***Chapter 31***

Trunks rubbed his wife's naked back as she traced circles with her finger on his chest. She had been back for almost five months now. It had taken him almost two full months before caving in. He had been worried about the growing babies and still was, every time things got heated between them.

''Just ask, Trunks…'' She rolled her eyes.

''Erm… Ki.. everything feels ok?'' She sighed at the question. He was still constantly worried about her.

''I promise I'm ok.. and they are ok… look at me… I've almost doubled in size in only two months…'' She grumbled, making him chuckle.

''You are stunning.'' He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

She turned on her back, pulling him on his side, she placed his hand on her rounded belly. He loved feeling them kick and move. It normally reassured him, they were fine. ''You know the gender don't you?'' She shook her head, no. ''Oh?''

''I haven't… read their Ki… I want to find out with you.'' Truthfully, she could feel their Ki pushing unto hers but she blocked it out as much as possible.

Trunks' phone vibrated on his nightstand. He ignored it. When it vibrated again, he picked it up to shut it off when he noticed there was a work emergency. He grunted.

''I have to drop by the office for a short bit. Do you want to come with me? I'm sure Janice would be happy to see you.'' Akira nodded. Last time she had showed up at Capsule Corp she was barely showing so it hadn't drawn too much attention, this time it would be more than evident. Headlines had been going crazy with rumors for the past month, making an official appearance would put an end to the drama.

Trunks parked his car in the indoor garage at Capsule Corp, he opened Akira's door and gently helped her out. If she had been a regular human woman, she would have struggled with the low sports car. ''Hm we should get a new car…'' He thought out loud.

''Why?'' She asked.

''Because we'll need to install the car seats and getting them in and out of a two door car wouldn't be ideal. Oh this reminds me.. Ki.. would you like to get your driver's license?''

''Uh… I.. I never thought about it…'' She confessed. Her life was anything but normal and trying to fit into a typical earthling life seemed unachievable for her.

When the elevator doors closed, she could feel his eyes on her. ''Did I tell you how beautiful you are?''

''Only 30 times, today…'' She smiled. She was wearing a black fitted dress that reached her knees and a light pink oversized open cardigan. She pulled the sweater back up to cover her shoulder and tugged a loose lock of her hair behind her ear. She had a loose side braid today. As always, she was wearing a pair of sneakers.

''Well Mrs Briefs, you are absolutely stunning.'' He said, turning her towards him and kissing her. Reaching the top floor, they stepped out of the elevator.

''Oh my! Akira! You look amazing! How are you feeling?'' Asked Janice. The compliment always surprised Akira. She didn't feel pretty, she was short and now round… Everyone seemed to think she looked great and she could sense they were being honest… Perhaps it was her God genes. She still felt great. The fact she was in great shape made carrying the new extra weight much easier. She was still able to do her katas and keep in shape. She was off sparing, which annoyed her, but training had been the one thing she wasn't going to compromise on. Everyday, she trained under Vegeta's strict supervision. She had even started doing yoga with Bulma.

''Thank you Janice.'' She smiled sweetly at the older woman. ''I figured we'd finally catch up on our coffee date!'' When she noticed Trunks' raised eyebrow, she added ''Decaf for me…'' Her lower lip pouted.

''Of course. Mr. Briefs, they are expecting you on the 26th floor.'' He nodded, kissed his wife and made his way to the elevator. ''Akira… I have something for you.. well for the babies..'' The older lady took a bag from under her desk. ''I was going to give them to Trunks but since you're here…'' She handed her a gift bag.

Akira blushed. ''Thank you Janice, it really wasn't necessary. You take such good care of Trunks. Keeping him in check!'' She giggled. She pulled two small knitted blankets from the gift bag. They were beautiful with a gray and white chevron pattern. She looked at the secretary with watery eyes. ''Oh Janice, they are beautiful! Thank you so much!'' She turned the corner of the desk and hugged the older woman.

''It's really not much, I knitted a blanket for each of my grandkids and I wanted to continue the tradition. The Briefs family has been nothing but amazing to me throughout the years and since you came along, it's only gotten better, Akira.'' The hybrid's heart melted, Janice basically considered them family. Janice hugged the younger woman back. ''So? Coffee?''

Akira grinned and nodded. ''I'll go prepare them! We'll go sit in Trunks' office!'' She winked at Janice. While she was preparing the two cups, Akira heard the elevator ping. She knew who it was right away. Her Ki and energy sensing ability had become more acute with pregnancy. Walking out of the coffee nook with the two mugs in her hands, Akira pretended to be surprised at the other girl's presence. Lucinda hadn't seen her in months. She probably didn't even know about the pregnancy except for the rumors. ''Oh! Hello Lucinda. Would you like a coffee?'' She offered as if she owned the place. She was facing the other girl and was well aware that from this angle she looked perfectly normal beside maybe having put on a few pounds. ''Janice and I were going to have a little coffee break in Trunks' office…'' She opened the offer, as the older woman stood up and took her mug from Akira's hand.

''No. hm thank you Ak.. Mrs Briefs. I'm just here to bring these as per Janice's request.'' She put down a stack of papers on the corner of the reception desk.

''Oh that's too bad.'' She pretended to be disappointed and turned to make her way to the main office. Akira knew the exact moment Lucinda figured out the rumors were true. The girl's breath caught slightly when her eyes fell on Akira's bump.

''Oh. hmm congratulations Mrs Briefs…'' She motioned towards her, not daring to meet her gaze.

''Thank you Lucinda! Trunks and I couldn't be happier!'' She said. Ugh when did I become such a bitch… She heard Janice chuckle from inside the office. ''If you'll excuse me, I've been waiting for this coffee date with Janice for months now!''

''Of course, Mrs. Briefs.'' The stunning brunette nodded and made her way back to the elevator.

Walking in Trunks' office, Akira grinned at Janice. ''I never liked her.'' Admitted Janice. ''From the day she started working here, she had her eye on Trunks.'' Akira pushed the jealous feeling down. ''You know Akira, you've changed him so much. The love he has for you is really above and beyond anything I've ever seen… You have nothing to worry about. He sees only you.''

The hybrid nodded. ''I know he loves me.. and I love him too.'' The older woman smiled and nodded. They continued chatting about life, Janice's grandkids and the pregnancy.

''These babies will be loved tremendously…'' She patted Akira's knee. ''And boy will they ever be gorgeous with a father like Trunks and a mother like you… talk about a great gene pool.''

Hearing this, Akira realized she never stopped to imagine what their kids would look like. Would they have lavender or black hair? Blue eyes? The thought made her smile. She still hadn't completely wrapped her head around the fact she was going to be a mother, that she was carrying life. She had wished for it many times but never thought it would ever be a possibility.

''If they are girls and turn out looking like their mother, my risk of getting arrested will exponentially become higher.'' Trunks' voice echoed from the doorway. He frowned at his statement. Akira rolled her eyes at him. ''Ready?''

''You don't have to stay?'' Technically it was a weekday and he should be working. He was spending less and less time at the office. He did work from home or from his cell phone quite often and came in for all his mandatory meetings. Akira worried about him juggling so many things at the same time… A normal Earthling life and a Saiyan life. Most of them seemed to handle it ok.. except Goku who struggled a little.. and well Vegeta had never even tried having a normal life… so that left the demi-Saiyans… Trunks was a demi-Saiyan but on top of the two facets of life they all had to deal with… he was also from a different timeline, with a different past, and as opposed to Gohan, his wife was not an Earthling.

''Janice?'' He raised an eyebrow at his secretary.

''No need to stay, Mr. Briefs. Just make sure to take the files on your desk and maybe have them couriered back here tomorrow. He's all yours, dear!'' The older woman winked and smiled at Akira, making her way back to her own desk.

''Want to grab a bite? I can't wait to show off my beautiful wife and her gorgeous bump to the whole world.'' They both knew the tabloids were just waiting on a picture proving all the rumors. Akira sighed. As if their life wasn't complicated enough, the Briefs had to be one of the richest and most influential families on the planet. ''Ready?'' He said as the elevator door opened to the building's lobby and they stepped out.

''Oh! wow! Mrs Briefs! You look great! Congratulations!''

''Thank you Jura!'' She replied, hearing Lucinda's mumbles.

Akira knew the rodeo now. Act normally. The paparazzi would snap a few pictures that would appear in the tabloids the next day. The PR team would probably have to do a press release confirming the situation and it would all simmer down after a week or two. She hated the attention but it was a small price to pay to be with the man she loved. Trunks tried shielding her from the media and all the circus as much as possible. He hated it himself and could only imagine the stress it put on his wife. Stepping outside, his hand tightened around hers as he made his way out first. The sooner they'd give them what they wanted, the sooner they'd be left alone. ''Ki?'' He said stopping on the sidewalk right outside the skyscraper.

''Yeah Trunks?'' She smiled as he turned to face her.

''All good? I'm sorry about all this.''

''With you beside me, always.'' She giggled as he kissed her knuckles. ''It's a small price to pay to be with you.'' She felt the babies move, took his hand and placed it on her bump. His smile widened at the feel of his babies moving around under his touch.

''I love you. You three.'' He said, kissing her forehead. ''Let's go eat, I'm starving.'' The statement made her laugh. Saiyans were always hungry. Her own appetite had increased at everyone's surprise and relief.

A few weeks later, they were all gathered at Capsule Corp trying to strategize. They needed a plan that would allow them to get to their target without triggering any hostilities with King Sadala or worse all of Universe 6. The other variable in the equation was to try and keep the fighting and threats as far away from Earth and Akira.

''Oh Aki, this came for you the other day.'' Bulma brought a thin box holding a card and put it on the table in front of Akira.

Trunks raised an eyebrow. He wasn't the sender and something about this whole situation felt personal. Pushing his jealousy down, he stood behind his wife and put his hands on her shoulders.

''Ohhh! a gift! Probably for the babies!'' Said an excited ChiChi. Ever since they had given the media the confirmation they wanted about Mrs Trunks Briefs expecting, it had happened on a few occasions that people would send them gifts. Normally to Capsule Corp building rather than his parents' home.

Opening the card and reading the content, Akira frowned.

Congratulations to the future mother… who would have thought. What a fairy tale.

Setting the card down, Trunks picked it up and read it out loud.

Akira's heart was racing as she lifted the top of the box. Her breath caught in her throat, releasing a small whimper.

The box contained a single book. Trunks felt her whole body tense. Her eyes widened and filled with tears. Her breathing had become ragged, as if she couldn't take a proper breath. She quickly closed the box and tried catching her breath.

''Ki? What is it?'' She shook her head, as tears started rolling down her cheeks. Trunks' anger rose at seeing his wife's reaction. He grabbed the box and opened it. He pulled out the book. Akira had placed her elbows on the table and her hands over her face.

''Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales.'' Read Bulma out loud. It was a classic albeit a little sinister. It recounted the real versions of most common fairy tales, as originally written, without the happy endings. A squeal escaped the blue haired woman's mouth.

''Woman! What is it? It's just a book! What's the matter?''

''It's from him… Kelian.'' Akira answered.

''Are you sure?'' Gently asked Goku. The girl nodded in response.

''It could be any book… from anyone… we can't be sure.'' Said Videl.

''No. I know it's from him. This is the book from my bookshelf back in my room at Dolion's. I know it, I sense it'' She paused, her voice cracking on every word. ''Kelian gifted it to me on one of his first visits… We.. we had talked about how the original stories never had a happy ending…''

''He's just trying to scare you Aki.''

''No Gohan… it's a message… a warning…''

''He's telling her that her fairy tale will not have a happy ending.'' Trunks spat the words with hate. ''Ki, look at me.. I won't let him near you.''

''I'm not worried for me, Trunks! This is a clear indication he's going after my loved ones.. after YOU, Trunks.'' She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. She was still trying to catch her breath and steady her heart but was failing miserably.

''Kiks, you need to breathe. Please. Breathe.'' Broly was worried for her health and the babies'. If the situation wasn't so ghastly, he would have seen the irony in him repeating the calming words she used to calm his beast.

Bulma kneeled in front of the young woman, holding both of Akira's hands in hers. Breathing in and out, willing the girl to follow her example. ''Inhale through the nose, exhale through your mouth.''

''I don't get why you're so scared Akira.. you killed him easily last time… Why are you so afraid this time around?'' Goten couldn't hold the question any longer. ChiChi could have murdered him with her eyes.

''I had nothing to lose back then.''

''You had nothing to fight for either Aki.'' Said Gohan. ''And this time around, you're not alone.''

Trunks was lost in his own head, his own anxiety creeping up between the ropes of his anger. Seeing Akira's pain and foreboding was clawing at his heart. He had to snap out of it. He needed her to calm down, for the sake of their unborn children. She was seven months into her pregnancy and if they could base themselves on earthling gestation, the chances of her making it to her due date were slim. Especially with all the stress she was under.

He picked her up, without uttering a single word under everyone's questioning looks. He lifted them up into the air and landed on the little island in the pond. Her tree was still there. He needed to be alone with her. ''Ki, look at me.. baby… look at me..'' He had put her down but was still holding her close. He was afraid she'd crumble to the ground if he let her go. She slowly lifted her face, her eyes locking into his. He brought one of his hands and placed it on her cheek, rubbing it with his thumb. ''We're ok. I'm ok. I need you to breathe. I need you to be ok to make sure they are ok.'' He rubbed her belly with his other hand. ''I'm here, I got you Ki.'' Her breathing slowed down. Her body was slowly relaxing under his touch. He leaned his forehead against hers and she closed her eyes. He could feel the kicks and movement in her belly. Even the babies were all worked up. He gently rubbed the precious bump, trying to soothe them too. He didn't know what else to do.

After a few minutes, she had relaxed a little and her breathing was closer to normal.

''Trunks, please.. don't go find him. I have a bad feeling about this.''

An insulted look crossed his face. Did she not trust him? Did she have so little faith in him?

''It's not that, Trunks. I… you won't let me go with you to protect you.'' She was worried about him.

''It's not only YOUR job to protect me… or any of us.. we are a family and we look out for each other. Not everything has to lay on your shoulders.''

''What if something happens to them? What if something happens to you, Trunks? All because of me…'' Her voice wavered at the thought. ''I can't do this'' She gestured to her bump ''without you.'' He hugged her, holding her against his body.

''I promise I'll be careful and not be reckless. I need to know you're safe. Maybe you should go back to Beerus'.''

She shook her head, no. ''I don't want to spend any more time away from you.''

He pursed his lips. ''Ready to go back? They are worried about you…''

She nodded.

As soon as they landed back on the main terrace, Broly walked towards Akira and hugged her. ''Ok?'' She nodded.

''At least now we know it's the son and he's here… or at least, he came here… Aki can you sense his Ki?'' She made her way back to the table. Vegeta had shot a Ki blast at the box and book, setting the gift on fire. There was only a little pile of ashes left. Meeting the King's gaze, she smiled a little.

She shook her head, no. ''I can't sense his Ki anywhere.. he's either really far or on a different planet altogether.''

''Ok, we need to know as much as possible about him, Aki…'' Gohan replied. He felt bad asking her to go down the horrible path of her past but the more they knew about their opponent, the better their chances would be.

Trunks glared at his best friend. ''It's ok Trunks… he's right.. the more I can remember and tell you, the better we can plan our offensive.'' Her past life felt like eons ago. Bulma brought her a glass of water. ''What do you want to know?''

''Everything… from who he is to how he fights and how he thinks. You can start by describing him?'' Said Broly.

Trunks felt her shudder under his touch. He was standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes for a moment. She took a deep breath in and opened them again. ''Kelian.. was..is… i guess around 43 years old now…'' She felt Trunks' hand squeeze her shoulders a little tighter. He had done the math… She was 16 the first time… she was 27 now… 11 years.. it meant he was 32… she was 16.. and she caught him with a 14yo a few years ago making him around 36 at that time. Trunks felt sick to his stomach. She lifted her head to look at him. He kissed the top of her head. ''He's about your height Goku and maybe around Yamcha's built? Back then anyway… I know his mother was Cerealian and he carries their typical green hair.. back then it was always down to his chin but buzzed on the sides. Kelian Sr was of Tuffle descent, I'm not sure what the other part was.''

Vegeta grunted upon hearing her mention the Cerealian race. ''Saiyans… almost eradicated the race under Frieza's orders. They were a mostly peaceful race though.''

''You wouldn't be able to tell based on Kelian… he.. is ruthless, almost barbaric. He's very smart and very self-contained but extremely sly, devious and manipulative. Every single one of his moves, thoughts, words is calculated. Hence.. the present being undoubtedly from him and his intentions clear. I was always able to read through his bullshit but I still fell for his game. Deep down I knew it was all a lie but I… really wanted to believe it, for it to be true I guess?'' She rubbed her fingers on her forehead, as if the thought alone was hurting her physically.

''You were so young…'' Said Videl, her eyes filling up with tears.

''He was normally calm and composed but when he would get angry… he would go completely ballistic. There was never an in-between.'' She heard both Broly and Trunks' growls. ''He wasn't one to compromise. He took what he wanted, when he wanted. He never cared about how any of it affected others. He completely lacked empathy.'' Akira inhaled sharply. How did she fall for him? He was the opposite of Trunks. ''Now I realize he was just cruel. He enjoyed inflicting pain on others.. like a predator toying with his prey. I often heard his father say how unhinged Kelian had been since he was little. He was and clearly still is out of his mind, you cannot underestimate him.''

''How good of a fighter is he?'' Finally Vegeta spoke.

''An extremely dirty one. He has no pride, no shame, no guilt, no boundaries. He has no sense of decency or morality, no compassion. He will go for the kill just for the thrill of ending a life. He is a good swordsman but he often gets too eager, when taunted enough, and will extend his arms far out, failing to protect his sides. He tends to get a little cocky in battle. He was never denied anything in life and so he feels entitled to be the best. His power level was higher than his father's when I first met them I guess because of his Cerealian genes.''

''So he's stronger than the Kelian we met when Frieza came?'' Asked Goku. She nodded.

''And he has much more battle experience. His father didn't like getting his hands dirty while he lived for it. So the senior would let him run wild to sooth his need for violence.''

''Had you ever fought him before…'' Asked Gohan. She shook her head, no.

''He didn't think I could ever beat him. He always had the upper hand in… bed.'' She felt Trunks stiffen at the comment. ''He didn't take my anger into consideration. He thought I was being jealous because I loved him. I wasn't jealous; because I didn't care for him, but the girl.. she was just a child.. It made me so angry, the fire in me had been trapped for so long, it was pushing, wanting out. The bracelet was preventing it until… the village.''

''But if Frieza was behind the massacre of his mother's whole race, how could he work with him?'' Bulma asked.

''He has no honor. No boundaries. He does what he wants no matter the consequences.''

''Eeeesh and they wanted you to have a baby with him?!'' asked Goku. His question was innocent. ''Sorry Aki.. I didn't mean it like that.'' He added after hearing Trunks' grunt. She put her hand over her husband's as if to calm his anger.

''I had never thought about having kids until Kelian said I couldn't… but I never WANTED to have kids until.. I met you.'' She said lifting her face to look into the ocean blues she had drowned in so long ago. Trunks bent down and softly kissed her, bringing his hand protectively over her bump. ''You can't let him get into your head… any of you. You have to keep your guards up at all times. He will not be alone. He was his father's second in command and had his own squad. They are even stronger than Dolion's minions were.'' Her heart sank. She had been the one to fight Duria and Locat. She was the one who had killed them, after her inner beast had started taking control of her. Broly saw the look on her face.

''Kiks, it's ok.. it'll be ok. We're all here together, we have each others' backs.'' He was telling her he'd watch out for Trunks. She nodded. ''And then we'll have to deal with Frieza… again… and then Russels.''

''Leave him to me.'' Barked Vegeta hearing the name of the Consul.

''I think it would be safer if you and Aki stayed here for a while, Trunks.'' Softly said Bulma to her son. ''When you go to work, your father and Broly will be here in case he shows up again.'' She heard Kale clear her throat. ''Ah yes of course…. and Kale!'' Akira smiled at her sister-in-law.

''Ow!'' The hybrid suddenly shouted, flinching, bringing her hand to the side of her bump. Instantly regretting it after seeing Trunks, Broly and Vegeta's panicked faces.

''And.. if they decide to come early… I'll be there and I can call Whis!'' Finished the scientist. Akira wasn't human and the babies were a completely new species themselves, taking her to a regular Dr or an Earthling hospital was not an option. The plan was to have Whis present to help like he had done for Bulma when Bulla was born.