Life's Full of Little Surprises

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Disclaimer:

Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Team Rocket, Persian, and all the other 250 Pokemon do not belong to me. They belong to 4Kids, etc. Please do not sue me you will have better luck trying to get water from a dry well. The base story is property of Jaelle and Orla I asked before posting it. ^_^

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Chapter 11: Another Surprise

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 Ash and Misty enjoyed a week free of May's interruptions.  She seemed to latch on to AJ following him anywhere he went.  He finally succeeded in winning an Elemental badge on his third try and she succeeded in getting him to stay a few more days.  Okido didn't really care for this development since he talked to AJ about his plans.  AJ felt he just wanted to be friends with May at the moment knowing that he couldn't possibly keep up a long distance relationship.  May wanted something more and only that could get her off of Ash.  Okido knew that she would revert to her obsession with Ash once AJ left.  She was still hung up over how Ash could like that "twig" over her.  That was all it came down to…she was spoiled and used to getting her way.  So when AJ left saying he just wanted to be friends she got worse spending the weekend in her room plotting against Misty.

Misty awoke on Monday morning to find the spot next to her cold and empty.  She was then alerted to the sound of someone thoroughly worshiping the toilet god.  A worried expression appeared on her face as she went through a mental list of possible reasons for Ash to be so sick.  She jumped out of bed and opening the bathroom door letting out a gasp at the scene before her.  Ash crumpled up on the floor with his head in the toilet.

Ash managed to stop throwing up at the sound of the door opening and his wife's gasp of surprise.  He tried to pull himself up and rinse out his mouth since the taste was making him sick again.  The problem he encountered was the world started to go around and around in a nice circle.  He couldn't speak so he just fell back against the wall near the toilet nearly hitting his head.

"Ash!  What's wrong?"  Misty rushed to his side instantly wishing she didn't since he wasn't able to flush the toilet.  She attempted to help him up but he was too heavy so she quickly got him a cup of water and told him to rinse out his mouth.  After staying with him for a little while and flushing the toilet Ash started looking a bit better.  "I'm going to call the Pokemon League and the doctor."  She got up and headed to the door.

Ash looked weakly at her and attempted to stand.  He managed a weak, "No" before collapsing against the wall again.

Misty turned around and glared at him.  "What do you mean No?  Look at you, you can't even stand up.  I'm calling the doctor and that's final!"  She rushed out of the room and grabbed the phone calling the Pokemon League first since it was close to the time they would have to be at work then the doctor since the office would probably be open.  Unfortunately it wasn't open yet, she had about a half an hour according to the recording.  In the meantime she stayed so she could keep Ash in sight but got more anxious and upset as time went on.  *Ugh!  Why does he have to be so stubborn?  He could have something seriously wrong with him…judging from his appearance he's been there since early morning.  What can I do?  I know I'll call Mom.* Misty picked up the phone and called her mother-in-law, she said she would be right there.

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Ash felt better now that he didn't have to smell the vomit and his mouth was clear.  *Why am I so sick?  I don't get this way after drinking…and I didn't drink any alcohol.  Maybe I can stand now…* He attempted to stand again only to find the nausea stared to come back so he slid back down.    *Guess I really should go see the doctor…*

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Misty got a hold of the doctor making an appointment for Ash and getting some tips to keep him hydrated until the appointment.  The doctor suggested tea and any kind of soda.  The bicarbonate would act as a base and help settle his stomach.  The soda would probably be the first choice since it worked fairly quickly.  She thanked the doctor and rushed to the kitchen to get a glass of soda.

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Ash heard her talking to the doctor but he couldn't make out what was said.  *Great she's probably going to get that nasty tasting tea mom always gives me when I get sick.*   Misty came back into the room at that moment.

"The doctor said to keep you hydrated and to have you sip some soda, the carbonation will help settle your stomach."  She handed him the glass and sat down next to him since she herself was getting a bit queasy.  *Must be the smell…though I don't smell anything now.*

Ash looked shot her a surprised look and took the cup taking a few sips.  The doctor was right it made him feel a bit better.   He turned to see her staring to turn green handing the cup to her.

She took the cup and sipped some it helped quell the nausea. "Thanks!"

Ash shot her a smile, "No problem"

They both heard the doorbell ring.  Misty got up and went to let Sasha in leaving Ash with the cup.

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Sasha rushed into the house grabbing Misty's hand as soon as she closed the door examining her.  "Misty!  Oh, you look awful.  You didn't sound too bad over the phone and you didn't say you felt sick too.  Well let's hurry back to Ash before he starts up again.  I'll take both of you to the doctor.  Did you make an appointment for yourself?"

"I was feeling fine until I went back to help Ash.  I left him in the bathroom since he didn't have enough strength to get up."  She explained as they went up stairs.

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Ash felt strong enough to get up and change so when Misty and his mom came in he was propped up in a chair with the cup of soda.  He looked a lot better, "Hi, Mom."

Sasha rushed to Ash checking his forehead and asking him what was wrong.  Unfortunately he couldn't answer her since he didn't know what was wrong.  "Well what time is your appointment?"

Misty answered, "In about an hour so we should get going."

"Well I can take you down but I'm afraid that I have to help Okido with the lab so give me a call and I'll pick you up."

Ash quickly protested, "I'm sure the doctor will make us feel better and we can get back on our own.  It's only a block away…"

Sasha frowned, "I guess he's felling better if he can fight with me.  But still if you need me to I can pick you up and bring you back just give me a call."

Misty nodded okay and they rushed to the doctor's office.

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The doctor saw Ash first but he couldn't figure out what was wrong so he examined Misty.  All the tests he did on both of them came back negative.  But he had one last test to run.   "Mrs. Ketchum are you regular."

"WHAT!?!"

The doctor sighed, "You have been married for two months and I just wanted to know if your period was regular and if so have you had it recently."

Misty could only stare at him and blink her eyes.  Her first instinct was to tell him she was and she did have her period but she thought for a while and realized she couldn't say that.  *Please don't say what I think your saying.*

"Since all the other tests were negative and you do seem to be exhibiting signs I would have to say you are close to two months pregnant.  As for your husband he seems to be going through sympathy pains.  You probably wont' exhibit morning sickness as long as you don't get upset.  Fortunately for you Ash's family has a history of the men getting morning sickness."  The doctor smiled, "Of course we won't know for sure for a few more hours so you are welcome to stay here and wait."

The shock wore off a bit, she managed a weak smile, "Thank you, I t…think we will wait here."

"Okay I'll call both of you back in when I get the test results.  You can wait in the waiting room."  The doctor smiled and left her to change back into her clothes.

Misty numbly got dressed again and tried to sort her random thoughts.  *I'm possibly pregnant?  What will Ash's reaction be?  Will he be happy?  What am I thinking?  Wait…if I'm two months…that means…ack!  We wouldn't have needed that discussion over this since we don't have a choice in the matter and…* She started to blush at the last thought.  Her hand wondered to her stomach as she thought of the life possibly growing there.  *Guess I should go tell Ash…well maybe just let him know that we need to stay since its not for sure yet.*  With her thoughts semi-clear Misty went out to the waiting room.

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Ash was sipping some tea the doctor gave him in the waiting room.  It eased his nausea but didn't calm his thoughts since the tests didn't show anything wrong with him.  He didn't even want to think he gave whatever deadly disease it was to Misty since she seemed so ill right after him.  *This is pretty good tea…at least it isn't that nasty stuff mom gave me…bleh!  Hope Misty is okay…*

Misty entered the waiting room interrupting his thoughts.  He would have run to her but his stomach slightly revolted against that action.  "Misty!  Are you okay?  Does he have any idea what…"

Misty sat next to him, "He has an idea but we have to wait a few more hours before the results from that test come back."  She gave him a smile, "It isn't any thing bad."  She also had a cup of tea.  "Where are Togepi and Pikachu?"

"My mom took them to the lab with her they should be running around with the other pokemon by now."

"Oh."

So they waited, both sipping tea lost in their own thoughts.

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Time seemed to drag on but finally the nurse called them in and they sat in the doctor's office instead of an exam room.  After a short while the doctor came in holding a folder.  "Well I guess congratulations are in order.  The test came back positive."

"WHAT!?!"  Ash almost fell out of his chair.  "How is that good? Why are we being congratulated?"

The doctor shot Misty a questioning glance and she shook her head no.  "Well, Mrs. Ketchum do you want me to tell him?  Or do you want to?"

Misty thought for a little while, "Ummm…I guess I will could you give us sometime?"

"Certainly let my nurse know when you are ready."  The doctor went to check on his other patients.

As soon as the door closed Misty turned to Ash who looked even more confused than her Psyduck.  "Ash, umm…I'm."  She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes "I'm pregnant."

Ash looked like a statue as his brain tried to process the new information.  "Your p...pregnant?  That means…I'm going to be a dad?"  He looked like he was going to collapse but he instead jumped up, "I'm going to be a dad!  WOW!"

Misty sighed in relief guess I shouldn't have worried.  "I'll go find a nurse."  She left the room.  *Defiantly not the reaction I was expecting but at least it wasn't too bad.* "Can you tell the doctor we are ready to talk to him?"

The nurse smiled at her, "Certainly, I'll go let him know."

Misty returned to the room to find Ash still in a state of semi-shock.  "Ash?"

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yah, just trying to get used to the idea."  He smiled.

Just then the doctor came back in the room.  He went over what Misty should and shouldn't do.  How long she could battle pokemon which was only about three more months. He also went over a schedule for checkups and what her diet should be.  He then took them to another room where he did an ultrasound.

The first image they got really sent it home to Ash that he was now partly responsible for a life.  They also got to hear the baby's heart beat so by the time it was over and Misty was cleaning off the cream Ash was a zombie.

"Ash?  Hello?  Anyone home?"  She waved her hand in front of his face.

He continued to stare at the screen even though it was black, mumbling under his breath.

Misty decided to call Sasha, "Hello?  Mom, can you come pick us up?

"Hi!  Sure, are you okay? What was wrong?"  Sasha looked worried.

"Yah, were fine I'll explain when we get home."

"Well, I'll come down right away, bye."

"Okay, just to warn you Ash is kind of out of it…bye."  She hung up and managed to drag Ash out side to wait for his mom.

Sasha shot Misty a questioning glance when she appeared with a packet of papers and a bottle in a bag with Ash looking like he saw a Gastly.  "He's just in shock."

"Okay, well get in the back and we'll go to your house."

Ash stayed in the same state the whole way home, not even Pikachu jumping on him got a response.

"Pikapi?  Pi Pikachu?"  (Ash!  Are you okay?)

Still no response, the little mouse turned to Misty.

"Don't worry Pikachu I'll explain at home."

"Pika!" (Okay!)  It settled down for a nap on Ash's lap.

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It didn't take long to get home once Ash got in the door he went straight for the bedroom.  All Sasha and Misty cold do was watch him.

"So, what's the news?"  Sasha sat down on the couch.

Misty looked nervously at her, "Well…I'm pregnant."

Sasha jumped up and hugged her, "Oh my, I cant' believe it!  My baby is going to have a baby of his own.  Is that why he looks the way he does?  Wow!  How long?  Wha…"

"Well about eight more months and I have an ultrasound print out."  Misty handed over the picture.

Sasha looked at the almost completely black sheet.  "So, that means your two months along?  Everything is happening so fast.  Well you just relax I'll make dinner and you try to get Ash to wake up."  She handed the picture back to Misty and headed towards the kitchen.  "Before I forget what was wrong with Ash?"

"The doctor told me it was sympathy pains."

Sasha started laughing, "I forgot that runs in our family, I didn't have any morning sickness with Ash.  If it weren't for other symptoms I wouldn't have known I was pregnant."  She stopped and returned to her original task.

Misty went upstairs to try to wake up Ash but first she let Pikachu know what was happening.  He agreed to helping out and they made their way to the room.

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Ash sat on the bed still dazed but starting to come out of it.  *I'm going to be a dad….wow!  A baby…* Were the only thoughts running through his mind.

Misty and Pikachu pushed the half open door all the way and saw Ash looking a little more awake.  She told Pikachu to stay there and entered the room.

"Ash, are you okay?  Can you please snap out of it?  Your mom is cooking dinner and we have to notify everyone."  She shook his arm.

He still didn't snap out of it.

She started to get irritated. "Ash if you don't snap out of it I'm going to have Pikachu shock you."

He at least shook his head at that one, remembering a certain surprise he had for this occasion.  He smiled and scooped her in to his lap.

She looked up at him, "So we finally awaken?"

He laughed, "Yep!  And I just remembered a surprise I have for you and the baby."

"Huh, how did you know?"

"Well I didn't but I had this made just in case."  He carried her to the locked door then let her down.   He unlocked the door letting her go in first.

Misty let out a gasp of surprise as she took in the room.   A single window let some sunlight in the room; one door was a closet the second seemed to lead to the hallway.  The walls were painted with a sea mural full of water pokemon, it almost seemed real.  The room also contained all the necessary furnishings for a nursery: a crib, changing table, dresser, playpen, high chair, toy chest, and rocking chair.  She walked around admiring each piece then turned back to Ash with tears in her eyes.  "How?"

Ash looked sheepishly at her well, "Everything used to be mine.  I just took it out of storage added the connecting door and had Narsus paint the walls.  I figured you would like the mural and this one can't be destroyed as easily."  He scooped her up and sat in the rocking chair.

They talked about the other stuff they would need as well as a few other things that would change until Sasha came looking for them.

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Sasha called Okido while she waited for the chicken to finish cooking.  She let him know everything was okay and told him to come over for dinner.  He said he would be their as soon as he finished his experiments so she went looking for the soon to be parents after removing the clay cooker from the oven.

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She found them in the rocking chair and she was defiantly surprised by appearance of the room.  "WOW!"

Ash looked at his mom, "I guess you like it."

"When did you do this?  I can't believe all this stuff is still okay.  I mean I thought it would get damaged sitting in storage."  She walked over to the crib she used to lay Ash to sleep in examining it carefully.

"Well it did have some damage but after getting it patched up a bit its fine.  I had the carpenter test it out while repairing it."

Misty shifted and woke up from her nap.  "Huh?"

"Guess you two are okay with this?  Now at least I know what the added door leads to."  She giggled, "My little boy is all grown up and starting a family of his own.  I can't believe it."

Misty got off Ash's lap, "Only thing is he isn't so little."

"HEY!  I thought I told you to stop that?"  Ash pouted.

Misty laughed, "I'm just joking and its fun to tease you every now and then."

Sasha laughed with them.  "Well, dinner is ready.  I guess this also explains why Misty was so easily upset?  I let Okido know and he's coming over a soon as he finishes work.  Maybe you should go let everyone else know the news."

Misty and Ash agreed and followed her downstairs where they called everyone to let them know.  The only people they didn't call were Brock and Joy since no one knew where they went.  But they would be in Pallet in a little less than four weeks they figured it could wait till then.   Everyone was surprised and happy for the couple.  Well all except one person who they didn't notify for certain reasons.  Dinner was full of stories of Sasha's pregnancy as well as similar tales from Professor Oak about his own children.  Ash and Misty bid farewell to their guests ready to face what ever challenges the baby would undoubtedly bring with it.

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To be continued…

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Thank you for all the reviews I really appreciate them.  I'm also really happy most of you guessed correctly as to what was behind the locked door.  But to address a comment about Misty getting so upset over the threat of May breaking them up, I hope this chapter eliminates those worries.  A few of you hypothesized correctly on the reason for that: mood swings.  It was just a little hint to what this chapter would be about.

As for how stuff turned out I had planned on having them rib him about the door but it just didn't fit in.  Also I felt like being evil and giving them both morning sickness. ^^;; Well kind of…anyway I have my time line kind of plotted out and now we'll see more of what month it is.  ^^;; I decided to go with BenRG's suggestion for the birthdays since they seem the most plausible.  Though, I thank all of you who did give feedback on that and if anyone out there does know their actual birthdays please don't tell me.  I decided to go with months only since there are no years mentioned I can't do what day it is.

I would have gotten this chapter out sooner but I've been sick.  I had a 101 fever and have been stuck in bed with body aches.  Still have to drag myself in to work as well so hopefully I'll get better by Tuesday.  Hopefully about a chapter every week or two during the summer, I can't make any guarantees.  The author's note will stay up until I can post two chapters at once since it doesn't register my fic as being updated if I remove it….grrr!

If you want to be added to the update notification list let me know.  That reminds me…if Dragon Rider and Myst still want to be on the notification please send me an updated email address.  I'm sorry for doing this but I can't seem to send emails to either of you and have no other way of notifying you.  If you don't except emails sent to many people let me know and I'll send a separate email.   The group email isn't SPAM (I don't SPAM people) it just makes it easier for me to send out the notifications of updates.  All the email addresses of people I notify are in a group in my address book and I just put the group in the 'To' field of my notification.  Don't worry I don't send other stuff to you.  The only stuff you will receive will be my usual thank you notes if you review and any other news concerning this fic, updates, etc.

Questions:

Does anyone object to the name of their badge?

Also does anyone strenuously object to the May/AJ pairing?  Sorry but I couldn't see her with Richie.  Besides she kind of ignores him in the base fic.  Speaking of Richie…any ideas on who to pair him up with?

I need name suggestions for their kid.  So far no ideas but once I get some I'll put a listing in my author's note or on my poor neglected webpage when I finally get around to updating it.

Thanks for reading…please review.

Kitcat ^_^