A/N: Thank you very much for your support! Here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or the picture used as cover (though I did edit it).

Days

The day Misty cancels

Ash

Wednesday, January 29th

"Are you ready?" Ash called upstairs, but Misty didn't respond. He let out a long-suffering sigh and glanced at Pikachu, who shook his head knowingly. "Misty?"

No reaction, and Ash went up the stairs. They were going to tell Brock about the pregnancy today – poor guy would be the last to know. But they wanted to tell him together and in person, and tonight they finally had time. Well, Misty finally had time, his schedule was flexible. It didn't truly matter if he cleaned the kitchen in the morning or in the afternoon, and sometimes he wondered if it mattered at all, with how quickly it got dirty again.

Ash heard Misty's voice through the bathroom door and he felt his stomach sink, realizing she was on the phone. That wasn't promising much good for an uninterrupted evening...

He continued standing there, a hand raised ready to knock.

"-there? Didn't he leave a message?" Misty said, followed by mumbling from the other end of the phone that Ash couldn't hear. "No, I understand, it's not a problem, I knew I was on call duty tonight." More mumbling and he heard Misty humming.

At that moment Ash realized that he shouldn't be eavesdropping and he quickly knocked on the door.

Misty opened the door as she said, "I'll be right there. Yes, bye."

She ended the call and Ash already knew what she was going to say. He sighed and slumped.

"Oh, Ash..." The tone in her voice confirmed what he had already feared.

"I'm really sorry," she said, taking out her earrings in a quick motion. She turned her attention back to the mirror to put her nice loose hair back in its usual ponytail. "League-business…"

"Yeah, yeah, something important and you can't tell me, I know," Ash said tiredly.

"You knew I was on call duty tonight," Misty said curtly.

Ash only frowned, not wanting to admit it. It was one of the few League-related things he knew about: the watch duty and the on call duty. It was to keep Morty safe, and Misty had complained enough for Ash to know that Morty did not agree with it. The watch and call duty was a compromise: one League member kept watch on Morty, and one League member had a borrowed Abra to take them there in a moment when called.

Why Morty was being watched Ash didn't know, though he had enough suspicions.

Misty walked past him and hurried downstairs. Ash quickly went after her, Pikachu at his heels, and found her putting on her Poké Ball belt.

"What do you want to with Brock?" he asked.

"You can go tell him," Misty said. "I don't want him to be kept in the dark for so long while the rest already knows."

Ash nodded, silently. Misty walked up to him and gave him a short kiss.

"I don't think it's something really bad, so I'll try to join you later on, alright?" she said, and Ash nodded again.

He wanted to sigh, to be bitter and to complain, but he knew now wasn't the moment. "Be careful, alright?"

Misty gave him a thin smile. "I will. You too, alright? And say hi to Brock from me."

"Will do," he said. He kissed her again and then Misty quickly walked to the Pokémon area. A moment later he saw a flash and knew that she had Teleported away.

He sighed, and then straightened. "Alright, Pikachu, let's go to Pewter!"

It was raining and since Ash was not feeling like getting soaked through by flying all the way, they went by car. It was only a bit longer, after all.

The journey to Pewter was uneventful and Brock greeted him warmly.

"Ash, Pikachu, good to see you!" They shared a quick hug and then Brock led him further into the house.

"Hello, Ash," Lucy greeted him from the couch. Her heavily pregnant belly was unmistable. "How are you?"

"I'm well, thanks," he responded. Pikachu chu'ed in greeting from his position on Ash's shoulder.

Lucy smiled and waved at Pikachu, before looking expectantly in the direction of the hallway. Foreseeing her question, Ash explained, "Misty is on call duty, so she couldn't come. She'll try to drop by later."

Brock gave him a concerned look and then nodded. "Let's hope it's nothing too serious, then."

Lucy hummed in agreement, and Ash nodded as well.

"Anyway," Brock said. "Do you want something to drink, Ash? Pikachu?"

"Tea is fine, thanks," Ash said. "And water for Pikachu."

"I'll see if I have something to snack for him, too," Brock said, nodding. He turned to look at Lucy, a soft adoring expression on his face. "Lucy, dear, can I get anything for you?"

With some difficulty due to her big belly, Lucy pushed herself up from the couch. Brock hurried over and helped her, though Ash was sure that Lucy would have managed well enough on her own. She gave her husband a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Brock, but I don't need anything right now." She gave him the same adoring look, before turning to Ash with a tired and apologetic smile. "Ash, if you don't mind, I'm going to lie down for a bit. The baby has no sense of timing and likes to kick me during the night, so I don't get a lot of sleep."

"Of course, that's not a problem," Ash said readily.

"Thanks," Lucy said, rubbing her lower back. "Call me in an hour or if Misty gets here, okay?"

The last part was addressed to Brock and he nodded. "Of course, try to get some rest."

Lucy kissed him and then left. As soon she was out of hearing distance, Brock said decisively, "I'm not going to wake her up. She only gets a few hours' sleep per night as it is."

Ash nodded, uncertain how to respond to that, and went to sit when Brock gestured to the couch. Pikachu jumped on his lap as Brock left to get the tea, and Ash absentmindedly petted the electric type. He wondered if Misty would be the same as Lucy in a few months… He couldn't imagine it, Misty waddling like that, nor could he imagine that Misty would appreciate him doting on her as Brock did for Lucy.

Brock came back with a tray, with two steaming mugs, two empty mugs and two bowls. He placed the bowls on the floor, and Pikachu jumped off of Ash's lap to get a look at the snack Brock had prepared. His approval was clear when he started to eat enthusiastically.

Ash gladly accepted the tea and Brock sat down next to him, holding his own cup of tea. Ash looked at the two remaining mugs questioningly and Brock explained, "For Misty and Lucy, whenever they decide to join us."

"Ah," Ash said in understanding. Brock always thought of everything… Lucy was lucky with a husband like Brock. Ash wondered if he'd ever be so thoughtful, if that naturally happened when your wife was pregnant… Would Misty expect that of him?

"So, Ash, how have you been?" Brock asked.

"Misty is pregnant," Ash blurted out.

Brock promptly choked on his tea.

Pikachu chu'ed in concern and Ash moved to give Brock a few good slaps on the back, but Brock gestured for distance.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," he spluttered, gathering himself. He looked at Ash with wide eyes. "Misty is pregnant?"

Ash felt himself flush and felt embarrassed at his outburst. "Sorry, I... Dammit, I didn't want to tell you like that." He shook his head. "Misty and I wanted to tell you together, but after seeing Lucy now I just kept thinking about how Misty would be the same in a few months…"

"Right, right." Brock nodded, and slowly he started to smile until he was grinning widely. He grabbed Ash and pulled him in a hug. "Congratulations!"

When Brock pulled away, he even looked a bit teary-eyed. With an exaggerated movement he wiped his eyes and proclaimed dramatically, "I can't believe it, you two are growing up so fast!"

Ash smiled uncertainly and Brock's expression became more serious. "Ash… Are you… happy with it?"

"Yes, yes," Ash quickly answered, perhaps too quickly. "Me and Misty are very happy with it, it's just… Misty is so busy with the League, I'm just staying at the Gym and feeling useless, I have no clue how to be a parent and neither does Misty, and- and I just don't know how we're going to do it…"

Brock patted his shoulder. "Ash, it's very normal to worry," he said. "I'll try to help, alright? Tell me more."

Ash swallowed and started talking.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I'm not completely happy with the chapter, but I can't really pinpoint why. Still, I hope you enjoyed it, and please review!

Thank you!

Recommendation:

Pokémon: Harbinger of Happiness by The Light's Refrain. FFN. A very interesting drabble about a Crobat returning to the cave where he was caught… Well written and it brings up intriguing thoughts!

Recommendations are welcome!