Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Princess' Arrival ❯ The Princess' Arrival ( Chapter 4 )

Before I get anymore concerned emails or reviews about this chapter…

It's hard enough to add any religious aspects to any story, because there are so many types and so many that just don't believe in it. So here it is: Yes, there is a rather short and devout moment in this story, and its there because it works. And if I haven't said this before, this is an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE STORY, so when reading the section I'm speaking of and you're saying "What the…?", please keep that in mind.

Just a small note to thank everyone who reviewed, and waited PATIENTLY for this chapter! As a treat, it's super long… get your tissues ready! ~_^

And a big Thanx to Meliza Mac for beta reading this story! Like one writer once said, "Behind every good writer is a good beta reader!" ~_^

The Princess' Arrival

Chapter Four - The Princess' Arrival

Written by Gokusgirl

*Lyrics insert This Woman's Work by Maxwell.

He awoke, finding her already up for the morning. He yawned, stretching cat-like as he heard the sound of the shower running. He smirked, remembering what happened last night. She surprised him, relieving him of several weeks of tension and stress with her soft caresses and kisses. But there was no way he could leave her not satisfied, so in turn he surprised her, gently pushing her on her back as he slowly untied her gown. Oh, the look she gave him! He replayed the moment in his mind as he stretched again…

"What are you doing?" Bulma asked nervously. Vegeta never responded as he continued to open up the front of her gown, revealing her swollen breasts, full of milk for their child's arrival. He clasped one in his hand lightly, eliciting a small whimper from Bulma. His marveled at the firmness of it, and the mere wonder of how her body was preparing itself. He smiled, a thumb running over the taut pink nipple, thinking to himself how he and the new baby would fight to be at her breast. His mouth lowered down to catch the nipple in his mouth, taking care of the sensitive nub as his tongue flicked across it. He gently squeezed as he suckled, drawing it in and out of his mouth until he was rewarded with a surprise of the warm sticky fluid he had successfully drawn out. He licked his lips, noting the sweet taste of her colostrum, eager to obtain more. He felt her tremble beneath him, her hands holding onto his shoulders tightly. He looked up at her, and she was gasping with half-lidded eyes, still quaking from his touch. His eyes traveled down to her stomach, and he let both hands smooth across her roundness. He kissed her pregnant stomach, and he continued downward. Realizing what he was doing, Bulma sat up suddenly.

"What's wrong?" Vegeta whispered.

"We can't do this…" Bulma said almost to brink of tears as she looked away. Vegeta tilted his head, puzzled at her sudden reaction. He placed a hand to her cheek, making her look at him.

"Why?" He asked.

"I look so horrible… and in my condition-"

"Woman, listen to me," Vegeta spoke, his voice sounding deep and so full of admiration for her. "You are so beautiful… you have no idea how sexy you are right now, full with my child." He leaned forward to kiss her, then bit her nose playfully. "Besides… you have already shown me tonight there are other ways to make love, so shut up and relax."

Bulma chuckled, caressing his face as he lowered his head to continue. She laid back, sighing blissfully as Vegeta gave her pleasure beyond pleasures that evening, sending her to the depths of ecstasy and back again…

He was so careful with her, and yet he still felt he didn't give her enough. She told him she was thoroughly satisfied, and he curled up with her afterward and fell into a dreamless sleep. But this was a first, the woman was up before him today, and he had already overslept for his training. Oh well, Vegeta thought as he got up pulling on a pair of shorts. I'll spend some time with the woman today; she would like that.

He padded over to the bathroom and placed his hand on the doorknob when it wouldn't open. He frowned. Why would she lock him out? He jiggled the doorknob again; to be sure he wasn't mistaken. Then he heard her. It was a faint, low moan on the other side of the door, and then he heard a whimper. Panic swept through him as his hand tightened on the doorknob, ready to tear it from its hinges. He stopped himself, exhaling sharply as he struggled to control his temper.

"Bulma!" Vegeta shouted excitedly. "Open this door woman!"

It took a moment before he got an answer. "I can't… I'm in the shower." Bulma said meekly on the other side of door.

That was all the permission he needed. With hardly any effort at all, Vegeta twisted the doorknob until it bent out of its frame, easily letting him inside the bathroom. He rushed in, his heart thumping against his chest as he made way to the shower stall. He could already see the silhouetted figure of Bulma slumped on the shower floor. He opened the shower stall door, and found her kneeling, her aqua blue hair wet and sticking to her face, and her hands grasping her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Vegeta said without even thinking as he entered the shower with his shorts on.

"I s-started getting p-pains," Bulma gasped. "I think the baby's coming."

Vegeta eyes widened with horror. "But… you're not due for another three weeks!"

"Try telling that to the baby," Bulma moaned. Vegeta knelt down beside her, putting his arm around her to comfort her as she panted through a contraction. When it was over, Bulma inhaled wearily, resting her head on his shoulder. Vegeta's eyes roamed over her body, and then he noticed the light crimson trail that ran from under Bulma and twirled into the shower drain. Vegeta paled.

"You're bleeding," Vegeta choked out, grasping her shoulders to make her look up at him. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have-"

"You're wrong," Bulma said in a low tone. "What you did last night didn't bring this on. I think my water broke, that's all."

"It's not supposed to be that color," Vegeta informed her, his voice rising. "Can you stand?"

"I think so," Bulma said as she clenched tightly to his arm. He helped her to stand, and then he picked her up to carry her into the bedroom. He sat her softly on the edge of the bed, caressing her head as he kneeled down to look at her closely. Bulma nodded, letting him know for the time being she was all right, and he dashed back into the bathroom and pulled out several thick towels from the closet. He came back into the bedroom, handing her a towel to dry herself off when their bedroom door opened. It was Trunks, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He always climbed into their bed early in the mornings, and he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the urgent look on his father's face.

"What's the matter?" Trunks said with fear seeping from his voice.

"Your mother is in labor," Vegeta said in an excited tone. "Go get your grandmother… have her bring the car around… NOW!" Trunks turned and ran down the hallway, screaming his grandmother's name.

"Vegeta… calm down." Bulma said as she toweled her hair.

"I am calm," Vegeta shouted excitedly, failing miserably at hiding the panic in his voice. Pulling open a drawer to get her some clothes. He pulled out a pair of jogging pants and a sweatshirt, sticking his nose up at the articles. "Can you wear these?"

"Yeah, give them here," Bulma said faintly. He handed her the clothes and she put them on slowly, making Vegeta very agitated.

"Hurry woman!" Vegeta ordered. Bulma glared up at him as she stood to pull the sweat pants up over her hips.

"Who's having this baby, you or me?" Bulma snapped angrily. "I can go but so fast!"

"We're both having it, now put your socks and shoes on while I put some clothes on." Vegeta said walking away from her to find him some clothes. After pulling on his jeans and a tee shirt, he turned to look at Bulma still sitting on the edge of the bed, looking quite pale. He looked at her feet and growled; she was still bare foot. His eyes went back up to her face again, and he noticed her eyes rolling back into her head as she fell backwards onto the bed. "BULMA!" Vegeta yelled as he ran back over to her, grabbing her up in his arms as she shook her lightly to wake her. But it was too late.

******

"How long have they been in there?" Goku asked Bulma's mother, who sat next to her husband in the waiting room of the hospital.

"It's been a while… maybe two hours, or more," Bulma's mother said in a depressed tone. "Oh Goku… it was horrible! To see Bulma being carried out of the house unconscious… and the look on Vegeta's face…"

"Well she's where she needs to be now," Goku assured her as she rubbed her shoulder. "It'll be okay."

No one responded to that; because no one was sure if it was going to be okay. Goku sighed and walked back over to Chichi, who was pacing the floor already with worry. The waiting room fell silent as they waited for someone to tell them what was happening just beyond the gray door at the end of hall…

******

As much as she wanted children; she seemed to forget the pain that went along with it. The numbing, antagonizing pain that first started in the small of her back, and then slowly radiating all over her body; especially in her nether regions. The pain was so indescribable, so inexplicable that you didn't know whether standing, sitting, or lying down would make it go away. And then as quickly as the pain came, it left. Leaving you exhausted, anxious and just ready to consider death over any option rather than having the pain again.

She awoke in the hospital, with Vegeta standing over her with a worried look on his face. She couldn't register what he was saying to her at first, but she knew her fainting scared him. She squinted her eyes from the bright lights in the room, and she groaned as she felt yet another contraction approach.

"I said are you okay?" Vegeta repeated himself to her, grasping her hand tightly.

"Umm… yeah," Bulma croaked. "I need some water."

"Not yet Bulma," Dr. Andrews said as he walked into the room. "I'm glad you're up now. We need to check your dilation."

"Her dial-what?" Vegeta asked.

"He needs to see how far I've dilated." Bulma said pulling herself up a little. Vegeta stepped back to give the doctor room to work, but growled when he saw him pull the sheets up over Bulma's legs and raise her legs up in a very familiar way to get them spread. Vegeta instantly grabbed hold of the doctor's gloved hand before it reached its destination.

"What the hell do you think you're doing to her?" Vegeta demanded. "I'm the only one who puts anything there!"

"Vegeta," Bulma said with her cheeks red with embarrassment. "This is his job; he has to check to see how far I've dilated."

"You can step around here to see what I'm doing, if you like." Dr. Andrews suggested to Vegeta.

"If you think I'm going to watch you touch my wife you're mistaken!" Vegeta hissed, narrowing his eyes viciously at the now frightened doctor.

"Dr. Andrews, can you give us a minute, please?" Bulma asked.

"Certainly," Dr. Andrews said as he walked out.

"What are trying to do?" Bulma yelled at Vegeta. "Get me kicked out of this hospital?"

"He's not going to touch you," Vegeta warned.

"Vegeta… remember what we learned in Lamaze? About the stages of labor?"

"Hm."

"Well do you remember when they talked about my body has to open up in order to deliver? Well that's what he's checking. Remember?"

Vegeta stood there, his hands on his hips as he thought. He sighed as he remembered the instructor babble on about that particular subject, and his frown deepened.

"That's the only way he can tell how far I've dilated… he's not trying to steal me away from you. Please… let him do his job."

"Alright," Vegeta said gruffly. He walked over and opened the door, letting the doctor back in. "I'll get you some water while he… checks you."

"Thank you, Vegeta." Bulma said with a faint smile.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, Goku and the others flocked over to him, anxious to know what was happening. He winced inwardly, not really wanting to be bothered by the woman's family or friends… especially Goku with his goofy grin.

"What's going on in there Vegeta?" Dr. Brief's asked putting an arm around his wife.

"She's in labor," Vegeta sarcastically scoffed, annoyed at his question. He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets as they stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "The doctor is checking her… dilation." He was glad he remembered that word.

"Oh yes…that's quite important," Mrs. Briefs said with a nod. "Is she doing alright Vegeta?"

"Yes… now if you'll excuse me, she needs something to drink." Vegeta turned and walked up the hallway to the snack room, and suddenly heard his rival's voice behind him. He growled, continuing on, hoping he would give up talking to him and go sit down with the others.

"Hey Vegeta," Goku said happily, slapping him hard on the back as he caught up with him. "You okay?"

"Kakarott," Vegeta seethed under his breath, stopping in his tracks. He looked at Goku with fire in his eyes. "Touch me again and I'll kill you." He continued on, and Goku did as well, never paying any attention to the smaller Saiyan's warnings.

As they walked into the snack room, Vegeta dug down into his pockets for some change and suddenly forgot he didn't bring any. He grumbled angrily and began to walk out when Goku handed him a dollar. He looked it and then at Goku, quickly snatching out of his hands.

"I guess you tagging along did come out to be a blessing," Vegeta sneered as he put the dollar into the machine and hit the square for the bottled water.

"Are you doing alright Vegeta?" Goku asked again, this time with much concern.

"I am doing as well as can be expected," Vegeta snapped. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I know this is sort of new for you… seeing a baby being born, so I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything you wanted to ask me."

Vegeta rolled his eyes with disgust at such a suggestion. "Now why would I want to ask you anything?"

"Because I've been there," Goku replied. "Well, at least for Gohan's birth. It's not easy. So if you want to ask-"

"I won't," Vegeta interrupted. "I don't want to listen to your dribble."

Vegeta began to storm out of the room, and then stopped, his back to Goku. He fist tightened around the water bottle, and he turned his head slightly to the side, eyeing Goku out the corner of his eye.

"Not that I'm asking…" Vegeta began. Goku's face lit up, placing his hands on his hips. "But how much longer does this take? I can't get a direct answer out of the doctor."

"It could take minutes… hours maybe," Goku said as he starched his head. "But don't keep asking how much longer… it only pissed Chichi off. She said she wasn't an egg timer."

"Hm," Vegeta said with a nod, probably as thanks for the advice. He continued to walk out, but Goku stopped him with his hand on his shoulder. Vegeta looked down at the Saiyan's hand; surely he told him that he would kill him if he did it again. He finally looked at the face that was connected to that hand, and Goku was smiling warmly at him. "What?"

"Send her my best, Vegeta." Goku said simply. Vegeta looked away, and grunted, again acknowledging what Goku said as he walked out. This time, Goku didn't follow.

******

It was going into the six hour of her labor, and Bulma was catching hell.

And all the Saiyan Prince could do was watch in horror. He held her hand so tightly he feared he would break it. It was so bizarre; it seemed like there was nothing the doctor could do for her anymore, she did all the work. Bulma was exhausted, tired, hungry and in so much pain it infuriated Vegeta. In all the days of his life, he never felt so powerless. Just as she was about to deliver the head, Vegeta finally got the courage to look down to see what was going on… and it mortified him. There was so much blood… and the baby… he felt the bile rise in his throat as he quickly looked away. How could he do this to her? And how… did she do it alone last time?

"Alright Bulma… one more push should get the head all the way out." The doctor instructed. "On the next contraction, I need you give it all you got and push hard."

Bulma nodded wearily, her hair damp with sweat and her face pale with exhaustion. Holding tightly to Vegeta's hand, she felt the contraction approach. He pulled herself up, bearing down as Vegeta helped her come forward to push. He noticed the intense look on her face, and the way she gritted her teeth as she pushed all the way through, finally letting out a guttural shriek of pain. The doctor applauded her, and the nurses rushed over quickly. At that moment, everything went in slow motion for Vegeta. He saw the baby come out, and doctor quickly grasp it by its neck with one hand and holding its body with the other. His heart stopped beating when he laid eyes on the babe, all covered with it amniotic fluids and blood, and he felt his knees give out on him. Then he heard it. It sounded like a kitten almost, but it was the sweetest sound that ever played across his ears… the baby cried.

"It's a girl!" The doctor announced happily.

Bulma finally laid back, feeling weak as ever as she smiled, kissing Vegeta's hand. She looked over at him, and she saw how he was in a trance. He finally looked at her, and she could have sworn for a moment there could have been a tear in his eye. He leaned close to her, rubbing her face softly as he kissed her.

"Vegeta," Bulma whispered, and suddenly she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore. Her head rolled to the side as she blacked out, and Vegeta eyes widened with fear. He shook her lightly, but she didn't respond.

"Something wrong," Vegeta said aloud, gaining the doctor's attention. The doctor quickly cut the baby's cord and gave the baby to the nurses to attend to, and he checked Bulma's pulse. "What's wrong with her?" Vegeta said struggling to remain calm.

"Just what I had feared," The doctor said grimly. "She's hemorrhaging badly. Nurse, I need you to bring me about 5 cc's of AB positive in here stat… I'm going to see if I can get her deliver the placenta."

The nurse ran out of the room, and soon more medical staff came in quickly to assist the doctor. A nurse, put a hand on Vegeta's shoulder as he watched in total disbelief at what was happening. He glared at the nurse, wanting to know answers, now.

"Sir…we're going to have to ask you to leave now," The nurse said calmly, guiding him out of the room. Vegeta stopped and shook the hand off his shoulder, attempting to walk back into the delivery room. The nurse stepped in front of him, a pleading look on her face. "Sir, please. We have to take care of her now… we will call you back in as soon as we can control the bleeding." At first, Vegeta was about to tell her whom she was dealing with, and blast her. But he knew that deep down, she was right. He couldn't do anything for her. He hesitantly nodded as the nurse turned and closed the double doors in his face. He could hear the medical staff in there, shouting and working frantically for Bulma's life. And there he stood, yet feeling that same feeling when he was unable to beat Frezia, ascending to being a super Saiyan, beating Kakarott… absolute defeat.

"Vegeta?" Mrs. Briefs said fearfully as she walked over to him. He was still standing there, looking at the door, oblivious to everything and everyone around him. He suddenly was brought out of his trance when a firm hand shook him, and he spun around defensibly, his eyes flashing with anger. He saw the group standing there, and they noted the grim look on Vegeta's face that didn't quite exhibit good news.

"Vegeta," Goku whispered stepping up to the Saiyan Prince. "What happened?"

Vegeta still couldn't register what was being said; his mind was on fire. His head pounded with a numb pain as he suddenly felt like he was going to vomit right there. He blinked, grasping hold of the wall to support himself. Mrs. Briefs quickly went over to him, pulling on his shirt as she began to scream.

"What has happened to Bulma?" Mrs. Briefs said with tears in her eyes.

He stared at her for a moment, and swallowed deeply. "She had a girl," Vegeta muttered. The group sighed with relief with the news, but as Mrs. Briefs stared at Vegeta, she knew that wasn't all of it. "She's… losing a lot of blood."

"What?" Goku said excitedly.

"They're working on her now," Vegeta said directly to Bulma's mother. "There was nothing I could do."

Mrs. Briefs shook her head, and burst into tears. She laid her head on Vegeta's shoulder, beating a fist on his chest. Everyone moved away from the door to sit down, and Mrs. Briefs finally sat down next to her husband to console her. A few moments later, Dr. Andrews came out the double doors slowly, pulling the surgical cap off his head as he approached the family. Vegeta stood, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes momentarily to mentally prepare himself for whatever the doctor was about to say, but he knew he would not be easy.

"I just want to let you know that the baby passed all its apgar scores and she's in perfect health," Dr. Andrews began. Then his eyes fell directly on Vegeta. "Bulma has lost a considerable amount of blood. We were able to give her a blood transfusion… but by her having such a rare blood type we have ran out of its supply. If we can't find a donor within the next several hours… she could die."

"What do you mean she'll die?" Vegeta growled as he stepped closer to the doctor. "Didn't you know she was bleeding this badly?"

"It couldn't be helped Vegeta," Dr. Andrews said shaking his head. "If we could have caught in time… she was already hemorrhaging before she came into the hospital. Our main concern was the delivery of the baby."

Vegeta eyes narrowed as he grabbed a handful of the doctor's white coat as he slammed him against the wall. "And what about her? You're going to risk my wife's life for a child that hasn't been born yet?"

"Vegeta!" Goku gasped, pulling him away from the doctor. "You're talking about your child."

"I know that you fool. And being a Saiyan, I know that the child will survive. These doctor's main concern should have taking care of Bulma, and not focusing on their next guinea pig!"

"That is not it at all Vegeta," Dr. Andrews said assuredly.

"Really? Well I tell you this Dr. Andrews," Vegeta said getting very close to the man, making him shake with fear. "My Bulma dies… you die."

"But we need more blood… to save her!" Dr. Andrews choked out.

"Alright," Dr. Briefs said finally as he stepped forward. "The wife and I shall give her some of our blood."

"You can't," Dr. Andrews said stepped back from Vegeta slowly. "Even though she's AB positive like you are… it's formed a different strain over the last six years. The chances of finding another person with the same blood type would be-"

"Standing right in front of you," Vegeta said crossing his arms at his chest as he began to smile.

******

I know you got a little life in you left

I know you got a lotta strength left

I should be cryin' but I just can't let it show

I should be hopin' but I can't stop thinkin'…

For the next couple of hours, Vegeta stood vigil over Bulma's sleeping form as he watched the small machines run their diagnostics on her vitals, caressing her face softly as he spoke to her in his native tongue. And then he would wonder down to the nursery, his palms pressed to the glass, as he looked down at his daughter… his daughter. He regretted he wasn't excited over Trunks' birth; everything seemed to be happening all at once for him at that point of his life. But he knew that Trunks would be exceptional child, even for a hybrid. But this… this gave him a feeling in his belly that made him want to shield her; defend her… like he did with Bulma. He also felt an enormous sense of pride as he continued to gaze at her, the second child born to the Royal house of Vegeta, his legacy would continue. He sighed, thinking to himself that this one would control his life as well.

He wandered through the corridors of the hospital silently, his body fatigued but his mind awoke with so many questions… one of them seemed to repeat itself over and over was:

Will she live?

…All the things we should've said that was never said

And all the things we should've done that we never did

All the things we should've given, but I didn't

Oh darlin'…make it go

Make it go away

He was grateful that bonding shared more that their minds and spirits. The body… the most important thing, the sharing of each other's blood through a passionate bite made it possible that Bulma's blood type eventually turned into his. Vegeta volunteered anxiously, anything to save her life. After giving the blood, all Dr. Andrews could tell them that they had to wait and see if it took in her system. So now she laid dormant, intravenous units hooked up to her and machines beeping all about her… it was more than the Prince could bear to see. But he swore he was not leaving. No matter what would happen, he made a solemn promise to himself and the woman's mother that he would never run away from his responsibility ever again.

Vegeta found himself on a floor of the hospital he'd never been on before, and he looked about the dimly lit corridor until he heard someone whispering. Having highly sensitive ears, it sounded like Bulma's mother. He followed the voice until he came upon a vast room, with rows of chairs that looked like benches. And in the very front of the room, there was a huge cross with a beam of light from the ceiling, and Mrs. Briefs, kneeling in front of it. Her head was down and her hands were clasped tightly together. She never noticed Vegeta's presence as she continued to whisper to herself, chocking back her small sobs. He stood in the doorway silently, not sure if he was intruding. She finally finished, and she raised her head and wiped her face as she stood to walk out. She gasped when she saw Vegeta standing there, and she smiled.

"That was a very courageous thing you did today," Mrs. Briefs said lightly as she walked up to him. "Giving Bulma your blood. Thank you, Vegeta."

"Thanks is not necessary," Vegeta said crisply. "I did what needed to be done." He looked around the room, and then backs at Bulma's mother. "What is this place?"

"This is the hospital's chapel," Mrs. Briefs said as she looked around the room. "People come here to say prayers for their loved ones when they are sick or dy-" She stooped mid sentence. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she covered her mouth to hold back a sob. "I have to go… everyone is waiting for me downstairs." She gave Vegeta an unexpected hug, kissing him on the cheek. "Please call us if her conditions worsens, or if she wakes up-"

"I will woman. Go home and get some rest." Vegeta assured her. She nodded and began to walk out, but looked at him again.

"Say a prayer for her," Mrs. Briefs said earnestly.

"I don't know how," Vegeta said looking away from her, feeling suddenly ashamed. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he gazed at the woman once more.

"What better time to start than now?" Mrs. Briefs said with a smile. "You cannot fathom the power of prayer." With that, she walked out.

Vegeta sat down in the bench in the back of room, staring at the huge cross. He remembered Bulma trying to drag him to church numerous times and her bubbling over about her religion. He wanted nothing to do with it. It was enough getting use to earth's customs, but worshiping someone he couldn't see…?

"Go pray to your imaginary god," Vegeta scoffed as he flopped back on the couch of the living room. Bulma stood over him, dressed in her Sunday's finest, arms akimbo and furious of the Saiyan not joining her. "Tell him or her I said 'yo'."

"Don't mock Vegeta," Bulma said tapping an impatient foot. "Don't you believe there's a higher power out there, something so divine and awesome that makes all things possible?"

"I believe," Vegeta said standing up, wrapping his arms around Bulma's waist as he pulled her near. "That I am the strongest in the Universe."

"Hm," Bulma said looking deeply into onyx pools as he smirked back at her. "My Prince… you're going to find out one day that even your strength alone won't be enough."

"I'll wait for that day woman," Vegeta said he lowered his head down to kiss her softly. "But until then, I'll rely on what I know."

"I know nothing," Vegeta spoke aloud to himself as he buried his face in his hands. He looked through his fingers again at the cross, the only thing that was lit in the entire room. He sat up, biting his lower lip as he looked around to see if anyone was around. He stood, almost too afraid to approach the alter where the huge symbol stood.

I should be cryin' but I just can't let it go

I should be hopin' but I can't stop thinkin' and thinkin' and thinkin'

All the things we should've said that we never said

All the things we should've done that we never did…

Vegeta couldn't shake the feeling of being intimidated by such a thing. After all, it was an inanimate object. He began to kneel, remembering how Bulma's mother did, and he hesitantly clasped his hands together. He let his chin rest on his hands as cleared his throat, finding it difficult to speak.

All the things that you wanted from me

All the things that you needed from me

All the things we should've given, but I didn't

Oh darlin'…make it go

Just make it go away…

"I've never done this before," Vegeta said gruffly, and he cleared his voice again. "But the woman said that you're willing to listen if I should speak… grant if I should ask." Vegeta paused for a moment, and then looked up the cross; suddenly astonished at its enormity, and the way it illuminated. "I ask that you spare her… I know that's a lot coming from a man with blood on his hands, but… she's all I have now. I failed her; long ago when she had our first child. I thought it would make a difference if I was here now when she had our second child, but fate reared its ugly head again.

"I never felt so helpless as I did today. I am the almightily Prince of the Saiyans, capable of feats that man himself cannot comprehend. And I could not save her. I have failed her once more…" Vegeta felt his body shake as tears ran down his face for the second time in his life, overwhelmed with emotion that had been bottled up inside him for so long. " I would gladly trade places with her this instant, anything… just to have her smile at me once more… just so I could tell her I love her once more…" Vegeta buried his face in his hands once again, feeling so silly for talking to himself. He stood, looking up at the cross once more as he wiped his face. Strangely, he did feel better, a little humiliated, but relieved. He walked out of the room quickly and dashed for the elevator to take him back to his Bulma, suddenly feeling that even in the mist of this very bleak hour, things were going to take a turn for the better.

******

Vegeta stopped by the nursery to glance at his baby girl before going to Bulma's room, and noticed her bassinet empty. He slammed a hand on the glass, getting the attention of the nurse inside. She stepped up to door and stuck her head out.

"Sir, do you mind. There are other babies in here!" The nurse snapped.

"Where is the Brief's baby?" Vegeta ordered.

"With her mother," The nurse simply stated, and Vegeta's eyes widened. "It was feeding time."

"You mean-" Vegeta stuttered, not believing what he just heard. "She's awake?"

"Yes," The nurse said smiling. "She woke up about twenty minutes ago. We tired looking for you, but we knew you just stepped out. She demanded to see the baby at once!"

Vegeta couldn't contain himself as he sprinted down the hallway, hearing the nurse tell him congratulations happily.

Vegeta nearly knocked the door down to her private room, and Bulma gasped at his loud entry. He stood there for a moment, taking in the wondrous view of Bulma holding their baby close to her breast, and then his gaze lifted up to her sweet face… his prayer was answered indeed.

He walked over quickly, embracing her the best way he could with her holding the baby. "I wanted to be here when you awoke-"

"It's alright," Bulma said sweetly as she caressed his face. "The doctor told me you left to get some air." She looked down at her daughter, pulling back the receiving blanket so she could see more of her. "Isn't she something?"

"She's my princess," Vegeta noted, a finger trailing her soft cheeks. "And I have a name for her."

"You do? Is it Vegeta?" Bulma laughed.

"No…Bra. Her name will be Bra."

Bulma frowned, looking up at Vegeta questionably. "My daughter named after an undergarment?"

"In the Saiyan tongue, Bra means beautiful." Vegeta said sincerely smiling back at his mate. Bulma smiled, and then looked back down at her daughter once more.

"Hm… Princess Bra." Bulma said aloud, seeing if it sounded acceptable. "I like it."

"Bulma," Vegeta said to her, and she looked up at him again.

"Oh no… this is serious," Bulma laughed lightly. "You never say my name unless it's important."

"And it is," Vegeta said holding her hand tightly. "I love you so much. I want you to know that, always."

A smile crept across Bulma's lips as she kissed him. "It's something I already know Vegeta… it's something I already know."

The End