Why are men reluctant to become fathers? They aren't done being children.- Cindy Garner


"Glaceon, use Ice Shard, then Quick Attack." The pokemon formed ice shards in the air, then leapt through them, shattering the ice into little stars, shining against the bright sun.

It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside. They were in the backyard of the home with all of May's pokemon running around and enjoying the fresh air.

"Hehe, again!" Anna cried out, bouncing up and down as her mother's pokemon preformed.

May chuckled softly at her daughter. "We did that five times already. Now come on, it's time to get ready for grandma's house." she grabbed Annalese's hand and began to walk inside.

Anna tugged on May's hand. "Wait! I need a new dress!" May stared at her, annoyed.

"You have enough dresses to choose from, Anna. You don't need a new one."

"But I wore them all! I need a new pretty dress. I could also use it for when Auntie Dawn and Uncle Gary come over with…uh never mind." Anna blushed at who she was about to mention and turned away from May.

May smiled mischievously. "Ooooh, I see. Wanting to impress a certain someone do we?" Anna was about to respond when her mother started to speak again. "Fine, we'll get a new dress for you. But only one okay?"

Anna smiled. "Yay! Let's go now, now!" Anna pulled her mother's hand and walked into the house.


"Annalese! Hurry up! We're going to be late!" May paced in the living room. They had spent hours at the mall trying to find a dress Anna would like. Now Anna was taking so long getting dressed, refusing her mother's offer for help.

She glanced at the clock. 7:45 pm. She sighed in frustration. Delia would be so livid.

May heard little footsteps running down the stairs. She saw her daughter, wearing a dark blue dress with a big yellow bow in the middle. Her glittered dark blue shoes shining brightly. Auburn hair messily put together with a black bow.

May smiled at Anna. "Don't you look lovely."

"You look pretty too, Mama." Anna said as she looked at her mother's outfit. May wore a laced red blouse with long sleeves. A long flowing black skirt danced around her legs as she moved. Black flats covered her feet. Her hair let loose around her face.

"Thank you. Now let's get going before we get grandma mad." May grabbed their coats, handing Anna hers to put on. They left the home and headed to the car.


They rushed up to the door of Delia's house. May knocked hard, then glanced at her watch. 8:05. She hoped Delia wouldn't be too angry.

The door opened to a woman with long red hair and wrinkles on her skin. She looked at the two with annoyance.

"I said to be here at seven. Then you show up an hour late! All the food I've made has been getting cold. Now hurry up inside." with that, Delia led them into the living room. The house smelled of traditional home made food, making both May and Anna's mouth water. Delia had always been a great cook. Secretly Anna treated visiting her grandma like a trip to paradise just because of the food.

"Mr. Mime, be a dear and make a plate for May and Anna. You girls go ahead and sit down. By the way, you two look so wonderful.

Now, I know your wondering what the surprise is, but that will be revealed after we eat." Delia was smiling ear to ear, apparently more excited than May and Anna was.

Mr. Mime handed them their plates and they began their meal. "Grandma, can you give us a hint? Please!" the girl begged, food flying out of her mouth.

"First of all Anna, don't speak with your mouth full. The only hint I'll give is that it's a person. Someone you know."

May pondered on who this person could be. She kept contact with everyone she knew. Maybe… no, it couldn't. Why would he show up now? After five years of no contact. No sign of life. Delia hadn't even mentioned him to her. But still, May wondered.

The girls waited anxiously, having finished their meals. Delia had went upstairs to get the guest of honor.

After a few minutes, Delia came downstairs. "Girls, close your eyes. You don't want to ruin the surprise now do you?" May and Anna obeyed. They heard footsteps coming towards them, the suspense unbearable.

May felt someone stand in front of her. They smell nice, she thought. She blushed thinking such a strange thought.

Delia giggled. "Okay, open your eyes." May found herself staring at the belly of the stranger. She looked up and saw a handsome man around her age staring at her. At first she didn't recognize him, but then she saw a pikachu sitting on his shoulder, giving his identity away. Anna stared at him, mixed emotions inside her.

The tall man looked nervous, his brown eyes moving about. Finally, he looked at May. "Long time no see, May." he smiled slowly at her, waiting for a response.

May was speechless, her eyes wide. She drew a blank, not knowing how to handle this situation. She stood up and faced the man and looked him in the eyes. "Ash…" she muttered. Anna wanted to say something, but found herself speechless.

Ash grinned, happy to hear a response. "I told you I'd be back someday."

Something in May snapped. Perhaps a nerve, she wasn't too sure. She slowly raised her hand and did something no one in the room was expecting.

She slapped him.

The room got quiet, as the slap echoed through the room. All faces were surprised, even May's. It stayed like this until Delia regained her composure.

"Uhm… Anna, Honey, why don't you come help me clean up the dishes." Anna didn't want to move, curious to know why her father had left them. But she got up anyway, and went into the kitchen with her grandma. Pikachu found it best to go with them to give May and Ash privacy.

The two stood still, Ash's head still turned. May was looking away, not sure of what had come over her. Neither knew what to say to each other. Ash's face stung. He blinked to get himself out of the shock. He slowly turned to May, who was still staring away. May sensed him watching her, and she looked at him.

"…May? Your…mad at me?" he didn't understand why she hit him. Did she not miss him? He thought this would make her very happy.

May got annoyed again, wondering if she should slap him once more. How dare he ask her that? Why wouldn't she be mad about him leaving abruptly? Not even contacting her in any way to say he was fine.

She frowned at him. "What were you expecting? For me to just jump at you and welcome you back? It's doesn't quite work like that, Ash."

"But…I'm back now. shouldn't it be all that matters?"

"Ash, you just up and left one day without talking to me about it! I still don't know where or why."

Ash furrowed his eyebrows. This wasn't how he imagined it. I watch too many movies, he thought. "I just thought you'd be okay with it."

She crossed her arms. "You just assumed I wouldn't be hurt or lonely? You assumed I could take care of a three year old all by myself? You weren't even thinking about me and Anna.

I love you, Ash. After all these years I still do. But I just can't handle this right now."

Delia and Anna walked out slowly, trying to avoid a conflict. They saw Ash looking shocked at May, while she gathered her bag and coat.

"Let's go, Anna. We're going home. Thank you Delia for the meal."

Delia was lost. She thought May would be happy just like she was now that Ash was back. "May, honey, why are you leaving? You just got here and-"

"I'm just not feeling all that well. Let's go, Annalese." Anna obeyed her mother, secretly wanting to leave as well.

Ash started walking to them. "Wait! May, don't I get to talk to Anna?"

May looked at the girl. "Do you want to talk to him?"

Anna looked at Ash, thinking. Ash smiled at her. She looked away from him and to her mother. "No…" she said in a low voice.

He felt as if he had been stabbed a thousand times. Even his own child hated him. He looked away from them, standing awkwardly. Pikachu hopped on his shoulder to try and comfort him.

May sighed. "Thank you again, Delia." The two left without another word, leaving the man and his mother in hurt and confusion.


Well… I'm not too proud of this chapter. I don't know why but I feel like something is missing. Oh well. Thanks to the people who reviewed. To Gerbilftw, I hope this was more informational this time. I hadn't realized how short the last chapter was until I posted it. Anyway, thank you for your advice and I'm making sure to work on length wise. To Happy Hereford , I tried to make sure I was using a different plot than others, just to see how I'd do with it. Many thanks for your kind comment. To J.W. Appel, yep he did. I'll explain why maybe in the next chapter.

Thanks again to the reviewers, and don't hesitate to say your opinion on my story so far. I need all the advice I can get. 'Til next time.