Chapter Eleven: The Surprise Visit

Two hours elapsed and the game's fellowship traveled quite a ways in the first evening, encountering various monsters and acquiring new weapons and items from their kills. By then, everyone-sans Valerie-had gotten three beers into their systems and they were beginning to get a little rowdy. Manson, Gray, and even Tatiana developed foul mouths, throwing obscenities and colorful insults at each other. None of them took any offense though. They were comfortable and close enough to call each other something foul in a playful manner, and even laugh at it.

Valerie couldn't help but frown at the insults and obscenities that were slung around, but said nothing about it. She wasn't close to these people as Jackson was to them, and tried not to get involved with any of the insulting.

A short while later, Espurr let out a yawn-as did several of the other Pokemon, who had made their way into the house around an hour ago-, signaling that it was getting late for them.

"It's been fun, but I need to get going," said Tatiana, stretching out her arms and curling them back around the feline.

"Mhm… It's been a fun evening." Jerry placed his hands upon his lower back and released some tension stored away as he turned his attention to Valerie. "Thank you so much for joining us."

Manson nodded and jerked his neck with a resounding pop.

"Wouldn't mind havin' ya again."

"Yeah, same here!" Gray agreed.

A smile graced the black-haired woman's face.

"Hmm. So, do we meet here every week?" she inquired.

"Every Saturday," Jackson affirmed with a nod.

"I just wondered. I wasn't sure if you meet at every one else's house or if this was a regular meeting place."

"It's always here. Each week, someone brings the beer." Jackson paused as he remembered what she said earlier. "But… we can have something different for you."

The young woman's smile pulled wider.

"I would… I would love that."

Another blush dusted over his cheeks.

"What… what would you like me to have here for you?"

She averted her gaze briefly.

"Oh, I don't have any real preferences. Anything non-alcoholic would suit me just fine."

"I'll get something good for you."

Getting up, Gray walked around the couch and made his way to the door to leave for the night. As he pulled the door open, an expression of surprise stole over his face, then was quickly replaced with amusement. Shifting to Jackson's direction, he called over to the man to attain his attention.

"Hey, Jackson! There's a crazy old lady here to see you!"

There was an immediate laugh from what sounded like a middle-aged woman that Jackson was familiarized with. The addressed man's eyes snapped open wide in surprise in response, springing out of his seat and standing straight up.

"MOM?"

Everyone else remaining, too, turned their attention towards the doorway, as they-with the exception of Valerie-recognized the voice, their faces lighting up.

"Oh? Your mother…?" Valerie parroted, pushing herself off of the couch with an investigative stare at the doorway.

"Hahahaha! Juliana's here?" Getting up, Manson pulled two Poke' Balls out of his pants pocket to withdraw his Marowak and his wife's Furfrou before making his way to the door. Spotting a woman that resembled Jackson, wearing dark blue capris, a white tank top, and a yellow sweater with the sleeves tied firmly around her waist, a wide, welcoming smile spread across his face. "Julie! It's been a while!"

Holding her Espurr close, Tatiana leaped from her seat as Jerry collected his Jynx and folded up the chair he had brought, the both of them heading over to meet the woman.

"Hey, Julie!" Tatiana greeted cheerfully. "What brings you here?"

"Hello, Juliana," said Jerry in his own usual joviality. "Looking lovely as ever."

"Hi, everyone!" the woman replied with energetic enthusiasm, her and the Kangaskhan sporting broad grins. "I thought I'd come from Blackthorn for a surprise visit."

"Well, I'm surprised," piped Jackson as he approached the doorway. "Hi, Mom."

Coming up from behind the man, Valerie stopped at his side to fixate her gaze upon the older woman.

"Hello… Juliana? My name is Valerie."

Juliana switched her vision to the woman beside her son.

"Hello, there." There was a brief pause as she studied her facial features and recognition reached her. "THE Valerie? The Gym Leader? My! Keeping my son out of trouble?"

Valerie nodded once, fleetingly distracted as Juliana and Kangaskhan stepped aside to let Jackson's friends outside, Tatiana deciding to stick around for a little longer.

"Indeed, miss. And, yes, he's been… pleasant to be around." She emitted a short giggle. "I never thought I would be meeting you so soon."

"Well, here I am!" she said, spreading her arms out as if presenting herself for the first time. Dropping her arms to her sides, she turned to her son. "And I have something for you, Jackson."

The man's face morphed into an expression of intrigue. Turning around, Juliana bent over and buried her hands into her Kangaskhan's pouch. Fumbling around in the space next to the baby, she pulled out a Pokemon egg. Turning back around, she held out the object to Jackson.

"Happy birthday!"

"Birthday?" Chuckling, Jackson reached out to accept it, cradling it in his arms. "My birthday's not until five months."

"Happy EARLY birthday!"

"Someone's gonna be a daddy," Tatiana said with a smirk, then finally decided to take her leave.

Blinking, Valerie stepped closer to get a better look at the egg.

"Is… is that a Kangaskhan egg, Miss Juliana?"

The older woman giggled.

"Oh, no. It's something entirely different, but I'll leave that a surprise."

"Yeah? Gonna keep me in suspense until it hatches?" Jackson pressed with a playful grin directed at his mother.

"I am."

"Well, if you need any help hatching the egg, I'll certainly be glad to offer my assistance," Valerie proposed.

"I'm sure he's capable of handling it himself," said Juliana. "He has quite a connection with Pokemon."

Shifting her eyes to the other woman, Valerie nodded in confirmation.

"I've no doubt of that. He looks like he has a special affinity for them. His Pokemon love him very much."

Stomping over, Kangaskhan sidled up to Jackson's other side and wrapped her arms around his waist to pick him up in a side hug, causing a few audible cracks and a groan to originate from the man.

"Kangaskhan missed you, sweetie!" Juliana squealed, bliss emanating from her. "Do you have anything to say to her?"

"… My… spine…"

Valerie winced as the cracks reached her ears.

"Are you all right, Jackson?" she questioned, appearing incredibly concerned.

"I'm… fine. Don't worry." Putting on a reassuring and strained grin, he tilted his head up to the Pokemon. "Nice to see you, too, Kangaskhan."

Kangaskhan said her name with a wide berth lighting up her visage, and let him down. Relieved, Valerie lifted a hand to run it down Jackson's arm.

"Good. I was worried for a moment."

Hugging the egg a little tighter, Jackson blushed softly at the touch and turned to Valerie with an affectionate smile. Noticing the look on her son's face, a knowing smirk stretched across Juliana's face.

"Somebody has a crush."

Jackson's blush deepened, his smile fading with embarrassment.

"Uh…"

Going pink in the cheeks, Valerie turned away, brushing a hand over the back of her neck.

"Oh! I knew it!" Juliana exclaimed with a laugh.

Confused, Valerie returned her attention back to the elder woman.

"Knew… what?"

"My son has a crush. He cannot hide anything from me."

Valerie's blush returned.

"Erm… Well…"

"Oh, all right, we won't talk about it." She went quiet as Jackson exhumed a relieved sigh, then spoke again. "I was thinking about going shopping tomorrow at Coumarine City. Would you like to come along, Valerie? Have a little girl time? And I suppose we can bring Jackson." She leaned in to whisper. "And maybe actually get him in some stylish clothes."

This proposition came so unexpected, that Valerie was uncertain of what to say. She just met this woman, and yet, she was inviting her to go shopping with her. She couldn't help but feel touched.

"Oh? Um, all right. That sounds lovely!" she accepted, smile tipping her lips. "Thank you, Miss Juliana."

"A visit to Coumarine sounds fun," said Jackson.

Even though he found the idea of following woman around for hours scouring clothes boring, he was looking forward to spending time with his mother and Valerie. It was a perfect opportunity to get closer to her and get her further acquainted with the other woman, certain that she would just love her.

Not to mention that he had always loved the oceanic atmosphere. A beautiful ocean view was an ideal romantic setup.