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 16: A Quite Moment, Then...

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It is now early March and the baby is due in a few weeks.  Misty and Ash have experienced a few false alarms.  Misty's doctor gave them a list of things to look for after the third one.  The refused to have the gender of the baby determined insisting it be a surprise.  They are in their room on a Sunday afternoon 'discussing' baby names.  Richie and Bryan decided to make themselves scarce after a few name suggestions didn't go over well with Misty.

Misty groaned as Ash made another suggestion she thought was totally off the wall.  "Cant you come up with a normal name?"

"What's wrong with the names I've come up with so far?"

Misty rolled her eyes "Bugga and Tuta?  What are you thinking?"

"Sheesh!  Can't you take a joke?  I wasn't seriously thinking of naming our child those.  It's just that you keep rejecting every suggestion I make."  Ash crossed his arms across his chest and pouted.

"Well how would you feel if you gained 10 pounds and looked like you have a basketball shoved up your shirt?  Not to mention the hormones running a muck making you feel like crying and laughing at the same time."  She scowled and tried to imitate him but with the baby 'in the way' she looked rather comical.

"Sorry!"  Ash stopped pouting, shot her a sheepish look and picked the name book back up as he flipped through the pages again.  But mumbled under his breath thinking that she couldn't her him "Besides your suggestions aren't any better..."

"What did you say?"

"Ummm..."

"Humph!  Well at least...Oww!"  Misty rubbed her stomach.

Ash started to panic "What's wrong?  Is it..."

Misty tried to readjust herself on the bed so she was a bit more comfortable while Ash continued to freak out.  "Stop it!" She growled.

Ash calmed down as he helped her stack the pillows so she could sit up with out feeling like she would fall back and hit her head on the head board or sink till she was lying down again.

"No, it isn't time and I think the baby doesn't like us fighting over its name."

Ash gave up fighting with the pillows since he wasn't winning the fight.  He picked her up and placed her in front of him while he rubbed her stomach whispering soothing words to their aggravated child.  He smiled "Maybe we should let the baby pick its name."

Misty relaxed into him and started to fall a sleep.  The soothing feeling of him calming their unborn child made her drowsy.  It didn't help that as it came closer to the due date the more the baby seemed to sap her strength.  The feel of his smile against her head and what he said kept her from totally relaxing.  "Well I think it's rather hard for him or her to do so.  Besides I don't like being kicked."

Ash stopped his rubbing when the movement beneath his hands stopped.  "It was just a thought and I don't like it when you get kicked either.  So let's try to talk about this calmly and rationally."

Misty turned her head to look at him and see if he was serious...he was.  "Okay, if I don't like a name I won't yell and if you don't like a name you won't make fun of it.  Deal?"

"Deal!"  Ash hugged her close and picked up the book again flipping through the boys names.

Misty turned her attention back to the book and stopped his hand in the K's.  "What about Kenneth?"

Ash pondered the name for a while and tried it out loud "Kenneth Ketchum" I think that is a bit too many 'K' sounds.

"Okay so no 'K' names."

"Well there are a few that aren't too bad.  But Kenneth is kind of long."

Misty sighed in exasperation, "Let's just start from the beginning of the alphabet then."

Ash shifted behind her and turned to the 'A' section of the boys names.  "Okay but we aren't going to go into the 'X' 'Y' and 'Z' names.  Those don't sound good with Ketchum."

"Fine" Misty turned her attention back to the book "How about Alex?"

"Alex Ketchum...that sounds okay."

"Well at least it's a possibility.  See any other names you like?"

Ash scanned the section "Not that start with 'A' lets move on, I defiantly don't want my son named after Brock so let's skip the Bs."

Misty shuddered "I'll agree with you there.  What about Chan Ketchum...uh never mind.  Cory Ketchum?"

"It's better than Chan, isn't that Chinese?  I think we should move away from the 'C' and 'K' sounding names they clash too much."  Ash turned the page again, "What about Dustin Ketchum?"

"Its okay I liked Cory more.  Turn to the next one."

"Eddie Ketchum?"  Misty pondered the suggestion "I still like Cory over that."

"Fred Ketchum?  No, that sounds odd."

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They continued on like this for an hour or so.  Every suggestion sounded okay by it self, but when Ketchum was added as the last name it just didn't seem right.

"Maybe we should just hyphenate our last names maybe that would sound better."  Misty was about to give up.

Ash thought of a name they had said sounded too odd with Ketchum by itself and tried the suggestion even he was getting tired of this.  "Kenneth Waterflower-Ketchum...umm...not offense but that sounds even worse."

Misty made a face "Ugh!  Now I know why I didn't keep my maiden name or hyphenate it."

"Well lets look at what we've got that hasn't been eliminated."  Only one name was on the list...Alex.

"Let's try girl's names."  Misty rubbed her aching head while Ash flipped to the girls name section of the book.

"How about Alexandria Ketchum?"  Ash frowned "Never mind that is too long."

"How did your mother ever name you?  Your last name is so hard to match."

"I really don't know how I got my name.  Well what about you?  Waterflower isn't easy either."

"Well they had my sisters first."

Ash sighed "How about Amanda Ketchum?"

"Is there a reason we are sticking to the 'A' section?

"No, I just think Amanda is a neat name.  Besides 'A' names don't clash with Ketchum."

"Well what about the other letters.  At this rate you will find a feminine version of your name."

"What's wrong with my name?"

Misty rolled her eyes "Nothing dear, but Mom made me promise not to name any of our children after us.

"Fine, How about Christie Ketchum?  Nope we still have the similar sound problem.  Nothing looks good in the 'D' section."

"Did she say we couldn't name the baby after her?"

"Well no.  Why?"

"Well Sarah is close to her name and it has a nice ring to it.  Sarah Ketchum" Ash smiled.

"I...I like it.  We actually came up with one boy's name and one girl's name."  Misty was in shock.

Ash shifted behind her and closed the name book putting it on his side stand.  "Well if we are done I would like to get the feeling back into my legs."

Misty moved enough to allow Ash to slip off the bed and stretch out his legs.  Only thing is Ash didn't count on how numb his legs would be from sitting in one position for three hours and promptly fell in a tangled mass off the bed as his legs temporarily gave out on him.  "Ow!"

Ash heard laughter above him on the bed as he detangled himself and sat on the floor trying to rub feeling back into his sleeping legs.  "ARGH!  I hate the tickle feeling.  Could you stop laughing?"

Misty choked back on her laughter for a little while but watching him sit there and glare at her caused her to break out into another fit of giggles.

"If you don't stop laughing I'll make you stop."  He glared at her.

"How do you plan to do that?"

Ash shot her the evilest grin she had ever seen in her life.

She gasped in shock and for once she was actually afraid of him.  If the baby wasn't so big and she wasn't stuck lying down she would have run for it.  "A-Ash...what..."

She didn't have time to finish the question.  Ash regained the feeling in his legs and was back on the bed crouched over her with a predatory smirk on his face.  His voice was almost unrecognizable with the deeper tone it took on and the slight chuckle evident in his shaking shoulders.  "What am I going to do?  Hmmm..."  He pretended to ponder his response to the unfinished question "I'm going to...TICKLE YOU!"

Misty shrieked and laughed for him to stop as he tickled her.  He was still aware of her condition through the feelings of wanting to get her back for being partly responsible for his embarrassment was strong.  After making her pleading him to stop three times he finally stopped and collapsed next to her.  "Are you going to laugh at me again?"

Misty lay there trying to catch her breath enough to answer him "Probably but remind me not to do so when pregnant.  Not that I want to experience this again."

Ash rolled to look at her and rub his hand over her abdomen.  He looked saddened by her answer.  "You don't want to have another child?"

"Well...I don't know.  I'll think about it.  If this child is any thing like us I don't know if either of us would want more than one."  She smiled recalling the stories his mother told her about Ash's childhood.

"I understand.  I was just so lonely growing up.  I don't want my child going through the same thing."

Misty put her hand over his stopping the rubbing motion "I had to deal with three older siblings and they weren't always nice.  I was probably as lonely as you were."

He smiled grabbed her hand and kissed it.  "I think I understand."

She sighed "I'll think about it okay?"

"Okay" I'm going downstairs to get water do you want anything?"

"Yes, I'll have a cup of orange juice and lychee."

Ash didn't bat an eyelash at this strange combination as he left the room.  After all she had asked for stranger over the past three to four months.

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The front door opened and closed while Ash was getting the snack.  He curiously poked his head out the kitchen door to see who it was.

Bryan and Richie were talking in hushed voices as they walked towards the stairs.  It seemed Bryan was getting teased about something.

"Hey!"

The two men jumped not expecting anyone to be downstairs.  They located the source of the voice and yelled at Ash "DON'T DO THAT!"

Ash chuckled and popped his head back into the kitchen reappearing with a tray.  The two had recovered by the time he exited the kitchen and were back to what ever they were discussing before only this time on the couch.

"So what happened now?"  Ash set the tray down on the table to grill the two.

"Ummm..."  Bryan stuttered.

Richie laughed "I caught him murmm mmrefet."  Bryan had clamped his had over Richie's mouth before he could finish.

Ash eyed them warily "Will you guys grow up!"

"HEY!" They both yelled or in Richie's case it was a muffled yell.

"Never mind I have to get this to Misty before she gets irritated.  See you later."  Ash grabbed up his tray and dashed upstairs before they could comment further.

"Dang it!"  Bryan had finally let go of Richie's mouth.

"You're just mad that I caught you and now you're being told you're immature."  Richie was happily gloating.

"Oh shut up!  He said you are immature too. Besides I think your jealous."

"W-What do you mean?  I am not!"

"I at least have a girlfriend."

Richie sulked and mumbled under his breath "At least I don't have to worry about her mental stability."

Bryan glared at him "I heard that!"

"Heh heh heh..."

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Upstairs Ash was still chuckling at the two downstairs.  He just closed the door and went to the bed to give Misty her snack.  Unfortunately she had fallen asleep in the short time he was gone.  *Do I wake her up or let her sleep?  Let's see...the last time I woke her up she got mad.  Of course the last time I didn't give her a snack promptly she got mad.  Man this is hard!  What to do...*

What Ash didn't notice during his mental debate was that he didn't have to worry since Misty got up on her own and attacked the snack while he pondered the situation.  After finishing the orange juice she noticed the frustrated expression on his face.  "Ash?"

"AHHHH!" and a loud THUMP followed by muffled cursing from the floor caused Misty to worry.   Ash forgot how close to the edge he was and fell off the bed for a second time that day.

"I'm so sorry!  Are you okay?"  Misty attempted to peer at him but failed to do so with the tray in the way.

The responding groan sounded like a "just fine" as his head appeared over the edge a few seconds after.  "Please don't do that again."  He was rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uh..."

Before she could answer the door burst open reveling a aggravated Chikorita and two worried Pikachu.  "Chikori!"  and "Pikapi!" were shouted as Chikorita and Pikachu ran to their friend.

Sparky stayed at the door not knowing what to do.  To his knowledge Richie wasn't back yet.

Chikorita used its vine to help Ash get up and Pikachu jumped on the bed handing him the neglected cup of water.

"Thanks guys."  Ash moved to sit on the bed and drink his water.

Sparky closed the door slightly and went to join his friends on the bed.

"Chiko?"  Chikorita moved close to Misty with a questioning glance.

Misty smiled at the grass pokemon "Were fine.  I think I surprised him."

"Chi!"  Chikorita moved closer and rested her head on Misty's stomach.  After Pikachu and the other pokemon explained what was going on whenever she could she would listen to the baby.

Pikachu and Sparky moved closer to take a listen as well.  After a little while they moved back to Ash to check on him.

"I'm fine guys.  Go back to the room and play with everyone else."  Ash ruffled the fur on Pikachu's head affectionately.

The only response his friend gave was to scrunch up his nose and pat his little paw over the ruffled fur.  "Pikapi!  Pikachu pika pika, Pi pika chu Pi pi pi!"  (Ash!  Stop messing up my fur, I'll look like Sparky!"

"Pika!"  Sparky stuck out his tongue, pulled down the bottom eyelid and ran to the door.  Pikachu jumped off the bed and chased after him the two seeming to insult each other.

Ash chuckled at the two as he petted Chikorita while he finished the cup of water.

"Ash, can you help me up I have to use the bathroom."  Misty shifted uncomfortably.

Chikorita stopped leaning against her and moved out of the way.

Ash stopped chuckling and rushed to help her up.  "Do you need any more help?"

"I'll be fine, thanks for helping me up." She smiled and waddled to the bathroom.

"Okay, I'll be right here if you need anything."  He sat back down on the bed and returned to petting Chikorita.

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Sparky and Pikachu chased each other down the hall to the "Pokemon Room" but stopped when they heard the bantering downstairs.  Deciding to see what was happening they went down stairs to investigate.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs the joking voices turned aggravated which didn't make either Pikachu happy.

"PIKA!"  (HEY!)

The two men turned to the source of the outburst frozen for a few seconds in surprise.  Their facial expressions turned to ones of fear when two sets of cheeks started to spark with electricity.

"It's okay we've stopped."  Richie attempted to calm the two down before they ended up burnt to a crisp again.

Sparky eyed his master suspiciously but extinguished the sparks.  Pikachu followed suit a little after and the two stared down the two formerly arguing men.

"We promise to stop arguing.  Why don't you guys have a snack?"  Richie pulled two small ketchup bottles out of his vest pockets.  No sooner were they out were they snatched by two yellow streaks that headed to a bedroom.

Bryan stood there staring after the two streaks then turned his shocked gaze to a stressed out Richie.

"Don't ask!  We were this (shows thumb and forefinger an inch apart) close to getting fried again."

"Oh!  Well I'm going to go wash up for my date."  He stood up and went towards his room.

Richie smirked "I'm still going to tell Ash."

Bryan stopped half way up the stairs.  "You wouldn't."

"Yes I would besides what do you want me to tell them when you aren't at dinner tonight?"

"I-I..."

Bryan was saved from answering because he had to quickly run the rest of the way up the stairs.  Ash flew down the hall and stairs nearly running him over while carrying Misty who didn't look too happy.  "Lock up when you guys leave.  I have to get to the hospital.  Call my mom and Okido for us."

"Guess I have to cancel my first date with May."  Bryan groaned and dejectedly made his way back down the stairs.

Richie found this even funnier as he went to do as Ash said.  He couldn't help chuckling as he called everyone he knew to tell them what was going on.

After that was done they both locked up and waited outside for the Oaks to pick them up.

Richie couldn't help but laugh continue to laugh at his friend's misfortune.  "Better luck next time...I just hope she has gotten over this whole mess before you ask her out again.  Anyway look on the bright side you can probably sit next to her on the way there."

"Oh, shut up!"

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To be continued…

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12/11/02

I'm still being evil.  But at least there is a bit more to this chapter.  I'll try to get the next one out soon.  Finals are next week and I only have one more day of class so please bear with me.  I'm finally over one hundred reviews!  ::Jumps around with a big grin on my face::  Okay enough of that.  Speaking of reviews, will whoever didn't leave any notice of who they were but reviewed chapter 2 about four to five times (with the same thing) please not do that.  It bombs my email and throws off my count.  I appreciate the thought but I would prefer reviews that give me feedback on what is good or not.  Also please don't send more name suggestions.  Its over the winning names are Alex for a boy and Sarah for a girl. 

As soon as winter break is here I'm going to try drawing a few scenes from the story so if you have any requests just send an email or say so in your review.  They will be posted on my page:

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/kitcat

If you want to be added to the update notification list let me know.  The email crisis has been averted but if you feel you are supposed to be on the listing and I somehow overlooked you please let me know.  Ash's Angel/Myst please let me know your new email address.(Well if you still want update notifications.)

Thanks for reading…please review.

Until next chapter,

Kitcat ^_^

kitcat-hp@hawaii.rr.com