Chapter 49: Love and life- perfect.
~Dedicated to Black witch of Autumn for being the 700th reviewer.
"Aunt Julia!" Ellie glomped at Julia as she entered her former house, which was larger when compared to her dad's house. But Ellie never cared about luxury or stuff.
"Hey sweetheart!" Julia quickly picked Ellie in her arms even though she was heavy but then she put her down and kissed Ellie's forehead, "My my, you've grown, so beautiful," Julia grinned. Tyson grinned with hilarity, knowing that his daughter IS beautiful. He was still standing, watching everyone in agog excitement.
"Hey Ash," Raul came out dressed in night pajamas still, but he didn't care. He smiled hugely and excitedly.
"Hey Raul!" Ashlene smiled gleefully and hugged him. Raul smiled, missing her so much. She was such a close friend with him. He pushed her gently back, noting that her former boyfriend, Tyson was staring at them.
"How have you been? You've become thinner than the last time, I'm sure Julia is making you work twice." Ash giggled. Tyson slightly giggled at her girlfriend's playful comment.
"No, I'm not making this lazy ass work at all," Julia jostled away Raul and hugged Ashlene, "God, how bright you've become! Is this the effect of Tyson?" Julia smirked with hilarity, biting her lip, looking at Tyson who mirthfully laughed.
"You do have an effect on her," Raul commented calmly closing his eyes in amusement, Ellie was enjoying this too.
"He will only make me work day and night," Ashlene pulled back from the hug and said to Julia.
"Nights?" Julia whispered but the two males heard, flushed off.
"You just wait, I will find someone for you too, soon, Jules babe," Ashlene simpered. Julia rolled her eyes, "For you too, Raul," Ashlene smirked and poked his nose.
"Sure sure," Tyson added,
"Ah, don't worry. He's got already," Julia said flippantly and Raul paled and stepped quickly between Ash and Julia, telling it's nothing,
"Woah, who, how, when!?" Ash jostled away Raul,
"Seriously dude?" Tyson asked to Raul with a smirk,
"Later Tyson," Raul suppressed the matter now,
"Lunch! Julia aunt!" Ellie groaned, her stomach empty,
"Ah, sure, sweetie," Julia ushered Ellie to kitchen.
"There goes the sweet aunt and niece," Ashlene sighed,
"Ellie is so attached to Julia," Tyson remarked with a genuine smile,
"With Raul too," Ashlene nudged Tyson.
"Of course," Raul said proudly,
"You were her first dadd'a dude," Tyson said with a calm smile,
Raul felt a little nervous but he smiled, "Of course I was, you don't mind," He winked,
"No I don't. I really don't," Tyson shook his palm with Raul's.
"Now that you've got a new friend here, carry on, dadda's," Ashlene smirked,
"You might be a dadd'a, and I really don't mind," Tyson smirked, "But Ash's mine," He laughed. Raul blinked for a second but then he too started laughing, mostly seeing how badly Ashlene was blushing.
"Ash, you belong with him," Raul pushed her playfully towards Tyson and Ash had to gulp this embarrassment, and she hit Tyson's chest, holding his shoulders quickly before slipping.
"Argh, enough you two," She said getting away and concealing her face with her hair strands. She walked away quickly, "Julia, I'm coming,"
The male duo laughed heartily at her actions. Raul still found Ashlene unchanged and as ever cheerful and beautiful she was, except that there was so much contentment and satisfaction on her face, and he knew that the only reason was Tyson. All her blushing and red cheeks said everything that she loved him still and was happy with life.
Raul was happy for her. She deserved all the happiness after all what she went through and everything at this point was perfect for her and Ellie too.
"Is Ellie fine now?" Raul asked as they got comfortable on the large sofas, switching on the T.V.
"Yeah, she's better now." Tyson nodded. Raul knew that Ellie was not adjusting with Tyson easily, and therefore she came here often before in the start. He knew it from the visits Ellie had here after she shifted at Tyson's place.
"Good to hear," Raul changed the channel and it showed some previous amateur beybattle.
"Even you were close to her... Miss her?" Tyson asked with a small smile,
"Of course," Raul smiled sadly with a sigh, "But I'm okay. You're her dad, better than me," He grinned,
"No dude, I'm not better than you. Seriously, but I'm trying to be better each day," Tyson admitted honestly,
Raul examined Tyson's thoughts,
"Being a dad was such a new feeling, but it gives you courage, happiness and realizations of mature responsibilities on your kid. And I always saw my younger self in her, she's the best thing Ash has given to me, I can't thank her enough with no matter how plenty love I give her," Tyson said musingly,
"Ellie is a passionate blader too, Tyson." Raul said with smile, "We used to blade secretly, hiding from Ash," Tyson laughed, thinking how naughty and daring Ellie was, just like him.
"She blades well, agree!" Tyson was still recovering from the laughter,
"Dude! She used to bring food for you in hospital after asking Julia to prepare new dishes few times, because Ash wouldn't," Raul giggled, "And she lied so confidently to me that one of her friends is in hospital she has to check on. I didn't know you were her friend,"
They duo bursted in graceful laughter heartily, "I should thanks Julia, then. Of course you too." Tyson mentioned, "If it wasn't for you, Ashlene would have never met me again," Tyson mumbled.
"I just knew you two should meet just for once. Don't know why. I had no idea why, just was an intuition that this should happen," Raul admitted, shrugging confidently.
"Guys, get ready, dinner's here," Julia announced and Tyson quickly got up, followed by Raul to wash the hands,
"I'm so hungry, Julia," Tyson grinned,
"Everything's ready, just gorge on," Julia mocked playfully and Raul laughed, "I will, too."
"Of course, come quick," Ashlene added. She got seated between Ellie and Julia, while Raul and Tyson were on opposite side.
Julia had made both sashimi and sushi and Ellie licked up and rubbed her palms before starting to gorge on food.
Ashlene coughed and Ellie slowed down. Tyson sighed.
"Its tasty!" Ellie smiled heavenly, Ash agreed too.
"This is no new for me," Raul teased. Tyson almost choked,
"Respect your sister or else she will dump you off with your-" Ashlene coughed and stopped her own words. Raul flushed,
"Did you tell her already?" Raul shot at Julia while Tyson devilishly smiled at Ashlene and Julia, both.
"Of course, why not," Julia shrugged easily. Ellie was done by now. She got off and quickly washed her hands, keeping her plate in the wash basin quickly. She went to her room to check her toys while adults would be done with their chit chat. Because after that, she have to make an announcement of the all beybattles she had planned,
She was happy to see her room ever so neat and tidy with toys, each of them properly arranged and not even a single thing missing there.
"She's still working at restaurants, I didn't hear from her lately," Ashlene said,
"Yeah," Raul nodded,
"I met Zane a week back, almost. A girl who loves binge watching movies and getting drunk on weekends," Julia shrugged with a sigh,
"You and Zane were friends? Ash, did you drink with her then too?" Tyson was curious, knowing she was a good drinker as well, just like him.
"Of course, why not?" Ashlene winked remembering how nicely they would watch movies at weekends's night and drink their hearts out.
Raul remembered everything. Why not? She got drunk and kissed him once. He almost nervously laughed remembering it but Tyson didn't notice.
"Often?" Tyson asked, curious,
"She used to do at weekends, but then I stopped her, seeing that Ellie was over-excited as a toddler seeing her mom like that," Julia said with a sigh, gently.
Tyson laughed, "She's a lucky kid, really," he remarked,
"Of course she is. After all she is gonna see her parents get wed soon," Julia smirked,
"Oh about that," Ashlene mused, "No date has been decided yet,"
Raul looked at Tyson, "She's the one to decide, not me. I'm ready to wed any second she agrees," Tyson snickered,
Julia smiled adorably at Tyson's innocence.
"Thanks Julia, this was delicious," Tyson said finishing his sushi,
Raul nodded sarcastically at Julia. The males got up and washed off their hands leaving the two girls at the table alone,
"So, what's wrong?" Julia asked Ashlene, seeing that Tyson was not near anywhere,
"Nothing," Ashlene shrugged,
"We will take a walk in the garden," Raul said and strode out with Tyson outside,
"Okay, carry on," Ashlene smiled.
Julia focused back on the brunette, "Tell it, sweetheart,"
"Nothing is wrong," Ashlene giggled, "I'm enjoying being his girlfriend for sometime more. Becoming wifey will be for forever then," Ashlene grinned,
"Still Ash," Julia pouted,
"Hilary has to come back. Hasn't seen her for a week, almost. After she returns, I will talk," Ashlene said,
"About the wedding date?"
"Yes,"
"Why not with me?" Julia raised an eyebrow,
Ashlene threw her hands in defense, "Oh no Julia, you're important to me equally, but..." Ash paused for a breather,
"You two are okay, right?" Julia asked worriedly,
"We are perfect, believe me, Jules. Hilary just understands Tyson well. She helped me and Tyson lot in getting back together. We had some sort of distances and problems between us in the start, I don't know... but I envied Hils initially, but she's just innocent. I realized that soon." Ashlene said,
"Yeah, okay..." Julia droned, "So what then?"
"I don't know. Marriage is not everything. I just want to wait some time more, I don't know why," Ashlene shrugged uneasily,
"Why?" Julia was still confused,
"Maybe because... because I'm still waiting for Grandpa, maybe," Ash sighed longer,
"Alright," Julia patted, "But you sure you are better and smooth with him now?" Julia confirmed,
"Pretty smooth, I love him, sure," Ashlene winked. Julia knew about Tyson and Ashlene having problems understanding each other in the start, but she was glad to know that things had become better now. Ashlene wanted to say Julia about Kai, and her encounter with him, but ONLY because of Tyson, she was hiding this from both Julia and Hilary.
"I sometimes wonder how I hated both Tyson and Hilary all through this years," Julia expressed, "Couldn't bear they cheated on you... but how wrong we were,"
Ashlene hung her head down and gasped lowly, "I'm sorry..." she mumbled,
"Hey, Ash. Its fine now," Julia patted her with a smile,
Ash nodded dully and got up.
"Let's check out Ellie," Julia suggested.
"Hey mom, I'm here," Ellie called as she climbed downstairs and reached the dining table,
"Where have you been pumpkin?" Julia winked,
"Aunt Julia! Take your blade and Raul's too. We are going in garden out," Ellie announced and Julia nodded enthusiastically.
"Uh why?" Ashlene asked,
"No questions, Ash. Join us," Julia demanded and Ellie grinned at Julia's support.
The trio soon walked out at the backside in the large garden. Julia switched on the Carsten garden lamps, lightning the place. There was a beydish build newly,
"Whao, when this was made?" Ellie was excited even more,
"A week back, in your remembrance," Raul smiled and caressed Ellie's head. Ellie was shining in happiness.
"Wow, this is nice!" Ash commented,
"Let's beybattle then!" Ellie roared and threw her fist in air. The elder four people smiled at her,
"First, I wanna see Dragoon," Ellie said pleadingly.
"Okay, let Tyson battle against Raul," Ashlene suggested, Julia agreed.
"You ready Tyson?" Raul asked and took his blade from Julia and inserted the ripcord.
"I'm on!" Tyson smirked and he inserted the blade in his launcher. Ashlene smiled at him admirably, he winked at her.
"Let it rip!" Ellie yelled and the duo launched their blades. Their blades crashed and dodged and Ellie was super excited seeing them battle.
"Go Dragoon! Go thunder Pegasus!" Ellie screamed. The battle got heated up and fierce. Tyson was sweating equally to Raul. He could remember the last time he and Daichi tag-team battled Raul and Julia. The twins were so tough to defeat. Tyson's bit chip glowed after Torch pegasus's and the Dragoon beast emerged. The beasts screamed and squealed and Ellie's eyes widened, stark struct staring at the heavenly creatures.
"They are so beautiful..."Ellie was seeing them for the first time in reality. Raul and Tyson stared baffled at Ellie who declared she was seeing the beasts,
"Are are... you really seeing them, Ell?" Tyson stuttered,
"Yes!" Ellie's mouth was wide opened in amazement.
It always take time for a new person to see bit beasts. The same had happened with Hilary once when she joined bladebreakers, but Ellie didn't take any time,
"She seems to be eagerly waiting for this..." Julia said unbelievably,
"I was!" Ellie said and squealed at Dragoon.
"Daddy, I wanna a ride on Dragoon," Ellie said, and before Tyson could say anything, Dragoon had crouched down before Ellie. Ellie' was shaking in happiness and bliss. She wasted no time in riding up on Dragoon and Raul's jaw dropped. She was super confident. Tyson's mind was jammed at the scene before him.
All the elders were gawking at what was happening, because it was impossible for Dragoon to obey someone other than Tyson.
"How..." Ashlene whispered,
"I don't know.." Julia and Tyson said in unison,
"Oh I get it..." Tyson said quickly. They looked at him, "All these days I battled Ellie, Dragoon never was triggered or came out, but he constantly sensed Ellie's blade and its owner, so I think he understands..." Tyson came up with some vague explanation but it was enough for Ashlene to understand why Dragoon obeyed.
"Even Dragoon can't obey me if I'm close to you, Tyson," Ashlene giggled half heartily at Tyson. Tyson nodded, lost. They looked at Torch Pegasus waiting for Dragoon as Dragoon swirled in the garden around its bounding and gave Ellie a majestic ride and Ellie was incredibly happy. Dragoon stopped and slowly landed on floor and the blue creature helped Ellie jumping off on the ground's floor.
Ellie hugged Tyson with squeals of joy while Tyson was beyond happy to see Ellie, "Told ya, didn't I sweetie?" Tyson kissed his daughter and put her down,
He focused back on the battle. Dragoon and Torch Pegasus attacked and fought and eventually Dragoon won. The beasts returned to the blade but Dragoon gave a deep look to its master before returning. 'You are my best friend, Dragoon.' Tyson smiled meaningfully.
"You won, Tyson!" Ashlene could feel her joys somehow, she could remember how happy she used to be years back after each battle he would win.
"You taught me, after all," Tyson smirked and winked, placing a peck briefly. He said the same thing he used to say years back. She remembered it all.
Ellie danced like a happy toddler.
"Congrats Ellie," Julia and Raul patted her,
"Sorry Raul, you lost," Ellie pouted at him, Raul smiled sadly at her but nonetheless cheered up.
They had plenty of battles next with Tyson and Ashlene versus Raul and Julia, after Ellie lend her own beyblade to her mom.
"I lost my Fulva, oh yes." Ashlene said sadly.
They had three rounds, and it ended up in Tyson and Ash winning. The comical thing was that Julia found Ellie's blade and Dragoon intimately close all time and Ellie had to ponder what the elders were talking about. Ash couldn't believe how beautifully and perfectly they battled in sync and unity. Dragoon was completely exhausted after the huge tiring battle of thirty minutes because Dragoon alone had to face both Thunder and torch Pegasus because Ellie's blade has no bitbeast still. Tyson was strenuously tired after the battle, after on the brink of loosing almost. He could almost reminisce the battle in which Ray and Kai fought against Joseph and Dunga and Ray didn't had Drigger that time and they had to battle arduously to get Drigger out of the stone in which it was trapped. Tyson missed the old times suddenly.
"I'm beat. I'm going to lie down now, no more battles," Tyson thumped down on the grass, Raul followed beside.
"Seriously, I battled after a long time, seems like an era passed," Ashlene said,
"Even I didn't battle after the tournament that year," Julia said to Ashlene. Ash remembered that battle in which Raul and Julia had participated and she was staying at their place in early years and told them not to worry after they lost.
"I remember," Tyson mused, "Max was saying that day gloomily that the F-dynasty lost..." Tyson could remember that he teased Max saying if Max's crush got shifted from Mariam to Julia and how Max seethed. Wait, did max see Ashlene around at the stadium when the F dynasty battled? Is that the reason he was upset that time?
"Ash, did you come to the stadium with Julia during their battle?" Tyson asked abruptly,
"Yeah I did," Ash said, seated on the bench next to Julia, "But I was there for few minutes and I was late, Julia dragged we away quickly and we were back to home, phew," Ash said, she remembered clearly...
"Is everything okay, Julia?" Ashlene asked with narrow eyes.
"Yeah…" Julia said slowly, "Ash…are you upset with me?"
"WHY?" Ashlene said in shock,
"I-I m-mean, I took you suddenly from the stadium after you showed up; you didn't even see my battle properly…" Julia stuttered,
"It's okay, Julia, I didn't even mind, really." Ashlene said frankly.
"Hmm, there is reason why I took you, don't ask, please."
"I won't ask, don't bother yourself for something trivial, I trust you." Ashlene said softly.
"Thanks…" Julia smiled,
"And Jules, don't grieve for your loss. I hope you will do better next time," Ashlene smiled.
"Thanks, but…" Julia paused uncomfortably before she declared, "I won't participate in any tournaments from now on." Julia said boldly the next part.
"But why?" Ashlene asked angrily.
"I just can't. It's not that I don't like to blade, but I seriously can't participate from now on. It just doesn't feel right, trust me."
"Hmm, okay." Ashlene said sadly.
"But I didn't see you that time at stadium, Tyson" Ashlene answered his mind's question.
"I was thinking about it," Tyson said, giving her a sad smile. She rolled her eyes, "Stop thinking too much. Max saw me, by the way. We didn't talk though," Ashlene said lucidly. That cleared and justified Tyson's doubts.
Ellie was still spinning her blade in the beydish and having fun on her own,
"I really enjoyed," Julia said looking at the lying Males.
"We too, Julia," Tyson and Raul cried gladly.
Tyson folded his hands and placed his head in his palms and stared at the dark prussian blue sky with shining stars. It was such a good day or say weekend. The turf under was tender, cool and giving a natural seraphic fragrance which he inhaled deeply every second. He felt serene lying in this garden, and the lamps were beautifully illuminating the sky and giving a ethereal aura around. He had fun time with Raul, battling the twins, let his daughter see and friendship Dragoon and his daughter was talented enough to make Dragoon give her a ride. Life seemed to be beautiful once again like it was years back when she was with him. Crazy, wild teen years and us... He thought amusingly, the reveries coming back hastily and serenely.
Ashlene soon joined him beside, lying on the turf. He glanced at her with a still smile. He extended his arm and beckoned her to place her head upon it which she complied and snuggled against him. Julia smiled and rolled her eyes. Signaling Raul that they should leave and give the couple their privacy, they took Ellie inside to play long-time-missed pillow fight.
"Yay!" Ellie exclaimed and the trio rushed inside.
She wrapped an arm round his torso and snuggled against him, burying her cheeks against his linen white shirt, crippling with her fierce, passionate embrace. He turned to her and used her other hand to caress her head, tangling his fingers between her tresses and running them fervently down her waist till her hair ended. Not exchanging any words, they lied like that for several minutes, staring at sky, sharing each other's presence, warmth and closeness, which was the heavenly feeling in this place of earth.
"The moon is watching us, let's get a room, Ash" Tyson suggested after half an hour. An excited blush crept on her cheeks and she nodded. If they were alone here, Tyson would have rather carried her in his arms. If Ellie wasn't there, he wouldn't have minded making-out in the garden itself, because it was not new for them, taking into account at how many different places they had made-out before. But nonetheless they sauntered inside the bungalow. She guided him to her room, and he impatiently locked the door, closing the lights and switching on the different colored dim lamps, trying to get the view of the garden. The night in this room felt exquisite and ethereal.
A/N: Thanks for reviewing the previous chapter guys. :D Well, this was the last part of the chapter I said few days back. So basically, on the same day, Ellie, Tyson and Ash visited Julia (this chapter), on the same day, Tala and Hilary confronted Ryan, Kai gave early b'day gift to Ryan and Kai went to Rose's house (previous chapter)... just as to summarize: Events of Chapter 47,48,49 were of the same day.
The italics were Flashbacks of old chapters. I guess now you all are able to connect the dots of cryptic events of old chapters and understand the reason that why Julia and Raul stopped participating in tournaments years back, and why Julia took away Ashlene from the stadium that day when Ash came to see Julia's match, and also it explains Max's hesitating behavior that day. Oh well, Max does came to knew that Ash was probably staying with Julia and Raul. I guess I solved the loops of old-forgotten chapters? :P
Nia, I hope you liked this light and sweet chapter. :D
The next chapter is titled: Feelings- Reciprocated and Unreciprocated.
Review if you liked this chapter :D Also, I've posted a new TyHil 5-shot. Feel free to check it out and read ;D
Replies to guest reviews:
Guest11: I'm good, dude. What about you? :'D G-rev will almost reunite back, very soon.
Guest: The TyHil shot is posted, 'Listening to her'. Do check it out on my page. :D