DISCLAIMER: We don't own Pokémon because I sure as hell know that if I did I would be taking full advantage of money and merchandise and so forth. I'll shut up now…
A/N: This was Geo's chapter and it's nearly one in the morning here so I don't wanna ramble too much like I did in the disclaimer. Read, review, all that good stuff!
Chapter 2- Birthday Of The Broken Hearted.
As I knew I would I did not sleep too well that night. My sleeping pattern was disruptive at best, with thoughts of nothing but the situation with my father playing over and over again within my mind. I awoke for the final time that morning to the shrill ringing of the phone, the phone that had only been installed last week within our room located on the bedside table. Sighing in somewhat disgruntlement, I gingerly lent forward and picked it up.
"Hello" I announced sleepily, also trying to hide my frustration of being awaken from my distracted slumber of the previous night.
"Morning Misty" the voice on the other end replied. My frustration dissolved as the voice became recognisable within an instant and I shot up in bed.
"Daddy? Is something wrong? It's only been, what, 13 or so hours since I last spoke with you" I replied, somewhat dreading his answer. My fears were soon laid to rest as he spoke his next sentence.
"Relax peachpie, whatever gave you the idea something was wrong?" he started with a laugh. "No, no I'm just calling to wish my baby girl a happy 17th birthday" he emphasized. At his words my throat clamped up.
"Birthday?" I asked in disbelief. As I whirled around in bed to steal a glance at Ash's sleeping form only to find his side of the bed empty.
"Yes, don't tell me my little girl forgot her own birthday?" he asked in surprise. I inhaled sharply.
"No, no." More lies, I thought. I had to stop doing this. "I've just had a lot on my plate the last few days" I confirmed.
"I see. Well I won't keep you, I can tell by the tone of your voice I have just woken you up" he started. "I sent you a little something by courier, you should get it around this evening your time" he said. A smile emerged on my lips as if I was 5-years-old again, however rather abruptly I realised we were not communicating through videophone at this time and that he could not register this. I rather hastily spoke up once more.
"Oh Daddy, you didn't have to do that" I assured him.
"Don't be silly Misty, considering the year you have had you deserve a day to let your hair down and be spoiled, what better day than today?" my father explained.
"I suppose you're right dad, although with Andie I am not too sure I'll have the time for much today" I confessed.
"Ahh, but you see princess, that's where that man of yours comes in" he emphasized with a chuckle. I had to blink away my tears at this statement. Oh my god, he called him my man, my father recognising the one I love for what he truly is, my lover, my soul mate, my man, my Ash.
"I can't ask that of Ash on his own, Dad" I replied, keeping my emotions in check.
"Ok fair enough" he started "I did not call to pick a fight with you, like I said just called to say enjoy your day and all."
"I will" I promised him.
"Say hey to that granddaughter of mine, and you let me know when your ready, as soon as you feel up to it I'll be out there on the next flight out to see you all" he told me. I paused a moment, part of me wanted to tell him just to catch the next flight out within the next hour, then that nagging feeling overwhelmed me again and I found myself spouting out.
"Absolutely. I'll talk to you soon yeah?"
"You can count on it. Bye honey!"
"Bye Dad." And with that the phone went dead. I reached over and placed the receiver back on its stance. Bloody hell, it really was my birthday, with the move and everything with Andrea playing on my mind the last several months it had totally crept up on me. The only thing I was intently looking ahead to was Christmas, mainly due to the fact it would be Andie's first.
"Ah well" I said, stretching as I sat upright in bed. "Happy birthday kiddo" I announced to myself, realising that, excusing my father, that would be the only time I would hear that today. For with all that has happened, I could not blame Ash if he forgot, mainly due to the fact that I had.
A few minutes later, after my morning ritual of staring blankly at myself within the mirror of my bedroom, and thinking of all I had gained within a short time span, I was now undressed with only a towel engulfing my body as I made my way to the bathroom, for as with the previous morn it was freezing and I longed for warm water once more. As I made my way to the bathroom a thought struck me. Where was Ash? Andrea was still asleep, as I had checked up on her a few seconds prior to my arrival at the bathroom door. Shrugging this notion aside, I entered the bathroom and pushed open the shower door. As I reached out for the hot water tap, I felt a hand lay to rest on mine and a strong secure arm envelop around my waist and pull me inside, as the water proceeded to run.
"What the hell!" I shrieked in surprise, as I whirled around only to be confronted by the figure of the father of my daughter.
"Hey relax," he started pulling me closer " I don't look that bad do I?" he asked somewhat jokingly. I immediately broke apart from him.
"Bastard! You scared the shit out of me."
"Sorry" he admitted sheepishly. He paused as he laid his hands to rest on my shoulders, a touch that in all honesty I adored, his next actions both startled me, and sent my heart into a frenzy of love and adoration for the boy holding me in his arms. He tucked his hand under my chin, bent forward and initiated a kiss so tender I had to physically pinch myself to make sure it was real.
"W...what was that for?" I asked almost speechless as he broke it. He leaned forward and brushed his forehead upon mine.
"Happy Birthday" he replied softly. My mouth gaped open. God I know I keep saying it, but I cannot emphasize enough just how deep my love runs for this guy. He pulls little moments of magic out of the blue like this all the time, and they are very welcome especially in my troubled of times.
"Y…. You remembered…" I choked out. He nodded.
"Not something I can afford to forget" he told me. "If not for fear of being knocked silly by you, then for the fact that I love you alone." I lost it at that statement, and actually started sobbing. While dense old Ash thought he had said something out of line and frantically started apologising a thousand times over.
"Ash!" I said strongly, interrupting his rambled words of begging for forgiveness for whatever he had done wrong.
"I'm just upset cause of the emotion involved, ya know, love." I raised an eyebrow at him with a grin as my tears began to subside.
"Oh" he said somewhat embarrassed at his mistake, however seeing that trademark grin emerge on his lips I could tell he had shrugged this aside within a microsecond
"I have something for you" he told me softly as he whirled a lock of my now wet hair around his finger. I smirked at him as I cast my eyes over his exposed form.
"Really?" I start smiling brightly. "That's so thoughtful of you honey! But from what I can see, you have just gift wrapped the same junk I stopped playing with last year" I mocked as he shot me down in flames with a look that spoke volumes in itself. I immediately stopped laughing assuming this was serious. His facial expression soon softened, as he pulled me against him yet again, and once more kissed me. No more words were said as an understanding passed between us both, and for some inexplicable reason, I had the urge to make love to him right there within the shower. However a shrilled cry soon put an end to that theory as Andrea's cries could be heard over the showers waterproof inter-com. I sighed.
"You go get dressed, I'll go" Ash assured me as he opened the door and held it for me. Kissing him briefly I did as he had asked and made my way to our bedroom.
A few minutes later I was dressed as Ash walked back into our bedroom, with an envelope in hand.
"She ok?" I asked worriedly.
"Yeah she's fine, she must realise it's mom's birthday, went right back to sleep once I moved that stuffed bear my mom sent over beside her" he explained. I nodded as I sat myself down upon the bed.
"Speaking of birthdays" Ash said walking up to me, "here you go" he said, holding out the envelope to me. I stared at him a moment, and then took it from his hands.
"It isn't documentation for custody rights is it?" I asked jokingly as Ash pulled on a shirt.
"Nope, just the right to show you that I - hell Mist, open it" he told me. I shrugged and began to do as he had asked. He watched me a moment and spoke up.
"It isn't much, in fact it has no cost value, and I'm hoping the sentimental value will be priceless though" he said. I nodded as I removed a sheet of paper and a simple card from the now opened envelope. I firstly opened the card and read its words.
To Mom
Happy birthday
Love Andrea
The words were few and simple. However Ash doing that on her behalf meant more then you could possibly ever know. It was then I went to unfold the sheet of paper that came with the card when Ash placing another piece in my hand stopped me.
"Can you take a look at this first? It's a song I wrote, the night you told me we can keep Andie, was going to send it over to Brocko so he could add some music to it so would like your take on it" he said. I nodded and put the other sheet to the side, and then with a sharp intake of breath I opened the paper and began to scan its words. The lyrics were beautiful, the lyrics were heartfelt, and the lyrics were Ash, my Ash's overall view of his daughter. They simply read.
Andréa's Song
The road back home is often travelled alone
and for why that is, well only heaven knows.
'Cause I find the strength lies in walking a straight line
with someone to lean on and share the load.
Andrea D, You have changed my recipe
Andrea D, Every Moment I love you.
The lonesome soul leads to a pot of gold
Is a worn out fable that grows tedious and old.
'Cause I find in more ways, that after a long day,
I'm the richest man when I have you to hold.
Andrea D, You have changed my recipe
Andrea D, Every Moment I love you.
Andrea you've saved the soul
of this troubled man whose highs and lows
were filled with glamour and hard to take blows
of loving hands holding a thorny rose.
Andrea, it's time you know
that I'm convinced, that I'm sold.
I ain't worth nothing without you to hold.
It's a two-bit part to play the man with no heart
and take curtain calls when you have mastered the art.
'Cause I've come to find that at the end of the third act
the hero's the fool, 'tis the lover whose smart.
Andrea D, You have changed my recipe
Andrea D, Every Moment I love you.
Andrea.
Andrea.
Andrea.
I could not hide my tears, as I read his words of love and heartfelt thoughts directed towards our daughter. I smiled up at him.
"It's beautiful" I whispered as he reached down and wiped away some of the tears streaming down my cheeks.
"Just like you" he murmured. "Have a look see at yours now." I gasped.
"That's would you did for my birthday? You composed a song for me?" I asked stunned. He smiled.
"Well as I recall, a certain someone gave me an enlarged picture of herself last Christmas, so I guess this balances that out" he said.
"Ash, you know damn well it's the thought that counts, I'm sure I'll love it" I told him. Love, it was an understatement beyond words, because I could relate to every word he had written. It showed me he was with me for love, for as long as I would need him, regardless of the circumstances what future events I was about to endure, he would be there. His words of dedication to me simply read.
The Remedy
Throw down your choice of weapon.
Set aside that heavy cross you bare,
and learn a sacred lesson.
You'll find the answer's waiting here.
Behind the dark depression.
Beneath the weeping willow tree,
when you need a safe port in the storm
Send a call out for me.
I'm your remedy.
I'm your remedy.
When you close your eyes and all you find are thoughts of tragedy.
Stare in the face of the beast within,
I'll help you rise above your own misfortune.
Tear down the false hope fences
Put up to block your point of view.
Why gift-wrap present tenses
When the here and now's addressed to you.
Dissolve all past indifference
and build a shelf for mislaid blame.
Words can bridge the distance.
And help you heal your pain.
I'm your remedy.
I'm your remedy.
When you close your eyes and all you find are thoughts of tragedy.
Stare in the face of the beast within,
I'll help you rise above your own misfortune.
Is it just a fatal pride
that stands between two foolish sides
and starves you from within.
Before your outlook fades from sight
Head into the shining flashing light
don't ever be afraid.
Help is on the way.
I'm your remedy.
I'm your remedy.
When you close your eyes and all you find are thoughts of tragedy.
Stare in the face of the beast within,
I'll help you rise above your own misfortune.
I'm your remedy.
"Mist." Ash starts, kneeling down beside me, and taking my hands in his. "I mean every single word of that, in your darkest of times, in your hour of need, I'll be there. I guess what I'm trying to say is -" I did not let him finish as I lunged forward and engulfed him in a kiss I, in all honesty, did not want to let him go from. I rather surprisingly had to when our bedroom doorknob started moving freely. I eyed Ash worriedly as I got off of him as he sprung to his feet, and stood behind the door fists at the ready * Good old Ash! It could be a burgler with a shot gun or something and he's standing there like he's about to participate in a pokemon battle age 12 again* I thought to myself. With that in mind I threw him over one of my old shoes, what help that would be I had no idea as the door opened.
"Alright stop right-" Ash was cut short as a third familiar voice shouted four words.
"Breeder with a baby!!!" My mouth gaped open, for standing there holding a giggling Andrea in his arms was Brock.
"Brock!" Ash muttered, dropping my shoe.
"You scared the hell out of us!!" I chipped in. Brock grinned as he walked over and gave Andrea to me.
"So this is why you were being ignored sweetheart, Mom and dad were playing doctors and nurses on your time" he joked noticing my messed up hair and dis-jointed clothing.
"That's not funny!" I retorted as I arose from the floor and gave Andrea to her father.
"How long you been in town?" Ash asked him.
"Got in late last night on a late flight, was kind of late to bother you guys, so I crashed at Delia's last night." Ash eyed me a moment.
"You spent the night at my moms?" I heard him say. Brock raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah so? What you implying?" Ash by his standards said nothing and just shrugged it aside.
"Uh, nothing" he said, as I put forth the next question.
"So what brings our favourite breeder to town?" I asked him.
"Well, sort of remembered it was your birthday today, so I thought I'd stop by and give you this" he said, placing some sort of voucher in my hand. I gazed at it; it was a voucher for 75% off all items of clothing at the Pallet mall.
"And also to offer my services as driver/personal lackey for the day" Brock stopped. "That is, if your man here don't mind baby sitting for a few hours while you go on a shopping spree" he chuckled.
"I don't mind at all, you go ahead honey" Ash assured me as I walked forward and planted one on his lips, as Brock began to leave the room.
"I'll go start the car, I'll have her back in a couple of hours Ash" Brock assured him.
"Thank you for this" I whispered.
"You better go, your driver's waiting" he smiled at me.
"I love you." He nodded.
"Right back at you." And with that I left the room to catch up with Brock.
I can honestly say, that this was one of the best days I had had in a long time. I had gotten numerous good deals, with some new things for Andrea, myself, and I was even able to pick a few things out for Ash in the process, which is no easy feat let me tell you. I got so many things that by the time Brock and myself got home, he was no longer recognisable under the mountain of shopping bags. I practically bounced through our front door as I rushed up to Ash who was situated on the couch
"Honey! I have had the best time today!" I beamed. However it is when he looked up and locked eyes with me a panic enveloped my body. Something was wrong.
"Ash?" I asked worriedly. My eyes widened. "Oh my God, Andrea!" I screamed, turning and making a dash for her room only to have Ash get up and hold me back as Brock also began to wonder what was going on
"Mist…. she's fine…" he announced dryly.
"Then what is it?" I asked placing a hand on his cheek. He looked up at me tears emerging at the rims of his eyes.
"Mist…. please don't make me do it" he choked out. What? I was now confused as hell, what was he on about?
"Do what?" I asked tenderly. He paused a moment and eyed Brock.
"Brock, can you go check on Andie for us?" he asked him. Brock, respecting our privacy, nodded with a smile and left the room.
"Misty" he started taking my hands again. "You had a phone call while you were gone, there is a number there you have got to phone. Please dial it" he almost begged. I gazed both between Ash and the phone and sighed.
"Y…. You know what's awaiting me once I dial that number don't you?" I asked shakily. And for the first time in years he could not bring himself to look at me.
"Ash" I started taking his face in my hands and reverting his eyes to gaze into mine. "Please, what's wrong?" He shook his head at me.
"Please Mist…. I swore to god I would never be the one to break your heart again, dial it" he told me. Break my heart? I gulped.
"Ash, I am not liking the sounds of this, please, if it's bad I would rather hear it from the man I love then a stranger on a telephone line" I begged. He sighed.
"Misty…I had a call from the chief security and medical officers of Cinnabar Island while you were out." I nodded.
"So?"
"Misty…. I'm so sorry sweetheart, but your father was found dead in his hotel room just over an hour ago."
As soon as those words left his mouth my knees buckled and I collapsed into his arms. For some reason to begin with I did not cry. I can't explain it but I didn't.
"Dead?" I choked out. He nodded. It was then something hit me as the shock was sinking in.
"Oh my god…" I shrieked as my tears became evident.
Ash pulled me close. "I've booked you on a flight for Cinnabar later tonight" he started. I cut him short.
"You don't understand, Dad called me this morning, Ash the last things I ever directly told my father were lies. Why did I not let come? Why did I lie to him? I could have told him that…. that I loved him" I wailed as Ash tried his best efforts to comfort me.
"How did it happen?" I finally choked out, after several minutes of sobbing into his shirt.
"First indications look like a brain hemorrhage" he whispered, looking at me and wiping my tears away. "I promise you Mist, I'll help you through this, whenever you need me remember?" he asked, referring to the lyrics to the song he had written for me. I nodded as I leant forward and bestowed my lips upon his in a kiss of reassurance, love and hope, for in all honesty it was all that stopped me from crying. For my father was now gone, taken from me in a cruel twist of fate, and on my birthday of all days. Ash was all I had now, Ash and Andrea, and I knew I had to be strong and get through this, if not for myself, then for them.
A/N: And the big one hits early! Well actually there's a few biggies in this fic, anyways it's late and I'm tired so I'll wrap it up with a biiig thank you for the reviews and I'll be starting the next chapter tomorrow. Thanks guys!
