Hello! It is the 28th and I am back with not only a new chapter, but to re-begin this old story of mine once again. I feel excited because I haven't tackled it since 2017 and I know there are so many more scenarios and ideas in my head that Ash will have an opinion on, and thus end up writing to his children. In this instance, Katie is the recipient of a letter! It is formed during her romance with Justin. Her father has some advice for her. I hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I own the story and the OCs mentioned!

Dear Darlings,

Katie, I know that there are certain parts of your life that are yours and yours alone to live. In those circumstances, you don't need my words. But in case you do, here they are. These are my thoughts to you. I can gather what is going on.

I don't think you mean to treat me as if I am stupid but that has felt like the case. I must stress, though, it's not just you. A lot of people act like I won't catch on to certain things and won't notice the subtleties in life. They can be wrong. Everyone can be wrong. You could be wrong. In this instant, I don't think I am wrong.

I think that something is going on with you. I guess I started to notice it when you came home following your break up with Jayden and instead of me needing to pick up the pieces for my (not so) little girl, you gave me a smile that was filled with warmth and courage. Moreover, you had a spec of light in your eyes that I haven't quite seen before.

I felt tightness in my chest as I feared the worst. But you looked… okay? You looked more than okay. And over the days, that caused me to silently dig a little deeper.

During dinner that evening, you didn't appear to be transfixed in thoughts of heartbreak and were completely present with your littlest sister, answering all of her questions and telling her about your latest voyage to Crimson City before coming home. You answered all of her questions and even mine and your Mom's with complete ease.

Sometimes in the midst of turmoil, people can snap and build extra walls up. Yours seemed to be down more than ever. You were peaceful. On that night, though, nothing too much crossed my mind. I was simply glad to see you okay even during that tricky time of your life. I felt okay to leave you and the family for a few days to head to that conference of mine in Unova.

Because of this, I missed the next couple of days. But I caught some glimpses and when I video called the house and your Mom; I heard that you had invited Justin over and you were actually playing video games with him and Rey. That was sweet! I heard the three of you laughing. And I was glad to hear my still little girl, dear Rey, laughing so hard because she hadn't been feeling herself the past day or so.

Of course, I relished in your laughter as well. It put a smile on my face that you had invited a friend over and you were still not too torn up about everything you had been through. I was still none the wiser. In fact, I remained in the dark about a lot of things until I came home and during that time, quite a few things had happened.

Not that I was told. No, this is something I gathered. When I returned home, the atmosphere was different. It was like my previous anticipation of potentially dealing with frowning faces and picking up the pieces was delayed. But then it happened not too long after my arrival.

Still, nobody really told me all that much. Just that Jayden was now home and you and he had to navigate some relationship dilemmas. Justin's name kept popping up too. I couldn't figure out why. In my head, I supposed that maybe Jayden was jealous that you were moving on okay, even if you were not moving on from him, you were just moving away from heartbreak and dealing with it in the bravest way that you knew how.

I can't really tell you when I figured the truth out because it was all these different pieces – almost like that of a puzzle – coming together and a complete picture forming and it making sense to me. I can't really tell you when it dawned on me. And I still haven't told anyone what I gather. I guess I could still be wrong. But I don't think I am.

You and Justin, huh? Or should I say, you with Justin. I was always appreciative of your friendship. You would think that a father would scowl when seeing someone take their (forever and always) baby girl by the arm and show her new parts to the world and new ways to view things. You would think a father would put a stop to it immediately. But I never did.

Not even when you were much younger and you would find yourselves absentmindedly sitting together at Sunday dinner or I would hear from your teachers that he snuck your beloved bear back to you! I've always held friendships especially close. In this instance, I suppose I have a kinship for friendships turning more than that because of your Mom and me. I always knew you were fond of him.

I'm sure that you have spoken to your Mom about this. You girls are always chatting, aren't you? I imagine that you wouldn't think to talk to me about it too because you think that your Mom and I happened so long ago and have only ever been with each other so I don't have anything to say about matters of the heart.

Or maybe you think that I might side with Jayden because no one should have to share the love of their life. Why would I do that? Your business is your business. I am not here to judge. If it's what you want, I am here to offer advice. But you haven't asked of it. So I won't tell you. Apart from this letter, of course, which is for you to read any time you might need it.

I don't know the ins and outs of this situation, I'll grant you, Katie. I don't know when exactly you fell for Justin or if you've told him yet or you even realise it yourself. Maybe there is some of me in you after all, who knows!

I don't wholly know what is going on. But I know that you shouldn't deny what is in your mind or indeed your heart. That is one thing I have learned in my life, not just about the magical feelings that come with love but simply I the journey that is living. You cannot do a disservice to yourself by bottling things up and ignoring feelings in your heart that are true to you. You cannot shun what you are feel and the direction you are meant to go in.

In learned that the hard way, didn't I? Not using your vulnerabilities as your strength can lead to downfalls. I have faith that your strength is far bolder than mine so you needn't worry. I needn't worry either. I have faith that your path is different to mine. As it should be.

Either way, make sure that you do what is right for you, Katie. Your feelings could never be wrong. Your heart wanders where it is meant to go, whether those feelings are reciprocated or not. Whether you keep them just for yourself in a silent corner of your heart or the person who you have these affections for is informed. Feel and act in ways that is true to you.

And most of all do what makes you happy, sweetheart. We only have one guaranteed life on this earth. Anything else is a surreal and lucky bonus. Justin has put many smiles on your face over the years. That is something I've been lucky enough to see.

Truly, I just want you to be happy. And know that you can come to me for anything. I will never judge and I will certainly never turn away. Our Katie girl is growing and experiencing the full spectrum of life, the highs and lows and the unexpected moments too. That's all we have ever wanted. That's all I have ever wanted.

I've only ever wanted people to love you in the way that I feel for you. And I think Justin does. In some way. In his own way.

Be brave, Katie, love. And do what you need to do to be happy. Truly and faultlessly happy.

With all my love,

Your dear Dad.

There you go! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed :) I get the feeling that this would be a vastly different letter if Ash was aware that Justin not only feels the same way as Katie (not that either of them fully acknowledge within themselves) but those feelings have led him to behave and engage with Katie in certain ways! I'm sure that his natural protection of his daughter as well as insecurities from his own path would change the advice he has for her. Regardless, this is his views of the situation as he knows them to be. It's always fun tackling an older Ash, showing the naivity that is still there but the hidden depth of his character too. And Justin and Katie have been on my mind a lot lately and featuring heavily in projects of mine outside FF! So it was fun to revisit them in a differnet way :) Thanks again and I will be back next Wedesday with Pikachu Tales so see you then!

Amy signing out :P