Chapter 14:
After a few seconds of walking hand in hand Ash & Serena made their way to the back door beyond which Grace along with Kelli and Kyle were waiting for them. Luckily for the young couple however much to their internal relief the group didn't exactly seem concerned. Kelli was just continuing to play with Pikachu and Sylveon while Grace continued playing with baby Kyle. As Ash & Serena stepped on the back porch and into the warm tropical air of their adopted home region they found themselves immediately addressed by Grace; "I see you're doing better" referring to her daughter the young Honey Blonde woman as she took the seat across from her mother.
It was an observation from her mother that Serena chose not to answer with words rather she opted to answer by turning her head allowing her to look back at Ash who was standing behind her with a smile as he placed his hands gently on her shoulders It was a gesture that told the retired Rhyhorn racer that it was Ash who brought the smile back to her daughters face. It was a scene that even made Grace smile as she noticed Serena's focus had shifted from her and back to her grandson who was giggling in her arms.
As Serena and Grace's attention returned to baby Kyle; Ash decided to reluctantly let go of Serena's shoulders before walking off the porch to play catch with his daughter and his and Serena's pokemon. A couple hours passed as the young family continued to enjoy the beautiful Alolan day but just as Kelli was about to throw the ball back to her dad with Pikachu and Sylveon standing between them ready to intercept the ball at a moment's notice they found their game interrupted by another voice coming from the side of the house.
"Hello Ash... Serena... are you back here!?"
It was a voice that everyone immediately recognized and was surprised by none more so than Ash however as he watched his mom and Mimey appear from around the corner. Ash was in fact so surprised the only thing he could say was; "MOM!?" with a look of pure surprise on his face. While his daughter on the other hand ran to Delia with an ear to ear grin on her face with her arms stretched out wide; As the honey blonde girl approached her grandmother Delia got down on her level and mirrored the gesture allowing Kelli to run straight into the biggest bear hug her grandmother could muster as Delia continued to hug her granddaughter Delia couldn't help but ask her if she was being a good girl for her mom and dad? To which Kelli responded with a muffled yes as she tried to talk through her grandma's pull over. As Kelli pulled away from her grandmother her attention immediately shifted to Mimey not wanting to forget to give him a hug too. It was a touching sight to everyone as they smiled at Kelli even Grace who was currently and reluctantly handing Kyle back to Serena confident that little Kyle was the reason for Delia's "unannounced visit."
Soon after and With Kyle now back in her arms Serena's gaze fixated back to her husband then to her mother in law who was being escorted up the steps by her daughter. As Delia climbed the last step onto the back porch her Gaze was focused on the little boy in Serena's arms who Serena herself was looking at with a longing stare as she whispered to her baby son;
"Kyle this is your grandma Delia do you want to meet her?" After Serena asked her and Ash's son everyone's attention focused on Kyle who seemed to answer Serena's question by shifting his gaze from his mother over to Delia making everyone smile at how cute Kyle was being at the moment. Serena however took Kyle's actions as a yes as she extending him out to Delia who quickly took him into her arms as she introduced herself to her grandson.
Delia was so distracted by this in fact she didn't even notice Serena getting up from her seat so that she could have it. It was an action Delia protested at first assuring Serena that her actions weren't necessary and that she could stand but her daughter in law was persistent. Serena insisted to her mother in law that it was okay for Delia to take her seat she was their guest after all.
The two debated it for a couple of minutes before Delia finally backed down and reluctantly took the seat Serena vacated as she continued getting acquainted with her grandson. It was a sight that finally brought Serena's smile back as she stepped back next to Ash and took her husband's hand in hers. After a couple minutes Grace Delia and even Kelli to strike up a conversation with one another so Ash and Serena decided to take advantage of this moment to return inside to prepare some drinks for everyone.
Upon entering their now quiet home Ash and Serena made their way through their seating room and into the kitchen once there Ash proceeded over to the cabinet where they kept their drinking glasses while Serena walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out the large pitcher of Ice tea she had made this morning. Once the young couple finished their respective tasks; Ash and Serena made their way over towards the island that was situated in the middle of the kitchen where Serena decided to break the awkward silence of the room; "Looks like everyone is having fun; doesn't it Ash?"
Hearing Serena's voice made the raven haired trainer immediately turn his attention towards his wife and when Ash's eyes made contact with Serena's Ash responded to Serena's question with not just an answer but another question; "Sure does Serena; It's been awhile since our parents came for a visit hasn't it!?"
It was a question that took the performer aback as she realized Ash was quite correct about this being the first time in a while their parents had come to visit let alone both their parents at the same time. So Ash's question was one Serena could only answer with a nod of her head but it did get Serena thinking this was a special time a special occasion so it was then Serena decided to make a suggestion; "Why don't we invite our parents to stay for dinner with us, have a nice family dinner?"
It was a suggestion Ash was quite fond of; he really did think it was a great idea but the raven haired trainer couldn't help but ask a somewhat obvious question; "Sounds great Serena but, isn't it a little late to get a meal together?" Serena couldn't help but laugh at her husband's question again this was an obvious question but at the same time she couldn't believe Ash of all people would underestimate her about anything. So the honey blonde trainer just answered her husband by whispering in his ear; "don't worry about a thing Ash I can do this no problem!" before winking at Ash which of course relaxed the raven haired trainer his wife never let anybody down and it was one of the traits Ash loves most about Serena she answered the question exactly like he thought she would and he expected no less as Ash shared a smile with Serena as the two picked up the trays of drinks and headed back outside to their guests.
Once outside Serena and Ash placed the trays of drinks on the table where everyone proceeded to each take a glass from them and began to drink all in agreement that Iced tea was the perfect way to cool off from the hot Alolan sun that was beating down on all of them even if they were sitting under the awning.
Eventually as the Ketchum family continued enjoying their time together and their conversations; Serena brought up her and Ash's conversation they had inside and invited both Grace and Delia to join them for dinner.
It was a suggestion that astonished The two mothers especially with it being on such short notice so late in the day and at first both Grace and Delia were reluctant at first to accept their kids invitation as they wished not to impose and cause an extra hassle but, both their kids were persistent and very persuasive as and Serena convinced their parents that it was no big deal and that had been so long since they had an opportunity to have a meal together. Eventually Grace and Delia realized their kids were not going to take "NO" for an answer so they conceded and accepted Ash and Serena's offer to join them for dinner. Hearing their mothers accept their invitation brought a smile to both Ash and Serena's face as Serena walked back into the house to get dinner started with Ash following suite to give his wife a hand but not before escorting their guests inside their home and into their sitting room so they could all continue their visit and enjoy each other's company out of the hot Alolan sun that was beating down on this crystal clear tropical afternoon.