Chapter Twelve: A Day Out in Coumarine City

The trio exited the cab to be welcomed by the salty air permeating Coumarine City. Immediately, Juliana released her Kangaskhan and Jigglypuff, both Pokemon stretching and yawning as if waking up from a lengthy slumber. Jackson, choosing to keep his Pokemon in their Balls, greeted them with a warm smile. Pausing, he dropped his eyes to the egg in his arms as he felt movement originating from beneath the shell. Valerie chose to let out Sylveon, who stretched out and nuzzled his trainer's leg. Purring softly, he moved over to Juliana to rub up against the woman's legs in a friendly gesture.

Lowering her gaze to Sylveon, Juliana beamed, bringing a hand to the Pokemon's head right before he went back to Valerie.

"What a pretty fairy you are! Yes, you are!" she squealed, then took notice of Jackson out of the corner of her eye and arched a brow with a knowing smile. "Feeling the baby move?"

Lifting his eyes to meet his mother's, Jackson nodded with a soft smile.

"You should have seen him last night," Juliana said as her attention jumped to Valerie. This instantly grabbed Jackson's full attention, the young man tensing up with a blush in predetermined embarrassment. "He was asleep holding the egg in his arms and his Pokemon were curled up around him. It was an absolutely adorable sight!"

The man's blush deepened while Valerie emitted a chuckle.

"I can imagine. Sylveon often curls up next to me in bed."

"My Jigglypuff always sleeps in bed with me and my husband, even though he doesn't like it."

The pink-furred balloon Pokemon closed her eyes with a happy expression as she vocalized a couple of syllables.

"I can understand why." Valerie chuckled. "I wouldn't really like any Pokemon sleeping in the same bed with me and my spouse… Erm, if… I were married."

Jackson stared at the woman in confusion, not really understanding the issue.

"Why not?"

The Gym Leader turned to him.

"Well, my bed would just be for me and my husband, right? I wouldn't mind getting a smaller, separate bed for my Pokemon."

He could understand this, but he would rather be surrounded by Pokemon.

"I just figured sharing a bed with my wife and Pokemon would… mean… more snuggling," he rationalized.

"I suppose it depends on the Pokemon sharing the bed with you," Valerie said, the mental image of sharing a bed with a Sandslash making her slightly wince.

"Would you mind sharing a bed with my Pokemon?" he questioned, his blush returning upon realizing the implication. "I-I mean… uh…"

Julie giggled in amusement while Valerie merely retained her calm smile.

"I suppose I wouldn't mind. That Dratini of yours is incredibly cute."

Jackson was quite pleased with this.

"He loves to cuddle."

"Mhm. He's a sweetheart," Juliana agreed. "You can tell a lot about someone by the personalities of their Pokemon. I'm sure meeting Jackson's Pokemon has said a few things about him."

Giving Valerie a wink, she proceeded to head off into a direction, the younger woman following suit and joining her side with Jackson and the Pokemon at their heels.

Valerie chuckled and nodded.

"They have. They've shown me that Jackson is a very caring individual."

Jackson blushed and averted his eyes, but thankfully was alerted by Jigglypuff of a crack in the sidewalk before he could trip.

The group entered a few clothing stores, scouring the inventory. On a few occasions, Juliana requested the opinion of Valerie on several outfits she had picked out. The Fairy-type trainer was more than happy to utilize her fashion expertise. Explaining to the elder woman that she was once a model, she dispensed tips and pointers on what colors looked best, how some colors blended and complimented each other, even modeling new outfits herself.

After choosing a pair of black dress pants and a white button-up shirt from the men's section, Juliana draped them over her son's shoulder and snatched the egg from his arms.

"Valerie, sweetie, why don't you fit Jackson into those clothes?"

Jackson had been mildly disoriented as his mother suddenly and unexpectedly draped clothing on his shoulder and took his egg, then asked Valerie to escort him to a fitting room.

"Huh?"

Nodding and taking the clothing to fold them over her arm, she grasped onto Jackson's hand with her free hand. Turning into the direction of the fitting rooms, she glanced over her shoulder to smile at the man.

"Well? Shall we try on a new outfit?"

"Uh, sure," he replied, pink dusting over his cheeks and his stomach flopping at the fact that she was holding his hand.

Cradling the egg, Juliana sent the pair a wink as they turned to her one last time, causing the both of them to blush-predominately Jackson. Swallowing hard, the young man followed Valerie to the changing station.

"Um… sorry Mom has been… teasing you… Us," Jackson apologized as Valerie let go of his hand.

She shook her head, showing that she wasn't at all bothered.

"It's fine. My mother likely would have done the same had she been here with us."

Jackson exhaled on a sigh, briefly running his fingers over the back of his neck.

"Yeah. She's… just excited… seeing me with a woman."

Valerie put on a slightly playful smile, handing over the articles of clothing.

"Hoping for someone to take care of you?"

The blush re-appeared on Jackson's face.

"And… having me take care of someone… And grandchildren."

Her smile broadened.

"Ooooh, I would love children," she said, following it with a giggle.

"Heh. Yeah, I love kids. I entertain them for a living, so… I think I'd be a good dad."

The woman went a little pink in her cheeks.

"The way you treat your Pokemon? I would like to think you would, too."

"For now, my Pokemon… are my kids." Jackson gave pause, then spoke again. "That's not weird, is it?"

She shook her head.

"No, not at all. I view my Pokemon the same way… People… Pokemon… we're all one and the same."

"It seems that way, doesn't it? I mean, Fraxure likes to watch cooking shows and cook and bake. Goomy likes to draw. Heck, even Dratini won a few games of poker when we played."

A look of bemusement stole over Valerie's face.

"Really? Huh! I never thought he would have been able to do that… Lack of hands and all."

"He uses his tail and mouth," Jackson clarified, slipping into one of the changing rooms. He remains in there only long enough to change into the dress pants and shirt. He felt a little out of place in the clothing, considering what he was used to wearing. "H… how do I look?"

Looking him over, her face was tinged with a light shade of pink.

"You look rather handsome, actually. Get a blazer and a tie on you, and you'll look like you're ready for a business meeting."

Beaming, another blush bloomed upon Jackson's cheeks.

"H-handsome, huh? Heh… Thanks…"

The man received a confirming nod from the young woman.

"Hmm. Quite handsome."

He felt ecstatic to hear this-that she actually found him handsome.

"I… think I'll get this, then."

After visiting one final store, the group gathered at one of the restaurants located along the seashore, managing to acquire a table along the railing separating them from the ocean. All of the Pokemon had been let out to eat their fill and quench their thirst along with the humans. By the time Jackson was halfway finished with his pasta, the collective chatter of a nearby assembling of people reached his ears, clamoring and leaning over the railing. Following their line of vision, he spotted a pod of Lapras in the distance.

Valerie and Juliana, too, were pleasantly surprised to see an entire horde of the transport Pokemon, gliding over the waves, diving, and breaching. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold.

Gasping in awe with wide eyes, Valerie brought a hand to her mouth, transfixed by the beasts.

"Oh… wow…! How beautiful!"

With the egg now safely secured within Kangaskhan's pouch with her baby, Jackson cupped his hands on both sides of his mouth and let out a Lapras call, causing the Lapras to turn their heads into his direction. He had the ability to imitate many Pokemon, but it had taken many years of practice to perfect. The large male in the front, presumably the leader, even returned the call, which the man responded to.

Valerie whipped her head between him and the Lapras with bewilderment, rather impressed. The people close by, who had invested their curiosity, even seemed impressed-at least intrigued-by the exchange.

After a few more calls, the leader began to direct the pod closer. Grinning, the man pushed himself out of his chair. Removing his vest, wife beater, shoes, and socks, he climbed over the railing and dove right into the water, his mother just sitting there with a calm smile, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.