A Typical Tea At The Ketchum's

Summary:

Ash and Misty, now married attempt to tame their four mischievous Ketchum kids though it doesn't always go according to plan... Even a simple dinner is a disaster waiting to happen!

Misty and Ash balanced one another out perfectly. Ash- the laidback father, who found it difficult to discipline any of his children- was the polar opposite to his wife Misty who was a strict mother that hated the concept of even leaving her children. Misty reminded Ash a lot of Delia Ketchum, only Misty was more strict and hated to be disobeyed even more than his mother, however with the four Ketchum kids all genetically inheriting their fathers adventurous streak it was inevitable.

The eldest of the Ketchum tribe was David, in appearance he was a clone of his father's younger self yet carried so much of his mother's personality. David was temperamental, stubborn and proud, he held grudges which Misty would often say came from Ash, yet a little incident of a bike that seemed pop up over their years of travelling together seemed to settle the argument in Ash's favour. One thing Misty was certain of was that David got his brains from his mother and Ash never failed to prove this point on a daily basis... The thirteen year old dreamed of becoming a world renowned Pokémon Researcher much to the dismay of his parents. He enjoyed the occasional visit from his Uncle Gary who would often share his research with the young boy. And every weekend when the family travelled to see their grandmother back in Pallet Town David would find himself spending a lot of time with Professor Oak, a man the youngster greatly idolised.

Next of the Ketchum's was Kate an eight year old that intended to follow in her father's footsteps and become the next Pokémon master. Ash's family had come at a great cost as Misty fell pregnant at eighteen, Ash having grown up without a father was not about to abandon his own child so he gave up his dream. When Ash heard of Kate's dreams he had never felt prouder knowing that his little girl would no doubt exceed in this goal. Kate had shoulder length brown hair that was so rich it almost appeared red; her eyes matched that of her mother's. Kate was a tomboy and refused to be in a ten mile radius of a dress, in this aspect she reminded Ash of Misty but Kate's act-then-think attitude reminded him too much of himself.

After Kate neither Misty nor Ash planned to have anymore children but one drunken night surprised them with the present of twins! Scarlett and Charlie both had curly orange locks with matching brown eyes. The twins were strongly attached to one another and at now three years of age the troublesome twosome could now walk spreading terror throughout the household. Even at such a young age the twins had a deep interest in Pokémon, they adored Pikachu who seemed to spend most of his time with the toddlers. When the twins we're born Pikachu took it upon himself to look after the two and ever since he has slept in their room almost guarding them.

Today was a Tuesday and according to the cooking schedule it was Misty's turn to cook, how she wished she could turn back the clock to a Monday so that the family could order take out or how it would magically become a Friday when Brock, his wife Suzie and their son would come for weekly visit meaning that Brock would cook-up a magnificent feast. Misty dreamed that it could be the weekend when her mother-in-law cooked so that the burden didn't fall to her. Since Ash and Misty's cooking skills hadn't gotten any better they took it in turns to cook on the remaining three days, feeding their children the abomination they could only hope was edible.

Havoc reined at the Ketchum table as a persistent debated ensued.

"Dad's Infernape could seriously beat mom's Vaporeon!" Kate, still so young and naive was not as knowing about Pokémon as her brother but that never stopped her voicing her opinion.

"No Kate, he most likely wouldn't you see Infernape would be at a type advantage." David replied wisely.

"But Infernape has more powerful moves!"

"Yes but Infernape's attacks wouldn't do as much damage and Vaporeon's attack would do more damage than an average attack."

"Nu-uh you're just making things up!"

"Why would I make something like this up?"

"Because you think your super smart!"

"I am super smart idiot!"

At that very moment Ash entered the room, leaving Pikachu to have a short nap on the couch, clearly displeased with David's name calling but simply shook his head and picked up Kate who looked like she was about to do some of her very own attacking! "Tea ready yet honey?"

Still in the kitchen Misty juggled the twins and the cooking she finally came into the room to where David and Kate had returned to their heated 'debate'. She placed the twins in their high chairs and brought in the food for everyone else who were already situated at the table. The minute Misty sat down to enjoy a nice peaceful meal with the people she loved most, her temper rose as the argument got so serious as the thirteen and eight year old Ketchum's had resorted to name calling.

"Dimwit!" David was also reaching his last nerve with his younger sister.

"Meanie!" Kate retorted.

"Baby!"

"Am not! You're just a silly poop-head!"

"Well that's smart isn't it you little twerp!"

"That. Is. It!" Misty finally exploded, Ash who had silently sat back and watched the scene unfold now held a horrified face, "here we go again..." Ash thought. The room went silent as Misty started her little rant. "All I wanted was a silent meal together as a family was that too much to ask? Why is it every time it gets to tea time you two seem to find it oh so hilarious to launch into a fully fledged argument? It truly baffles me! Now both of you will apologise to one another and we will have a nice meal together! Do you two hear me? And I want absolutely no whining!"

With red cheeks the children apologised to one another with their heads hung in shame. Ash sat with a smirk on his face staring at the two children. "And you Ashton Satoshi Ketchum" to this Ash's head jerked up as he stirred into her Cerulean eyes, she continued suppressing a giggle at her husband's expression, "why didn't you do something?"

"Oh crap I'm in for it now..."

"Well you see, I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop them from arguing like you do, after all they listen to, the respect you." At this small smile crept onto Misty's face and as quickly as it appeared it left, "flattery isn't working Ash! What do I do now?"

"That's really sweet Ash but flattery isn't going to get you out of this."

As if Arceus had sensed the brewing tension at the table, a fork went flying through the air straight towards Ash who managed to duck just in time. All eyes centred on the young boy sat in his high chair now giggling contently at himself. Ash sent a blaming gaze at his wife that seemed to say 'he takes after you so that was your fault.' Before anyone had any chance to do anything carrots were soaring landing themselves on various victims. Scarlett had decided to join in on the assault. Kate, being the mischievous child she was, grabbed a handful of mashed potatoes and threw them towards her unsuspecting brother David. It didn't take long after that for a food war to break out! Kate wore her bowl like a helmet and continued to throw whatever she could at David, fully intent on revenge. David moved between the chairs and hid under the table dodging whatever was thrown his way, he took every opportunity he had to grab a bit of food and defend himself. Ash was not about to miss this and had decided to join in fairly quickly throwing food at both children until his wife joined in. Misty- although reluctant at first finally decided to join in on the battle thinking 'if you can't beat them, join them'; near enough all of her assaults were aimed at Ash who only found this all the more amusing. The twins sat in their highchairs watching the onslaught of the food and sometimes even joining in with what little food they had left. Laughter filled the room- the whole family with large smiles stuck to their faces!

Once all the food was splattered on clothing, smudged in hair and covering every in of the dining room they sat down to observe their 'art work'. Whilst cradling her head in her hands and staring at the mess, Misty broke the silence, "I thought we weren't doing this again?" Ash sensed Misty's annoyance and sent his two older children to go have a shower, crouching beside his wife he wrapped his arms around her petite waist, "now that doesn't sound like us," his playful tone causing Misty to glare at him. Taking that as his cue to leave Ash stood up but not before planting a genuine kiss on his wife's cheek and flashing his trademark smile. He left the room ready to give the twins their own bath so that Mist was left alone. A smirk played on her own lips, "no that doesn't sound like you..." She knew she couldn't spend her day moping around so she got ready to start her day cleaning the dining room.

No day at the Ketchum household was ordinary and today was no exception; it was just a typical dinner at the Ketchum's...