Summary: Glimpses into the life of Ash and Misty as parents.
Pairing: Ash/Misty; PokéShipping
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor am I affiliated in any way with the Pokémon franchise. This story is merely for entertainment.
11a.m.
"Ash? Misty?" Brock approached the two tentatively. They had been positioned identically for the past half hour, sitting on the front porch, elbows on thighs, chins cradled in hands, staring out unmoving. Brock and Delia had just been letting them sit there, but now Brock was frustrated. He stood, tapping his foot in exasperation, Mimey at his side. A sigh escaped his lips as he muttered, "I didn't want to have to do this." He looked to Mimey, gestured toward Ash and Misty, and Mimey was off. He started sweeping and soon enough Ash and Misty tumbled off the porch and onto the ground.
Once the dust settled, Brock saw Ash and Misty again sitting, this time on the ground. He exclaimed, "Guys, enough is enough!" before picking them up by their collars and leading them inside the house.
"You two need to snap out of it. You weren't nearly this dysfunctional when Charlotte left. Adrian will be fine!" They still didn't say a word. Brock sighed. "Why is it so different this time?"
Ash turned woodenly to Brock. "We're really alone," he said.
"We're empty-nesters," Misty murmured in agreement.
Brock arched his brow and looked at them like they were stupid. Before he could try again to smack some sense into them, the doorbell rang. Neither Ash nor Misty moved, leaving Brock to roll his eyes and go to the front door.
When he came back he smirked a little at Ash and Misty, shaking his head, saying, "Maybe you guys aren't as alone as you thought."
Ash and Misty turned toward him and confusion and saw him walking away, leaving a red-eyed Charlotte standing dejectedly in the front hallway.
Misty leapt up gasping, "My baby!" as she reached her arms out to Charlotte, Ash not far behind.
"What's wrong, baby?" Misty asked gently, causing Charlotte to erupt into sobs.
"He…" Charlotte started between gasps, "left."
"Who?" Ash asked.
Misty rolled her eyes at him, inconspicuously smacking the back of his head before turning back to Charlotte. "Do you know why?"
Charlotte nodded. "His dad took him to go do research in an 'undisclosed location.'"
Ash ran his fingers through his hair, silently cursing Gary.
"I love him, Mama."
Misty looked at Charlotte and knew it was true. She had fallen in love younger than that.
"Don't worry, baby," Misty murmured, rubbing Charlotte's back soothingly. "I had someone I loved leave me, but then he came back." Ash and Misty locked eyes. "He always came back."
A/N: Good to see Brock, huh? I think that he brings a good dynamic to this story. First quick update in a while, huh? The next one will be too. The end is coming, guys!