~*****~

The few days we spent on Empatoo, I managed to learn a little of the language and physiology of Empathian males. And it turned out that Vegeta had been right on my initial fear throughout my pregnancy with Mars. Half Empathian males have the immune system to survive on any planet, regardless of whether or not it has a different oxygen system than their home planet did.

With the ship loaded up with all the books we could find, we set back to Earth. "Mara, where the hell are you?" Vegeta asked loudly as I remained hunkered down in the middle of the pile of books we'd brought.

"Here--" I hum as I pop my head up. "Sorry, still wanna read up more on--"

"The boy will be fine." Vegeta retorted plainly as he snatched the book from my hands and placed it on one of the piles. "Mars is stronger than you realize. Whatever weaknesses the Empathian race had previously held are usually strengthened with Saiyan genetics." Vegeta explains. "If anything, reproducing with other species ensures the survival of the Empathian race."

"B-But..." I stammer softly. "What if something happens to Mars and I need to refer to one of these books?"

Vegeta grasps my face in his hand and squeezes a little. "Listen woman, if something happens to the boy, it won't be because of his genetics. I promise."

I nod gingerly and loop my arms around Vegeta's chest. "Okay..." I murmur.

Vegeta runs his fingers through my hair. "Your love for the child is astounding sometimes... On my home planet, Saiyan children are usually able to look after themselves. We don't typically get parental affection."

I hum and turn my gaze up at him. "I'll never understand that." I hum softly. "Sending babies to conquer planets. Any child of any species can be impressionable. That's why they need their parents for guidance. I don't want Mars growing up the way I did."

"You mentioned growing up on the streets. What does that mean?" Vegeta asks after a beat of silence.

I chuckle. "I mean, after my mom died, I had no one to take me in, so I was living in alleyways or underpasses." I explain as I move away from Vegeta. "That's how I learned how to do most of what I do. Mechanics, book keeping, sewing-- it was the trades of our little group. We got jobs at very early ages just to be able to eat. When there wasn't any work, we had to fight for our food. Most of the injuries on me are from those fights. And it wasn't proper martial arts. We used weapons and dirty tricks to win. Because winning meant we got to eat."

Vegeta just stared at me incredulously. "I need to teach you how to fight." He expressed in horror. "Using weapons in a battle, how disgraceful!"

I snort. "I don't fight anymore." I laugh.

"On Namek, you threw your shoe at Ginyu when his attention was elsewhere! Come, Mara, I'll teach you how to properly defend yourself!" Vegeta exclaims as he drags me towards the gravity chamber.

"But I don't want to fight!" I whine unhappily.

~*****~

By the time we reached Earth, my body felt so tired from all the training Vegeta had put me through. Not only that, every time I managed to barely graze him, he'd go insane and have his way with me until I could no longer think. Although, my exhaustion disappeared as Mars appears from Lush Corp, running full speed towards me with tears flowing down his face. He screeches something, but it's drowned out as his face buries into my neck. "Oh, my sweet Mars, did you have fun at Chi-Chi's?" I ask softly as I pat his back.

I sniffled lightly and shook his head. "Missed you, mommy." He whimpered.

Chi-Chi was out of breath as she finally managed to approach us. "Goodness, he sure perked up when Lola said your ship had entered the atmosphere." Chi-Chi mentioned as she patted at her chest.

"Thanks for watching him." I hum softly as I start bouncing Mars. "I owe you one."

She waved her hand. "No, it's fine. Goten and Gohan really loved having him around. Maybe I'll let them come over soon for a sleepover." Chi-Chi chuckled. "I know I need a quiet night..."

I laugh for a moment. "Sure thing!" Vegeta grunts as I turn my gaze on him. "Right?" I ask irritably.

Vegeta glances between Chi-Chi and I before sighing. "Yeah... that... would be fine..."

"Good!" Chi-Chi immediately said. "I'll call you later, Mara! Bye, Mars~"

Mars didn't even move to wave at her. He just hummed in response. Chi-Chi gets into her jet car before leaving to her home. I heave out a sigh and move to let Mars down. He clings to my torso and refuses to let go. "Well, looks like I'll be busy for the rest of the day." I laugh as I turn to Vegeta.

Vegeta just stares at Mars before plucking the toddler off of my torso with relative ease. Mars immediately starts to whine as he gazes at his father. "Your mother's tired." Vegeta states firmly to Mars.

Mars just clutches at his shirt with an irritated grimace on his face. The resemblance is uncanny. I begin chuckling. "As much as you hate to admit it, Mars takes after you a lot more than he does me."

"Do you realize what that'll mean? It'll be fight at every turn with the boy." Vegeta snaps.

Mars flings his arms up and slips out of his shirt before reattaching himself to my torso. I start laughing at pat at his back. "At least we don't have any daughters yet." I hum impishly. "A younger sister would really make him more like you. He'll do everything he can to protect her, won't he?" I hum to my son.

"Yeah, but I want a puppy." Mars retorts plainly.

I shudder. "Sorry, pumpkin, but we can't have dogs." I hum softly before tugging Mars' shirt from Vegeta's grasp. Mars had began frowning before resuming his previous position of attaching himself to my front. It takes a bit of skill, but I manage to redress Mars as we make our way back to our apartment.

"You coddle the boy too much," Vegeta mentions as Mars leaps onto the bed Vegeta and I shared on the loft. "He barely sleeps in his room nowadays."

"Well, I keep telling you we need to go look at that place I found, but you always put it off." I retort irritably. "Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we're going to that house and looking it over before making a decision, understand?"

"I thought you wanted to do this strange wedding of yours." Vegeta retorted irritably.

A flush crawled up my neck. "I- I do... But we need a home, too. This apartment is getting too small for the three of us." I mention.

Vegeta grunted and plucked Mars from the bed, earning an irritated glare from the toddler. "Maybe the boy will sleep in his own bed from then on." Vegeta mentioned to him.

"Wanna sleep with mommy." Mars retorts angrily, his little fists shaking around. "You sleep alone!"

"Why, you little--" Vegeta growled at the toddler.

I cleared my throat. "Vegeta." I warn him. Vegeta grumbles irritably before placing the toddler back onto the bed. "Now, Mars. You're getting to be such a big boy now. Mommy and Daddy need their own bed to be comfy, too, you know." I explain gingerly as I perch on the bed besides Mars. "Besides, the bravest of boys sleep in their own bed, you know. Don't you wanna be mommy's brave boy?" Mars' lower lip begins to quiver at the thought before he nods reluctantly. Vegeta grunts and stares between the two of us in shock. "You wanna try tonight? Have a big bed all by yourself?" I hum. "I know you like to stretch out and relax."

Mars nods after a moment and slides down the bed side with his stuffed bear he'd grabbed from under the covers. "Will you read me a story?" He asks meekly.

I chuckle delightfully before kissing his head. "Absolutely, baby... Go and pick one out, I'll be there in a minute."

Mars tromps down the hall to his bedroom as Vegeta sinks onto the bed. "How do you know what to say?" He asks irritably. "Compromising with the boy has led to nothing but screaming from him."

I chuckle. "Well, you are kinda scary." I mention. "I know things will get better between you two. Just try to remember, you're not on your home planet anymore. Children on Earth need compassion and love. I understand it's entirely foreign to you, but I'm here to help you along... Okay?"

Vegeta grimaced for a moment before flopping backwards onto the bed, his hands covering his eyes. I chuckle at his response before going to Mars' room.

~*****~

I jolt awake as I hear the subtle sniffles coming from Mars. I don't immediately open my eyes when I hear Vegeta speak, although it's slurred from sleep, he greets Mars so softly. "Had... Had a scary dream..." Mars mentions through his sniffles. "Can I sleep with you?"

Vegeta grunts softly. The bed shifts as I peek out just a little. Vegeta is sitting up and rubbing at his face. "Your dreams can't hurt you." Vegeta mentions softly. Mars begins to whine a little louder. "Come here, boy." Vegeta orders. Mars clambers onto Vegeta's lap and curls into him. "You can sleep here for one more night, but you need to start sleeping in your bed. As long as I'm here, nothing will hurt you, understand?" Vegeta says gently, his hand curling over his son's head.

"Yes, daddy..." Mars nods after a beat of silence. Vegeta yawns tiredly before situating Mars between himself and I before laying down himself. My eyes are already wide open as I stare at him with a soft smile. He catches my eye and flushes brightly before tugging the blankets over Mars body and curling his arm around my waist, tugging us close together to cocoon around our son. I keep smiling as I nestle into Mars before dozing off again.

When morning hits, I remain in the bed, gazing down at Mars and Vegeta who remained asleep, sprawled out and snoring. I tug my camera from the bedpost and snap a quick picture before slipping off of the bed to make breakfast.

By the time the two had gotten up, they were both ravenous and scarfing down the large spread I set out just in time. I gazed at the two fondly with a small cup of yogurt in my hands. "Well... it's a good thing I make enough money to feed you, two..." I sigh softly. "So, plans for today are as follows," I start sternly as the two halt with their mouths stuffed full. "Showers for everyone-- and I mean, everyone, Mars--" The toddler swallows his food and grimaces. "Looking for a home is next. Thirdly, we're hitting the courthouse to get married, Vegeta. Then I'll give a call to everyone and set up a date to have a get together to share the news."

Vegeta grumbles irritably before leaning against his elbow. "Can we get ice cream, too?" Mars asks.

I snort and ruffle his hair. "Maybe, if you're good for us today. Which means, no whining about taking a shower, or whining about not being carried. Understand?"

The three year old grimaced and nodded. "Can I get chocolate?"

I snort again. "Shower time~" I coo and toss my empty yogurt cup into the garbage can. Mars' face splits into a grimace before he immediately swallows it down. I laugh as he hurries to the bathroom with his shirt already being pulled off. "Ice cream is a great motivator." I follow after the toddler and glance back at Vegeta. "Can you wash up while I shower with Mars?"

Vegeta was already up, scrubbing at the dishes he'd taken to the sink. I smile happily.

~*****~

The poor boy was trying his hardest. We'd only been at the house I'd found for a few minutes and he was sitting on the bottom step of the stairs, pouting while his little legs stretched out in front of him. "So, I was thinking I could probably get the permits to build a gravity room out back, and we'd still have a lot of room to have a patio or a playset for Mars and any other kids we decide to have," I explain as we gaze out the kitchen window. "Meanwhile, there's plenty of rooms in this house, but the location is further away from Lush Corp or Lush Capsule. I'm worried the commute will cause more grief than necessary."

Vegeta snorts. "You can fly. Why do you insist on using any vehicle?"

I shake my head. "Other people aren't used to anyone flying." I explain irritably. "But, my gosh, the master is so big, and we could have so much privacy out here, too." I chirp dreamily. "What do you think? Should we get it?"

Vegeta gazes around skeptically before locking his gaze onto his son at the steps still. "Boy." He snaps loudly. Mars flinches and sits up right. "Do you like this house?"

I nearly combust on the spot. Vegeta had grown more attractive in my eyes as he approaches the toddler who is twisting and turning his shirt around his hands. "I like it. Mommy said I could have a swing set." Mars mentions. "Maybe we could get a puppy, too?"

I hate to let him down every time he asks. "No puppy, Mars... I'm sorry." I hum delicately.

Mars' lower lip trembles again but Vegeta puts a stop to it immediately. "Your mother is scared of dogs, can you understand that for her?"

Mars perks up and cocks his head. "Oh... Okay, sorry, mommy." Mars hums. "Can we get a kitty, then?"

I immediately begin to laugh before nodding. "Sure thing, baby."

Mars is immediately filled with energy and races around the lower floor. "Well, the boy is in a better mood now." Vegeta retorts irritably.

I continue to laugh. "He's a child." I mention. "A cat is a much better choice for a place like this. So, you ready to get hitched?" I ask excitedly.

Vegeta flushes immediately and rubs at the back of his head. "It's just-- Just to make you happy, got it!" Vegeta snaps.

I wave him off dismissively before calling for Mars.