"Your Support Matters Occasionally"
Welcome!
I do not own any of the characters in this story. They either belong to the Pokémon Company or to fanfic author Chipotlepeppers.
Important Info: "Your Support Matters Occasionally" is based off an event in 'The Journal: I am Jezz'. I got inspired to write Michio's journal entry for Jezz. If you have no idea who or what I am talking about, that is okay because I will either explain it briefly or it will be clear to infer. The following is a brief explanation of the main characters. The story begins under the cut if you'd prefer not to look at the notes, but I recommend them.
Annastasia Miyamoto Morgan (aka) 'A' or 'Annie' is the eldest daughter of Jessie and James Morgan and an OC of Chipotlepeppers. Annastasia is well-known for her selfless acts. She inherited wealth from Nanny and Pop-pop, James' canon great-grandparents. She lives in their mansion along with several family members and tenants. Now the landlord, she's named the mansion 'The Grange', paying tribute to Alexander Hamilton—a story in and of itself. Her top Pokémon are Bleu(Altaria), Lil-G (Lillipup), Star (Espeon), Minun and Plusle. She shares the latter two with Michio and Jezz.
Michio is Annastasia's notoriously shy, moody, and stubborn partner. He and Annie are legally married but don't have a traditional relationship. He frequently argues with his mother Keaka over issues from the past. Keaka lives with them and is also the family nurse. Michio's top Pokémon is Peruva (Liepard).
Jezz has the longest backstory. What's relevant to this fic is that Jezz is adopted, political, a prodigy, and seventeen years old. This story portrays the what is probably the worst of him. So, if you can stand him in this story, you would probably like him in others. His two best friends are Jay (Annie's younger brother) and Amber (daughter of Ash/Misty). Both are about sixteen. There are references to Jezz's girlfriend Maple, who is a Chipotlepeppers' OC I despise.
Logan is an English/Japanese-speaking Purrloin and the son of Meowth and an OC named Lucy. He lives on The Grange. He and Jezz have a brotherly relationship, he and Annastasia have a brother-and-sister-like relationship. He is about the same age as Annastasia (25).
Jocelyn, Rose, and Silver – Jessie & James's three youngest children. Jocelyn is thirteen years old, the twins are six. They are mentioned but not significant.
The Glens are a couple introduced in this story. They have no significant backstory.
That's it for notes. Please enjoy:)
"Your Support Matters Occasionally"
Day 1: Monday, March 31, 2036
It started months ago, over a year after Annastasia established the Glens as her and Michio's best friends.
It was quiet enough to make Michio suspicious. To further increase suspicious, after Annastasia showered, she put on makeup and placed bowties in their bathed and groomed Pokémon. When Michio asked her what time she waked, she answered:
"Five."
"What the hell?" Michio replied.
"I'm meeting with important people."
"You've been going to a lot of meetings lately…Is this about the Glens?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Get dressed and you'll see."
"I have to go too?"
"Yep."
"It's only eight."
"I need to have a family meeting and the early Caterpie avoids the Spearrow."
"If that's today's metaphor, I'm concerned."
"You're already concerned."
"Tarrria~."
"Plusle"
"Lieparrr."
"Mi Minunun."
"Lill up!"
"Do it for the children," she said as she lifted Lil-G. She took the Lillipup's paws and pretended to make the puppy speak. "Please listen to my mommy."
The Pokémon laughed in his face. Plusle and Minun made a bunch of noises that made Michio certain that they were in support of whatever she planned. Peruva didn't say much. She hadn't been on Michio's side lately.
When Michio finally meandered to the family room, Annie was standing in the center of the room with a clipboard. Jezz was half-asleep on the couch, Logan was conversing with Bleu, and his mother Keaka was petting Lil-G and Minun and smirking like she knew something Michio didn't.
"Sit," Annie requested. "I've refreshments and hors de 'oeuvres."
He sat down and started on the crescents that chef Maria made. Jezz snapped out of his pot-induced daze and started on the food as the Pokémon were chowed on theirs.
"I called you for a special announcement followed by a discussion that will most likely involve me pleading for your help," Annastasia declared.
"Is someone hurt?" Jezz asked.
"No," Keaka replied.
"Is someone gonna get hurt?" Logan queried.
"It's good news," Annie assured them. "Our family and the Glen family are super tight, so I offered to do them a favor. I'm sure most of you will probably oppose—at first."
Everyone stared at her blankly until Logan coughed awkwardly.
"Tell us what's up instead of just standing there," Logan pleaded.
Annie took a deep breath then casually sat on the couch across from everyone.
"As you hopefully recall, as of five months ago, I have been assessed and declared to be in near-perfect health," Annie continued. "For the first time in my life, my doctors said I can do anything an average healthy woman can do."
"What does this mean?" Michio asked.
"She's finally going bungee jumping," Logan whispered excitedly.
"Let me finish my speech," Annie asserted. "I planned it."
"Tari ta ta."
"I know, Bleu," Annie said as she hugged her Altaria. "The Glens have been looking for a surrogate for years. I'm theirs."
"Seriously?"
"Why?"
"Whooaa."
"Don't freak out," she said to Michio, Jezz, and Logan. "This is was thought-out."
"Why can't they adopt?" Jezz questioned.
Annie knew well he'd difficult. His current view was that people who insisted on surrogates over adoption were criminal.
"We can talk about that privately," Annie told Jezz.
"Now," he demanded.
"I want to hear too," Logan piped.
"They want at least one child carry their genes," she sighed in frustration.
"It's more than that," said Jezz. "I know you."
"I don't want to go there because it's off topic."
"Fine," he said as she crossed his arms. "But there are too many homeless kids out there. They're selfish. You agree."
"He's got a legit reason to be upset about this," said Logan. "…Putting that out there."
"I thought about this for a while," said Annie.
"Not enough," said Jezz.
"I liked living here a lot more when Jezz was awkward and innocent. Now he's annoying," said Logan. "No offense."
"I don't care what you think," Jezz replied.
"I don't want to argue," said Logan.
"I am being personally attacked, obviously I am going to argue," Jezz retorted.
"You just said you don't care," Michio pointed out.
Michio instantly regretted butting in. Jezz glared at him. It was an odd moment for both of them because Jezz didn't often glare.
"May I continue?" Annie inquired.
The question was directed at Jezz. He inaudibly pouted instead of letting his fighter instinct attack.
"The baby won't be related to me. One of their sisters is donating the egg—"
"Arg, stop," Logan said as he put his paws over his ears. "Gross; just tell us what we need to know."
"Getting there," Annie retorted. "Umm, so where was I…"
"The part where you betray me," Jezz mumbled.
"Am I the only person thinking about how fucking weird this is?" Michio asked the group.
"I am," said Logan. "And Jezz, you're being pretty cranky for a pot-head."
"Say that again. I dare you," Jezz replied through gritted teeth.
"It is weird. I'm a weird person," Annie stated.
"No shit," said Michio.
"Michio, will you ever learn to be polite?" Keaka said in frustration.
"I forgot you were here," said Logan.
"She already knows all of this," said Annie.
"Of course, she does," Michio remarked.
"She's my nurse. I had to tell her," Annie retorted.
"You could have told me," he replied.
"I'm telling you now."
"I mean that you—probably—should have told me first."
"I want to know what kind of support I have before I make it official-official."
"Ah…sure, I'll accept it," Michio said as he kept one eye on Jezz. "I'm not afraid of being beaten up by a stupid teen."
"I disagree," Jezz retorted.
"You need to stop," said Keaka. "Go Annastasia."
"I get why it's weird, but it's my life. If I can help then I will."
"I won't put you down," said Logan.
Michio and Keaka nodded, but Jezz looked away. He had ten other things to worry about. This was one of the last places he wanted to be.
"We're a weird bunch, but we're a team and a family," said Annie. "Jezz, Logan, Keaka, Michio, our Pokémon, and me. That's why we have meetings. Michio, I don't blame you for being upset, but unless you want me to carry your bio baby for the next nine months, I am already doing this."
"Hahahahahaha!" Logan squealed as he smacked Michio on the back. "Well, what is it?"
"That was quite a buildup," Michio remarked.
"I am on the verge of losing my patience," said Annie.
"Then you probably aren't ready for a baby," said Logan.
"She's not keeping it, she's giving it to these people she met last month," said Jezz.
"I've known them for over two years and you know that," Annie replied.
Jezz was silent again, and he and the others remained silent until Annie had explained everything that was relevant—the timing, her future schedule, and how they won't be allowed to piss her off for at least another year.
"You rarely get pissed anyway," said Logan. "And it's always Jezz's fault when you do."
"I don't disagree," Jezz said as he smiled for the first time that morning.
"Class dismissed, but keep your clothes clean; we need them for something. I'll call ya when I need ya. Michio, stay with me so we can talk."
"You already knew about this," Michio said to Keaka before she left the room.
Keaka never responded. Annie led Michio and their tag-along Pokémon to the veranda. The air warmed them, but something stung.
"I wanted to tell you ahead of time, yet, wanted to get this talk over with," she told him.
"I don't understand why you want to do this. What if something goes wrong?"
"I'm not worried about complications."
"How are you going to do it?"
"I already told you, one of them is going to donate—"
"—not that, emotionally. You're going to have a baby and then hand it over to someone else the moment it's born?"
"These people are my friends. I want to help."
"It's too much help."
"This will be a blip in my life. It will be fun."
"Fun?"
"Fulfilling."
"Jezz."
"He's got to learn that people want different things out of life. Adoption in this world's a mess. That's why he's doing what he's doing. That's why he's been in college since age fourteen. It's why he writes, why he has his internship, why he works like he's gonna die tomorrow. I know this goes against what he believes, but in a world where same-sex couples can't adopt, don't you think a surrogate makes sense? Don't they deserve a child too?"
"He's so full of shit."
"All teenagers are full of shit."
"You weren't."
"I was sometimes…He'll come around."
They took time to think and breathe. Michio tried to hide his anxiety, but there was no hiding from someone as analytically empathetic as Annastasia.
"I'll help, I promise. Tell me what to do," said Michio.
"Be my friend."
"We're already friends."
"Then you don't have to do anything."
XO
Their meeting with the Glens was at a country club located on the affluent side of Saffron. Michio, Jezz, and Logan were somewhat unnerved that no one else but A seemed enthused by the prospect. Jezz softened after the meeting; something about looking them in the eyes and realizing how limited their options were invoked some previously dysfunctional empathy. But he was still upset because the fact that surrogacy was their only option meant that as a young politician, he was failing. He was failing to make it easy for people to adopt, failing to improve the lives of people like him, people who were left behind and had to chase miracles in order to have a decent life. No of these thoughts he voiced to his immediate family; Jezz saved this material for his friends…but just Amber this time. Annastasia wanted to tell Jay herself.
"You look shitty," Amber said after Jezz greeted her via video chat.
"It's called despair."
"You and Jay are killing me. He's been sarcastic with me too. Can you imagine? Jay being sarcastic. It's like the fucking twilight zone nowadays."
"Can you validate me?"
"I can try."
"Don't tell Jay."
"I have to tell Jay."
"He's gonna find out soon, but Annie wanted to tell him. I'll only need you to keep quiet for a few minutes; no doubt Jay's gonna call you as soon as he finds out."
"Then say it."
"Annie's going to be a surrogate for the Glen family."
"Like, a surrogate-surrogate, as in like, have a baby?"
"Yep."
"She's nuts."
"We know."
"I bet you're upset because the Glens aren't adopting."
"I don't understand some people. Why can't they just wait? I have bills! They just need to get passed. Then the Glens can adopt just like any other couple."
"You're not a member of any Congress."
"I've ten Senators and a VP in my pocket."
"That's impressive, but no one's gonna pass that bill anytime soon. Didn't you say something about how you don't think you'll be able to get the votes until after those new people are sworn in?"
"They will be sworn in four months from now."
"And how long does it usually take for them to look at a bill?"
"One month."
"And how long does it usually take for them to come to a decision?"
"Several weeks."
"And how long does it take for it to be made into a law and enforced?"
"Two to four months."
"What if they have to look at several bills? What if they don't vote the way you want them to vote, or what if they keep revising it? All of a sudden, one year, then two years, then three years pass and nothing has changed…yet. You'll make changes. I know you can. But you're a teenager. You can't fix the world without waiting."
"I want you to be on my side."
"I'm always on your side. But…"
"But?"
"Not everyone can wait half a decade to have a baby. And from what I understand, adopting a baby is hard. Aren't most kids at least five?"
"Does that matter? Why can't they love a five-year-old? Or a teenager?"
"I dunno. I don't think A will appreciate you trying to talk the Glens out of this decision. What you are saying is that instead of having a baby, they should wait to see if your bill legalizing same-sex adoption goes through and if it does…there still might not be an infant around for them to adopt, which means they will have to wait longer or adopt a kid whose older. It's not fair to try to make them do that."
Jezz was quiet. Amber tried to think of things to say to him to make him feel better.
"I bet this has been the hardest part of your life. In a few years, you'll look back and wonder how you made it."
"I regret some of the things I said after she announced it. It's as if I'm bound to destroy every good relationship. Annie adopts me, later I accuse her of betraying me. You're probably done with my shit."
"I haven't given up yet. You need therapy or medication or both. You can't talk to Jay because he'll cry, and you can't talk to Maple because deep down you hate her as much as I do—"
"I knew you were going to bring her up. I haven't talked to her yet. I don't know what she'll say."
"You told me before you told her?"
"Well…yeah. That was my instinct."
"Interesting. Perhaps you and I have some unresolved issues."
"Perhaps we do."
"What are you suggesting?"
Jezz sighed and looked down. That was his current style. When he didn't shoot his mouth Alexander Hamilton style, he huffed and waited for the person on the other end of the convo to talk.
"Nothing, you're…I love you, and I know you'll be fine. Smoke a joint, then call me," said Amber.
"I'm high right now."
"Clearly not high enough.
"I'm worried about Annie. She could get sick again. She's so thin. She's practically my mom. I can't help but worry."
"She's practically my mom too, and I'm worried, but she's A. A's seen a lot of shit and she's far tougher than you."
The light at the bottom of their screen blinked and a message reading 'incoming call from Blue-Jay' appeared.
"Hang up. I want to talk to Jay," said Amber.
"Don't tell him."
"He probably already knows."
"Let's find out."
"Okay, but if he doesn't know, find some excuse to hang up."
"I will."
Amber clicked the screen to let Jay join their chat. His face looked as though he had been internally screaming.
"Amb, you'll never believe it!" Jay started. "My sister's having a baby!"
"I believe it," said Amber. "Jezz just told me."
"I figured," said Jay. "A told me that he was probably going to call you first, so she called me and I am sooo excited."
"I can tell," said Amber. "She did tell you what the definition of a surrogate is, right?"
"Ummmm…is that the same as like…okay, so maybe…"
"Oh god."
"I know it…"
"Jezz, help him."
"She's just going to carry the baby then give it to them. It won't be related to her," said Jezz.
"Oh. That's too bad. She'd have very beautiful babies," Jay replied.
"It's weird for you to say that about your sister. Don't repeat it," said Amber.
"It's true though. Jezz, are you mad that they aren't adopting?"
"Yeah."
"But two guys can't adopt. It's illegal."
"It's personal for me. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I want to hang up."
"Sure?"
"Sure."
XO
Chapter Two will be up by the time you get to this note. Thanks for reading:)
XO