"Oh my god!" May exclaimed staring at the page in her gossip magazine.

"What?" Misty asked leaning over to look and gasping at the article. There was a picture of her and Ash at the grocery store. It had to have been taken a few weeks ago. Looking at the picture, she regretted wearing that top. It was a simple pink empire waist that she thought was flowy enough to hide her stomach, apparently she was wrong, and the editors had picked up on it.

In an article with a few celebrities entitled Bump Watch she read; Misty Williams, one of four gym leaders in Cerulean City was spotted shopping with boyfriend, Indigo League Champion Ash Ketchum sporting what appears to be an attempt to hide a growing baby bump. While neither party was able to be reached for comment; the pair, childhood friends, have been seen out together frequently since the beginning of summer. Could Kanto's golden boy have a baby on the way?

The two women were sitting in the stands at the final round of the Indigo Summer League; neither was paying attention to the match though they would focus on the next one. Whoever wins the current match would be facing Ash for his title of Champion.

He was the same as he had always been right before a match, feigning concern for the loss of his title. Though everyone knew that the world loved Ash and even if he didn't have the title, he would never lose his fame.

"I'm surprised you guys have gone this long and still just had media rumblings," May commented glancing at Misty's stomach, now a lot harder to hide.

"I think it's cuz we don't do anything. If we were asked, we'd answer; but we're never out and about," Misty sighed, "Though…it's a little exciting for me, I've never been in a gossip magazine before."

"Really? Ash's best friend and you've never been in one?"

"Well…I mean, I've been in pictures or mentioned, but it's generally not me it's Ash and a friend."

"Good point, so how is Ash and 'his friend'?" May giggled.

"We're…okay…" Misty trailed off thinking. The truth was she wasn't sure that they were all that good. She hardly ever saw him anymore. He was usually gone in the morning when she woke up and didn't come home until after she had fallen asleep. He wasn't any different than usual, just not around. She couldn't help but think that it had something to do with the baby.

Their preparations were coming along. Misty had officially moved into Ash's room and they were almost done converting her old room into a gender neutral nursery. Both had decided that they didn't want to know the sex of the baby until it was born.

"Do you think Jordan's here?" May asked suddenly interrupting Misty's thoughts.

"What?" Misty looked at her incredulously.

"Well…it's not a weird question. You met him here didn't you?"

Misty nodded.

"Ash said he's seen him a couple times since you left him at the alter. And Jordan has to know that you would come to this match, so I wonder if he even showed up or if he skipped this one."

"I guess you're right…I hope he isn't. I wouldn't know what to say to him." Misty sighed.

"Why would you have to say anything?" May asked.

"Well…you know with Ash and I…" she sank further into her chair, "I just don't want him to get the wrong idea."

"Jordan doesn't have to know when you two started dating."

Misty wrapped her arms around her stomach, "I think it's a little obvious now…"

May tilted her head to the side, "You know…I've been wondering about that lately…"

"Wondering about what?

"About the timing…"

Misty's cheeks flushed pink, "No you haven't!" she exclaimed turning her attention back to the magazines.

May's eyes widened, "Oh my god! Misty!" she pointed at her friend's stomach, "That might not be Ash's?"

"Stop it! Of course it is!" Misty hissed, "Don't say things like that out loud in public!"

"Sorry…" May mumbled.

"It's fine, I just don't want anything to get out that would upset Ash, you know?"

The younger woman nodded her brown ponytail bobbing slightly. Her eyes scanned the stands looking for familiar faces. Drew hadn't been able to come and Delia was sitting with Prof Oak and Gary in their reserved seats. She knew that Brock was helping Ash get ready for his own match so it was just her and Misty with the rest of the spectators. To her relief, she didn't see Jordan among the crowd. She turned back to Misty who was intently reading an article on the latest fall trends.

Pregnancy had created a weird situation for them, their house only had two bedrooms, so now they shared Ash's while Misty's became the nursery. Though, Misty had confided in May, they still weren't sleeping together. This time it wasn't Misty's hesitation stopping them, it was Ash's. May knew that if they were to break up it would have to be Misty's doing, Ash would never leave his child…Unless…she narrowed her eyebrows concentration. If her suspicions were correct and there was the possibility of Jordan being the father of the baby instead of Ash that would create an issue.

Did she think that Ash would really leave Misty if the baby wasn't his? No, at least to hear Brock tell it, he pined after her for so long after the accident that he wouldn't just give her up like that. But that statement was contradictory to his actions.

May didn't have time to think more about it as the crowd around her began to cheer and she realized that the final match was about to start. She glanced one last time at her friend who had set down the magazine and was gazing in adoration at the field, May didn't even need to see who she was looking at.

***

Misty watched excitedly as Ash and Brock made their way out from the stadium floor. He was still the champion, although it had been a tough match. She, along with May, Delia, Prof Oak, and Gary, was waiting to congratulate him.

He smiled as he saw Misty, standing in her turquoise summer dress with her stomach poking out.

"Congrats, Champion," she giggled as he pulled her close.

"That's right, I am the champion!" he exclaimed still riding on the high of winning, "Baby Champion," he grinned placing a hand on her stomach, "And Mrs. Champion," he kissed Misty quickly on the lips.

"Mrs.?!" Delia exclaimed as everyone stared at them.

"Relax, Mom. It's a figure of speech," he raised an eyebrow as the group released a collective breath, "Wow, you get married once in secret and no one ever lets you forget it." he laughed kissing Misty's forehead.

Ash began to walk ahead of everyone else knowing that once they reached the doors into the lobby they would be bombarded with reporters.

Misty stood with May behind Ash watching as he answered question after question about his feelings about the match. They were all used to this, the flashing lights and shouted questions as they hung back.

"Misty!"

She glanced around, surprised to hear her own name through the crowd.

"Ash, Misty! When is the baby due?"

Ash shot a look back at Misty, one that said he wouldn't tell if she didn't want to.

"January," she smiled wrapping her arms around her stomach.

Excited chatter rippled through the crowd, all glad they were there to get an on the record statement.

"You know, I heard the rumors and even saw the pictures and I didn't want to believe it," Another voice said bringing a hush over the crowd.

Jordan stepped through the group until he was standing in front of Ash and Misty, all but glaring at them. Ash quickly stepped back and grasped Misty's hand tightly in his own.

"I can't believe this," he started shaking his head, "you left me for Ash? Because you were pregnant?!"

"No, Jordan-" Misty exclaimed.

"Jordan, this isn't the time or the place to talk about this," Ash said glancing around at all the reporters.

"But now, I find out when you're due and I have to deal with the fact that you might be carrying my baby!"

"Jordan, please!" Misty looked like she was about to cry as she glanced at Ash's stony expression.

"Okay, you need to leave now," Brock said pushing Ash and Misty toward the door.

Ash stared straight ahead while Misty looked down at the ground as the group whispered, ecstatic with their newfound gossip.

***

Misty sat at the breakfast bar waiting for Ash to speak to her. The drive home had been agony as they sat next to each other in silence. She was too afraid to say anything; she had never seen him look so angry before as he stormed around the living room and kitchen.

"Ash?" She asked softly.

"Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was?" he exclaimed pacing back and forth, "To have him come out in front of all those people!"

"I know, I'm sorry…I wish he hadn't been there…" she looked down at her hands, avoiding his gaze.

"It's not even him, he had every right to be pissed," he sighed and put his head in his hands, "It's just…" he slammed his fist down onto the counter, "What sort of person doesn't know who the father of her baby is?"

Misty's head shot up as she glared at him, "That is not fair!"

"Do you know how this makes me look?"

"Is that all you care about? You, and how it makes you look?" she stood up, challenging his own expression, "Newsflash, this whole thing isn't about you! What happened to the Ash I used to know? The one that didn't care what anyone but his friends thought of him!"

"I-" he opened his mouth but Misty held up her hand and cut him off.

"No, I'm not done. I'm sorry that you have to deal with not knowing. But it's not just hard for you. Don't you think it scares me to think that my child might not be yours? But there is nothing I can do about it now!" she crossed her arms over her chest, "Rubbing it in my face doesn't help, it makes you look like an ass!"

He pushed himself away from the counter and walked past her towards the door.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Out. Don't wait up." he called back as he slammed the door behind him.

Misty sank down onto the stairs rubbing her hand over her stomach.

"I'm sorry about this," she whispered letting a tear roll down her cheek.

***

Brock watched in awe as Ash threw back another shot, slamming the glass down on the table.

"Want one?" he asked as he beckoned the waitress.

"No, thanks, I'm good." Brock leaned back into his chair, "Why are we here?"

"Can I get four more of these?" Ash asked winking at the brunette waitress holding up four fingers.

"I'd say, you're here because of girl troubles," She grinned answering Brock's question.

"Pretty and smart," Ash laughed, "Tell me you have a boyfriend."

Brock shot his flirting friend a glance.

"I'm between boyfriends actually," she giggled.

Ash's expression turned sour, "Try not to have them too close together," he grumbled.

"Right, I'll be back with your drinks," she glanced at Brock before walking back toward the bar.

"I take it this is about what Jordan said today?" Brock asked resting his arms on the table.

"I just…it was embarrassing to have everything blurted out like that," he groaned.

"So is it true? That Jordan might be the father of the baby?"

"Yeah…she said she forgot to take her pills a couple of times so it could have been conceived before the wedding…or the night of…"

"Wow man, that sucks…" Brock was at a loss for words.

"You know what the worst part is?" he paused to take a shot as Brock noticed for the first time that more had been placed in front of him, "The worst part is that I can't even touch her. I waited for over a year to have her back and we had that one great night. But now every time I want to, I think about the baby and that leads me to Jordan and then I just get so mad that I can't."

"So you two haven't had sex since the first time?"

"Nope, not once."

"Hey, if the waitress comes back, order me some onion rings. I'll be back," Brock stood and walked towards the bathroom.

"Your friend left?"

Ash looked up to see the waitress had come back to the table with more shots. Right now, she was his hero.

"He just went to the bathroom…Oh! He wants onion rings." he smiled at her as she sat down in Brock's seat.

"I'll have them bring those, is there anything you wanted to talk about? Sometimes it's better to talk to a stranger in a bar than a friend."

"Probably, but I don't even know your name," Ash said running his fingers through his hair.

"Angela, now, what's on your mind? Have a fight with your girlfriend?" she leaned forward resting her chin on her palms.

"Yeah, I was being a bit of a jerk but I think I'm in over my head,"

"Do you love her?" Angela asked.

"A lot," he sighed.

"Then I think that you need to take a break."

"What?" Ash raised an eyebrow at her.

"Well, if you're fighting then maybe you guys should take a break. Some time apart might do you some good."

"That makes sense, but things are a bit complicated right now. I don't think I could just leave…and I couldn't ask her to."

"You know, you're way too cute of a guy to look so down."

"Huh?" Ash didn't even have a chance to react when he felt Angela's lips press against his own.

Brock walked back into the bar and saw Ash and the waitress kissing at the table. He quickened his pace pulling his friend away from her.

"Ash! What the hell are you doing?" he exclaimed.

"I-" Ash looked around for Angela but she was gone.

"Quit drinking! Quit feeling sorry for yourself! And go home to your girlfriend who loves you!" Brock grabbed Ash's arm and yanked him out of his chair.

"Brock!" Ash protested.

"Wait, give me your keys," Brock held his hands out.

"I didn't drive."

"Good. Ash, go home and tell Misty that you're sorry and that you love her. You need to swallow your pride about this. The baby is already here, she can't change who the father is now no matter how much she wants to. Don't lose her because you're too busy being childish." Brock turned Ash so that he was facing him.

The younger man looked like he was going to argue but then he nodded, "I didn't kiss her." he mumbled.

"Go home; I'll pay your tab." Brock shoved him out the door and watched him walk down the street.

***

When Ash got home he noticed that Misty had left the light on downstairs and there was a bowl of soup on the counter. He sighed and began to walk upstairs.

As he reached the hallway, he started to think about the waitress, Angela. She had been pretty. The sort of girl that Ash always dated before Misty. He bet he could have gone home with her if he had wanted to. She probably had any number of seductive lingerie, Misty used to when they dated before the accident.

Now though, he looked at her sound asleep on their bed curled up in one of his sweatshirts with her stomach just showing in the oversized fabric.

He smiled, Brock was right. As upset as he was about the way things were turning out, he wouldn't be able to bear it if he lost her. He slid his shirt and jeans off letting them fall sloppily on the floor, and climbed into bed next to her. He carefully moved so that he was lying beside her and placed his hand on her stomach. He shut his eyes and let his head sink deeper into the pillow.

Misty must have taken a shower before going to bed as he could smell her vanilla bean soap that he loved. He leaned closer, letting his forehead rest against her shoulder blade.

"Ash?" she asked groggily turning onto her back to look at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered propping himself up on his elbow.

"It's okay…are you still mad at me?"

Ash shook his head as he leaned down to kiss her. Misty could taste the alcohol on his breath but decided to ignore it as his hand slid underneath the sweatshirt she was wearing.

He moved away a few minutes later as she pulled the shirt over her head.

"Mist, is this okay…for the baby?" he asked panting.

"Mmhmm," she nodded smiling, "But you have to be gentle." she sang.

He chuckled pressing his lips to her neck and shoulders, "I think I can handle that."