Chapter Eighteen
"Arceus, Celia..."
Piers breathed through his nostrils.
"You like?"
Man deadpanned.
"Lawd, you are perfect."
"I try."
Woman shrugged, wearing floor length deep scarlet gown, sweetheart neckline, figure hugging velvet drawing husband's eyes, keeping them on her.
Putting in pearl earrings, woman grabbed bottle of perfume.
"Ready? Our taxi is due in ten minutes."
"I am." Piers fixed bow tie, his suit the same shade as his wife's dress. "'appy birthday, crackin' stunner."
"Thank you, Dashin' Dog." Celia wrapped arms around her husband, kissing him deeply. "Mmm. Remind me to thank Marnie for taking Sylvain for the night, and Bianca, for taking Scott."
"An' yourself, for quick thinkin', gettin' us a 'otel."
"Of course. If we get a little merry, we only have to walk for three minutes to the hotel. Hearthome is great like that, its buildings are in clusters."
"Specific..."
Man smirked.
"I try..."
Celia readjusted Kirby grips, hair ramrod straight, slicked back. Piers had pulled back his hair, Celia braiding it from the crown, white, black, white, black, grey, he laughed at that, deciding ageing was hilarious, instead of panicking about it.
Though, he wasn't looking forward to things heading southward, Celia looking at her chest when he casually commented on himself. He quickly assured her that he loved her, no matter what/what did not happen to her body. His wife said the same, cuddling her on the couch one of his favourite things.
Woman fixed her lipstick, the couple checking their makeup. Deeming themselves 'alrigh,' they headed out of the door.
"Evening, everyone."
Celia took poke balls out of canvas tote bag, letting out both her and Piers' teams, creatures stretching their legs, heading over to join gym leader's Pokemon.
"Bonjour, Celia. Tu es si belle!"
Fantina made her way over, holding younger woman's hands.
"Joyeux anniversaire chérie."
Celia grinned.
"Merci, mon ami."
Fantina looked at Piers, bowing gracefully.
"You are a lucky man, Piers, non?"
"Extrêmement."
Woman squealed.
"You used the t at the end!"
Celia laughed, dress suddenly becoming too tight, woman's fondness for elasticated clothing conveniently ignored, that night...
Two balls remained in the bag, Celia eyeing them, cautiously.
You guys want to come out? You don't have to, I understand.
Two resounding cries made trainer laugh.
That's a yes, then...
Earlier that day
"Piers, daft sod..."
Celia chuckled, blindfold preventing her from seeing anything, though she knew she was being led outside, smell of roses meant it was the garden.
"And, Ici!" He sent out a Pokemon.
Celia kept eyes closed, peering from under eyelashes.
"Oh, Dieu! Piers!"
His wife squealed, spinning around, wrapping arms around his neck, kissing him with gusto.
Two Ralts were behind her, checking out their surroundings.
"Identical twin girls, very rare. Marn told me about' 'em, they were born three months ago in the Day Care Centre. We debated it, 'cause we reckoned it migh' bring up the past. 'appy birthday, Celia."
His wife blushed, flush to her neck.
"The past? That's fine, Piers. My past experiences with Ralts have been wonderful. I, this is so thoughtful. I love how considerate you are. You indulge me."
Piers smiled.
"You got me Raven, for me birthday, an' I wanted to return the favour."
"Uh," Celia made face, "I said your behaviour was a tad childish, to Calypso. I am so sorry."
"Ah. That's why she was frownin' at ya. Nah, it was, love. I appreciate your 'onesty."
"I wasn't exactly paragon of maturity. Thank you, my sublime mari."
"You're very welcome."
"Hello, little ones."
Celia knelt, Piers kneeling beside her. The Ralts on their left walked up to woman, sniffing her, reaching out, arm on her shoulder. The Ralts on their right was more unsure, keeping distance.
"Its alright, little one."
Confident Ralts' violet eyes looked, intently into Celia's golden eyes, intensely studying her, her mind, too. Celia shared her thoughts with the Pokemon, Ralts seeing Mnemosyne, the two meeting Zeus, two eggs, another Gallade, Jupiter, woman having given him to Piers, and a second male she gave to her Father.
"This is my husband, Piers. You know him already, don't you? He befriended you."
Ralts nodded, looking to her sister, free hand outstretched. Her sister approached, siblings passing information, calling to each other.
"Would you like to be my friend?"
Ralts tilted head, smile forming, simpering quickly, nodding second time.
"And, you, sweetheart? You can stay out here, if you want. I can make you up a bed, complete with heat pad, plenty of food and leave the door open, so you can come and go, as you please. It isn't too cool, yet."
Woman pointed to basket.
"Oh? Its empty? Someone must have been hungry..." She mused. "Likely Angelite. Her appetite rivals yours, Piers..."
Man snorted, twin Ralts giving him their approval, in the form of wrapping their arms around his wrist.
"Zeus did that..."
Celia sniffled.
"His son, Jupiter is alive, but he is getting on. Would you like to meet him?"
Creatures nodded, smiles all round.
"Could you bring the adorable little ladies some apples, please, Piers? I bet they are hungry. Thank you."
Kissing his cheek, Celia made her way into their bedroom, retrieving Jupiter's ball.
"Jupiter? Meet the newest members of my team! Take it easy, girls, he is an older gent."
Jupiter flew from ball, squinting at trainer. Celia chuckled.
"'ere."
Piers crouched, handing Ralts twins an apple, natural born leader taking bite, levitating it in front of her. Her sister placed it on the grass, taking dainty nibbles.
Jupiter declined, feeling more tired than usual, Celia's heart thudding. She tried to stay positive, but her change in mood was picked up on, by the Ralts twins, the two levitating to Jupiter, magenta aura surrounding them, trying to heal him.
Celia's heart hurt, it was never easy, losing a member of her team.
No, a member of her family...
"Would you like to come in?"
Ralts took her sister's hand, letting her take them inside, both humans melting, sight sweet.
"Its a bit of a mad house, sometimes. We are a blended family, Pokemon and humans. We aren't just trainers, we hope to be friends, too."
Celia looked at the clock.
"Lunch time. Need to start getting ready at four, being picked up at seven. Want to stay here, you two?"
Tilting head, honey locks slipped over eyes. She huffed.
"I really ought to come up with names..."
Piers grabbed some bread.
"You've only 'ad 'em for five minutes."
"Already have."
Celia gestured to the first Ralts, play fighting with Jupiter. He swat at her, girl flying around him gracefully. The grin on his face told humans he was messing around.
If he wanted to send her flying, he would.
He decided to humour the Ralts, bladed arms still quick off the draw.
The second Ralts was sniffing house plants, peering into cupboard Piers opened, the fridge. He pulled chair over, Ralts perching on its back, investigating his every move.
Observing this, woman made decision.
"Since you named your Gallade the Roman equivalent of Zeus, I believe I have come up with appropriate names. Chair Ralts?"
Her husband spluttered.
"'Chair Ralts'..."
Celia stuck her tongue out.
"Wants to be among nature, its abundance, enjoys apples, and Pomona comes from the Latin word for fruit, orchards. Apples are grown in orchards. Pomona! Pomona, do you like that?"
Chair Ralts nodded, slight blush colouring cheeks peach hue.
"Hello, Pomona."
"Want a sandwich, love?"
Celia nodded.
"Just cheese, on wholemeal bread, please. Don't want to eat too much, buffet dinner tonight."
Piers looked forward to that.
"Got ya." Pomona held out hand, wanting some cheese. "Sorry, Pomona, you can't 'ave this. Dairy wrecks 'avoc on Pokemon's stomachs. Trus' me," Piers frowned, "we found tha' out the 'ard way..."
Dainty whine left Pomona's mouth, eye roll thrown in, for good measure.
"Did you jus'...give me sass?"
Celia burst out laughing, nodding approval.
"And you, miss?"
Ralts sat on top of Jupiter's head.
"Likes fighting, cheeky, creative, in your efforts in messing with Jupiter, wise, learns quickly, and, for us, an association with music? Minerva."
Minerva giggled, floating towards Celia, hand out. Ralts clearly liked her trainer's description, and accepted the name.
"Pomona and Minerva."
She held out arms, both creatures floating into them.
"Hello, ladies."
She hugged them, Piers grabbing phone, taking picture.
"'ello. Do I get a 'ug too?"
Pokemon tilted their heads.
"Hug."
Piers coughed, Celia giggling.
"Its his accent."
Man tutted, turning back to make sandwiches. Minerva and Pomona danced over, spinning their way over to him, enveloping his neck with their arms.
Celia got out her phone and took a picture, swooning for millionth time.
That evening
Minerva flew from ball, standing on Celia's shoulder. Pomona was reluctant, looking at large crowd inside Contest Hall, converted into party room.
"You alrigh', Pomona?"
Ralts nodded, holding onto Piers' arm, for dear life.
"Sure?"
Again, a nod, but couple weren't so sure...
"Celia!" Two Ralts surprised crowd, Crasher Wake pushing his way through, laughing heartily. "Congratulations!"
Celia smirked.
"Three months, no symptoms, sailed through it, and, they are twins."
"It is like we've jus' become parents again. Evenin' Wake."
"Evening, Piers. What are their names?"
"Pomona and Minerva. They are very young, and small, so," she raised her voice, so other leader's Pokemon could hear, all of them messing around in one corner, room (fortunately) having high ceilings, "no squishing them okay? Please?"
Leaders chuckled, Minerva setting herself on table, giving humans the once over.
"You don't have to play with them, okay? They understand. You are still, technically babies. They are fully grown."
"Woah, 'ey there."
Celia looked at Piers, man clutching Ralts.
"She is shakin' like a leaf. I'm goin' to 'ead outside, fresh air will 'elp."
His wife nodded, Candice trying to get her attention, pointing to table of presents.
Blond kissed Pomona on her forehead, Pokemon flushing, Piers heading outside.
Celia would have watched, but was being pulled towards gift, Ice and Ghost type Gym leaders squealing all the way...