Chapter 44

9 Years Ago

"May, why don't you try competing again? I'm sure you'll love it." Caroline encourages her discouraged daughter.

May fights the urge to roll her eyes again. "I'm fine being a teacher, mom."

"You just seem so…"

"So what?" snaps the young woman.

Sighing, Caroline worriedly gazes at her daughter through the videoscreen. "Your passion is gone, sweetie."

"Maybe I'm passionate about teaching now?" May hates how her parents have been assuming what's best for her lately. They know nothing! Why are they constantly meddling in her life instead of Max's? He's the one who never comes home or answers calls!

"I just miss seeing you compete."

"Just watch Max."

"You know I like watching contests more than battles." Caroline looks away in defeat. "I watch your friend Dawn."

"That's because Dawn is still working to be the Top Coordinator. I already had it."

"And you can have it again! I hate to see you give up on yourself like this."

"I'm not giving up on myself!"

"Is it because of Dr-"

"Bye, mom." May hangs up. She doesn't need to hear his name. Her family has been pretty good about forgetting him, but sometimes, her mother will try to slip him in conversation. These conversations are usually about why May quit coordinating.

She didn't quit because she lost her title. No. Losing her title only made it easier to quit. She quit because, like her mother said, she lost her passion. May thought that she'd be more excited once she was the Top Coordinator, especially in her home region. However, being a Top Coordinator kind of sucks. They do more than just compete. There's paperwork, press conferences, solving lots of problems, helping law enforcement, meetings, and various other aspects of the role that don't involve contests.

The last time May had fun competing was in Unova...and that was because of… She quickly shakes her head of those thoughts. Coordinating just hasn't been the same. She's competed in regions since Unova with other rivals, like Dawn, Solidad, Zoey, and Harley. Nevertheless, May just didn't feel as passionate as she used to be.

Caroline has noticed this, so the older woman constantly questions May about contests. When Caroline can't reach through May's apathetic exterior, she will bring up that green haired Top Coordinator. It just irks May more because he is still in his role! This proves their separation doesn't affect him as much as it affected her. He really only cared about his goals and dreams. She used to care about being the Top Coordinator, but that's since been gone. May just wants to be left alone now. People meddle too much.

The videophone rings again, and with May still in her seat from when her mother called, she groans. Is Caroline calling her back to scold her for hanging up again? May's parents need to bother Max instead. It's annoying. Max is the one who's never home. He doesn't call, and he's out in the world being reckless. Plus, he's traveling with his girlfriend while May is home alone in Rustboro. Thus, her parents are worrying about the wrong child.

Looking at the screen, she sees it's an unknown number from Kalos. May curiously eyes the number. Who does she know from Kalos? There's Ash's coordinator friend, Serena, but Misty hates her, so May stays away from her. Maybe Serena wants coordinator advice? But Serena is the Kalos Queen.

Out of curiosity, May picks up the call, though she leaves her video off. "Is May Maple there?" The voice hesitantly asks.

"Who's asking?" May really isn't in a good mood right now due to her conversation with her mother.

"Brendan Birch."

May blinks in shock. Wait. Brendan? She hasn't spoken to him since he announced he was traveling alone with Shelly. This is right after May quit traveling with him. Last May heard, Professor Birch and Brendan got into a huge argument two years ago, and Brendan hasn't returned to Hoenn since. The world thinks Brendan is off doing research in Kalos for the professor. Why is Brendan calling her now?

"Brendan?"

"Yeah." He softly replies.

May quickly turns on her video to see her childhood friend. Despite being disowned, Brendan doesn't look too bad. He seems to be glowing and happy. "Is everything okay?"

Brendan smiles warmly at her. "Everything's great."

"You are calling me out of the blue. How'd you get my number?"

He sheepishly scratches the back of his head. "Don't get mad."

"When have I ever gotten mad at you?" May giggles.

Brendan gives her a knowing look. "You'd get mad at me all the time when we were kids."

"That's because you always hung out with Wally!" pouts the woman. She's glad she picked up the call. They're talking like they used to, as if no time has passed. Throughout the years, May and Brendan rarely called, but they would always converse freely whenever they met. She loves their easy going friendship, and she really needs it now.

"Okay. You're right. But I always made it up to you." May being four years younger than him would allow Brendan to easily care for her.

"You're lucky I'm easy to please."

Chuckling, the man says, "Well, your dad called me."

May frowns. How does her dad know Brendan's number? Isn't Norman friends with Professor Birch? That means Norman shouldn't be talking to the professor's disowned son. "Why?"

Brendan waves his hands in defense. "Your parents are worried about you."

"They need to stop."

"I'm worried too, May." Brendan sighs. His concerned ruby eyes meet her annoyed sapphire ones. "Look, I know we haven't hung out in a while. I'm happy we're still friends after the lack of communication." It's been over a decade since they could really be considered friends, which was prior to May starting her travels.

"You shouldn't be their spy." the furious woman mutters.

"I'm not!" Brendan frantically explains. "I wasn't gonna involve myself with you guys anymore. You know. After my dad...uh." May nods for him to continue. She understands that the disownership still hurts him. "But you're my friend, May. You're like a little sister to me."

"Hurry up, Brendan. I'm pissed enough already."

Sighing, he gives her an apologetic look. "I miss you. I miss our friendship, and I wanna keep being friends with you. I can't promise that I'll call every week or even every month, but I'll call when I can."

"What if I don't want you to call?"

"I do." Brendan genuinely smiles. "Remember when you won the Hoenn Grand Festival?"

"Yeah." grumbles the woman.

"I was so happy, May. You finally accomplished your dream! I watched that whole tournament. But you know what made me confused?"

"What?"

"You weren't happy. When you won, you were smiling, but you weren't happy." He softly tells her. "I hadn't seen you in years, so I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but after you lost your title two short years later and then left the contest scene, I was sure of it. You're not happy coordinating anymore."

"Okay, what if you're right?" May snaps.

Of course he's right. How can she be happy coordinating when her main passion and motivation left her years ago? She knows she shouldn't depend on anyone for her dreams, but it's just not the same. Competing against these other people and rivals just doesn't ignite anything in her. Coordinating grew boring, and all she wants to do is just live a routine life to get her through her days. Is that so much to ask? She doesn't want to be a Top Coordinator anymore! She doubts she ever wanted to be one after he left.

"I know I'm right." Brendan locks eyes with her again. "Like I said, no matter how much time goes by, May, we're still friends. I can still read you, and you can still read me."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know I want my little sister back."

Her heart aches hearing this. She had always wanted a reconnecting call like this from someone before. She just never expected it from Brendan since she was waiting for it to come from a certain green haired man. Letting out a deep breath, May replies, "I'm lonely, Brendan."

He knows. He was lonely too after his father disowned him. However, this past year has been filled with a lot of happiness for the young man. Brendan wishes he could share it with May, but due to Shelly's request, he can't. Brendan can't put his family at risk. Nevertheless, he can't let his friend ruin her life like he's ruined his. "Not anymore."

"You're all the way in Kalos. I doubt you'll be coming back here."

Chuckling sadly, Brendan knows she's right. "Just because I'm in another region, it doesn't mean I'm not there, May. We're still friends. I'm just a phone call away."

"Why am I opening up to you and not my parents who keep nagging me?" she questions no one in particular.

He shrugs. "Probably because we're close in age and feel like we're going through similar things. And we think our parents won't understand."

"Sounds right." She giggles.

"Hey, I'm sorry I can't talk for long, but I just wanted you to know I still care about you, May." Brendan was in a dark place after getting disowned. It makes him very concerned about those he cares for.

May smiles warmly at her old friend. "Thanks, Brendan. I care about you too. I'll always care about you. No matter how much time goes by." The years have shown they will always have each other's friendship.

"Talk to you soon."

"Bye, Brendan." May ends the call with her heart feeling lighter than it has in a long time.

Groudon, May feels a lot better already. The woman doesn't feel as lonely anymore, and she looks forward to her future phone calls with him. Now, she at least has a friend who she doesn't feel like she's nagging. Who she doesn't feel like they're talking to her out of obligation or pity for her being alone. Brendan is alone too. It's like when she and Brendan were kids and they'd confide in one another. She's missed him a lot.

Present Day

"Good thing the region has moved on from the hurricane." Drew smiles. "Or else our houses wouldn't have sold so quickly." Cianwood is a very attractive realestate spot since it's on the beach and near the beautiful mountains where Suicune can be spotted.

Since coming back from Petalburg, the two have been packing their stuff nonstop. They were happy to hear that the professor adopted Kai, so they mailed his stuff to the lab instead of the orphanage. Due to the adoption, the orphanage is still keeping a close eye on Kai. For Kai, he's getting more frequent visits because of what he went through with May. Therefore, May is still not allowed to see him.

Before coming back to Cianwood, they stopped at Brendan's grave where May cried immensely. She told him about all of her adventures with Kai. She told Brendan about Kai as well as how much she loves the boy. May thanked Brendan for raising the boy with lots of love and for also bringing Kai into her life. If it wasn't for Brendan's voicemail to Shelly, May would've never been contacted about the boy she's grown to love like family. She promises to continue where Brendan left off.

May also forgives Brendan for not keeping his promise because it's what allowed her to be friends with Ash and Drew, which led to even more friends. Even with Brendan gone from the world, May doesn't feel like he's completely gone. Instead, a part of him lives in her and Kai as they remember him. She has never felt completely alone because she knew she'd always have Brendan to support her. May left the white beanie for him at his grave; she says it looks better on him.

Drew and May then made their way to LaRousse City to see Drew's parents' graves. He wasn't nearly at the amount of tears as May was, but he did shed a few. He told his parents how he felt and he told them he forgives them. His only regret was not speaking to them in person before they passed, but he's glad he could finally make peace with them.

Since Drew doesn't have as much personal belongings as May, they packed up his house first. The Enbars also helped, and May and Drew would go over for dinner often. Shane has resumed traveling now that everything is back to normal, which will soon leave Shay all alone. The girl isn't ready to resume life without everyone once Drew and May move. She already hates being alone at school.

May walks over to the man gently packing up an award she earned from the Cianwood School District. "Look at this, Drew!"

He is startled, but fortunately, he doesn't drop the object. Shooting the giggling woman a glare, he peeks at the item in her hands, which is the same picture he has. They had just packed his up the other week. It's the one with him, Soledad, Harley, and May. Drew didn't want to take the photo, but he always listens to Solidad who wanted the picture.

"We already saw it the other week, June."

May sticks her tongue out at him. "I like it! It's the last picture we took together when we traveled!"

Placing the gently wrapped award in a box, Drew now gives May his full attention. "Are you sure you wanna move back home?"

May also places the newly wrapped picture in the box. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I? I haven't been home in years." She'll probably get her own place so she has privacy away from her parents. Although, she'll still be close enough to see them often.

"Max and Vivi left for their journey. Are you sure you wanna be alone with your parents working at the gym or the school?" He skeptically asks her.

She rolls her eyes before meeting his emerald gaze. "What else would I do?" It's not like she wants to be a Top Coordinator again. Plus, she's lost her passion for contest, though Drew does spark it every now and then. May hasn't had fun in contests since Unova. Settling down with a career is what she should be doing, so she'll continue being a teacher.

The man places his hands on her sides, trapping her against the back of the couch she was leaning on. With his playful emerald orbs on her curious sapphire ones, he offers, "Travel with me, May."

Before she can ask him any questions, he covers her lips with his. Groudon, he loves kissing her. They've been doing a lot of that since returning from Hoenn. They've also established that they're boyfriend/girlfriend now, and Drew is ecstatic. She's exactly who he wants to be with. She's who he's always wanted to be with.

Because Drew is leaning into the kiss, this makes May lean too far back, causing her to flip over the couch. The man chuckles at her clumsiness, but when May pulls him onto the couch with her as her lustful blue eyes linger on him, he instantly shuts up. His face heats up in a deep blush. "May-" She silences him with her lips, and as much as he'd love to let this go on further, he has some things on his mind still. Managing to free himself from her for a bit, he exclaims, "May!"

"What?" she exasperates. It took a lot of courage to even get him on the couch, and now he's ruining all of that.

Getting off from under her, he stands up, much to her dismay. "You didn't answer my question."

May sits on the couch where she crosses her arms over her chest. "Don't wanna."

He frowns. "Why not?" Does she really want to be a teacher that badly?

Smirking up at him, May asks, "What's in it for me?"

He awkwardly rubs the back of his head. "We can finish what we were doing here?"

She blushes as she remembers what they almost did. However, he ruined that moment, so now she has the upper hand. "Don't want it anymore."

Drew thought this would happen, but he really wanted an answer to his question before he forgot about it. "Uh. Then I guess I'll go back to Petalburg with you. I can get an apartment, and a job, and-"

"I'll travel with you when we get engaged."

He blinks at her while trying to register her words. Engaged. He's already vowed to never leave her again, and he loves her immensely. There's no one else he'd want to spend his life with. When he frowns, May awkwardly looks away. She was just playing around, though she does want to spend the rest of her life with Drew. She thought he wanted to too. However, this frown makes her now realize she's scaring him away. They only just started dating.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that." She mutters in embarrassment.

"No!" Drew exclaims as he stands up. She's sitting on the couch dejectedly, so he kneels in front of her. "That's not it, May." Groudon, he's nervous. She really just beat him to the punch, but that's how she is. Running a shaky hand through his hair, the man's green orbs lock with her confused blue ones. "I wanna marry you, May."

"But?" May hears the hesitation in his voice.

Chuckling, he holds her hands in his. "You beat me to it." The man pulls out a red thornless rose. It's been a while since he's given one to her because he's always been with her. He always gives her one when they depart, but they've been with each other since Mirage Island. "I was gonna ask your family when we move your stuff back to Petalburg next week." He shyly smiles at her, and May just finds his nervousness adorable.

"I was joking, Drew." She weakly whispers.

He shakes his head. "I'm not." Taking in a deep breath now that he's more confident, he continues his proposal. "May Haruka Maple, I have always wanted to be with you since the moment I met you. You make my life more fun. You make me happy. You make me complete. Everything I ever wanted in life has been insignificant compared to you." Her eyes gloss over as she smiles back at him. "These past few years have taught me to never leave your side again, so if you'll let me stay…" Drew lets out his last nervous breath. "Will you marry me, May?"

Giggling as she wipes at her happy tears with one hand, May nods quickly. "You're a grasshead."

"It's a yes or no question, May." He anxiously tells her.

May locks eyes with him. Gently taking the rose in one hand, she uses her other one to cup his face as she inches towards him. "You have always been and always will be the one who affects my heart the most, Drew. Obviously, I'm gonna marry you." She then closes the space between them, and Drew welcomes the passionate kiss. It calms the rest of his nerves. Leaning into the kiss, the man stands up to pin her against the couch again.

Unfortunately, they need to breathe, so Drew reluctantly pulls away from the love of his life. Smirking, Drew knowingly repeats, "It's a yes or no question, April."

May rolls her eyes. "Yes, Andrew Shuu Hayden, I will marry you."

"Sounds like a plan."

"You're annoying."

Giving her a huge mischievous grin, he picks the curious woman up bridal style to walk down the hall. Entering his room, he gently lays her down to hover above her, "Better get used to it, Future Mrs. Hayden."

Next chapter is the epilogue. OMG. I'm glad I finally finished this. It didn't go exactly as I had planned, but I'm pretty satisfied. I wish I could've focused more on contestshipping, though this is a story about May's struggles with adopting Kai. What makes a family? You'll find out, unless you already know? :D