Chapter 28

"Operation!" Ariel places her hand in the middle.

"Bye Bye Melody!" the children shout. Yesterday's dinner has been on Ariel's mind. After flying back to the party with her mother, Ariel played with her friends. Misty chose to leave, but she first was subjected to the Oak parents' teasing. It's nothing new to her, especially since she has 3 older sisters.

Misty later came to Delia's house for dinner, like every Saturday. This Saturday, though, Melody managed to say a few things to Misty, which really irked Ariel. She hates Melody a lot, and she hates it even more when Melody comes at her mother. Misty usually wins these battles, but Melody sneaked in a few comments before Delia walked into the room; thus, Misty had to hold her tongue.

Due to this cheap shot, Ariel was even more heated in getting rid of her father's girlfriend. Fortunately, Ariel doesn't need to hang out with Melody much because the girl is either with her father, grandmother, or the Oaks. There have been a few times Melody found Ariel in the girl's bedroom, and Melody would remind Ariel how she should stop stressing out her father. Seeing Ash's effort to spend time with Ariel, Ariel doesn't listen to much of Melody's words about her father not wanting her around. However, the girl does feel bad because she knows her dad is exhausted. Maybe with Melody gone, he'll have more time to himself?

Ash's Room

"You're doing what?" exclaims the brunette.

"I'm gonna find Team Rocket." Ash repeats. He thought Melody would be happier about this. He is fighting crime.

"Ashy, when are you gonna find time for that?"

"I'll make time." He tells her matter of factly. He always makes time for Ariel. He'll continue making time for his daughter.

Shaking her head, Melody looks into her boyfriend's brown eyes. "Ariel is fine now. No one's attacked her since then. You don't need to worry about her anymore."

"I always worry about her! She's my daughter!"

"She's almost 10! She'll be on her journey soon!" Melody reminds him, much to his annoyance. "If you're so sad about her leaving, we can have a child so that it's here when she's gone."

Ash can't do that. Not right now. His focus is his daughter. It's why he's been neglecting Melody a lot more, and he feels bad. However, he does wish Melody would come with him when he leaves their apartment of his mother's house. It'll allow them to spend more time together. He understands that she's working on her singing career, but he's really busy as the champion and as a father. "I'm not replacing Ariel!"

"I'm not saying you should!" Melody, though, is definitely thinking that. "But you know she's wanted to go on her journey for years now. You can't hold her back."

"You're starting to sound like my ex wife."

"What?" Melody exclaims angrily. She knows Ash sees Misty every Wednesday without her, but she never knew they would talk to each other. They don't ever talk at Saturday dinners. "When did you two talk?"

"At Jace's birthday party." Ash shrugs. "I told her I don't want Ariel traveling next year, and she said the same exact thing you did."

"Why are you talking to her?" snaps the brunette. "You're with me, Ash!"

"I'm not cheating on you!" Ash angrily replies. "I was cheated on! Why would I cheat on anyone else? I know the pain!"

"No, Ash-"

"And I have to talk to Misty! She's Ariel's mother! I have to talk to her about my daughter!" Ash just wished his girlfriend would support him. He feels like no one's on his side lately.

Frowning, Melody stands up to approach him. "So you want me to hunt Team Rocket with you?"

"It'd be nice."

"I won't." Ash gives her a hurt expression. "I'll be in the apartment for whenever you want comfort, Ash, but I'll just hold you back if I'm out in danger with you. My Pokemon aren't that strong." Really, Melody would rather stay back and focus on her music career. She's not made to travel the world, especially hunt down a criminal organization.

"I understand." Ash hangs his head, but Melody grabs it to look in his eyes.

With a small smile on his face, she tells him, "I love you, Ashy. I'll always be here, but I really don't want you putting yourself in danger."

In a soft voice, he responds, "I know, but I need to. It's for Ariel's happiness." He brings a hand up to cup hers on his cheek. "I love you too, Melody, and I promise you, once Ariel is safely on her journey, I'll have more time for you." He feels bad that he can't take her on as many dates as he used to.

The woman tiptoes to kiss his lips. "You better treat me like a queen after all of this."

He smiles gratefully at her. "Thanks, Melody." Would he have a child with her? Not yet. Not while Ariel is in danger. Ash also hasn't really thought about it too much. The last time he did, it was when Misty asked him weeks ago. He told her to mind her own business, but really, Ash isn't sure he's ready for another child. It's too nerve wracking. He wasn't even ready for Ariel.

Flashback

"How could this happen?" exclaims the panicking man. He had just arrived home from the League, and it's late in the evening. His wife can tell he's in distress because he declined the dinner she made. He never declines food.

"Um. We had sex, Ash." How else do people get pregnant.

"I know, but I thought we were careful."

"No protection is 100%." She's currently laying on the bed while he's pacing the room. She already went through her shock when she found out she was pregnant, so she's unfazed right now. It's been weeks since she found out, and it's Ash's fault it took him so long to find out.

"I know, but we're not ready, Mist! I'm still busy with the League. You're busy with the gym!"

"So what're you saying?" She narrows her eyes at him. She did think he would bring up getting rid of the baby, though she hopes he won't.

Running a hand through his hair, he whispers, "What if I'm a bad dad?" His scared eyes meet her shocked ones. "I don't have a dad, Misty. I don't know how to be a dad."

Sighing, the woman stands up to grab his hands out of his hair. She intertwined their fingers and brings her free hand up to cup his cheek. Looking into those fearful brown eyes, she kisses him. "Ash, you're gonna be a better father than yours. He didn't set a high bar. As long as you're involved, that's good enough."

"Are you sure?" He isn't sure how to tell the League and change his schedule.

Nodding, the woman tells him, "I know it. You're the sweetest most caring man I know. You'll be a great father."

He nervously brings his free hand to her small baby bump she's been concealing from the public. Resting his forehead on hers, Ash finds himself feeling slightly better, though he's still very scared. "Misty."

"Hm?"

"I can't do this alone."

She fights the urge to roll her eyes. Did he really just say that? She thought she'd be doing this alone due to him being nonexistent. However, she is happy knowing he'll be around more often now. "Idiot, I'm the one who's carrying the baby! We're in this together!"

Ash pulls her close into his chest for a tight hug. He really needs it right now. She's always great at calming his nerves. Breathing into her hair, he says, "I feel better knowing you're the mom."

"Who else would be the mom?" Misty rolls her eyes since he can't see. This nervous man is so cute, she can't help teasing him a little.

Ash, in all seriousness, squeezes her in his arms. "Anyone can be a mom, Mist, but I'm glad you're the mother of our child." There was a time she referred to herself as the mom-friend, and he hated it. However, Misty is motherly. She cares for everyone, and she's very reliable and surprisingly patient. Ash is terrified about this new responsibility, though he's also excited too. He feels a lot better about this pregnancy with Misty on his team. He always feels better with her on his team.

Her face heats up as she now wraps her arms tightly around him too. "I'm glad you're our baby's father, Ash."

Flashback Over

"Hey, Ms. Melody. Can you help us downstairs?" Lauren innocently asks while knocking on Ash's bedroom door. The man curiously looks at his girlfriend. Since when was she close to the Oak siblings.

Melody also gives Ash the same look. She has no idea why the children need her because they all have an unspoken rule to mind their own business. Suspiciously, the woman replies, "What for?"

"Singing lessons!" The kids know that's the only way to get Melody involved, else she'd pass everything off to Delia and Ash.

Melody is enjoying being in the same room as Ash, even though they're both focused on their own work. "What are you singing for?"

"My dad's birthday! We wanna sing him a special song, but we want to make sure we sound good." Lauren knows Melody won't decline helping them because Ash is in the room. It's all a part of their plan.

Before Melody can ask more questions, Ash smiles at her. "You should do it. It'll help you get closer to the kids."

She fights the urge to frown as she fakely smiles at him. "I'm awfully busy, babe."

"Me too, but I can make time for them. You should too. If we get married, Ariel will be your family."

Melody definitely doesn't want anything to do with Ariel. The woman wishes she got Ash long before he had a child. "If?"

He shrugs. "Yeah. We're not getting married this year." Ash has been too focused on work and being a father to think too much about his relationship with Melody.

"Do you even plan on marrying me, Ash?"

"I've been busy." He sheepishly rubs the back of his head while mentally cursing himself. Of course he'd get into this mess.

"We've been together for almost 4 years! We're not getting any younger! Are you wasting my time?" Although Melody loves the perks of being the champion's girlfriend, she wants more. She wants to solidify her relationship with Ash, but he's holding out on her.

"No!" Ash gets up to walk over to her. "I love you, Melody! I really do, but there's a lot going on right now."

Shaking her head in disappointment, the woman walks past him. "Whatever. I'll go watch the kids sing." She mutters.

"Melody." Ash pleads with her. It's not like he's intentionally wasting her time because that'll mean he's wasting his time. No. He loves her. He's just not ready for marriage yet. His only marriage didn't end well. He thought they were in love, and they divorced after 5 short years together. He's just being more cautious right now as to not waste time and to not have another kid he needs to split custody with. Ash Ketchum has learned a lot from his mistakes.

Downstairs, the children can clearly tell Melody is upset, which makes them nervous, though they won't stop now. When she sits down on the couch, she notices Delia isn't around, so she annoyedly says, "Hurry up."

"This is my dad's favorite song." Jace clears his throat. He's trying not to show his nervousness, but it's hard. They hate interacting with Melody because she's so mean.

The children start singing, and they're obviously not as good as her. Melody raises a hand quickly to silence them. "This is awful." The children aren't trying to be terrible. How they sing doesn't really matter to the plan.

"What do you suggest?" Ariel asks.

"You all need singing lessons." She gets up to leave. This is a waste of time.

However, Ariel stops her. "Please help us, Ms. Melody!"

"I'm busy. Call me when you get better."

"You told Mr. Ash you'd help us." Lauren knowingly remarks, making Melody glare at her.

"And I did. Now leave the adults alone."

"My dad will be mad if you come back right away." Melody was only gone barely 5 minutes.

This statement makes Melody narrow her eyes at the raven haired girl who has her boyfriend's heart. "Your father loves me. It's why I'm still around, and I'll be around longer than he was ever with your mother."

"He'll leave you if I ask him to!" challenges the girl.

"Then do it." Melody isn't scared of Ariel. The woman will call her bluff. Else Ash would've left a long time ago because Melody has never been nice to Ariel.

"You're so mean! Even my mom's ex boyfriend was better than you!" If Ariel had to choose between Rudy and Melody, she'd choose Rudy any day. He was at least nice to her and tried to get to know her. Melody wants nothing to do with her.

"And you're just a nuisance. Ash and I can't wait for you to leave for your journey!" Melody snaps.

"Melody!" the angry voice makes everyone shake with a start. During the encounter, Jace had suck upstairs to ask Ash to listen to them sing. Of course the plan was for Ash to witness Melody arguing with Ariel. It's not the first time he's seen it, but Melody played it off as Ariel and her learning to get along. This time, Ash heard clearly what Melody just said, and he's not happy about it.

Looking at his nervous daughter, Ash says, "That's not true, Ariel. You're not a nuisance, and I wish you'd never have to leave me."

She gives him a small grateful smile. "I know, dad."

He knows he'll have to talk to her later, but right now, he's upset at his anxious girlfriend. How dare she talk to his daughter like that. He understands that Melody and Ariel don't get along, but he would expect an adult to control their temper better. "We need to talk."

"Babe, I can explain-"

"You better." Ash hisses as he makes his way back up the stairs. Melody shoots the children one more glare before following him. Oh, she knows what these kids are up to now, and she won't hold back. Two can play at this game.

When they hear the door upstairs shut, the kids high five each other. "Yes!" Lauren whispers.

"I hope this works!" Ariel grins excitedly.

"If it doesn't, it's gonna be harder to trick Melody now." Jace notes, but everyone knew this.

"Stop being such a worrywart, Jace. You ruin everything." his sister pouts.

Ariel giggles and swings an arm around Lauren's neck. "It's okay. I like it when Jace reminds us of consequences." He's the level headed one who usually keeps them out of trouble.

The boy blushes from the compliment. Muttering under his breath, he says, "Yeah."

Upstairs, Ash is very disappointed in Melody. He understands that she's still mad about him not thinking about marriage, but she shouldn't take it out on Ariel or the other children. Ash never takes his frustrations out on anyone, especially Ariel. "You shouldn't have said that to Ariel."

"She was telling me to leave you! I'm sorry!" Melody lies.

Ash shakes his head. "It's not even true! I'm not leaving you two, but if I have to choose…" Ash sighs. "I will always choose Ariel. Don't make me choose, babe."

Melody knows this, and she hates it. It's why she's trying to have his child already, but Ash keeps holding out on her. He's constantly too busy or tired to do anything with her. "I feel lonely, Ash. I hate it!"

"I don't wanna talk about this right now, Melody." Ash narrows his eyes at her. "If I hear you say something mean to Ariel again, it's over. She's been through enough, and she should feel comfortable in her own home." He's pretty surprised with himself for easily bringing up breaking up. He had done it for the first time at the clinic. It was out of frustration then, but he said it. And both times, he doesn't feel bad saying it. He almost feels relieved to let go of another responsibility. Is this how he felt when he got divorced?

As much as he loves being with Melody, he loves Ariel more. He wants to feel supported, and he will definitely not make the same mistake he did when he married Misty. He looks at Melody's shocked gaze. Yes. Ash finds himself feeling numb lately. Ever since he rescued Ariel, his only focus has been on protecting her. He's numbed himself to anything that doesn't have to do with her, which is why he's been neglecting some of his League duties.

"Ash!" insists the woman.

"No, Melody! I'm stressed and exhausted. We're done talking about this." He just wants her to be patient and supportive. Is that too much to ask? Or will she cheat on him too?

I like romance. Not action. So the next couple of chapters are gon be shorter than these ones that had focused on pokeshipping. :P