You're WHAT?! Chapter 6: The Moment of Truth

Vegeta grunted from the effort of finishing his last push-up in the extreme gravity that his most prized possession simulated. Nimbly, he sprung back up onto his feet and walked over to the internal controls. Vegeta took a deep breath and prepared himself for the momentary, dizzying sensation he always felt when returning back to Earth's gravity after spending numerous hours in the weighted atmosphere. The chamber made a low hum as it deactivated, and Vegeta felt as though his body was as light as a feather. With the room's gravity returned to normal, Vegeta began stretching to make sure he wouldn't be sore later on this evening. Stretching out his arms, the prince finally started thinking about the stubborn, pain-in-the-ass that he called mate.

While it was true that Vegeta was slightly concerned about the conversation that Trunks had overheard earlier this afternoon, he truly did not believe that his wife was dying. Sure, there was that ghost of a chance, but Vegeta would bet his birthright that death was not his mate's fate at this time. The Saiyan Prince was many things, but stupid was not one of them. He had an idea as to what was wrong with his wife; he just didn't want to jump to conclusions. It was best to wait and have all the facts before one made a deduction, that way you were never made out to be a fool. So, he would be patient and wait until dinner to see what the doctor had told Bulma. Besides, Vegeta wasn't going to complain. He was getting a special meal and the boy was out of the house, a fact he planned to use to his advantage later. Vegeta stopped at that thought and smirked evilly. The woman needed to be "punished" after the little performance she had put on this afternoon. No one, wife or not, slammed him into the ground using dirty, underhanded tactics and got away with it unscathed. Knowing his little minx, she was probably planning on such a punishment. Then again, with whatever she had to tell him tonight, perhaps she wasn't planning on any extra-circular activities.

Finishing up the stretching of his quads, Vegeta decided that, regardless of what the woman was expecting tonight, he was not going to take no for an answer. He had been deprived for four whole days due to this mystery illness, and he would wait no longer, especially if his theory proved to be true. Grabbing a towel and slinging it around his neck, Vegeta exited his home away from home and headed toward his bedroom. He had exactly one hour before dinner was to commence. That would give him enough time to take an extra long shower. Not that he would admit it to anyone but himself, and that was pushing it, but Vegeta was feeling a little tense. These last couple of days had required too much concern for Vegeta's liking. He didn't like having to solve problems by tapping into his emotions. Nurturing was not in the prince's programming. He preferred problems that required something getting blasted as a means of remedy, kind of like Trunks' toaster issue.

Walking into the master bedroom, Vegeta was a little disappointed to find the room empty. Bulma must be getting the finishing touches done on dinner, or avoiding him. Probably a little of both, he figured. The Saiyan Prince quickly stripped out of his spandex training shorts and threw them and the towel into the laundry hamper when he entered the adjoining bathroom. Vegeta turned on the water in the shower and let in run. Moving to stand in front of the mirror, Vegeta looked at his reflection and started examining at his profile, first from the left side and then from the right. He always wondered what he would look like if he were to grow out a beard or mustache. His father had had a goatee and Vegeta always thought it made him look more fearsome and intimidating. Would it do the same thing for him? Then again, his father was a bigger man than he was. Perhaps it would just look stupid on him. Well for the time being, Vegeta was content to stay clean-shaven. Maybe some time in the future he would change his mind and grow out a mustache, it couldn't be that bad, right? Satisfied that the water was properly warmed, Vegeta stepped into the heated spray and emptied his mind of all thoughts as the water relaxed his tense body.

Bulma straightened her dress as she waited in the dining room for Vegeta. He was late. Not that it truly surprised her. That man was probably just sitting up in their room so that he would be late on purpose, knowing that it would annoy the hell out of her. Well, he wasn't going to get the satisfaction of pushing her buttons tonight. She was just going to pretend to not even notice his tardiness. Bulma was bound and determined to make everything as perfect as possible tonight. She wanted to get Vegeta into a good mood, well, as good of a mood as he ever got into. She smiled as she felt the fabric of her dress: a royal blue silk. Blue was Vegeta's favorite color, and Bulma knew that it would take all of her husband's control to not reach out and caress the fabric of her dress. Bulma wanted Vegeta to be focused on her and the passion she knew she elicited in him. She wanted his thoughts of how much he loved her and lusted for her to be first and foremost in his mind when she broke her news to him. Perhaps then he wouldn't be upset with the knowledge that a new member of the royal family was on its way.

Bulma felt a hand brush across her shoulder to finger the strap of her dress and she gasped, whirling around in her seat to find her mate smirking down at her. Oh how she hated his stealthy movements. Any annoyance Bulma felt was short-lived when she truly looked at Vegeta. He stood before her in a white button down shirt, with just enough buttons undone to show off his chest, and a pair of pressed black slacks. Rarely did Vegeta make an attempt to dress up and so, Bulma was pleasantly surprised to see her prince looking so debonair. He looked downright sexy, and the worst thing was, he knew it too! Damn. And here she was trying to be the one to seduce him.

Vegeta didn't say a word as he walked around the table to take his seat on the opposite side of his mate. Although he wouldn't tell her at the moment, she looked absolutely stunning. In fact, she looked so good Vegeta was tempted to postpone dinner so that he could have his dessert first. As much as he may want to ravage the woman before him, he restrained himself. The woman had gone through great strides to make a special evening and he was going to play by her rules for once.

Once both were seated, the kitchen bots started bringing out the food for the first course of their meal. The blue-haired scientist had a special menu arranged so that hopefully none of the food would cause her to feel any nausea. She did not want the dinner to be ruined because she was constantly running to the bathroom. Bulma glanced over at Vegeta, unsure of how to start up a conversation. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this nervous around her husband. Vegeta noticed how uncomfortable his wife was and decided to do something to break the ice. At this rate, he figured, he would never learn what the woman wanted to tell him.

"So, did you ever find out what was wrong with the boy?" Vegeta asked. He smirked as he noticed Bulma's shock that he was starting a conversation.

"No. But I think it had something to do with me." Bulma replied, grateful that Vegeta wasn't immediately grilling her as to what the doctor had told her. Vegeta chuckled at her response.

"I'll say it did. He overheard your conversation with your mother this afternoon." Vegeta said with slight amusement. His amusement faded as Bulma dropped her fork in surprise and it hit her salad plate, causing a slight clatter. The Saiyan Prince looked over at his mate and immediately noticed that her face had paled considerably.

"You mean he knows, and he told you?" Bulma inquired with wide eyes. At Vegeta's nodded, Bulma placed a hand to her chest, almost as though to try and control her ragged breathing. Vegeta looked over at his wife, his face blank.

"I'm taking it by your reaction that what he told me was true?" He asked, not divulging the fact that Trunks had told him she was dying. He'd said it before, and he was sure he'd say it again; his woman was much too easy to bait.

"Yes," she breathed out, then more strongly she added, "yes, it's true."

"Then you are dying?" Vegeta said deadpan. Once again, Bulma's eyes widened and her mouth fell slightly agape.

"WHAT?!" She finally screeched when she had fully comprehended what Vegeta had just asked her. Vegeta slightly winced at her outburst, his sensitive ears not liking the shrill timbre that Bulma's voice had taken. "What are you talking about? I'm not dying. Where would Trunks get an idea like that?"

"You'd better ask him yourself. I'm not retelling his story for him. Just be thankful that I am not as gullible as he. I told the boy you were not dying." Vegeta replied with a smirk.

"Vegeta! How could you? You didn't know that for sure! What if I was?" She questioned.

"Trust me woman, I just knew you couldn't be dying on me." Vegeta answered in a voice that told Bulma that this was the only explanation she was receiving and she just better accept it. Knowing this part of the conversation to have reached a dead-end, Bulma brought up another topic.

"Poor Trunks. It must have been awful for him to be thinking that I was dying. I can only imagine how he came up with that idea. I'll have to take him out for ice cream and maybe some new toys when he gets back tomorrow." Bulma said the last part more to herself than to Vegeta. However, Vegeta snorted and decided to comment on her final statement.

"Woman, you spoil that child too much. He's a Saiyan of royal blood, he can certainly get over this misunderstanding." He declared in a strict voice, never liking it when he thought this son was being coddled too much.

"Oh Vegeta," Bulma began before cutting herself off. "You know what? I'm not even going to get into this conversation with you. I'll care for our son as I see fit. You'll just have to live with that."

"Like hell I will," the prince began, but likewise stopped his tirade at Bulma's pleading gaze that they not get into one of their normal arguments. Crossing his arms across his chest, a surefire sign that Vegeta was not pleased with what was happening around him, Vegeta let out a huff of annoyance. Bulma smiled at her husband in a silent thank you. "Well, if we aren't going to argue, then how about you tell me what this is all about." Vegeta stated as he began eating his soup once again. Bulma gulped. She was hoping to avoid this question until the meal was over. But so far things had not gone as she had planned.

"Well, I just thought it would be nice to have a quiet dinner, just the two of us." Bulma answered, hoping to deflect the question for the time being. Vegeta gave a cold stare. Enough was enough, he deserved to know what was troubling his wife so much.

"You know that is not what I am talking about Bulma. Why did you plan this? What did the doctor tell you that makes you feel like you have to butter me up before you tell me?" He asked, annoyance clearly heard in his voice. Bulma pushed her plate away from her, suddenly losing the slight appetite she had gained.

"Well, the doctor said I am in perfect health. Isn't that great?" She asked with false cheerfulness. Vegeta grabbed a roll and started to butter it. He looked up from his task, his eyebrow slightly raised as though telling her to go on. Bulma bristled. "Fine, then don't answer me. I guess my health isn't important to you." With that Bulma stood up. "Enjoy your meal." She clipped out before turning to leave the dining room. She didn't get far, however, for Vegeta had gotten up from his chair and blocked her path. Damn him and his super speed, Bulma thought bitterly.

"Where do you think you are going?" Vegeta demanded, grasping her shoulders lightly. Bulma just turned her head away from her husband and heard him growl in frustration. "What is it woman that you are finding so difficult to tell me?" Once again, he received no response. His patience waning fast, Vegeta picked up his mate around the waist and took her back to her seat. Bulma offered no resistance, since she knew she couldn't break free. Dropping her into her chair, the prince walked back around to his seat. He didn't even get a chance to sit down before Bulma was back out of her seat, attempting to escape again. "Damn it, woman! You are acting like a baby." He yelled, walking back towards his wife. At his words, Bulma froze. Of all the things to say, why did he have to say baby? Normally, he would tell her she was acting like a child.

The Saiyan Prince went to stand before his wife. Calming himself, he slowly took his wife's chin in his hand and slowly tilted her face up towards his own. Gazing into her eyes, it was easy to see the turmoil that was swimming those oceanic depths. The thing that bothered Vegeta was that he knew this turmoil was because of him. Well, he was about to fix that; at least that's what he hoped.

"Bulma, how hard is it to say, 'Vegeta, I'm pregnant'?" Vegeta asked, testing his theory. Of course he wasn't a hundred percent sure that his was mate was indeed pregnant, but he figured the odds were in his favor. Vegeta smirked when he saw Bulma's shocked expression and heard her gasp in surprise. Score one for Vegeta.

"How did you know? I didn't think you would be able to feel the baby yet." Bulma asked breathlessly. This night was turning into one shock after another.

"I didn't know for sure, but I had a haunch. The way you have been acting was exactly how you were behaving during the first couple of months you were carrying Trunks. Besides, your menstrual cycle is late." Vegeta explained. Bulma had taken notice that her period was a few days late, but it wasn't long enough for her to be concerned.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner? I didn't figure it out until this morning." Bulma asked, surprised that Vegeta had held his tongue this long.

"There was no need for me to say anything unless I was a hundred percent sure. Wouldn't you rather find out yourself than have your mate tell you?" Vegeta countered. Bulma found herself nodding in response.

"So, you aren't mad about this baby?" Bulma questioned timidly. This was too much for her to handle. Here she had been sick with worry all day about how her mate was going to respond to her news and Vegeta had known all a long.

"Why would I be? It's not like you can get rid of it, correct?" Vegeta answered flippantly. Once the words were out of his mouth, he knew he had not phrased that properly. This was not going to be pretty. Bulma looked at her husband in appall.

"So you don't really want this baby." She said between clenched teeth. "You are just going to put up with it. I should have known. You know what? I did know. This is why I have been dreading the moment I had to tell you about this baby." Bulma moved to get around Vegeta and flee the room, but Vegeta once again blocked her path. "Let me go!" She practically screamed when he reached out and puller her to his chest. This time she struggled against him.

"Bulma, settle down. I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that what's done is done. I'm not upset that you are pregnant. I know you have always wanted another child but I was just too damn stubborn and proud to allow it. I am not the best father a child can have. I don't want to make the same mistakes I have made with Trunks all over again." Vegeta explained to Bulma, his voice sincere. Bulma stopped her struggles and looked up into her husband's face, tears forming in her eyes. Once you had been around Vegeta as long as she had, you learned to read between the lines. What he had just practically just told her was that he was scared, scared that he was not a fit father.

"Oh Vegeta," Bulma whispered, hugging him close. "You are a wonderful father. Trunks adores you! Sure, you aren't very affectionate, but Trunks knows that you love him. He knows that you would give your life to protect him. That's something a lot of kids could not say about their dads. You do things as best you can, and that is all that matters. I know you will continue to be an excellent father to both our children."

Vegeta slowly put his arms around his mate, growling lightly under his breath. He hated how well his woman knew him at times. Even with her, the only person in his life that he trusted fully, he hated appearing weak. And that is how he felt right now. He didn't like appearing unsure of himself, and that was what Bulma had picked up on: his self-doubt.

"Are you happy about this baby?" Vegeta asked Bulma suddenly. Bulma bit her lip, not wanting to seem overly excited, but her excitement won the best of her and she grinned.

"I'm so very happy." Bulma said through the tears of joy that were now falling down her face.

"Then I am happy," Vegeta replied with a small smirk. Sure, he was still a little unsure of how he truly felt about another brat running around the house, but he knew now, unlike a year ago, how much he loved his family. Therefore, Vegeta was sure that despite the sacrifices and changes that would have to occur due to this newest addition, that he would love this child as much as he did Trunks. Who knows, perhaps he would do things better with this child. He wouldn't be an overly affectionate or loving father, but he would be the best father that he knew how to be. This little brat would be the embodiment of the second chance he had received after being wished back during the whole Buu incident, and Vegeta did not plan on letting that second chance go to waste. Pulling away from Bulma, he bent down for a kiss, which Bulma returned with equal passion.

"How about we finish dinner, my prince?" Bulma asked her husband when she had broken the kiss in order to breath. "The sooner we finish here, the sooner we can move on to other things." She added suggestively. Vegeta smirked as he watched Bulma sway on back to her seat. Bulma gasped as she unexpectedly found herself hoisted up and over Vegeta's shoulder. She giggled lightly, knowing exactly what the Saiyan was going to say next.

"Dinner can wait." He responded, exactly as Bulma knew he would. Then with his prized catch still slung over his shoulder, Vegeta walked out of the dining room and upstairs to their bedroom.

So, let me know what you think. I had played around with the idea of Vegeta being totally shocked by Bulma's news that she was pregnant, but then I thought that this was a much better approach. Everyone always assumes that he was totally shocked, and I wanted to do something different. Oh well. I hope you all liked this chapter. Thanks again for all the reviews! They have been wonderful. The next chapter may have to wait until the weekend is over…the bars are a calling! Monday would be the latest the next chapter comes out, so thanks for your patience.

Until Next Time…