disclaimer: i don't own anything.
notes: my love for my children still lives on but i'm so sorry its been a while! i'll be sure to update more frequently not only for myself but for those who love misty and gary and try to get as much as them as possible. that sad feeling when your ship isn't that popular and they barely speak in canon. none of that matters though cause thankfully we all have our imaginations! this is a replacement for the previous chapter 9 as i was disappointed by how the first one turned out soooo...
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It happens out of the blue.
Misty lives for time alone.
As much as she loves the smile on a newbie trainer's innocent face after gaining the upper hand in battle or the laughter of a group of little tykes learning how to swim , she indulges in time to unwind. Acts of self-love and meditation keep her mind peaceful and sane.
Misty embraces the lively atmosphere her gym exudes, an atmosphere she has proudly worked towards creating, but it's the rare moments when she can freely sit by the pool observing her water pokémon in their element that she feels at ease in the chaos that is her life as a leader. Relaxation is vital in running a gym. The older she gets the more she learns how crucial it is to take time for yourself, so stealing her sister's stash of designer nail polishes while they are away on vacation is crucial to her emotional growth.
Prepared for her lackadaisical manicure, she sat sipping on strawberry smoothie watching her beloved partners swim as a portable speaker played a summertime playlist.
"Vaporeon, what do you think?" Misty asked sweetly, shaking two nail polishes in front of her companion. "Do you like the color Butler Please or Coral Reef?"
The relaxed bubble-jet pokémon coolly lifted his nose towards the bright blue shade before curling up to Misty's side on her lounge chair, placed right in front of the gym's main pool.
"Butler Please, huh?" She smiled warmly at the nuzzled eeveevolution as she scratched lightly behind his fins. "You might be biased towards anything blue but I have to admit you do have great taste."
Originally an egg from her dear friend Sakura, Misty's eevee was once a mischievous attention-seeker that evolved into a vaporeon. Pretentious and coy, but a powerful special attacker that loves eating up any attention Misty sends his way.
Before reaching for her bright blue nail polish, a loud buzzing came from her beach bag. From the bag, she picked up her rosy pink pokégear to see it was a direct call from Gary Oak.
This should be good.
Gary Oak, an ex-trainer turned scholar working in the field of pokémon research, young but a critically-acclaimed pain in the ass. He may have calmed down over since the first time they were acquainted but Gary still finds a way to creep under Misty's skin whenever they interact however rare it is. She fondly remembers that time he insulted her for her apparent "inconsideration" for Psyduck's inability to use water-type moves and how she "accidentally" pushed him in the pool for the remark. His number was in her contacts for gym related reasons so it was beneath Misty why he'd call her out of the blue. Something in her strawberry-filled gut told her that something strange was about to go down.
Ignoring her vaporeon's impatient hums for more fin scratches she answers the phone with mild hesitance.
"Um, yes?"
"Where was your vaporeon approximately twelve Saturdays ago?"
Misty frowned at his demanding tone. "Hello to you too, I guess."
"Look," he sighed, "I'm unsure how to go about this conversation unless I'm direct so please let's skip the causalities and continue on."
"Okay, don't be rude! And second, what gives you the- "
"Misty, please," he pleaded. "I happen to know that you were given an eevee egg about two years ago which eventually became your vaporeon. He is swift in battle and practically latches on to your hip from what gramps has told me, but approximately twelve weeks ago you left vaporeon at my grandfather's lab to help with a paper he was writing for evolutionary paths- "
"Of eevees and how it greatly relies on not only it's surroundings but on personal interactions with humans," she finished. "Your grandpa thought Vaporeon would be a good candidate seeing as it only evolved a couple months before."
"Exactly," he said shortly. "You see, the issue is that your vaporeon was such a handsome candidate that-"
"Well, he is quite handsome." She kissed the top of his head, to which Vaporeon swayed his tail happily.
Gary sighed loudly on the other end, "That my umbreon took notice of him pretty quickly."
Misty blinked, "Your umbreon?"
"She was also dropped off at the lab for research."
"I figured that much, Gary. What are you trying to say?"
"Your vaporeon and my umbreon."
"My vaporoen and your umbreon did what?"
"They…took a liking to each other and now umbreon has a baby belly."
"Wait, what?" Misty quickly twisted towards a curled up Vaporeon, eyes bulging out of her sockets in disbelief.
"He would never! He's practically a baby!"
"But your baby did. Seeing as Umbreon is twelve weeks pregnant and ready to pop any second."
Despite her utter confusion, that maternal side of Misty that loved anything tiny and soft. A small smile tugged at Misty's lips at the idea of a fluffy brown-puff ball hatching from an egg. In a way, she'd be kind of like a grandmother. Her spirits are always lifted whenever baby Pokemon were involved.
Her togepi, her azurill, and her eevee. They stayed young only for so long before evolutions took place and the way they fit in her arms changed. She smiled wistfully at the memories but was brought back to reality as Gary grunted from the other side.
"Umbreon has always been one of top-battlers and is accustomed to that lifestyle! Her giving birth might change her whole body and her mentality."
"As a researcher I figured you'd be the one to understand how relentless nature is," Misty offered, sighing into the receiver. "You can't help two pokémon from falling in love. No wonder he's has been in a poor mood—he probably misses her!"
Misty can perfectly paint the frustrated frown on Gary's face.
"When can we see her?"
"What? See who?"
"Umbreon, of course. We'll be at the lab around tomorrow so make sure to have a cheese platter out, grandpa."
"You mean tomorrow you're gonna stay home and battle because from what I'm getting from this conversation we aren't on the same page."
"Don't you dare condescend your in-law, Oak. I'll be at the lab after five—see you then! Buh-bye!"
"Misty, for the love of all that is holy, you are not comin-"
Click.
"Well, I didn't expect that call," Misty said to herself.
She turned to the sleeping water-type, blissfully unaware of the situation that he was the root of. "It just had to be him, huh? You picky thing, of course you would befriend one of Oak's pokémon."
Vaporeon cuddled closer to her leg sleepily, earning an endearing smile from his trainer. Misty softly tickled under his chin, "I don't blame her for picking such a cutie either."
. . .
It took great patience for Gary not to slam his grandfather's phone into the ground. He should have known better to try to reason with Misty, a young woman who only reasoned when she deemed it fit, over a situation like this.
"H-how is she like this?!" He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. From his peripheral vision, Gary could make out a sleek black creature quietly sneak around as if she were trying not to disturb her trainer.
He turned and watch his umbreon, his pride and joy, bring another blanket into her nest that was settled in the dark corner of the lab.
Even in the fit of frustration, his annoyance simmered as he took note of her sweet attempts at motherhood. From intimidating moves and intense glares, his umbreon's attentions are less focused on field work and battling and are more towards preparation.
It proves that there is still much that he must learn about not only pokémon but life.
Gary stepped aside and knelt beside her nest, softly petting black silky fur. "Please don't think I'm disappointed," he pleaded gently.
"I'm not a breeder, so this is a bit strange for me."
None of his Pokemon have ever been mothers or fathers before. He barely has ever dealt with baby pokémon either, unless you consider the eggs that sometimes appear at his grandfather's lab from time to time.
"Especially considering I'm going to have to interact with your boy's trainer now. It just had to be her, huh?"
She mewed happily into Gary's palm. All he could do was anticipate a new fur ball jumping around.
. . .
Gary's body stiffened at the sound of the doorbell ringing.
He mentally prepared himself and opened the door to see a familiar pair of all-knowing cyan eyes.
"I should've known better to think you'd stay home."
Misty, her nails freshly painted and overwhelming energy, eyed Gary up and down. He's always been an inch or two taller than her, but the unkempt hair and dark circles were new to her. He looked tired and seemed less put together. She got the sense that he needed his own alone time.
"I completely agree, as you should always know better."
Taking a step inside, Misty brushed her shoulders against Gary's arm. Her vaporeon trailing behind with his tail pompously waving in the air on high alert.
"Now where's the baby momma?"
"Isn't calling her that is distasteful?"
Misty scoffed, "Like a man who wears purple cargos is going to school me on what is and isn't tasteful."
"My purple cargos are iconic," Gary snapped.
"Gary Oak, the fashion icon," Misty replied smoothly.
He smirked, "You better believe it."
They exited the household and made way to the laboratory.
Gary swung the door open wide to make way for him and Misty. Inside was an older man hunched over his desk, a familiar bright smile and woodsy scent of cologne present.
"Why, Misty Williams," the man greeted with his trademark warmth. "I had a feeling I'd be seeing you soon." He placed his hands on Misty's shoulders and beamed.
"It's always good seeing you, Professor," Misty replied fondly.
The way Professor Oak could brighten any atmosphere was something that did not seem to pass down the Oak gene poll as Gary remained sulky.
"Gramps, if I knew any better I'd say this whole pregnancy fiasco is all your fault."
"Gary, how can you see something so beautiful as a problem?"
Slightly annoyed, Gary shook his head in disbelief.
"I value romantic relationships between pokémon, it is extraordinary to see how deeply they feel and how, much like us humans, can fall in love even under strange circumstances," he proclaimed knowingly. "Love knows no bounds, children. Remember that when you both begin to become romantically involved, if of course, it hasn't happened already."
Misty and Gary lightly blushed at the unsettlingly statement, feeling a little uneasy.
Professor Oak winked at the vaporeon at Misty's side, fully knowing the reason for the impromptu meet-up.
"I'll leave the love birds to it," he said, practically skipping out of the room.
Gary was about to physically protest till he sensed that his grandfather was not teasing him but instead was referring to the pair of actual lovebirds. He couldn't help but feel a little awkward, not daring to look Misty in the eye. Leave it to his Grandfather, as brilliant as he is, to embarrass him.
Vaporeon sniffed around the room as Misty and Gary watched the shift in his behavior. He mewed protectively and ran towards the corner of the room where a large basket filled with blankets was and within that a pregnant Umbreon peacefully sleeping.
Misty's heart grew watching her baby gently nuzzle his nose against his sweetheart's forehead. Umbreon's ruby eyes slowly cracked open to find Vaporeon beside her. She cooed happily, licking his cheeks and burrowing her head against his. Her full belly prominent and soft looking.
Misty was shocked, if not impressed. They were so cute she couldn't even imagine how beautiful the offspring would be.
"Vaporeon has never been so gentle with another Pokémon before."
"The same can be said for Umbreon if I have to be honest."
"They're…."
"So sweet…"
Misty and Gary looked at each other, both of their faces slightly painted pink. In embarrassment, they shifted and watched as their affectionate partners fall deeper into infatuation. As uncomfortable as the air was for two pre-teens, they were easily charmed by the sugary displays of affection. Maybe Professor Oak was right.
Gary was the first to speak.
"Listen, I know I was anal about the whole thing but seeing them together makes everything feel okay," he admitted. I just…don't know what to do with babies, I guess."
Misty was somewhat amused by his honest attempt.
"That's understandable," she replied, kneeling closer to the nest. "Maybe I could have heard you out more, but to be fair I don't always get a call from you sounding so distressed. I had to indulge in it a bit."
Gary laughed lightly, taking his place beside Misty. "Oh I can tell."
"Either way, we should be excited! Nothing is better than eevee pup fur between your fingers. I can help with everything but eggs hatching is no big deal. It's the parents we may have to worry about."
He signed, "Maybe that's what got me the most. It's just unexpected to see your pokemon so…enamored."
"The Professor is right about how deeply humans and pokémon can feel unexpectedly," Misty exclaimed, attention placed on the wagging black and blue tails swishing back and forth.
She turned to him, a slight gleam in her eyes and fond tone in her voice. "But in a way, I think they fit perfectly. Don't you think so, grandpa?"
Caught off guard by her statement, Gary watched as the two black and blue creatures wrap themselves around each other before shutting their eyes in a peaceful daze. He'd be lying if he disagreed, the two adored each other. To think soon a small chocolate-colored puff would soon be squished between them. To think he was going to have to get used to Misty at his front door more often, a bothersome idea but something in the pit of stomach said otherwise.
"You're right," Gary offered her an unexpected, genuine smile.
After a few blinks of confusion, she returned it.
"They're a good match."
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notes: i love babies! if any of you have any suggestions for themes or ideas don't be afraid to PM me! much love xoxo