Life's Full of Little Surprises

*****

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. ^_^

*****

Chapter 19: Chaos and Peace

*****

Ash didn't know how right he was...he called the Oak residence before they left the hospital and requested that his mom and Professor Oak meet them at his house.  Thankfully Misty's sisters were out shopping with Gary so his mom left them a note.

A few minutes after Ash pulled in to the driveway his mom walked towards them.  Sasha smiled and hugged her son who was opening Misty's door. "So how are the new parents holding up?  I want to carry my granddaughter."  She opened the back door and took Sarah out of the car seat and cuddled her.

"Just fine!" Misty growled while scowling and slapping her husband's hands, protesting that she was perfectly capable of walking the five feet from the car to the house with out help.

Sasha chuckled, "Misty, let him do what he wants.  It will save you the frustration.  Besides, when since finding out you were pregnant did he leave you be and let you do what you want?  My son is very stubborn."

"Mom!"  Ash whined as he finally managed to pick Misty up from the car insisting that she rest.  He carried her bridal style in to the house and gently placed her on the couch.

"What's with you?  You let me walk to change and to the wheelchair but you won't let me walk to the house from the car!"  She continued to fume.

"I'm just worried about you."  He gave her his best puppy dog face before rushing out of the house to continue unpacking the car.

Sasha sat down next to her daughter-in-law still cuddling her granddaughter.  "Just let him pamper you for a bit. He'll eventually stop so you might as well enjoy it while it lasts."

Misty sighed in defeat "I just wish he would stop treating me like I'm made of glass."

"Its frustrating isn't it?  Have you tried explaining it to him?"

"No, I don't think just talking will get him to stop."

"Well it may get him to lessen the behavior if you just explain how you feel.  Then again we are talking about my son. You will need to state what you want of him straight out since he does tend to be a bit…obtuse…"  She was interrupted as Sarah decided she was hungry.  "I see she has her father's lungs."   Sasha handed the crying bundle over to its mother.

Misty rolled her eyes and accepted her screaming daughter "Yah, that and his appetite."

They both had a good laugh as Ash chose that moment to enter the house carrying a large pile of floral arrangements and a few gifts from the car.  He ignored them figuring that it would be safer being ignorant and went back to get another batch.

*****

Ash finally finished unloading the car and dispersing the floral arrangements through out the house. Now it didn't look like a jungle in one area.  He joined Misty and his mom on the couch, Sarah was peacefully sleeping in her grandmother's arms.

As soon as he sat down someone started knocking or banging on the door. ::Groan:: "I don't want to move."

"If you don't want to get it I'll get it."  Misty took her chance to actually do something with out an argument and got up to get the door before Ash could stop her.

"Just a…" She opened the door to what appeared to be a large floating bag. It was rather lumpy and brown drawstring bag, the person carrying it said a muffled thanks as it walked through the door, the voice sounding mysteriously like Bryan.

Okido followed with Togetic floating happily behind him.  "Sorry about being late we had a few things to take care of before we came over."

"Toge-pr-tic how are you.  Sorry I'm still not used to your evolved form."  Misty hugged the Happiness Pokemon.

"Toge!" [Mommy!]

Bryan was collapsed on the couch next to Ash the bag at his feet while he caught his breath.  "Man was that thing heavy."

Okido sat down on couch next to his wife while Misty and Togetic sat on the other couch.

"So how did the tests go on Togetic?"

"About that…if it isn't too much trouble I would like to study it a bit longer.  Its abilities are a still unknown and I still don't know everything it can do."  Okido smiled at his step-daughter-in-law.

"I guess that would be okay if it is fine with Togetic.  Is it okay with you?"

"Toge!"  [Okay!]

"I don't see much of a problem since she can't help you discover its abilities.  The doctor said she can't train for at least two weeks and that is only if she feels up to it."  Ash smirked cockily at his wife.

Misty glared at him while Bryan sat up in sudden interest.  Judging Misty's expression this would be interesting.

Unfortunately Ash forgot he was sitting next to his mom.  Who somehow managed to smack his arm without disturbing Sarah and man did it sting.  "Ash Ketchum, that wasn't appropriate and you know it!"

"Yes mom."  Ash mumbled while everyone else laughed.

"You may be all grown up and have a child of your own but you are still my son and I raised you better than that.  Maybe it was all that traveling and time away from home."  Sasha sternly reprimanded her son.

Okido cleared his throat, "Well now that I have permission to study Togetic I'll explain the bag.  Bryan, please open it."

Bryan bent down to open the bag and Professor Oak joined him in lining up pokeballs on the table.

The other three occupants of the room watched in awe as the bag started to collapse and the table filled up with the little red and white balls.  By the time they finished the two by four foot table was covered and the flower arrangement that once graced its top was on the floor.

"T-that has to be at least fifty pokeballs."  Misty stuttered.

"Actually its fifty-two pokeballs."  Okido stretched his back and sat down again.

"F-ffifty-two!?!"

Everyone but Okido and Bryan were shocked.

"Well I haven't sent you a new Pokemon since Wobbuffet so you shouldn't be that surprised.  Guess I didn't fully explain what I needed help with and the terms of your helping me did I?"  He thought back to the day that Ash and Misty got their Pokegear.

It was that moment Sarah decided to wake up from her nap and she wasn't too happy.

Sasha handed her granddaughter to her son, "Ash I thing you should take her."

Ash took the crying baby but she didn't stop crying once in her father's arms.  "What do I do to get her to stop?"  He tried rocking her and cuddling her but nothing worked.

Misty couldn't take it anymore "Give her to me."

Ash handed over the crying bundle to its mother and the minute she took it Sarah stopped screaming.  Misty cooed to her and rocked her back and forth.

"Guess she knows who her mother is."  Bryan laughed.

"I think someone is a bit uncomfortable and needs a change.  Ash can you help me?"  Misty headed for the stairs.

"Uh…what do I do?"  Ash got up and followed.

Misty sighed and Sarah fussed a little "Guess we're in for diaper changing 101."

That got a laugh out of everyone but the two new parents. Ash was embarrassed and Misty who was too frustrated to laugh at her own quip.

Sasha got up "I can help too."

"That's okay Mom I think we can handle it."  Misty replied from the top of the stairs before rounding the corner.  "We'll be right back."

*****

In the baby's room "Okay, Ash here is the clean diaper and a wipe.  You open up the outfit from the bottom and remove the dirty diaper then use the wipe to clean her while holding her feet, place the clean diaper under her then fasten it.  Do you understand?"  Misty explained it after putting Sarah on the changing table and standing on the side to watch Ash attempt to change the diaper.

"I think so."  He undid the buttons on the outfit, thankfully it didn't have to be completely removed.  He then took the wipe from her, undid the dirty diaper and cleaned her with the wipe.  Pushing the wet diaper on the side and putting a new one in its place he lowered her on to the clean diaper unfortunately he didn't open it up and so had a hard time opening the diaper with the baby on it.  Well that and Sarah wasn't done yet.

Whoever said girls can't squirt was really, really wrong.  Not only can they squirt but they can also aim pretty well too.  If Ash was a foot shorter he would have gotten a not so refreshing squirt in the face thankfully it was only his shirt.

Misty stifled a laugh and handed Ash a couple of wipes to clean up both his shirt and Sarah.  "I forgot to warn you to be a bit faster.  You should also open the diaper up first."

"You forgot?"  He didn't look amused as he cleaned up the little mess she made on the table and actually managed to get the diaper on right and fasten the snaps on the outfit.  "I think I'll go change before going back down stairs."

 Misty picked Sarah up and sat in the rocking chair, "I think we will wait for you here."

"Okay, I'll be right back."  Ash rushed off to change.

*****

Meanwhile downstairs…

May stopped by and was sitting next to her boyfriend.  She finally got it through her thick skull that Ash wasn't available though this cute guy that has been helping her grandfather out was.  He also seemed pretty interesting though he was friends with her...

The two couples were sitting on the couch when Ash came down stairs.  He was surprised to see May there but didn't say anything.

"Ash, what took so long and why did you change your shirt?  Where are Misty and Sarah?"  His mom questioned him when he sat across from them on the other couch.

Ash blushed and chuckled, "Heh, umm…Well Misty and Sarah were sleeping in the rocking chair after I changed.  I put Sarah in her crib and Misty in bed."

"Oh, but that still doesn't answer why you changed your shirt."  Everyone else had confused expressions on their faces.

Ash scratched the back of his head in nervousness "Well…uh…while I was changing her diaper Sarah wasn't exactly done…"

The grandparents laughed while May and Bryan remained confused.  "What do you mean?"

Sasha got herself under control and answered Bryan much to Ash's dismay.  "It means that Sarah squirt him.  Though I didn't know girls could do that. I've never had to change a girl's diaper."

Ash mumbled from the pillow he grabbed and covered his very red face with, "They can and they have dang good aim to."

That set everyone into a fit of laughter.

Unluckily for Ash the door bell rang at that moment so he was forced to put the pillow down and answer it.  Seeing his red face caused everyone to burst out in a fit of chuckles.  "Just wait till you have to change a diaper."  He mumbled under his breath at Bryan which effectively shut him up.

Misty's sisters and Gary the pack mule were at the door.  Lily stared in confusion at her brother-in-law, "Like, what happened to your face?  And why is everyone laughing?"

"Err…."  Ash moved aside to let them in.

Gary was the last to enter the house and when he caught sight of Ash's face he chuckled, "Now this is a story I have to hear.  I wish we got here earlier so I could know first hand why you are so embarrassed."

Ash rolled his eyes "Just wait till you have to do it then I'll have a good laugh.  Besides I would stop laughing or that tower of boxes is going to fall."  He closed the door behind Gary but seriously debated closing it in his face. Though he was kind of late to do so since Gary had already past him…drat!

The last comment got Gary to stop but now he really wanted to know what was so funny.  Thankfully the boxes blocked his view of the couch so he couldn't see who was on it.  Curiously Daisy suddenly appeared beside him and grabbed his arm as soon as he put everything down.  He turned to her in confusion catching a glimpse behind her of the couch and its occupants.

Bryan was sitting next to May and now he had a red face and his grandfather and his wife were laughing at something.

A sound somewhere between a curse and a roar erupted though the quiet house while all hell broke loose.

Misty and Sarah were woken from their naps by all the noise and they came downstairs.  "What's going on here?"

Luckily for Bryan Daisy had a tight grip on her boyfriend's arm so he didn't go far.  She didn't look too strong but all that swimming gave her enough strength to hold back the furious overprotective younger male.

"Dang it Daisy, let me go!  I'm going to kill him!  Umbreon go get him!"  With his free hand Gary released his favorite pokemon on his sister's boyfriend.

"Umbreon!"  A mysterious black cat like creature yelled as it appeared with a flash of light from the spinning pokeball.  Its ears are long and point up in the air, glowing stripes circle both the ears and tail, and rings glow on its forehead and legs.

Misty was now at the bottom of the stairs looking in awe at the interesting pokemon.

Ash pointed his Pokegear at it and an explanation of the mysterious moonlight pokemon was the only things heard.  "Umbreon, one of the natural evolutions of Eevee, this evolution happens only at night.  Stronger attacks are ghost and dark attacks, not much else is known about this pokemon."

Meanwhile Umbreon was glaring at Bryan who stood in front of May ready to protect his girlfriend.  Though it wasn't necessary since he was the target not May.  Umbreon's stripes glowed more as it prepared to use confuse ray.

Meanwhile Daisy, Lily, and Violet pleaded with Gary to stop being foolish.  They were the only ones who weren't shocked or wondering about the mysterious black pokemon.  Umbreon being Gary's favorite, like Pikachu is not just a pokemon but Gary's friend.

"PIKACHUUUUUUUU!"  Suddenly two thunder bolts were let loose one came from above and another from the front door hitting Gary before he could command his pokemon to follow through with the attack.

Umbreon stopped glaring and glowing as it rushed to his friend's side.  The only response anyone got from him was to watch him fall to his knees.  Thankfully Daisy caught him before he banged his head on anything.

Bryan relaxed and almost collapsed from the stress of the whole ordeal while the rest of the room tried to process what was going on.

*****

Ten minutes later Gary groaned and opened his eyes.  Thirteen pairs of eyes staring at him, twelve of them were worried but two were angry and one annoyed.  "What hit me?"  Umbreon purred and rubbed against him and he pet him in return.

Ash chuckled "Two thundershocks from two of the strongest Pikachu in the Kanto region if not the world."

"Oh yah, Umbreon return."  The moonlight pokemon returned to it's pokeball without a fight.

Richie joined him until both received a glare from Daisy.  "What in the world did you think you were doing?  I mean, ordering Umbreon to attack Bryan in the house.  Did you even think of the damage you would be doing to the house?  Do..."  Daisy blew up at him.

"Uh..."  Gary was the only response was able to get in as Daisy continued to rant.

Misty rolled her eyes, sighed, "What is going on here?  Wait…with all of you do I even want to know." 

"WAAAAHHHH!"  Sarah didn't like all the noise and she joined her aunty in attempting to make everyone deaf.

Misty felt this had gone on too far she handed Sarah to Ash and grabbed both of Daisy's shoulders and shook.

"What?"  Having her rant interrupted caused her to pant a bit.

Misty glared at her "Your making Sarah cry, stop it!"

Daisy seemed to just notice Sarah was wailing in her father's arms.  "Sorry..."

The yelling stopped and Sarah decided that it was okay to stop crying but she continued to whimper. 

Though there was no noise the tension in the room stayed.

Richie attempted to break the tension "Gees, a guy comes back to eat lunch and finds chaos."

Everyone else seemed to just notice him.  "Oh!  Richie when did you get back?  Weren't you at the Gym today?"  Sasha smiled at her son's friend "Did you say lunch?  Oh, my I didn't realize it was so late.  I'll make something for everyone."  She got up and rushed to the kitchen.

Ash watched his mother with a confused expression on his face.  "I don't think she realizes this isn't her house anymore."

"Old habits die hard, I mean she did live here for along time and she's only been Mrs. Oak for a few years.  I'll help her since she doesn't know we moved a few things."  Misty left the room.

Ash suddenly realized his wife just left to do something other than rest and chased after her "Misty what are you doing?   You should be resti…"

That lessened the tension some as everyone laughed at the small family.  They listened to a groan of frustration followed by the door opening to Misty carrying Sarah.  She went straight to the other couch mumbling about not being an invalid.

Gary looked like he was fully recovered from his "shocking encounter" with the two Pikachu.  Umbreon sat next to his leg on the floor and leaned against his friend.  Gary cleared his throat while rubbing Umbreon between the ears "I'm sorry for releasing Umbreon in your house." 

"It's okay.  When did Eevee evolve?" Misty sighed and smiled slightly.

"I think it was about three months ago.  We were doing some training near the ocean one night and he just evolved."  Gary scratched his head.

Ash appeared in the doorway and stared at him incredulously "You've known about a new evolution of Eevee for three months and didn't tell me?"

"Ash!  Either help your mom or let me do it.  If you want to yell at Gary I'll help her."  Misty glared at him.

"EEEP!"  Ash rushed into the kitchen because he knew Misty would follow through with her promise and he really didn't like that glare.

"Whipped!"  Violet commented getting a laugh out of everyone but Misty who just glared at her.

Daisy rolled her eyes "Gees, Misty you don't have to take everything so personally…"

"And why would I take anything you say personally?  Huh?"  Her voice dripping with sarcasm and for once her tone wasn't lost on them.  "I mean you've only put me down most if not all of my life and have never taken anything I've said or suggested seriously.  What on Earth would make me take it personally?  I wonder."  She glared at all three of her sisters.  "I'm sick and tired of the comments, criticism, and sarcasm from the three of you.  I may not be as "stunning" as you three but at least I don't act like a brainless twit twenty-four hours seven days a week.  Yes, you act like you are stupid but you really aren't.  So I'm not a "Sensational Sister" at least I use the brain I'm given."  Misty stopped her outburst as Sarah began to whimper.

Everyone else in the room was shocked.

Misty rocked Sarah a little and she quieted down.  "I-I don't like being made fun of I'm not a little kid anymore and I do have feelings.  I just wish you would consider my feelings before you open your mouths.  Is it any wonder I take everything you say personally?  I mean…"  She broke cried a bit into Sarah's blanket.

"Misty, we didn't know what we said meant so much to you.  We'll make an effort to think before we speak."  Lily sat next to her and rubbed her shoulders.  "I guess it's time to realize you are all grown up and not so little."

Misty looked at Lily "Thanks, and will try not to be so defensive.  Though why wouldn't what you say matter to me?  You three are the only family I have left."

Violet sat on the arm of the chair on Misty's other side "No, were not.  You now have a beautiful daughter and a very caring husband."  She sniffed "Our baby sis is all grown up."

Daisy was the only one not near Misty she seemed to be thinking of everything and she finally came to a conclusion.  "You may not be little anymore and you defiantly are not a runt, but you will always be our baby sister.  We've been really harsh haven't we?"

"Yes, I would say you have been harsh all these years if what I hear is right."  Okido spoke up before Misty could.  "I'm glad you three have realized your wrongs and I hope things will get better in the future.  Misty may not only have you three but you are her older sisters and it is about time you started acting like it."

"We're sorry Misty."  Daisy went to stand behind her and all three hugged her.

"Apology accepted and thanks I don't know what I would do with out you."

"Well now that that is settled…What is the big idea?"  May glared at her brother.

"Uh…heh heh."  Gary looked at her sheepishly.

"Gary, why are you so stubborn?  I can date who ever I want to.  Besides since when have you ever cared about what I do?"  May zoomed in on her dear little brother.

"I just don't like hearing that he spent the night with you."  Gary attempted to defend himself.

"Not that it is any of your business but nothing happened we sat in the living room and talked then fell asleep on the floor.  Ask Grandpa if you want he found us in the morning.  Besides I'm older than you."

Okido sighed "I did find them in the morning and I saw them several times during the night and nothing happened."

"Well…I'm your brother, I'm supposed to look after you."  Gary offered a feeble excuse for his actions.

Daisy was back at his side "I say let your sister and her boyfriend alone.  Why do you care anyway?  I mean you didn't bother with her all this time and now you all of a sudden take an interest in her life."

"Well I don't want her being taken advantage of and besides this relationship could be serious and I want to know my possible future brother-in-law."  Gary smirked at Bryan who cringed.

*Would I really consider marrying May?  I guess she is interesting and I really like her maybe even love her but I have to get to know her better.  Of course this means I'll be semi-related to Ash and Misty.  Would I really marry in to this crazy family?*  Bryan held May's hand and thought about everything.

"Well I guess its okay but he is really young."  Gary grudgingly began to approve of his sister's boyfriend.

"Look who's talking.  Daisy is older than you.  You don't see me going ballistic over your girlfriend."  She thought it better to refrain from insulting Misty since Bryan helped her realize why she behaved the way she did.  It was really hard but their talks have been helping and she was making an effort to stop putting other people down.  Even if she did feel Misty stole Ash from her the point was mute.

"Lunch is ready!" Sarah cheerily walked in to the room followed by Ash.  "Oh, I see every one has seemed to work out their problems.  That's good now hurry up and eat."

Everyone sweat dropped at her cheerfulness.

"She certainly has 'interesting' way of keeping the peace."  Richie rubbed Sparky's back and accepted a sandwich.

"From the shouting that was coming from the living room I am glad I'm an only child."  Ash handed out drinks to everyone.

"You can say that again."  Richie agreed and took a bite out of his sandwich.

"You don't have to be so quick to agree." Misty glared at her friend.

"Hey I'm not trying to start a fight." Richie made placating gestures with his hands.

"Pick up foot, put in mouth, bite off toes, and chew well."  Bryan smirked at his friends.

"Yep, you've defiantly been caught with your foot in your mouth."  Gary agreed readily.

"I think I liked it better when Gary was trying to kill Bryan."  Ash grumbled "At least then they didn't gang up on me."

"Well I agree with him what more do you want me to say."  Gary stood and smirked.

"Well there are some good things to being an only child but there are some bad points too.  I do wish that I had someone other than Gary to play with when I was little."  Ash smirked back and dared him to reply.

"Why you…"

"Boys!  You will stop that right now and behave yourselves.  If you don't I'll have to separate you."  Sasha glared them down.

"Yes, mom I'll behave."

"Yes…err what do I call you? Anyway I'll behave myself."

"She still has it!"  Okido smiled "I remember when I came over to bring Gary home and they were in opposite corners of the room both fuming.  Sasha would reprimand the two of them and make them stay in the corners then apologize to each other before Gary left."

"Like I said old habits die hard."  Misty smiled at Sasha.

Sasha pondered the problem out loud ignoring her husband "Well, humm…I guess this is a problem.  I'm not Mrs. Ketchum anymore but Mrs. Oak is just too weird coming from you.  I'm defiantly not your grandmother so…I guess Sasha is just fine."

"Okay Sasha it is though I don't feel right calling you that either."  Gary frowned.

"Don't worry I don't mind and you will get used to it.  I mean Misty felt the same way about calling me Mom it will just take time.  Now everyone finish your lunch and Richie you have to get back to the Gym I don't want Ash to leave Misty alone so you'll have to mange by yourself."  Sasha smiled.

"Man how does she do it?"  Richie couldn't believe any of the stuff happening that day.

"I don't know and I've known her all my life.  Don't try figuring it out you'll just confuse and frustrate yourself."  Ash patted his friend on the back.

Richie finished his lunch "Thank you for lunch.  I think I'll do as you say and get back to the gym this has been the longest lunch break I've ever had.  I'll be back tonight good bye everyone."  Richie rushed out of the house.

"Now if everything is straightened out and everyone is done eating I would like to finish my explanation."  Okido stood.  "I gave…"

The doorbell interrupted him.

"Excuse me."  Ash rushed to the door and Okido groaned he would never finish this project at this rate.

*****

"Finally, someone answers the door! Well, where is she?"  Jesse demanded as she barged past Ash and into the house dragging James and Persian with her.

A bright light, a distinctive click followed by a loud "WOBBA!", and a loud thud reviled that Wobbafet escaped his pokeball causing the three to fall over in a heap.

"Get back in your pokeball ya blue blob!  You two get offa me."  Persian yelled and grumbled from his prone position under the two humans.

Everyone was now staring in awe at the commotion by the door.  General chaos followed.

Jesse bounded up under the pile and fought with the reluctant pokemon "Get back in your pokeball!"

"Wob!" [No!]

"GRRRR...I said get back in there!"

Ash, James, and Persian edged around the fighting duo.  James turned and smiled apologetically to Ash. 

"Uh..."

Keeping an eye on the two behind James Ash blinked and smiled back.  "Are they always like that?"

Persian shook his head "It's usually worse."

James laughed nervously "Yah"

Jesse managed to get the "Blue blob" back into its pokeball.  "Mwahahahahaha!  I Won!"  She cackled and stood triumphantly with Wobbafet's pokeball in a locked steel box.

"Where did she get the box?" Ash whispered.

"I don't know."  James whispered back.

"Well that laugh is really scary."  Ash shuddered

"Tell me about it...Ahhhhhh!" Jesse grabbed James' shoulders causing him to jump and scream in surprise.

"So, where is the mini twerp?"

Misty stood next to her husband while Jesse inspected the semi-awake baby in her arms.  "You know, she looks more like Misty.  But the hair is defiantly the twerp's."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, old habits die hard."  Jesse smirked at Ash she didn't seem sorry at all.

Sasha joined them "Well she does have Ash's lungs.  It will depend on if she wakes up at 2:00 am on the dot every morning like her father did."

"Great we get to look forward to sleepless nights."  Ash groaned.

Jesse had a mischievous smirk on her face, "Not that you two got much sleep at night anyway right?"

"Jesse!"  Misty and Ash turned red.

"See I was right."

"Ugh…too much information."  Gary groaned and gagged.

Misty quickly changed from embarrassed to furious, "No you aren't right and it isn't any of your business."  She glared at both of them.

Jesse never lost the smirk but she knew if she pressed them further she would be re-acquainted with Pikachu real soon.

Pikachu didn't like people arguing though he did ignore the arguments happening between the siblings earlier.  He figured that it was necessary and better they work it out now than later.  Jesse's comments on the other hand were not welcome and he agreed with Misty it wasn't any of their business.  Chikorita was with him on that as Ash's pokemon were all glaring at her after a short discussion amongst themselves.

"Okay, Jesse now that we've seen the baby can we go back to the restaurant?  We really should be preparing for the dinner crowd."

"Fine, but only because it will be chaos if we don't."  Jesse quickly turned and left the house dragging James with her.

Everyone watched them leave as abruptly as they came.

"Did that just happen?"  Gary shook his head.

"I'm not sure.  I'll let you know when I figure it out." Ash stared at the door and seemed to want to pinch his own arm to see if he was dreaming or in the twilight zone.

"Now that all of that is over can I finally finish my explanation?"  Okido sighed.

"Well not quiet yet."  Daisy grabbed Gary and pushed him towards the package tower he was buried under.   "The gifts haven't been given yet."

"Gifts?"  Ash changed his gaze of confusion from the door to his sister-in-law.

"Yes, gifts for our only niece."  Daisy smiled at him.

At that both parents groaned.  "I think we forgot to put your sisters in the group of people to spoil this baby rotten."

"Like, don't exaggerate we aren't going to spoil her rotten."  Lily cheerfully dug through the pile.

"Yah, if we were going to spoil her rotten we would have bought at least…Hmm…"  Violet stopped her search to ponder the ending to her sentence.

"Okay, maybe I was wrong and they really aren't faking the ditz act."  Misty whispered in Ash's ear and he tried very, very hard not laugh.

"I don't believe this…why don't you give them all of it at once and let them figure it out.  We really should get going back to Cerulean City before dark."  Gary pleaded with the three sisters.

"Is it really that late?  Oh my, it's almost five well I guess I should start dinner."  Sasha rushed off to the kitchen.

Misty sat down on the couch and rocked Sarah.  "Is your mom's answer to everything cooking?"

"Ummm…yah…I guess so…it has been since I was little.  Well all except for the times she would send me to the corner to think."  Ash scratched his head "I'd better go help her."  He rushed in to the kitchen after his mother.

Misty sighed and kissed Sarah on the forehead.  "Your Dad and Grandma are silly."  Sasha cooed in agreement.

"Well hurry up and give her the gifts so we can leave.  I really want to be back in Cerulean."  Gary was bordering on whining.

May rolled her eyes "Oh, quite whining Gary.  You sound like such a baby."  She got up and walked over to her grandfather.  "Bye Grandpa Bryan and I have a date." After giving him a kiss on the cheek and a hug she dragged Bryan out of the house before anyone could complain throwing Misty a curt farewell.

Misty was in too much shock to return the gesture "Well I guess that is as close to being polite that I'll get from her."

Okido sighed "Don't worry, she'll eventually come around though I don't know why she had to take my assistant with her now.  It isn't even six and I still needed his help, this is just not my day."

While all of this was happening Misty's sisters had finally organized who bought what from the pile and had somehow mangaged to encircle their sister and niece each carrying several bags.

Violet spoke first "We didn't want to buy stuff before we knew whether we had a niece or nephew so we went shopping this morning.  There were just too many cute outfits that I couldn't resist."  She sat next to Misty and held up about five different outfits each more frilly and ugh, pink than the last.

"Uh…thanks I guess."  Misty eyed the outfits dubiously "Ummm…only one problem with them."

"What?  Don't you like them?"  Violet looked hurt.

Misty tried to be quick to appease her sister not wanting the fragile truce to be broken so soon it was nice having some peace "No, no I just would prefer that they had a way to change the diaper."

"Oh, that isn't a problem."  Lily quickly rushed to Violet's side despite the fact that she was holding several bags with fuzzy objects almost bursting from the bags.

Misty cringed at the thought of the nursery over flowing with stuffed animals.

Violet also brightened, "Yah, they all have these little buttons going down one leg of each outfit.  Aren't they cute?"

"Um…yah…cute…"  Misty wasn't sure she wanted to subject her daughter to so much lace and frills.

Daisy picked up on the uncomfortable note in Misty's voice "Violet I told you not to get them.  You need to get outfits with buttons on both legs, especially if Ash has as much trouble as we heard he does with changing diapers."  She couldn't resist giggling.

"I heard that…and it was my first time changing a diaper."  Ash yelled from the kitchen.

"He heard me?  That's kind of scary."

"Don't think I didn't hear that too."

Misty shook her head and whispered, "Unfortunately he has excellent hearing especially when he is concerned."

"Well as a back up I found a few outfits with less frills and buttons on both legs.  We'll return those for you."  Daisy held up five other outfits two that were bluish but had water pokemon all over it, one was green with a Chikorita embroidered on the chest.  Another was black with little lightning bolts and a pikachu on the chest.  The last was red with a Charmander in the middle of it.

Misty was surprised to say the least and she liked these a lot more the pokemon also seemed to like these outfits more.  They joined the three in surrounding Misty after almost running from the room in terror at the sight of the frilly things.  Chikorita and Pikachu were arguing over the green and black outfits.

"Pika pikachu pika pika." [The black is better.]

"Chiko!  Chikori chiko chikorita." [No!  The green is better.]

Everyone else ignored the two on the ground while Misty tried to figure out how to accept these outfits which she felt were way better and not hurt Violet's feelings.  "Umm…I…"

"Oh, just say it already.  Violet did help pick out some of these she won't be too crushed."  Daisy smiled.

"Yah, Misty just be honest you don't like the other five do you?"  Violet was smiling at her.

"Actually to tell you the truth…I really like these.  The pink ones are…well…"  Misty searched for a word that wasn't too negative.

"They are down right scary!"

"Gary!"

"Well they are.  Ugh if someone came up to me with one of those I'd run in the opposite direction screaming."  Gary made a face of disgust.

"Well of course you would.  You're a guy and guys don't wear frilly pink outfits.  Seriously I wonder about you sometimes besides if you did I'd have you institutionalized." Daisy rolled her eyes.

"Is my name James?  He's the only guy I've seen in pink and ugh feathers."  Gary shuddered.

Daisy just ignored him "Well I remembered what you said about pink not being your color and I have to agree it isn't.  Though Sarah has her father's hair her eyes and skin tone is more like you and the blues and greens are more complementary.  But I just couldn't resist the Pikachu one it was too cute."

Misty smiled and sniffled a bit.  "Thanks you guys, I'm really glad…"

"You don't have to get so emotional about it."  Lily was perplexed.

"Sorry, it's just…I've been having a few mood swings since the birth.

Okido nodded his head "That is normal.  Your body is just adjusting back to normal and your hormone levels haven't fully adjusted yet.  Anyway I'll go see if Sasha and Ash need any help in the kitchen" He got up from his seat and rushed from the room.  *Those four are just a bit too much!*

"Really guys, I'm fine."

"Okay, well here are a few cute plushies that I couldn't resist getting."  Lily pulled out ten plushie water pokemon of varying size and showed them to Misty.

"Um…thanks though I don't know where to put them."

"Don't worry you'll find a place.  Oh, yah before I forget Gary bring me the box."  Daisy pointed to a lone rather large box near the wall.

"Ugh!  What's in this thing?"  Gary dragged the box to his girlfriend not with out a lot of complaining.  "Here!"  He placed it at her feet.

"Thank you!"  Daisy pat him on the head like a dog.

"Hey!  Watch the hair."

She just rolled her eyes "Yes, we wouldn't want to mess with your hair now would we?"  Opening the box she easily lifted the box to the couch.  "It wasn't that heavy you baby."

"Humph!"

Misty peered in the box and gasped in shock.  "T-that…"

Lily interrupted her shocked stuttering "Your baby stuff.  We took it down from the attic and brought it here.  I mean its old but the toys and stuff are still in good condition."

"I don't know what to say…thank you."  Misty sniffed again.  *Their being so nice.  Dang it I just stopped myself from crying the last time and they have to pull this stuff on me.*

"Well now that we delivered this stuff we should be going."  Gary was standing by the door ready to rush out of it.

"Wait a minute we want to at least hold our niece once.  I mean we haven't yet."  Lily glared at him.

Gary just leaned against the door and slid to the floor grumbling about never being able to leave.

Misty reluctantly handed Sarah over to Violet and tried to tell her how to support her head.  "Chill out Misty!  Like, we have handled a baby before."

"But…"

"Who do you think had to help mom and dad out with you?  We all helped carry you and we never once dropped you."  Lily took Sarah from Violet.  "Oh, she's so tiny and has the cutest little hands."

"Violet can I have a turn?"

"Sure" Daisy took Sarah.

"You know if you change the hair and lighten the eyes she looks just like Misty did the first time she came home."  Daisy lightly brushed against the soft black fuzz on Sarah's head.  With a wistful almost longing look she handed her back to her mother.  "She'll grow up to be beautiful just like her mom.  We are really sorry for giving you such a hard time while you were growing up."

Misty didn't know how to react but cuddled her daughter close.  "It's okay I forgive you guys…"

She was interrupted when Sarah decided she was hungry.

"Well I guess I should go upstairs and feed her it is about time for her dinner."  Misty moved to the stairs.

"Well we had better get going before mister grouch gets hit by the door.  Bye Misty and take care of our niece."  Daisy began gathering their things and the frilly outfits.

Misty turned at the base of the stairs still rocking Sarah and trying to get her to stop her tears.  "What do you mean?"

"Well it is about time for Richie to get back.  Go take care of her before she gets hysterical."  Lily rushed her to the stairs.  "We'll see you soon."

"Bye!"  Misty returned her attention to the crying almost screaming bundle in her arms and went to tend to her needs in the nursery.

*****

Just as Misty left they heard the distinctive sound of a key in the lock and the door knob turned followed by the door swung inward though it couldn't go very far with Gary behind it smashing him in to the wall.

"OOOWW!"

"Hey something's blocking the door.  Can some one move what ever it is so I can get in?"  Richie called through the small crack.

"Not something you idiot, it's me.  Now can you please close the door so I can get up?"  Gary growled.

"Gary what are you doing back there?"  Richie complied and Gary moved away from the door and was in Richie's face just as he closed the door behind him.

"What's the big idea?"

"Well I didn't know anyone would be standing behind the door there isn't anyway for me to see in the house you know…"

"Gary stop bothering Richie and if you had bothered to check your watch you would have known not to sit behind the door.  I mean the gyms all close at the same time every day and it is quite obvious that Richie would come back at this time thus the door would have to open."  Daisy lectured him.

"Well if we left when I wanted to this wouldn't have happened."  Gary left Richie to argue with his girlfriend.

"Okay, I've heard enough bickering who's ready for dinner?"  Sasha appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.

"No!  I am not eating dinner we will eat when we get back to Cerulean City.  If we eat here we'll end up spending the night and I want to get back to the gym by tomorrow."  Gary stopped his argument with Daisy to pout.

"Now you behave like the young man you are and quit pouting.  I will not have you four going home hungry.  I made enough food for everyone.  You're staying and that is final."  Sasha turned to go back into the kitchen.

Gary grumbled and got dragged into the dinning room by Daisy.

*****

Ash finished setting up the table and turned to find everyone but his wife and daughter behind him.  "Where's Misty?"

"Sarah was hungry so she went to take care of her…"

Ash was gone before Violet could finish.  "Where'd he go?"

"Don't worry about Ash he'll be back with Misty."  Sasha smiled knowingly.

*****

About a half an hour later Misty and Ash were back downstairs with Ash carrying the baby monitor.  By then everyone else had finished eating and Richie was sitting at the table talking with the Oaks but Gary and the trio had already left.

"Did my sisters leave already?"

"Yes, they finally gave in to Gary's pleas to leave about five minutes ago."  Sasha smiled at them.  "I gather Sarah is already sleeping?"

"Yes after eating her fill and getting a change she crashed out."

"I see Ash didn't change his clothes so either Misty changed the diaper or he was faster this time."  Okido chuckled.

"Hey!  It was my first time."

"Don't worry he let me do it this time."

Sasha hushed her husband "That's enough of that you two need to eat now."

Ash helped Misty sit and got food for the both of them.

*****

After dinner they went back to the living room which still had a table full of pokeballs.

Sasha was the only one not sitting "Dear if you are going to talk work I'm going to check on my granddaughter.  Let me know when you are ready to leave."  She smiled and went to the nursery.

"Now before I get interrupted again.  I asked for your help in discovering the abilities of these newly discovered pokemon from the Johto region.  These pokemon need to be trained and examined to their fullest extent and though some seem to have been fully examined.  They could still be examined a bit farther to make sure we know everything we could possibly know about them."   He took a break to drink some water.  "While I know Wobbafet was one of those pokemon I would still like to examine him every now and then."

"But your note…"

"Yes, I wasn't quite all that clear about that was I?  Well it's fine as long as Jesse and James don't up and leave suddenly."

Ash pondered this for a bit "One thing I really want to know is are these pokemon considered ours or yours?"

"For all registration and law purposes they are registered to you.  Any pokemon I give you to help me with is yours since you will undoubtedly bond with them.  Though a draw back is I eventually want these to evolve."

A look of pure fear crossed Ash's face he gulped "E-evolve?"

Professor Oak sighed "Yes, Ash evolve.  I need to know at approximately what level they will evolve at.  Of course as more pokemon are discovered you will invariably get inundated.  So since you have several friends who train pokemon you can pass some on to them to help out just let me know who and which ones so Bryan can keep track of them.  So on to other news I decided to take him on as my apprentice and assistant."

Misty blinked "Wow!  I guess that means he will be living at the labs?"

"Yes, well that is unless you want him to stay here.  So far he has been the most competent assistant I've ever had.  Well aside from this business with my granddaughter but I'm still deciding if that is a good or bad thing."  He sighed.

"So you're saying I can help you discover the abilities of some of these pokemon?"  Richie looked thoughtful.

"Yes, Richie I would be more than happy to have you helping out especially since you are helping Ash with the gym at the moment."

"Well what kinds of pokemon are there?  I've seen the few that Ash and Misty have and Bryan had a few he caught when he traveled around Johto."  Richie eagerly sat on the edge of the couch.

"For you to help I'll have to give you a Pokegear and you would have to come back to Pallet on call.  That is the reason I didn't ask Gary to help he should be at the gym as much as possible and calling him back every so often isn't a good thing."  He pondered the possibility.

Richie sighed "I'll be in Pallet for a while and then I don't know what I'll do."

"If you decide to do this we could use the help."  Ash smiled at him.

"Yah, and you can take any bug pokemon…" Misty shuddered.

Ash sighed "Misty, you will have to get over your fear of bugs.  I got Gabby to like me surely you can't let a little bug pokemon bother you."

Okido sighed "I have to agree with Ash you can't avoid bug pokemon and you will have to battle some trainers who specialize in them.  But back to the topic I don't see a problem with Richie helping you can even pick out a few pokemon from the table.  Just come over with me when I go back and I'll give you a Pokegear."

"Sure, let's distribute these pokemon and then we can all get some rest."  Richie happily agreed.

They spent the next hour or so going through each pokeball and picking which ones they wanted to work with and which they may approach Brock to help them with.

*****

That done they said good night and Richie went with the Oaks to get his Pokegear.  Ash and Misty went on to get as much sleep as they could.  All in all it was a hectic if not chaotic day but the night was fairly peaceful.  Well if you didn't count a baby screaming its head off at the ungodly hour of three am.  At which Ash and Misty prayed to any god that would listen that this wasn't going to be a normal occurrence for longer than a year.  Of course Misty was seriously doubtful she wanted any more children but one can never tell what would happen since life is always full of little unexpected surprises.

*****

The End…

*****

Gomen mina!  (Sorry everyone!)  I just realized that many of you probably don't know any or much Japanese. ^^;; It's DONE!  I'm saddened to see it end but all things must come to an end eventually.  Anyway I'm not dead and sorry for putting this on hold for so long I had a rough semester and didn't have time to write or do anything for fun.  I'm just recuperating and beginning to work on some of the things I've been meaning to work on. Well that and my grandmother had surgery this summer and I had to help her for a month.  Anyway here is the last chapter. Thank you for all of your support and for sticking with me for so long.  For those of you who have just given up on me I understand and obviously you won't be reading this but if you do happen to check back I apologize for taking so long. ^_^

Anyway I'm still drawing a few scenes from the story so if you have any requests just send an email or say so in your review. If you want to be added to the update notification list let me know.  I'm toying with a sequel but that won't be for a long while since I want that to be well planned out first this just took too long.  If you want to be notified if and when I post a sequel/part 2 let me know in an email or review or something.  I'm also going to do a few edits to this whole story so if you want to read the whole thing again and be notified when I upload the edits just tell me.  Again thanks for sticking with me.

(Evui if you're still reading...sorry if I came across kind of gruff or angry.  I didn't mean to its just I'm kind of tactless at times.  ::grins sheepishly:: Accept my apology?)

This chapter is dedicated to all of the people who reviewed my story:

ACME-Rian, Alex Warlorn, AngelicFairy, Angelstars, Ash's Angel/Myst, Ayaika234, BenRG, Blabla, Brit Brit, Calamite, Chivorababe, Chuchino The Cabbit, Crystal Arcanine, Crystal Lily, Delita Mukara Bl'Ferno, Denise, Dragonite Master, Dragon-Rider4, DrakoN, Duelist Of Middle Earth, Evui, Evui Zo^-^o, Hrm, Jewel, Joy-Girl, Kate, KazOhki, Kiken Agemono, Kimberly, LittleKid13, Liz, MadMageZoe, Maria, Mel, mdknisley, Mieco, Miss Misty USA, Mistavera, Misty25, Mo, Nichole, Nova S., Obiwankatie, Ori, Pokeshipperit, Rainflower, RookRaven, Sarah,  Sera, Shadow39, Silent Sigh, Silky, Smiley,  Soulhope, Star Pikachu, Sue, Suicune, Trish, vC-4eVa

Good or Bad all the reviewers are here...I think ^^;;

Thanks for reading…please review.

Until the next story,

Ja ne! 

Kitcat ^_^

kitcat-hp@hawaii.rr.com