Disclaimer: *shakes head and walks away*
AN: Well, here we are at the end of the road guys. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your support of this story because without it I never would have finished it. Thank you to everyone so much. Now, please enjoy the epilogue of When You Least Expect.
* * *
Her sorrow-filled, brown eyes gazed into the mirror before her. Around her the attendant fluttered, doing her very best to bring a smile to her mistress' face. The girl had set herself upon a most impossible task, for there was no joy to be felt by the lady. Not a single smile would grace her lips, nor would a single tear touch her cheeks. She would continue the stoic silence that had been her constant companion for the last week. It and the utter grief that plagued her heart were the only friends she knew now.
Even hope had fled her in this time. She had clung to hope for so long, thinking she had found salvation when the king's decree had gone out. Hope had cruelly settled into her heart, making her believe that perhaps there was a way out of the misery promised to her as the Baroness ChiChi de Satan. Hope then played its dirtiest trick on her by slipping through her fingers when the joyous news arrived from Mongo: the princess was safe, as were her rescuers, and all would be right on the planet of Isles once again. The news had briefly alighted her heart just as it had all the inhabitants of the planet. That happiness remained in her heart until the moment the Baron came knocking at her door, all smiles, knowing he would finally have what he wanted.
And now she stood, preparing to face the most miserable day of her life, preparing for her wedding day.
The young attendant paused in her fussing to gaze over the lady's shoulder. The sadness she found in those eyes almost brought tears to her own.
"Do smile, my lady," she spoke softly, her golden eyes meeting ChiChi's in the glass, her sympathy evident. "It is your wedding day and at least you look beautiful. Not every woman can say as much."
ChiChi glared at the long squinted, white gown. "It should be black," she muttered, drawing a confused look from the blue - skinned, redhead aiding her. Snapping her eyes from the mirror, she glared at the girl. "Where is the veil? Put it on me so I can be done with this. I'm certain the Baron isn't paying you to compliment me."
The girl quickly nodded then moved to lift the mass of lace and fluff. As its base, a diamond tiara was the stand out achievement of the masterfully crafted headpiece. It was a work of art in itself. The girl made gentle work of placing the crown upon ChiChi's head before she began arranging the veil around her mistress's face. It was at this time Lord Ox entered the room, staying by the door to watch as the attendant put on her finishing touches. When she had completed the masterpiece that was the Lady ChiChi, she curtsied before father and daughter and left the small dressing room.
Moving aside, allowing the girl to leave, Lord Ox turned and smiled sympathetically at his daughter. "You look beautiful ChiChi," he said softly.
"Thank you," she said, refusing to look at him.
Holding out his arm to her, he smiled. "Shall we go? Everyone's waiting for you."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise. He had been trying his best to change her mind about this marriage since the day the Baron had forced her hand. She had been so sure he would insist or at least try to persuade her against the marriage on the day of the wedding as well. She was certain if he asked her just once more she would do as he wished. Anything to avoid the nightmare life had waiting for her.
But he did not plead with her again and continued to hold his arm to her, a smile still on his lips. With no escape now, she nodded and took his arm, letting him lead her to her fate. Her journey to the palace chapel was a numb one. Her only thoughts as she walked were that this sham of a marriage should not be allowed in such beautiful surroundings. Using his connections, the Baron had secured a spot for their wedding in the palace chapel, a place reserved for only the most powerful and influential marriages of the state. It was that thought which led her to wonder how many other women in her position had made this dreaded walk, to be united with a man they hated to the very core of their soul.
At the doors of the chapel, her father paused and kissed her on the cheek, through the veil. "Do not fret, my child. It will not be all bad."
Glare set, she looked up at the giant of a man. How could he say that? Of course it could be all bad. It was actually much worse. Before she could point this out to him, however, music began drifting out of the chapel and two court ushers pulled the ceiling-to-floor length doors open. Gently her father tugged her arm, encouraging her to take that next step. Determined to keep her emotions in check, refusing to shed a single tear, she kept her eyes lowered to the carpet, as she was lead down the aisle.
When they came to a halt at the altar, she kept her head lowered, the battle with the tears being more of a struggle than she had thought it would be. She heard the minister ask for the giver of the bride and her father answer proudly that it was he, and it was in this moment she realized it was over. No one was going to save her. Her life was over.
Her father kissed her again before placing her hand in that of her future husband. The hand tugged, silently requesting she step up to the altar. Her step faltered a moment as she almost gave in to the grief, actually having to inhale deeply before she took the step. As she came to stand before him, he reached to her side for her free hand so that he now had them both. At the contact she shuddered and the tear she'd fought so hard slipped down her cheek.
"Gosh, ChiChi. I know it's sudden, but if you really don't want to marry me I'll understand."
ChiChi sniffled softly before the voice registered with her. Looking up, she could just make out his smiling face through the veil. She blinked several times before shaking her head as if to erase the vision before her. Chuckling at her expression, he lifted the veil giving her a full view of him.
"Better?" Kakarot questioned.
ChiChi reached up as if to touch his face then quickly pulled it back, afraid he'd disappear if she did. "Kakarot?" she murmured, disbelief sprinkled in her tone.
Smiling softly he nodded, reaching out to brush her cheek lightly with the back of his knuckles. "So answer my question ChiChi. Will you marry me today?"
Gazing up with glassy fawn-like eyes, she slowly nodded before something flashed in her eyes, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no I can't," she whispered averting her eyes again.
Smile faltering, he moved his hand below her chin and tilted her face back up to his. "What is it ChiChi? You said you loved me. Did you mean it?"
ChiChi quickly nodded before sighing. "Nothing would make me happier than marrying you but...well...my father. I can not let him down." She spoke these words from beneath lowered lashes, and when she looked up she was astonished to find him smiling at her.
"You don't have to worry about your father ChiChi. Just tell me. Do you want to marry me or not?" he finished hopefully.
ChiChi frowned almost to the point of glaring at him. "Where do you get off telling me I don't need to worry? You weren't here when they had him in cuffs, ready to carry him off. I was. So do not presu-"
Her tirade came to an end when he placed a finger on her lips, still smiling just the same. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you ChiChi but I'm honest when I say you need not worry." His smile widened ever so slightly as he moved on to explain. "For the right price, the Baron became a little more agreeable about selling his claims to your father's lands."
"Yo- you mean you bought him out?" she stuttered, not sure it could be true.
Kakarot shook his head smiling. "No. His price was quite high, too high for my own pocket book, however..." he trailed off as he nodded his head toward the back of the chapel.
ChiChi's eyes followed the motion and for the first time since seeing him she remembered they were not alone in the room. Looking past the general onlookers, including family and friends, she gazed to the back of the chapel. Waving happily, Bulma smiled at her from the side of a short, scowling man. She raised her hand lightly to wave back, still astonished by this new turn of events. Turning back to Kakarot, she was not even sure what to say.
The right words must have been written across her face, because he smiled even more. "Just say yes," he encouraged. His smile slipped a bit when, at his words, her eyes glassed over and her lip began to tremble terribly. "ChiChi?"
The sudden lift of the burden, which had been weighing on her for so long, was so overwhelming she could not stop a sob, which escaped from her chest as she stepped into his arms and buried her face in his chest, her tears immediately falling onto his crispy white shirt. When it dawned on him her tears were of joy, he smiled again and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her crowned head. "Don't cry Chi. It's all right now. I'm here, and I'll take care of you."
Sniffling she pulled back from him and smiled, nodding at his words, one last tear escaping down her cheek. He brushed at the tear before leaning forward to kiss her ever so lightly. She leaned closer, pressing her lips to his more firmly, wrapping her arms around his neck. There was a small cheer from the group as they continued to kiss, however, when the cheer died down and the minister was ready to start, he had to clear his throat several times to break up the pair. From there the rest of the wedding proceeded without interruption, ending in another sweet kiss by the pair, which elicited yet another cheer from the group gathered. After the king's proposal to retire to the dinning hall for the reception, the newly wedded pair stepped down from the altar and started to the door.
At the door, ChiChi halted her new husband and turned to her dear friend. Enveloping the smiling princess in a hug, she whispered the only words that lay on her heart at the moment. "Thank you so very much, Bulma."
Bulma returned the hug before pulling back and smiling at her. "You better hurry to that reception. We didn't have much time for food in the rush here, so you better fill him up before he gets cranky," she said winking at Kakarot who returned her smile.
ChiChi chuckled and nodded before her eyes fell on the man at Bulma's side. Her chuckles dying at the man's frown, she turned back to Bulma. "You'll tell me all about your little adventure later, right?" At the other woman's nod, ChiChi pecked her cheek before turning back to her husband and letting him lead her out the chapel doors, much of the crowd following behind the happy couple.
As her parents, surprisingly the last people out, exited the room, Bulma prepared to follow then paused turning back to Vegeta. "Are you coming, too?"
"I suppose," he said after a moment.
She smiled softly. "Did I ever tell you thank you for coming? I'm sure you wanted to get home after being gone for so long and, well, just thank you."
He nodded and she smiled. Then the silence fell, quickly followed by the awkwardness. Finally sighing, Bulma looked up at him from under lowered lashes. "So, what now?"
He gazed at her a moment before turning and slowly making his way over to the altar and sitting on the steps. He would never admit it but the fight with Cell had really taken a toll on his body. Sitting had never felt so good. After returning to Mongo, there had been a message from the king explaining why Kakarot had to return immediately, leaving no time for him to get reacquainted with the regeneration tanks on the planet. It would take some time before he was back up to par.
Watching him seat himself on the steps, Bulma frowned. They had only arrived shortly before the wedding so she hadn't had time to nag him into one of the regeneration tanks on Isles. She'd have to fix that problem immediately. Walking down the aisle toward him, she took a seat on the step below him and glanced up at him. "Do you hurt much?"
He frowned down at her. "I'm fine," he muttered, recalling how she had fussed over him the whole weeklong trip here. There were several moments when strangling her had crossed his mind.
Bulma saw the flash in his eye and nodded, wisely deciding to change the subject. Gazing around the beautiful chapel she sighed. "It was a lovely wedding," she murmured wistfully, receiving a grunt from him. "Vegeta, what's going to happen to us?"
The question seemed to drop out of nowhere to him and he frowned at her. "What do you mean?"
She turned to him, resting her arms on his leg. "You know, you and I. What will happen to us?"
In a rare moment, he was actually at a loss for words. "Well, I don't know really," he said, looking at her through suspicion-filled eyes. What exactly was she getting at?
She raised a brow. "Don't tell me the great Prince Vegeta is admitting to not knowing something."
He rolled his eyes heavenward, and she chuckled. When her laughter died, she lowered her eyes to where her finger was making idle circles on his thigh. "You know, I've always been open to the idea of traveling, seeing new worlds and such. It might even be sort of fun living somewhere else," she said on a half shrug. When he didn't say anything, she chanced a look at him. As usual, he was scowling at her, but this scowl was quite different from his normal one.
"You would leave your home?" he asked after a moment.
Lowering her eyes again she shrugged. "Perhaps, I mean there's nothing really keeping me here any longer. Kakarot has been groomed to be king since we were children, and I don't see any reason why that plan should change just because he didn't marry me. My father has the right to choose his successor, after all," she paused a moment as she continued to watch her finger go round and round on his thigh. "Besides, ChiChi will make a much better Queen of Isles than I."
He frowned at this comment, resting a hand on hers to stop its annoying movement. He waited until she looked up at him before he posed his next question. "You do not want to be a queen?"
"Well, it's not that, exactly," she started. "I said I feel ChiChi would be a better queen of Isles. Everything's so quaint and perfect here. I would like a little more adventure in the people I rule. With more of a warrior spirit, perhaps is the term I'm looking for, to ensure a little excitement here and there. You know, somewhere where when you least expect, anything could happen," she paused to smile at him. "You wouldn't happen to know of such a place would you? A place where perhaps a handsome young prince is in need of a bride maybe?"
A slow smirk spread across his lips as he raised his index finger, beckoning her closer. A similar smile touched her lips as she moved up so that he could lightly touch his lips to hers.
"There might be one such planet," he murmured against her lips before kissing her more fully, his tail snaking its way around her waist to pull her closer. Bulma happily went to his side; taking full advantage of the kiss she hoped would last forever.
* * *
Well, it's been quite a ride hasn't it? Well shows over....nothing more to see here peoples. Well, there may be perhaps but I have to keep a lid on it for now *coughs* sequel *coughs*. Oh excuse me ^_^. Well thanks for reading.
AN: Well, here we are at the end of the road guys. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your support of this story because without it I never would have finished it. Thank you to everyone so much. Now, please enjoy the epilogue of When You Least Expect.
* * *
Her sorrow-filled, brown eyes gazed into the mirror before her. Around her the attendant fluttered, doing her very best to bring a smile to her mistress' face. The girl had set herself upon a most impossible task, for there was no joy to be felt by the lady. Not a single smile would grace her lips, nor would a single tear touch her cheeks. She would continue the stoic silence that had been her constant companion for the last week. It and the utter grief that plagued her heart were the only friends she knew now.
Even hope had fled her in this time. She had clung to hope for so long, thinking she had found salvation when the king's decree had gone out. Hope had cruelly settled into her heart, making her believe that perhaps there was a way out of the misery promised to her as the Baroness ChiChi de Satan. Hope then played its dirtiest trick on her by slipping through her fingers when the joyous news arrived from Mongo: the princess was safe, as were her rescuers, and all would be right on the planet of Isles once again. The news had briefly alighted her heart just as it had all the inhabitants of the planet. That happiness remained in her heart until the moment the Baron came knocking at her door, all smiles, knowing he would finally have what he wanted.
And now she stood, preparing to face the most miserable day of her life, preparing for her wedding day.
The young attendant paused in her fussing to gaze over the lady's shoulder. The sadness she found in those eyes almost brought tears to her own.
"Do smile, my lady," she spoke softly, her golden eyes meeting ChiChi's in the glass, her sympathy evident. "It is your wedding day and at least you look beautiful. Not every woman can say as much."
ChiChi glared at the long squinted, white gown. "It should be black," she muttered, drawing a confused look from the blue - skinned, redhead aiding her. Snapping her eyes from the mirror, she glared at the girl. "Where is the veil? Put it on me so I can be done with this. I'm certain the Baron isn't paying you to compliment me."
The girl quickly nodded then moved to lift the mass of lace and fluff. As its base, a diamond tiara was the stand out achievement of the masterfully crafted headpiece. It was a work of art in itself. The girl made gentle work of placing the crown upon ChiChi's head before she began arranging the veil around her mistress's face. It was at this time Lord Ox entered the room, staying by the door to watch as the attendant put on her finishing touches. When she had completed the masterpiece that was the Lady ChiChi, she curtsied before father and daughter and left the small dressing room.
Moving aside, allowing the girl to leave, Lord Ox turned and smiled sympathetically at his daughter. "You look beautiful ChiChi," he said softly.
"Thank you," she said, refusing to look at him.
Holding out his arm to her, he smiled. "Shall we go? Everyone's waiting for you."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise. He had been trying his best to change her mind about this marriage since the day the Baron had forced her hand. She had been so sure he would insist or at least try to persuade her against the marriage on the day of the wedding as well. She was certain if he asked her just once more she would do as he wished. Anything to avoid the nightmare life had waiting for her.
But he did not plead with her again and continued to hold his arm to her, a smile still on his lips. With no escape now, she nodded and took his arm, letting him lead her to her fate. Her journey to the palace chapel was a numb one. Her only thoughts as she walked were that this sham of a marriage should not be allowed in such beautiful surroundings. Using his connections, the Baron had secured a spot for their wedding in the palace chapel, a place reserved for only the most powerful and influential marriages of the state. It was that thought which led her to wonder how many other women in her position had made this dreaded walk, to be united with a man they hated to the very core of their soul.
At the doors of the chapel, her father paused and kissed her on the cheek, through the veil. "Do not fret, my child. It will not be all bad."
Glare set, she looked up at the giant of a man. How could he say that? Of course it could be all bad. It was actually much worse. Before she could point this out to him, however, music began drifting out of the chapel and two court ushers pulled the ceiling-to-floor length doors open. Gently her father tugged her arm, encouraging her to take that next step. Determined to keep her emotions in check, refusing to shed a single tear, she kept her eyes lowered to the carpet, as she was lead down the aisle.
When they came to a halt at the altar, she kept her head lowered, the battle with the tears being more of a struggle than she had thought it would be. She heard the minister ask for the giver of the bride and her father answer proudly that it was he, and it was in this moment she realized it was over. No one was going to save her. Her life was over.
Her father kissed her again before placing her hand in that of her future husband. The hand tugged, silently requesting she step up to the altar. Her step faltered a moment as she almost gave in to the grief, actually having to inhale deeply before she took the step. As she came to stand before him, he reached to her side for her free hand so that he now had them both. At the contact she shuddered and the tear she'd fought so hard slipped down her cheek.
"Gosh, ChiChi. I know it's sudden, but if you really don't want to marry me I'll understand."
ChiChi sniffled softly before the voice registered with her. Looking up, she could just make out his smiling face through the veil. She blinked several times before shaking her head as if to erase the vision before her. Chuckling at her expression, he lifted the veil giving her a full view of him.
"Better?" Kakarot questioned.
ChiChi reached up as if to touch his face then quickly pulled it back, afraid he'd disappear if she did. "Kakarot?" she murmured, disbelief sprinkled in her tone.
Smiling softly he nodded, reaching out to brush her cheek lightly with the back of his knuckles. "So answer my question ChiChi. Will you marry me today?"
Gazing up with glassy fawn-like eyes, she slowly nodded before something flashed in her eyes, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no I can't," she whispered averting her eyes again.
Smile faltering, he moved his hand below her chin and tilted her face back up to his. "What is it ChiChi? You said you loved me. Did you mean it?"
ChiChi quickly nodded before sighing. "Nothing would make me happier than marrying you but...well...my father. I can not let him down." She spoke these words from beneath lowered lashes, and when she looked up she was astonished to find him smiling at her.
"You don't have to worry about your father ChiChi. Just tell me. Do you want to marry me or not?" he finished hopefully.
ChiChi frowned almost to the point of glaring at him. "Where do you get off telling me I don't need to worry? You weren't here when they had him in cuffs, ready to carry him off. I was. So do not presu-"
Her tirade came to an end when he placed a finger on her lips, still smiling just the same. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you ChiChi but I'm honest when I say you need not worry." His smile widened ever so slightly as he moved on to explain. "For the right price, the Baron became a little more agreeable about selling his claims to your father's lands."
"Yo- you mean you bought him out?" she stuttered, not sure it could be true.
Kakarot shook his head smiling. "No. His price was quite high, too high for my own pocket book, however..." he trailed off as he nodded his head toward the back of the chapel.
ChiChi's eyes followed the motion and for the first time since seeing him she remembered they were not alone in the room. Looking past the general onlookers, including family and friends, she gazed to the back of the chapel. Waving happily, Bulma smiled at her from the side of a short, scowling man. She raised her hand lightly to wave back, still astonished by this new turn of events. Turning back to Kakarot, she was not even sure what to say.
The right words must have been written across her face, because he smiled even more. "Just say yes," he encouraged. His smile slipped a bit when, at his words, her eyes glassed over and her lip began to tremble terribly. "ChiChi?"
The sudden lift of the burden, which had been weighing on her for so long, was so overwhelming she could not stop a sob, which escaped from her chest as she stepped into his arms and buried her face in his chest, her tears immediately falling onto his crispy white shirt. When it dawned on him her tears were of joy, he smiled again and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her crowned head. "Don't cry Chi. It's all right now. I'm here, and I'll take care of you."
Sniffling she pulled back from him and smiled, nodding at his words, one last tear escaping down her cheek. He brushed at the tear before leaning forward to kiss her ever so lightly. She leaned closer, pressing her lips to his more firmly, wrapping her arms around his neck. There was a small cheer from the group as they continued to kiss, however, when the cheer died down and the minister was ready to start, he had to clear his throat several times to break up the pair. From there the rest of the wedding proceeded without interruption, ending in another sweet kiss by the pair, which elicited yet another cheer from the group gathered. After the king's proposal to retire to the dinning hall for the reception, the newly wedded pair stepped down from the altar and started to the door.
At the door, ChiChi halted her new husband and turned to her dear friend. Enveloping the smiling princess in a hug, she whispered the only words that lay on her heart at the moment. "Thank you so very much, Bulma."
Bulma returned the hug before pulling back and smiling at her. "You better hurry to that reception. We didn't have much time for food in the rush here, so you better fill him up before he gets cranky," she said winking at Kakarot who returned her smile.
ChiChi chuckled and nodded before her eyes fell on the man at Bulma's side. Her chuckles dying at the man's frown, she turned back to Bulma. "You'll tell me all about your little adventure later, right?" At the other woman's nod, ChiChi pecked her cheek before turning back to her husband and letting him lead her out the chapel doors, much of the crowd following behind the happy couple.
As her parents, surprisingly the last people out, exited the room, Bulma prepared to follow then paused turning back to Vegeta. "Are you coming, too?"
"I suppose," he said after a moment.
She smiled softly. "Did I ever tell you thank you for coming? I'm sure you wanted to get home after being gone for so long and, well, just thank you."
He nodded and she smiled. Then the silence fell, quickly followed by the awkwardness. Finally sighing, Bulma looked up at him from under lowered lashes. "So, what now?"
He gazed at her a moment before turning and slowly making his way over to the altar and sitting on the steps. He would never admit it but the fight with Cell had really taken a toll on his body. Sitting had never felt so good. After returning to Mongo, there had been a message from the king explaining why Kakarot had to return immediately, leaving no time for him to get reacquainted with the regeneration tanks on the planet. It would take some time before he was back up to par.
Watching him seat himself on the steps, Bulma frowned. They had only arrived shortly before the wedding so she hadn't had time to nag him into one of the regeneration tanks on Isles. She'd have to fix that problem immediately. Walking down the aisle toward him, she took a seat on the step below him and glanced up at him. "Do you hurt much?"
He frowned down at her. "I'm fine," he muttered, recalling how she had fussed over him the whole weeklong trip here. There were several moments when strangling her had crossed his mind.
Bulma saw the flash in his eye and nodded, wisely deciding to change the subject. Gazing around the beautiful chapel she sighed. "It was a lovely wedding," she murmured wistfully, receiving a grunt from him. "Vegeta, what's going to happen to us?"
The question seemed to drop out of nowhere to him and he frowned at her. "What do you mean?"
She turned to him, resting her arms on his leg. "You know, you and I. What will happen to us?"
In a rare moment, he was actually at a loss for words. "Well, I don't know really," he said, looking at her through suspicion-filled eyes. What exactly was she getting at?
She raised a brow. "Don't tell me the great Prince Vegeta is admitting to not knowing something."
He rolled his eyes heavenward, and she chuckled. When her laughter died, she lowered her eyes to where her finger was making idle circles on his thigh. "You know, I've always been open to the idea of traveling, seeing new worlds and such. It might even be sort of fun living somewhere else," she said on a half shrug. When he didn't say anything, she chanced a look at him. As usual, he was scowling at her, but this scowl was quite different from his normal one.
"You would leave your home?" he asked after a moment.
Lowering her eyes again she shrugged. "Perhaps, I mean there's nothing really keeping me here any longer. Kakarot has been groomed to be king since we were children, and I don't see any reason why that plan should change just because he didn't marry me. My father has the right to choose his successor, after all," she paused a moment as she continued to watch her finger go round and round on his thigh. "Besides, ChiChi will make a much better Queen of Isles than I."
He frowned at this comment, resting a hand on hers to stop its annoying movement. He waited until she looked up at him before he posed his next question. "You do not want to be a queen?"
"Well, it's not that, exactly," she started. "I said I feel ChiChi would be a better queen of Isles. Everything's so quaint and perfect here. I would like a little more adventure in the people I rule. With more of a warrior spirit, perhaps is the term I'm looking for, to ensure a little excitement here and there. You know, somewhere where when you least expect, anything could happen," she paused to smile at him. "You wouldn't happen to know of such a place would you? A place where perhaps a handsome young prince is in need of a bride maybe?"
A slow smirk spread across his lips as he raised his index finger, beckoning her closer. A similar smile touched her lips as she moved up so that he could lightly touch his lips to hers.
"There might be one such planet," he murmured against her lips before kissing her more fully, his tail snaking its way around her waist to pull her closer. Bulma happily went to his side; taking full advantage of the kiss she hoped would last forever.
* * *
Well, it's been quite a ride hasn't it? Well shows over....nothing more to see here peoples. Well, there may be perhaps but I have to keep a lid on it for now *coughs* sequel *coughs*. Oh excuse me ^_^. Well thanks for reading.