Happy day two! I replaced the original theme with one of my own choosing. I'm still very much attached to everything Alola, and the reunion episode in Pokemon Journeys gave me this idea that I really wanted to write. I hope you all enjoy!

Alolan Family

When the plane landed in Alola, the first things Misty had been expecting to see were palm trees, unique Pokémon, and plenty of sunshine, all from outside her small, round window.

Instead, it was Ash's bright red face right next to her.

"Hey, are you alright?" Misty asked nervously, gently shaking his shoulder.

"Fine!" Ash blurted, just a little too loudly.

As a reactionary response, Misty slapped a hand over his mouth, nervously looking around the plane. It seemed that a few people had turned to stare at Ash and give him funny looks but had gone back to minding their own business rather quickly. His cry had also managed to awaken Pikachu, who had been sleeping snuggled between the pair's legs. Sighing, Misty lowered her hand, recoiling a bit when Ash shot her a glare. "Sorry! But you have to admit that was a little over the top."

Stubborn as ever, Ash held his ground for a few moments before slumping his shoulders and admitting, "yeah, you're right."

"Why do you look so terrified?" Misty questioned, inclining her head.

Pikachu, who had finally rubbed the remaining sleep out of his eyes, looked up to examine his trainer. The boy had calmed down to some extent but was still pretty red in the face and giving off an air of tension.

"Pikapi?" Pikachu added, rather concerned himself.

"It's stupid," Ash grumbled, turning away a bit. "Don't worry about it."

"Well, I am," Misty calmly retorted. "Come on; tell me what's up."

Reluctantly, Ash turned back towards Misty and admitted, "I'm nervous."

Misty's face turned deadpan. "Yeah, that I know. Nervous about what?"

"…introducing you to Kukui and Burnet."

Now Misty was looking at him like he'd gone insane. "Ash, I've already met them."

"Yeah, as my friend!" Ash cried, his voice rising again. He lowered it himself, however, to add, "not as my girlfriend."

That led Misty to furrow her brow. "They seemed to like me beforehand. You think maybe this will make them change their minds?"

"No, not at all!" Ash cried, waving his hands in front of him. "I know they'll still like you. At least, I think they will. I'm just…it's weird, you know? I didn't want to tell them we were dating over the phone, since I knew I'd be coming here soon. It just felt nicer to do it in person. But it's a lot scarier, too."

Misty smiled and nodded her head. "I do, and I agree. That's very sweet of you, Ash. But try not to worry so much! I really like Kukui and Burnet, and I'm excited to see them again! I'm sure they'll be happy for us."

Ash returned her grin and tried to relax himself. He knew she was probably right. It just felt so strange. He really did care for Misty, and he was ecstatic to be dating her. It had certainly taken him long enough, after all. But it was a big change from just being friends, and so it really felt like he was re-introducing her to Kukui and Burnet, who were practically his second parents, all over again. In a way, it was even more intimidating than breaking the news to Delia, since she hadn't exactly been subtle about her desire for them to be together and had practically thrown a party when Ash told her.

Once they got off the plane and retrieved their bags, Ash and Misty exited the airport, both of them looking for their ride. Since it was an airport, the exit was plenty crowded with people waiting for their own rides. But just like the rest of Alola, everyone was calm and easygoing, which made it a lot easier to try and find who they were looking for.

"Right there!"

Ash's eyes widened as he turned his head towards Misty, who was grinning and pointing towards the red car with its top down.

"Aw, man," Ash grumbled. "You beat me!"

"You're just lucky we didn't bet on it," Misty giggled, pulling her luggage towards the car.

Professor Kukui had already gotten out of the driver's seat, ready to assist Ash and Misty with a big smile on his face.

"Alola!" He greeted cheerfully.

"Alola!" Ash and Misty both returned.

"I hope you two had a nice flight," Kukui commented, taking Misty's bag from her first.

"Oh, yes!" Misty confirmed. "It was pretty tame."

"The snacks were really good on this one," Ash added, causing Misty to smirk and shake her head.

Kukui, on the other hand, let out a hearty laugh as he reached out to ruffle Ash's hat. "Glad to know you haven't changed a bit!"

Ash chuckled nervously as he fixed his cap, muttering an unsure, "right…"

As soon as Kukui had all of the luggage loaded up in the car, the trio plus Pikachu climbed in so they could head over to Kukui and Burnet's house. Misty watched the scenery around them go by in awe, her face glowing as she took in all of the things she had originally expected to see from her plane window. Ash, on the other hand, was more interested in watching her. Of course, he loved Alola and everything it had to offer as well, but it was actually even better seeing how happy and excited it made Misty. He had learned recently that Misty's smile was one of his favorite things, and he'd do just about anything to get it out of her.

It didn't take them too long to reach the house, and once they arrived, Ash got out of the car a lot more slowly than Kukui had been expecting. Normally, Ash barely waited until the car had even stopped before he jumped out like a madman so he could run to the front door. The professor looked over at Misty, who must've noticed the contemplative look on the researcher's face and offered him an understanding smirk in response as she climbed out of the car herself.

"Alola, you two!"

Misty turned towards the house, and her eyes instantly sparkled. Running past Ash and up to the door, she met up with the woman who had greeted them, warmly responding, "Alola!" Turning her gaze downward, Misty sweetly asked, "is this Lei?"

Burnet giggled, giving the baby in her arms a little bounce. "It is!"

Cooing, Misty bent down so she could be at eye level with the infant. "Hi, Lei! It's so nice to meet you! You sure are adorable."

The boy smiled, reaching out for Misty with his chubby little hands and patting her cheeks. Ash watched from a few feet away, amazed by the sight. He'd watched Misty interact with lots of baby Pokémon before, but never an actual human baby. For some reason, it made his heart flutter.

"Lei, no!" Burnet scolded, lifting the baby higher so he'd stop. "I'm so sorry; he's got a very bad habit of doing that."

"I don't mind!" Misty assured her, standing back up to her full height. "I think it's sweet!"

"Yeah, he did the same thing to me when we first met," Ash chuckled from the step behind Misty, having finally broken out of his stupor and moved forward towards the door himself. "I'm pretty sure it just means he likes you!"

Burnet couldn't help but to beam. "That's a good point. After all, Lei definitely loves his big brother!"

"Big brother?" Misty repeated with amusement, looking over her shoulder and smirking at a flustered Ash. "How cute!"

That only caused Ash's blush to intense. Burnet noticed this right away and smiled sympathetically, saying, "well, I think I've embarrassed Ash enough for now. Please, come inside! Kukui, do you need any help with their bags?"

"Nope, everything is under control!" Kukui crowed, giving his wife a little salute.

Misty was about to follow Burnet into the house but stopped when Ash brushed up against her. "Come on, why do you have to tease me like that?"

For her part, Misty appeared genuinely bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"The whole big brother thing," Ash groaned, hanging his head.

"Oh, I wasn't teasing you!" Misty exclaimed. "I really do think that's cute! You have all the qualities of a great older brother; Lei is very lucky to have you."

The beating in Ash's chest suddenly sped up. He had gotten more used to Misty giving him compliments, but this one was on a whole different level. He couldn't exactly put his finger on it, but he knew it was something special.

He and Misty both entered the house, Kukui trailing behind with their luggage. Pikachu flew off of Ash's shoulder, eager to greet Ash's Alolan Pokémon as well as Munchlax, who was hanging around the kitchen counter. As soon as Kukui set the bags down, Ash, who had just finished greeting his Pokémon as well, looked over his shoulder and back towards Burnet. He licked his lips, figuring now was the best time to rip the band aid off and make his announcement.

"Dinner's almost ready! I'm sure you two must be starving by now."

And just like that, Burnet unintentionally took all of the wind out of Ash's sails.

"Munch!" Munchlax cheered, causing Burnet to sigh.

"Yes, for you too, Munchlax," she laughed tiredly.

Misty glanced over at Ash, who had gone back to looking about as nervous as he had on the plane. Reaching over, she patted his shoulder before replying to Burnet, "I know I'm hungry, which means Ash must be ready to eat a Rapidash."

She looked at him again. Ash forced a smile onto his face and nodded, chirping, "yep! She's right!"

Soon enough, they were all seated in the living area of the house, plates of food in hand with plenty more where that came from on the table in the middle of the couches. Lei was seated near his mother in a highchair, playing with his dinner for a bit before actually eating it. Munchlax, Pikachu, and the rest of Ash's Alola Pokémon were just a few feet away, enjoying their own specially prepared meal.

"This is so good!" Ash exclaimed, having finally taken a break from stuffing his face.

"Burnet made sure to make all of your favorites," Kukui chuckled. "She spent the whole day worrying about getting everything just right!"

"Really?" Misty breathed in amazement. "I wouldn't have worried, Professor Burnet; your cooking is always so good!"

The researcher blushed. "Aw, you guys are so sweet! I'm glad you love your food!"

After a stretch of comfortable silence, during which everyone was too busy eating to talk, Kukui finally piped up again. "So, Ash, Misty; what have you two been up to?"

Ash, who had been swallowing his latest bite of food, nearly choked.

Does he know something's up?!

"Oh Ash, are you okay?!" Burnet gasped, jumping up to pat the boy's back.

"Y-yeah," Ash croaked once he'd managed to get the bite down with a swig of water.

"Were you eating too fast again?" Misty sighed.

"M-maybe," Ash murmured sheepishly, taking another small sip from his glass.

Misty smiled kindly at Kukui and replied, "well, I've been working at the gym, as usual. It's been kind of crazy lately with the Indigo League coming up and trainers trying to get their last-minute badges! But that's finally died down, so while I'm gone, my sisters are using the gym for their latest water ballet."

"A water ballet?" Burnet marveled as she sat back down. "That sounds amazing! I'd love to see one!"

"You guys should totally come to Kanto and check it out one day!" Misty offered. "I tease my sisters a lot, but the shows they put on are really very good. Just don't tell them I said that."

Kukui and Burnet both laughed. Looking towards Ash, Kukui asked more directly, "and what about you?"

Ash went rigid again. His eyes quickly darted between Kukui, Burnet, and Misty, all of whom were looking at him with interest. It should've been an easy question to answer, honestly. He could've told them about all the new Pokémon or caught, or how he'd done in the latest battle tournament he'd entered, but none of those things were coming to mind at the moment, thanks to the one intrusive thought that was clogging up his brain. So, without much more delay, Ash loudly blurted it out.

"Misty and I are dating!"

Yes, the very thing he'd been so nervous to tell them about. That was the only thing he could think of. Instead of presenting it in an exciting, or at least calm, manner, Ash had simply shouted it out several decibels too loud with absolutely no preamble.

Kukui and Burnet just stared at him. The Pokémon looked up from their food in bewilderment. Even Lei had stopped playing with his food and had his eyes locked onto Ash. Misty, meanwhile, had buried her face in her hands, unable to bring herself to look at anyone.

Ash nervously shifted his eyes around the circle, his brain just barely processing what he had done. "Uh…yeah. So…that. That's, uh, what I've been up to. We've been up to. Yep."

Kukui and Burnet shifted their eyes away from Ash and towards one another, exchanging looks. Ash held his breath, afraid that they were silently judging him and his life choices. After all, he knew they could be a little protective of him. What if they thought Misty might hurt him? Or worse…what if they thought he might hurt Misty? Maybe they didn't trust him with a girl, or think he was ready to date. Or maybe they thought he and Misty weren't right for each other. Ash had all the respect in the world for Kukui and Burnet, but he didn't think he could break up with Misty just because they didn't like the relationship.

And then Burnet squealed.

"I knew it!" She cried. "I knew you two liked each other!" Turning towards her husband and clutching his shoulder, she ordered, "Kukui, you owe me!"

"Wait…" Ash murmured as Misty lifted her head from her hands. "How'd you know that? When'd you know that?!"

Burnet seemed hesitant to respond, but finally she said, "the first time Misty and Brock visited."

Ash's eyes widened. "That long ago?! But…but we weren't dating back then!"

"I know," Burnet replied. "It was the way you guys acted around each other. I could tell you cared about each other as more than friends; you just hadn't realized it yet."

"I think Ash was the only one who hadn't realized…" Misty admitted, her blush somehow deepening.

Ash turned towards Misty; his eyes still set wide. "You really liked me then?"

Misty sheepishly nodded. "I did tell you I liked you for a long time, Ash. I wasn't kidding."

"From that visit on, Burnet constantly told me you two would eventually get together," Kukui chimed in, sounding a bit embarrassed himself. "I told her I didn't really think so, that you two were just friends. Guess her intuition is a lot better than mine; no surprise there!"

Ash rubbed the back of his neck. "So…you guys aren't disappointed?"

Burnet gasped, almost dramatically. "No! Why would you ever think we'd be disappointed?"

"I don't know," Ash admitted with a blush. "I've never done this before. My mom was basically expecting us to date, so it wasn't really hard to tell her. Although, you had the same thoughts apparently, Professor Burnet."

She giggled and nodded her head. "True!"

"Ash, you never have to think we'd be disappointed in you, especially when it comes to things like who you're dating," Kukui added. "But I must say, Misty is an excellent choice! You two complement each other like a helping hand."

Misty couldn't help but to laugh herself. "Thanks, professor!"

"And you're just adorable together," Burnet cooed. "You have to tell me all about how you started dating! What was your first date like? Where did you go? Ash, I hope you were a gentleman and paid for Misty!"

Ash's mouth ran dry. And here he thought just saying he and Misty were dating would be the hard part. When he took too long to respond, Misty just snickered and patted his knee.

"Forgive him, he still short circuits when it comes to anything romance related," Misty quipped. "I think breaking the news pretty much fried his brain. But don't worry, I'll be more than happy to fill you in on all the details!"

Since we don't know Lei's dub name yet, I stuck with that for this one. Honestly, I hope they keep it; I think it's so cute! And I'd also love for Misty to meet him...