Some Graceful Shipping in this one but I really am happy with how it came out!
The five-year-old daughter of Steven and Cynthia, patiently stared out the window awaiting the arrival of her favorite Uncle.
Steven watched Jade from the sofa as his arm rested behind his wife. It had been about two months since they had seen Wallace. The two childhood friends had made a very good effort to stay close despite Steven moving in with Cynthia in Sinnoh after they had gotten married. However, once Jade was born Wallace had turned into a super Uncle. It always impressed Steven how well Wallace got along with his daughter. It was a side of him he had never seen before.
Cynthia chuckled. "Jade has been talking about this visit for a week. I don't think he's gonna be able to leave this time."
Steven smiled and nodded. "If it weren't for Winona I think he would probably stay."
Finally a taxi arrived in front of their house which caused Jade's eyes to go wide. She ran to the door and looked at her parent's with pure excitement. "He's here! He's here! Can I go greet him?!"
Cynthia stood up and went over to her. "Of course just don't go into the street," she said before opening the door to which her daughter immediately dashed out.
Steven followed to watch from the door as the five-year-old daughter ran to the taxi.
Wallace practically leaped out the car. He pretended to look around. "Where is she? Where is my beloved Jade?" Wallace looked down and his eyes widened when he saw the young girl. "No! This cannot be my darling niece. You are far taller than I remember." He was hiding it well, but for once Wallace was actually nervous to come on this trip to see his close friends. He had important news to tell them that had been consuming him.
Jade reached up to him and jumped excitedly "Uncle Wallace it is me! I promise!"
Wallace grinned and picked up his niece. He rested her on his hip. "Wow you've gotten so tall since I've seen you last. What are your parents feeding you?" He teased directing that to the parents at the door. Wallace walked over to them and wrapped his arms around them.
Cynthia chuckled at the tight grasp. "Wallace it's great to see you."
Steven just let the hug happen having been used to this for the majority of his life. "How's it been?"
Jade giggled since she was trapped between the hug.
Wallace pulled away and shrugged. "It's been going. You know how it is." Wallace wasn't exactly in the mood to talk about himself. "Steven would you mind helping me with my luggage?"
Steven raised an eyebrow and noticed the four suitcases on the side of the street the taxi driver had pulled out of the trunk. He rolled his eyes. "I don't know how you even pack this have this much stuff." He managed to drag them all inside and put them in the guest bedroom.
Cynthia went to the kitchen to pour them all some tea. "Wallace how is Winona?"
Wallace sat next to Jade on the sofa and tried to hide his faltering smile. "Oh uh she's great of course. Still my amazing wonderful love of my life. She's been busy with her gym leader duties but that's to be expected. Things are absolutely perfect."
Steven listened to his best friend as he entered the living room and furrowed his eyebrows. He knew something was up but wouldn't push it yet. The couple had gone through problems in the past but he thought they both had worked it out.
Wallace quickly tried to change the subject. "I almost forgot! Jade, I have something for you!" Wallace went to his bag and pulled something out before hiding it behind his back
Jade's eyes widened. "Really is it from the Hoenn region?"
Cynthia raised a stern eyebrow at him as she placed the tea on the coffee table. Let's just say they have had many conversations about Wallace spoiling their daughter before.
Wallace grinned and nodded. "Yes it is." From behind his back he pulls out a tiny fishing rod. On the rod was a Milotic beautifully painted onto it.
Both Steven and Cynthia's hearts simultaneously melted. They couldn't help but sigh contently in unison.
Jade's eyes widened as she held the rod in her tiny hands. "Uncle Wallace. This is…. wow." The girl was in awe of the present that she had been given.
"I thought it would be super fun for me to teach you how to fish. Only for fun though. We don't hurt the pokemon we catch. That is of course if your parents are okay with that?" Wallace asked and turned his head for an answer with a hopeful expression.
The two parents nodded their head's eagerly. Cynthia grinned and clapped her hands. "Absolutely! I think it would be a great skill for her to learn."
"She'll also get to learn about different pokemon. Awh, Wallace this is so sweet," Steven said practically beaming at his friend.
Wallace smirked softly. Those two had definitely become soft ever since they became parents.
Later that night, Wallace carefully closed his niece's door after reading her a bedtime story that had put her to sleep. They had an amazing day of Wallace teaching Jade how to fish while her parents took loads of pictures. It made him so happy to spend time with them. However with the recent news he had received it also made him very anxious. Wallace walked down the steps and spotted Steven waiting for him in the living room.
"Jade completely adores you. We really appreciate you making the trip to Sinnoh," Steven smiled gesturing for him to sit down.
Wallace sat down in one of the arm chairs across from Steven. He smiled softly and nodded. "You have raised a literal gem. I don't know how you guys did it.. Jade is so perfect."
Steven nodded in agreement. "We try to teach her the best we can. Plus she has great role models in her life like you."
Wallace bit his lip and his heart started to beat nervously. "I try my best. I wish I could be better…"
Steven frowned deeply and he shook his head. Hearing his friend doubt himself was so unlike him. "Wallace is everything okay? Are you and Winona having problems? I can't stop thinking about how you responded when Cynthia asked about her. It was uncharacteristically uncertain."
Wallace was pale as a ghost as he shakily sighed. "Winona and I are fine. Well sort of…" Wallace paused for a moment before cracking and putting his hands on his face. "Steven I have no idea what to do. I'm so lost and scared."
Steven's eyes widened at what was happening in front of him. He had never seen him this way. Almost when Winona and Wallace broke up temporarily but this seemed different. Steven's own heartbeat quickened at the state of his friend. "Please tell me what is going on? Maybe I can help? Is everyone safe?"
Wallace swallowed hard. He had to tell him. He knew Steven would help him. If anybody would get it, it'd be him. "Winona is pregnant," he mumbled into his hands.
Steven's paused to digest what Wallace had just told him. Based on the way Wallace was acting he could tell this was a surprise. Finally, after a moment, Steven smiled."I can't think of any two people more equipped to be brilliant parents."
Wallace rubbed his face and looked at Steven desperately. "It's just scary because we both work so much and I'm worried how we are going to manage a child along with it. I don't want Winona to have to give up her career." Wallace sighed and shook his head. "Also I'm so much and over-the-top. We all know that… What if my kid doesn't like me or Winona grows sick of me? I don't know if that will work well for being a father. "
Steven shook his head and held his hands in front of him. "First things first Winona is crazy about you. She adores you. Completely. That will never change, I can guarantee it. The other thing I know about her is she doesn't do anything she doesn't want to do. That woman is one of the strongest people I know and if she thinks she's ready then I'd trust her on that. If Winona wants this kid there are ways to make pregnancy, kids and career work. Obviously there are going to be sacrifices, yes but you two just need to work through it together. " Steven ran a hand through his hair before standing up and walking to a set of shelves. He returned next to Wallace and handed him a picture frame.
Wallace scanned the photo and couldn't help but smile at it. It was of him playing in the kiddy pool with a three-year-old Jade along with Milotic.
Steven smiled over his shoulder as well. "Do you remember how you found out Cynthia was pregnant? I was too scared to do anything and hadn't talked to anyone from Hoenn in over a week. You flew all the way out here because you were so worried. When I finally told you what was going on the look in your eyes was pure joy. You snapped me out of my shock and made me believe that I could raise a child." Steven placed a hand on Wallace's shoulder comfortingly. "You have showered our daughter with love before she was even born. You've become one of the most inspiring people in her life and have taught her things Cynthia and I could never have as well as you. You've taught her how to swim and be creative. You have shown Jade how it's okay to be yourself whether that's wanting to wear costumes and dancing around everyday or just being confident in herself. To be quite frank, you also taught me that. Throughout our friendship you have pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me stop caring what other people think. I wouldn't be who I am today without your encouragement. Wallace you aren't too much. You are perfectly yourself and will make an excellent father."
Wallace's jaw dropped at the power behind Steven's words. He considered Steven and Cynthia to be the best parents there have ever been and for him to say that about him really meant the world to him. Wallace was about to emotionally pull Steven into a tight hug but before he could Steven had beat him to it.
"Congratulations. I'm so so so happy for you and Winona," Steven said with a crack in his voice. "I just know this kid will be amazing."
Wallace blinked with confusion. Why was his shirt wet? Was Steven crying? Was it Opposite Day? Steven was a bigger softie than he ever could have imagined now. Wallace couldn't help but chuckle and patted his back. "Thank you. I'm very excited as well."
The next morning Wallace woke up early and tiptoed to Jade's swing set outside. He sat on the swing and pulled out his cellphone. Wallace hadn't shared his fear with Winona yet because she had enough to worry about already. He took a deep breath before calling her.
"Hello?"
Wallace smiled at her whimsical voice. "Morning my love! How are you on this fine day?"
Winona chuckled into the phone. "It isn't morning here anymore but it's been pretty good! Just had my lunch break. I have been eating a lot more lately…How about you? How is Jade, Cynthia and Steven?"
Wallace sighed contently. "Great as always. You should see how big Jade is. She's grown up so much!"
There was a moment of silence from Winona. "You've always been so good with her," she said almost nervously.
Wallace, of course, could pick up on her emotions despite being regions apart. "Winona, I'm sorry. I've been so scared about this whole situation. I didn't tell you this because I want this child but I didn't want you to think I wasn't ready. This is so new to me and you just deserve the best which I want to try to be."
"Of course you are scared! I'm scared too. Oh, Wallace, you act like you are the first man to be new to fatherhood."
Wallace chuckled softly. He absolutely loved how Winona found the humor in most things. "I had a conversation with Steven and he helped me realize that this isn't so uncommon."
Winona hummed. "Yeah, I figured he would. That's why I wanted you to go on this trip. If anyone's gonna talk some sense into you, it's him."
Wallace gently pushed the ground back and forth with his feet. "I will do whatever it takes to be a good father to this baby…and good to you. I promise."
"You act like I'm going to give you much of a choice in the matter."
Wallace laughed and stared at the grass beneath him. There was a moment of warm silence realizing this was reality and something they could handle. He glanced up and noticed the family starting to come down to the kitchen. "I love you, Winona."
"I love you too. Talk later?"
"Of course. Goodbye love." Wallace let Winona hang up the phone before he stood up from the swings and went back inside. Immediately his leg was crashed into.
"Good morning Uncle Wallace," Jade said hugging Wallace's leg. "I hope you slept well."
"Morning my sweet gem," Wallace grinned crouching down to her height. "Why don't I make breakfast we have a big day of excitement ahead of us?"
Cynthia frowned and shook her head. "Wallace you're our guest you don't have to-" She was cut off by a gentle nudge from Steven who was smiling. She picked up on his hint to let this happen but wondered what was going on.
Once breakfast was made they all sat around the table eating a pile of pancakes. Wallace was never the best cook and often tended to drop things in the kitchen but he was trying to get better lately.
Cynthia was shocked at how much he had improved. "I'm sorry I doubted your abilities, Wallace. This is delicious," she said before taking another bite.
Wallace chuckled and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He wanted to hide his smirk that would come from what he was about to do. "I'm trying to get better. You know, with the baby coming and all."
The news shocked Cynthia and caused her to choke on her food. Without hesitation, Steven ran over to help her although, it wasn't as big a deal as he thought it was. Cynthia grinned ignoring her husband's overprotective behavior. "A baby? Wallace that's amazing. Congratulations."
Jade looked over at her parents then back to Wallace with a puzzled expression. "Where is the baby coming from?"
Wallace smiled wide and leaned over to his niece. "Well you see Jade, Aunt Winona and I are going to have our own kid. We are going to be parents."
Jade's eyes widened. "Really!? That's amazing I am going to be their best friend. I can show them my rock collection."
Wallace laughed. "Steven she is without a doubt your daughter."
Cynthia looked up at Steven who was still standing behind her. She smiled as he placed his hands on her shoulders fondly. Cynthia chuckled. "We are going to have to learn how to be an Aunt and Uncle."
Steven squeezed her shoulder. "We have a lot to live up to." He looked back at Wallace and smiled proudly.