Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ You're What?! ❯ Three Little Words ( Chapter 19 )

You're What?! Chapter 19: Three Little Words

Vegeta looked down at his mate, a slight frown gracing his features. Bulma had lifted her upper body off the bed slightly in both pain and the effort of pushing, her only support being the stoic Saiyan next to her. To any outsider, the father-to-be looked rather uncaring about his wife's situation and the fact that he was about to have a daughter in his life. However, to anyone who knew Vegeta as extensively as Bulma did, the prince's nervousness and concern was evident in his inky black eyes. The scrub clad Saiyan stood next to his wife, holding her hand throughout her ordeal. Impervious to the pain his mate was inflicting upon him as each contraction tore through her body, Vegeta was actually surprised to see faint trails of blood running down his forearm. Bulma had taken to embedding the nails of her free hand into Vegeta's arm as each contraction came on. Her other hand squeezed her husband's for all she was worth.

Without warning, Bulma flopped back down onto the bed, breathing heavily and moaning slightly. Vegeta hesitantly reached out and brushed some of her sweat-dampened hair from her face. At his touch, Bulma looked up at her husband and tried to give a weak smile, but it didn't quite work. After seven hours in labor, the struggling mother didn't have the power to put forth the energy to smile. Seeing how tired she was getting, Vegeta's eyes narrowed slightly showing his dislike of this situation. How much longer could it possibly take for this blasted brat to come out? Instantly recognizing her mate's change in demeanor, Bulma finally managed to smile.

"I'm glad you are here Vegeta," she whispered breathlessly in an attempt to calm her husband. The Saiyan Prince continued to scrutinize his mate and realized the front she was putting up. She didn't want him to be worried. Vegeta couldn't help the small smirk of pride that appeared on his face. Despite her almost total lack of physical strength, no one could ever call his mate weak. His woman would get through this. She may be tired, and she may be in pain, but all of that would be forgotten once the little one finally decided to enter the world.

"Me too," the prince mouthed so quickly that Bulma almost didn't catch it for he did not want anyone else in the room to hear him admit to caring. Admiration flashed through Bulma's eyes before being clouded over with pain as another contraction assaulted her. Once again, Vegeta became the unwavering rock for his wife to lean on, the frown resuming its place on his façade.

"All right Bulma, I can see the head. Give me all that you've got." Dr. Chu instructed from her spot between Bulma's legs. Letting out a loud, guttural, groaning scream of both pain and determination, Bulma bore down and pushed with the pain of her contraction. It was at points like this that the mother-to-be forgot her breathing and instead focused on voicing the pain she was in. Without the aid of medication, the pain seemed unbearable at times. Bulma let out a choked sob as she fell back onto the bed once again. "Ok Bulma, we have the head. You are almost there, just a little bit more and you can rest to your heart's content." The female doctor informed the exhausted woman before her, trying her hardest to keep her spirits up. Another sob escaped from the scientist's throat.

"I can't," she stated hoarsely, shaking her head almost deliriously from side to side. "I can't do this. It hurts too much. I can't." She rambled between heaving breaths.

"I cannot believe what I am hearing," Vegeta stated harshly before Dr. Chu could say any more on the matter. Lightly grasping Bulma's chin in his hand he turned her head towards him, forcing her to look at him. "You cannot honestly tell me that you are giving up when you are so close. How pathetically weak can you be?"

"Weak?" Bulma exclaimed in disbelief at hearing those words spew from her husband's mouth after she had lain here for seven hours toiling to bring this child into the world. "How dare you call me weak, you ungrateful, arrogant bastard! I am struggling to bring our daughter into the world, dealing with pain you can't even imagine, and you have the gall to call me weak?" She snapped, showing more life than she had in the past couple of hours. When Vegeta had first walked into the delivery room to witness his daughter's birth, Bulma had been like a demon possessed. She was ranting and raving constantly through her contractions. Mostly she was shouting obscenities at her husband, trying in any way to inflict as much pain as she could on him. The father-to-be had lost count of how many times Bulma had screamed that she hated him for doing this to her or that she was never going to allow him to touch her ever again. Slowly, as the labor progressed and Bulma's energy waned, her venomous words decreased until they disappeared all together. Vegeta smirked at the response she had just given him.

"Now that sounds like the woman I made my mate." Vegeta replied, pleased to see that his wife still had some fight left in her. "I know it is hard Bulma, but if anyone can do this it is you. You don't know how to fail." The Saiyan Prince said softly, staring intently into his wife's eyes, letting her know she had his support. Bulma likewise held her husband's gaze, heartened by his faith in her ability to get through this. The blue-haired beauty gave a slight nod as way of showing that she wouldn't give up.

Before she could say anything else to her husband, another scream erupted from Bulma, her next contraction upon her. The laboring genius gritted her teeth and groaned as she pushed with all of her might, her eyes tightly shut. Finally, the low growl that was emanating from her throat burst forth as yet another shriek of pain as she felt the push of the baby's shoulders against her vaginal walls, stretching and straining against the small opening.

"Come on Bulma, you're almost there." Dr. Chu encouraged her patient. With the last of her strength left, Bulma made one more push. A horrendous pain tore through the scientist, almost like she was being ripped in two. Then, miraculously, the pain subsided to a dull ache as the baby slid on out after the breach of its shoulders. Dr. Chu gave a triumphant smile from behind her surgical mask as she held the small baby in her arms. Having delivered Trunks, Dr. Chu was not surprised to see the slick tail thrashing behind the baby, sending fluids splattering around the direct area. Immediately the stationed nurse, despite her shock at seeing an extra appendage on the newborn, came over with the supplies to cut the umbilical cord and extract the fetal fluid from the baby's lungs and mouth. Bulma fell back on the bed, tears coursing down her flushed face. A cry of joy escaped from the proud mother when she heard the resounding wail of her newborn daughter.

Vegeta watched on in awe. He had never seen a baby born before, and although he had been surrounded by blood and gore for the greater part of his life, nothing could have prepared him for the sight of his own offspring covered in blood, amniotic fluid, and who knew what else. The wailing babe that was being suspended in the air was both beautiful and disgusting all at the same time. The doctor and nurse began the gentle cleaning of the baby, knowing they had a little bit of time before Bulma would expel her placenta. Having the baby cleaned up enough for her to finally see her parents, Dr. Chu walked on over to Bulma and placed the small bundle wrapped in a soft pink blanket into her arms.

Bulma, despite the tears running down her face, smiled brilliantly at the screaming baby in her arms. She then looked up at Vegeta. "We have a daughter." She stated; her voice choked with emotion. She then looked down again at the small life in her arms, pleased that she appeared to be settling down quite considerably. "Hello Bra. I'm your mommy. Yes I am." She spoke to the uncomprehending child, like most mothers do right after birth. Bulma then trailed her fingers down the slightly swollen cheek of her baby girl's face before coming to her daughter's small hand and placing it within her own. It was utterly breathtaking at how small, yet perfect, this little being was. Vegeta looked down at his mate and offspring, his face not looking quite as harsh as it normally does. Seeing the little girl squirming about in her mother's arms, trying to get adjusted to its foreign surroundings, Vegeta felt a fierce protectiveness well up inside him. He had a princess. If the blue fuzz adorning her head was any indication, she was going to take after her mother and be just as beautiful. Vegeta could almost sense the trouble that was going to cause in the years to come.

Bulma looked up once again at her husband, a wave of dizziness and fatigue crashing over her. She caught the almost serene look on Vegeta's face and couldn't help but smile weakly. The smile quickly faded as she closed her eyes, another wave of exhaustion hitting her. If it weren't for the fact that she had just given birth, Bulma would have been concerned at how quickly she seemed to be losing energy. It was almost like she could feel it all just slipping away. Deciding that she didn't want to pass out with the baby in her arms she glanced at Vegeta.

"Vegeta, why don't you take your daughter and say hello? I'm feeling kind of tired, believe it or not." Bulma requested from her husband, her voice rather hushed but expressing her fatigue clearly. Vegeta tensed for a moment, not all that thrilled with the idea of holding the newborn. He had hardly ever held Trunks, and when he first had, the boy had been going on a year old. He had been nowhere near as small and frail as the little bundle being transferred into his arms. As the baby passed from mother to father, Dr. Chu began the removal of the placenta, asking Bulma for one final push.

Vegeta held his daughter in rather stiff arms, looking like he was holding a package of live explosives that would go off at the slightest movement. He relaxed slightly as the girl's tail unfurled from the blanket and latched onto his wrist. Looking at the reminder of his heritage, Vegeta had to remember that, despite her size, this girl was a Saiyan Princess and she was strong. Bulma watched her mate handle their child through half closed eyes. Despite the fact that anyone with eyes could tell that Vegeta was uncomfortable in actually holding the small infant, Bulma had never seen him look so at peace.

"Vegeta, I love you." Bulma whispered as her eyes closed, suddenly feeling the need to express her feelings for her mate. Vegeta tore his eyes away from the newest member of their family and looked at his mate; however, she was already unconscious.

"No!" Dr. Chu suddenly exclaimed from her position back in between Bulma's legs. Vegeta's attention immediately snapped toward the doctor who by now was snapping out orders to the nurse next to her. Suddenly the metallic sent of blood assailed Vegeta's senses and he saw the doctor stand up, her hands and front of her scrubs covered in blood: his mate's blood. The nurse had already vacated the room to do what ever she had been told to do.

"What is wrong with my mate?" Vegeta demanded, his voice holding the barest hint of worry. Dr. Chu continued monitoring the vitals of her patient and addressed Vegeta.

"It's a uterine rupture. The scar tissue from your wife's previous C-section located on the inside of her uterus tore during the delivery of your daughter. The placenta was holding back most of the blood your wife was losing. It explains why she was getting so weak, especially towards the end of the birth. She was effectively bleeding to death." The doctor explained as the nurse and a crew of hospital staff entered the room, a stretcher being brought in next to Bulma's birthing bed so that she could be transferred to surgery. As the orderlies and nurses transferred Bulma from the bed to the mobile stretcher, Vegeta grabbed the doctor's wrist, shifting Bra into the crook of his one arm, loosing his fear of holding the child in his current state of agitation.

"What are you trying to say?" Vegeta asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously. An icy numbness was quickly overtaking his senses at what the doctor was implying. "Is she dying?"

"If we don't stop the bleeding, yes, she could die." Dr. Chu stated bluntly, knowing that she didn't have the time to stand there and discuss the complications his wife was having. Vegeta's face remained perfectly schooled on the outside, not letting anyone see the shock he felt at hearing someone admit that his mate could die. Looking over the doctor's shoulder, he saw Bulma being wheeled on out of the room. "Vegeta, Nurse Stanton will take Bra from you to get her settled into the nursery, since Bulma won't be staying here to watch over her. I'll inform you of your wife's condition once we get the bleeding under control." Dr. Chu instructed, her voice strictly professional. Right on cue, the aforementioned nurse stepped forward and began lifting the once again wailing infant from her father's hold.

Vegeta blinked in surprise as he felt the slight weight of his daughter lifted from his arms and was astonished to find that he hadn't even realized he was still holding the infant. He had been totally focused on his pale and lifeless looking mate. Not protesting at his daughter being taken away for the time being, Vegeta started to follow the doctor out of the room.

"I'm coming with you," Vegeta stated firmly as he came up along side the briskly walking doctor. The black-haired doctor glanced at the new father in surprise, not expecting him to be following her. Not stopping her rapid pace to the surgery room that Bulma had been transferred to, Dr. Chu addressed the determined prince.

"Vegeta, I cannot allow you into the surgery room. You would only get in the way," the doctor explained, her voice not sounding quite as icy as it had just moments before. Coming to the mechanical doors that would allow her access to the restricted area of surgery, she abruptly stopped and looked down at the man next to her. "I know you are concerned and don't want to leave your wife's side, but if you truly want Bulma to recover you have to let me get in there and stabilize her." Seeing that the stubborn, scrub-clad husband was going to argue, Dr. Chu let her professionalism slip, knowing it was the only way she could possibly get through to Vegeta. "Don't argue with me, the time I waste out here with you are precious seconds I could be spending in there," she stated pointing at the closed doors, "saving your wife's life!"

Vegeta looked at the impassioned doctor before him and suddenly realized; this was a fight he should not be having for time was wasting away. Although he didn't like it, he knew the doctor was right. Uncrossing his arms and letting them fall from his chest, Vegeta let out a low, defeated growl. "Go. Tend to my wife. But be warned woman, if you let any harm come to her, you will wish that you had never been born." The Saiyan Prince threatened, his voice a low hiss. Then, before anything else could be said and anymore time was wasted; Vegeta turned on his heel and started on back towards the waiting room.

Dr. Briefs walked down the long corridor leading to the nursery with Trunks following close behind. Mrs. Briefs, having already come to see the baby and visit the prince that was keeping a vigil over his newest child, was in the waiting room conversing with the Son family, which had arrived at the hospital to see the baby and give their best wishes to the parents. They had not expected to come into such a bittersweet environment where the baby was healthy and Bulma was in serious condition. Turning a corner, the two Briefs men saw Vegeta standing before a huge window staring at his daughter. As usual, his face was unreadable: however, aside from that, his whole posture seemed weary. He was not standing as straight and proud as he normally did. His arms were crossed over his still scrub-covered chest, being as that position was the most natural for the Saiyan.

Dr. Briefs came to stand next to the man that he had come to know as a son. Despite the rocky relationship Vegeta had with the entire Briefs family when he first came to live on Earth, the old scientist was honored that he was one of the few that had gotten to see Vegeta change over the years. Granted, the boy was still rough around the edges, but he had proven his worth during his residence on Earth, and it was of the highest quality. You just had to know where to look. Glancing into the room filled with sleeping and wailing infants alike, the second time grandfather immediately spotted his slumbering granddaughter.

"She looks exactly like Bulma did when she was born." Dr. Briefs whispered, more to himself than anyone else. For the first time, Vegeta glanced at the aging man next to him.

"Your wife said the exact same thing when she first saw her." Vegeta stated simply, his voice devoid of all emotion. Trunks, not quite being able to see through the glass while standing on the ground, looked around to see if anyone was coming and then levitated up to look into the nursery, satisfied that no outsider would see him. It was not hard to figure out which one was his sister. Even if she didn't have a brown, furry appendage draped across her chest, Trunks would have been able to tell by the fuzzy blue head.

"She's so small," the big brother announced in awe. He had never seen a newborn infant and was surprised by how vulnerable she appeared to be.

"She's beautiful Vegeta, you must be proud." Dr. Briefs said to his son-in-law, knowing how hollow such congratulations were at the moment but feeling the need to express them nonetheless. The stoic prince gave a slight nod as he looked at his little princess. Trunks, after hearing his grandpa's declaration, studied his little sister intently.

"She is kind of cute," Trunks admitted reluctantly. He then paused, as though not sure whether he should say what else was on his mind. Finally, he just decided to blurt it out. "Is mom dying? Is that why no one will tell me anything?" At hearing his son's panicked voice, Vegeta fully tore his eyes away from his daughter.

"You're mother is not going to die." Vegeta said with conviction, almost as though convincing himself more than his heir. Unconsciously, he ran a hand through his now uncontained hair as his whole body tensed in agitation. "Don't talk like that." He snapped at the boy, hoping to end his foolish questions to no avail.

"Then what is wrong with her? Why can't we go and see her yet?" Trunks persisted, his voice rising in volume. Dr. Briefs put a hand on the boy's shoulder in an attempt to placate the boy.

"Settle down my boy, everything is going to be just fine," Dr. Briefs answered for Vegeta, knowing that the prince was barely handling his own emotions, let alone having to deal with Trunks'. Ruffling the boy's hair, Dr. Briefs allowed Vegeta a moment to calm down. Although it didn't appear like it from his outward expression, the old scientist knew that Vegeta was rattled for he was still just learning how to handle his own emotions. "Have you heard anything new on Bulma's condition, Vegeta?" Bulma's father inquired once he saw Vegeta start to relax once again. The warrior gave a curt nod.

"That woman doctor came by here about ten minutes ago. She said that she was able to staunch most of the bleeding; however, she figured the only way to completely stop the flow of blood was perform a hysterectomy. She said that she needed my permission to perform the surgery since Bulma was unconscious. Of course I said yes, considering that it meant the difference between life and death." Vegeta informed his two family members in as calm a manner as the new father could manage.

"Not to sound condescending Vegeta, but do you even know what a hysterectomy is?" Dr. Briefs asked in curiosity, not liking the idea that Vegeta had agreed to an operation without even knowing the consequences. Granted, in the current situation, Bulma's father would have likewise agreed for the operation; however, it was not comforting to think that Vegeta would have agreed to a lobotomy if he had been asked.

"Now I do," Vegeta answered in a low voice, clearly insulted by the doctor's underlying question. "I wasn't going to let those doctors hack into my mate without knowing what they wanted to remove. Under the circumstances, I think this operation will be for the best. Bulma will not be having any more children. I won't have her compromising her health. This surgery will make certain this never happens again."

"So, Mom will be ok once she gets this hysterectomy done?" Trunks asked hopefully, stumbling slightly over the pronunciation of hysterectomy. He hadn't caught onto the slight tiff that had occurred between his dad and grandpa. All he focused on was the fact that his mother may be fine once she had this aforementioned surgery. That was the only thing that mattered to Trunks.

"Of course she will!" Dr. Briefs replied with certainty, trying his best to lift the spirits of the father/son duo he was sandwiched between. "You should know your mother well enough by now, my boy. She is a strong woman. A little loss of blood is not going to stop my baby girl after all the things she has been through in her life." The proud father stated with more confidence than he felt. But, if he believed in anything it was that positive thinking always pays off in the end. If you expect the worst in life than that is what you will get. Hence, the good old doctor was going to keep an optimistic view on his daughter's recovery. Trunks smiled up at his grandfather, feeling much more at ease than he had for the past hour since his father had come busting into the waiting room, the messenger of bad tidings.

"Thanks gramps, I feel much better now." The lavender-haired troublemaker announced.

"I'm glad." Dr. Briefs replied with a kindly smile. He then patted the boy on the head. "How about you go on back to the waiting room and spend some time with Goten. And remember, keep thinking good thoughts of your mother." Nodding vigorously, Trunks turned to leave before suddenly he stopping and performing an about-face. Marching up to his father, Trunks stood directly beside him. Curious as to why the boy was suddenly at his side, Vegeta once again took his eyes off his daughter and looked at his firstborn.

"What?" He asked without his usual harshness, yet, his eyes were icy. Trunks fidgeted, always a little unsure of how to act around his father in emotional manners.

"I, um, just wanted to say that what grandpa said is true. Mom will be all right. I can feel it." Trunks started. Vegeta looked down at his heir expectantly; surely this wasn't all that Trunks wanted to tell him. Shuffling his feet nervously, the boy continued. "It's just that you always look at things so negatively. I guess I am worried that you are sad, and I don't want you to be." Trunks finished rather softly, looking down at his feet and awaiting for his dad to either a.) insult him for being weak or b.) to get angry for implying he was weak. However, the insult and anger never came. Hesitantly looking up at his father, Trunks saw his dad staring down at him impassively.

"I'm fine boy," Vegeta snapped out while dragging his gaze away from his son, effectively ending the conversation. Trunks nodded sadly and turned to leave. Watching out of the corner of his eye as his dejected son start walking down the hall, Vegeta felt a slight twinge in his chest. The boy was just trying to be reassuring, to ease his pain. Was it really such a crime that his son cared about what happened to him. "Trunks," the Saiyan Prince called after the retreating boy, halting his progress. Once the young prince turned back around, Vegeta favored the boy with a small smirk. "I appreciate your concern." Trunks smiled broadly at his father's comment, surprised to hear such gratitude.

"Anytime," Trunks replied and then turned the corner, trotting on back to the waiting room. Dr. Briefs smiled at the little father/son moment he had been privy to.

"Well, I think that is my cue to leave as well," the aging scientist said with a sigh. Vegeta gave a small grunt as an answer. Before leaving the brooding prince, the doctor placed a hand on Vegeta's shoulder. "Let us know the moment you hear anything about my baby girl's condition. If you need anything let us know." Vegeta gave a slight nod.

"As soon as I know something, I'll be sure to tell the rest of you." Vegeta spoke evenly, his posture back to its normal regal attention.

"Thanks Vegeta." Dropping his hand from his shoulder, Dr. Briefs took one more look at his granddaughter. "I know how hard it is to get rid of that little voice in the back of your head that keeps demanding, 'what are you going to do if she is not ok?'" The Saiyan Prince's father-in-law spoke up suddenly; deciding now was the best time to give the man before him some advice. "You just have to get past that nagging doubt and ask yourself instead; what am I going to do when she is ok." And, with that finally said, Dr. Briefs took his leave of his son-in-law.

Vegeta watched the retreating back of Bulma's father as he turned the corner and out of view. Although he would never admit it, the old man's words were somewhat helpful. For the past hour, after alerting everyone to Bulma's condition, Vegeta had been watching his slumbering princess. Seeing the small babe sleep was slightly calming and helped keep the monarch's thoughts from focusing too much on his mate. After the short interlude he had just had with his son and father-in-law, Vegeta realized that indeed his thoughts on his wife's chances of survival had been rather dismal. He had never tried convincing himself that she was going to be ok, he just keep on wondering what he would do without her.

During the past hour, which seemed to be the longest of his life, Vegeta focused on one frightening thought: if his mate were to pass away it would be forever. There was no chance of revival since her death would have been from the natural cause of birth complications and thus, the dragonballs would not work in bringing her back to life. If that were to happen, he would never get to see Bulma alive again…ever. It was a thought that made Vegeta experience fear on a whole new level. Although he had never told her, Bulma was his world. She was the one being in this vast universe who'd had the courage to stand up to the arrogant, self-centered, and violent bastard he'd once been. She was the first one to not only try and understand his past, but to actually forgive him for his crimes. She was the first one to ever show him compassion and caring, silently standing by him all these years. She was the first one to ever love him, not his title or his awesome power; no, she loved Vegeta, character flaws, neglect, and all. Bulma had slowly shown Vegeta how to be the man he should have been if it had not been for Frieza. Vegeta clenched his fists at his side. He could not lose her.

Ask yourself instead; what am I going to do when she is ok. Dr. Briefs' words of comfort came back to Vegeta right when his despair seemed like it was about to overwhelm him. Taking a calming breath and looking at his daughter, almost as though he was drawing strength from her, Vegeta decided to take the advice of the man who was the closest thing he had to a father. Perhaps he should focus on what he would learn from this experience and how he could apply that knowledge. Satisfied that this train of thought was going to be a much more productive way to pass the excruciatingly slow minutes, Vegeta crossed his arms once again and turned his thoughts inward.

Bulma groaned in slight pain as she slowly opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the lighting of the room. "It's about time you woke that lazy ass of yours up." A disgruntled voice that could only belong to one man resonated from the right side of her bed. Smiling weakly at her husband's words, Bulma turned her head to see her mate sitting in a chair by her bedside, a small crib-like structure on wheels next to him. Vegeta looked at his wife with a deep-set frown, his eyes expressing his concern. Yawning and slightly stretching, Bulma tried to piece together what had happened since the birth of her daughter. The events were rather hazy.

"What happened? Did I pass out? I remember being so extremely tired." Bulma asked in curiosity, her voice sounding rather raspy and weak. The Saiyan Prince studied his mate and his frown deepened, if that was possible. His mate looked completely washed out, her normally pale skin a sickly, translucent white. Huge circles rested under her eyes, showing just how exhausted she was, and wires and needles were hooked up everywhere. At least she was breathing on her own.

"I'm not surprised that you don't remember." Vegeta quipped dryly. "You almost died." The prince stated bluntly, having no knack at breaking news gently. Bulma's eyes immediately widened in shock and slight fear as she whispered out the question of 'what?' "Some scar in your uterus ruptured while delivering Bra and caused massive hemorrhaging. That's why you were so weak during the final parts of the birth." Vegeta paused, knowing Bulma may not want to hear what he had to say next. "They had to remove your uterus to stop the bleeding and save your life. I agreed to the operation."

Bulma's hand unconsciously drifted down to her lower abdomen and she sighed. Never again would she feel a life stir within her womb. In some cases, Bulma was extremely saddened by this thought, somehow feeling like less of a woman. However, the fact that she was alive due to the said loss squashed that sadness quickly. "I suppose I'll be a little more saddened by the thought of what I have lost in due time. Yet, I suppose it is a small price to pay to be alive with you, and Trunks, and Bra." She replied a little melancholy, looking at the hand that covered the stitches adorning her lower stomach. Bulma then looked over at her husband. "I'm sorry if I scared everyone. I'm sorry if I scared you."

"I am the prince of all Saiyans. I never get scared." Vegeta replied with a small smirk, arrogant as always. Immediately, he regretted the words as he saw the flash of hurt pass through Bulma's eyes. After everything she had been through, it was no wonder she didn't feel like engaging in their normal banter. "But, I suppose there is a first time for everything." He said in a serious voice as way of apology. Bulma stared up at her husband lovingly, touched by his small admission.

"Thank you Vegeta." Bulma whispered, her voice still somewhat raw after its lack of use. "I love you." She affirmed, reaching out her hand in a silent request that he hold it since no one else was in the room to see. Unable to deny her request, Vegeta took her hand in his own and sighed. Now was as good a time as any.

"I thought I was going to lose you." Vegeta stated without any preamble. Holding up his free hand to silence Bulma when it looked like she was going to speak, he continued. "This is something I need to say, so let me finish." The Saiyan Prince instructed through clenched teeth. Taking a deep breath, Vegeta forced himself to relax and lowered his eyes from his mate. "When that blasted, woman doctor confirmed my assessment that you could die, I came to realize a few things. First of all, I came to the harsh reality that if you were to die, you could not be wished back. This would have been a death by natural causes and you would be lost to me forever. Secondly, I realized that I was scared to lose you. It was something I had never truly thought about before, until now, and I did not like the feelings it evoked in me. And lastly, if you were to die, you would leave this Earth without ever hearing any confirmation of my feelings for you." Vegeta concluded, struggling to get past the word "feelings", almost as though he was angered at himself for his choice of words. All the while, Bulma looked upon her husband in slight awe, amazed at what he was saying. Knowing how much it cost her husband to admit to such feelings, Bulma gently squeezed his hand in support, her eyes conveying her love for the man at her side.

"What I am trying to say," Vegeta said, obviously having some internal struggle, " is that I…I…" The prince stuttered, fighting to bring forth the words he had never been able to speak before to his wife. Bulma, seeing her mate's struggle and touched by his attempts at voicing his love, took her free hand and placed it over their entwined fingers.

"Vegeta," Bulma said his name in a hushed voice, drawing Vegeta's eyes back to her face. "I know." She said simply. "I've always known. I don't need to hear the words to know what you feel." Instead of calming her agitated husband, as her words were intended to do, Vegeta became more aggravated.

"No. It is important on this planet to have one's mate express their feelings for the other in both verbal and non-verbal ways. After all you have given me, this is the least that I can do for you." Vegeta replied, his voice gaining confidence. "I love you." The Saiyan Prince spoke in a clear, if not slightly rushed voice. His eyes immediately left his wife's face to stare at his boots, a slight blush covering his tanned cheeks.

Hearing those three little words from Vegeta, no matter how many times she had told herself that she did not need to hear them, was the most precious gift (aside from her children) that she had ever received. Although she knew she would probably never hear those words escape from the prince's lips again, it did not matter. That small lingering doubt that had endured all these years about whether or not Vegeta did in fact love her vanished without a trace. Her mate did not take words lightly and if he said something, he meant it. Biting her lip in an attempt to stop the sob that was rising in her throat, Bulma felt a single tear of joy slide down her face.

"Vegeta," Bulma called for her husband, her voice choked with emotion. "Vegeta please look at me," she pleaded to her embarrassed mate. Growling softly in defeat, Vegeta dragged his eyes back up to hers. Seeing the pure joy on his mate's face helped to ease the embarrassment he was feeling over admitting his love of his mate. Not knowing what to say after such a confession, a comfortable silence fell over the pair, both losing themselves in the eyes of the other. Finally, Bulma made a small gesture with her hand, motioning for Vegeta to come closer to her. Using that handy Saiyan speed, Vegeta was at her side in an instant, kissing his mate tenderly.

"Oh man, get a room!" A disgusted, yet decidedly amused, sounding voice exclaimed from the doorway of Bulma's room. Vegeta jumped away from his mate as though she had the plague, and Bulma sighed, knowing that the moment was lost. Her son had the worst timing ever, but nevertheless, she was excited to see her eldest child. Dr. and Mrs. Briefs were following right behind, closing the door once again.

"Sorry if we were interrupting something." Mrs. Briefs said in a bubbly voice, always excited when she caught her daughter and son-in-law displaying their affection.

"How are you feeling dear?" Dr. Briefs asked, finally getting to the point. Both he and his wife came to stand at the foot of her bed. His daughter must be feeling somewhat decent if the liplock she and Vegeta were just in was any indication.

"I'm a little tired daddy, but right now I'd say I've never been better in my life." Bulma said in all seriousness, sending her mate a wink. Vegeta immediately bristled, and slid back into his trademark pose of arms planted firmly across his chest. He let out a huff and took another step away from the bed. Bulma let out a small laugh at her husband's response. Typical Vegeta. "However, I think I'd be even better if I could see both my babies." Bulma continued, looking over at Bra's crib, which Vegeta had brought in during his observation of his wife's recovery. Trunks complied without a second thought, anxious to be able to be close to his mother after the close call she'd had. He scrambled on up next to his mom and gave her a gentle hug, mindful of her midsection.

"I'm glad you are ok, Mom. Don't scare me like that again!" Trunks mumbled into his mother's side.

"I promise I won't!" Bulma replied while returning her son's embrace. "I love you sweetie."

"I love you too!"

"How about you meet your little sister?" Bulma asked her son once he was disengaged from her arms. Trunks nodded unsurely, a little nervous at how to greet his new sister. "Vegeta, could you bring her on over?" The tired mother asked, her voice betraying her exhaustion. Mumbling softly to himself, Vegeta awkwardly picked the infant out of her crib, awakening her from her slumber. Walking over to the bed, Vegeta placed the small baby into its mother's waiting arms. With her eyes opening and closing slowly, Bra let out a small yawn before settling into her mother's warm and gentle embrace. About to move away from the bed and allow his son to get acquainted with his new sibling, Mrs. Briefs let out a squeal of delight.

"I forgot I have my camera!" She exclaimed, pulling the device out of her purse. Vegeta stopped in mid-stride, looking at the woman like a deer caught in the headlights. He hated having his picture taken. Continuing his original plan of leaving the bedside, Mrs. Briefs stopped the Saiyan.

"Oh no! Vegeta, you can't leave the shot. It is your first picture as a complete family!" The blonde-haired grandmother explained in a slightly whiny voice. About to protest, Vegeta took one look at the three people occupying Bulma's bed. Seeing Trunks whisper to his princess about how he would always protect her, since that's what big brother's do, and witnessing the serene look on his mate's face, Vegeta moved back to the bed. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed next to his mate, Vegeta reached out and touched his daughter's tail. Perhaps it wouldn't kill him to take this one picture.

"You've got one shot, so make it good," Vegeta instructed Bulma's mother and Bulma let out a small chuckle.

"Ok everyone, look at the camera and smile!" Mrs. Briefs said, not fazed in the least by Vegeta's comments. Looking at the camera, Vegeta allowed a small, almost smile to grace his lips, and with the press of a button the complete Vegeta-Briefs family was immortalized on film.

Wow, so perhaps I should have named this chapter: The Longest Chapter Ever! There was a lot I wanted to cover in this chapter…I just didn't realize how much! I debated on cutting it into two parts, but I really wanted to end this story at 20 chapters. Don't ask me why. It's a nice round number. Anyway, please let me know what you think! I put a lot of work into this chapter. It is hard to write Vegeta's emotions while making him still seem like Vegeta!!!!! I hope I didn't make him seem too out of character, but I just felt that there had to be a time where he declared his love for Bulma and this is how I envisioned it.

Considering that it is now 2:37 a.m., I am officially spent. That means that once again, I will not have my review responses up at this time. I'm sorry! I'm a bad author, I know. However, I am so tired right now that all I want to do is have this posted and start my responses tomorrow when I don't think I'll fall asleep at my laptop! Trust me, though; I will have them out as soon as possible. Same drill as last time: they will be posted in my bio as well as an updated chapter later on. Keep your eyes peeled.

Well, I hope you all liked the chapter. I look forward to hearing from you all!

Until Next Time…