Chapter 22
A few months later
Nothing has really changed at the Cerulean City Gym. Misty continues with her steady flow of challengers, but once the holidays arrived, the numbers lowered as the temperature got colder. She closed her gym for the holidays; now that she is nearing maternity leave, the League is sending someone to sub for her once the gym opens up again at the end of January. Ash would've volunteered again, but he will also be on paternity leave soon.
Nathan still stops by when he can, which is mostly on the weekends where he talks to Ash. Ash tried to get Nathan to interact with Clementine as much as possible, but the man just wasn't getting the hint. The bullying at Clementine's school has stopped. She tells her aunts about Cole every day as well as the various other friends she's made. Daisy and Tracey had decided to visit for Thanksgiving as well as Misty's birthday in November. Daisy had then returned to Johto while Tracey worked with Professor Oak on a special project the older man had called him for.
For Christmas, Daisy was back again, and much to everyone's dismay, so was Nathan. He had brought everyone expensive gifts, but Misty could tell he only put thought into Ash's gift. Despite the wealthy man's presence, the Waterflowers were still able to have lots of fun at their Christmas party. Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Politoed, and Squirtle dressed up in Santa hats. Even Ash joined in on the fun by putting on a Santa outfit that Clementine clearly saw through. Lily and her new boyfriend, Henry, were walking around with mistletoes making the couples kiss. They even got Clementine to fall for it too, so she gave her Auntie Lilly lots of kisses. Once Nathan had left, the family was able to enjoy themselves more freely.
A week later, Misty finally got the New Year's Kiss she's always wanted. Jealous, Clementine had pouted until Ash and Misty turned back the clock in her room and the adults gave the girl a kiss on each of her cheeks once midnight struck 'again'. Daisy and Tracey have been staying in a hotel nearby since the holidays are really close together and Clementine's birthday is near too.
For Clementine's birthday, she told her family that she doesn't want a party this year. The girl is really sad since it is also the night her mother passed away; although, Violet officially died the day after Clem's birthday. Misty and Ash manage to convince the girl to celebrate her day of life since it is what her mom would've wanted. They decide to have a small celebration in the house with only her family.
At school, Cole had given her a card when he found out it was her birthday. Ash takes off work in order to make it for Clem's birthday party. Nathan arrives too with an expensive toy for Clementine who thanks him. Ash gives the little girl a young Squirtle he had managed to get from Gary, despite Misty's concerns.
"Whoa! Is she really mine?" exclaims the now 5 year old.
Ash smiles and nods. "Give her a name!"
Clementine thinks while hugging the Squirtle. "Ruru! It's short for Cerulean!" Ruru smiles at the girl and hugs her too. Clementine then tackles Ash into another huge hug. "Thank you, Uncle Ashy! This is the best birthday gift ever!" Her and Ruru run off leaving Ash to deal with the annoyed looks of his future in-laws.
"Heh heh. What?" He nervously laughs.
"You just had to get her a Pokemon." Misty, now 8 months pregnant, crosses her arms.
"Ruru is just a baby. Besides, I'll leave Pikachu here to watch over them." Shrugs the man.
"I'm jealous, Ash. I used to be her only uncle, so I was automatically the favorite uncle." Tracey sadly says. "Now you've taken that from me!" he weeps.
Daisy, who is 4 months pregnant and starting to show, rolls her eyes. "C'mon, Tracey. We've, like, alway known this was going to happen. Right, Lily?" The pinkette just nods while cuddling onto Brad (her new boyfriend's) lap.
"Yeah. I noticed Clementine really likes you, Ash." Nathan exclaims.
Ash runs his hand through his hair shyly and smiles at them. "I mean. All I do is just hang out with her." He shrugs. "It's pretty easy."
Misty smiles at her oblivious fiance and kisses his cheek. "You know I love you, right?"
"You tell me everyday!" He beams at her.
That night, after everyone leaves, Ash and Misty clean up a bit before heading to bed. They notice Clementine is still awake while Ruru is fast asleep. "Go get ready for bed." Ash tells his tired fiance. "I'll take care of it." She gives him a grateful smile and walks to the master bedroom. Ash knocks on the 5 year old's door.
"Night, Uncle Ashy!" She smiles at him. Ash smiles back and sits on the bed next to the girl.
"Wanna have a sleepover tonight?"
Her eyes light up and she grabs his arm. "Can Ruru come too?" Ash laughs and agrees while the little girl gently picks up the tired Squirtle. Ash has to help her since she is still too small to carry Ruru. Pikachu isn't a problem for her though. All of them walk into the master bedroom where Ash gives Misty the edge of the bed while he sleeps next to her and suffers the uncomfortable sleeping positions of Pikachu, Ruru, and Clementine.
Misty faces her fiance and smiles at him. "Thanks. You're awesome, you know?"
He smirks at her triumphantly. "Of course, Mist. But every man is only as good as his queen." The redhead rolls her eyes at his corniness.
"Uncle Ashy?" they hear the 5 year old sniffle. Ash quickly plants a kiss on Misty's lips and turns around to face the girl. Before he can ask her what is wrong, she snuggles into his chest. "I wish you didn't have to leave on Sundays." she softly tells him.
Behind him, Ash feels Misty pressed against his back in agreement. He puts an arm around the bluenette and holds her close. "Me too." he says before everyone slips into sleep.
The next morning is a very quiet morning. They shower and dress in black. Afterwards they eat a small breakfast while waiting for Lily, Daisy, and Tracey to arrive. The Sketchits arrive at the house first. As they wait for Lily, the doorbell rings.
"Finally." Misty groans. Ash opens it to reveal a brunette man.
"Oh. Hey, Nathan. Coming with us today?" He asks the man who is obviously not dressed for a memorial.
"Um. Actually, I wanted to talk to you, Ash." Nathan says shyly.
"Not surprised." mumbles Misty from the couch. Fortunately, Nathan doesn't hear her, but Daisy and Tracey snicker at the remark.
Ash sighs. "Okay. Make it quick. You have until Lily comes." Ash then walks outside to the porch.
Once Ash shuts the door behind him, he sits on a chair across from Nathan. The brunette fidgets with his finger nails. As it is a day of mourning, Ash has very little patience for Nathan today. This man has done nothing to get close to Clementine since coming into her life. "I'm leaving back to the Orange Islands today." He finally says.
Surprised, Ash asks him, "Why?"
Nathan sighs and continues looking at his feet. He then reaches into his bag and pulls out an envelope. "These are papers saying I give up custody and responsibility. I'll just need Misty to sign them to make sure she doesn't try to get me for child support."
Ash glares at the man. "Why are you running away, Nathan? You haven't even tried to get close to Clementine, and now you're leaving?"
"I'm gonna be honest with you, Ash." Nathan looks at Ash. "I only came because I saw a picture of Clementine on your shoulders after last year's championship battle. I wanted to get close to you. Knowing you makes me very popular." If Ash's glare couldn't get any more intense, well it just did. Nathan, sensing the rage, looks away. "Look. I know I'm not a good father, okay, Ash. Heck. I'm not even that good of a person. The time I've spent here has really made me realize that."
"Make it quick, Nathan. You're pissing me off. I don't even want to be near you anymore." Ash warns the other man.
Nathan nods. "Okay. Well, seeing how you and Clementine interact...it's just, I can't compare."
"You haven't even tried!"
"How can I when she already looks up to you as a father?" Exclaims the brunette. "Yes, I'm a deadbeat! I know! I only came into her life to get close to you, but I see now that you're the best person to be her father! Not me! I'm immature, selfish, and just not the right person for the job." He catches his breath. "I'll be leaving now. There's a second copy of those papers in there. Just mail it to me in this envelope when you're done. I already paid for the postage." Nathan then gets up to leave as Lily walks up the driveway.
Ash glares at the orange envelope in his hands. "He's just fucking quitting? He's just gonna leave his own flesh and blood who he created?!" The champion drops the envelope and stands up. He rushes past Lily, who is now walking up the porch steps, and down the driveway to Nathan. Ash puts his hand on the man's shoulder, which causes Nathan to look at him surprised. Before the brunette can manage any words out, Ash punches him hard in the face.
"Oh shit!" Lily exclaims as she rushes inside to tell her sisters and brother-in-law. They run out to see Ash glaring down at the bleeding Nathan who is hunched over in pain at the end of the driveway.
"Ash!" Misty shouts. Daisy had chosen to stay inside with Clementine to keep the girl away from the window. Tracey sprints past Misty and pulls back Ash while Lily makes sure her very pregnant sister doesn't put herself in danger.
"Don't ever come back again! Stay the fuck out of her life!" Ash screams. Nathan gets up while cupping his now broken nose and sprints off. Once he is out of sight, Ash calms down enough for Tracey to let go of him. The Kanto champion walks back up the driveway and up the porch steps where Misty is giving him a concerned look.
"Ash…"
Still very angry, he ignores her and walks past her. He turns to the orange envelope on the ground and picks it up before walking back to his fiance. "These are papers giving you full custody of Clem. That asshole wants nothing to do with her." Ash then walks back inside the house and sits next to his curious niece.
"Auntie Lily said you were fighting, Uncle Ashy."
The pissed off man can't help but laugh. He looks over at his niece's adorable green eyes. Nothing like the greedy green eyes of the man he'd just punch. Misty, Lily, and Tracey have walked back in at this point. "Yeah." he says.
"Well, you told me fighting is bad, Uncle Ashy. And you need to say 'sorry' when you do something bad, even if you have a good reason." the girl tells him knowingly. Ash puts his swelling right hand on her head to ruffle her hair. "Hey!" She giggles.
"I'm sorry for fighting, Clementine." He smiles and kisses her forehead.
"No! You need to say sorry to Mr. Nathan."
Ash inwardly groans. "I'll do it tomorrow."
"Pinky promise?" she asks while extending her little pinky. He sighs and pinky promises the bluenette.
Misty walks over and plants a kiss on both of their heads while handing Ash an ice pack. "Okay. Let's go." She announces, and the group head off in two cars to Violet's grave.