*Editor's note: This is the first chapter of the story to contain a flashback. Several chapters in the story will feature flashbacks to help build a better background of the past. The flashbacks occur in between the two lines in the story.
Misty walked over to the door, putting her hand on the knob and pulling it open. Once the door opened, Misty found herself standing in front of Ash's mother.
"Hello Delia." Misty greeted her.
"Hello Misty dear." Delia smiled. "Now, I hope you haven't been destroying yourself over this party. You know I could have helped you."
"I know. Don't worry about it though, it wasn't that bad." Misty truly hated the fact that her stubbornness had never gone away, and how she was still so adamant on doing everything on her own. Between planning the party and running the gym, she had made her over protective husband insane with worry.
You're going to kill yourself. Ash had said. He tried to sound like he was kidding around, but Misty could hear the trace of worry in his voice.
I'm not a weak little girl. I'll be fine. She had given him her most serious face.
Just let me help you. He had almost been begging.
I can do it by myself. Misty sighed.
That was always what confused her. Misty was so independent, but Ash just always wanted to help. Not just her, but everyone. So she always wondered how they made it work so perfectly. Just as Delia had walked inside, Aiden came running through the house.
"So I can beat you at something!" He turned and yelled.
Ash appeared then, but walking.
"Ah, I stopped running once you were far enough in front of me." Ash's eyes sparkled at the thought of his brilliant plan, "thought I'd give you some sense of accomplishment."
"Oh, so that's how it is?" Aiden laughed as he ran up to his father, trying to wrestle him to the ground. Ash started laughing too until he looked up and saw his mother standing next to Misty.
"So, he still acts like a ten year old." Misty ran a hand through her soft red hair.
Part embarrassed, and part entranced by his wife's beauty, Ash stood up and smiled.
"Sorry." He giggled nervously.
"Hi Grandma." Aiden smiled, hoping to show he was more controlled than his own father.
"Aiden, my sweet boy!" Aiden walked forward for his requisite kiss on the head. He stepped backwards and let his grandmother examine his face.
"Oh, he looks more and more like Ash every day." Delia smiled at the young boy. And he smiled too. Being told he looked like his father was one of Aiden's favorite compliments to hear, since lots of girls apparently thought he was very handsome.
Ash looked around, confusion filling his dark brown eyes.
"Where is Michelle?" he asked.
"I'm right here." Michelle's soft voice came from the stairs. She had just come down, and was carrying Elizabeth, who now wore a white dress with big pink dots all over it.
"That's much better. Thank you Michelle." Misty smiled at the older girl.
"Okay, put me down now." Elizabeth tugged at Michelle's hair. Michelle put the younger girl on the floor, where she saw the adults and smiled her sweet little smile.
"Hi everyone!" she giggled running towards them, as Michelle walked calmly behind her. "I put on a new dress." Elizabeth spun around to show it off.
"Hello Grandma." Michelle's green eyes continued to sparkle in the sunlight.
"Hello girls." Delia kissed both of them. "And Misty, these girls look exactly like you!"
"They do." Ash smiled, his entire face glowing suddenly. "Lizzie just has darker hair."
Misty adored the happiness Ash got out of their children. She assumed it was because he was still so childish himself at times. Although, to his credit, he had matured a lot. And she had started to see that ten years ago.
Walking in the late afternoon of early summer, Misty hated to be up and walking around. Every part of her was sore, and she felt sick to her stomach. She already was. However, by some miracle, that day hadn't been as bad as any day before it. She walked with her head somewhat down, trying to avoid the nausea. Suddenly, something had stopped her. It was holding her back, someone's head against hers. Misty raised her head a bit and found herself staring directly into Ash's dark, but warm, brown eyes. They were sparkling, and he was smiling. Misty scowled.
"Hello pretty Misty." He nearly sang.
"Not now Ash." She sighed, trying her hardest not to snap at him.
"Okay Mommy." Ash giggled and went back next to her, gently tugging at her ponytail.
Misty blushed at this. She was somewhat relieved by Ash's lighthearted nature, but also somewhat aggravated. Before telling Ash they were going to have a baby, Misty had feared his reaction would not be a good one. He had only been a Pokemon master for about eight months at that point, and the league still wanted a lot out of him. Ash still had to train very hard, and battle constantly. Misty was sure he'd view becoming a father as an unwanted setback, but after he had gotten over the initial shock, he was excited about it. She was too, of course, but at this point, was too sick to outwardly show it. That's why Misty had decided that they should have dinner with Ash's mother and tell her now. She could make Misty feel better. Misty feared the moment she'd have to tell her own family. They were just going to make her even crazier. That's why they were going to have to wait until she felt somewhat better. Pikachu, who had been walking along side Ash, jumped up onto his shoulder.
"Hey buddy." Ash smiled at the electric mouse.
"Pika!" Pikachu replied. He turned and saw Misty, looking fairly miserable. Feeling badly for her, Pikachu jumped onto her shoulder.
"Pika pikachu." He nuzzled against her cheek.
Misty giggled. "Aw, Pikachu. You're so sweet." But Ash's immaturity was still bugging her.
"Do you remember what I told you Ash?" She asked.
"Be on my best behavior?" Ash laughed at his own little joke.
"Ash…" Misty growled, about to snap.
"Pika…" Pikachu growled too, sparks coming from his cheeks. Of course Ash was his best friend, but he adored Misty, and didn't like it when anyone upset her. Even Ash.
"Sorry." He tried to stop giggling.
Misty sighed, calming down. "Ash, I told you, you need to grow up just a little bit."
"Do you really think I'm that immature?" He asked.
"I don't know what I think anymore." Misty stopped walking and placed a hand on her still flat stomach, groaning.
"Are you okay?" Ash's voice became very concerned. He may have been a bit immature, but Ash was still extremely loving, caring, and protective of her.
"I'm fine. This is normal." Misty clutched her stomach now, wincing.
"Maybe, but I don't like seeing you this way." Ash moved closer to Misty, moving her wispy bangs out of her usually bright emerald green eyes that were currently dulled with pain.
"It'll stop eventually." Misty leaned into his chest, feeling safe and comfortable. "I just don't know when." Ash put his head down on hers, and lifted her hand away from her stomach so he could put his there.
"Don't worry angel." Ash whispered to Misty, using his special term of endearment for her. "I'll take care of you."
He picked her up, and stared into the pained green eyes. Misty just blinked. It was amazing to her how strong Ash had gotten in those past few years. But she smiled and rested her head back against his chest. Misty sighed as she lay in Ash's arms. She could see through this that his immaturity was slowly but surely fading away.
Back in the present day, Misty watched with a smile as Ash laughed and spun little Elizabeth around. She was so absorbed in this sweet image that she didn't notice their older two children were no longer in the room.
