Tiny delicate fingers resting in hers, she leads the three-year-old to the closest apple orchard to their quiet abode.
Roaming the premises, she examines her surroundings. There was something peculiar about this area that she couldn't put her tongue on. What was that?
Raising his chin, Goten gazes up at his mother. "Mama, why ya lookin' like that?"
Caught off guard, she lowers her eyes, meeting her son's. "Whatcha mean, Goten? I'm just lookin' for a tree that I can raise up an' have ya pick a few apples. We don't need a lot."
"Gohan said that ya wanted 'ta make a pie. Can I help ya make it, mama?"
"Of course, sweetheart. Ya can help me stir in the ingredients an' wit' the crust. Mama is gonna cut the apples - that's grownup work, kay?" She retorts, hoping he wouldn't make a fuss if she measured everything and let him plop it in.
"Kay! I can do that." The small boy chirps, happily striding next to his mom. Tail swishing side to side, he studies the area for a tree short enough for his mother to raise him and have him pick the apples. That was what she had said they would do, right?
"Goten, this direction." She dictates, tugging his hand slightly, indicating what direction they need to go.
Eyes widen, and he bickers softly. "Mama, there's a tree over there that we can pick. Can't we go there?"
"No. I already have a tree in mind. We're usin' that one." She firmly necessitates orbs locked ahead.
"Why? They're all the same, right?" The small child questions, lips pursed in wonder.
"To a degree, but this one is sentimental 'ta me." She grins, reminiscing already about when she and her Goku-sa last came, right when Gohan had been born.
---
Waiting in line with his recently born son and wife, Goku tilts his head back, annoyed that this was taking so long to get into the orchard. All they had to do was pay a fee to pick apples, so what was containing everyone from moving swiftly? He couldn't deal with it. If it wasn't was Chi-Chi insisting that they went as a family, he wouldn't have gone! Shifting his gaze, he analyzes his wife. What was up with her and that baby? It was getting more attention than he was, and they no longer had time to pleasure each other! Didn't she know that he craved her?!
Lifting her eyes, her lips press into a thin line, concerned. "Goku-sa. Why ya starin' at me like that? Ya look like ya wanna...do it...."
"Yeah? What 'bout it?"
Eyes going round, her body stiffens. How could he say that in public?! In front of their baby?! Gohan couldn't hear them talk about such scandalous things! "Goku-sa! Not here! Not in front of Gohan!"
"Chi-Chi, stop actin' like he understands what we're talkin' 'bout. He's a baby." Snickering, he turns his body and crosses his arms irritated at his young wife. "Ya sure give him more attention than anyone else out there."
Confused as to what he was talking about, she stares blankly at him. What did he mean by that? Of course, she needed to give their son attention! "He's a baby! Ya think he can take care of himself! He can't feed, change, or take care of himself!" Droplets forming in the corner of her eyes, she bows her head in frustration.
Hating when his wife gets upset, he pulls her close. "Chi-Chi, don't cry."
Her hands around placed against Gohan, she embraces him tighter. Putting him in a sling before they left, she kept him close to her heart. It was said that a mother's heartbeat soothed a baby. Heck, she believed all the old wife tales for the most part - there had to be some logic behind it all! "Stop it. I don't wanna hear 'bout ya tryin' 'ta get me 'ta forgive ya. I won't do it."
YOU ARE READING
Gochi Fall Week
Short StoryGoku and Chi-Chi spend time together during the fall, enjoying each other's company.