Chapter Nine:

After realizing that they were now going to be expecting another child soon Serena and Ash along with their daughter Kelli left Graces home in the Kalos region to return to the Ketchum family's adopted home in the Alola Region. The Ketchum families flight arrived on Mel Mele right at sunset and by the time they all collected their bags arrived at their car it was already dark the Ketchum's car then proceeded towards their home continuing down the long "S curved" roads leading up to the champions residence. While on this car ride home Serena couldn't help but look at the seat across from her and Ash Where Kelli was leaning over on her side fast asleep her yellow fleece blanket resting on her lap. This sight caused Serena to smile at Kelli as she began to rub her stomach with her right hand. While Ash on the other hand was sitting next to Serena looking out the window at the clear Alolan night sky he even saw what he was pretty sure was Tapu LeLe flying across the moon however; a couple seconds later Ash's gaze shifted from the window to Serena who was still just running her hand over her stomach with a soft smile on her face; a sight that caused Ash to smile as he took his hand and rested it on Serena's it wasn't until then that Serena realized Ash was watching her as her face started to turn light red before she began smirking at Ash before moving her head so she could lean on Ash's shoulder causing both of them to smile together but as their car continued up the road a light off in the distance caught both their attention; "Hey Ash look over there!" Serena whispered to Ash as she pointed over to a porch light on at the house next to the champion's residence. it was a house that was owned by Lillie's mother Lusamine; before her "Ultimate fall" during the conflict with the ultra-beasts, but the strange thing was that home had sat empty ever since that fateful day. "Lillie Must've finally made it back to Mele Mele to sell her mother's old house" Ash responded to Serena as they just stared on; before their car began to enter their own driveway; as the car came to a full stop Serena looked at Kelli who was still asleep on the cars bench seat; before turning to Ash and asking If they should wake her up; to which Ash just nodded his head "NO" to Serena as he leans over to put the little Honey Blonde haired girl into his arms. While Serena reaches over to open the door for him a smile still on her face from seeing Ash holding "their little girl" in his arms as they walk up to the door together before entering their home where Pikachu was still Anxiously awaiting their return home; Ash just smiled at his best friend as he walked down the hallway to Kelli's bedroom while Serena on the other hand stops next to Pikachu and holds out her arm so he could "catch a ride" to the other side of the vast house. As they all reach the pink bedroom at the end of the hallway. Using the light from the full moon to see, Ash walked into the room and over to the small Oak wood bed to set Kelli down. after placing their daughter on her bed Serena comes up behind them and next to Ash to lift the flannel covers up over Kelli and whispered to her "Goodnight Kelli; we love you" as Ash who was standing there next to Serena just continues to smile as Pikachu makes his way over onto his shoulder rather than Serena's as they exit Kelli's bedroom and make their way to their own bedroom to turn in for the night.

The Following Morning:

Ash opens the sliding door to his and Serena's home with a red tea cup in his hand as he steps out on the back porch where Serena was sitting in her chair watching Kelli play with Pancham as she rubs her stomach as if she was holding her and Ash's soon to be arriving baby, still curious about how they'll explain this to Kelli but Serena's thoughts where soon interrupted as Ash arrives next to her and hands Serena her tea a gesture that Serena returns with a smile as she takes the cup from Ash and begins to sip it while Ash takes a seat next to her while Pikachu runs down the steps to join Kelli and Pancham but the three of them were interrupted when a girl about Kelli's age with red hair and purple eyes pokes her head out from the bushes. This girl's presence startled and confused both Ash and Serena but before they even had a chance to think about who this girl was or where she came from they both hear two familiar voices coming from the side of their house calling their names "Ash... Serena!" This clearly captured Ash and Serena's attention as they notice two figures coming around from the shadow of their home the first was a shorter redheaded woman with her hair tied back and next to her was a taller man with purple colored clean cut hair and even with their new looks it didn't take long for Ash & Serena to recognize who they were; "Marian... Alain..." they shouted out together back at the couple as they came walking up to them. Ash was quick to get up and escort their company up the stairs and over to the patio table where Serena was still sitting. While the girl that arrived with them begins introducing herself to Kelli. After seeing this Serena smiled and asked Marian what they were doing here that's when Marian explained that Alain was looking to get away from Kalos and when they saw the ad Lillie had running for her mother's old estate. they figured it'd be a good place to settle with their little girl Sarah who apparently was already getting along very well with Kelli. Then with all that explanations out of the way Marian turned to Alain and noticed he was already busy talking with Ash about not just Z Moves but the Z Moves that rose him to the high profile rank of Alola Champion causing her to smile as Marian turns to Serena so she can talk with Serena; Marian begins by asking Serena how her and Ash were both doing to which Serena just smiled at her before placing her right hand on her stomach and although she didn't speak one word; Marian almost instinctively knew what she meant which was evident by her misting eyes, as she asked Serena how far along she was this time; to which Serena just whispered back "only a week" this caused Marian to giggle as the red headed woman got up from her chair and faced Alain before telling him that they had several things to do today and needed to get going which caused Alain to nod as he shouted for Sarah and while waiting for their little girl to come back; Marian insisted that the three of them come to their home for dinner tomorrow night an invitation that both Ash and Serena graciously accepted as Marian, Alain and, Sarah departed. Then after a few more minutes Ash called out to Kelli; "Let's go inside for a while Kelli!" Ash notices Kelli nodding to him before she began running back towards the house with Pikachu and Pancham in toe as Serena gets up from her chair to open the sliding door for everyone as they pile inside their home.

A few Minutes Later inside the Ketchum Household:

"So did you enjoy playing with Sarah Sweetie?" Serena asked Kelli as they walk over to the large blue couch in their living room; the Honey Blonde haired girl looked up at Serena with excitement and replies to her mother; "I sure did mommy I had so much fun; can we play together again?" hearing their daughters answer caused both Ash and Serena to smile; both thrilled that their little girl now has another "human friend" to play with, as Ash answered her "Absolutely; in fact Sarah's parents invited us over for dinner tomorrow!" while Serena nods in unison. Kelli couldn't contain her excitement as she squealed quite loudly on her way to the couch, while Ash and Serena stopped in the living room doorway that's when Ash whispered to Serena "I'm so happy Kelli has a new friend to play with!" to which Serena responded; "Me too Ash; and who would've thought it'd be Alain and Marin's little girl!?" as her hand finds its way down to Ash's and begins to grasp it. Ash just smiles as he feels Serena's grip tightening on his hand and that's when he couldn't help but ask; "And how's our other one doing?" a question to which Serena responds with just a giggle but that giggle went away when Ash reminded her that they still needed to Kelli." That revelation did begin to get the wheels turning in Serena's head; on how they'd tell their little princess. Serena then looks from the floor back to Kelli who has begun brushing Pikachu, before feeling Ash kiss her cheek before reminding Serena that he needed to head over to Kukui's to discuss the details about the next battle tree. Serena just replies to Ash with a nod before he walks over to Hug Kelli goodbye and tell her that "he'd be back in a little." Ash also instructed Pikachu to stay with Kelli and Serena instructions which Pikachu was happy to obey as he exclaimed "PIKA." Ash then turns around and walks over to Serena and shared a goodbye kiss with her before he walked out the door. With Ash gone Serena was left to ponder once again how they were going to tell Kelli that she was going to be a big sister.

A/N

YES A BIT OF Alain X Marian too also looks like they'll be Ash and Serena's new Neighbors!

Hey everyone Templars74 Here I know it seemed like forever for chapter Nine but I've been insanely busy.
Anyway with things slowing downjust a bit I hope to do a few more chapters before the fall so stay tuned!
I also hope you enjoyed today's chapter. :) Anyway until next time have a great day everyone!