After watching the large oak door of their home closed Serena turned around and was greeted by the sight of Kelli sitting on the living room couch brushing Pikachu's tail which was causing the yellow mouse pokemon to laugh. Serena couldn't help but smile at this site as she walked over to the right side of the couch so she could sit next to her daughter. Once Serena sat down she heard her daughter talking to her; "Mama can I ask you something!?" This question caused the Performer to turn to her daughter, the look of curiosity taking over her face as her electric blue eyes meet Kelli's auburn eyes, seeing that she now had her mother's full attention Kelli finally asked Serena; "Mom how's come I don't have any brothers or sisters?" Hearing Kelli's question certainly surprised Serena as she was taken aback to the point where she was now leaning against the back of the couch as she began to think of a way to answer her daughter's question; after all on the one hand her and Ash both know she's pregnant again, so Kelli will have a brother or sister soon but on the other hand it wasn't news that she felt she could give Kelli without Ash there too. Conflicted on how to respond Serena didn't say anything creating a long moment of silence; Silence that was only broken when Kelli finally started talking again; "Mommy are you okay?" Hearing her daughters question finally caused Serena to face her daughter again the look of childish innocence on Kelli's face was simply too adorable for Serena as she smiles and finally gives her daughter a response; "Well It's complicated sweetie!" It wasn't much of an answer but it was all Serena could think to say at the moment. Serena's response was met by a sigh of disappointment from Kelli but that wasn't all because as Serena looked down at her daughter she saw what She could of swore looked like a tear running down Kelli's cheek and past her honey blonde hair. This almost brought Serena to tears herself, as she couldn't bear to see Kelli like this. Serena needed answers, she need to know why her daughter was acting this way; "Kelli please tell me what brought this up?" Serena asked in a quiet and concerned tone of voice. Once again the living room of the Ketchum household went silence to the point where you could hear a pin drop before Kelli's voice broke the silence; "Well don't get me wrong mama I love Pikachu and the others they're my best friends..." As Kelli slowly reached out to pet Pikachu and scratch behind his ears an action that caused the Yellow mouse to start "squealing" in happiness; "Pikachu... Pika... Pika... Pikachu" As Pikachu continued to carry on Serena's electric blue eyes continued to focus on Kati almost to the point of beginning to "mist over" as Kelli continued to speak again; "But sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a little brother or sister to play with!?" With that the room fell silent again as Serena "digested" What she just heard, while Serena sat there in stunned silence Kelli figured that now was the time to excuse herself to go clean her room and clear her mind too. The young girl then picked Pikachu up and placed him in between her and her mother as she finally got up and brushed her honey blonde hair to the side revealing her auburn eyes before leaving the room. With Kelli gone and his "spoiling" over Pikachu curled up next to Serena and began to drift off to sleep that is; until he heard a soft cry coming from Serena who was so touched by what she just heard she couldn't do anything else she wanted so desperately to march up those stairs and tell Kelli what her and Ash were keeping from her but, she couldn't do that… wouldn't do that, not without Ash by her side. Serena's mind was racing as her glance shifted to the grandfather clock which was just moments away from chiming noon and, Serena couldn't help but wonder when Ash would be back for Serena who was heartbroken over Kelli and knew her and Ash had News that could make her feel better. For Serena Ash couldn't get back fast enough.
An Hour Later:
The large oak front door of the Ketchum household slowly opened allowing Ash to walk inside a smile on his face clearly content with the arrangements him and Kukui discussed prior. After Ash entered his residence he closed the door behind him before placing his coat and hat on the wall hook as he called out to his wife; "Serena I'm home!" Ash waited a few moments but didn't hear a response causing him to grow somewhat concerned as he entered the family room where he finally gazed upon Serena who was lying on her side on their couch with her back facing Ash. This was very out of the ordinary behavior for Serena so Ash decided to walk over and see just what was going on as Ash got closer he heard a sigh coming from Serena and, Ash also noticed that Serena was clutching a pillow in her arms squeezing it tight enough that it was quite possible that the stuffing could pop out any minute. This just raised more questions in Ash's mind as he got down on his knees so he was looking over Serena's shoulder before whispering to her; "Serena what's wrong?" in the quietest and most sincere voice he could muster. Several moments passed before Serena in her "spaced out" state of mind realized Ash was not only home but sitting right next to her. Once she did realize what was going on the honey blonde performer sat straight up without saying a word allowing Ash to take a seat next to her with Ash by her side Serena took Ash's hand in her own. Serena knowing she now has Ash's full attention told him about her earlier conversation with Kelli about why she doesn't have a brother or sister. After telling Ash what happened earlier Serena was "greeted" by a blank confused face from Ash who couldn't help but ask; "Serena why didn't you just tell Kelli right then?" Serena responded by explaining that she felt that they both needed to be there to give Kelli this news together." This revelation touched Ash that Serena would make that choice but at the same time wished she hadn't because if there was one thing Ash hated more than anything it was to see Serena upset or unhappy. The young couples Auburn and Electric blue eyes continued to gaze at one another the silence was finally broken by Ash asking his childhood friend and the love of his life; "Serena are you ready to tell her?" There was no audible response from Serena; her only response was her grip tightening on Ash's hand as well as a small nod. This response clearly satisfied them both as they called out for their daughter together; "Kelli could you come down her for a minute sweetie!?" After calling out for Kelli the young parents saw their daughter sliding into the living room in her pink stockings and Honey Blonde hair swaying in the breeze along with Sylveon who was right behind her. Kelli then walked over to her parents and hugged Ash before taking a seat in front of them. With their daughters attention focused on them Ash began his and Serena's discussion with their daughter; "So Kelli your mother told me about your conversation earlier..." Ash could feel Serena's grip tighten on his as Kelli continued sitting there and nodding to her father. As silence feel Serena was quick to pick the conversation up again; "Sweetie remember when I said that it was complicated?" Again Kelli just responded with a nod as Ash began to speak again; "Kelli now that we're all together, there is something that we've known for a little while now that we'd like to share with you..." Once again Kelli just sat there listening intently to her parents as Serena began to speak again; "Kelli you are going to be a big sister soon!" with those words spoken Ash finally felt Serena's grip loosen on his hand which was a relief because Ash was starting to loose feeling in that hand but even if he did he wasn't about to say something. The young couple's attention focused on their daughter who now had tears of joy running down her face as she runs over to her parents to hug them. Ash and Serena happily returned the gesture as their daughter released her grip on them before running to Pikachu picking him up and yelling; "I'm going to be a big sister Pikachu." The yellow mouse couldn't help but be excited for not just his master but his family as he happily exclaims; "Pika... Pikachu... Pika..." While Ash and Serena just shared a smile before Serena rested her head on Ash shoulder as he leaned his head to lean on Serena's before reflecting on the memories their young family had just made.
A/N:
And there we have it Ash and Serena have finally told Kelli she's going to be a big sister. :) Anyway I wanted to take a moment to apologize for the long delay with this chapter I have had a lot of personal stuff going on between going back to school, getting a second job and the stress of being on call "around the clock" because of most of our Department being dispatched to Texas to help with Hurricane relief anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and expect more timely updates in the future. Anyway as always everyone Templars74 signing off have a great day and I'll talk to you all next time goodbye everyone.