*Disclaimer- I don't own, neither did I create any dragon characters.  But hey, thanks to the guys who did....*

Reassurance of Love

Chi Chi moved about her home with the agility of a mother and the grace endeared to a wife.  Her mind moved from moment to moment in her memory as she thought of her sons and her beloved husband.

The Afterlife

"I already know where you're going with this Goku.  Gosh, you'd think killing a man and destroying his home without warning would be enough favors to last a whole afterlife-time..."

"Oh come on, please..."

"Alright... alright... let me know when you are ready to telepathically link to Gohan."

"Oooh, Goku... When are you coming home?  When?"

Silent tears slipped from her eyes as she undid her bun for the first time in a long time.  Usually, she so constantly surrounded herself with shopping, cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with the kids that the pain was mildly dulled and her outward disposition was very strong.  But not today, especially after being at the market and seeing a family that resembled hers all together... all together - all in the flesh and at the market.

To make matters worse, while sitting at a cafe she overheard that conversation of two women.  One of the women must have been a widower and the other a single mom.

"He's a handsome, strong man, Selen.  Life is going on and so must you."

"It's time to heal, honey.  The more you pine away, the less your chances at being truly happy again.  Don't push Dathan away.  You might regret it someday... when you are alone..."

"That's for me to choose then, right Kat?"

They laughed and talked in the car during the ride over and Chi Chi thanked him for the courtesy when she got out.  However, there was this look that passed between them.

School was over at Orange Star High School...

"Hey, Gohan...."

"Dad... dad is that you?  Heh heh... It is you!"

"Listen Gohan, I need you and Goten to do something for me... First, stop and pick up your brother from Bulma's and then..."

"Oh this will be great..."

Videl looked on with an eyebrow raised... And why did I fall for this crazy boy again..?

"What was that look?  It couldn't have meant anything at all.  It was just a look... the kind people give when their hands are full of bags I guess... right?" Chi Chi told herself with a curse, but she knew very well that wasn't the case.

There was then a knock at the door to disturb her digression.

"Couldn't be anybody but my Goten wondering where's the food.  A miniature Goku that one is.  No way anyone would say otherwise.  He has his father's look and his appetite... down to the letter," remarked Chi Chi to herself as she headed to the door with a smile and expecting to see her youngest looking all roughed up from playing with Trunks when he should have come straight home.  But indeed, Goten it was not.

"Eh-he-eh... Hey Chi Chi.  You were in such a hurry that you left this b-bag in my c-c-c-c-car," said Yamucha, barely able to speak in his usual wannabe cool way.  Yamucha stood with his mouth open for a second after taking a look at Chi Chi.  It must have been the way her raven black hair shined and framed her face as it fell in long silken locks or maybe her warm smile on her small lips that made him freeze... and darn near forget whose wife she was.  Instantaneously (to say the least Yamucha), his old crush was rekindled and the thoughts that entered his mind might cause one to doubt Yamucha's loyalty to his friend Goku. 

"Yamucha...."  Chi Chi was a little stunned.  "Yeah, yeah, had that bag been full of food rather than clothing I never would have seen it again."

"Awwww, how cruel is that, Chi Chi!  I would never steal from the mouth of babes."

"No, you just steal from the fridge when ever you come over.  Don't think I didn't know about the-"

"Wow... you look so beautiful..."

The conversation was dropped and Chi Chi turned around and walked into the kitchen purposefully so as to avoid Yamucha seeing her blush at his comment.  Yamucha followed after, realizing that he might have offended Chi Chi.

Why are these thoughts coming to me now? pondered Chi Chi..

Chi Chi walked over to the kitchen sink and stood over the recently hot water which has now turned lukewarm to the touch.   Is this now the state of our love now Goku?' she thought to herself, her mind in turmoil.

"Chi Chi... um, I'm sorry, I guess.  I shouldn't have opened my mouth... I'm always saying stupid things... you know that..."  Yamucha tried to ease the tension in the still kitchen after setting down the bag on the table.

"Boy, do I," said Chi Chi, smirking.

"But I meant it," whispered Yamucha as he came up close behind Chi Chi and placed his arms around her.  A risky and bold move, especially knowing that this was a woman who could be a fighting match for him.

Approaching the Son Home

"Gohan, I can see Mom in the kitchen window.  I thinks she's doing the dishes."

"Good Goten, then we can sneak in through the front door without her noticing how late we are and ruining the surprise..."

"I'll fly up ahead and make sure she stays in there... ok..."

Goten flew toward the kitchen window in a hurry, full of excitement about the coming surprise of the evening.

For the slightest of all moments in all space and time, Chi Chi lowered her guard and soon she was carried away... lost in her emotion filled memories.  The arms around her belonged to her new husband on the morning after the day they were married.  The setting sun shone through the window and its golden rays on her skin - a reflection of the happiness inside her.  Goku was simple.  That's what made his love for her  so intricate and unforgettable.  From that moment, their love bound them together as close as the sea is to the earth, and the earth to the creatures that walk upon it, and as linked as all nature is to itself.  When Goku drew upon the energy of all living things to form the Spirit Bomb, he also drew upon the love in his marriage - for it would always be alive no matter their physical state or how long the passage of time.

...you don't understand ...he was a part of my heart... That's for me to choose... and he is still part of my heart... I will never be alone...

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE..."

Chi Chi's rage was too quick to counter and before he knew it, Yamucha was lying amidst the shards of the kitchen table - onto which he had been expertly thrown.

Goten paused outside the kitchen window upon hearing the crash and ducked down beneath the pane so as not to be seen.  If Gohan was in trouble, he didn't want to be next.

Gohan stopped short inside the living room where he was busily setting up the arrangements for he surprise when he heard the upset inside the kitchen.

"I'd better hurry, if getting into trouble's what Goten meant by keeping her in the kitchen... well by the time he brings her in here it will be ready."

"Chi Chi, I..." stammered Yamucha.

"Where do you get off pulling a stunt like that!  Do you think I'd let you just get away with it?!" Chi Chi shouted as she stood over Yamucha.

"Wow, Gohan... geez could ruin the surprise any more," whispered Goten to himself.

"Gosh Goten... Well, I feel for the little guy," Gohan murmured to himself.

"But, Chi Chi just listen...."

"No, you listen..." Chi Chi's voice lowered to a whisper as she bent down over Yamucha.  Her eyes softened momentarily from their previous fierceness.  Even a slight smile came over her face.  She decided to go easy on him.  "Yamucha, I know that you can't help but to ga ga over a beautiful woman.  And you've long since know that my heart belongs only to Goku... and no one else.  Thanks for  being there when I need you - that I haven't forgotten.  But just think how much less respect you would have for our friendship if I disregarded my vows to one whom I say I love so much.  Let's see.  I will regard this incident as your way, AS A FRIEND, to try and comfort me when I was feeling down.  To say anything else about it could make me..." her voice growing louder, "VERY ANGRY THAT YOU TRACKED DIRT THROUGH MY HOUSE!!!!"

Hearing the final portion, Goten quickly made his way around to the front where he nearly bumped heads with Gohan - who was in the same hurry to remove his shoes before returning inside.

"Please fly out through the window to avoid further bodily harm, Yamucha.  And I'll be expecting my new table any day now," said Chi Chi with a stern look.

Yamucha cracked a scared smirk as he quickly levitated and headed for the window.  "No way I'd trade places with Goku."

"Guess we'd better get in there and apologize," remarked Gohan to Goten.

"Yeah and Dad planned it so well..."  Both the Son Brothers turned and bolted into the house as they heard their mother shriek.

Still standing in the doorway, Gohan and Goten watched as their mother went from bouquet to bouquet smelling all the sorts of flowers that filled the living room.  She pick each note card, read it and held it close to her heart.  Each little card had something sweet written on it from either Goku, Gohan, or Goten.  Her eyes so blurry, Chi Chi found herself being seated at a delectable smelling dinner at the center of her floral overwhelming.

In a firm motherly voice, "Who's bright idea was this... huh?" Chi Chi playfully enquired.

Gohan and little Goten exchanged looks.  Unbeknownst it to them that their mother was just kidding.  Finally, Gohan answered in a low voice while looking down and shuffling his feet, "...Dad did."

Chi Chi hugged both her sons in her unique emotional way - squeezing them to death.  Before the night was over they had laughed and shared memories together, and even Goten felt like he had been there to see it all.

With the lights down dim, Chi Chi prepared for bed and quietly spread out all the little momentos on the bed to look over once more.  Then she gently gathered them together and placed them under her pillow. 

"Goodnight, my love, Goku... goodnight."  With that, she closed her eyes and deep inside her she knew she felt Goku's presence and a sweet kiss on her lips.  Chi Chi's eyes fluttered open.  "Goku?"  She closed her eyes again, this time heading into a peaceful dream.

"I love you Chi Chi..."

This time too tired to open her eyes, Chi Chi only replied, "I'm waiting..." as Goku tucked her in and faded into the silent stars of the night.

The End

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