Hey guys, it's Sentai Red!
Here's a one-shot that I hope you guys will enjoy!
It's another cute, sappy one-shot about a topic that doesn't really get brought up a lot. I figured, "Hey, why not?" It's kind of a personal message for myself, too... Something for me to consider in the near future, but that's a discussion that's neither here or there!
Waaaahhhhh
Waaahhhhhh
Ash groans, waking up for the umpteenth time. Pikachu, his ever-faithful companion, also wakes up, shaking its head rapidly to gain some sense. It's currently 3 in the morning. Why does he need to be up at 3 in the freaking morning?!
Waaaaahhhh
Oh.
That's right.
"Ash…" his lovely wife wakes up, "… is it my turn now?"
He shakes his head, "No, go back to bed, Serena."
At the age of 28, they finally decided to have their first child, after many years of being on the road. It was something they've both decided would be the best time to do, now that they've accomplished everything they could ever hope for. Ash is considered one of the strongest Pokémon Trainers out there, holding on to the title of Alola League Champion.
After so many years, he's also attained the title of "World Monarch" after defeating Leon in the World Coronation Series. While it took him many attempts, he kept persevering and ultimately, that perseverance paid off. He was able to defeat Leon in a nail-biting battle, where it was just between Leon's Gigantimax Charizard versus his Pikachu using 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.
The battle was so close! When the attacks between Charizard and Pikachu collided, the smoke would not dissipate fast enough, thus showing both Pokémon to have fainted. However, the Rotom Drone that was watching, was able to detect that Charizard was the first to fall – thus giving Ash the victory.
At age 23, he was dubbed the 'World's Strongest Trainer'.
For his wife, Serena is still in her business of not just being Kalos Queen, but as a Showcase Queen. The Pokémon Showcase Committee decided to expand beyond Kalos, to other regions such as Galar and Sinnoh, where she would triumph over those. She became leading Queen and after being the reigning Showcase Queen, she relinquished her title at 28 to focus on other priorities: being a mother, for one.
Oh, man, the news went wild when she said she was going to retire her reign to become a mother, announcing her pregnancy to the world. Serena was tactful and stated that she'll continue to pursue endeavors with Showcases, as there have been rumors that Palermo is officially stepping down as part of the leading producers and giving it to Serena instead.
Serena even found success in acting in TV shows, whether live action or lending her voice in cartoons.
As of right now, both are on leave for 16 weeks, as per Alola parental laws are concerned. They moved to Alola, not only because it's Ash's home away from home, but because Serena fell in love with the region herself. It was no Kalos, but she already has a home in Kalos, and both Ash and Serena agreed to travel between the three regions whenever possible. The three regions being Kanto, Kalos, and Alola.
"… You sure…?" She yawns.
With a nod, Ash kisses her head, "Yes, now, off to bed with you."
She gives him a small whimper, before going back to bed, obviously displeased. He knew why, but it's only fair he takes care of their newborn at night, since she primarily takes care of them during the day. To him, it's only fair.
"C'mon, Pikachu," he mutters quietly.
"Pika!" Pikachu responds quietly, getting on Ash's shoulder, nuzzling against Ash's cheek. A small spark escaping his cheeks affectionately, making Ash smile to the warm reception.
They would enter the nursery room, pastel yellow walls, with so many decorations on the wall. There were little paintings of baby Pokémon such as Magby, Elekid, Smoochum, and various small Pokémon playing on the wall. There were paintings of them on slides, playing on swing sets, etc.
On the ceiling was a small fan over the crib, the blades on the ceiling fan spinning slowly with little wind chimes gently tingling around.
Over on the corner, where the changing station was, was the baby camera as it actively monitors the child. There was even a Rotom Pad, a tablet with a Rotom in it, that lets Ash and Serena know anything about their baby. Yeah, they went all out of their child.
Who wouldn't?
In the crib is a small baby, a baby girl, and Ash's new love.
She whimpers, letting out a small wail, stretching her arms around… she forced herself out of her blanket that was wrapped around her. Her name is Brielle Ketchum, or Brie for short.
Pikachu gets in the crib, rubbing the baby's cheek with his own, but the baby wouldn't stop crying. Pikachu's ears just droop, sad at the fact he couldn't comfort his trainer's child. Ash just rubs his partner's head with a smile, letting him know that it's fine.
He picks up his baby Brie and holds her in his arms, a loving gaze in his eyes, "Hey there, Princess…" he says softly, rocking her in his arms as she keeps whimpering. She stretches her arms around, almost scratching herself in the process, but Pikachu was able to use his tail to help her focus on that instead.
Her tiny little hands grab his tail, making Pikachu smile as he tries to wiggle it in her hands playfully.
She squirms, but the whimpers begin to stop, much to Ash's relief.
"Thank you, Pikachu…" he appreciates his partner, Pikachu just gives him a thumbs up.
"Cha!"
With a cautious look, Ash slowly lifts Brie and sniffs around, "Hm… no poop, that's good." He pats her diaper and sighs in relief again, "Nothing wet yet, that's also good."
"Pika…" Pikachu points at the empty bottle and Ash smiles looking at it. Of course.
"Little Princess must be hungry, huh?"
She begins to cry again, confirming what Ash needs to do. Pikachu gently removes his tail from Brie's grip and runs downstairs, waiting on Ash. His trainer just walks downstairs slowly into the kitchen, raising the sliding control for the lights on.
Ash has the bottle in hand and begins making the formula, shaking the bottle with his thumb covering the opening in the bottle, and proceeds to put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. He cringes at the 3 beeps from the microwave.
Beep
Beep
Beeeeeep
'I really wish there were ones that weren't so loud,' he complains. He takes out the bottle, putting the tip of the bottle against his arm, making sure it wasn't hot to burn his newborn, but also not cold enough to not be satisfying for the tot to drink.
He begins to feed his child, who eagerly drinks the contents in the bottle, making him smile, "You're just like your old man, huh?"
"Oh, yeah, she really is…" he turns his head to see Serena watching them, leaning against the wall. She gives him a warm smile, walking over to him and kisses his cheek, "It was my turn… you promised."
He gives her a small smile, "I know… I just… I just wanted you to take it easy this night and let me take care of her. You've been so attentive to her every day and I just wanted to show my appreciation by doing this for you, it's the least I can do."
"Dear," she states with a firm, but loving tone, "I'm her mother," she gives him a small chuckle, "I'm fine taking care of her anytime at all…"
Once Brie finishes her drink, he has her lay against his shoulder, as he pats her back, "And I'm her father," he retorts with a wink, "I need to take care of my family too, you know?"
She just gives him a warm look, a look that tells him everything he needs to know, but she expresses it anyway, "Ash… Oh, you silly man, you've done plenty for us. I couldn't have asked for a better husband or father of our child." It warms her heart to see Ash do this for her.
He kisses Brie's head as she tries to burp, a small whimper in her throat escapes, "It's incredible, you know? I know we've been parents for about… 2 months now… but I still feel like it's just some crazy dream and when I wake up, I'm going to be so devastated. If this was a dream, I don't ever want to wake up."
"Same here… It's just so incredible, being parents…"
Ash bites back a laugh as Brie finally burps, quite loudly too. He continues to pat her back just in case, "I was scared, you know? I was scared that I would screw this up or that I would end up being like my father, just get up and abandon you both. I've had nightmares about it too."
He continues, "But the more I think about it, the more it angers me. The more I think about him, and how I may end up like him, the more I just want to punch him. Punch him for leaving… and thank him for leaving, because then I know what not to do. I don't want to be like him, I want to be better than him."
Serena cups his cheek, gently rubbing it with her thumb, "And you've succeeded. You've been better than him since forever. You've always been there, not just for me and Brielle, but for Pikachu," Pikachu nods, "your mom, your friends – everyone. Ash, the day he left, you've been a better man than him. Don't ever think of yourself as being like your father, because I know for sure he can't ever be half the man you are."
A small snore interrupts the two talking as Brielle finally goes to sleep, a deep sleep.
The two parents just look at each other and silently laugh, taking her upstairs and tuck her properly to bed. Pikachu decides he'll stay with her and sleeps beside her feet. He waves at them a good night as he too falls asleep shortly after.
The parents decide to leave the room, leaving the door slightly ajar, and begin going to their room.
"Serena," Ash calls for her.
"Hm?"
"I love you."
With a blush forming on her cheeks, and with the most loving smiles she can muster, Serena whispers in his ear, "I love you too, Ash."
7 months ago
Ash wipes the sweat off his brow as he finishes painting the nursery room.
It's finally done!
He stands up with a proud smile on his face as he observes the room in its entirety. Serena is going to love it! She gave him the idea and he followed through with it! It also helped that Pikachu and other of his Pokémon were able to help him out.
Bulbasaur was the best one to lead the Pokémon as they did the painting. It was a messy endeavor and he sure had to wash his Pokémon more times than he'd count in a day, but the entire operation was a success!
His Pokémon even helped him out build the crib!
Well, Infernape and Lucario almost broke the crib during the setup, but everything was fine in the end! As Dawn would say, "No need to worry"!
His wife was finally showing a baby bump and many friends and family members were all super happy and eager for the upcoming family member. Grace was here in Alola to spend time with Serena, giving Ash all the time in the world to finish the room. While it wasn't something they needed to have done now, it was better safe than sorry! He wanted to give his child a great first impression of him after all!
"Hey, you…" he smiles, turning around to see his wife, who hugs him with all her might. He hugs back, carefully for the baby's sake.
"Serena! Right on time!" He shows off the room to her, showing her the crib, the new changing station, and the walls all painted to the exact design she wanted. She was thoroughly impressed, giving Ash a kiss on the cheek in appreciation.
"It's amazing! I think our baby will love it!" she clasps her hands, her eyes glimmering at the sight of it all.
She then goes to the crib and rubs her palm over the wooden crib, her eyes watering as she turns to Ash with a big smile, "We're going to parents, Ash!" she bounces on the floor happily, before opening her arms and enveloping Ash in another hug.
Rubbing her back and kissing the top of her head, Ash's heart beats rapidly, as he just holds his wife in pure bliss.
'I'm going to be a dad!'
Aaaand we're done!
I always wanted to write a one-shot or a mini story about parenthood for Ash and Serena, but I figured, this would suffice for now!If this does well, then I may consider doing something of that sort! Let me know what you guys think!