Life With You

Part 34: Waiting For You: Part One

AN: Art drawn by @cc6512eng CC(Carol) on twitter

New Year's Eve was different this year. ChiChi normally celebrated it at her father's castle with Gohan and Goten, but this time, she accepted the invitation to celebrate it on Master Roshi's island. Yamcha declined for he already had plans but Bulma and Trunks came and so did Piccolo who came solely to release the fireworks. Having played with fireworks when he lived with Goku's family, he was eager to do it again.  

The theme of the party was a Luau. The men and boys wore shorts and floral (Master Roshi and Krillin) and solid color shirts (Gohan, Goten and Trunks) while the ladies wore floral printed dresses. Bulma's dress was a mini, 18's was sleeveless with a long slit on one side but ChiChi's dress was surprising. It cut off at her knees but had extra allure being sleeveless and left her back exposed. The dress definitely caught Bulma's and Master Roshi's eyes as it was unexpected for ChiChi to wear but ChiChi liked it when she saw it on a mannequin and loved how it felt on her. It was a bit liberating for her. Daughter of Gyu-Mao and later wife to Son Goku, ChiChi felt she had to dress a certain way. Now a widow and feeling more confidence in her thirties, ChiChi felt more in command in picking her clothes and deciding what's best for her.

While Piccolo and Gohan worked on the fireworks setup, Goten and Trunks chased each other on the beach. Krillin and Master Roshi sat by the fire watching the kids and drinking. The ladies were inside at Bulma's request for them to have drinks and play a game of their own.

ChiChi and 18 sat on the sofa waiting for Bulma to join them carrying a tray of empty glasses, a pitcher of light-colored liquid Bulma put together with several drinks, two dice and a deck of cards.

"My Mom taught me how to make this drink. She gave it to my Dad when they were dating."

18 couldn't help but wryly ask as Bulma filled her glass, "Is that how she won him over?"

"Oh, no. Mom didn't need to do that. Though it did help. I'm pretty sure she used it on other guys."

"Before Dr. Briefs?" 18 took her glass and sipped. She flinched at the strong taste.

"And after." 18 froze in mid drink. "I'm not stupid. My parents' marriage is different and Mom's parenting is questionable. She wanted to give Goku alcohol when he was 12."

While 18 and Bulma shared a laugh, ChiChi wasn't amused as she shared, "She wanted to have drinks with him when Goku was married to me."

18 coughed, choking on her drink. She rubbed her throat as the liquid pushed down her throat. "What?"

Even Bulma was surprised. "When did this happen, ChiChi?" As far as she knew Goku hadn't seen her mother since he was a kid.

"When Goku left for Namek. He told me she was touchy with him and wanted to have drinks." 18 hid her face as she took a few sips while trying not to laugh. "I never would've known about it if not for Goku and I having drinks one New Year's Eve and he told me about it. He remembered your mother wanting drinks and thought we should do that with her." This time 18 couldn't contain her laughter. She threw her head back laughing loudly.

"Oh," Bulma said after a long silence. "That doesn't surprise me about my Mom. Sometimes I think she and Vegeta did something before we got together." 18 lowered her glass and ChiChi's mouth fell open. At their humorous stunned gazes, Bulma grabbed ChiChi's glass. "One night I made these drinks for us. I wanted to know how it affects a Saiyan." She laughed. "I did this when I dated Yamcha. He's a lightweight. He was stripping before me but Vegeta flat out refused. He got angry and I swore he was blushing. He never refused any food or drinks I offered before and he drinks with my Dad sometimes so this made me suspicious."