Summary: Despite his better judgment, Brock agrees to an illicit affair with the Saffron City Gym Leader. That was his first mistake. His second was falling in love with her. His third was buying her a sea breeze on her birthday. Mangashipping.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
11. The Forbidden Fruit: Citrus paradisi – The Blaring of Trumpets
The phone rang shrilly in the middle of the night, breaking the silence that had engulfed the gym.
Brock carefully extracted himself from the bed, making sure not to wake his sleeping wife as he slipped his arms from around her. He answered the phone, anything to stop its incessant ringing, wondering who could be calling him at such an ungodly hour. It was almost midnight.
"Hello?" he asked sleepily, keeping his voice low as he gave his wife a quick glance. A smile pulled gently at his lips – she really was beautiful in her sleep, looking as peaceful as an angel as she lay in her dreams.
"Brock?" he heard Misty's voice question and he immediately felt his chest tighten. There was something strange about her tone that he couldn't recognise, and it was never a good omen to get a call in the middle of the night.
"Misty, what's wrong?" he asked quickly, his mind jumping to the worst possible conclusions. If Misty was calling him this late, then that must mean that something was wrong with Ash. The thought chilled him to the bone.
"Nothings wrong," Misty replied, seeming to pick up on the dark turn of his thoughts.
"Ash proposed!" she cheered happily, the strange tone he had heard in her voice now recognisable to his sleep addled brain as unrestrained glee.
"Misty, that's great," he replied honestly, smiling despite the little bit of aggravation he felt at the rollercoaster journey she'd put him through. "But you do realize it's midnight?"
"I know, I'm sorry," she answered without sounding the slightest bit chagrined. "But I'm just so happy. I'm calling everyone I know. You're lucky that my phonebook is organized alphabetically by first name."
"Misty, I've seen your phonebook," he said dryly. "By the time you got to 'Slate' it would be morning. Go to sleep," he commanded. "I'm sure people will be just as happy for you in a few hours time. Probably happier."
"What was that about?" Sabrina asked as he hung up, stretching her arms.
"Ash and Misty are engaged," he said, a grin on his face. "Did I wake you?" he asked in concern.
Sabrina nodded. "It was all your incessant thinking," she teased. "I know I'm hot, but sometimes I wish you'd shut up about it."
He grimaced at her teasing and slid back into the bed beside her. "That's better," she said softly as his arms wrapped around her body, hands resting gently on her swollen belly. "I couldn't sleep without you near," she whispered as she closed her eyes and moulded her body against his.
"Me too, my love," he replied gently, placing his lips against her cheek before closing his eyes and drifting into a peaceful slumber.
Casey, Cissy, the Cerulean City Pokémon centre, Daisy, Danny, and Dawn were not spared Misty's early morning wake up call. In fact, anyone listed between A and D who had the great misfortune of sharing their phone number with the water trainer at some point in their life was woken at some ungodly hour with a similar exclamation to that received by Brock.
By the time Delia Ketchum was woken up it was 12:30 Sunday morning, at least seventeen people had been informed of Misty's news.
"Misty, darling, what's wrong?" Delia asked as she answered the phone, recognising the number on the caller ID as the Cerulean Gym and assuming (correctly) that her son would be fast asleep at such an hour.
"Everything is wonderful," she cheered at her honorary mother and future mother-in-law. "Ash proposed!"
Delia screamed with glee, turning on the video option in order to see Misty's beaming face. As she did so, Misty held her hand up to the camera so that Delia could inspect the white gold, diamond ring nestled prettily on the base of her third finger, left hand.
"This is wonderful!" Delia gushed. "I just knew he was planning something. He kept asking the strangest questions. You have to tell me everything," she insisted happily. "Start at the beginning, and don't leave a single thing out."
And that was how Duplica through to Zoey, were saved from the same fate.
"Well . . ." Misty began, her smile broadening with every word. "It was just so unlike Ash, but this is how it happened . . .
~ Several hours earlier
Misty pulled up to the somewhat secluded building, an almost conniving smile present on her face. Tonight was a pretty big deal, it was the first birthday she got to plan for Ash as his girlfriend – his 18th had been deferred to Delia, but the 19th was Misty's.
"Can I take this thing off yet?" Ash asked from the seat beside her, tugging at the blindfold that was covering his eyes.
Misty shook her head – it wasn't necessary for Ash to see the response, as it was obvious. "I think I kind of like you being so helpless," she added with a giggle. "You're completely disposed to me."
"Is this some kind of kinky birthday surprise?" the boy asked, his eyebrow trying to raise itself above his blindfold. "Because I could totally get into that," he added mischievously. She noted the slight movement of the fabric suggesting that he was wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Not until your at least twenty-one," she responded, kissing his cheek. She made her way out of the car and moved around to open Ash's door and guide him out. It was nice to have him clinging to her for once.
"There's a step coming up," she told him, and Ash lifted his leg to accommodate, almost tripping when it came back down at the same level it left. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself," she giggled. Had he been able to see her face at the time, he would have known that there was no such step. He fell for the trick two more times before he stopped believing her and promptly tripped when they came across an actual step.
They moved inside and in an impressive display of multi-tasking, Misty managed to pull off his blindfold, turn on the light and yell surprise at the exact same time. In her multi-tasking, it took her a moment to realize that she had not been joined in her cheer.
"Where the hell is everyone?!" she exclaimed, turning around to observe the empty room set up with nothing more than table for two.
"I called them all and cancelled," Ash explained, grinning broadly at her shocked expression.
Misty just stared at him, her expression contorting from shock to anger to confusion and then despair. "But I've been planning this for months," she mumbled dejectedly. "You know you could have just told me that you hated my idea," she sniffed sadly.
"I didn't hate your idea," he told her sweetly, wrapping her in his arms. "I just had a better one. Can you blame me for wanting my girlfriend to myself on my birthday?" he asked her, tilting his head innocently to the side. "I think it's the one day a year when it's allowed."
"Next you're going to tell me I can't be mad at you for this 'cause it's your birthday," she responded, not meeting his gaze.
He softly grazed his fingers across her cheek and pulled her face up to meet his, kissing her lightly. "You wouldn't be my Misty if you weren't," he teased. Only Ash could insult her so sweetly.
"Now let me make things up to you," he suggested with a charming half smile, pulling away slightly so he could guide her to the single table set up in the middle of the ballroom that had been intended to be filled with fifty of their closest friends and family. He pulled out a chair for her to sit in and carefully lay a napkin across her lap, before taking the seat opposite her and taking her hand in his own.
A waiter entered the room a moment later, his footsteps echoing in the empty space as he made his way towards their table. He poured them each a glass of champagne before hurrying away.
"A toast," Ash suggested, holding his glass towards her, "to the fact that as of today, Misty, I've known you exactly nine years. That's almost half my life, and as much as I hate to admit it sometimes, they've been the best nine years of my life."
She smiled back at him as she clinked her glass against his. "To many more decades to come," she added, blinking back tears that threatened to come. His smile broadened at her words, and he put down his glass and brought her hand to his lips instead.
Misty blushed. It was not a gesture that she was accustomed to, but she loved that he was going to such efforts, especially after putting all her plans and hard work to waste.
A quartet of musicians entered the ballroom, and the soft string music began to fill the room.
"I don't suppose I could trouble the birthday boy for a dance?" she asked him with a smile, stepping out of her chair and holding her hand out to her boyfriend.
"Only if you let me lead this time," he replied, accepting her offer and leading her away from their table, giving them a breadth of space to dance within. "Any requests?"
"Something I know the words to." She made herself comfortable on his shoulder, allowing herself to succumb to the warm feeling of his arms wrapped tightly around her.
His arms left her for a moment, apparently gesturing to the musicians, as the music changed, one song flowing into another that was entirely different from the last, but very familiar.
"This was playing on our first date," she gasped, recognising the opening bars to her favourite song. "I didn't think you noticed."
"I didn't at first," Ash admitted almost sheepishly. "But you hum it sometimes – especially when you're happy – and eventually I worked it out."
She smiled as she stood on her tippy-toes to kiss his cheek. She could never work out whether she was pleased or upset by the fact that he eventually out grew her. Sometimes she loved the fact that he was just the right height that she could nestle her head under his chin like she was doing now, and other times she hated the fact that he was tall enough to steal her hair tie and tease her with it for his own sick pleasure.
"I love you," she whispered into his chest as the two moved slowly to the music, not even noticing as one song faded to another, and then another after that. The two continued to share their embrace for an unfathomable amount of time that seemed to pass by them like mere seconds.
"I love you too," he whispered back. "It'll always be you, Misty. You've always been my 'number one', and you always will be."
She smiled and held him tighter. Those were the same words he had used when he had told her how he felt for her over a year ago. At the time he had been nervous, unsure of how she felt or if she could ever feel the same – now he knew that every feeling he ever felt for her was returned in equal fervour. He would forever be her 'number one' too.
"Monsieur, Mademoiselle," the voice of the waiter cut in, interrupting their enrapture and bringing the two back to reality. "Le dîner est servi."
Misty smiled happily, looking at Ash in wonder. "I'm not sure what he said," the young man chuckled. "But I hope it means dinner's ready."
Misty nudged him playfully and hooked her arm through his as they returned to their table. She couldn't believe that he was doing all this for her, especially seeing as he was the one who was having a birthday and not her. Not that she was complaining.
"Bon appétit," the added pleasingly as the waiter lifted two silver covers to reveal each of their meals – fresh salmon on a bed of green vegetables for Misty and a hearty steak with roast potato, pumpkin, and kumara for Ash.
The waiter bowed and was on his way. The music continued to play in the background as the two settled down to their meals.
"I'll trade you my asparagus for your sweet potato," Misty suggested, looking almost longingly at was probably the only vegetable she truly enjoyed, after all, sweet potato was a common ingredient in many desserts.
Ash shook his head. "It's my birthday," he said with a sly smile, "so tonight you're going to eat all your vegetables, or else no dessert."
Misty pouted, although it did very little to conceal the smile that rested on her lips. She leaned across the table and kissed him gently on the cheek before settling back down. "Only for my 'number one'," she told him in reply, as she lifted a piece of asparagus into her mouth without even cringing. "Only for you."
He smiled back at her, his cheeks pinkening in spite of himself. Her words still made him blush even though he was nineteen and had been with her officially now for more than a year – the greatest year of his life he might add if anyone cared to ask.
They continued their meal, sharing smiles until both their plates were clean. The waiter returned, taking away their plates and then their champagne glasses. He came back with a sweet dessert wine and poured them each a glass.
Misty sipped the drink carefully, enjoying the sweet tasting substance. Her heart began beating rapidly in anticipation for something, but she knew not what for. He had a look in his eyes that reminded her of the way he looked going into battle – she almost expected him to throw on his old cap and twist it back, the same way he did the first time they squared off in a Pokémon battle.
The waiter returned for a final time, placing a white chocolate box down in front of each of them, before bowing politely and going on his way. Misty immediately grabbed her utensils and began to try and wedge her box open, but Ash just sat across, watching her work.
"You know nine years is a long time," he commented wistfully. "Who would have thought after nine years we would still be together?" he asked. His tone saddened slightly as they continued, "I was so scared after you returned to the gym that I might have lost you for good, but you kept your promise, Misty. You said I'd never be rid of you until I paid you back for your bike, and I think you should know that I intend to hold you to that."
Misty looked up at him, smiling at his words. "I'm never getting that bike back, am I?" she asked him with a teasing smile. He shook his head. "Good," she replied, "because I wouldn't accept it if you did. You're never getting rid of me, Ash Ketchum, whether you like it or not."
His smile broadened. "That's the best birthday present in the world, Myst," he admitted. "You're everything I could ever want and need."
Misty blushed, shifting her gaze from his penetrating stare. She felt naked under her eyes, and it was a feeling so intense that she felt she needed to break it for a few moments.
She gasped as her eyes landed on her dessert. She had somehow managed to free the lid while she was sharing her thoughts with Ash, and instead of some tasty dessert, the chocolate box contained nothing but a white gold ring set with a single diamond.
She felt Ash's warm hands wrap around her own, and diverted her gaze to meet his. He was now down on bended knee before her, a look of hope resting softly upon his features. Her eyes were wide and startled, brimming with questions and tears. "Ash?" she asked unsurely. She struggled to put her thoughts into words. "Is this . . . is . . . I . . . does this mean . . . do you . . .?"
He squeezed her hand, the gesture some how silencing her in spite of all the things she wanted to say. "It means," he said softly holding the ring towards her, "that I love you and that more than anything, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
"In other words," he said with a laugh, "Misty Kasumi Waterflower, will you marry me?"
She nodded, unable to form the words she needed to say. He let out the breath he had been holding as the relief set in, and gently placed the ring upon her finger. A moment later, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately.
It was the happiest day of either of their lives.
Ash woke up early the next morning; a happy smile permanently entrenched on his face. He wondered briefly where his fiancée had gotten to, but thought nothing of it as he stretched and made his way to the kitchen.
He reminded himself that he would have to give his mother a call at some point and let her know the good news – he suspected that his mother had been waiting for this moment for as long as he had known Misty.
The sight he met on his way to the kitchen surprised him. There was his future wife sitting at the video screen, talking animatedly to his mother. He wasn't used to either of them being up this early and said as much.
"What time did you get up?" he asked his fiancée, gently kissing her cheek and waving a warm hello to his mother.
"Why? What time is it?" she asked, sending him a curious look.
"About half six," he replied, his brow furrowing as she blushed conspicuously. "What time did you go to bed?" he added. She blushed further and he found his way to the correct conclusion. "Have you been up all night on the phone?" he asked.
She nodded shyly. "I was just getting to the part about the dessert," she told him. "It's the best part."
Ash shook his head. "Mom. Misty," he said, addressing each woman sternly. "I think it's about time the two of you get to bed. Misty will call you later and tell you how it ends," he told his mother, "but for now you both need to get some rest."
"Spoilt sport," Misty pouted as she bid her future mother-in-law farewell. "You know she was the only one who wanted to hear the whole story," she muttered a little reproachfully.
"What do you mean 'only one', Misty?" he asked suspiciously. "How many people did you call?"
Misty just yawned loudly in response, stretching her arms above her head. "Gosh, I'm so tired," she lamented. "I think you're right, Ash, I really should go to bed."
"Misty?" Ash called after her. "Please tell me my mother was the only one you called. Misty?"
He looked at the phone log and noted firstly that twenty-six numbers had been dialled between 11pm when they had arrived home from dinner, and 12:30am. Secondly, he noted that the last number called was his mother's meaning that Misty and his mother had been on the phone for six hours! And she had still only just gotten the part about the dessert!
His thoughts were disturbed as the phone began to ring, and he answered it promptly.
"Ashy, honey?" he heard his mother's voice question. "I know you said we had to go to bed, but can you please put Misty back on?" she pleaded. "I can't go to sleep until I know how it ends."
Ash sighed. "Misty," he called, knowing that in spite of her words the red head had not gone to bed at all. "Ma wants to talk to you."
The redhead raced out of the bedroom and resumed her place in front of the videophone, flicking on the screen to view the picture of his mother. "Where was I up to?" she asked excitedly, the sleepiness she had reported earlier apparently leaving her after just a few moments rest.
Ash did not stay to hear his mothers reply, but left the two to gush, wondering just how the two of them could spend SIX HOURS talking about something that had only taken two.
'Girls are an entirely separate species,' he thought helpless to himself, left only to wonder what the hell he had gotten himself into.
~ to be continued ~
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the high levels of pokeshipping. Y'know I can't write a fic with Ash and Misty in it without them getting married.