"Falling in love was easy, anyone could fall. It was holding on that was tricky."

― Liane Moriarty, The Husband's Secret

The park bench had began to scorch my thighs and it was only then that I decided it would be best to move. My husband had done so a while ago and as I stood I could feel his eyes on me, a rare knowing look that expressed his once childish demeanour of 'I-told-you-so'. I couldn't quite stop the slight smile that took stage upon my face at the look, it had been a while since any attention had been directed my way from the man. I began to miss his gorgeous grin that would speak of all his loe, the grin i absolutely adored. However, I couldn't quite risk leaving the sight in front of me. The energetic children pranced around under the giant Oak tree, Chase dodging Alice and Alice hurried after him, holding her billowing dress to her knees (I'd earlier told her that it would be best to wear her shorts but apparently her Alice in Wonderland inspired wardrobe would not go amiss even for a day). My dear little Oscar waddled behind on his crutches as he attempted to keep up only to have his two eldest siblings unintentionally run circles around the poor struggling boy. I sighed at the sight, wanting nothing more than to alleviate the clumsy boy from the restrictions of his apparatus. If the boy could hear my thoughts he'd be shouting and screaming his little head off for at my pitying thoughts and informing me on the dainty fact that he's a man now, despite only being the age of five- though a mature five year old at that, he took after me in that aspect. Again, I sighed. They were growing up too fast with Oscar at five, Alice at seven and Chase at eleven. Eleven, can you imagine? I look to my hands- old woman hands. I took them under my arms, after all "out of sight, out of mind". Mentally I chuckled at that, the person who conducted that phrase clearly did not have children.

I don't realise I've been locked away in one of my trances until I hear that high pitched squeal of a newborn piglet, the type of sound you want to just curl up to and cry to. I look up, Alice is on the floor, Chase is stood by- hands in the air like a gun is being pointed his way repeating his usual mantra of "it wasn't my fault". The minute those words tumble from his lips we are all well aware that it is somehow his fault. Oscar's laid down his crutches and is patting poor Alice's back. He's so good to his sister... My husband, Ash, is sat in front of the sobbing girl who's harsh breathing now comes squeezed in between her careless hiccups and high-pitched whines. Ash is on his hands and knees, rubbing tears from her eyes as he comforts her with promises of crazy tea parties and bunny ears. He really is the perfect father. With a finality nod from the young girl he picked her up and motioned to the two boys to follow him. I pass Oscar his clutches, he of course grunted and told me that he could do it himself: sometimes I honestly swear he has the mentality of a teenager. Chase followed behind still trying to convince me of his innocence,

"Mum, I promise I didn't do it this time!" He was a lot whinier this time and its becoming harder for me to distinguish if he's telling the truth or if he's finally mastered the art of lying (just like his father).

I huff, patting him on his shoulder;

"Honey, don't lie. Anyways, your sisters fine just be a little careful next time just remember she may talk a big game but she's a lot more delicate than you." Chase nods eagerly and strides along next to me, helping his little brother who still does not want any help. The two's quarrels would make most mothers heads ache, I on the other hand don't mind- much. The fact they argue is a reminder that they are here, I'm instantly reminded of Alice's most fragile moment, just after she was born and rushed away from myself and Ash who'd been shaking in fear. I hadn't even been able to hold her back then... She'd suffered a few developmental problems. We nearly lost her twice. God, those were the worst nights. The longest nights. Filled with dread and paranoia and empty assurances. Being a premature had a hard hitting effect on most, it was the reason she was so small and dainty, even now at age seven where she was the same size as Oscar, though even he was beginning to surpass her in the height department. Chase hadn't been too smooth of a baby either, we didn't realise how quickly we would return back to the hospital after getting him home, he'd appeared healthy but apparently it'd 'slipped past the radar' that he had a heart condition, he was taken for scans and underwent surgeries, all went smoothly but that did little to soothe the pain for the myself and my husband as first time parents. It was why we'd waited so long to have another child, of course Chase has shown no more problems since then- surprisingly- though the red strip that runs his chest is a forewarning for what we almost lost. After the terror of both pregnancies we'd decided two was enough though it would seem fate had more in store as we were granted the gift of Oscar who practically popped out and was as healthy as he could be. Although his clumsiness has landed us in the hospital a few times already in his short life, the evidence of that the bright yellow cage around his foot- he'd picked yellow because it reminded him of Pikachu. That had brought a teary smile to Ash's face, neither of us believed he would remember the small ball of fluff that was truly adored. We'd never been happier to be wrong.

"I just wanted to help." I guess that's enough of my reminisce. I look to my boys.

"Chase, honey, I think that although Oscar appreciated the thought, you need to respect that at this moment in time he doesn't need your help." Chase nodded, quietly accepting my statement, I look to Oscar. "Oscar, you need to thank your brother for the thought of wanting to help, you know, there's no shame in accepting it sometimes." Oscar apologised to his brother albeit a little reluctantly but did so nonetheless. I looked forward and we continued to catch up to my husband and apparently now sleeping daughter. On my way, I did catch a glimpse of a shocked mother staring in awe as her own children wrestled to the ground. I couldn't hold back a giggle, before realising not only was she staring at me, but my whole family- probably recognising the famous Pokemon Master and his wife. She was most likely introduced through those darn prestigious magazines that would supplant our faces on the front covers for sales, the image of our perfect marriage, and family life, held up to on a pedestal as a idolisation to behold. I scoff. Perfect, my arse.

The rest of the day continued by tediously uneventful. We tucked the children in bed, though I'll admit I could hear the quirky tones of one of those silly console games Chase likes to play at night air from his room- I'll let him play it tonight since its a weekend and there's no school tomorrow. Myself and Ash sit at opposite ends of what seems to be an ever-growing dinning table, lengthening each night we sit here. He sits reading one of Chase's Pokemon magazines (a children's one), I'm ashamed to say he'd never truly grown out of them. I, on the other hand, possessed a new journal- marine based of course, written around the new found differences of the red and blue striped Basculin, written by the infamous Gary Oak. We read in silence until I finally piped up, unable to take the silence of flipping pages any longer:

"Oscar's cast comes off next week." Ash looked up, for a moment intrigued, it would seem talk of the three angels was all the connection we had to speak of anymore.

"Of yeah, I forgot about that now that he's stopped counting down the days." We share a brief moment of pride as we chuckle at our youngest's antics. I get a glimpse of his grin, its goofy and loosided but i love it all the same. But then his head returns to he comfort of his palm as he flicks through the image of the comic; the indicator that our short lived conversation was now over. After a moment of brief consoling myself and I shouted at myself- internally- and of how silly and weak and just darn pathetic I was being. Misty Waterflower- or Ketchum, rather- was not any of those things; not now, not ever. I turn back to the article. Usually the article was a compelling find, but due to tonight having been unfortunately, extraordinarily ordinary and that, in its self, an utterly boring sensation that cleverly disguised itself as exhaustion, I decided to turn in for the night.

"I'm off to bed." He grumbled a night under his breath and that's the most I'd get from him tonight, not even a glance from the fictitious source in front of him.

I pandered up the stairs, plodded into bed and ploughed under the depths of the silk white covers. My body relaxed when my mind would not as I stayed staring at the cream wall that did not look cream at all. I began to think of before, a while before. Back before little Oscar and dear Alice and my cheeky Chase to when Ash and I had rowed from the days start to the days end when we'd tease one another and when we'd sweat the small stuff, when we finished one another's sentences and when we'd sit up all night, holding hands and promising each other the world. We did in the end- give each other the world that is. Maybe that's why it's so hard, to top it. What's better than the world?

"The world didn't erase your passion you silly girl." The snide remark came from my mind, my insecurity speaking. The word "girl" only added to the fear, I was well aware I was hardly a teenager anymore and I'd let myself go a little, not as most as most mothers (not even close) and clearly I'd aged since I was teenager, but so did everyone else. Was I just not attractive enough? Where had all the passion gone? My mind was about to delve deeper until I heard the door shuffle open, and in waddled Ash. I stopped breathing until he got into bed, turned his back to me and fell asleep at the farthest end of the bed. As we always did. I allowed a moment of weakness as silent sobs pursued my body and my insecurity came back.

"He doesn't love you anymore, honey."

It was a week later I noticed him checking out Oscar's teacher at the parent- teacher conference. Miss Maple was without a doubt a looker, she had a petite waist and a nice cleavage, something I didn't appreciate her showing as the woman teaching my son. She was perky and polite, had glistening hair and two blazingly bright blue eyes, a light of youth I was once familiar with. I saw Ash hanging onto her every word. I wanted to hit him right there and then. I didn't speak to him for the whole day, he kept apologise but for what? He couldn't even figure out why I was angry. In the end I forgave him, he wasn't taking the bait for my need for socialisation, all he did was apologise.

A few days later he bought us both tickets for the lecture on the differences of the red and blue striped Basculin, which I'd eventually gotten around to reading, as a way of apologising. Undoubtedly I'd been ecstatic, he'd promised dinner afterwards and had organised for his mother to look after our miniatures and to me nothing sounded better, our first date night in years! But on that day, two weeks later he'd called on his way home complaining of the terrible day he'd had and the ravishing pain to his lower back from the physical labour of his training. I insisted staying home, looking after him but he'd assured me he would be fine, he'd been so adamant. So I got myself ready in a long pencil skirt, white pinstriped ruffled blouse and some black heels, which admittedly I'm still uncomfortable in to this day. I walked past him on the couch laying on his back, snoring. I may as well attend the event, I was not getting any company here and with the children away at their beloved grandmas there was little guilt inside of me at having the opportunity to spend some luxury time on my own. So I left.

The drive was quick and as I walked into the lecture hall I was fortunate enough to just miss the heavy downpour. Inside I was greeted by many, colleagues from the league I'd missed from being a gym leader and people who's attended my own lectures on marine Pokemon. Some would recognise me as just the Pokemon Master's wife but hopefully others for my own work, I'd prided myself on my achievements as once a top gym leader, to an elite four member and Water Pokemon Master as well as established author and a woman neigh a few water Pokemon studies that had been published. I walked through, sat on the front row of the lecture hall. It'd been a while since I'd had the joy of attending such an occasion. I whipped out my notepad and pen, it may seem sad but my love for water Pokemon had remained undeterred from being a preteen and I was always eager to learn more.

I sat back and waited for it to begin but I was not prepared for what was in store. It was to be a typical lecture though no one had warned me of the man presenting. A man with defined features, chiselled cheekbones and light stubble that perfectly outlined his sculpted jaw, lively leaf green eyes and luscious brown hair, with a touch of grey in the sides though it only made him that much sexier. My face heated up but not to as big of an extent as when he flipped his lips into a one sided smirk that exuburated bliss.

Damn.

"Hello, my name is Gary Oak and I'm here today to..." Suddenly everything blocked out. Gary Oak. I remember now. It had been such a long time since anyone had mentioned his name, last I heard he'd moved to Unova but that had been what, over ten years ago? No matter, a lot had happened since then. Looking at his beautiful face confirmed that had a lot had happened in ten years. He had somehow gotten better with age, after all he'd already been devilishly handsome as a teenager, I may have had somewhat of a crush in him back then but it was quickly overpowered once Ash asked me out. I think about Ash innocently snoring away on the couch while I sit here drooling over his childhood rival. I feel guilt but then I remember lovely Miss Maple and suddenly I don't feel too guilty...

For the remainder of the lecture I listen to his smooth voice carry information and jot down as much as possible so not to get lost in the pure ecstasy of his melodic tones, a moisture of different regional accents. If I'm honest I don't note as much as I'd like down but it doesn't quite seem to matter. Once the presentation is over I pack up, stretch my legs and eye the door. There's only a few people going through, most, however, remain in their seat divulging information with with their partner seats over what they've just heard. I make my way towards the door but this means passing the podium where Gary is packing his own stuff away.

I don't why I did it. I don't know why I didn't just walk away. But I walked over, smiled and waited for his attention.

He didn't take long to notice my presence, he looked over at me then back at his notes before glancing back over in my direction eerily.

"Hi, sorry did you have a question about the presentation?" At the question I realise I didn't. So I resort to the only tactic I have.

"I was just hoping you'd recognise me, I'm Misty, Misty Ketchum?" The moment I say my forename I recognise the light go off in his eyes, he begins to use the pedestal to lean on as he relies on his forearms.

"Ketchum, aye? So you married that dimwit?" It's good natured, I can tell but I don't disagree.

"Well somebody had to." We share a chuckle at our jabs (his sexy smirk showing) at my husband, which I still feel no guilt about whatsoever.

"Ashame it had to be a beautiful lady like you." I don't quite understand what he means by that but I'm dazed that he's called me beautiful, it's been a long time since I've been named such a thing.

"Psch, please you and I both know Ash could easily have gotten a girl much prettier." He's dumbfounded by my words, opens his mouth but I interrupt- I don't need to hear his pitying words. "So how have you been, been a while since anyone's heard from you." He hesitantly drops the topic from before (for which I'm thankful) as he rummages a hand through his brunette locks.

"Been here, there. Just mainly working, keeping out of the spotlight." He doubts himself for a moment. "It was fun but I think I'm finally ready to be back into civilisation." He smirks, damn. I blush like a little school girl, open my mouth to answer with a teasing comment before shutting my mouth and blanking my face of emotion. No. I am not flirting with Gary Oak. Nope. I am married. I have a husband.

With a small, fake smile I lay the unfortunate news out, it's unfortunate as this is the most conversation I've had with someone who's not under the age of thirteen or a teacher telling me how greatly my student is progressing. Like I need to them to tell me their brilliant, they're the most amazing children I've met- then again I suppose that's what all parents believe about their children.

"I have to go, it was great meeting up with you again, Gary." I begin to amble away but I'm stopped by his soft fingers on the top of my cotton blouse.

"It'd be great if we could meet up sometime." I hear the sincerity in is voice and answering with a genuine smile; I don't even turn around.

"That sounds like fun. I'd love to meet up sometime."

And we did. At first it was only an hour a week, a Monday when Ash was at work and while the children where at school, but after that the hours got longer and the get togethers became more frequent to the point where I would see the man five times a week, everyday Ash was at work and the children where at school. I didn't tell Ash. I didn't need to. I was only catching up with an old acquaintance, nothing was going on, so it wasn't important that he knew. Plus, I don't think he'd care anyway- I'd been catching him having secret phone calls before going to bed and he'd been staying later and later at work each week. But I didn't have time to access what this meant because I had a date with Gary Oak: well not a date, but a gathering. A friendly gathering with longing stares and touches that lasted just a little too long. I'd showed him pictures of the children. He'd told me they were gorgeous, he'd been genuine when he'd asked, he has genuinely curious about them too, each time we'd meet he'd ask how they were. I resolved that he'd have to meet them one day, he'd love them I just know it.

Since we'd started meeting up I'd become much more like my old self, not just less of a pushover or more stubborn but just livelier in general. Id lost a little of the baby fat and I'd had a hair cut, I started looking after my skin but not just my skin I started looking after me. The children were still my first priority- of course- but I learned that it wasn't a complete waste to spend a little money treating myself. Now, when I looked at myself in the mirror I felt rejuvenated, like the old me, confident. I don't think Ash really noticed, he was too busy with his phone as work intensified during the time of the leagues, I felt the strain from work too though I was luckier to have more flexible work hours as well as the ability to work from home, which since having Oscar and caring for three young ones had become everyday. Then there were the children's education and Oscar had recently had a few days off, apparently Miss Maple had been by to drop off his work, Oscar had told me, though I personally did not see him fit enough to carry out the work, Ash had eagerly agreed, my poor baby was haggard, barely able to form proper sentences, the doctor had said it was just a flu but it wasn't like any flu I'd seen. It'd passed no anyway but during this time there were often nights that me and Ash would fall on the bed not even digging into the covers, too tired to do much more than breathe.

But it didn't matter because it had been this way for about three years now, at least so the desolate isolation wasn't too bad, not now that I has Gary. Thinking of the brunette brought a smile to my lips, I was meeting him at the hidden cafe we'd found one day, it had been our safe haven from prying predators that would not hesitate to blow our meetings out of proportion.

This particular meeting I had dressed up and I felt good. I looked good. I set off- the children already at school, my Pokemon fed and the basics of training covered and now I was ready. I walked to my location through some alleyways though I had to pass a main road. As I was walking at my own steady pace I got a wolf whistle. I should be embarrassed that a woman my age was getting attention like that but I wasn't. Not in the slightest. Thinking about it, I wasn't even really that old.

"See some people notice me Ash, I still got it baby." I couldn't help but rub it in at least mentally.

I stopped at the small opening and walked inside, there was the man I was looking for, a cup of coffee in his hands and another at the far end. I sat scooping the plastic into my hands and moaned in pleasure at the well needed wake up call. Gary laughed at my over exaggeration.

"Oscar not quite better yet then?" I'd had to postpone our meeting while Oscar was home, as I said my children were my priority; always.

"No he is, he's back at school, enjoying it so I heard. I've just had a lot on my mind. You know how the league can be." Gary, indeed understood. He'd worked for them hilts in Unova they could be demanding as hell so he could certainly sympathise.

"Don't let them get to you. Remember you have three amazing kids, and an idiotic but supposedly loveable husband." He coupled his words with a fake smile and a wink and I found myself growing upset by his words.

"Well I have three amazing kids." I smiled, my own as fake as his. We never really talked about my marriage it seemed to out a damper on the mood but today I was feeling much more neglected than usual, I'd woken up to a lone bed, the opposing side had not even been slept in, once I'd ventured downstairs to find the spare pillows and blanket on the coach.

"Then, you have me." To this I smiled a real smile, a grin that I could not remove no matter how much I tried. "Damn, Oak," I cursed. "Who needs anyone else if you have me?" He grinned, as broad as I. He really was sexy like that... I giggled, it was the only ever time I did.

"Please, get off your high horse Oak." Our banter was a regular occurrence.

"Please I'm sexy as hell. You can't deny it." I opened my mouth to deny it but I just couldn't because he was. Ugh. I pouted, crossed my arms and leaned back like I'd done much in my youth.

"Don't be like that. If its any consolation you're sexy as hell too. Sexier even." I wanted to punch him because the blush rising to my cheeks was bound to turn the entirety of my porcelain skin red. I don't thou because he ruined the moment. He became serious, he looked me in the eyes and spoke the words I've subconsciously wanted to hear but now they've been said I just want to cry, to crawl up and cry.

"Seriously Mist, you're beautiful."

Everything's silent. I'm well aware of the bustling around but what should be the sounds of rustling past and clattering plates is nothingness. I stare at him. He stares at me. We stop.

And then I jump up, as quick as a greyhound at a race, I remove myself from the situation and walk out the door. He's close behind, he'd dropped some money on the table as we left but that's not quite important. His arm wraps around my waist to stop me. I don't even fight back. I'm just thankful we're still away from the main roads where we could be spotted. My backs pressed against his toned chest and we're both just stop there breathing harshly.

"Dammit Red." I don't know how to reply. This man has just entered my life, made me happy and is now going to take it all away with his stupid words.

"I'm married." Unintentionally I shouted.

"Don't you think I know that." He shouts too, which in this position is deafening, but ignore that.

"This. This can't happen."

"I know." He repeats it again, this time quieter, saddened.

We're suspended back into silence. Ourselves toppling on a tightrope of morals, of vows and of our sense of dignity.

"Don't expect me to take it back." His voice low, husky as he whispers into f,y ear.

"I don't." My own, weak, cracking. "I'm sorry." I'm sorry I'm married. I'm sorry I lead you on. I'm just sorry. But I can't bring myself to apologise for it all so I'm hoping the words suffice, they don't because he holds me tighter and embeds his face further into my neck. It's oddly cozy here, I feel safe, warm, still happy for some peculiar reason.

Eventually he lets go I turn to say goodbye, in actuality I should have just left right there and then. I did not. I did the opposite I pulled him down by his neck into a long passionate kiss, filled with fire and explosions, the promises of fairy tales and an undeniable feeling of falling, falling. Fell.

And we did something I dare say I do not regret. In the back of his car, clung to one another. Holding our breathes longer just for one more kiss, one more touch, one more moment.

Though when it was over I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry because I wanted this again. I wanted more. I wanted him. But I couldn't have him. My tears slipped in silence and he held me tight apologising in a way that was so un-Oak like. I hated it. I hated us, what we'd done but then again I didn't because an ache inside of me just wanted to pin him down and begin round two.

I grabbed my clothes and left the car. We both knew the meaning. As I walked home I tried to fix myself in car mirrors and glass windows. At home I notice the sleek black car that was Ash's parked next to mine. He was home early. I snuck inside. It looked empty as I wandered inside like a lost puppy. I placed my coat on the table, taking in the flashing screen on the table. The words "I'm sorry xxx" read upon the screen, I checked the contact name but only read the "M" as tears sprung from my eyes as I began to realise what I'd done. I ignored the text that would be off his mother and walked upstairs to my bedroom, wiping tears off as I did. Once I reached the top I saw Ash. A very angry Ash. At first I thought he knew of my betrayal, my broken vows to him. But at the sight of me he let go of some of his tension, walked over to me and placed an angry kiss on my lips.

I let him do what he want, and my body went for round two.

It was strange. My marriage seemed to be back to normal. I didn't tell Ash. I didn't have the strength. Not long after this milestone in our marriage he suggested we moved (wanting a new start), albeit the children's begrudging attitudes towards our decision. I agreed, it was useless of course. Gary had left that night with one departing message of three words I can't seem to bring myself to delete. I'd often sit staring at the screen, my thumb hovering over his name. I'd never do it. I'd already enough hurt people enough times. I'd still think of that night. But then I'd look at my husband, who I love dearly, and though I'd still feel that nagging, I knew I loved him.

A few months later, Ash was all smiles, the children were elated, whilst I was secretly crying in the bathroom. The white stick in the bin gifting me once again with what would eventually turn out to be a bubbling baby girl, with long ginger locks, cerulean blue eyes and a smile just like her father.

[A/N:] A brilliant read, anyone who's a fan of Jodi Picoult will adore this book, I'd definitely recommend it- though I have heard that it is second best to Laine Moriarty's 'What Alice Forgot' though I'm yet to have read it myself.

I'd like to apologise for the OOC of Misty and Ash here but I wanted to capture the bitter end of marriage and simply picture the idea that although I love them as young and in love not all I'm life is as beautiful as a love story, in fact most are much more complex and confounding in real life especially in concerns to anything that contains the pure wrath of emotions. Initially I was going to use the characters of David, Kate, Scarlett, Charlie and Jack from my "Life With The Ketchum's" but that would hit too close to home, and they'd tarnish my perfect image of that family so I decided creating a new generation was for the best.

Please review, any criticism is appreciated. Also, was this too long, it was over 5,000 words but it was impossible to compress the plot any further twitch out losing needed information...

Jemzyboz: Sorry that this ones Egoshipping-y, I couldn't restrain myself and when I saw the quote the idea pretty much was embedded in my head. I guess the ending could be interpreted as either Ego or Poke. Even if this isn't you're favoured shipping I hope your'll still continue to watch out for the other Pokeshipping stories there will be to come.

Ready To Fly: Thank you so much, you've no idea how much you're reviews make me smile, thank you so much for the support! I'm curious to see how you interpret this piece, (especially after mentioning at times you could be an Egoshipper at times on my 'Unnamed' fic, though I'm more curious on what you think of Misty), its a little abstract and I'm not too sure what to think bout after reading the book I seriously couldn't get the idea out of my head. Again, thank you so much for the review it really does mean so much!