Note: an asterick (*) denotes somebody thinking to his/herself
Peace reigned supreme for once as the Son families relished in its grasp. Sixteen year old Pan was immersed in her schooling and social life while her father engrossed himself in his studies. Videl, however, was feeling a strange pressure. Suddenly she felt time against her and after several months of pondering, she finally realized why. She wanted another child. She and Gohan had talked about it briefly before, but neither had taken it seriously. Pan was a handful already and Gohan's scholarly ways kept both parents exhausted. But this didn't deter Videl. She had a trump card to play. She knew Gohan had always desired a son to 'continue the line with.' Of course there was his younger brother Goten who was finally beginning to show signs of settling down by keeping a steady girlfriend, but the competitive urge was still strong in Gohan. He wanted to be the first to secure his father's bloodline and namesake.
So, Videl decided to play on Gohan's instincts. It was what worked best in one with saiyan blood anyway.
*He may be intelligent, but he's still a man.* Videl thought deviously. She had talked to Bulma and ChiChi about her intentions and they were more than willing to give her some suggestions on encouraging Gohan. Of course, Videl also brought the subject back up to her loving husband.
"Honey, you know things are a little hectic right now. I'm working on an intensive research project and--"
"But dearest--"
"Videl, Pan's in her mid-teens now as well. She's becoming more rude and disrespectful day by day. Add to that she's running through boy's faster than Goten's getting dumped. She's keeping me on edge as is. Do you honestly want to add another worry at this time?"
"Gohan, I'm not getting any younger. I'm not like you. I age."
This sank into Gohan's brain. He remained silent as he weighed the pros and cons of the subject. With a deep sigh he arrived at a decision.
"It would be nice to have a baby around again. Perhaps it'll mellow Pan out a little and teach her to be more responsible and mature."
"So you're serious about this Gohan?"
"Sure."
Videl rushed up to her husband and gave him a huge hug. "Thank you Gohan! This means so much to me!"
"Uh, okay. Had I known this would be your reaction, I should've waited for your birthday or a holiday."
"Oh you!" Videl teased as she playfully punched him on the shoulder.
It wasn't long before Videl announced her pregnancy. When a saiyan was serious about something, it would be completed quickly and successfully. ChiChi was overjoyed, Bulma was excited, and Gohan nervously prepared for another round of demon...err, child rearing. Even Pan assisted her parents in converting one of their extra rooms into a nursery/bedroom. The old baby furniture was pulled out of storage (it was supposed to be passed on to Goten, but nobody knew when that would be) and placed in the room. Each piece of furniture held a story behind it since both Gohan and Goten had also used the furniture when they were babies.
Once Videl entered her eighth month, Gohan became extremely over-protective just as he did when she was pregnant with Pan.
"Gohan, please. You do not need to take time off from work to be here. Your mother and Goten are right next door."
"But you're MY wife, not theirs."
"I'm not going to win this one am I?"
"What? You don't want me around?"
"I didn't say that."
"Than it's settled. Besides, I can do much of the work at my lab here at home and Trunks said he can run some of the experiments at Capsule Corp."
Videl chuckled. "You trust Trunks with such consistent detail-oriented work?"
Gohan smirked. "I gave him the short-run experiments. I'm all too familiar with his attention span."
"Bulma needs to convince him to settle down. He's got so many useful talents, but opts to half-ass everything."
"Goten's the same way. I wonder if the fusion technique they used to use so much has side-effects?"
"It's probably just how they are, Gohan. Many males in their late twenties are still convinced and acting like their still teenagers. It's just that those two have it reinforced by the fact that they still look like teenagers."
"I was never--"
"You grew up under different circumstances Gohan. You said it yourself--more fighting than peacetime. Goten and Trunks have more peace than fighting."
"And Pan and our soon-to-be--"
"Oh, I see your angle dear. No, I'm not falling for that one again. We are not going to know the sex of this baby until it decides to enter the world. It's part of the fun." Videl giggled as she put her finger to Gohan's lips to interrupt him.
"Why can you smell though that everytime I try?" he softly asked while grasping her fingers and licking them, relishing in the salty taste of them.
"Female intuition. It's more powerful than a saiyan's senses. It's what makes us saiyan-wives so skilled at keeping you ruffians at bay and obedient."
"Not fair."
"We also have to bear these large, very active offspring you saiyans create for nine long, grueling months."
"I'm sorry."
"Gohan, will you stop apologizing. It's not your fault you are what you are."
Moments later...
"Mom! I'm home!"
"Up in the baby's room Pan."
Pan made her way upstairs.
"Uh...hi dad. You're home?"
"I've taken a leave of absence from work."
Pan shrugged. "Mom, can I spend the weekend with Bra?"
"If your homework's done tonight. If you complete that and your chores then I don't see why not."
"Thanks mom, I'll get right on it."
Later that evening Gohan and Videl were enjoying tranquility by the fireplace. Pan had left for the weekend and their large house was quiet once again. Videl snuggled up against her husband as she wrapped a large throw about them.
"Mmmm...we won't be able to enjoy such peace like this much longer." Gohan said as he removed his glasses and placed them on a nearby table.
"No, we won't. We will be up at odd hours with continuously interrupted sleep. Our ears will be filled with the demands from our teenage girl and a baby who'll be able to cry like a banshee." Videl replied while reaching behind her and messing with Gohan's hair so that a spikey strand drooped over his forehead.
"Sounds like an adventure that I wouldn't miss for the world." Gohan whispered as he wrapped his arms tighter around her and snuggled her closer while resting on the plush sofa. Both fell asleep basking in the warmth and glow of the fire light.
Suddenly Videl jolted awake. As she did so, she slammed her head against Gohan's chin. Gohan snapped awake only to find his wife wincing in pain. He looked at her perplexed. A moment later the pain was gone and Videl was able to clue her husband in. She looked down at the sofa before replying.
"Dear, my water just broke and I think I had a contraction."
"Oh? If that's it then---WHAT?! Oh man, honey get in the car! I'll pack a bag and whe--"
Videl interrupted him by slapping him across the cheek. "Slow down Gohan. The baby may be a month early, but there's still many hours."
Gohan allowed himself to calm down and quickly, yet casually began preparations. He packed a bag then headed next door to awaken his mother. ChiChi awakened to the shaking of her body. As she opened her eyes, her eldest son came into view. "Gohan, what's the matter? It's way too early in the morn--"
"Mother, Videl's water broke and she's had a contraction already. The baby's going to be early. Please inform Bulma and the others to meet us at Satan City General as soon as you're able?"
ChiChi sleepily nodded and urged her son to take care of his wife. Minutes later Gohan's jetflyer could be heard speeding off into the distance. And, many hours later, Videl brought forth another quarter-saiyan into the world. Eventhough a month early, the newborn was in perfect health and form. Eventually Videl was allowed to rest after her ordeal. Gohan fell fast asleep at her bedside and remained as such until the sound of the door opening awakened both of them from their slumber.
"Awww, it's the happy parents." Krillin announced as he led the others cautiously inside. ChiChi immediately clawed her way to the front of the group until she reached Videl's bedside.
"What is it? Where is it? Can we see it?" ChiChi rattled.
Gohan stood and hugged his hysterical mother. "He's here." Gohan replied happily as he pulled part of Videl's blanket away to reveal a little wrapped bundle.
"He? You said 'he?' It's a boy? Right?"
"Yes mother. It's a boy."
Gohan answered softly as he lifted his newborn son and placed
him in ChiChi's arms. She expertly cradled her grandson. The baby
opened its eyes and gazed at her with large sapphire eyes. ChiChi
grinned.
"He has your eyes Videl."
"And Gohan's hair." Videl giggled as ChiChi tried to pat down a little tuft of hair that refused to lay flat.
Suddenly the baby let out a screeching wail. ChiChi returned him to his mother where he immediately quieted down.
"I see we have another momma's boy in the making. " Bulma commented while staring directly at Gohan.
"What?" Gohan dumbly replied. Everyone laughed.
"So what are you going to name the lil' guy?" Krillin asked.
Gohan looked at his wife as she nodded for him to reveal the name. Everyone quieted down and waited impatiently for the name of the latest addition to the Son family.
"We're going to call him, 'Gosan.'"
"Gosan eh? Another food related name just like his daddy's. It fits perfectly." Bulma commented.
The little baby opened his eyes once again upon hearing his name. He stared at nothing in particular before closing them again and returning to his slumber.
Mr. Satan came bounding in soon after. "OOooh my little girl, is everything okay!?"
"Everything's find father. Would you like to meet your grandson, Gosan?"
"Grandson? You mean you have a little boy in all those blankets?"
"Well dad, we can check again to make sure, but I'm pretty sure he's a he." Videl teased while pulling the blanket away from Gosan's face so his grandfather could see him. Gosan didn't like the cuddly warmth of the blanket being pulled away and began to cry. Videl returned the covering to him and he quieted down.
Pan and Bra returned from their little hospital "tour" along with Goten.
"Hello dear. Would you like to meet the newest member of our family?"
Pan looked at her father with apprehension. She then trained her eyes towards her mother who gave her a warm smile. Slowly she made her way to the bedside and stared at the tiny bundle resting in her mother's arms.
"Pan, this is your brother, Gosan." Videl said as she oriented the baby for a better view. Pan stared at the helpless little bundle. Rather than feeling excited and loving, she began to feel cold and abondoned. Her parents were going to be devoting a lot of time and attention to this newcomer. She was no longer their 'baby' and for the first time in her life, she hated it.