I'm excited for this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon

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December 3rd 2011, Saturday

Today was the first day my children spent with their father—without a court present—in six years. After the court date, Drew had rambled off his address to me, and a time set for when I had to bring the kids over. Apparently, Brianna and Jess were out of the house that day. Good. I could not handle to be around that selfish bitch.

Valarie hobbled into the kitchen, adorned in an adorable outfit. A red t-shirt with a dancing Torchic in the center, and a pair of dark jean capries, and a red bandana.

"Aww, sweetheart, you look so cute!" I squealed, hugging my daughter when she stood in front of me.

I heard crashing from the boys room, and giggled.

They stumbled out, Fabian rubbing his shoulder and Jasper chuckling.

"What did you two do now?" I asked, semi-playful, semi-serious.

"Jasper here, refused to give me back my jacket." Fabian said indigently, and punched Jasper in the upper arm. Fabian smirked, and flicked his hair. I bit the inside of my cheek, and stared at my son who was exactly like his father. Even dressed the same. Except his shirt was a dark purple, his vest/jacket was black and instead of sea foam jeans, he had on simple blue jeans.

"Bah, you're just a girly man." Jasper grinned, and the smirk slipped from Fabian's lips. Jasper was in simple blue jeans and a jersey promoting the Hoenn hockey team. Which, was also blue.

Before Fabian lunged, I stopped them, "Okay, no fighting or name calling. Apologize, both of you."

Both huffed, but said, "Sorry."

Valarie giggled, "You guys are silly!" Fabian and Jasper shared a look, and before I knew it, they had begun tickling Valarie.

"C'mon guys, we have to go." They sobered quickly. Jasper led the way down the stairs, Fabian holding Valarie's hand protectively, and me following.

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Finally, after driving through the insanely expensive houses, and feeling majorly self-conscious, I found his mansion.

A giant DH in gold calligraphy was sprawled on the gate. As I drove closer, a guard stopped me, and asked for my name.

"May Maple." He gave me a blank stare, "The mother of his previous children."

"Oh! Miss. Maple! I was expecting you ten minutes ago. Please." He pushed a button, and the gates slid open. I drove forward, keeping my jaw locked.

Drew and Brianna's Pokémon played in the front yard, with cherry blossom petals everywhere. I parked next to the extremely expensive cars, and stepped out. And was surrounded by Drew's Pokémon, all chirping in remembrance.

I smiled faintly, and my children clambered out of the back of the car. Jasper hesitantly greeted the Pokémon, while Fabian kept Valarie at his side.

"Let's go. We have a big day." I herded them around the Pokémon, and up the steps of the fabulous mansion. I rang the door bell and waited.

A butler around the age of sixty answered the door, and smiled. "Ah, you must be Miss. Maple and Mr. Hayden's children. Please, come in." He paused, noticing the heart-broken Pokémon in the yard. "Miss. Maple, if you'd like, you could release your Pokémon into the yard."

I nodded, and called out my Pokémon, watching as they all cheered.

We entered the mansion, and followed the butler. Everything was so shiny and something's glowed from sunlight. The floors were made of marble. We stopped in front of a slightly cracked open door.

He knocked, "Mr. Hayden? Your guests have arrived."

"Hn." Was the response, and he let us in. Drew sat behind a desk, writing with a long black pen.

"Tea will be here momentarily sir." And the butler left us. Drew's eyes narrowed at the paper, and scratched out the final few words.

"Excellent," He glanced up, "Ah, May, you look well." Drew took a moment to give the kids a once over. "Valarie, you look very much like your mother." Valarie blushed, and hid her face in Fabian's arm. Drew chuckled, "Jasper, my eldest, how are you?"

"Fine, father." Jasper replied stiffly, extremely unsure of what to think of his father.

"And Fabian?"

It took Fabian a moment, but finally he said, "I am well, father. How might you be?"

"So well mannered for a six year old. Maybe you have done something right, May." I ground my teeth together, but said nothing.

"Have a seat. Tea will be here shortly." Drew gestured to the black leather couches, and followed us when we sat.

Awkward silence rewarded us, until the door open with the butler and a little boy.

My confusion was evident, so the butler explained, "Miss. Maple, this is my grandson, Charles Jackson, ten and in training to be Mr. Hayden's future butler." The boy's head was bowed, dark blue hair fall in his face. His eyes flickered up for a moment, and Valarie gasped. His eyes were a light blue, with flecks of gold.

Charles shuffled forward, and placed a tea-cup in front of everyone.

"Here you are, Miss. Hayden." Charles said, directly to Valarie. Her checks flamed red, and she accepted the tea cup.

"Thank you, Mr. Jackson." She said politely. I stifled a giggle. Valarie, this petite person, who happened to be five, had more manors then her brothers combined.

Drew glared at Charles, "Thank you for tea. You're dismissed." Charles nodded, and left with his grandfather.

Drew's face immediately shifted into a smile, "Okay, what do you want to do today?"

The kids were silent. I basically had no input, so I waited.

Valarie piped up, "Um, what do I call you, sir?"

Drew smiled, "Father would be fine."

A huge smile broke out on her face. I knew she had Brendan as a father, but this still made my heart warm. "Okay, daddy! Can we please have a tea party in the garden and play with the Pokémon?"

Drew looked shaken from being called 'daddy', "S-sure."

"Yay!" She hopped up, and dragged Fabian and Jasper with her to the door.

I smirked at Drew, "Liking parenthood?"

"Shut up." He growled. I shrugged, not really sure why he was upset. We followed them out to the garden.

Valarie rushed up to us, "Mommy? Can I please play with the pretty Roselia?"

I gave Drew a sideways glance, "I don't know, sweetie, you'll have to ask daddy."

She turned her pleading green eyes in his direction.

Drew sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Oh, all right."

Valarie squealed, and rushed over to the Roselia, and gave her a hug.

"Being told what to do by a five year old? Damn, if I'd known it'd been that easy, I'd would have given you one sooner." I blushed, realizing what I said.

"Un-requited feelings?"

I punched him and he flinched, "Just because I'm playing nice, doesn't mean I've anywhere near forgiven you."

Drew nodded, "Fine." Our eyes scanned the yard, and saw everyone playing nice.

Charles had been dragged and forced by the princess herself to play with her and Roselia. Charles looked amused at the little girls antics, and Drew gritted his teeth. Fabian scrutinized the Absol, and it grinned with pride. Jasper pretty much ran around like a crazy person, calling attacks, fighting himself. He'd be a great Pokémon trainer. If he finished school.

"Drew?" I asked, tilting my head in his direction.

"Hm?"

"Why hasn't Charles started his journey?"

Drew's emerald eyes regarded me for a moment, "Because he's here. Mr. Jackson is the boys legal guardian, so he's also forbidden Charles from a journey." My eyes softened for the boy without a Pokémon.

He only touched when Valarie grabbed his hand and stroked where she made him. His eyes were alit with excitement. I smiled softly.

When we left, Valarie was hugging Charles's leg, and wouldn't let go.

"No! Mommy! I don't wanna go!" She wailed, gripping him tighter.

Fabian and Jasper were in the car, and had long since given up on trying to get their sister in the car.

"Valarie. . ." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Drew bent next to her, "Hey, Valarie, you can come back and play next weekend, okay?"

Valarie quieted for a moment, and decided to agree, "Okay daddy." Valarie hugged Drew, and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "I love you, daddy." That child. So full of love. Even for a man who hasn't been her father for nearly as long as Brendan, and she still loved him. My heart warmed.

Valarie padded over to the car, and hopped in, but not before she yelled, "Bye Charlie! See you!" Charles blushed slightly, and looked away.

"Good bye, Drew. See you next weekend." I said stiffly, and turned to my car.

Drew grabbed my elbow, and I stiffened, "May. . . Be safe." I nodded, and left into my car.

That was weekend one. And it was not a bundle of fun.

Well. . . That was non-descriptive. Sorry bout that, I was lazy. I think Valarie is adorable! And her relationship with Fabian? Kawaii! And who else think she has a wee crush on Charles? Me! Okay, back to CS. There was some devolvement here. Civil conversations anyway. Review!

~Emerald~