As I Grow

Chapter 8: Home Again

I'm eighteen now. I never thought I would be taken away from my old life, just to go on vacation to America. We had left three years ago. I had to brush up on my Japanese a little, because of being in America for so long. We spoke it at home, but I had to learn it for when we went out. Not a lot of people speak Japanese in the states.

"It's about that time Pan," Mama said to me. We were currently on a flight back home. I was ready to see everyone. But I've changed so much, they might not recognize me. My boobs grew, hips became wider, curves fully set in. My raven colored hair was in a braid behind my head. It extended down to my lower back. I should get it cut...

"Are you nervous?" Papa asked, squeezing my hand.

"A little," I said softly smiling the Son smile at him.

"Only ten more minutes. Everyone said they would be there. Well, almost everyone," Papa said turning away from me.

"Is Trunks too busy working?" I hadn't seen or talked to him since the day I left.

"Yes, but Bulma said as soon as he was caught up, he would visit," Papa said smiling, a sad, but happy smile. I smiled back, and I looked over at Mama. She was glowing with health. For a while now, Papa and Mama had been working on trying to have another baby. Mama was told she grew infertile...

"Can I stay at Bulla's tonight?" I asked Mama and Papa.

"If it's okay with them, it's okay with us," Mama said, and Papa nodded.

"Mama?" I asked.

"Yeah Pan?" she asked, now looking a little concerned.

"Are you pregnant?" I asked, not wanting to hurt their feelings.

"You just now caught on?" Papa asked me with a little chuckle and Mama smiled at me.

"I'm about three months pregnant," Mama answered. I hugged both of them and I squealed with joy. I was going to be a big sister.

Goten's POV

I couldn't wait to tell my brother, sister-in-law, and niece about the best news in the world. Bulla and I had welcomed triplets into the world. They were a year old now, but I forgot to mention them. I'm an airhead sometimes, and I really hate that about myself. Amy, Jamie, and Katie were our triplets' names. Two girls and a boy. They were my pride and joy.

Here we are, my small family, my parents, and my wife's family (Bulla and I had gotten married before the triplets were born). We were waiting to welcome back Gohan, Videl, and Pan after not seeing them for three years. I've heard Gohan and Videl talk about how much Pan has changed, and the fact that Videl was pregnant.

About five minutes later, a plane came into sight as it landed on the runway. We all stood up and walked over to the gate to welcome them back home with open arms. I saw them first, and quit breathing at the sight of my once fifteen-year-old niece. She had grown. A lot. "Gohan!" my mother yelled as she rushed to him. She took him in an embrace, then Videl, and finally Pan. All of us followed suit.

"Grandma! Grandpa! Uncle Goten! Bulla! Bulma! And three children I don't know!" Pan yelled, hugging every last one of us. I told her about me, Bulla, and our kids. "Wow," Pan said with a sigh. Something was wrong. We drove back to Mount Paozu, and unloaded all the luggage from the cars. We then found ourselves having tea with everyone.

Pan's POV

After we got home, I decided I wanted to unpack, so I excused myself and left with my bags. Bulla followed me up, and I saw how happy she was about seeing me and finally being able to tell me. Something snapped in me then. "Bulla. I'm sorry, but can you please shut up? I don't mean to sound bitchy, but I've had a long day. I just want to sleep," I said, laying my head on my pillow.

"Pan? Are you okay?" she asked, looking worried.

"Yeah. I can't be with Trunks," I said, trying to fight back tears.

"He's waited so long for you, and now this? You're just going to leave his heart broken?" she asked, getting a little angry.

"I can't have a romantic relationship with my uncle, Bulla! You and Goten got married. That makes you my aunt, and Trunks my uncle. It'd be weird," I said, now letting it all out. I cried harder into my pillow then, than I had in my whole lifetime.

"Oh, Panny," Bulla said, coming over and sitting next to me.

"I waited for so long. I want to be with Trunks. I have for as long as I can remember. He's been through the best and worst times of my life with me. I know him like I know the back of my hand. His favorite color, food, movie, song. Everything. And now, my chances are gone," I cried into my pillow as Bulla rubbed my back.

"Why don't you come stay the night at Capsule Corp.? Just you and me. I'll make Goten take the kids," she said, pulling me into a half-hug thingy.

"What should I bring?" I asked her.

"Nothing but your body and a swimsuit," she said, smiling evilly.

"Bulla, my swimsuit doesn't fit me anymore," I said, blushing at the floor.

"Then let's get you a new one," she said, grabbing my hand. After we explained our situation to my parents and Goten, Bulma took us shopping. We arrived, and I picked out a sky blue bikini and Bulla bought it for me. We returned to their house, and we went up to her room. We talked for a while, had chinese food for dinner, talked some more, then she mentioned swimming.

After Bulla and I changed, we headed down to the pool room that the Briefs built instead of having an outdoor pool. I didn't mind, and I dove in. It was cold, and I regretted just jumping in like that. I swam until I got used to the water, and Bulla joined me. "Having fun?" she asked, smiling over at me.

"Yeah," I said as I smiled back. I forgot about my breakdown at home, and I continued swimming and showing Bulla different tricks I could do off the diving board. She was impressed, and soon Bulma decided she would join us as well.

"Hey ladies. Care if I join?" she asked, coming through the doors in a dark blue bikini. We just waved for her to come in, and she, like me, just dove right in. She came up complaining about the cold water. She shook it off soon, finally getting used to it. We swam and talked for a good twenty minutes before we were interrupted by a lavender-haired man with blue eyes. He walked and turned to Bulma, not seeing me at all.

"Mom, have you seen where I put the keys to the Mustang?" he asked, still not noticing me.

"No, I haven't, son," she said, looking over at me. "Have you two seen them?" she asked, gesturing over to us.

"Nope," Bulla said and looked to me. I saw Trunks looked from Bulla, to me, and back to Bulla. "Have you seen them, pipsqueek?" she asked, referring to an old nickname she gave me.

"No," I pushed out. I looked up at Trunks, who had gone wide-eyed.

"Bulla, darling, will you help me look for them in the kitchen?" Bulma asked her daughter.

"Sure thing," Bulla said as her and Bulma got out. After they shut the door behind them, they shut me and Trunks in a room. All we could do was stare into the other's eyes.