Chapter 45: Double Whammy

Another day. It’s another day away from my baby boy. My insides are killing me because I want to hold my son. I sit here in the middle of my government and economics class taking copious notes about how money circulates in the economy, how certain businesses have control over parts of the world, how it effects legislation, blah, blah, blah. I have an idea of how it works, especially with Trunks being the CEO and president of Capsule Corporation—his mother being the owner.

I lazily tap my pencil on the hard desk service as I drowned out the teacher’s melodramatic tone. I really wish I could sleep right about now…

“Okay class,” spoke up the professor, “One of our administrators is here to speak to all of you about an upcoming classroom experience.” The man turned to the door, and he made a gesture for the administrator to walk in.

My eyes carefully watched as the suited man walked into the room, straight and tall, dressed to kill, and expressed quite a bored face. I smiled as I straightened in my chair.

Gnost.

He looked up to each of us as the teacher gave him the floor to speak. Leaning against the mahogany desk, the saiyan’s piercing eyes turned to each of us. “As you know, there is a prominent business plant here in West City called Capsule Corporation.”

No duh. We all know that. Just look outside the window. That huge dome building sticks out like a sore thumb in the skyline.

“With our changing economic system, many of the new concepts are extremely hard to grasp, especially without a concrete example.”

My eyebrow began to rise. I was suspicious. Why would Gnost go through all this trouble introducing such facts?

“We’ve contacted a few of Capsule Corportation’s executives and managers. They have agreed to give us a tour—“

Oh… no. Please do not say what I think you’re going to say, Gnost.

“--and further explain how businesses work through the current economic theory we practice. You will need to bring a signed permission slip if you are under the age of eighteen to participate in this field trip.”

And like that, my world crashed around me… again. I had that same sinking sensation in my gut when I first found out about the saiyans and Trunks. But this… I look down to Gnost with a glare. I have a small notion that he’s behind this. His eyes connect with mine. And do you know what he did? I’ll tell you! He threw a smirk at me! A smirk! That no-good-stupid-saiyan-guardian… who needs him?? How dare he subtly try and expose my current actions towards getting my diploma?

The nerve! I’m his future queen!

Then I remember… that’s okay. I mentally note that I can stay home that day and sleep. Not only has school been demanding, the baby’s been extremely needy thus sucking my energy out as well. I give a small smirk in return and lean in my chair. Gnost, in return, eyes me suspiciously. “Ms. Son?”

I kept my last name for school purposes—I didn’t want to be hassled for having the same name as the famous owners of Capsule Corporations when almost everyone knew me to be Son Pan.

“Is there something you wish to share?”

Everyone turned to me as I gave my guardian a shrug. “I’m just excited to know we’ll be going on a field trip—that’s all.”

He gave me a dry look, “I’m sure you are.”

As the government and economics teacher passed out the permission slips, I began to formally calculate a plan in my mind. I’ll just let Bulma know I’ll stay home that day for sheer exhaustion, sleep a good part of the day, get ahead on homework, and maybe lure Trunks out of work for a while—hopefully to distract him away from my school group. Maybe I could plan a date with him that day; we have hardly had time to spend together other than in the wee hours in the morning and right before bed. I don’t think that’s very good for a relationship. Then again nor is running away from the significant other for months on end.

I rub my forehead. Why are things so complicated?

I was handed a permission slip.

This field trip was in a week.

I looked back up as Gnost began talking again. “As you can see, next Wednesday is the field trip. I will need the permission slips back no later than Friday. That gives you three days to get these turned in and signed.” I glanced through the paper. Although it was legal for me to sign off for myself, I was seriously finding this ironic. Why would I need permission to go to my own home to see the business my husband works at and his family owns?

“I would highly advise for all of you to attend,” stated the teacher, “Your next written paper will be based off of this experience to Capsule Corporations. It will be worth one test grade.”

I blinked. Did he just say what I thought he said?

“I know life happens people, but if you miss it’d better be because you’re on your deathbed. Otherwise there will be no way for you to make up this test.”

I bit my lip.

I thought back for a second. I currently have a perfect average in that class. And if my calculations are correct, my grade may drop to a low B. That’s at least 15 points on my average.

Yeah, this can cause some problems.

Maybe if I talk to the teacher after class and let him know there is no way I can go? Nope. I just know he wouldn’t listen to my reasoning. Hmm… I guess I’ll just have to sacrifice this grade and beg for extra credit—that or I can tell my teacher I have connections with people who work in Capsule Corporations. Yeah! And they could give me the information I needed. But I’d have to sneak around Trunks to find out who gave the lectures. Hm… OH! Wait! I can give someone trustworthy in this class a tape recorder so I can get the lectures—wait… Capsule Corporations would probably try to sue that poor soul for bringing in some device that could potentially steal valuable information.

This was a tough one…

I release a sigh as Gnost gave me one more look—a stare of triumph. I know he’s wanted me to reveal to Trunks what I’ve been doing for the past month and a half. I shook my head. I just wish he would stop it!

I rubbed my forehead.

Yep. Sacrificing the grade will be the necessary evil.

I was so tempted to give Gnost the one finger solute—he’s seen me do it so many times when I know he’s right, but not now. Not while he’s in this position of authority. I just shake my head at him letting him know he’ll get an earful from me later.

Gnost leaves the room with a satisfied smile on his lips.

He thinks he’s won this round when in fact he’s just set himself up for failure.

I hide my humor as the teacher begins his lecture.

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Later that day…

“He’s been fussy all day,” stated Bulma as she handed me my son. Good thing I en-capsuled my books and backpack before entering the house. My baby was still screaming his lungs off as I carried him while walking around the room. I spoke to him—my intentions were to calm him down. He was not calming down. Oh yeah, this child is angry.

“You dare pitch a fit,” I cooed as I began patting him on the back, “You’re such a stubborn one.”

“Just like the mother,” stated a deep voice from the side of the room.

I almost jumped as I turned around. I saw my husband leaning at the doorway watching me with a smirk on his lips. He was obviously amused. I gave him a glare before trying to calm down Vegeta Jr. once more. “Someone’s home early from work.”

He chuckled and gave me a kiss on the cheek before rubbing our son’s head. “I decided to actually do my work rather than procrastinate and sleep on the couch for three hours.”

I glance to Bulma, whose eyes became big from shock and anger. “You should be so thankful I’m your mother and not some tyrannical boss lady. Sleeping on the job??”

“Mom. Do you know how many hours of sleep I missed because of my son?”

“I think you should be asking Pan the same thing. She’s been up all this time even with the interrupted sleep while you grab some shut eye!”

“Bulma,” I stated.

“Seriously Trunks! You need to help out every once in a while so she can get some extra rest as well!”

“Bulma!” This wasn’t good. I handed the baby into Trunks’ arms before walking over to my tired mother-in-law.

“It’s tough helping her especially with how much she’s been working—“

“BULMA!” I exclaimed grabbing the scruff of her collared shirt. “Calm. Down.”

The woman looked at me and blinked. She was about to open her mouth when I cut her off, “We’re all tired here. Take a nap Bulma. You’ll feel better when you wake up. That’s probably why Trunks is sleeping a little in the office. Personally, I’m grateful he does rest because he’s always in a good mood when I see him.” I gave him a glance, and a small smile. His downcast eyes began to brighten instantly as I stood up for him against one of the most influential women in the world. I brought my attention back to Bulma. “It’s also good for the company. A happy boss brings forth happy employees. And happy employees make happy customers. Happy customers will keep Capsule Corporations running.” What’s funny is I just learned this in economics class. I almost felt like the teacher lecturing her students about the do’s and don’ts of business.

There was a moment of silence as Bulma stared at me with cold eyes. They then softened. I let Bulma’s clothing go as she began to cool off. “Get some rest Bulma. Trunks and I can handle it from here,” I confirmed calmly.

She gave a silent nod before rubbing her eyes. “Thanks,” she replied softly. She then left the room, tired and humbled.

Turning back to Trunks, who adjusted Vegeta Jr. in the crook of his arm gave me a smile. “Well someone is a little spit-fire today.”

I gave a small smile as I leaned my head in to rest it on his shoulder. “You don’t know how exhausted I am.”

“Would you like for me to watch him?” Trunks asked with a small chuckle. I could hear the rumbling deep in his throat. I grinned.

“Yes please.”

I stood there, unmoving, for a minute or two. I could feel Trunks’ curiosity. “Aren’t you going to head upstairs?” he meekly asked.

“Too tired,” I replied. “Carry me up.”

I didn’t think he actually would. He used his free arm to swoop me up in his hold. I was carefully cradled like our son was in his other arm. My arms instantly wrapped around his neck as he began to walk.

“Don’t drop me!” I exclaimed as I felt his grip on me shift.

He chuckled. “I won’t drop you.”

“You better not,” I threatened him as I clung on for dear life.

He started heading up the stairs. “And if I do?” he jested.

“I do NOT want to think about that! I’m too tired as it is!”

And all I heard was his chuckle. The rest of the trip up the stairs was silent. Occasionally I would glance over to our son, who instantly fell asleep in the crook of his father’s arm. I was just enjoying the close contact to him. I let that thought slip into his mind, and he glanced down at me. He had a glint in his eye. He began walking down the hall towards our room.

“So, you did not take a nap today?”

“Nope,” was his reply, as he stepped before the door. It swished open. I continued clinging onto him until he carefully deposited me on the bed. I instantly lazed back and relaxed. Seconds later he rested beside me—our son back in his cradle beside the bed. I felt my eyes close sleep beginning to overwhelm me. I felt my body being embraced—his breath calmly tickled my ear. I smiled, but held back a giggle. Trunks’ hands covered my stomach protectively.

And his breathing hitched.

I felt his hands lower until it stopped at my pelvis.

“Something the matter?” I tiredly asked, not very interested in the reply. He probably sensed I was about to start my period or something.

“Pan?”

His voice was serious. Sleep was escaping me.

Darn it.

“Yes?” I replied more awake and a little annoyed.

His mouth rested beside my ear, his breath tickled it as he spoke. “You’ll need to schedule a doctor’s appointment soon.”

My eyebrows scrunched together. I turned around and saw Trunks’ expression. It was an expression I had never seen before. I didn’t know if I was to be frightened or curious.

“Why?”

His eyes had a new sparkle as a smile widened on his lips, “We’re going to be having another baby.”

A double whammy: for that second time that day my world was throw into another fit of chaos.

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AN: Guess what guys? It’s that time of the semester again! It’s FINALS! I’m currently in the final days of the Summer I 2009 semester, and my stress level is over the peak. Not only am I working part time, going to summer school full time, in choir, hanging out with friends, working on a commissioned piece of artwork… I’ve started to become sick. After drinking half a liter of lemon juice yesterday, the sick feeling reduced, but now my muscles are extremely tight and achy. I probably am fighting some crazy cold. :/.