Not Much Between Despair And Ecstasy

Pt. 16 Dreamed You Into Life

Yet Another Note: This is another of those 'I know everyone's going to be asking about so I should just write' parts. This one is supposed to be hopping back and forth between timelines. Yes, I would like to take Zandre into the normal line, but since I'm not sure what I'd leave alone and what I'd re-write yet, that will just have to wait 'til I make up my mind or if someone is willing to co-write.

Gohan moved a dampened green lock that was a little too close to her eye away, waking her up. "Gohan let her sleep. She's exhausted and should be healing so leave her alone," Bulma reprimanded him from across the room.

"I know Bulma, I just can't help it," he replied, about to stroke her cheek.

A hand stopped his; he turned to the source to find Bulma behind him, a small bundle in her arms. "Why don't you caress your son for a while?" she said, smiling as she tried to hand him to his father, giggling as she unwrapped his tail from her wrist. "Forgot about that."

Gohan held his son in his right arm, his 'left' manifesting and unwrapping the blanket. A full head of hair popped out, all of it green but a small patch in front, his bangs if it would ever lay flat, was black. Taka snuggled closer to his father, content to stay asleep until his father stroked his cheek with his 'hand'. Those little eyes opened and tiny hands grabbed that manifested power, squeezing. "Just as strong as his father," Gohan said, smiling down on his son.

Zandre smiled at them, "Try having that sensation wake you up and we'll see how you feel," she joked, barely awake.

Bulma turned, bringing another bundle, "Since you're awake, I guess I can ask you guys. What about their tails?"

"What's to ask, we're leaving them. There's no moon so there's nothing to worry about," Zandre replied as she slowly sat up, Bulma handing Nozomi to her.

"That and since they're her children, we have no idea if the tail would just come right back," Gohan added, sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Zandre feed their daughter.

Bulma contemplated their argument as she went back to the changing table. She picked up something and came back, "You've got a point there," she said, holding out the umbilical cords.

Zandre smiled as she turned to her daughter, who finished her breakfast, "So you two heal like I do," she said as she put her to her shoulder, patting gently.

"You were right little one. Thank you for waking me," a soft grizzly whisper made them turn to the door. Ox-King was standing there in his pajamas, Aiko standing on his outstretched hand.

"Come on in and meet them," Zandre said as Taka started getting fussy.

"I think it's his turn," Gohan said, about to hand him over, stopping as Zandre wrapped Nozomi in her blanket. She held her out, about to place her in Gohan's 'left arm'. She smiled as the lines of energy became stronger, yet softer at the same time. She sat back slowly as she realized their daughter was safe in her daddy's arm.

Gohan looked down at the two little beings he was holding, an overwhelming pride coursing through him. His children were here. His world was, and as long as he lived, would always be safe and free. He was holding his children. Holding them. It felt so wonderful.

His son's appetite decided to ruin the moment. Gohan turned to her, seeing as much pride and joy on her face as she giggled and took their son, placing him to her breast. Gohan smiled at the sight, hoping somewhere deep down it would happen many more times. He turned his attention to his daughter. She sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer. "My little hope," he whispered to her, gently stroking her chin. Those little eyes slowly opened and he smiled at that familiar gaze. "Her mother's eyes."

Zandre just smiled at them as she put Taka to her shoulder, a yawn escaping. Gohan smiled, trying to hide the concern in his eyes. She nodded as she placed their son back in his father's arms. He slowly stood, a baby on each arm and she slowly closed her eyes, whispering, "I love you, all three of you."

"... all three of you," she mumbled as she slowly woke up. She was in the hospital, Gohan sleeping at her side, his left hand loosely holding hers.

She slowly looked around the room. Goku, ChiChi and Goten were curled up in chairs behind Gohan. Next to them Bulma was asleep with Trunks head in her lap. Vegeta slept next to her, Bra asleep at his shoulder. On the other side of the door sat two bassinettes. At the window sat her father, Papa was sound asleep, Chaotzu leaning against him.

She slowly slipped out of the bed, quietly walking to the bassinettes. The babies looked like their parents had, only she had the tail. She slowly, gently stroked their cheeks, making sure not to wake them.

A strong pair of arms wrapped around her, his voice whispered in her ear, "They're almost as beautiful as their mother."

She turned in his arms, hugging him close to her. He jumped a little, them relaxed into the hug, holding her just as close. "I almost forgot I could have lost you. We have to thank your father for warning us," he said softly, kissing her hair.

"I had one, just now," she replied, pulling back to look him in the eye, "I saw them in the other line, right after they were born."

"Were they like the picture? Did they look like that?" he asked, curious.

"Yes, exactly," she yawned, leaning on him a little, "Oh and I saw you... uh, him holding both, his ki manifesting his left arm. It was so touching," she said, another yawn escaping.

Gohan smiled at his wife as he led her to the bed. "You can tell me all the details later. You're not completely healed, are you?" he asked as he sat her down on the bed.

She blushed, "No, but I had to see them," Zandre replied as she lay down, feeling the sleep overpower her.

He covered her up and kissed her deeply, "And you did. Now finish healing love."

"I love you too," she mumbled as the sleep took over.

She woke up at home in her own bed. She was about to go back to sleep until a noise out of the twin's room made her jump. As she got up, she realized who it was, but still she headed there, stopping in the doorway.

He was standing at the foot of the cribs, just watching them sleep. Suddenly realizing he'd been caught, he turned to her, smiling. She slowly joined him, wrapping her arms around his waist, "It's nice to be home."

"I'm sorry if I woke you, it's just..." he tried to explain.

She kissed him, stopping him, "I know what you mean."

She turned back to their children, feeling him move across the room. "How in the...?" made her turn to him.

"What is it Gohan?" she asked, joining him in front of the dresser. There sat a hinged picture frame. The left one held the family photo, all four and Aiko. On the right was a picture of the four at the hospital, not long after they were born. She slowly picked it up, just now seeing the note sitting under it:

From their Grandpas, with love.

She spun around and hugged him, so full of joy.

"Zandre?" Gohan exclaimed, surprised until he read the note, "I know, I know," he replied, hugging her just as fiercely.