In Your Dreams: Chapter 55

After Goku had returned to bed and tucked himself in beneath the covers, he found his mood plummeting down into the depths of depression. He felt like a kicked puppy, and he probably looked like one too with the way his tail insisted on tucking itself between his legs on its own accord. He'd tried, but it seemed pretty obvious to him that he wasn't trusted with his own daughter. And it wasn't fair. To his knowledge he'd never threatened the child in any way; he'd only stated that he didn't feel any sort of connection.

Before his thoughts could drift any further, Vegeta entered the room. Goku's eyes shifted toward the door, and he was surprised to find that the older man didn't have the baby with him. Usually the child was ready for an early morning meal by this time.

The younger Saiyajin watched quietly as the other man moved into the bathroom. There was a brief moment when he heard running water, and shortly after that Vegeta reappeared drying his hands on a towel, which he tossed aside into the hamper before moving over to the recliner chair he'd been sleeping in for the past week.

''Vegeta...''

The prince paused in mid-stride at the sound of his voice, and he turned to cast his mate a questioning gaze.

''I only wanted to see her when no one else was around. I've never been alone with her.''

For a moment it looked like Vegeta might protest the statement, but after drawing in a breath, he paused and let his eyes wander to the side as he thought about it. The only sign he gave when he realized the younger man was right was the slight downward turn of his mouth.

Goku remained silent as the older man sighed and began to move toward the bed, and within a few strides he had seated himself on the edge of the mattress beside him. For a long moment Vegeta didn't say anything, so when dark eyes finally turned to meet his own, Goku could help but feel a little startled.

''You're right.''

The younger man's eyebrows shot up at the prince's confession. That was a surprise.

Vegeta continued. ''I hadn't realized until now that you haven't gotten any time alone with her. However, I was also under the impression you didn't want anything to do with the child.''

Goku's brow lowered again and his jaw tightened as he finally lowered the blankets he had bundled up around him. He sat up gingerly, careful not to tug his stitches again. ''I said I didn't feel any connection with her. I never said I didn't want to try to form a bond once she was born! But... you've been acting like I'm out to harm her, and I've been afraid to do anything besides feed her, while you watch, and then hand her back!''

The prince frowned and folded his arms over his chest as he considered his mate's words. ''Hn. I suppose I've been a little... protective of our daughter.''

Goku snorted at that. ''A little.''

Vegeta looked as if he might have something to say about the younger man's sarcastic reply, but the words stuck in his throat when his eyes suddenly lowered to Goku's stomach. The gauze there was stained red from the torn stitches.

''Kakarotto, what happened there?''

Goku didn't even have a chance to reply before the prince had pushed him back against the pillows and grabbed a nearby pair of scissors from the bedside table. The younger man winced as the gauze was cut and gently pulled away from his healing 'wound'. The material stuck to the drying blood, making him hiss in discomfort as his skin was pulled.

''I tore a couple stitches when you scared me in the nursery. It's not a big deal.''

Vegeta grunted and tossed the soiled bandages into the trash. The older man leaned over Goku as he ran his fingers over the swollen and angry flesh along his mate's lower abdomen, and his brow furrowed in annoyance.

''You need to be more careful, Kakarotto. It looks worse than it is, but if you had torn anymore stitches you'd be making a late night visit to Villacastin.''

The color drained from the younger man's face, and he squirmed in discomfort as Vegeta swept a damp antiseptic clothe over his injury to clean away the blood and any germs that may have gotten inside the torn flesh. His jaw tightened as the cut burned and stung, but a moment later the prince leaned forward and gently blew on the affected area, immediately soothing it and easing the pain.

It took only a few moments to re-wrap the bandages around his stomach, and Goku smiled when instead of returning to the recliner, Vegeta climbed into the bed next to him. The younger man immediately scooted closer to the other man and wrapped his arm around the prince's waist before settling his head on a strong chest. The sound of Vegeta's heart beating against his ear had an instant calming effect, and he felt every muscle in his body relaxing.

Just as Goku felt himself drifting off to sleep, however, a thought popped into his head. ''Isn't it time to feed her?''

The younger man felt more than he saw the slight shrug of his mate's shoulders.

''She went back to sleep. Didn't seem interested.''

''Hmm....What's her name? No one ever told me.'' The slight hurt in his voice must have been obvious, because strong fingers suddenly buried themselves in Goku's hair and began to gently weave their way through silky strands.

''She doesn't have a name yet. I was hoping that was something you could help me with.''

Goku's heart leapt within his chest, and he lifted his head so he could look the older man in the eye; however, Vegeta's lids remained closed. ''Really?''

The prince only gave a slight nod before pushing Goku back down into his previous position. ''We'll talk more in the morning. Sleep now.''

The younger man smiled as the sound of Vegeta's heartbeat once again filled his ears, and a sense of peace settled over him as he finally managed to drift off into a dreamless slumber.

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The next morning Goku was shocked when after handing him the baby to begin her feeding, Vegeta turned and left the room. It happened so suddenly that the smaller man didn't even have the time to ask his mate where he was going.

After that, the silence that settled over the bedroom became deafening, and Goku soon found his eyes drifting down to the infant he cradled in his arms. He felt his face heat up at the sight of the child suckling from him, but the Saiyajin immediately distracted himself from the embarrassing act and instead took the time to actually 'look' at his daughter.

He'd never really had the chance to study her features, and now that he was getting a close look, her beauty nearly took his breath away. Her hair had filled out, and it indeed held a striking resemblance to Radditz' mane, only hers stopped at her lower back rather than threatening to drag on the ground as his brother's had. Goku could also see purple highlights streaking through the child's hair whenever the light hit it at the right angle. Her tail was similar in coloring, and the small appendage had once again wound itself around one of his fingers. Her grip was getting stronger too.

By now several minutes had passed, and Goku was a little startled when the baby suddenly released him and gave a small burp followed by a satisfied gurgling noise. The Saiyajin chuckled a little and brought his legs up as he shifted the child in his arms and rested his forearms against his thighs in order to better see her. He was careful to support her neck and head with both hands as he studied her.

After a little bit of squirming to adjust to her new position, the little girl mashed her plump lips together and scrunched her eyes up before slowly opening them. Goku's own eyes widened as large dark orbs met his own for the first time, and both child and parent gazed at each other for a long time in silence.

The infant's eyes were large like his own, but they were angled more like Vegeta's, forming a beautiful almond shape that was softened by long lashes. Despite the baby fat, Goku could tell she had the high sharp cheekbones that were common for the Saiyajin race, along with a strong, yet feminine jaw line.

Goku smiled softly and gently ran a single finger down his daughter's forehead and along her nose before resting it on her lips. The little Saiyajin's eyes crossed when she attempted to follow his movements, and he laughed when chubby hands came up to wrap themselves around his finger to hold it in place as she began to suck on the tip.

With his other hand still supporting the infant's head, Goku was unable to move until his daughter released his finger, which she seemed quite unwilling to do as her eyes drifted shut. As she continued to suckle, Goku's eyes once again began to wander over her form, and he noticed for the first time that her skin was covered in a very fine layer of fuzz.

''Kakarotto.''

The younger Saiyajin's head snapped up and he looked at Vegeta, who had finally returned and was holding a tray of food in front of him. The prince grinned at the sight of his mate and daughter together and he set the tray down on the bedside table before sitting beside the other man.

''What do you think?''

Goku's eyes moved from Vegeta back to his daughter, and he wiggled his finger in an attempt to take it back from the baby's mouth. The tiny Saiyajin only furrowed her brow and tightened her grip, and he could feel her gums mashing against him in protest, so he gave up and let her have her way.

''What's this fuzz?''

The prince's eyes moved back to his child, and he smiled softly as he ran his own finger down one of her arms. ''All Saiyajins are born covered in a light 'fur'. It'll shed off over the next month.''

Goku's mouth formed an 'O' as he gazed down at the baby, who seemed to be drifting back off to sleep. The 'fur' reminded him more of the fuzz that covered the surface of a peach. So soft and delicate.

''Momoku.''

Vegeta shifted his gaze from the infant to his mate. ''What?''

''That's what I want to name her. Momoku.''

The older man gave the other Saiyajin a sour look as he scrunched his face up in displeasure. ''Momoku? But that's so..... cute.'' Vegeta spat the last word as if it was poison, and Goku chuckled in response.

''But it fits. And besides, with all the crap I've been through, I should at least be able to decide on the name.''

If not for the suddenly large watery eyes and the pouty lip, Vegeta might have argued with his mate further, but he found himself no match for the 'puppy-dog look', and he turned his eyes away with a sneer.

''Very well.''

A smile immediately spread over Goku's face as he turned his eyes back to his daughter, who was now very much asleep. Her grip had slackened on his finger, so he slowly drew it back, but her tail remained tightly coiled around his wrist.

''Momoku it is then.''

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Later that day Goku finally felt strong enough for the first time since giving birth to venture downstairs. It felt good to stretch his legs again, and he found that being bedridden for so long had left him feeling achy and stiff. It made him feel so much older than he really was.

''Hey, look who's up!''

Goku smiled at Bulma as he walked into the kitchen and took a seat beside her. Bunny, who he hadn't even noticed at first, immediately dashed to his side and set down several hot plates of food.

''Eat up, dear!'' the older woman chirped. ''You need to get your strength back!''

The Saiyajin nodded in thanks to the blonde as she hummed some unknown song and danced off somewhere. Bulma chuckled beside him and took a sip of tea.

''I don't think she'll ever act her age.'' Bulma smiled when Goku grinned and began eating. ''So how are you feeling?''

''M'fine.'' the younger man replied around his fork. He removed the utensil and swallowed before shifting his eyes to his friend. ''I tore a couple stitches last night, but otherwise everything is healing just fine.''

Blue eyes widened in alarm before dropping down to his stomach. ''Oh? Do you need me to check it out?''

Goku was chewing another mouthful of food, and he shook his head and swallowed again before responding. ''Nah, Vegeta took care of it. It's no big deal.''

''That's good.'' Bulma seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing. ''How are you doing with the baby?''

The Saiyajin suddenly turned to her with an excited expression. ''I named her Momoku!''

''You did? When?''

''Just this morning.'' Goku announced proudly. ''She felt like a peach with all that fuzz, so I thought it fit.''

Bulma chuckled and shook her head. ''And Vegeta was ok with that?''

''Mmm, not really. But he loves me, so he let it stick.''

The older woman didn't look convinced. ''You gave him the puppy-dog look, didn't you?''

A sweat drop formed on Goku's forehead as he coughed and stabbed at his food with his fork. ''Uhhh... of course not...''

''Don't lie, Kakarotto.''

Two pairs of eyes turned to the doorway to find Vegeta standing there with a sour expression on his face. He directed his gaze at Goku, who at least had the decency to look a little guilty.

The older man snorted and shifted Momoku slightly, resting her more fully against his shoulder as he supported her on one arm and secured her by placing his hand on her back. ''Just be aware that overusing that will result in my developing an immunity to its effects.''

''Noted.'' Goku grinned and watched as Vegeta sat down beside him. His grin faded into a frown when the older man reached over and pulled his plate of food away from him and snatched his fork before he began to eat his lunch.

''Hey! That was mine!''

Vegeta smirked around the fork he'd stuck between his lips. ''You're right. It WAS yours.''

Goku huffed as he sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. However, the longer he watched Vegeta sitting there holding his daughter so protectively and lovingly against him, the less vexed he became about his stolen lunch. His heart began to swell in his chest as everything suddenly began to feel so 'right', and soon a soft smile had formed on his lips.

Vegeta happened to look up at his at this point though, and he raised an eyebrow. ''What are you smiling about?'' The prince suddenly looked suspicious. ''Are you plotting something?''

The younger Saiyajin chuckled and shook his head. ''No. I'm just happy.''

The response only made Vegeta more suspicious, however. ''You're plotting something.''

''Just eat, Vegeta.''

To be continue...