Life With You

Part 25: Homecoming

The morning was calm as Gohan ate his breakfast and ChiChi cleaned the morning dishes. ChiChi's mind was flooded with her painful decision and how she couldn't hold off anymore. A week ago, she called her father to let him know she and Gohan will move in his castle. She delayed an immediate move telling her father she wanted her and Gohan's rooms repainted and new furniture. He surprised her by coming over the next day forcing ChiChi to pick out colors for the rooms and new furniture. Two days later, Gyu-Mao called to let ChiChi know the rooms were ready. She ignored her father's calls the next day but the day after that, Gyu-Mao visited wanting ChiChi to set a date for her move.

Which brought her to this morning when she will tell Gohan the news.

ChiChi wiped her hands on her apron. She walked over to Gohan happily eating his meal. ChiChi pulled out a chair and sat down. "Gohan, do you like visiting Grandpa's castle?"

Gohan swallowed his food before answering. "Yes. I still get lost sometimes."

After everything, Gohan stilled acted like a child when exploring her father's home. She remembered how Gohan used to cry when he got lost when she and Gohan visited. Those days were over. Gohan didn't cry anymore. He seemed more reserved. ChiChi figured it was the effects of Gohan's time on Namek and the year he was away from her. The nightmares had stopped, Gohan was attending school and making friends his age. It wasn't perfect but things were better.

"Gohan, you know Grandpa loves us, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Grandpa loves us a lot and he misses us in his big castle. He wants to take care of us." ChiChi prepared herself for Gohan's reaction. "He wants us to live with him in his castle."

"Oh," Gohan said quietly. "So, we're really moving to Grandpa's."

"Really?" ChiChi repeated Gohan's words slightly surprised. "You knew about this?"

"I heard Grandpa that night," Gohan confessed. "I never heard him angry at Dad before." To Gohan, seeing his grandpa angry was very strange. He was always happy and loved him, Mom and Dad a lot. "But we'll move back home when Dad comes back so I don't mind."

ChiChi wasn't sure about that. "Grandpa have our rooms fixed up. There's new paint and furniture. With us living closer to Grandpa, we'll be closer to your school."

That was fine to Gohan. He liked going to school and the friends he made.

"There are boxes in my room and the pantry. We'll start packing after breakfast."

****

By early afternoon, there were boxes in every room. Some filled. Some empty. ChiChi was in the kitchen carefully wrapping her dishes when she heard the sounds of a car approaching. ChiChi looked out the window slightly grimacing at the arrival of her father. ChiChi unlocked the door and kept working. She was in the middle of placing wrapped plates in a box when her father entered her home.

Gyu-Mao entered speaking a greeting to his daughter. He looked around the room pleased ChiChi was packing but disappointed it was still a slow process. If he had his people helping, they would've packed Gohan and ChiChi in his castle by now.

"Finally packing I see."

"Yes, Dad," ChiChi gave a curt reply.

Gyu-Mao understood his daughter's anger but he was doing what was best for his daughter and grandson. "ChiChi, you don't---"

"It's my home, Dad. These are my things. I'll pack them and no one else."

"I was going to say you don't need to pack your dishes. I have plenty at my castle." He wasn't a fool. He knew what ChiChi was doing. "You're stalling."