Crossroads

Chapter 16

"'You fucking asshole where are you?!! You never called me! Not once!'" that's what the first text from Raditz said. Pictures of the baby, and then slews of curse words, and then proclamations of joy finally followed. Then came the same angry comments of how unavailable and uncaring and selfish Raditz thinks he is, followed again by, "'Call me, idiot!'"

Goku smiled to himself as he read over them all on his way back to his room. It was the next morning, and he was changed into the clothing dropped off for him by whoever it is that does that and he was going first thing to check his schedule to see what type of time frame he has to go and visit his nephew and his brother. He entered his room and to his surprise he saw that his shift for today was crossed off with a red pen and beside it, hand written by whomever has been in his room to cross it off in the first place, it said in bold red letters, "Excused Absence by order of Prince Vegeta. Reason: Birth in Immediate Family."

Goku was stunned but he smiled and called his brother as he hurried to get changed. Raditz screamed at him for a full two minutes before he finally calmed down enough to tell him that everyone is at Dr. Buro's house and that he better come now.

Goku was practically soaring through the castle with a stupid smile on his face as he headed outside, once he found the exit he took to the air and whisked away, more than excited to spend the day with his family.

By the time he got to Dr. Buro's the servants were awaiting his arrival and took him quickly to the room where Minala was currently being catered to and fawned over by many people.

Raditz, who immediately noticed his entrance, stood from where he was kneeling by Minala's side and cried, "GOKU!" and his voice demanded all his attention and his praise. "Come! Quickly! Look! How perfect he is! I have no other words!" he proclaimed proudly, beckoning his younger brother.

Goku came closer, strangely emotive, and he smiled down at the precious baby boy, and Minala smiled up at him with a face Goku was unfamiliar with. The face of motherhood.

"Goku!" she huffed, "I'm so glad you're here! Now Raditz can focus on me and the baby," she laughed as she joked, and so did everyone else.

"Hey!" Raditz argued playfully, but Minala immediately and enthusiastically, though exhaustedly, told him she was kidding, and they kissed as everyone laughed and "Aww'd".

Goku smiled at them and was so touched by the sight of the baby, and the joyful passion of everyone present, even those he didn't know, that he couldn't speak for some time as he became engrossed with simply watching and listening. Raditz gushed over his son and over his lover, grinning down at the baby and at Minala for some time, and Goku simply listened as people began to introduce themselves, mostly cousins and friends, and talk about this wonderful new birth.

After a little while Goku felt more at ease than he could remember feeling in a while. He looked up, though, and noticed that Raditz has gone off somewhere, but that his father has arrived, as well as Dr. Buro, and the two of them were standing back speaking gently and proudly together.

Goku stood, not knowing what else to do with a newborn other than stare at it, and he went over to his father and Dr. Buro and told them both congratulations. Bardock beamed a smile at his son and Geredi nodded and thanked him.

"Say, Goku," Geredi's eyes pierced into his, "I have a few questions for you! About your trip, you know! Perhaps we can discuss it later, yes? I'd like that very much!"

Goku nodded and said, "Sure!" but he was feeling a little tongue tied and didn't know what else to say. Now that he's come and he's seen his brother and the baby, he didn't know what else to do with himself, and, looking back over at Minala with all of her friends and caretakers, he didn't feel like he needed to be here, but he would stay, if that's what Raditz really wants.