“Now where are those four? It’s nearly 7:00 and they still haven’t come home yet!” Bulma yelled, aggravated and annoyed.
“Well, maybe work was busy today?” Bra suggested.
“Not today.”
“Why not?”
“It’s Sunday!”
“Oh...sorry.” Bra replied softly. Bulma sighed apologetically and decided to keep her mouth shut until the two couples arrived. Of course with Vejita’s big mouth, it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Woman!” his stern and demanding voice rang out as he walked towards her. Bulma groaned and Bra smiled to herself, knowing how much of an annoyance her father was to her mother sometimes. However, a few blocks away, a certain two ecstatic someone’s danced down the street, floating and glowing all sorts of colors, not caring the world was watching. Trunks and Goten were right behind them, in front, and above them as they too hovered around their girls. Goten had decided too many people were staring and grabbed Ashka, who grabbed Pasha, and took off into the clouds just after Pasha clasped hands with Trunks. Once up above the city, Pasha flew in and out of the clouds while Ashka kept trying to tear pieces off as she passed them by.
“Ya know, “ Ashka began absently, watching a puff of cloud float out of her hand, “I can’t help but think we’re supposed to be somewhere....”
“Oh my God! We were supposed to go home for dinner!” Trunks screamed as Pasha clamped her hands over her ears.
“Ok! No need to blow out my ear drums!”
“Oops. Sorry Pashi.”
“What?”
“......Never mind. Let’s just get home, I’m sure Okaasan’s not too happy.”
“I agree, but of course we’ll be able to change her mood when we get there.” Goten said.
“Oh yeah, and how’s that?” Ashka asked.
“By telling her the good news.” He answered, grinning.
“You’re right! Well, let’s go then!” Ashka shouted.
“What?” Pasha said.
“Come on Pasha, “ Trunks said smiling, “we’re going home.” he added, pointing down below.
“Oh! Why didn’t you say so?” she replied, rolling her eyes. Trunks grinned and all four headed north towards Trunks’ house. Once they reached it, all four barged in and came face to face with an angry Bulma.
“Well, I’m so glad you all decided to finally come home.” she said, placing a hand on her hip, “I hope you like cold soup and soggy salad.”
“We’re really sorry Okaasan........we kinda got a little distracted this morning.....” Trunks began.
“With what?” Bulma questioned as Bra and Vejita both entered from the kitchen after hearing the familiar voice. Trunks eyed Pasha and Goten grinned at Ashka. Bulma tapped her foot impatiently and huffed out a breath of air. “With what?” she repeated.
“With this!” the girls shouted happily, stuck their arms out, and tilted their hands downward in front of Bulma’s eyes. A few seconds later, Bulma gasped and grabbed each hand and stared at the sparkling rings.
“Oh my God!” she squealed, turning her head side to side, still staring in amazement, “Oh my God!”
“What the hell is your problem, woman?”
“Oh my God!” she repeated again. The girls grinned and Bra ran over to see what had gotten her mother so excited. She gasped and looked up at her brother.
“Trunks!” she shouted. Trunks smiled and nodded his head. “I don’t believe it! Oh wow! Congratulations!!” she said and slung and arm around Pasha, the other around Ashka. Vejita grumbled and stepped up to the group, clueless as to why everyone was acting like a lunatic.
“What on earth did that boy do to make everyone so happy?”
“Tousan, look! Look!” Bra cried and waved the two girls’ arms around. She put Pasha’s hand in front of Vejita’s face and shook it.
“Gah!” Pasha said, as Bra took control of her arm. Vejita blinked and peered down and let his eyes sweep over the ring. He gasped as his annoyed eyes widened in horror.
“Do you see Tousan? Isn’t this great! And look, Ash has one too! A double wedding!!”
“Oh boys, congratulations! I‘m so happy for you!” Bulma said as she placed a hand on each of their shoulders. They grinned and looked at their girls. Vejita jerked his head up and stared at the innocent girl who was soon to be called family. Pasha blinked.
“Is this some sort of joke?”
“Vejita!” Bulma yelled and lifted her hand off Trunks’ shoulder to smack her husbands arm. He grunted in return and looked at the boys. Trunks cleared his throat nervously and Goten looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye.
“Are you telling me......that I’m stuck with you for.....for......”
“For the next 50 years?” Pasha supplied. Vejita snorted. “Yup!” she said happily, trying to ease any tension this announcement created and put an arm around his neck. “So, how’s it goin‘, dad?” Ashka smirked and Vejita tensed nervously under her gentle grip. Pasha let go and dashed over to Trunks, followed by Ashka, who took hold of Goten’s arm. He smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
“Well, the two of us can’t begin to tell you guys how happy we are! Forget the soup and salad, we’re going out, and to somewhere expensive!” Bulma exclaimed while Bra nodded eagerly.
“Wonderful! How bout I call my dad and ask if they all want to come?” Goten suggested.
“Of course!” and then Bulma gasped, “ChiChi is going to be ecstatic!”
“And imagine how surprised Gokou will be!” Bra added.
“Hurry up Goten, go call!” Bulma said and she and Bra ushered him into the Kitchen. Trunks, Pasha, and Ashka followed and Vejita plopped himself on the couch. In the kitchen, Goten grabbed the phone and dialed the numbers automatically. It rang twice and a woman’s voice answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi Kaasan, it’s me, Goten.”
“Hi Sweetie, how are you?”
“Couldn’t be better. Are you and dad busy?”
“Busy? Not really. We were just about to eat dinner.”
“Well don’t, wrap it up and have it tomorrow.”
“What for?”
“I’ll tell ya when we get there. Just be ready. We’re picking you up in about fifteen minutes.”
“Fifteen minutes? Wait, Goten, who’s picking what up? What do you mean be ready?”
“Just be ready! We’re taking you and dad out. Oh, hey! Call Gohan and Videl! Tell them to head over to the house as fast as they can.”
“But why?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
“Who else is coming?”
“Everyone! See ya soon.” Goten said and hung up the phone. The others in the kitchen could hear ChiChi shouting more questions before it hit the receiver. “Ok, let’s go!” The others nodded and headed outside where Bulma popped her own and a few company cars into capsules. The group would be able to get to Goten’s house faster by flying and soon all seven took off into the air; Vejita carrying Bulma and Bra on Trunks’ back. Some fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the Son house hold and quickly went inside.
“Now, what’s gotten into you Goten? Why did you all rush over here?” ChiChi asked.
“You see, we’ve got an important announcement and it wouldn’t be the same if I told you over the phone.” Goten replied.
“Well, come on squirt, don’t keep us waiting.” Gohan said as Videl and the others nodded.
“Yeah, tell us Uncle Goten!” Pan shouted, jumping up from behind the couch.
“Ok,” Goten said, taking in a deep breath, “today we gave our girls some gifts and were so excited about them that they couldn’t wait to show you all. So, without further adieu, girls.” The girls walked to the center of the room and the Son family members leaned towards them eagerly.
“I don’t see anything.” Gokou said, looking around. With that, the girls outstretched their arms and once again let their hands fall downward, Bulma and Bra grinned.
“What do you see now?” Pasha asked, smiling.
“Oh my goodness!” ChiChi gasped, shooting forward, “Are those what I think they are?!”
“They sure are!” Ashka shouted excitedly.
“No way!” Pan cried and leaped over the couch, landing in her fathers lap. “You guys are getting married?!”
“Yup!” Pasha responded.
“Wow! Tousan, did ya hear that?!” Pan said, jumping up and down, “they’re getting married!”
“I sure did, congratulations guys! I’m really happy for the four of you.”
“They’re beautiful girls!” Videl said, peering down at the sparkling stones.
“Thanks.” they said, blushing slightly.
“Hey, wow, no kidding? You girls are really going to marry these guys?” Gokou asked with a smile.
“I’d marry him right now if I could.” Ashka answered. Goten grinned.
“This is great! I feel like we’re family all ready!” Gokou said as he jumped off the couch, “I bet you’ve heard this a million times, but congratulations!” he added and hugged his daughter-in-law-to-be. Ashka giggled and hugged him back. His face was of pure happiness, his smile genuine, and no matter how high his age climbed, he would always be a little kid at heart. Having Gokou as a father-in-law was going to be a blast and Ashka couldn’t wait.
“Oh girls, this is so wonderful! When’s the big day?” ChiChi asked.
“Hm, ya know....that’s a good question.” Trunks answered.
“What about the summer? It‘ll be nice, warm, and gorgeous outside everyday. Oh! An outside wedding! How pretty would that be?” Pasha asked.
“And what about the winter? Everyone loves snow and with Christmas lights illuminating icicles, who wouldn‘t want to hold it in December?” Ashka added. Goten grinned and knew by the different ideas the girls had, this wasn’t going to be an easy task. ChiChi giggled nervously and waved her hand in a “forget I asked” manner.
“Anyway, let’s go, I’ve gotta eat something.” Bulma called out from the couch. Gokou jumped up from his seat in agreement and once it was decided they were to go to Charley’s, a favorite of Ashka and Pasha‘s, hurriedly pushed ChiChi out the door and over to the car.
“Hey, Gohan, get your butt out here, I’m starving!” he hollered. Since Gokou was in such a rush, he completely forgot to get in the car, and instead, yanked ChiChi into the air and was off.
“Tousan! You were supposed to get in the car!” Goten shouted into the wind. Unfortunately, Gokou was too hungry to care and either didn’t listen or didn’t hear.
“Well, so much for the cars I brought.” Bulma said and put an arm around Vejita’s neck. “Let’s go.” Trunks grabbed his sister and the rest levitated off the ground and then hurriedly followed after Gokou. After catching up, the group made their way to the quaint little restaurant located next to the water; it wasn’t called Charley’s Ocean Grill for nothing.
“Come on, we wasted twenty minutes!” Pasha whined as everyone walked through the door slowly. Vejita lingered outside longer then needed and Pasha impatiently shoved him up the steps. He glared at her in return and she stood tapping her foot on the sidewalk. Inside the restaurant, Trunks noticed the two missing and looked out the window. He saw them staring at one another and immediately made a face.
“Well, come on dad, we’re not eating without you.”
“Who said I wanted to be apart of your idiotic celebrations?” he shot back. Pasha sighed loudly.
“Too bad, your opinion doesn‘t count.” she replied, opening the door, and literally threw him through the entrance. He stumbled into the restaurant, the hostess at the counter looking at him strangely, and spun around to look for the girl. Pasha stepped up next to him and smiled a tiny grin, then grabbed his arm and led him over to the table she saw ChiChi waving from.
“I’m not a child, you don’t have hold my arm like one.” he grumbled angrily.
“Obviously I have to since you can’t seem to follow directions.” Pasha answered in a cheerful tone. Vejita grunted, not wanting to cause a scene or not wanting to anger Bulma, and let the annoying brat usher him to the table. Trunks, who had been watching by the window, chuckled lightly and walked back to the group. The others stared at the pair coming towards them but decided not to go into it, well, all except Gokou.
“I see you got an escort, Vejita, have trouble getting through the door?” he asked, grinning. A few giggled and Vejita blew out a breath of air as his response. As Pasha sat, Trunks was just sitting also. She blinked at him, but he only shrugged in return.
“Well, now that the nonsense is over, everyone order.” Bulma suggested. Bra sat next to her and was eyeing the menu up and down. She finally stopped at the most expensive entree and decided it was the only thing she wanted and sat, waiting for their waiter to come back.
“We ordered drinks for you guys, since you two had that little chat before.” Ashka said, “and yes, I got you a Strawberry Daiquiri and a glass of water to go with it, so you don’t have to complain.” Pasha grinned.
“Thanks Ash, you’re just the best.” she replied in a witty tone. The waiter interrupted their conversation and all stopped an ordered. Before Bra opened her mouth, Bulma spoke first and ordered her daughter the same thing she was having, knowing all too well what she really wanted. Bra pouted and her mother smirked. For the next hour, the table talked and ate. The group was still excited about the news they’d received only a short time ago and wound up keeping that as the main topic of conversation.
“I’m still so jittery! I can’t believe we’ll be family soon!” ChiChi cried, smiling at Ashka. “And think of all the lovely wedding gifts you’ll get.”
“Oh presents! I forgot all about those.” Ashka said, blushing afterwards as the table grinned.
“That’s our Ashi, presents first, then we can get married.” Pasha said jokingly.
“Hey why not, presents are the best part anyway.” Gokou agreed as their waiter returned
“Care for dessert?”
“Yes.” Pasha and Ashka answered immediately.
“No.” Trunks and Goten also said simultaneously. The four looked at each other and exchanged looks, then answered again, stating the opposite of what they said before.
The waiter blinked and Bra and Pan both shouted,
“Bring on the dessert!”
“I second that.” Gokou said, and after much debating, a huge ice cream cake of about seven different types of chocolate and fudges was brought out. Vejita refused to eat it for some strange reason and Ash and Pash sat there flinging bits of ice cream at him until he took a piece. After apologizing for the mess, they paid and the group decided to stay on the beach for a little while. Ashka and Goten and Pasha and Trunks were left alone out of courtesy of their families and Bulma and ChiChi smiled at them from a distance.
“Would you look at that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those boys happier.” ChiChi remarked.
“Neither have I. Those two girls really are something special.” Bulma replied, smiling brighter then the stars above them.
“Ew mushy stuff....come on Tousan, let’s go swimming or something, watching them make gah-gah eyes at each other’s boring.” Pan complained.
“Pan, have some patience, honey. Those four getting married, you’ll be seeing a lot of ‘mushy stuff’ for sometime. And it’s not warm enough, you’d catch a cold.” her father answered, patting her head. Pan sighed.
“Well I guess it’s not that bad, at least they’re not.......aw man......spoke too soon.....” the little girl whined, watching her uncle kiss her aunt-to-be. “Oh, Uncle Goten.....” she shook her head. Gohan laughed silently and Videl hushed her.
“Well, I think it’s cute, don’t you Tousan? Aren‘t you glad Trunks is happy?” Bra asked sweetly, looking up to her father. He hated that face she made. The way her eyes were full of innocence and that small happy smile which put together a fragile face. He never knew how to respond to it. “Tousan?”
“Hm?”
“Aren’t you happy for them?”
“.........Of course.” was his dull answer. She smiled, glad to get a response.
“I know you do, but you don’t have to tell anyone, I understand.” and with that, she hugged his arm and walked over to her mother. He stared after her and let his annoyed face go blank. He never could be cold towards her, no matter how bad of a mood he was in. Gokou interrupted his thoughts by slapping a hand on his back. His eyes widened in surprise and he turned his head to face whoever smacked him.
“Wake up, looked like you were off in la-la land.” Gokou said. Vejita sighed and focused his attention on his son. Gokou looked in his direction and smiled at the sight. “So much for acknowledgement. Anyway, kinda like two peas in a pod, wouldn’t you say? Well, that’s if you say anything.......”
“Argh.”
“Oh hey, progress, an annoyed noise. I’m getting somewhere.”
“Stop babbling.” Vejita muttered. Gokou sighed and walked off, shrugging. He wasn’t going to let Vejita’s mood ruin his own, and he joined ChiChi’s side. Vejita didn’t bother watching him leave, his attention was still on his son. He had never actually paid close attention to the twos’ affections towards each other, but it was now apparent they really were happy. Together. Vejita cocked his head to the side upon seeing his son put a hand to Pasha’s cheek and lower his own head to kiss her. He turned to look at Bulma. He let his face soften into somewhat of a blank stare.
Bulma was laughing, chasing Bra around on the sand. She had gotten hold of her daughter and they dropped down to the ground with nothing but giggles audible. Bulma looked up and met Vejita’s eyes. She waved, smiling. He nodded back, and looked away with a tiny smile, visible only to himself and the darkness that surrounded him.
