Season: One of the longest chapters I've written to date, and with good reason. I'm going on vacation next week! I thought I should give you all something to tide you over until I can write again. I hope you appreciate that I've given you about 3-4 chapters the past two months. Thank you for sticking by! I hope to see you guys soon but if not... happy new year!

Ps: Tomorrow is the seventh year anniversary for this story. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO SDNEYH AHHHHH!

Also I should give a timeline... just in case anyone is wondering. So Dawn and Brianna moved into Kanto around March-ish. Which was why Brianna was still seven for a while, since in the story they recently celebrated Christmas then went camping, then about a month passed because May and Ash were training for the Grand Festival and it's now Brianna's birthday. So they're currently in late January, early February. Because I haven't given Brianna a DEFINITIVE birthday day... but it is between that time, Jan and Feb.

Valentine's Day still hasn't passed, no worries! That should be coming up between either the next chapter or the following one after that. I should begin writing it...

Well, Season out. I stayed up until 5am my time to write this then tried to edit a bit so I could have it out as soon as possible. The things I do for you guys.

Enjoy!

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Stupidity Does Not Earn You Heaven

by: Season Of Magic

{~}

"You know... for a thing I thought would be lame, it was... alright." Gary said as he hopped out the van.

"You enjoyed yourself, admit it." May said with a smile.

"It was tolerable at best." Gary stated.

"Code for 'I had fun I just don't want to admit it.'" May replied back as she too got out the van. She then helped Brianna get out.

Gary pretended to roll his eyes. "Whatever." He said as he grabbed his bag. "I'm just glad we're back home."

"Me too." Brianna said as she yawned. "It was a good time but all those news made me exhausted."

"Right to bed with you munchkin. You have school tomorrow." Dawn said.

"Do I have to go?" Brianna asked pouting.

"It's your birthday but you're not escaping school."

Brianna nodded. "Gave it a try." She said with a shrug.

"Don't worry, you won't be missing much anyways. Everyone has to go to work." May stated.

"Behave and we might bring you a cake after school." Ash said with a wink.

Brianna cheered up at that. "Yes! I want a chocolate cake."

"We'll see what we can do." Ash said.

"Now hug everyone goodbye and go brush your teeth, shower and off to bed." Dawn said. "Or no cake."

"Bye Tracey, bye Gary!" Brianna said as she went to hug them.

"Get off me you beast!" Was all Gary said as he tried to get away.

"Bye May!" Brianna said as she hugged her babysitter.

"Good night parrot." May responded.

"Good night mom and dad." Brianna said as she hugged Ash and Dawn simultaneously.

"Good night munchkin." They both said.

Brianna took and rolled her luggage from the lawn and opened the house with her key. She went inside after waving once again to everyone.

"Think she's really gone?" May asked.

"Hmmm probably." Tracey stated.

"But if not... Is the eagle ready?" Ash asked.

"Yep everything is set you just have to make sure to pick it up tomorrow after work." May said.

"I'll bring the snacks." Gary said.

"Great! Thanks Gar." Ash said smiling.

"I'm doing this for the parrot." Gary said with a sigh.

"We know." Everyone said together, laughing about it.

"You're a big softie deep down." May couldn't help but grin.

"I'm not!" Gary said as he took his bag from the floor. "I'm going home now."

"I should go with him so he doesn't scream at the wildlife." Tracey said.

"Okay see you both tomorrow here at exactly two o'clock." Ash said.

"I thought we were doing this after work?" Tracey asked.

"It's not really a surprise if we do it when she's home." Ash said laughing.

"Good point." May said.

"Yep. Tomorrow at two then don't forget."

"As if you'd let us." Gary said as he was walking away.

"See you tomorrow Dawn." May said as she hugged the woman. She began walking to the house next door leaving Ash and Dawn alone.

"Thank you for all of this." Dawn said after a bit of silence.

"We love Bri, it's nothing to be thankful for." Ash replied casually.

"This is the happiest I've seen her in a while and it means a lot to her, and to me of course." Dawn said. "Everything you've done for us is incredible."

Ash took hold of Dawn's hands. "You deserve it all." He said as he kissed them.

Dawn blushed. "W-we really don't."

Ash grinned. "You saying that you don't, only makes me want to shower you with even more stuff and compliments."

"I have all that I need already." Dawn stated. "I don't need more to be happy."

Ash brought Dawn in to a close hug. "Well, I want to give you more anyways." He said as he wrapped his arms around me. "Are you going to deny me that right? I mean, you said you'd let me just a few hours ago."

Dawn's face was more red now as she was engulfed in warmth. "I know what I said, or at least implied."

Ash grinned even more. "Then you won't deny me the happiness I get when I see you and Bri's smiling face when I surprise you both."

"You don't have to give us things for us to be surprised or happy. We're happy just being with you."

Ash smiled. "I know. I'm happy just being with you guys too." He kept one arm on Dawn's back and used the other to lift her face. "After all, how could I not? When you fit so perfect in my arms?" He stared deep into her eyes. Dawn's heart raced, and Ash felt it.

"Why are you like this?" She said.

"Because you bring out the poet in me." He replied. "And I'm not apologizing for falling in love."

"I'm not asking you to." Was all Dawn replied as she leaned her face close to Ash's. "Because you know my feelings for you."

That was all it took for each of them to claim their lips together in a sweet, gentle kiss.

"You know that this means you're mine forever right?" Ash said as they stopped for air.

"I know what I got into this afternoon Ash." Was all Dawn replied. "You don't have to keep reminding me what we are."

Ash grinned as he intertwined their hands together. "Good, because you will have a ring on your finger soon enough."

"I told you I don't need things to be happy or to know what we are." Dawn said. "Are you going to keep kissing me, or what, fiancée?"

"Your wish is my command, fiancée." Was the last thing Ash said as they kept kissing until the weather got too cold for them to bear.

Ash took off his sweater and sent Dawn inside with it even if her house was closer. Dawn tried to protest but Ash had already began to run off. He ran back to peck her once more the lips then ran back next door to his house.

Dawn sighed contently, holding unto Ash's sweater tightly as she walked into the living room. The front door opened and Ash came in frantically holding her bag.

"You forgot this." Was all he said.

"Thank you." She said laughing. She hadn't even thought about her bag. "Umm... why don't I make us some hot chocolate since we're both cold?"

"Sounds great to me." Ash said as he walked into the kitchen. He sat down on top of the island.

Dawn got to work on making the hot chocolate, stopping sometimes to place her hand to her lips. She was unconsciously biting them.

"Stop being so cuteeee!" Ash said with a groan. "It's not fair to me."

Dawn winked. "It's not fair to me you're too adorable either you know."

Ash placed his hands to his face. "Don't make me go there and kiss you again."

"I hear it's a good way to keep warm." Was all Dawn said. "But yeah, maybe not. We both have work tomorrow so please stop distracting me."

Ash bit his lips at that. The woman was teasing him too much!

After a couple minutes Dawn placed a mug into his hands. Ash began to sip it. "This is amazing."

"Secret recipe." Dawn said with a wink.

"Love and a sprig of cinnamon." Ash said as if he guessed but he had seen her place the cinnamon on to the mixture.

"Perhaps." Was all Dawn said as she took her mug and sat down beside him.

They drank in silence.

"Mom where are you?" Brianna yelled from the staircase.

"In the kitchen you parrot." Dawn yelled back.

"I want a bedtime story mommy!" Brianna said as she ran to the kitchen. She blinked in disbelief. "Hey, are you two drinking something without me? Not fair!"

Dawn smiled and got up to get her a cup. "Here, you can have half a cup." She said as she passed her some. "You'll have to brush your teeth again though."

Brianna smiled as she took the cup. "Okay. Since dad is still here can he tell me a bedtime story?" She asked as she began to sip it. "Hot chocolate? Yay!"

"I don't know. Ash, can you tell her a bedtime story?"

Ash placed his mug down. He was down with his drink. "Of course I can."

"YAY!" Brianna said as she hurried to finish her drink.

Ten minutes later Brianna had brushed her teeth. She, Ash and Dawn were in her room. They tucked her into bed. Brianna yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Will you even make it to the beginning of the story?" Ash asked.

"Of course I will."

"Okay... once upon a time, in a far away village lived a princess..." ash began the story. Less than a couple minutes into it, Brianna had completely dozed off. He made sure her blanket covered her entirely and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night dear."

Dawn smiled softly at the sight. She and Ash walked out the room, closing the door gently.

"You did great. Thank you for telling her a story."

"I wouldn't say no besides she was giving me her puppy eyes." Ash said as if he completely melted.

Dawn cooed as they walked down the stairs and were now by the front door.

"Thanks again for everything." She said.

"That's what I'm here for." He replied.

"Oh here before I forget." Dawn began to unzip the sweater. Ash stopped her.

"You keep it." He said as he shook his head. "It looks good on you."

"Well it is warm." Dawn stated.

"And it'll remind you of me when I'm not here." He said.

"You're so silly." She said. "As if I could ever forget you."

"We heard the news but we wanted to tell you in person." Misty said as Dawn walked into the office building the next day.

She and Melody had been waiting with a couple balloons at hand that said CONGRATULATIONS!

"I'm glad you're here early." Dawn said stifling a yawn. She had brought coffee in a go-to container.

"Hey we're good workers." Melody said as if she was being punished. "But we also want the gossip."

Dawn laughed and took the balloons they offered. "Nothing to tell, you seem to know it already."

"Show us your bling girl." Misty said.

"I don't have the bling." Dawn said as she shook her head and waited for the elevator. "Can one of you get this? My hands are occupied."

Misty pressed the button for the elevator to come to the ground floor. "No bling?" She gasped.

"I don't need it." Dawn said pretending to roll her eyes.

"Girl your beau won Kanto's Grand Festival." Melody couldn't help but say. "Surely he'll be a wanted man now."

Dawn laughed. "It's just a competition nothing else."

"Why yes Melody I did win a festival. And I may be wanted, but I'm a taken man thank you very much."

Melody, Misty and Dawn all glanced to Ash who too was holding a cup on hand. He also had a bag on the other.

"I brought you all muffins but I'm about to not offer you some." He said as the elevator dinged and they all got into it. "Except you Dawn."

"I need sugar." Misty said as she pressed the button for their floor. She knew Ash would go there anyways so she didn't bother pressing his office button.

"I woke up at six just to be here early." Melody said as she glanced to Ash. "So ditto."

"Ah-uhuhuh." Ash said as he held unto the bag. "My precious."

"Speaking about precious... isn't that your sweater?" Misty said as she pointed to what Dawn had on.

"It's Dawn's." Ash replied.

"I'm certain that's your sweater Ash."

"Not if I gave it to her."

"That's so cuteeeee!" Melody squealed.

"We're right here you crazy woman." Ash said as he sighed. "We can hear you just fine."

They all walked out the elevator and Dawn tossed the balloons into the air. She'd deal with them later.

Misty hit the light switch then ran back to Ash. "Muffins!"

"I said you're not getting any."

"Don't make me break the bag."

"My muffins!" Ash said stubbornly.

"Sharing is caring." Melody said.

"I'm not sharing my muffins."

"Give. Me. One." Misty said.

"What part of no don't you get?"

Dawn sighed and sit down on the reception chair to finish drinking her coffee and watch the three battle it out over muffins. They could be so childish. Once she finished drinking it, she got up and went to her office with a watering can full of water. She had plants to feed.

Humming along to a song that had gotten stuck in her head lately, she began watering the plants. They were the same that Ash had brought to her a couple months ago, being kept alive by she and Ash's sheer tenacity or pure luck. Whichever it was.

"Grow even bigger and strong." She said as she finished watering them and placed the can down.

"More big and they'll need to be moved elsewhere." Ash said as he walked into the office. "I think we should ask Gary to take them in."

"He'd destroy them." Dawn said with a gasp.

"You'd be surprised to know he's quite good with plants." Ash replied.

Dawn sighed. "I'll think about it."

Ash smiled. "Well until you do, here I saved you a muffin."

"Okay we have the cake."

Ash and Dawn had gone to get it during their lunch break and were now bringing it home after said lunch break, cause really they had taken the rest of the day off. They had invited Misty and Melody over before they left of course.

Ash placed the cake in the table which May had decorated with a beautiful pink tablecloth, various Pokémon and princess stickers and pink and white balloons. The cake topped it all off. Also pink, with a Barbie doll in the center due to Brianna still being obsessed with the movies. He placed the cake pops and eatable glittery stars beside the cake.

"The bakery did a fantastic job." He said.

"I didn't think it would look this amazing." Dawn replied.

"I didn't think you'd manage to bring it on time." May stated.

"Hey!" Ash said. "We would never be late to this."

"Neither would we." Gary said as he opened the front door with his feet. "A little help?" He added, as his hands were full of bags.

"Can't help you if my hands are also full Gary." Tracey said as he walked in after him.

"Not you I meant Ash."

"Oh, then yes. A little help is appreciated."

"Did you two buy the entire supermarket or something?" Ash asked as he took a couple of bands from Gary.

"I'm equally concerned." Dawn replied as she went to help Tracey.

"No worries we kept within budget." Tracey said.

"Ash told us you invited Misty and Melody so we bought accordingly." Was all Gary said.

"It's simply two extra people, not an entire team or something." May said.

"Shouldn't you go pick up Brianna about now?" Tracey asked.

"Yeah, her school day ends at three today." May said.

"Let's go get our girl." Ash said as he placed the remaining bags on the floor and took out his van's key.

"You're just going so you don't have to finish setting up." Gary said to Ash.

Ash stuck out his tongue and pulled Dawn with him out the door.

"We'll be back in a bit." Dawn said.

"More like we'll text you when we're ready." Gary said.

"Hello Ash, good to see you again." Bill said from his seat.

"You too Bill. And even better without your silly outfit."

"Two times Ash, two!" Bill said as if he was tired of it.

Ash laughed. "You know I'm just messing with you." He said as he signed Brianna off school for the day.

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter." Dawn said bowing.

"No problem Dawn. That's what we're here for." Bill said. "You'll be happy to know that we celebrated Brianna's birthday. Imite's class has a mini party during lunch break and art class."

"Really?" Dawn asked surprised. "I didn't know that."

"It's a surprise, part of what we budget into the class at the beginning of the year. Not so many students have birthdays this early into the year that's probably why you didn't hear about it."

"Ah." Dawn said. "Well, thank you so much for doing that."

"Mom! Dad!" Brianna squealed happily when she saw who had come to pick her up. She had arrived at Bill's table with a princess tiara on her head. She twirled excitedly. "They celebrated my birthday with a cake and everything!"

"That's great honey." Dawn said to her.

"I even have presents from the class." She lifted up a bag she was carrying. "I saved you all some cake too."

"That's very thoughtful munchkin thank you." Ash said as he fixed the tiara which was starting to fall off. "I hope you don't have a sugar rush though."

"Hmmm... I don't think so?" The now eight year old said. She tried to not wiggle as much for emphasis.

"You're just itching to hop." Dawn said laughing. "I can see it."

"I'm so not." She said as she held unto Dawn's hand with her free one. "Bye professor Bill thank you once again for the party."

"Good bye Brianna, you're very welcome. See you tomorrow."

Brianna smiled brightly and tugged Dawn. "Let's go mom. I want to show May my presents."

"Hey I'm the one driving you munchkin." Ash said.

"Well, lets go! Let's go!"

"Surprise!" May, Tracey, Gary, Melody and Misty said as Dawn, Ash and Brianna walked in.

"For me?" Brianna asked in disbelief. "Thank you!"

"Of course for you." May said. "We don't know anyone else who's turning eight and loves Barbie as much as you do."

"I'm afraid we're kind of late to this because she's already full of sugar." Ash said.

"Her class had a party for her during their lunch break." Dawn clarified.

"Well, we'll just have to limit her sugar intake another day but it's her birthday so I say we just stuff her to the limit!" May stated.

"Double the sugar for her huh?" Gary said as he placed a chip to his mouth. "We're doomed."

"She's such a doll!" Misty squealed as she went to hug Brianna. "Hi I'm Misty I work with your mom."

"Adorable!" Melody too squealed. "I'm Melody I too work with your mom. Thanks for having me."

Brianna blinked. "Nice to meet you?"

Melody and Misty stepped back.

"Personal space, right? Sorry." Misty said.

"It's okay." Brianna said. "Let me get changed and we can talk a little." She excused herself and went up the stairs.

"She's very polite." Melody said.

"She has your hair." Misty said.

"She's the best." Dawn agreed.

A couple minutes later Brianna screamed.

"I think she found the dress." Ash said with a smile.

Before he'd left to go pick her up, he had gone to her room to place one of Brianna's gifts for her in her bed. It had been a dress.

Brianna came down from her room and hopped down the stairs, her shimmering pink dress making ruffling noises.

"I love it!" She said twirling excitedly to show it off. She still had her tiara.

"Why do I feel like I've seen that dress before?" Gary couldn't help but ask as he placed down the plate he was filling with snacks.

"Because it looks just like the dress princess Tori wears on Princess & The Popstar." Brianna said.

"She's right, it's an exact replica." Ash said.

"Ash! It must have cost a fortune." Dawn said.

"Not really?" Ash said. "My mom made it. It's her birthday present for Bri."

Dawn teared up and Brianna went to hug Ash.

"I'll cherish it forever!" Brianna said. "Tell her I said thank you."

"She'll be happy to hear you really liked it." Ash said. "She actually wants to make other dresses for you so she'll be excited when I tell her this one fits perfectly."

Brianna gasped. "Really?"

Ash nodded. "Really."

"She doesn't have to." Dawn said.

"She doesn't, but she wants to." Ash said. "It'll give her something to do so don't worry about it."

"How can I not?" Dawn said.

"Delia is the one who made a lot of Ash's clothes for his travels." May said. "She loves to sew."

"It's true." Misty said with a nod.

"Enough about clothes can we get to the food before Gary over there leaves us without anything to eat?" Melody asked.

They'd eaten rice balls, potatoes and other foods Tracey had cooked, along with snacks in between.

Brianna had played Barbie & The Popstar so they could all see that her dress looked exactly like the princess's attire. She sang along with the songs, dancing when needed.

"How does she remember these things?" Gary mumbled.

"She has an eidetic memory." Dawn said.

"Yeah Gary, she's a child genius." Ash said proudly.

"She's absolutely adorable." Melody stated.

"Cutie pie!" Misty agreed.

After the movie ended Brianna stayed sitting on the couch. She was beginning to feel tired and everyone could tell.

Dawn clapped her hands. "Okay guys, time for presents and cake."

"Yeah before she falls asleep." Gary agreed.

"Looks like she'll have a sugar crash soon." Tracey said.

"I can stay up for cake and to open presents." Brianna mumbled. "It's barely seven thirty."

"Presents time then." Ash said as he began grabbing the boxes that were under the living room table and placing them in the front of it. "Take your pick, birthday girl."

"Yay!" Brianna squealed as she leaned down and grabbed one randomly. "Oh, no info on the giver?" She asked as she tried to look for clues as to who's it could be.

"We wanted it to be a surprise." May stated.

Brianna began opening the box and smirked lightly. "A surprise huh?" She said as she lifted up a art book on Pokemon from various regions. She stared at Tracey.

"Some may be more predictable than others." Tracey said laughing lightly as he placed a hand on his head. "Sorry."

"Oh no, I love it thank you." Brianna said.

She was gifted a dollhouse from May, an assortment of various Barbies from Gary, which in turn simply said, "because you make me watch those stupid movies so much, tch!"

From Melody and Misty she received a 200 pokecoin gift card.

"Thank you very much." Brianna said bowing.

Dawn passed her two presents. "These are from Kenny and Zoey. They gave them to me before we left."

Brianna squealed and opened them excitedly. She received a squishy ditto plush, bows for her hair and bracelets.

"And this one," Dawn said as she passed her another one, "is from me."

Brianna opened it carefully, to come face to face with a ribbon case. She instantly recognized it, because it was Dawn's ribbon case. She blinked confusedly. "Mom, isn't this yours?"

Dawn nodded as she placed the ribbon case in Brianna's hand. "And now it's yours. I know you won't use it for at least two more years, but I think it's about time you have it. I'm sorry I tried to keep you from your dream."

Brianna held unto it and hugged her mom tightly. "Thank you!"

Everyone smiled brightly. It wasn't anything monetary or flashy, but they knew how important being a coordinator meant to Brianna.

"I already gave you my present yesterday." Ash said sheepishly. "But I do want you to have my ribbon. It'll go perfectly in your case. I won it for you after all."

Brianna nodded. "You didn't have to give it to me but thank you."

And so passed Brianna's official birthday. She was now an eight year old, ready to take on the world.