Shadows of the Heart: A Love Reborn

Return to Earth

After weeks of recovering and bonding with her sons on Lord Beerus's planet, Karia finally decided it was time to return to Earth. It wasn't a decision she made lightly. Earth held countless memories, both painful and joyous, and while she felt nervous about facing Broly and the others, she knew she couldn't avoid her home forever. Her sons, Kaigen, Braxton, and Gokahn, deserved to see the world she had grown to love.

Standing outside the palace, Karia cradled Gokahn in her arms while Whis held Braxton and Beerus begrudgingly carried Kaigen. The boys, now a few months old, were already showing signs of their Saiyan heritage. They were unnaturally strong for their age, and their energy levels were through the roof. Despite their small size, they had already managed to destroy several palace objects during their short time on Beerus's planet.

"Are you certain about this, Karia?" When asked, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes as he adjusted Braxton in his arms. "Returning to Earth will undoubtedly stir up emotions-especially with Broly."

Karia sighed, looking up at the endless expanse of stars above them. "I don't know what's going to happen, Whis. But I can't keep running forever. Earth is my home, and my sons deserve to know where they come from. I'll deal with Broly when the time comes."

Beerus scoffed, gently jostling Kaigen as the baby tugged on his ear. "Hmph. If Broly causes trouble, I'll take care of him myself. No one messes with my grandsons."

Karia smiled faintly at Beerus's unexpected protectiveness. He had grown fond of the boys, though he'd never admit it openly. Watching him interact with them was one of the few things that made her laugh in these uncertain times.

"Thank you, Beerus," she said softly. "But let me handle him. This is my battle to fight."

Beerus grunted in response, clearly not convinced but willing to let her try.

Whis extended his staff, its crystal orb glowing faintly. "Shall we depart, then? I'm sure everyone on Earth will be quite surprised to see you again-especially with your... new additions."

Karia chuckled nervously. "Yeah, 'surprised' is probably an understatement."

With a bright flash of light, the group was whisked away from Beerus's planet. The familiar scenery of Earth came into view as they landed just outside Goku's home. The peaceful sound of birds chirping filled the air, and the warm sunlight bathed the area in a golden glow. It was a stark contrast to the vast, otherworldly beauty of Beerus's planet, but it felt like home.

Chi-Chi was the first to spot them, stepping out of her house with a basket of laundry in her hands. Her eyes widened when she saw Karia, and the basket dropped to the ground, forgotten.

"Karia?!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, rushing toward her. Her gaze quickly shifted to the three babies in their arms, her jaw dropping in shock. "Are those...?"

Karia nodded, a sheepish smile on her face. "Yes, Chi-Chi. These are my sons-Kaigen, Braxton, and Gokahn."

Chi-Chi blinked, utterly stunned. "Triplets? You had triplets?!"

Before Karia could respond, the door to the house swung open, and Goku stepped outside, followed closely by Goten. Goku's eyes lit up with surprise when he saw Karia, and his trademar grin spread across his face.

"Karia! You're back!" he called out, jogging over to her. His gaze fell on the babies, and his smile faltered slightly as he pieced things together. "Wait... are these...?"

Karia sighed, bracing herself for the inevitable questions. "Yes, Goku. They're mine. And before you ask, yes, Broly is their father."

Goku's grin returned, albeit a little awkwardly. "Wow, that's... unexpected. But hey, they're adorable!" He reached out to gently tickle Kaigen's cheek, earning a small giggle from the baby.

Goten, on the other hand, was bouncing with excitement. "They're so cute! Can I hold one?"

Karia laughed softly. "Maybe later, Goten. They're still getting used to everything."

Chi-Chi, recovering from her initial shock, quickly took charge. "Well, don't just stand there! Bring them inside! You must be exhausted from your trip."

As they made their way inside, Karia felt a sense of relief. Despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, being back on Earth felt right. She had missed the warmth of Goku's family and the sense of belonging she always felt here.

---

Over the next few hours, Karia explained everything to Goku, Chi-Chi, and Goten-leaving out certain details about Broly for now. Beerus and Whis, meanwhile, entertained the babies, much to everyone's amusement. Seeing the usually stoic Beerus cooing at Kaigen or Whis playing peek-a-boo with Braxton was a sight no one could have anticipated.

"So, when are you going to tell Broly?" Goku asked later that evening as they sat outside, watching the sunset.

Karia hesitated, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I don't know, Goku. Part of me wants to tell him, but... I'm scared. What if he reacts badly? What if he tries to take them away from me?"

Goku placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Broly's not a bad guy, Karia. He's just... complicated. But I think he deserves to know. He's their father."

"I know," Karia said softly. "I just... I need more time. Right now, I just want to focus on the boys."

Goku nodded, understanding her hesitation. "Whatever you decide, we'll support you. You're not alone in this."

Karia smiled, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Goku. That means a lot."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Karia felt a sense of calm wash over her. She didn't know what the future held, but for now, she was content. Her sons were safe, and she was surrounded by people who cared for her.

But deep down, she knew the day would come when she'd have to face Broly and tell him the truth. Until then, she would cherish these moments of peace and focus on giving her sons the love and care they deserved.