Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters

I wasn't expecting this to be the last chapter, but it was. As I started writing the first scenes, it transitioned well into how I wanted to end the story, so without further ado the final chapter. I really appreciate all of the support and feedback I got for this story. I also am thankful for those who have stuck with this story from the beginning and had been patient with my sporadic updating. It's been fun!

Bulma had woken up shortly before Vegeta was brought in by the nurse. The fact that he was there stunned her. She looked to her doctor and the nurses, and they were all smiling. "Bulma," Vegeta breathed out, though his voice sounded strained. The woman turned to face him, instantly taking his outstretched hand. He managed to smile, though it was slightly forced. She couldn't even imagine the pain the gunshot and surgery had caused him.

As she thought this, a contraction hit her hard causing her to cry out and grip Vegeta's hand. He grimaced slightly, but made no complaint. The doctor went to check Bulma in that moment, and then informed the parents, "Your son is ready to be born."

"About time," Bulma teased, laughing through her tears. She looked over to her husband with loving eyes. "I guess he was waiting for you."

"Hm," Vegeta grunted. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah," she told him, her voice quiet. "I'm…I'm really glad you're here."

Vegeta answered her with a nod before the doctor told her to push. It took a while and a lot of effort, but eventually cries could be heard in the room. Bulma and Vegeta watched the doctors cautiously as they cleaned their little boy and wrapped the tiny child in a blanket. The baby was handed to Bulma, tears welling up in her eyes when the baby peaked his crystal blue eyes open. She couldn't believe it, but Trunks was here.

Bulma looked to her husband whose expression was full of surprise and awe. Vegeta couldn't believe how small Trunks was, but seeing as he decided to grace them early, they were lucky his size would be the only thing to worry about. The doctors decided to step out for just a moment to leave the couple alone with the child.

"He's perfect," Bulma said after sniffling and wiping some of her tears.

Vegeta managed to sit up, ignoring the pain in his shoulder. He wanted to at least touch his son, make sure he was really there. Bulma could see her husband struggling, so she moved slightly to allow Vegeta to reach. He placed a hand on top Trunks's head covering his little lavender tuft, and he could feel the warmth emanating from his body. He was really there, and Bulma was really okay. Vegeta's worried orbs softened as they met his wife's, her leaning down to kiss him. And now he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that everything was going to be okay.

Kaylee was pacing back and forth. She and Jay had returned home to find Chi Chi holding Tarble close to her. They were watching the news, and the little boy looked very fearful. The couple had gone to look at the television and saw that there had been a shooting at Orius's main building. Jay paled when he read that Vegeta Ouji, Jr. had been shot and that Vegeta Ouji, Sr. was now at another hospital under police custody. The news broadcaster explained that both Vegeta and Bulma had gone in one ambulance, and it was rumored that the woman was in labor. Everyone was panicked.

Chi Chi had tears in her eyes. In that moment, the phone rang, and the dark-haired woman nearly flew off the couch to answer it. "Hello?" She sighed in relief. "Oh, Kakarot, thank God…what's going on? We've been watching the news for the last hour." There was silence for a moment before the woman's eyes widened. "R-Really? They're all okay?"

Tarble sat up instantly, getting out of his fetal position. He crawled over to Chi Chi and tried to listen. "Sure, we can get to the hospital. I'll call the Swifts on the way. Kakarot…I'm glad you're all okay."

When she hung up the phone, Chi Chi had three pairs of eyes staring at her. She managed to smile. "Kaylee, go grab Sara. We need to head to the hospital now."

"Are Bulma and Vegeta okay?" Kaylee asked. She needed to know.

Chi Chi nodded. "Vegeta had some surgery, and then they brought him up to Bulma after he woke up and she had the baby. He's healthy. Now they're in a private room and we can all go and visit. Everything is fine, now."

"Thank God," Jay marveled. "I can't even…this is…let's just go."

Kaylee rushed to get Sara and put her in her car seat. Tarble slipped in the back with Jay as Chi Chi drove all of them to the hospital. The woman handed Tarble her phone so he could call his parents and tell them to meet them all there. There wasn't any doubt that they had seen the broadcast, too, and everyone needed to see that their family was all okay.

Bardock had gone down to see his grandchild after they had done a checkup. The little bundle definitely could not be mistaking with his vibrant lavender hair and brilliant blue eyes. Beside himself, he smiled. Things could have taken a horrible turn that day, but everything was fine now. Everything was still so hard to believe.

"Dad," Kakarot called out returning to his father's side. "They're gonna bring Trunks up to them soon."

Bardock regarded his son with a nod, his expression serious. "Did you speak with your bass?"

Kakarot frowned and nodded. "He said he understood the circumstances, but even without charges being filed, he needs to think about it. He has mixed feelings because it was a mob syndicate and self-defense, but I still acquired an illegal firearm from someone we had a case against. He did say, though, that if he couldn't get past it, that if I went somewhere else, he would be a reference."

"That's at least something," Bardock answered. "All things considered, we all got off extremely lucky. I still don't understand how that bastard could be Frieza."

"I still think Kooru was the one who killed your parents," Kakarot stated earning his father's attention. "Vegeta's father…he was very secretive, but Kooru was very out there. It was probably Vegeta Sr.'s order, but carried out by Kooru. Either way, Kooru and Zarbon are gone now, and the real Frieza is going away for a long time."

"Life," Bardock grunted. "He won't be able to hurt anyone again. He'll never see Vegeta again."

"Thank God for that," Kakarot responded with a sigh.

The two stayed until the nurse removed Trunks from the viewing area. "Come on, son. We should go check on them."

"Yeah. Let's go."

Bulma was so happy to have Trunks in her arms again. Vegeta hardly took his eyes off of her even though the doctor had given him really heavy painkillers. She was thankful that they put them together in a private room, for she wouldn't be able to sleep without him there. Vegeta's bed was positioned ninety degrees from her, making it easier for them to glance at each other.

Eventually, Bulma's father and brother joined them, and then everyone else followed suit. Tarble instantly went to his older brother, tears in his eyes. Vegeta attempted to soothe him, ruffling his hair and assuring him that he was perfectly fine.

"Are…are you guys really going to be okay?" Kaylee asked nervously. She visibly relaxed when Bulma nodded her head.

"Yeah, we're all fine," she promised. "It was a pretty difficult day, though."

"At least you overcame," Ronda said optimistically. "You're very lucky. That man was crazy."

"You have no idea," Vegeta stated, his face scrunched up in disgust. When he and Bulma had been alone, she had filled him in on everything. He looked to Kaylee and Jay. "Would you mind taking Sara and Tarble out of here for a little bit?"

"No!" Tarble snapped, stomping his foot down. Vegeta stared at him in shock.

"Son," Robert tried, but Tarble interrupted him.

"No. I'm not leaving." The tears in his eyes hit Vegeta hard, and he could not speak. "I know you want to protect Sara and me, but well…this is our life, right? We have a right to know. She probably won't even remember it. And me…I'm not a little kid anymore. You can't just say things are okay and expect me to take it at face value."

Vegeta's expression grew grim, but he nodded and looked to Bulma and the Swifts to see if they'd agree on letting the kids stay in. They all gave their visible okay, and Vegeta patted the side of his bed inviting Tarble to take a seat. "My father was a mob boss," he began. "I didn't know that, but he was. It apparently started in college for him, and he was dating Bulma's and Kakarot's mother at the time. He was going to marry her, and they were going to have a child."

"What happened?"

"Well, a man named Kooru, the one who had you kidnapped, had found out the woman was pregnant, and he caused her to lose the child and threatened her into never telling my father. Beforehand, he had Kooru kill Bardock's parents and eventually he met Bulma's and Kakarot's mother. While they were together, my father met our mother, and she was an amazing, loving woman."

"You've told me about her before," Tarble stated. "She had gotten sick?"

Vegeta looked to Bulma, his eyes troubled as he started telling the boy. "She died in childbirth." Tarble looked up at him, guilt etched on his features. "It wasn't your fault. It was my father's."

"Y-You keep saying your father and not our father," Tarble grumbled.

"I don't want you to ever associate yourself with him," Vegeta returned. "And it was his fault. He told Bulma this evening that he purposefully refused to let her get treatment. He wanted me to live a loveless life, be cold and ruthless like him, and because of our mother, I didn't give into him. The reason he gave you to the Swifts was to make sure I didn't have love for anyone or anything, or in return have anyone love me. It's also why he forbade me to date."

"Seriously?" Jay exclaimed. "That low-life scum."

Vegeta looked over to his "cousin" and nodded. "Basically he wanted me to take over his organization. When I refused to do what he wanted willingly, he began threatening Bulma's life so that I would submit." He looked to the Swifts. "I don't think he ordered for Tarble to be kidnapped. I think Kooru did that on his own for his own sick amusement."

The two parents nodded, both still looking horrified. Bardock could tell that everyone had been overtaxed and suggested they talk about the baby instead. "So, what did you guys settled on for a name?"

Bulma smiled as she rocked her son. "Vegeta and I talked long and hard about this, and we already spoke to the doctors. Meet the newest addition to our family, Trunks Cole Son."

"Son?" Kakarot asked. "But your last name is Ouji?"

"That's what we talked about," Vegeta interjected. "The second we're freed from this place, we're going to the courthouse and legally changing our last name to Son."

"But…why not your mother's maiden name if you don't want you father's name?" his brother-in-law inquired. When he saw Vegeta's stunned gaze, he asked, "What?"

"I…I never thought about that," he remarked. He looked to Bulma. "W…What do you think?"

"I think we should do it," Bulma replied with the sincerest expression he had ever seen. "The doctor said he'll check in with us before doing the birth certificate, because obviously right now our names are still Ouji. What is it?"

"Kurobushi," he answered. "It was technically a name she chose for herself. She was a foster kid until she was eighteen, so it was something she had come up with."

"Even better," Bulma murmured before yawning. "Man, what a day."

"Mama," Sara called out barreling over to her. Kakarot chuckled and moved to lift Sara so she could snuggle with Bulma. The little toddler took a look at the baby in her adoptive mother's arms.

"Hey, Sara," Bulma cooed. "Meet your little brother."

"Bra-jah?"

Everyone in the room chuckled as they all exchanged contented glances. Even Tarble managed a smile, especially when Vegeta clapped his good hand on his shoulder. For the rest of the evening, the family exchanged stories and pleasantries, all passing the new baby around. It was disappointing when the nurse entered and said visiting hours were over. Eventually, even Trunks needed to be taken away for the night leaving Bulma and Vegeta alone with each other.

It had been a long time since they were surrounded by this much silence. Neither of them knew what to say, but both ended up saying the same two words after a while. "I'm sorry."

Vegeta looked at Bulma like she was crazy, but he remained quiet and listened to her soft voice. "I'm sorry that you had to go through what you did…that he put you through it. I wish…I wish I could have known you sooner, help you through the worst of it."

"The worst of it," Vegeta scoffed. "Bulma, nearly losing you and our son was the worst of it. What happened to my mother will always be horrible and will always haunt me, but I've mourned for her all my life. If I had lost you and the boy…Bulma, I would have never recovered. For everything you both went through today, for my father's sick obsession with your mother, for what he had done to your grandparents…I'm sorry for all of it."

"You didn't control his actions, Vegeta," she assured him, her face alit with compassion. "His goal was destroy any inkling of joy you had in your life. You were more of a victim than I was. He was willing to let you die. Vegeta, I wouldn't have recovered either. I would have had to be strong for the children, but I would have never been the same."

Vegeta didn't care about what he had agreed with the doctors, didn't care that he was so drugged that he was dizzy. At the sight of her tears, Vegeta forced himself out of bed. "Ah, Vegeta, wait," Bulma tried to stop him, but he didn't listen even as he stumbled over to her bed and sat down. He used his good arm to embrace her, inhaling deeply. Their eyes met, hers shining with concern and glistening tears. Vegeta smirked, moving his hand to cup her chin guiding her lips to his. He kissed her with so much passion that both of their minds became hazy, and he pulled away to adjoin their foreheads.

"We never have to worry about him again," he remarked in a breathy whisper. "Nappa, your dad…they won't let him back into our lives. Your mother…we sent her the photo and we're done. Sara and Trunks will never have to suffer the way either of us did. They'll have the life we couldn't."

"With both of their parents love…and none of this mafia crap," Bulma added making her husband snort.

As they gazed into each other's eyes lovingly, they knew their life was about to truly begin. The past could no longer affect how they carried themselves. They were free to live how they wanted. Their children would have the most amazing support system they could ever have. They were about to embark on an amazing journey.

About eight years later, Vegeta Kurobushi had stepped down from Orius to allow his brother, Tarble Swift, to become president and CEO. The elder brother had long since been finished with the company fulfilling his true passion of helping others like Bulma, himself, and Kaylee learn to live their lives and put their pain in the past where it belonged. That psychiatric branch in the Orius main building had come in handy, especially when Vegeta had become a licensed therapist.

Bulma had graduated with her engineering degree, however since she had minored in creative writing, she spent a bit of time writing either children's books or mysteries that reflected their own past life. She had become a best seller, which was beneficial for she was able to spend a lot of time at home only working at Orius a couple days a week. She only worked there while the kids were at school, making sure to be home just in time.

Kakarot had been pardoned by his boss eight years prior, and when he graduated he was offered a fulltime job. He and Chi Chi had had a son, Gohan, and he and Trunks were little troublemakers whenever they were together. The two had been married a year after their son was born and they had moved out into a neighboring apartment.

Eventually, Vegeta and Bulma decided to move into a house, especially to make things easier for Kaylee. The teenager had had her little girl, Erica, the year she graduated. Her family and Jay had helped her finish out the year online, and then she had gotten into a local culinary school. She and Jay had continued dating and, when she was halfway done with school, they had gotten engaged to the joy of Juu and her husband, Krillin, Raditz, and Nappa. Maron had taken a bit more time to accept it, but there was little she could do to stop Jay from proposing.

Anyway, while Kaylee and Erica were still living with them, they figured it would be better to get a house. Sara and Trunks would have their own rooms which they were both already looking forward to decorating. It would be closer to the elementary school, and only a few blocks away from Robert's and Ronda's home.

Bulma sighed after she hung up the phone looking to her brother-in-law. She had received a call from the school about Trunks and Gohan getting into a fight at the school, and she was sure that she would be meeting her brother there. "Well, duty calls, Tarble. I need to go off early."

"Everything okay?" he asked, concerned.

The woman nodded. "It will be. I just need to go tend to the kids. Can you call down to Vegeta to let him know? I know he still has a couple appointments left."

"Yeah, I can handle that, sis."

A smile was his response as Bulma left the office. She had been surprised to get a call from the principal. Trunks was not one to get into fights at school. He was only eight, anyway. What kind of scuffle could he and his cousin have gotten themselves into?

When she entered the office, she found her daughter crying in the corner and Trunks, Gohan, and even Erica trying to soothe her. The other student that had been involved, as Bulma assumed from the black eye, was sitting far away from the three looking angry. He looked up having hear a sound of someone walking towards them and paled. Then Erica saw her and ran over to her. "Auntie Bulma," she said hurriedly while pulling the woman over to the group. "Sara won't stop crying."

"What happened?"

Trunks looked to his mother sporting a slightly bruised jaw. "That guy told her she didn't look like any of us," he explained. "He told her she had to be adopted. Then she got upset and he started pushing her around. I saw it and got sick of it?"

"So you jumped in with violence?" Bulma sighed. "I'm glad you stuck up for your sister, though."

Trunks perked up at that and then offered a sheepish smile. The children then explained that Gohan had jumped in when the guy started wailing on Trunks instead. "Mama?"

Sara's troubled voice struck Bulma's heart. She moved to embrace her daughter who quickly wrapped her arms around her neck. "Oh sweetie, it's okay."

"A-Am I really adopted?"

Bulma pulled the ten year old back slightly to look her in the eye. "It's a long story," she began softly, "but I do want you to know that your father and I were planning on telling you soon. It's a very complicated story."

"Why?" Sara asked. "I-It is true, isn't it?"

"Let me talk to your teacher, and then I'll sign you guys out for the day. We'll join up with daddy and talk about it."

"Aw, can we come too?" Gohan asked.

"I guess."

Bulma turned to see her brother and sister coming up to them. "Hey you guys. Guess you got the call too? Kaylee, what are you doing here?"

"Well, after the fight, Erica skipped class and refused to return, so they called me," the woman answered. "So, what's the big issue?"

That was when the principal came out and corralled the parents into his office. Given the circumstances and the fact that it was self-defense, the man was willing to give the boys a warning since they had never gotten into fights before and the other boy had. Next time, though, they definitely would face disciplinary action.

As promised, Bulma signed her kids out as did Kakarot and Kaylee, and they all decided to meet up at the house. In the car, Bulma called Vegeta and left him a message to come home as soon as he could for there had been an incident and now Sara was practically inconsolable. They both needed to be there for the girl when she learned the truth.

Vegeta had finished up with an appointment when he decided to check his messages, his brows furrowing as he heard his wife's concerned voice. It was enough to get him to hand his appointments off to the other therapist who had thankfully had a clear schedule that evening.

He rushed home and found everyone sitting in the kitchen, Bulma placing snacks on the table and trying to encourage Sara to eat something before her father had come home. He made his presence known, instantly moving to embrace his precious daughter. "What's going on?" he asked as he sat down and cradled the upset child on his lap.

"Gohan and I kind of got into a fight, dad," Trunks admitted. His father's eyes landed on him demanding an explanation. "There was this kid and he was picking on Sara and when he got her upset he started pushing her around and pulling her hair."

Vegeta could definitely accept his son getting into a fight when it came to defending his sister. It was a much better reason than he had ever gotten into brawls when he was in school. He was more concerned that Sara seemed so upset by the whole ordeal. This time, he looked to his wife hoping he could shed some light on the situation.

"The kid decided to point out to Sara that she didn't look like her family members and told her that meant she was adopted," the woman informed him.

His expression softened as he moved his daughter so he could look at her. She looked devastated by the idea, but he knew it was time to explain the story to the children in their family. They had been hoping to wait a couple more years when all the kids would understand all of the craziness that happened in their lifetime. He breathed out through his nose before saying, "I guess it's time, then."

"Time for what?" Gohan asked, curious.

All the adults exchanged glances before Bulma began talking. "Time to talk to you all about mine and Kakarot's mother."

"Wait," Trunks stated. "Isn't your mother Kaylee's mother?"

"No, sweetie," Kaylee stated. "You see, I'm your parents' stepsister. That means one of my parents married one of their parents."

Trunks looked perplexed by the idea, but he nodded anyway. "You see," Bulma continued, "our mother was a difficult woman, and she left our father. Kakarot went to live with Grandpa Bardock, but I went to live with our mother. She married Kaylee's father."

"We weren't very nice to your mother," Kaylee admitted looking between Trunks and Sara. "My sister and I were incredibly bratty and miserable, and we took it out on her which was very wrong of us. Bulma had been struggling doing all of the housework, cooking, chores, and taking care of Sara all on her own."

Trunks's eyes widened at that. "But, what do you mean by that?"

Sara's eyes were on Bulma's looking highly fearful, not understanding. "Sara," Bulma cooed while getting up from her seat. "Vegeta and I…we aren't your parents. Actually, you're mine, Kakarot's, and Kaylee's half-sister. You were born when I was in high school and I took care of you all the time. I even had a crib set up in my room so I'd be there for you if you woke up."

All the kids looked stunned by the revelation. They didn't want to overtax the children, but if they told them everything, they could process it all and then ask their questions. "When your mother and I got married," Vegeta spoke, "we had decided to visit her old home and we found Sara alone."

Kaylee frowned and sunk into her chair. "Yeah, my sister and I were stupid, reckless teenagers and we had left you alone. We were highly irresponsible back then, and I apologize for that."

"We fought to get custody of you," Vegeta continued as he stared into Sara's eyes, "and we did adopt you, but you were always a part of this family even before that. Bulma and I wanted to make sure you received the love you deserved and a happy life surrounded by a supportive family. Surprisingly enough, you called Bulma your mother right away, with a little coaxing from Kakarot. When you called me dad for the first time, I had never felt so honored. I've always seen you as my daughter and so has Bulma. It doesn't matter that you were adopted. You are our child in every way that counts."

"I…" Sara started to say, but she couldn't think straight and just buried herself against Vegeta's chest.

Bulma patted her back before Sara threw herself at the woman, Vegeta still holding her so that Bulma wouldn't need to hold her full weight. "We love you, sweetie," she cooed giving the girl kisses on her forehead.

"I love you, too, mama," Sara responded, not letting go.

Trunks had finally let everything sink in and smiled. He had been so mad at the boy for suggesting anything like that to his sister. There was a small part of him that had to admit he was glad everything was out in the open. Now Sara knew she was loved so much and it wasn't a case of her parents not wanting her, but of two people that weren't capable of raising a child. It also made him respect his mother more, for she had had to suffer so deeply and it wasn't fair.

Vegeta chuckled and took the girl fully from Bulma. "Well, this was an unexpected turn of events, huh?" Sara giggled at that and smiled. The proud father looked to Bulma and said, "Maybe we should tell them the surprise."

"Surprise?" the four kids asked simultaneously in different tones.

Bulma couldn't help but grin at the children's eagerness. "Yes. For fall break next week, everyone was able to get off. We're going to go to the beach house."

"The whole week?" Gohan asked.

"Yeah, son," his father replied patting his back. "The whole week."

"Awesome!"

The adults all shared knowing glances before they decided it was time to order dinner. It had been a long day for the kids, so they were easily appeased with food and movies for the night before Kakarot took Gohan home. Kaylee took Erica to her room to leave Vegeta and Bulma alone with their kids. After moments of silence, Trunks sighed. He looked at his parents and Sara with a sheepish smile before he said, "I'm glad you adopted Sara. I like having a sister."

The parents' eyes met both shining with love and pride in their little boy. "I'm glad you did too," Sara stated. "It's a lot to take in, but I'm happy I grew up with you two as parents. I…I can still call you both that, right?"

"Of course you can," Bulma assured her. "We'll never stop seeing you as our daughter. Always and forever."

"Well, okay," Sara sighed in relief. "I love you mama. I love you dada."

"We both do," Trunks chimed.

"And us you," Vegeta stated as he ruffled the boy's hair. "Let's get you two to bed. Tomorrow after school we can talk about all you want to do at the beach."

"Can we go sailing again?" Trunks asked hopefully.

"Or to the little shops?" Sara added.

Both the parents laughed and shook their heads. "We'll talk about it tomorrow," Vegeta assured them.

After they got both of their children in bed, the couple returned to their room together to get some well-deserved rest after the emotional day. Bulma lied peacefully in Vegeta's arms. He cradled her, rubbing her back soothingly as she focused on her breathing. "So, is it official?" Vegeta asked after a moment of silence.

"Uh-huh," she replied. "I went to the doctor this morning before I joined Tarble at the office. I would have told you earlier but you had patients."

Vegeta hummed and then pulled her closer. "I think we'll both be okay this time around," he stated, making his wife grin knowingly.

"We will be," she promised. Her hands moved to remove his from her back, and then she placed them on her stomach. "This time we've got this."

The two of them fell asleep with contented smiles on their faces.

The children excitedly ran into the beach house excited for their vacation. Nappa chuckled as they instantly ran up to the playroom. "How was the drive?" he asked Vegeta as he placed the suitcases down.

Vegeta looked to the man and nodded. "It was all right," he replied.

It had been a long time, but Vegeta had come to see Nappa's family has his own, mainly because of Jay's relationship with Kaylee and not his father's friendship with the man. After Vegeta Sr.'s imprisonment, Vegeta never heard from him again. Nappa had given him updates on the court hearing and the final sentencing but then never mentioned the man again. No one really mentioned him except in passing occasionally. Vegeta did know that one day his children would be curious, and he was prepared to tell them everything. For now, they decided to enjoy the peace awarded to them.

"Hey everyone!"

Attention shifted to Yamcha, who had entered the home with his fiancé. After some time and therapy, Yamcha managed to get over his issues talking with women. Vegeta would always remember that he had been there, had warned him about his father's tendencies, and who had kept him and Bulma running away to get married a secret. Because of that trust, Vegeta was actually very close with his cousin.

The family had a day of fun: a picnic on the beach, shopping, sailing, and even going to the new arcade on the boardwalk. As the day drew to a close, everyone sat together watching movies and drinking hot cider that Launch had made. Vegeta had been sitting in a chair off to the side with Bulma in his lap. The couple was whispering words to one another, Vegeta asking when she planned to tell everyone and Bulma assuring him before the end of the trip.

They glanced around the room at their strange family, all relaxed and happy. It sure was a most dysfunctional bunch, but it was theirs nonetheless.