Making Connections
Bulla Brief enjoyed her casual flings. They were all good looking and nice enough, she supposed, but none she wanted to commit to, though they fawned over her so. No surprise there, she was a beautiful, fun, and flirty twenty-five-year-old and she knew it. If she was being honest with herself, she enjoyed the attention, however superficial it was. Yet, her Saiyan blood yearned not just for a challenge but a deep connection with one deserving of everything that made Bulla, Bulla. Maybe she finally met her match in a place she hadn’t even considered. Their newfound chemistry together came as a happy surprise to them both.
So she waited in a quiet corner of West City’s central promenade—a grey flagstone path that circled a large water feature and meandered through young trees, food stands, and shops selling various wares and lit up by twinkling fairy lights strung all about. Her mid-back blue hair hidden under a light scarf and wearing more sedate colors than was typical of her—blue denim jeans, a white blouse, and cream colored light jacket—she blended into the small crowd of shoppers and couples on nice evening strolls.
From her quiet corner, she scanned the crowd. No sign of her date. Her glowing blue digital wristwatch read 7:05pm. She adjusted the strap of her tan leather handbag, crossed her arms, and tapped a foot on the flagstone. Where was he?
She whirled at a whisper of air and a warm hand settling on her shoulder. His perfect, bright smile made her slightly weak at the knees.
She gave him a small smile of her own but still quirked an eyebrow. “You’re late, Son Goten.”
In typical Son Family fashion, his free hand reflexively came up to rub the back of this head while his other extended a bouquet of pristine red roses in bloom. “Heh, sorry. Some low-lives were trying to mug an old lady.”
She accepted the flowers and touched one of the soft petals. “And, let me guess, you stepped in.”
He nodded and smirked lightly. “Yeah. They’re both gonna have some serious shiners when they come to in the city jail.”
Bulla couldn’t help but giggle. The Son men were so pure and always quick to help those in need.
“So, where to?” asked Goten.
“We have reservations at The Silver Spoon a little later. Let’s go for a nice walk in the meantime.”
“Sure.”
They strolled along the path past the burbling water fountain and enjoyed the twinkling fairy lights criss-crossed above the pathway—though a dark grey air car with tinted windows did not go unnoticed to Bulla. She grabbed Goten’s hand and ducked behind a cart selling cute accessories. Thankfully, he ducked down with her. She peeked around the side.
“What are we hiding from?” he asked with a confused chuckle. He peeked around the cart, too. “Oh. The paparazzi?” He frowned slightly. “Trunks told me they cause problems for you guys.”
“Only if they see us.”
Bulla glanced around for a route away from the vehicle’s line of sight. She slipped between another cart and a shop and turned a corner. The car didn’t follow.
“Oh. Um. Stop for a second,” said Goten, staring at something on the top of her head. He adjusted her scarf for her. She reached up, too, and was startled at the amount of exposed hair she felt. He helped her secure her scarf with a hair pin and lowered his hands with a shy smile. “How’s that?”
She smiled back. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”
Bulla and Goten spent the rest of their quiet walk awaiting their reservation time chatting and laughing about everything and anything.
—
The Silver Spoon—the finest dining in West City, thank you—seated Bulla and Goten in a quiet upstairs area used only by celebrities, visiting dignitaries, and other company executives Capsule Corp sometimes hosted. Bulla was fairly certain the paparazzi hadn’t seen her but she wasn’t about to tempt fate. The Silver Spoon was well prepared for just this situation and had a secret back entrance concealed by well-positioned, tall hedges for their important upstairs guests.
So Bulla put all thoughts of the paparazzi out of her mind and focused instead on the quickly-growing mountain of plates Goten left behind with some amusement. She was well aware of the massive appetites the Son men possessed. After all, her father and brother also had appetites that easily rivaled the Son men. Goten certainly appreciated good food.
Even through his enjoyment of their meal, Bulla caught the shy little looks he gave her. Indeed, she turned any man into a stuttering mess just by fluttering her eyelashes and wrapping her hair around her finger but there was something different about the way he looked at her with those big eyes—different than any man had ever looked at her before. Yes, there was adoration in his eyes so common in her past flings but there was also tenderness.
And then he’d seem to realize he was staring and drop his attention down to his plate again with flushed cheeks. His shyness was sweet. She had seen similar interactions in the way Goku and Gohan looked at their wives—and secretly grew jealous as she got older. She wanted a man who looked at her like that—not like she was a piece of meat or just another pretty face. Bulla wanted a man who looked at her like he cared about her; exactly the way Goten watched her. Hopeful, she bit her lip.
He reached for a dinner roll but knocked over his wine glass—only to catch it with superhuman reflexes and a blush to his cheeks. “Whoops.”
“That was a great catch,” said Bulla through a light giggle.
All too soon, the server arrived with their check which Goten gracefully accepted and paid.
At the restaurant’s back entrance down a short flight of stairs, Goten opened the door for her. Bulla stuck her head out.
“See any paparazzi?” Asked Goten.
“No. Let’s go.” Bulla grabbed Goten’s hand and led him outside.
Goten released his air-car from its capsule in a puff of white smoke and opened the car door for her. Bulla smiled and slid into the clean leather front seat. Goten drove her home with pleasant chit-chat through her property’s back gate used only by the Brief family and their very close friends and right up to the back door of her family home.
“I… had a nice time tonight,” said Goten with a soft, shy smile as they enjoyed the last few moments of each other’s company.
Bulla returned his smile. “I did, too.”
—
Bulla and Goten enjoyed another date a week later and once again, Bulla was delighted at much of a sweetheart Goten was. Conversation and laughter flowed easily between them. Oh, how he looked at her. Bulla couldn’t help but think he might have been the one for her. She almost laughed out loud at herself. That was crazy talk! They were only a few dates in and yet being with him felt so natural to her.
Goten, however, seemed a little bit uncomfortable as their nice dinner at The Silver Spoon concluded. Through their date, he seemed his easy-going self. Bulla noticed this shift in his demeanor as the servers removed their pile of empty plates. He paid their bill like he typically did—after he dropped his credit card on the floor once—and helped her into her jacket. He opened the restaurant’s back door for her and let it close behind him. Instead of heading to the path, he lingered at the door.
“Are you—?” Bulla started to ask but Goten chose that moment to move closer to her.
Bulla’s heart raced. One of his big hands touched her cheek and she nearly forgot how to breathe. Oh, the look in his eyes only inches from her’s. She closed her eyes as warm breath whispered over her face. Was this really happening? Warm lips pressed onto hers and she melted into him. All too soon, it was over. He pulled back with a blush spreading to his ears and a shy—if slightly dazed—smile.
She wasn’t ready to let it end and pulled him back in for more. His arms wound around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck and they desperately made out for several moments. When they parted with flushed faces, they were both a little breathless.
“Wow,” murmured Goten, still holding her against him.
Bulla buried her face in his broad chest and breathed him in. He was the one for her. She was certain. She was sure Goten felt the same.
—
The following evening, Bulma cornered Bulla in the their living room.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that,” said Bulma with a knowing smile. She led her daughter to the sofa and sat next to her. “C’mon! You can tell me! Who’s the lucky guy?”
The soft smile Bulla wore all day broadened and heat spread to her cheeks. “It’s—”
Vegeta stormed in with fire in his eyes. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded as he slapped a magazine down on the coffee table before Bulma and Bulla.
Bulla’s mouth fell open. On the front cover of the trashy tabloid was a sharp closeup of her and Goten lip-locked just outside of The Silver Spoon’s not-so-secret back entrance. She groaned and dropped her face into her hands. Her private business was plastered right there for all the world to see.
“You want him? My daughter with a spawn of Kakarot?”
Bulla jumped up from the couch and glared at her dad. “I’m not a little kid, dad. I’ll date who I want!” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “Besides, I thought you and Goku were totally cool.”
The back door opened and Trunks entered the room. He stood for a moment, taking in the scene. His father with a vein pulsating in his forehead, his stubborn sister, and his mother frowning at his father.
“Ok, what did I miss?”
He picked up the magazine on the coffee table, took one look at the cover, and burst into knee-slapping laughter. “My baby sister with Goten? Oh, this is just too good.”
Bulla bristled at being called a baby but a loud crack stole her retort.
Vegeta, glaring at Trunks, cracked his knuckles and turned like he were about to walk out the door.
“Dad—!”
Bulma grabbed his arm. “She has been so happy, Vegeta. Just look at her. Don’t do anything rash.”
Trunks, who finally recovered, said
Trunks, free of Bulma’s grasp, still looked like he very much wanted to do something rash—like he wanted beat up his best friend for daring to get involved with his sister.
“Mom’s right. Goten does make me very happy.”
Pinned by two virtually identical imploring gazes, Vegeta’s shoulders slumped. “Fine.”
Neither Vegeta nor Trunks looked like they liked the idea but they didn’t have to. Still, Bulla shot a warning glare at her brother and then happily gave her father a kiss on his cheek. Vegeta visibly deflated. He gave Bulla something he saved exclusively for the women in his house: a small, tender smile. She had her father wrapped around her little finger and she knew it. Bulma smiled like she knew precisely what just transpired between father and daughter.
“Eventually, you guys are going to have to tell his parents, especially Chichi. I think that sounds scarier.”
Trunks grimaced and then smirked. “Good luck with that one, sis.”
Bulla rolled her eyes and headed to her room to call Goten. If butterflies weren’t already dancing in her stomach, they sure were now.
She grabbed her smart phone and dropped onto her bed. She set her phone to speaker mode. Goten answered on the second ring.
“They know,” said Bulla with no preamble.
“So do my parents,” said Goten.
“How’d they take it?” they asked in unison and then laughed lightly.
“You first,” said Bulla.
“Pretty well, actually. I’m hanging out with my folks for the evening and they seem fine with us.” Goten fell silent a moment and then asked in a quieter tone, “How angry is Vegeta?” Goten groaned. “And Trunks?”
“Well, Trunks seems fine with us, but my dad looked like he wanted to kill you.”
Goten swore.
Bulla giggled. “Don’t worry. I talked to dad. They’re mostly cool about us now.”
A knock sounded on Bulla’s door and Trunks poked his head in. “Goten, If you break my sister’s heart, you answer to me.”
“Mostly,” said Bulla, though she smiled lightly upon noticing Trunks’ words weren’t dripping with venom.
“Bulla doesn’t have to worry about that so neither do you, Trunks.”
“You heard him,” said Bulla, frowning playfully at her brother.
“I better not,” said Trunks.
Bulla rolled her eyes and left her comfortable bed to shut the door in his face. “Bye, Trunks.” When she returned to her bed, she said, “Don’t worry, Goten. They’ll come around.”
Goten chuckled uncertainly. “I hope so.” A muffled voice called Goten’s name. “Oh, babe? My mom’s calling me in for dinner. See you next week, same time?”
“Sure.”
—
Bulla hesitated on the back door of her family home one evening several months into her relationship with Goten. She took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and stepped inside, Goten right behind her. Bulma, seated at their kitchen table, glanced up from her note pad and smiled.
Bulla grabbed a snack out of a cabinet, tossed something to Goten, too, and casually sat down next to her mom. Bulma held up her note pad, nodded, and said, “That should do it. You know that equation that’s been plaguing me? I think I figured it out. I can finally move to my project’s next steps.”
“Great!” Bulla was no slouch in intelligence but she didn’t have quite the same grasp on mathematics as her mother and brother had so she didn’t push for more details. Instead, she said, “So, notice anything, mom?”
Bulma glanced at Bulla, nibbling her on her left ring fingernail and then did a double take. Bulma gasped and let out a delighted squeal and grabbed Bulla’s hand.
“Oh, Bulla! It’s beautiful!”
Bulma stood and went around the table to hug Goten, too. “Congratulations, both of you! Now, where’s your father? Oh, and Trunks is here, as well. He’s down in the lab.”
A faint tremor coursed through their home, rattling family pictures and paintings hanging on the walls—and likely felt by much of West City. Bulma rolled her eyes and exchanged a look with Bulla. Goten chuckled.
“I’ll go call the men inside,” said Bulma as she went to the intercom on the wall.
Trunks joined them at the table first, shortly followed by Vegeta. Their attention darted between Bulma and Bulla and then settling on Goten. His gaze hardened slightly and Goten swallowed. It seemed Vegeta figured out something was up. Goten wasn’t a pushover but still Vegeta could be intimidating when he wanted to be. Bulla cast an anxious glance at her mother who gave Bulla a reassuring smile.
“Bulla has some exciting news for us!”
Bulla smiled and helped her left hand, proudly displaying her sparkling diamond ring.
“Wow, that’s some rock, little sis,” said Trunks with a smirk. His small nod of approval did not go unnoticed by his best friend and meant the world to Goten.
Vegeta, meanwhile, stared at the ring on his daughter’s finger and then at his daughter’s bright grin. Vegeta nodded once and Goten breathed out. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Vegeta wasn’t one to talk but he didn’t have to. His soft smile said it all: he was happy for his daughter. Bulma kissed Vegeta’s cheek and he blushed to his ears.
“My best friend marrying my sister. Who woulda thunk?”
Goten and Bulla exchanged tender smiles and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Bulma hummed contentedly. “Sometimes love can sneak up on you like that. So, do your parents know, Goten?”
Goten nodded. “Oh, yeah. They know.”
“And? How did Chichi take the news?”
“Actually, she’s totally thrilled. My dad’s happy for us, too, and so is my brother.”
“That’s sweet.”
Bulma ordered celebratory desserts from a wonderful bakery in town. They visited for a long while. Late into the night, Goten excused himself.
When he stood, Bulma got up, too, and left a quick kiss on his cheek. “Welcome to the family, kiddo.”
Goten grinned. “Thanks, Bulma.”
Bulma hummed and turned her gaze toward the ceiling a moment. “Maybe it’s time for another get-together.”
Goten nodded. “Yeah, it has been a while. I’m sure my parents would like that.”
“Yes, they would. Your dad would especially love the food,” she said with a teasing smile over her shoulder. “I’ll set up catering and text your mom some dates later. Besides, I’m sure you two want to share your exciting news to the rest of the crew.”
Bulla nodded and exchanged smiles with Goten. “Yeah, let’s do it.”
“Time for me to head out,” said Goten.
Bulla grabbed his hand and walked him outside. She made sure the door closed before she wrapped her slender but strong arms around his sinewy neck and pressed her lips to his. Her heart raced even though this was far from the first time. She was certain her heart would still race like that even years down the road. She looked forward to every second with him and to sharing all of life’s ups and downs with her best friend.
