the new dragonballs. We can summon the dragon later if you so wish. I know your sister would be proud of what you have done for her and this planet."

Faelon's eyes lit up a split second before they brimmed with tears. He grabbed Alice's hand and pressed a polite kiss to her knuckles. "Thank you," he breathed and bowed to her. "I am forever in your debt. Were it not for you, my sister would be lost to us forever." He thanked her again before Nadia tugged at his arm and pulled him across the room to sit quietly together in a corner as they watched the family exchange gifts.

True to his word, Goten and Paige stayed until the party began to wind down and the others started to head for home. He promised to come by and see Gohan in a couple of days and he watched on as Paige hugged her family and promised them the same. He could see the disappointment in Piccolo's eyes and realized he must've been looking forward to having Paige at home with them again. He only felt slightly guilty at that, but he smiled when she walked over to them and he took her hand in his own. He grinned at his parents, who were ready to go back to the cabin. He felt like he could burst with excitement. "Let's go home," he grinned and grabbed his mother's hand as Goku transported them back to the cabin.

Goten felt like his knees might give out at the sheer happiness of being back home. "Gods, I missed this place," he breathed as he looked around. The fire was still crackling in the fireplace, filling the cabin with a warmth that just seemed to curl around his soul. "Gods, I missed you all so much." He looked at Paige again and squeezed her hand. They'd talked about this and he felt a bit of nervousness and excitement in his stomach. "So, ah, you want that other present I mentioned earlier?"

Goku's eyes lit up as he remembered what his son had told him. He grinned at the way they held each other's hands. "Are you pregnant, Paige?" he asked excitedly; he would always love more grandchildren. He felt all warm and fuzzy at the idea of a half Namek, half Saiyan baby. "Gosh, I wonder what color the tail will be," he pondered as he pinched his chin and tipped his head to the side, trying to picture it.

Sabriena pursed her lips and shook her head at her husband. "You and babies," she said disapprovingly before a thought struck her and she felt the blood drain from her face. "You're not pregnant, are you?!" she exclaimed in a panicked voice. "I'm too young to be a grandma! Paige, don't do this to me!" she pleaded as Tien clapped a hand to his mouth behind her to in an attempt to stifle his laughter.

Goku reached out and spanned his hand over Sabriena's flat stomach, looking possessive. "You would be so beautiful pregnant," he purred at her, forgetting himself. He hadn't seen her this happy in an age. He couldn't stop the image that came to his mind at the thought of her pregnant with child. "But I suppose being a grandma would be fun, too," he teased.

Sabriena swatted his hand away and hissed, "STOPPIT!"

Paige laughed out loud a moment while she seriously considered playing a little joke on her new, soon to be mother-in-law, but thought better of it. She could save that one for later. "No, not pregnant, but I think you guys are going to like it all the same," she said as she looked at Goten and gave his arm an encouraging squeeze.

Goten couldn't stop the smile on his face as he pulled off his coat and turned to hang in on the back of a chair. "I know that this has bothered you all for a long time," he said. "It bothered me, too. But Paige took care of it," he said as he pulled off his shirt and dropped it to the floor before he turned and showed them his back, free from the scars, save for one she left on the back of his shoulder to remember what he'd been through. "She healed the scars."

Goku stared, his eyes wide as his mouth fell open, and he felt his knees go weak as he sank to the ground as he looked over his son's bare back. His breath caught in his chest at the sight of whole, unmarked skin. All of the horrible scars that Chichi had left on his boy were gone, save for one silvery line upon his shoulder. He remembered everything his son had been through, but now his back was fixed as if it had never happened. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked at Paige, his eyes filling with tears and there was no doubt in his mind that she was the mate for Goten. "The scars are gone. You healed them," he gasped, choking back a sob as the tears spilled down his cheeks.

Sabriena pressed her hands to her mouth, staring at Goten's back. She remembered how marred his skin was, how the horrible, ugly scars had covered every inch of it. She could feel them through his shirt sometimes when she hugged him; he'd tried to hide them from her over the years. But now he stood there proudly before them, no more shame, no more embarrassment. She wiped at the tears in her eyes and gave Paige a watery smile, nodding her agreement with Goku. "Thank you," she said.

Tien swallowed harshly as his hand went to Goku's shoulder, squeezing it. He knew how that had bothered Goku, how much guilt he'd carried with him all these years that he hadn't protected his son from that. Now it was gone. Finally, there were no more horrible reminders of those years Goten had been abused, save for the one thin line on his shoulder now. Tien was glad that Paige had left one. It stood as a testament to Goten's strength and he nodded his approval.

Goku managed to pick himself up off of the ground, moving forward to run his hands over the smooth skin there. He remembered now, Paige's ability to heal such unique scars. Ones that carried hatred, magick in them. He turned around and caught Paige up in his arms and buried his face in her shoulder. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," he whispered before he pulled back and looked in her eyes. "Please, you've already done so much for him. Never do what she did to me. Please, respect that mark you carry." He grinned at her as she nodded and he kissed her cheek.

Paige blushed at first, but her expression turned serious when he said that and she nodded. "I give you my word. I will protect him and respect everything this mark means," she vowed as she cupped the mark on her neck, a warm sensation radiating through her body. She reached out to grab Goten's hand. "I just wish he had told me sooner. I could have healed them ages ago. But then again, I'm not sure if he was ready back then."

Goten turned around to face his family again, beaming with pride. "Nah. It happened the way it was supposed to," he said, not bothering to put his shirt back on. It felt good to be without it, he'd hidden beneath shirts for so long, so ashamed of his back. "I'mma take a page out of Dad's book and just never wear shirts anymore," he snickered and winked at Tien who shook his head. Goten's expression sobered and he moved to hug Goku, "I'm sorry you felt guilty for so long. It wasn't your fault, Dad. But now you don't have to worry about it anymore. They're gone for good."

Goku hugged his son tightly, burying his face into his dark hair as he breathed him in. It was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, a relief that Goten didn't have to physically carry those scars anymore. The reminder that he had been so blind to what was going on right under his nose was finally gone. He knew that Paige would take care of his son and his son would take care of Paige. "I know. I know," he said before he pulled back and wiped at his eyes. "So, what do you kids feel like? Want us to put on a pot of coffee and you can tell us about your adventure, or should we wait until morning?"

Goten was so excited, he didn't know if he could really go to sleep just yet. He grinned and moved to sit at the table. "Coffee sounds good to me," he said, tugging Paige to sit next to him. He'd been gone so long, he just wanted to sit with his parents for a while and talk with them, just drink in their presence. He watched as Sabriena disappeared into her kitchen and his smile widened as he made plans in his head to spend the whole day with her tomorrow, cooking for his dads and his new mate. He looked from Goku to Tien and back as they sat down at the table as well. "So this was probably the scariest trip EVER," he laughed, looking at Paige and taking her hand. "I've never met so many strange creatures or seen so many places."

Tien was interested to hear the story and he leaned on his elbows on the table, watching the two of them. A small part of him was grateful that Phoenix had gone on home. The kid would've already told the story twice over so fast that no one would've been able to keep up. He felt a small smile pull at his lips as he watched the way Goten looked at Paige. He'd seen that look before, the way Goku looked at Sabriena. Paige was a good match for his son and he approved wholeheartedly.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Sabriena called loudly from the kitchen and Tien sighed. "I wanna hear the story, too!" It was only a moment later when she appeared with mugs of coffee for all of them and set them on the table. "Okay," she said as she settled herself in her own chair. "Now tell us."

Goten thought back over everything they'd been through, all the places they'd gone. "We went all over the place," he said as he leaned back in his chair and sipped at the coffee for a minute. "I think the coolest place we went was Dracula's castle, though. Can you believe it? We actually met Dracula! He's a pretty cool guy, really. Helped us out a lot. And, you know, didn't try to eat us."

Goku's eyes went wide. "You've met Dracula?! Oh wow! You know, I didn't even think vampires were real. Well, not until you introduced us to your friend, that is." He grinned mischievously, "So, do they really sparkle?" He laughed, Jenny and Lindsey were always downing on those weird books about sparkle vampires. He didn't know what that was, they had told him to stay away from those books. "So, they didn't try to eat you? Do real vampires even drink blood?" He shuddered at the thought.

Goten nodded. "Yeah, they do." He snickered at a memory. "Dracula offered us some brandy he had made, but it was dark like blood. We tricked Phoenix into thinking we drank blood. You should've seen his face when he figured out we were teasing him." He paused and laughed again at the thought. "Dracula sent Nadia with us to help guide us through these portals that lead to different places of magick. Did you know that's how vampires were created? They were cursed by the Atlantians. So when he found out we were hunting down the last of their kind, he was more than willing to help."

That surprised Goku. He was having a hard time to think that the Atlantians had gone back that far and all over the world. "They really were relentless, weren't they?" he asked. "Could you cure them?" He frowned even as he said it; vampires were ancient, part of legends and history. "I guess not, I imagine they would have found a cure by now."

"Wow," Tien breathed as he drank from his cup. "It's a wonder the Atlantians survived as long as they did. It sounds like they made enemies everywhere they went." He paused and shook his head. "It's sad, really. If they weren't so determined to force everyone to follow them, they'd still be alive. They didn't have to do things the way they did."

Paige nodded, cupping her mug of coffee. "Yeah, things would have been much different if they hadn't been so misguided. I know what Antonia did was unforgivable, but, I don't know. I think her past reflected her present situation. She was broken because of it. If she hadn't been, I don't know. She might have made a pretty decent ally. But that's not how it went down."

Goten shook his head. "I don't care what was in her past. She had a choice. I don't feel bad about it at all," he said firmly, frowning at the cup in his hands. "She didn't have to kill Dende and Rose. She didn't have to try to kill us at every damn turn. Especially that shit she pulled in the Suicide Forest. I still can't believe she got in my head like that," he muttered as he sipped his coffee again, a violent shiver racing down his spine at the memory.

"Suicide Forest?" Sabriena asked curiously, not liking the sound of that at all. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Goku swallowed at that; he had heard about that forest. Sometimes when he was over with the grandkids, he had helped them with homework. That forest stood out in his mind. It was a dangerous place and everyone was told to stay away. "What did she do to you?"

Goten wanted to smack himself for bringing it up. He looked down at the cup in his hands, chewing the inside corner of his mouth. "It's all kinda hazy, like I was in a trance. She got in my head, made me remember all the bad shit from when I was a kid. She didn't even say a word, but, well, she convinced me that I was never going to be able to be rid of all that. I tried to hang myself," he admitted regretfully. He looked up quickly, meeting his father's eyes. "I would never do that, Dad. I swear it. It was the spell she had me under. Paige and Phoenix stopped me before I got hurt."

Tien sat back and ran a hand down his face, a fear curling in his chest at how dangerous their trip really had been. They'd come that close to losing their son and the very thought of it made his heart ache. "Good gods," he breathed and looked away, telling himself over and over that it hadn't happened, but damn if the thought didn't shake him to his core.

Goku looked over at Tien and reached out, giving his hand a squeeze before he looked back at the kids. "I'm glad you all had each other." He rubbed at his hair, "It's hard for us as parents to watch you go through this on your own. I suppose it was a lesson for both parties in this. You learning how to take care of yourselves on your own, save the world and all that. And for us, taking the backseat. It isn't easy, you know."

Goten nodded. "We wouldn't have made it if all three of us hadn't worked together," he agreed. He looked at Paige and gave a small snort of amusement. "And then Phoenix tried to get eaten by a mermaid. That was fun."

"Mermaids?" Sabriena asked. "I thought they were supposed to be nice? Damn you and your lies, Disney," she muttered. "Leave it to Phoenix to do something stupid like that. I bet you all got his butt out of a bunch of messes."

Goten shrugged. "Yeah, but he played his part in helping, too." He looked over at Paige, remembering how he'd saved her from Phoenix when the younger Saiyan had accidentally transformed under the full moon. It had ultimately led to them mating later that night. "Phoenix was the one who killed Orion. Now THAT was something to watch. They both transformed under the full moon and fought it out. Phoenix bit off Orion's tail and then literally tore him in half. I mean," he mimicked with his hands what Phoenix had done to the other Saiyan, "and just threw the pieces on the ground. He nearly killed Paige, but I was able to use the Kaio-ken to knock him out."

Goku felt a little sick as he listened to the retelling of the story. He was wrong, he was going to have to drag Phoenix for training in time for the next full moon, though Vegeta and Tora would probably have some lessons for him to learn in the days leading up to the full moon. He might have to take Scarlett and Rowan as well. "I'm glad you didn't cut off his tail. Was that the only time he transformed?"

"Yeah," Goten answered with a nod as he set his cup on the table. "I think it shook him pretty good. That happened just a couple days ago." He paused and shook his head. "Well, for us it was just a couple days. Once we were inside the portal, time on the outside just flew by. So, you know, he hasn't seen a full moon since that night."

Tien shook his head as he listened to them go on and on about the monsters they'd faced, the close calls, how many times they'd come so close to capturing Antonia only for her to get away again. It was a thrilling tale to listen to, yet at the same time, it scared him to think of how dangerous this task had been. "Did you ever come across Fasha?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, we found out she's dead. She's been dead for years. We need to remember to tell Vegeta that," Goten said as he looked over at Paige.

Goku nodded and unconsciously moved a hand up to rub at his eye, remembering what she had done to him in the war. "He will want to hear that. I don't think he has been losing any sleep over it, but it won't hurt to let him know he can finally stop looking over his shoulder for her," he said and drained his coffee cup.

Paige nodded. "Papaw was upset with her, never did like what she accused him of. Gods I can't even imagine," she said, hating even the mere thought of Vegeta being raped, although thankfully Fasha hadn't managed it. She shuddered. "But it's over now. We can start looking ahead and not worry about the Atlantians ever again."

"That's a relief," Tien said with a yawn as he leaned back and stretched. He smiled at his son and Paige. "I'm just glad you're all back safe and sound. So do you all have any plans? You're welcome to stay here until you can get your own place. I, ah, doubt Piccolo would appreciate you staying at the Lookout now that you're mated." He pointed at his ear as he said it. "I don't think you want him, you know, hearing anything."

Goten rubbed at the back of his neck. "Yeah, definitely don't want that," he chucked uncomfortably. In all honesty, he and Paige had talked about having their own home, but hadn't exactly discussed how they were going to make it a reality. "I guess I'll get a job as quick as I can and try to save up some money. Maybe I'll get lucky and we won't have to stay with you all for too long." He frowned as he said it. It wasn't that he didn't like staying at the cabin, but he really wanted the privacy of his own place so that he and Paige could bond, spend some time with just the two of them.

Goku looked at Sabriena and Tien before he looked back to his son and Paige. "You know, I do still technically own the house you grew up in. I know there are a lot of bad memories there, but you could have it if you wanted. Make new memories, start fresh."

Goten blinked in surprise before he settled back in his chair for a moment to think about it. He hadn't been in that house in a very long time and he wasn't sure what it would feel like to be there again. Some of his worst memories were inside those four walls. Memories of his mother beating him, of making his father sleep on that couch, the coldness he could feel within the place. But at the same time, there were still happy memories there as well. Cuddling up on the couch with his dad as they looked at the Christmas tree, sparring in the yard with his brother. "What do you think?" he asked Paige. "I mean, do you think you could work some kind of spell to get rid of all the negativity?"

Paige tapped her fingers against her lips as she thought about it. It would be nice to have a place of their own. "I think we can come up with some spell to get rid of the bad feelings. I can tell you more once we check the place out."

Goten smiled and nodded. "Alright. We'll go there tomorrow." He looked at his dad and smiled. "Thanks, Dad. Really."

Sabriena's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands as she looked at Paige. "We can go shopping!" she squealed excitedly. "We can buy new paint and flooring and have the whole inside redone so it's like brand new! And we can get new furniture and everything! Oh! OH! Now I'm excited!" She bounced in her seat, looking like a child who'd been promised a new toy.

Tien groaned and ran a hand down his face before he shot an accusatory glare at Goku. "Now you see what you did? This is all we're going to hear about for weeks."

It was only a short time later when they decided to call it a night and Goten wearily climbed the ladder to the loft. His loft. His knees nearly buckled as he caught sight of his bed, his cookbooks that lined the walls. "Oh gods, I missed this," he moaned as he fell face-forward onto the quilt made of soft animal pelts and deeply breathed in the scent. "Never mind about going to the house tomorrow. I'm just gonna lay here until I die."

Paige climbed the ladder and stepped into the loft. She could feel like she was a kid again, experiencing the climb for the first time into the loft. It was warm up there already from all the hot air from the fireplace rising up. There were hundreds of cookbooks that lined the walls as well as utensils, cooking tools and all the like that were set into bins below the books. As if each section had a specific tool for it. She smiled at Goten who collapsed on his bed. It reminded her of her childhood and she sat on the bed next to him, running her hand over the smooth muscles of his back. "This feels familiar to me."

He turned and smiled at her before he pulled her into his arms. "It's home," he said simply. He buried his face into her soft hair and nibbled at her ear. "I love you," he whispered. It felt amazing to finally be back at the cabin, to lay in his old bed with his new mate. "It's familiar because this is the way it was always supposed to be. It was always you and me. I just didn't see it before."

Paige smiled as she turned in his arms to face him. She could feel the energies below them finally drift off to sleep due to exhaustion. From worry finally being relieved. She half felt guilty for not spending the night with her parents. Her sister. There was time enough for that for later, she figured. For now, Goten was right. It did feel like home. She felt like she belonged and she buried her face into the soft skin of his neck, sighing happily against the mating mark there, "Despite everything, it was good. It was worth it."

Goten thought about that for a moment before he smiled. "Yeah, it was," he finally answered. "If that's what we had to go through to end up together, to mate, and be here like this, then yeah. It was totally worth it."

Author's Note: One more chapter to go! Can you believe it? I'm so excited! Just wait until you see what's coming next. Oh, and Nancy, no, we didn't plan on posting this so close to Christmas. It was just a happy accident!