BlueMoon Goddess: Alright guys I'm here with the final chapter to this story! Thank you to all who favored, reviews, and followed this story. I hope you all enjoyed this fic and will continue to read my other stories in the future. Now onto the last chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ, its character's or the book "The Marriage Merger" by Jennifer Probst

Summary: Having been burned by relationships before, Bulma Briefs has stayed on her family's businesses, keeping work her main priority. That was until Vegeta Ouji, lured her out of her workaholic lifestyle with an irresistible offer. She shouldn't be trusting him, but his powerful onyx gaze has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition.

Vegeta walked the site of the hotel and took note of the new developments with a look of pride. His vision shimmered before him, almost complete. The details were finally coming together to complete a portrait of exotic lushness paired with an environment that welcomed travelers home, with all the modern luxuries, from dedicated technology and video room for business executives needing to Skype and hold online meetings, to the pampering spa, pools, hot tubs, and steam rooms. The rich textures of polished marble, glittering crystals, plush velvet, and rich mahogany conjured old and new worlds. He'd used his private art collection to make sure the main rooms inspired, like a high-class art gallery for his guests.

He closed his eyes for a moment and pictured the hotel full, his dream finally complete. And wondered why the culmination of his goal beat like a hole in his heart.

Empty. Void. Dead.

"Hey, it's looking good, Vegeta."

He turned toward the sound of Goku's voice. A flicker of guilt trickled through him. Blowing off the dinner had been a visible slap in the face to Bulma and everyone else. Wishing he knew a different way to handle it, he forced a small smirk. "Of course it's looking good, it's my creation. Listen, sorry I couldn't be at dinner last night. Got caught up in the office. Hope you understand."

"Sure. We've all been there, especially around a new opening. Can I talk to you a sec?"

Warning bristled his nerves. "I have a meeting to get to. Maybe later."

"It'll only take a minute. It's pretty urgent."

Coldness seeped through his veins. "Fine." He led Goku up the stairs and into the shell of what would be his private office. The empty room was devoid of furniture and details, confirming it couldn't be a long talk. "Go ahead."

"Bulma told me what was going on with you and I was making sure that you were alright with everything that's been going on."

Vegeta's heart stuttered in an uneven rhythm, already not liking the way this conversation was heading into. "I appreciate the concern, but everything is fine and I'm handling it."

"Really? Because what Bulma told me, she has some concerns Vegeta. What you're going through is causing you to pull away from her."

A frown marred his face. "How much did she tell you?" Vegeta asked him.

"She told me that your father and brother were killed by a man named Frieza, and that you were still feeling the turmoil of it even when he was brought to justice. But I've known you for a long time. We've been friends awhile, and though we didn't talk about your past much, I'm not an idiot. You went through a lot when the remaining members of your family died and it changed you in a way that caused you to not open up to others. But seeing you with Bulma, I noticed that you've changed and started opening up. You're becoming a better person for her and I will stand by and state again that you are what she needs."

"You're, wrong, Kakarot," Vegeta said softly. "I'm not what she needs. Bulma needs someone who can make her happy. Love her the way she deserves and keep her safe. That person is not me."

"Yes it is. But you gotta believe it before it can happen, Vegeta." Goku leaned against the empty wall. "I have no doubt that there's no perfect person out there for Bulma than you. You're already in deep trouble. She loves you, and you can run as far and as fast as you want, but I bet she'll be waiting for you when you get there." He shook his head. "She's a seriously scary woman when she wants someone or something."

Goku's words dived deep and latched on. A crazy flicker of hope lit within Vegeta. "I don't know."

"I figured. Listen, there's going to be a celebratory dinner for Launch and Tien on their engagement, at six at Wild Lotus before they leave to head back home. Would be nice for you to come out and help us celebrate. So come on by real quick when you've had some time to think about what we talked about. Hope to see you later."

Vegeta watched him disappear, the words frozen in his throat. Fear and want mingled in a flood that drowned him.

Goku had thrown him a lifeline.

Now he just had to decide whether or not to use it.

Bulma was sitting at a table at Wild Lotus, enjoying the company of her friends and helping celebrate Launch and Tien's engagement. Well…she was trying to help celebrate. With everything going on with her and Vegeta, she wasn't really in the mood to celebrate. She hadn't seen him since she told him she loved him, him evading her all morning.

She felt a slight nudge on her arm and looked to see Chi-Chi giving her a concerned look on her face. "Are you ok Bulma?"

"Of course, why do you ask?" Bulma said, putting on a fake smile.

"C'mon, Bulma, I know you." Chi-Chi said, her voice saying she wasn't buying what her friend was trying to sell. "You're here physically, but not here mentally here. What's really going on with you?"

Grief sprang up and choked her. "It's just everything that's going on with Vegeta. I'm worried for him."

"Hey, don't feel too bad. Goku told me that he went to talk to him earlier today and I'm sure it went great." Chi-Chi told her.

"Yeah, and from what he told me, it seems that Vegeta still has some doubts. But I'm not giving up, Chi-Chi. I've spent my whole life waiting for a man like him. I'm going to fight as hard as I did when Toriyama Corp. tried to put us out of business and steal our inventions."

Chi-Chi laughed. "They never had a shot against you. And neither does Vegeta. Don't you worry, I'm sure he'll show up later."

Bulma gave a small smile. "I just hope you're right Chi-Chi. I just hope you're right."

Vegeta stared at the door to the Brief household. Bulma was probably gone. Still, he'd tried. Goku's words had beaten in his head like a mantra all day. He'd struggled about taking the step to come here today, but he still didn't feel as if he should belong to such an amazing woman and be a part of her family.

He turned and decided to go home, and stay with his first instinct to remove himself. It would be easier that way. For him and for Bulma.

Just before he took a step away from the door, Dr. Briefs opened it. "Vegeta! You just missed Bulma. She left an hour ago to head to the restaurant."

"Sorry, Dr. Briefs, I'll catch Bulma later at home."

Dr. Briefs opened the door wider. "Not yet. Come in for a moment."

"I—"

"Now, Vegeta."

Vegeta walked in. The house was still and perfectly clean.

He led him into the kitchen, and Vegeta took a seat at the kitchen table. Dr. Briefs brewed him a cup of espresso in silence, set it in front of him, and slid into a chair across from him. Vegeta sipped the steaming brew and hoped to God the businessman wasn't going to give him a hard time.

He couldn't take any more.

"Do you know why I made you marry my daughter?"

Vegeta looked up. "For Blue Lilies."

He waved a hand through the air. "I couldn't care less about Blue Lilies. Yes, it's important, but not as important as my children's happiness. No, Vegeta Ouji, I did it because I knew you were meant to be the one she loves. I also knew neither of you would have entertained the idea unless I forced it. Both stubborn. Both workaholics and both convinced love is an illusion and marriage an impossibility."

All the doubts reared up. His words came out clipped and hard. "You were wrong. I told you before when you first hatched this crazy plan. I don't have the emotional strength to give to someone else, and Bulma deserves better."

Dr. Briefs spat in disgust. "Crazy talk. We all have a past, some harder than others. We all have scars, either physical or emotional or both. Right now those scars are preventing you to move forward with someone who cares about you. Nothing is holding you from loving someone else except your own belief that you can't love anyone else because of the emotional scars you are caring. Today, you need to make a decision. You can fight for my daughter, the woman you love. Or you can take the other path and talk about what you are destined for, because of this fear that you say owns you."

Dr. Briefs' words hammered home and splintered the crumbled wall behind Vegeta's heart. Halfway torn down by Bulma, chipped away by Dr. Briefs' words, the final blow smashed the last obstacle. All that remained was a mess of rioting emotions, raw and vulnerable and pulsing with scars.

His voice broke. Vegeta bowed his head. "I don't know if I can."

"Yes you can, Vegeta. Your life is your own. You went through a lot in your years before adulthood and could not protect the ones you loved. None of us can always do that. So instead, we choose to love as much as possible, and that needs to be enough. My daughter didn't choose wrong. You are who she wants, and she will not let you go easily. Let her choose you, and know you are enough."

The seconds ticked by. The wounds he had been carrying scabbed over, and a strange peace radiated from his gut. He was staring down two paths. One leading down the road to him closing himself off once again and not letting anyone get close to like he has been doing. And another path leading him to a place where he can allow himself to open up and be the person he always wanted to be deep down. Being open to let that special someone and loving them with all his heart and soul. He had a path to take. His chosen path. And he knew which one he wanted to take.

Vegeta looked up and looked at a Dr. Briefs with a determined look on his face. "Where is she?"

Dr. Briefs smiled. "They should still be at the Wild Lotus restaurant. You can still catch them."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now go get my daughter."

Vegeta stood up and raced out the door.

A couple hours later, Bulma had a heavy heart in seeing her friends go. Krillin and Eighteen had left an hour early to pick up their daughter from a friend's house, and Launch and Tien left twenty minutes ago to catch their flight home. So she was milling outside of the restaurant and saying her final farewells to the last pair, which was Goku and Chi-Chi.

Goku gripped her hard and raised her off the ground. "Stay strong, Bulma." He murmured in her ear. She smiled, his strength and support easing her heart.

"I will."

"Be sure to take a break out of your busy schedule and come see us." Chi-Chi said, giving her a hug as well.

"Of course."

"Maybe in a few weeks you can come over for dinner. Of course, me and you would have to go out and eat though. You know how Goku can put away and Gohan's no better."

"Definitely!" Bulma replied, grinning.

They turned and started making their way towards the parking lot.

"Wait!"

Everyone stopped. Vegeta ran towards them, before skidding to a halt in front of them, his cashmere coat and bright purple tie symbolizing style and civility. However, his face reflected the opposite—a mass of naked emotion.

Joy exploded through Bulma. "Vegeta." She moved toward him, but he put out his hands.

"Stop. I have something to say."

She stilled. Amidst the chaos, outside of the restaurant, a frozen silence clouded around them, half terrified of the words that would finally be spoken aloud. Her heart exploded in rapid beats that choked her breath. She fought through the fear and hoped that by sending Goku, she hadn't broken him.

His beautiful onyx eyes lit with uncertainty. His gaze skimmed the group as a whole, then came to rest on her.

"I can't do this anymore. Especially to you Bulma." He started.

"Please." She cleared her throat, desperate to stop him. "Please, don't."

"I have to. I have to do this now." He dragged in a lungful of air. "I'm a complete asshole. I pushed you past your limits and promised I'd be there to help you. But I wasn't. The first sign of real intimacy, of honesty, and I run like I've been doing since the death of my father and brother. Except you wouldn't let me. Somehow, you saw past the bullshit and loved me anyway. You wrecked me, woman. You tore me apart piece by piece and then put me back together. I love you. And though I don't think I'll ever deserve you, I choose to try. I choose you. All of you. If you'll still have me."

A sob tore from her throat. She recognized the leap he had taken to confess his feelings in front of her friends—a naked unveiling in public that scared him to the core. She stumbled forward, and he rushed to meet her. His arms held her tight against his massive chest. Drunk on his scent and his touch, she clung to him, afraid she was in a dream and she'd wake up.

"I love you. Every single part of you. And you were mistaken if you ever thought I'd allow you to leave me. You belong to me, and I'll spend every day making you believe it."

Chi-Chi sniffled. "Oh my God, this is just like in the books I read and all those movies. When the guy follows the woman to an airport and confesses his love before she could board the plane!"

Goku gave his wife a confused look. "But where not in an airport Chi-Chi. In fact, the airport is a few hours away from here."

"Oh, you know what I mean Goku!" Chi-Chi said, punching me in the arm.

"Ow, no need to hit me!" Goku wined rubbing his shoulder.

Vegeta's hand drifted over her belly to cup one of her breasts. A playful tug at her nipple heated her back up, and she let out a groan. "I need a break. Too many orgasms."

He chuckled and nibbled on the sensitive curve of her neck. "Quitter."

"Those are fighting words."

"Hope so." His tongue licked up toward her ear, and his hot breath shivered moist and warm, causing goose bumps to break out on her skin. "I got a lot to make up for."

She turned her head and kissed him deep and long and sweet. "You already did."

"It took a while, but I'm finally at peace and ready to move on and open myself more to you. In fact, I'm thinking once Black Pearl opens, I want to start a charity in honor of my family by starting a foundation to help send teenagers to college and get summer employment. Plus, if there are some who went through what I went through and lost their family members at a young age and don't have the funds to attend school, they should have the means to have the experience of college."

"That's a wonderful idea. I know your father is proud of what you've accomplished with his company all these years. And I'm sure Tarble is too." She pressed her lips to his. "And what about your plans for us?"

He grinned at her playful question, sliding her up and over him. He guided himself deep within her, rocking his hips until the light of lust lit her ocean eyes. "How do you want us to be?" He asked her playfully.

"We live happily ever after. One day at a time." She told him, lovingly.

"One day at a time." He replied back.

Bulma rode him until the orgasm shattered them both. He watched her, hair glistening in the moonlight, face open with pleasure, love and generosity. In that moment, Vegeta thanked karma for finally giving him the woman who loved him enough to fight the darkness and save him.

BlueMoon Goddess: And that is a wrap people! I hope everyone enjoyed this story and are satisfied with the ending. I want to again thank everyone who read, reviewed, followed and favored this. It was a long time in the making and I hope you read my other DBZ story 'Her Forced Marriage, and the Prince's Baby.' Also, be on the look-out for some other stories I have in the future, which should be coming up soon. So until next time guys! ^_^