A Happy Ending - Part 8 (last part)

All right!!!!! it's the last chapter, the one you've all been waiting for!

Thanx again for all your comments and support, it gives me warm fuzzies to know other people are enjoying this :P :P :P

FYI - in case you missed my note the other day, i apologized about not being able to get the chapter titles and next update done when i said i would, but i had computer problems and then was out of town... but i'm back now! and it's all better!
(i'm sure most of you don't really care about all of that now anyways *_*)

by the way, i'm thinking about posting another story sometime soon...
i've got several started that i'm considering - so keep an eye out for me!

{any questions, comments, ideas, suggestions, etc, go ahead and post a message, or if you'd rather, feel free to e-mail me at dragonheart149@yahoo.com}

Thanks again for everything -

Joey




~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dear Diary,
	Misty came back in with Richie. 
She still looks pretty bad, but at least 
she's not crying anymore. Everybody knows 
that Misty's one tough gym leader. Not even 
losing a battle can phase her. People say 
that she can be something of a romantic, but 
I doubt she's ever completely lost herself 
like this before. I guess love does strange 
things to people. (not that I would know from 
personal experience or anything) 
	Well, people are starting to give me 
strange looks. I can't blame them. Normal 
people don't usually bring their diaries with 
them to a party. In fact, I normally don't, 
it's just that I got the feeling I'd find out 
something worth remembering tonight. That is- 
Oh, they've cut the music. I think there's 
about to be an announcement of some kind, so 
I guess this is all for now...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Misty!"

"There you are. We were wondering what happened to you."

"Are you all right?"

"What's wrong?"

Todd, Brock, Gary, and Tracey had immediately surrounded Misty and Richie the moment they walked in.

Misty smiled weakly, "I'll be okay. It's just been a long day." Richie leaned over and spoke in a low tone to the rest of the guys. Misty watched as their expressions turned to astonishment. She looked down in sad embarrassment.

"I can't believe it," Brock shook his head in disbelief.

"Why didn't we notice it?" Todd asked Tracey.

"That Ash has gone too far this time!" Gary glowered. "This is low, even for him."

"Please," Misty tried to calm them. "It's not any say of ours as to how he wants to live his life."

"I don't care," Brock burst out, causing a few heads to turn. He lowered his voice. "I don't. You two were meant to be together, no matter what."

"You would think he could have been a little more considerate about the whole thing, though," Todd grumbled.


"Excuse me? I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to ask for a few minutes of your time." The group of friends looked up to see Ash standing on stage, hesitantly speaking into the microphone.

"Speak of the devil," Gary murmured beneath his breath.

Richie nudged him gently, "Let's just see what he has to say."

"Probably won't be much," Gary added.

"First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight," Ash continued once he had the crowd's attention. "As always, we appreciate your support and your company." There was scattered applause. "This is a very special occasion for more than one reason. The most obvious one being that our friends, Tracey, Todd," he paused to swallow, "and Misty, have returned safely from their expedition. I won't bore you with the details except to say that it was more successful than we imagined and that the results of our research will affect not just the scientific community but numerous other areas of our daily lives." This time, the applause was more enthusiastic.

When the people had quieted again, Ash continued, "I would also like to thank all of those who helped behind the scenes as well as those who planned and put this entire gathering together for the rest of us to enjoy: Richie, Brock, Marisa, and even Gary." Here, Gary glanced up, surprised to be remembered as more applause sounded.

Ash took a deep breath before starting again. "Now it comes to be a more personal announcement." His friends looked up with interest. "Those of you who are around me often know that I haven't quite been myself lately."

"That's an understatement," Brock sniffed sarcastically.

"I've been withdrawn, emotional, and sometimes very cross. There's been a lot of things going on inside me that I've just now been able to understand. I'd like to apologize very sincerely to all my friends and thank them for standing by me through these tough times."

There was a murmur of slight acceptance and some confusion among the members of the crowd. Ash's friends were listening to him very intently now. "As I said," Ash explained, "I've managed to figure out what's been so wrong in my life lately, and I'd like to share that with all of you, but before I do, there's one more important apology I need to make. Misty," Here Ash looked straight at her, "Will you please come up here?"

Misty drew in here breath, afraid to cry anymore. There was almost dead silence as Ash stood and looked at her, solemnly, across the crowd.

Don't go," one of the guys whispered, "You don't owe it to him, not after all he's done to you."

"No one's forcing you," another one of then added.

Richie rested his arm gently across her shoulders, "Of course you don't have to. You could just leave right now, pretend you were never here, and just let him stand up there waiting. You have every right to do that. But then again, you may never find out what he wanted. If you don't go up now, you may never forgive yourself."

Misty looked up at Ash again, his face almost a mirror of her own, although she wasn't sure why. As hard as it might be, they were still friends, and she would never abandon him. Steeling her nerve, she walked up to face him, with as much resolve as with she had ever faced anything in her life.

Ash's tense face relaxed into a brief smile before turning serious again. "Thank you," he whispered, speaking away from the mike, catching Misty's eyes for a moment of eternity before taking her breath away. He stepped back into the microphone, "Misty, I'd like to thank you especially for being such a special friend to me all these years and supporting me through everything that happened. I know I've been more than just a little inconsiderate of you these past few months, and nothing could ever make up for the hurt I've caused you. I can only humbly ask your forgiveness. Do you forgive me, Misty?"

Unable to speak, Misty could only nod.

Ash bowed his head for a moment, then looked up, a twinkle in his eyes. "Now, I promised to tell you what was so wrong in my life. You see, I've figured out that someone was missing in my life, someone more important to me than all the world."

A soft murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Could it be that their renowned and beloved Grand Master had finally fallen in love? Misty looked away and saw Marisa smiling near the foot of the stage. She knew what was coming and wished with all her heart that she was anywhere but there with Ash when he would make his announcement.

Suddenly, Misty felt two warm hands surround her shaking, delicate fingers, and turned in surprise to see nothing but Ash's face, more precious than it had ever seemed to her before. He swallowed hard, then gently spoke, "Misty, I love you with all my heart and soul." Misty shook her head in disbelief as the tears started to roll down her face once again. "And...and..." Ash fumbled nervously with his hat, dropping it onto the floor. In his hand was a small velvet box which he opened. Misty caught her breath.


"Yes!" Richie clenched his fist in victory as Todd and Brock gave each other high fives. But they stopped in amazement as a gasp went up from the crowd and Ash dropped to his knees.


"...and I want you to marry me." Ash looked up into Misty's eyes. He had finally done it. Now it was out of his hands. He could only wait, and the moments while Misty stared in shock were like years. Ash struggled to hold his hand steady, inside he was shaking from worry. "Will you, Misty?" he managed to whisper.


Misty stared down at the aqua-blue stone set in the silver ring. Her favorite. Then, she looked past it and into Ash's pleading eyes, and it all became real. "Ash Ketchum!" Ash winced and closed his eyes. "I don't know whether to hate you or to kiss you." Ash cracked open one hopeful eye as Misty dropped to her knees before him and grabbed him in a fierce hug. "Of course I'll marry you."

Ash breathed a huge sigh of relief, smiling genuinely for the first time. After a long moment of bliss, they pulled apart. Looking deep into each other's eyes, Ash took Misty's hand and gently slid the ring on it. Then, Misty grinned mischievously, leaned over, and kissed him.

Turning beet red, Ash remembered they had an audience, and stood, helping Misty to her feet as well. Ash lifted her hand into the air as a signal of victory. "You're all invited to the wedding!" The group erupted into thunderous cheers and applause as Ash turned and pulled Misty backstage.


Once in the wings, the happy couple was met by the rest of their friends: Brock, Tracey, Todd, Richie, Marisa, Gary, and even Pikachu.

"Way to go!" Brock thumped Ash on the back.

Todd crossed his arms, grinning, "I never thought you had it in you."

"You know," Tracey added, "When you decide to do something, you really go all out."

Gary glanced at Marisa, "You knew about this all along, didn't you?"

Marisa just smiled and winked at Ash.

Richie gave Misty a brotherly squeeze, "See? You got your happy ending after all."

Misty hugged him back. "I guess I did, didn't I?"

"Pikachu!" And everyone laughed.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dear Diary,
	Well, I do believe I was right. Something 
big definately happened tonight. It was all so 
perfect I can hardly believe it myself. I am 
again in the comfort of my own home, staring out 
the window at the night sky, and watching as the 
guests leave. 
	After Ash's announcement, everybody wanted 
to know the whole story. Ash and Misty's friends 
answered questions as best they could, but I think 
it was a good thing Officer Jenny had been invited, 
as a few of the people got a little too, shall we 
say, caught up in the moment?! 
	The news has spread like wildfire. I'm sure 
it will be on the front page of nearly every paper 
in all of Pokemon Island tomorrow. Reporters are 
begging for stories from everyone who was there. 
I slipped away before most of them found me. I never 
was one for much publicity.
	A lot of people will make up stories of their 
own about what happened here tonight. I have told only 
what I know to be true, and it will stay safely hidden 
within these pages. Maybe some day, I'll have a story 
of my own to tell, but for now, I'm content to finish 
theirs. This is Joey, faithfully signing out!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Leaving their friends to deal with the fevered crowd, Ash and Misty escaped out the back door and into the woods, under the full light of the moon. They walked silently for a long while, hand in hand, enjoying the moment. They stopped at the edge of a cliff, the night sky unfolding it's beauty before them.

"Misty?" Ash spoke up hesitantly.

"Hmm?" Misty rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

Misty looked up at him, "For what?"

"For saying yes." Ash glanced down, "I know I must have pressured you, asking in front of that crowd and all, and so suddenly..." his voice drifted off.

"Ash, stop." Misty took hold of him as he looked back up. "I've loved you for almost as long as I can remember. I waited and hoped for this day for years. Nothing that happens could change my feelings for you any less. I love you, Ash Ketchum, and I always will."

Ash lifted her hands to his mouth, "And I love you too."

Misty caught her breath as Ash lowered his head toward hers. Softer than a feather and sweater than honey, their lips met. Ash's arms surrounded her, pulling her close, and they didn't let go for the longest time. High above, a bright new star was just coming out...



The
End