Happy belated Wishfulshipping day!

(Daddy's Girl)

I can still remember the first time I met Drayden, I was just seven years old. He was so tall that if I wouldn't have been determined not to let anyone make me afraid I would have been pretty scared. After all, he didn't look all that friendly from the outside. His voice was deep and his eyes seemed almost like a haxorus. Expect dragon-types didn't scare me. Or at least they didn't until I'd faced his haxorus. I was so sure I could win, when really Excadrill and me were in way over ours heads. But when we lost...well it seemed like something inside of us changed that day. Like it was a wake up call that we were just little kids with a lot to learn.

I felt embarrassed in front of him, but really he still thought I had a lot of potential. He believed in me and wanted to teach me all the things I didn't know. It would take years before I became champion or anything that I even thought was close to a dragon master. But more than anything, it would take years before I understood what I really wanted from him, what he really wanted to be for me…

"Grandpa!" Cori shouted as if an order as she raised her arms to Drayden demanding to be picked up right away. "Hold me." At three years old she was pretty much the best and worst of Cilan and me. Full of opinions and not ashamed to tell you all about them.

I sighed as I smiled a little to myself as I watched them.

"Of course, sweetheart." He said with a grin, and I thought it was so funny. He was like a massive dragon completely under the command of a little girl. And she really was little, smaller even than most kids her age, but who could blame her with a skinny dad like Cilan? She looked just like him too. From the color of her hair to that gleam she'd get in her eyes right before she made some declaration. I was just holding my breath until she started with the whole "It's this and that time!"

"Play with me, grandpa!" She said delivering a new command to her mighty haxorus.

"What would you like, honey?" Drayden asked like her humble servant, and I had to admit I'd never seen him look the way he did with Cori. It was like she had him completely wrapped around her little finger.

She reached out her arms toward the fuffy pile of poke-dolls; one of the many ways Cilan had spoiled her. Drayden knew her so well though, so he just reached to give her the ones he knew she was reaching for. It was the same every time, the pansage, fraxure, and the axew. It wasn't any surprise who the pansage made her think of, but I guess I felt old that she'd made herself the axew, because that meant I was the fraxure in her mind. I grinned a little as I watched her crawl out of Drayden's arms and start to bring the toys to life with whatever adventure she could think up.

And the thing that got me the most was just how confident she was. It reminded me of myself some sure, but I also had to think about how I'd felt when I'd been attending Drayden's school. He'd been so scary, so scary I just wanted to run away. And yet…

Before I could finish my thought the door came swinging wide open and in walked that beaming smile. The one that meant the spices had in fact been on sale.

"Good news!" Cilan said as he puffed out his chest with a deep breath; is arms full of bags. "The assortment of spices at the mart was, in fact, half the price of typical retail!"

I sighed trying to humor him like usual. "Really? So what'd you get, huh Cilan?"

He smiled as if I'd just made his day by asking; I knew I probably had. Oh the things I did for him.

"Well, I'm SO glad you asked, Iris! You see-" then he started rummaging through the bags, pulling out bottles and tins, extolling the virtues of both white and black pepper and how each had its own distinct flavor. He laughed. "Not to mention my favorite was also on sale…"

I raised my eyebrows, mildly interested in what he thought could possibly be better than dried chives.

"Cupcake, could you come here please?" He said as he turned his head toward where Cori was busy reenacting the great Unova war in plush form.

Her little brown eyes darted up to where Cilan was standing on the other side of the room before taking off at a full sprint. "Papa!" She shouted as she giggled; clinging to his leg and staring expectantly up at him.

"Did you get me a treat?" She asked.

He smiled down at her before reaching down to lift her into his arms. "I did get something special, sweetpea."

Her eyes only got bigger at that, and I wondered if he had bought something besides just dried herbs. But then he held up the last tin in the bag. It had the picture of a green plant on it and as soon as I read the label I smiled.

"Yep," I said as I took the tin softly out of his hand and shook it softly in front of her; the sound of rattling dried herbs getting her attention. "You're inside here, Cori." I said with a little teasing grin.

But she just looked really confused as she reached out to inspect the can herself. "I'm not in here, mama." She said, firmly disagreeing.

Cilan smiled and patted her head. "Do you know why we named our little cupcake Coriander?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No…" She finally said, almost seemed disappointed at the realization that she didn't know why.

"Because of my papa, sweety." Cilan started to explain. "When I was born he said I had eyes the same color as the cilantro plants growing in his aromatic herb garden."

I sighed, knowing that Cilan usually forgot that three-year-olds don't really get words like "aromatic." So I helped her out some and held the tin next to Cilan's eyes.

"See, Cori, they're both the same color."

Her eyes widen with some sort of understanding before she pulled a lock of her green hair over her shoulder and held it out toward us. "I'm like papa too!"

"Yep," I agreed with a smile as Cilan went on to explain about coriander.

"That's right, and cilantro is so special that it has two names. In some regions it is also called," and he paused for effect as he sucked in a deep breath preparing to launch into a tangent. But proving that she was my daughter too, Cori cut him off with the short answer.

"Corianders like me?" She said, cutely adding an s to her name like she always did.

Cilan closed his mouth effectively giving up his speech on herbs types. But he didn't look disappointed at all about that. Nope, instead he pulled Cori and little closer as his smile grew so proud.

"That's right, cupcake!" Then he looked at me almost seeming like he could cry. "She's so smart, Iris…"

I rolled my eyes playfully as I reached to flick a strand of his hair that really did look like a cilantro shrub. "I know, she's my little girl too, isn't she, Cilan?"

Then we turned when heard the booming laugh that belonged to Drayden. He walked over and all but loomed over Cilan for height, before he leaned down to kiss Cori on the cheek. "I have to go, little one."

Her eyes looked disappointed and she frowned. "No, but we were going to play more!"

"Cori…" I said in that tone I'd been trying to teach her meant not to press a subject.

She got quiet but obeyed; clutching her namesake herb tin as if it was her only comfort in the world. She was such a little drama queen, just like Cilan. I smiled as I reached to tickle her side until he giggled. "He'll be back soon, silly."

"That's right." Drayden agreed before he glanced at me; his eyes almost looking a little bit serious for a second. "I could hardly stay away." Then he smiled one last look at Cori, and she waved forlornly as he walked toward the door.

"Please, come again anytime, sir!" Cilan called from behind as I walked Drayden out.

The streets of Striaton City were busy like usual, and Dayden and me almost seemed out of place next to them. We were both more used to trees, hills, and berries than cars and lampposts. But I'd gotten used to opposites by now… In fact…

"Iris," he said in his deep voice; getting my attention completely. "Is something the matter?"

I rubbed my sleeve almost feeling like a kid again in front of him. I could never hide anything from him. "Um no, everything's great I was just…" But my words trailed away as I looked up at him honestly.

"I guess I was just thinking of lot of things lately, I mean about the past, when I was little like Cori is now."

"You were a few years older before I met you, but I imagine you were just like Coriander, so full of fire."

I rubbed the back of my head, feeling a little embarrassed as I looked down at my shoes. "I was a troublemaker, but I didn't mean to be I was just…"

"Spirited as the dragons you were meant to tame." He said as he reached to touch the side of my face. It was just a little touch, but it made something well up in my chest like it always did. And maybe it was from watching Cori and Cilan that I'd started feeling this way, like suddenly I knew just how important dads were. But I didn't have one when I was growing up. Drayden wasn't really my dad, and hadn't been around when I was really small. I wasn't jealous of Cori, no I wanted her to everything and more that I had, it was just…

"It's easiest to see oneself in the reflection of children. The children we all once were, and it's all the truer when it's our own children." His face almost got a little sad looking suddenly. "When I decided to forgo marriage and a family of my own to pursue my own path, I thought I was missing out on little I couldn't find elsewhere." Then he almost seemed to smile again. "But meeting you showed me perhaps I was wrong."

I looked to the side, feeling a little too shy to look him in eyes. "I know I was sort of like a daughter to you, and I'm glad...because I always wanted to um...well I wanted a papa to be proud of me too."

He looked at me for a few long seconds before he nodded. "You would have made any man proud from your accomplishments. Champion, dragon master, and all within your twenties. But you know, Iris, the pursuit of valor, honor, accomplishment… Really whatever the motive, was never why I was so fond of you."

I looked up to meet his eyes when he said that, because he made me a little surprised, even though I should have known that all already.

"I know, you never expected me to-" But he cut me off and looked down at me softly, almost like he was about to teach me something I should remember. Something I should pay close attention to, only it wasn't some move or technique…

So without saying anything else he reached to out to pull me into a hug, a hug that made me almost feel as small as Cori. "I wanted to care for you, little one." He whispered. "Because I was an old and lonely man." He laughed a little without letting go. "Because I was stubborn and set in my ways as Elder often said. Because," and now he looked down at me; his eyes as kind as they were strong. "A man is only as strong as his weakest point."

I blinked at him, not really getting what he meant. "What do you mean, Drayden?"

I saw his eyes smile before he pulled away just enough to look me straight in the eyes. "Even the most hardened man will always be subject to his daughter's happiness… Your Cilan knew that from the start and didn't resist the pull she has over him. But I...I was never a man to easily admit to those sorts of feelings, lest of all because it was simple to think that only applied to blood relatives."

I smiled a little softly. "That's just because Cilan is way more emotional than even most woman…"

Drayden smiled back as he patted my head. "Good, then just let him love you, the both of you. It won't erase the past, but...it can mend the future."

I wasn't quite sure what else to say, maybe he wasn't either because he let go and took a slow step back.

"Goodbye, Iris." He said finally before he turned to walk away down the street.

For a moment I just watched him go, watched and thought about how my real dad must have looked. What was the color of his hair? His eyes? Was he kind and funny, or the tough type? I didn't think much of it mattered now, because I'd chosen the future over the past. I'd decided that none of that mattered now… So even though I imagined my dad had walked away from me just like this, well… Well, I knew this time he'd be coming back...

"Drayden!" I shouted as I ran after him.

He turned to look at me, and for a second I wasn't sure what to say, almost like I needed more courage. But mustering it, I leaned all the way up on my toes so I could kiss his cheek. "We don't have to look the same to feel the same. You're…" I smiled, imagining that brave little kid I'd been, the one that was sure I could beat him in a pokemon battle.

"You're all the dad I'll ever need."

He didn't say anything, didn't have to. He just smiled at me, that smile that made his eyes soften until he was looking at me the same way he had been Cori.

"Come over next week, please. Cilan's been trying to teach me to cook, so…" I rocked on my toes.

"I wouldn't dream of missing it, little one."

So I waved goodbye, waved and watched until he disappeared around a corner. And I have to admit I was a little sad right then. It was bittersweet like Cilan always said, but I thought that was okay…

So walking back inside I had a lot of things going through my mind. Thoughts about dads, and pasts and most of all futures. But all those thoughts were interrupted by the sound coming from up the stairs. So I walked up quietly and crept down the hall; stopping just outside of Cori's bedroom to listen.

"-so I was very happy, Cori." I heard Cilan mid-sentence.

"How happy?" She asked, before he went on to explain.

"Why it was so much happiness you couldn't fit it even in papa's biggest cooking pot!"

I heard Cori giggle and I knew what story he was telling her now. It was that one about how we found out we were going to be parents in the first place. She always asked, and he embellished it more each time.

"And then I came?!" She asked seeming as excited as could be.

"That's right, papa's very special cupcake!"

I knew it was silly, but I felt tears well up in my eyes, and it took all I could do to hold them back. But listening to them both laughing made me feel so many things right then… But I was brave and wiped them away on my sleeve, keeping quiet so he wouldn't hear me listening.

"Now, it's nap time!" And there it was, that same crazy expression… I heard her moan in protest but Cilan was firm in his own sort of way. "Now, now, I'll tuck you in, then you can dream all sorts of wonderful things."

"Okay, papa…" She relented, yawning afterward.

I closed my eyes as I imagined him tucking her in and pulling the pink and green blanket close up around her neck. He'd stroke her forehead before giving her about a million kisses. Then with her eyes getting heavy and clutching the celebi plush Cilan had made, she'd finally drift off. Only then would he walk away and pull the door closed softly behind him.

Which is just what happened, because now he was standing face to face with me in the hall. "Iris?" He whispered, seeming a little concerned about the look on my face. But I bit my lip and rubbed my eyes somehow thinking that would make them less red. He gestured me down the stairs so we wouldn't wake Cori, but I didn't really want him to ask me about it.

"Whatever could be the matter, Iris?" He said seeming worried. "You have the distinct aroma of sorrow…"

"Well, that can't be a compliment…" I said trying to lighten the mood a little. "And it's not sorrow. I mean, not exactly, it's more like…" I turned away from him and frowned. "I'm okay really."

"Well, I don't think so, no not in the least." He insisted as he stepped in front of me, making me face him. Then he reached out to touch my arm as his tone softened. "Please don't hesitate to tell me if I've somehow upset you..."

I frowned as I felt more emotions twist around inside of me, trying to stream down my face. "No, that's just it, you're so nice it's making me bawl like a little kid!"

He blinked at me, not seeming to understand, until a sudden look of relief swept over him. He smiled a little as he pulled me into his arms. "Could it be this aroma was, in fact, more bittersweet in nature, Iris?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, just stop making me cry more please, I feel too stupid already."

He pulled back to frown at me sympathetically. "Showing emotion isn't anything to feel stupid about, Iris."

I sighed. "I know, but to be honest…" I looked away and then back at him finally grinning just a little. "You're such a great dad that it's making me get all choked up when I think about it." Then the smile faded a little. "I mean in comparison to how I grew up…"

Cilan just looked at me thoughtfully for a few moments before he nodded, seeming sorta like he understood now. "No one was there to tuck you in when you were Cori's age, I imagine…"

I sighed, feeling a little vulnerable even talking about it. "Elder was there of course, but I mostly meant…"

"A father of sorts?" He finished for me.

I wanted to disappear, but he just smiled at me sweetly. "Well, the wonderful thing about the future is that it isn't constrained by the things that happened in the past." He said it like it was new and matter of fact. Maybe it was new to me…?

"In fact…" He said as if a sudden idea had popped into his head. "Neither is the present!" He rushed away and I didn't have any idea what he was planning. I heard him on the phone, but then he came back beaming a smile.

"I called Chili and Cress and they agreed to babysit, in spite of the short notice!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why do we need a babysitter, Cilan, we're not going anywhere?"

He held out his hand and wagged his finger at me scoldingly. "Why yes we are, in fact we're going to go dancing right this minute!"

I didn't say anything at first, just stared at him like he'd lost his mind, because I was wearing old ordinary clothes. But like a million other times he wouldn't take no for an answer, so as soon as his brother arrived he pulled me out the door. Out the door and right into the light drizzling rain.

"Cilan, it's raining?" I said thinking it might bring him back to reality, but not a chance.

He smiled wider. "Yes it is, and we're not going to let it bother us at all!"

That afternoon he led us both to the biggest garden in the middle of town. The flowers were blooming, and like he'd did when we were still just dating, he'd pick one and put it my hair. It was white just like the dress had been that I'd worn on that day we made our future official. And like two crazy people we danced, yeah to no music at all, and in the rain at that. I should have been so embarrassed of him, but the truth was...

I loved him way too much for that…

Well...at least on most days, anyway.

On the other days he'd drive me crazy and I'd wonder how anyone could be so different from me. Because we were, yeah in every possible way. Just looking at our hands held together proved that...and yet…

And yet all I could do was smile, smile because no one else could ever make me feel the way he did. Like I was more than happy.

Like together, we were more than we'd ever been apart...

So with our hair dripping, I laughed as I looked up at him.

"Thanks, Cilan…" I said softly as I looked up at him.

He smiled back. "You're very welcome. In fact," he blushed like a bashful little boy. "Somehow yet again, you've made an already perfect day just that much more wonderful, Iris…"

"Wow…" I whispered as I closed the distance between our lips. "There's no reason to be that cheesy…"

And then I realized it… Yeah even though my eyes were closed and I was as happy as could be. If it meant more days like today than I was alright with cheesy. Yeah, even if his food references were apparently rubbing off on me…

But then, what had I been expecting from the world's most annoying connoisseur?

Well, to be honest, it hadn't been the sort of life he'd given me. If anything I hadn't been expecting any of this. All the happiness and sense of belonging, all the crazy days when he'd sing his way across the kitchen and Cori would march behind him in time with the melody. Because she was a daddy's girl and it was too late to change it now…

And you know what…? That was okay with me, because...

So was I...