Part 2 of the three shot "Fist Word" series! This one, of course, focuses on Michelle :)
Alot of you said that Michelle's first word would be "Dada." Are you right? Well...I'm not telling! Read and find out, you sillies ;)
Aiden and Michelle: 8 months old
Michelle's First Word
"Hi! Hi! Hi!"
Ash and Misty both couldn't help but to laugh. It had been just over a month since Aiden had uttered his first word. It hadn't been "Mama" or "Dada" like Misty and Ash had, respectively, hoped, but rather, it had been the simple "hi" that won precedence as the boy's first spoken word. And now he couldn't stop saying it.
"You know that Aiden doesn't realize what "hi" means, right?" Misty asked her husband.
"But…he says it to everyone," Ash reasoned.
"Yeah, but that's just because he likes saying it," Misty shrugged. "He doesn't know that "hi" means you're greeting someone. He just sort of thinks it's a funny little sound he's making."
"Are you sure?" Ash raised an eyebrow.
"Positive," Misty nodded. "Just watch." She picked up one of Aiden's toys: his Chimecho rattle. Shaking it in front of the boy, she cooed, "Aiden, would you like to play with your rattle?"
"Hi!" Aiden held his hands up towards the toy, happily taking it from his mother and shaking it while he laughed.
Turning around, Misty showed off a knowing smirk, remarking to Ash, "See what I mean?"
"Yeah, you're right," Ash sighed. "Oh well. At least he's speaking."
"Michelle hasn't yet," Misty frowned, knowing exactly where Ash was going with this.
"I'm really getting worried, Mist," Ash rested his head in his hand. "She and Aiden are nearly eight and a half months old, and Michelle doesn't even seem close to speaking!"
"The doctor did tell us that she might be behind Aiden in development, but that doesn't make me feel any better," Misty agreed.
"I wonder if it says anything about talking in the baby book…" Ash muttered. "What do you think?"
"It has to, that book seems to have the answer to everything," Misty folded her arms across her chest. "I'll go get it and see what it says, if anything."
She walked out of the kitchen and made her way upstairs, leaving Ash in the room with Aiden. Watching Aiden play with his rattle brought the smile back to Ash's face, who pulled his chair over to sit in front of Aiden, who was seated happily in his high chair.
"Hi, buddy!" Ash greeted brightly.
"Hi," Aiden looked up at his father, causing the older male to beam. It was fun to do that, even though Aiden didn't really know what "hi" meant.
"You like that toy, huh?" Ash folded his arms on the table and rested his head on them.
"Da," Aiden held the rattle out and tapped Ash with it.
"Yes, I'm Dada," Ash grinned. "Can ya' say that yet, bud? You're certainly good at saying "hi," but can you say "Dada"?"
"Da," Aiden repeated.
"Close, but say it twice. Like this: "Dada." How about that? Can you do that?"
Aiden pulled the rattle back, staring down at it as he muttered, "hi, da."
"Not quite," Ash sighed.
"Oh, Ash, stop telling the boy how to speak. He's not going to listen to you."
Ash raised his head and found Misty coming back down the stairs, the thick and ever familiar baby book in her hands. It had basically become her and Ash's survival guide when it came to raising the twins. Almost any question they had, the book managed to answer. It was good, because they both felt bad calling their parents every time they were confused about something involving the babies, especially at the beginning.
"I was just giving it a try," Ash shrugged. "Shouldn't he start saying some more words soon?"
"Probably, but right now I'm more concerned about Michelle," Misty frowned. "She hasn't even said her first word yet. Let's see what the book says…"
She opened it up and browsed the index, eventually finding the heading "Developmental Milestones" and the corresponding page for "Talking." Turning to the page, Misty flipped through a few until she reached a section that was entitled "Talking: When to Be Concerned."
"Oh yeah, that's a reassuring headline," Ash drawled sarcastically.
Misty ignored Ash's quip and scanned the page until she found the paragraph that concerned babies who were 6 to 12 months old.
"Well, according to the book, we should only be concerned if Michelle isn't making any sounds or eye contact with us-"
"Which she does," Ash jumped in.
"Or stopped babbling around the age of 6 months," Misty finished, raising her eyes to look at Ash.
"She didn't really stop, though," Ash bit his lip. "She was never a big babbler in the first place. Michelle is a pretty quiet baby."
"So, according to the book, we have nothing to be worried about," Misty sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Michelle is still babbling and saying her syllables every now and then. I guess it's just taking her longer."
Ash didn't seem thrilled with the idea of this, however. He was really afraid that something was wrong with his daughter. She had already been born with weak lungs, after all. Those had strengthened, and she was healthy now, but she had always been smaller than Aiden and behind him in development. What if something was really wrong with her?
His thoughts were interrupted by the loud screech of the baby girl at hand, who had been upstairs sleeping.
"Michelle's up," Misty sighed.
"Let me get her," Ash cut Misty off before she could get up. "You were just upstairs."
Misty stared at Ash in awe, but didn't say anything in response. The Pokémon Master got up and ruffled his infant son's hair on his way to the stairs, causing the baby to giggle.
"Your Daddy loves you, sweetheart," Misty smiled at her and Ash's young son.
"Hi," Aiden squeaked, hugging his rattle against him.
XXX
Ash took in a deep breath before cautiously opening the door to the babies' nursery. He knew full well what Michelle did when she woke up in such a seemingly bad mood, and had walked in on it one too many times to be tricked by it again.
Stepping inside, Ash stood in place for a second, locking eyes with his volatile baby daughter. She was standing up in the crib, her tiny hands gripping the top of the bars as she glared at her father, still red in the face with tears filling her glaring emerald eyes.
"Hey there, princess," Ash murmured gently. "Were you trying to tell me you're up?"
"Ka!" Michelle screamed, smacking her hand against the top of the bars.
Ash looked at the floor in order to confirm his qualms. Just as he had suspected, a small collection of toys was scattered in front of the crib, clearly having been thrown out by the baby.
"Michelle, it isn't nice to treat your toys like that," Ash smirked. "Hasn't Daddy told you that before?"
Letting out an almost ear shattering scream, Michelle threw herself down in the crib and grabbed another toy, chucking it over the side of the crib to join the others that had gathered on the floor.
"Okay, guess you don't care…" Ash blinked. He hurried over to the crib and leaned over, gathering Michelle in his arms and bouncing her up and down in an effort to soothe her. It seemed to work like a charm, because it only took a second for Michelle to stop crying and instead cuddle her cheek against Ash's neck and shoulder.
"Da…" Michelle cooed.
Ash beamed and held Michelle in front of him, watching as the child held her hands out towards him and stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth.
"I would love to hear you say your first word, little girl," Ash told the baby. "Can you say "Dada"?"
Michelle stopped making any noise, her tongue going back into her mouth and her hands retreating back to her. Ash frowned, wondering why Michelle seemed to become so hesitant when it came to talking. Maybe there really was something wrong with her development.
"Wait…" Ash mumbled to himself, "I think I know someone who could help us!"
Holding the girl closer to him, Ash wandered out of the room, making a mental note to pick up Michelle's thrown toys later. He made his way down the stairs and back into the kitchen, where Misty was still sitting at the table and playing with Aiden.
"Mist, I've got an idea!" Ash beamed.
Misty glanced up and beamed at her baby girl, who instantly began to babble and hold her arms out for the gym leader.
"You can tell me once you give me my sweet little girl," Misty cooed.
Ash handed the baby off, who squealed in delight once she was in her mother's arms. Misty giggled adoringly and kissed the top of Michelle's head, bouncing the infant up and down on her lap before turning her towards Aiden so the two could interact.
"Hi!" Aiden shrieked, causing both Ash and Misty to laugh heartily. Michelle, however, did not seem as pleased, as she leaned away from her brother until her back was against Misty's body.
"How about we take the twins to Professor Oak?" Ash suggested to his wife. "He seems to know lots about babies!"
"Ash, he's a Pokémon professor, not a baby professor," Misty raised an eyebrow. "How will he be able to tell us if something is wrong with Michelle?"
"He may not be a baby expert, but he's really smart about a lot of stuff," Ash reasoned. "He always seems to be able to help us out with baby questions."
"I guess it couldn't hurt," Misty looked down at Michelle, who, sensing this change in her mother's attention, titled her head back and made eye contact with the older red head, grinning widely at her. Misty, of course, melted at this, and gave the baby a gentle hug as she returned the happy smile.
"The Professor loves the babies anyway," Ash chuckled. "So, even if he can't help us, at least the kids will have fun!"
XXX
"Ma…da…ka…ba…ya…"
Ash glanced down at the babies, who were being pushed by Misty in their double stroller. Since it was such a nice, mid August day, the young parents had decided to take the ferry to Pallet Town and then walk to the Professor's lab from there. Aiden had been babbling practically the entire time, squeaking out every last syllable that he knew.
"What a smart little guy," Misty giggled.
Michelle, on the other hand, still seemed to be pretty grouchy. She hadn't been overly happy all morning, save for when Ash and Misty had first cuddled her. She had been making a very angry face during the entire ferry ride, and now that they had arrived in Pallet Town, she was still sporting that same miserable expression. Misty, of course, didn't like to see her little baby in such a disposition, so she had been trying her hardest to cheer the girl up.
"Coochie coochie coo!" Misty squealed, tickling the infant's cheek. Michelle, in turn, had kicked her legs up and flailed her arms, letting out a series of displeased whimpers simultaneously.
"I don't think she wants to be touched, Mist," Ash frowned.
"Hey, I'm trying to cheer her up here!" Misty barked.
Michelle started to cry, her arms and legs settling down as she simply focused on wailing. Misty deepened the glare she had set on Ash before taking Michelle out of the stroller and holding her against her chest, shoving the stroller into Ash's possession.
"Take it," Misty seethed.
"Alright, alright," Ash sighed. Pikachu, who had been sitting on Ash's shoulder, jumped now onto Misty's, peering down at the crying baby with curious black eyes.
"Hush, little baby," Misty whispered to her daughter, hugging her close and rubbing her back. "It's okay, don't cry! Why are you so upset today, little darling?"
Pikachu tilted his head down and poked his nose against the top of Michelle's head, muttering a simple, "pika?"
Michelle gazed up at Pikachu, her face red from crying so violently. The little mouse just smiled and continued to rub his nose against Michelle's face, squeaking, "pika, pika, pika. Pikachu!"
Much to Ash and Misty's surprise, Michelle began to giggle and reach up for the electric type, the tears in her eyes evaporating just as quickly as they had appeared.
"Pa…" Michelle murmured so quietly that no one heard her.
"Hey, great job, Pikachu!" Ash complimented his partner.
"Yeah, thanks so much," Misty smiled at the electric type.
"Kachu…pi," Pikachu blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. No problem…heh.
XXX
Aside from Michelle's sudden outburst of tears and screaming, the trip to Professor Oak's lab was an easy one. Misty had decided to carry Michelle the rest of the way, since she didn't want to deal with anymore crying from the baby girl.
When they finally reached the door, Ash lifted Aiden into his arms and decided to leave the stroller outside. Misty rang the doorbell, with Michelle reaching out to try and do the same exact thing.
"Ma…" Michelle babbled.
"Well, well, look at you," Misty cooed to the baby. "You've been chattering up a bit of a storm since Pikachu calmed you down!"
"Ma," Michelle repeated.
The door then opened, Professor Oak coming into view. Michelle looked up at the older man and formed a little 'O' shape with her lips, a tiny squeak accompanying the slight change in expression.
"Hi!" Aiden chirped, his eyes sparkling.
Professor Oak was obviously surprised by Aiden's greeting, as he glanced down at the child with wide eyes. Aiden simply giggled in response, leaning against Ash as he stuck his fingers in his mouth.
"Well, I see that Aiden learned his first word," Professor Oak grinned.
"He sure did!" Ash was clearly proud of the fact. "Although he doesn't actually know what the word "hi" means."
"He just says it constantly," Misty added. "Although, you must admit that his timing is pretty impeccable."
"Hi," Aiden laughed, his fingers still in his mouth.
"It's lovely to see the two of you," Professor Oak beamed at the young parents. "Please, come inside! I just made a fresh pot of tea, it's a new kind I'm trying out. It just shipped in from Sandgem Town. Professor Rowan recommended it to me."
Ash and Misty followed him inside, Michelle still reaching up to poke her fingers at Pikachu. Professor Oak took notice of this and chuckled.
"What's up, Professor?" Ash blinked.
"Your daughter is a curious little thing," Professor Oak motioned towards the baby. "She's certainly interested in Pikachu!"
Ash turned his own eyes onto the baby, smiling at the sight. "Yeah, she likes Pokémon, just like me! I show her and Aiden them all the time. Michelle really seems to be attached to Pikachu, though."
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked, his ears twitching.
"Pa!" Michelle babbled.
Professor Oak led them into his living room, where Ash and Misty put the twins down in a fenced off corner that was usually set up for Gary's son. Ash followed Professor Oak into the kitchen to discuss his concern, while Misty stayed behind to watch the twins in the enclosure.
"What's troubling you and Misty, my boy?" Professor Oak asked Ash as he walked over to the steaming teapot on the stove top.
"We're afraid that Michelle might have a developmental delay," Ash bit his lip. "After the whole ordeal with her lungs when she was born, everything sort of freaks us out."
"Understandable," Professor Oak smiled sympathetically. "Now, what makes you and Misty think that she's not developing properly?"
"Michelle doesn't even seem close to saying her first word yet," Ash explained. "It's been over a month since Aiden said his, but he was babbling all the time and super expressive. Michelle babbles, but not nearly as much as Aiden. It's like she's not even trying! And Misty and I keep hearing that babies should say their first word at or around 7 months old."
"Hmm, I see," Professor Oak nodded. "To be honest, I wouldn't be too concerned that Michelle hasn't said her first word yet."
Ash was surprised by this answer. Relieved, but surprised. "Really?"
"Oh, yes. You see, I've been observing the twins ever since they were born. I'm always fascinated by the development of multiple children, human or Pokémon. It's amazing that, although the offspring grew in the same space at the same exact time, and are born at the same time and raised the same way by the same parents, they turn out to be completely different individuals."
"So, you've noticed that with Aiden and Michelle?" Ash inquired.
"Ever since they were newborns," Professor Oak confirmed. "Even then, I could tell that Aiden was going to be a very happy, energetic child, while Michelle would be more quiet and reserved. As they got a little older, it became apparent to be that Aiden's development was ahead of Michelle's, which really isn't uncommon in twins."
"It's not?" Ash breathed.
"Not at all," Professor Oak chuckled. It was easy to tell that Ash was very nervous. "Between the weaker lungs and her always being smaller than Aiden, it was pretty easy to tell. But rest assured, my boy, your daughter is a perfectly healthy child. There's nothing wrong with her."
"Not even with the lack of speaking?" Ash murmured.
"Absolutely not," Professor Oak laughed gently. "My oldest didn't say his first word until he was 9 months old, and he was always a quiet one. But my youngest said her first word at 6 months old and learned them rapidly. It really just depends on the child."
"What a relief," Ash sighed, holding his hand over his heart. "I can't wait to tell Misty."
He was blushing, which led the Professor to clap a hand over Ash's strong shoulder. "You don't have to embarrassed, Ash. The twins may be nearly 8 and a half months old, but everyday with them is still a new experience for you and Misty. And your concern for your baby girl is very touching."
Ash smiled sheepishly and slowly nodded his head. "Thanks Profess-"
"ASH!"
The Pokémon Master and Professor locked eyes, both wide with horror at the sound of Misty's cry. They both ran into the living room, finding the gym leader to be holding a screaming Aiden in her left arm and keeping her right hand on Michelle, who was still sitting in the enclosure.
"Misty, what the hell is going on in here?" Ash gawked.
"Michelle bit Aiden!" Misty yelped, looking over her shoulder at Ash and displaying a frantic expression on her face.
"What?" Ash gasped.
"I don't know," Misty fretted, "Michelle started to pout again, and Aiden must be sensitive to his sister's feelings because he tried to play with her. He was picking up different toys and showing them to her. I thought it was cute, and Aiden was babbling the whole time happy as could be. Out of nowhere, Michelle just grabbed Aiden's arm and bit him!"
"Oh dear," Professor Oak frowned.
"But…that doesn't sound like Michelle at all…" Ash looked extremely troubled.
Aiden was wailing very loudly, so Misty took her right hand off of Michelle in order to encircle the crying baby boy in both of her arms. "Oh, my poor baby," Misty kissed him on the head. "Let Mama see your arm…" She held up the child's injured arm and studied the spot where Michelle had bit him.
Ash marched over to the enclosure and leaned over, giving the baby girl a harsh glare. She looked fairly calm, and his angry gaze wasn't doing much to change that. Ash knew he couldn't yell. Michelle was only a baby, and in reality, she probably didn't realize what she'd done wrong. Still, though, he couldn't go on and pretend that she hadn't done anything.
"Michelle…" Ash's voice was stern. "That was bad. Bad."
The baby girl let out a quiet squeak, simply staring back at her father.
"You cannot bite your brother," Ash made sure to say every word slowly and clearly so it wasn't strange for the baby to hear. He couldn't be sure she even understood him, but he had to make an effort. "That's wrong."
"Pa?" Michelle crawled over to the partition and stood up, gripping her hands to the top of it and staring up at Ash with her wide, emerald eyes.
Ash could feel his heart melting, but he knew he couldn't give into it. Michelle would never learn that way. He had to be tough with his baby. So, narrowing his eyes, Ash shook his head and added, "no, Michelle. You were bad."
"Pa!" Michelle repeated.
"Ash, could I perhaps suggest something?" Professor Oak's voice floated back into Ash's ears.
He looked over his shoulder and found the older man standing with a contemplative expression on his face. Misty had noticed this as well, even as she was busy bouncing a now calm Aiden up and down.
"Uh…sure," Ash blinked.
"This may sound a little strange, but I think that Michelle might be jealous of Aiden," Professor Oak mused.
"Jealous?" Ash and Misty chimed together.
"Babies are much smarter than most people give them credit for," Professor Oak continued. "They understand one another. Michelle may sense that Aiden is more outgoing than her, and that might frustrate her. Not to mention, since Aiden did just say his first word and everyone is fawning over him for it, she might be getting upset over the fact that she isn't receiving the same attention and praise."
With his mouth still agape, Ash looked down at Michelle and murmured, "I never thought of that."
"Most people wouldn't," Professor Oak smirked. "Babies are underestimated."
"Pa…" Michelle squeaked.
Twitching his ears, Pikachu jumped into the enclosure and pawed at Michelle's leg. "Pika, pika, pika."
Michelle looked down at the electric mouse and watched him intently, as if she didn't know how to react.
"Pikachu always gives Michelle lots of love and attention," Misty giggled. "He's very protective of our little girl."
Looking up at her parents, Michelle let out a tiny giggle. Deeming that he had done his job, Pikachu climbed up the gate that separated Michelle from her parents and perched himself back onto Ash's shoulder.
"Nice work, buddy," Ash smiled at his partner.
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered happily.
Michelle reached her hand out towards Ash, wiggling her tiny fingers as she held her arm out. Ash noticed this and chuckled lovingly, patting the girl's head.
"What is it, Michelle?" Ash asked.
"Pa…pika!" Michelle squealed.
Ash's eyes widened, although he kept his hand on Michelle's head. Misty and Professor Oak were equally as shocked, but instead of staring at Michelle, they all stared at the little yellow Pokémon on Ash's shoulder.
"Michelle's first word…" Misty murmured.
"And it's for…Pikachu?" Ash turned his own enlarged orbs onto the electric type.
"Pi…pika?" Pikachu pointed at himself.
Cooing, Michelle reached closer to Pikachu, crying out excitedly, "pika!"
The mouse Pokémon blinked a few more times before bursting out into a huge grin and jumping back into the fenced off corner with Michelle, rubbing himself against her leg. "Pipikachu! Pikachu pikapi!"
Michelle threw herself down and babbled happy nonsense, petting her father's prized Pokémon and completely ignoring the adults who were gathered in front of the gate.
"Well, there's something I've never seen before!" Professor Oak laughed heartily.
"I can't believe it…" Ash smacked his forehead. "Aiden didn't say "Dada," and Michelle didn't say "Dada." I got nothing. Pikachu got more than me!"
"Oh, relax, he got more than I did, too," Misty scolded her husband.
"I've lost out to a Pokémon," Ash groaned.
"Kakaka," Pikachu laughed at his trainer's misfortune. Michelle squealed and joined Pikachu in his giggling. She enjoyed doing whatever the Pokémon was doing.
"Thanks, Pikachu," Ash grumbled. "Thanks for laughing at my misery."
"Pika!" Michelle chirped.
Ash sighed and allowed his shoulders to fall. Sometimes, he just felt like he'd never win.
Nope, it wasn't Dada! Poor Ash :P It's just too easy with this guy, I swear. So yeah, he lost out to a Pokemon for Michelle's first word. Hurts a little bit, no? ;) He'll get over it.
Last but not least is Elizabeth! Any guesses at her first word? Leave it in the reviews! I would love to know what everyone thinks :P See if we're going in the same direction, teehee.
