How is it going everybody? Sorry I got this chapter out so late, but I finally managed to do something and get another chapter out. I've been working on this on and off again, but I'm not going to bore anybody with the details until the notes at the end. Until then, feel free to enjoy another chapter.

Chapter 34: First Day Home

Ash opened his eyes slowly as he prepared to wake himself for the first day of his official marriage. Upon opening his eyes he found that everything he could have remembered to come from last night had indeed come to pass. He was scratched and bitten along the upper portions of his body, but in his arms the metaphorical prize of the evening was within his grasp.

The night of consummation between Ash and Clair had come to pass at long last. After several months of preparing himself for such a turning point in his life, Clair was now indeed one of his two wives. Even better, Ash could look at the content sleeping face that Clair had when he considered how hard it was for him to be able to get to this point. Most importantly she was in the arms of someone who considered himself to be an equal and gained some form of mutual respect for.

Ash ran a hand along the side of her body as he began to realize just how smooth her skin was. It was the only thing that Clair needed as she progressively opened her eyes to look up to Ash next to her. Clair smiled when she greeted, "Good Morning."

Ash smiled back when he told her, "You didn't get a chance to answer my question last night."

Clair remembered what Ash was referring to when she told him, "You're right. All I can say is that you are certainly more of a man than I would have expected. There was a moment I was worried I would hurt you before you ever tried to take action."

"Yeah. I didn't think I'd be okay with hurting you though. Although I guess being equal with someone means we both have to get messy every now and again."

Clair smirked from the amount of restraint that Ash continued to display when she told him, "You understand the way of our people well, though you continue to demonstrate that you still have a weakness when it comes to women. I must confess, I'm curious about what will happen to you should you ever find more to take under your wing."

Ash was interested in the remark when he asked her, "So you're saying that you want me to actually have more wives to prove how much of a man I am to you?"

Clair shrugged when she simply told him, "I would imagine that wouldn't be an issue to you. You are a man after all."

Before they could continue their conversation, Ash was taken aback when he heard the front sheet flap of the tent brushed aside. He looked over to the entries to notice that Wilhelmina and two other members of the Dragon Clan were making their way in. Ash was quickly embarrassed by the entrance when he noticed this and dropped himself to the ground and hid behind the head of the stone altar that he was sleeping on.

Wilhelmina giggled when she told Ash, "Oh come now boy, you have nothing to hide."

Ash kept himself hidden while he asked Clair, "What are they doing here?"

Clair allowed her relative to unlock the collar around her neck when she told him, "They are here to prepare us to be out in public again is all. It is nothing to be ashamed of."

Another one of the Dragon Clan members offered Ash a pair of pants and a shirt when he told Ash, "You are not doing yourself any favors hiding like you are in danger." Ash accepted the clothing when he quickly slipped both of them on and knelt up as he allowed himself to be seen. He saw Clair preparing the robe for herself when she stood up and brushed some of her hair away from her face.

Ash turned to to Wilhelmina when he told her, "A little warning would be nice if you ever plan to do that again. I didn't know that you guys were this okay with seeing us like this."

Wilhelmina laughed when she told Ash, "This is something that many who first join us have to learn. I imagine that over time you will be able to fine being seen like this again."

Ash accepted, "I guess if I really have to then I can't be disrespectable can I?"

Wilhelmina made her way over to the stone altar when she looked at the white sheet that gave some comfort to Ash and Clair. She smiled when she looked over the small traces of blood that had been stained along with the bodily secretions that had been released that night. She traced a finger along the sheet when she told herself, "The remains of my girl who has now become a woman. Such a wonderful reminder." She folded the sheet into squares and took a wooden box before placing it inside.

Ash found himself growing less comfortable by his mother-in-law's behavior and told Clair, "Hey I'm getting hungry. Will the others have something waiting for us?"

Clair told him, "They will be waiting for us."

Making their way into the gym, Ash and Clair found breakfast being served to the family members and the other participants of the wedding from last night. The most immediate people he met with first were his mother and father as they made their way up to him. Delia greeted, "Good Morning Ash. So it looks like you and Clair both actually went ahead and had your honeymoon."

Ash confirmed, "Well I'm not trying to give out any details or anything mom, but I can say that we did that much at least."

Cade chuckled when he told him, "We know how it is Ash. I can tell you that I never thought you'd be into this sort of thing, so we thought we'd respect you on that much. Who knows though? It sounds like at some point you might have a few pointers for me and your mother if we're fortunate."

Sabrina asked Ash, "Does your father usually have this kind of commentary?"

Ash rubbed the back of his neck when he told her, "My mom did say that he talks a bit different at social gatherings like this one."

Delia pointed out, "Speaking of which, I know that this might be a little late to ask, but I hope you all have agreed on some place to live right?"

Ash confirmed, "Yeah. It's something that me and Sabrina actually talked about a little and The Dragon Elder has been able to help us out with."

Sabrina pointed to a window nearby when she showed a building across the street that was under construction when she told them, "In no time at all, that is going to be our new home. And if the plans the Dragon Elder have given us are reliable, we'll be able to build on it as much as we want."

Clair agreed, "They are based on ancient plans from the architects of the Sprout Tower themselves. At least I won't have to wander very far from work."

Will added, "Well all of this has certainly been quite the adventure in different cultures. At the very least it sounds as though everything has managed to work out for the best for all parties involved. And in ways that we could not have expected."

Sabrina agreed, "I certainly found myself within the arms of a different sort of family. And with our luck it's going to build up pretty fast."

Karen agreed, "The sooner we get it done, the happier we'll all be having a roof over our heads that isn't this gym. After that it's all just learning about being a dad for you isn't it Ash?"

Ash looked out the window when he agreed, "Yeah. I have a lot to look forward to. And it's happening a lot sooner than I ever expected it to."

The festivities of the morning continued to pass while Ash was the center of attention for many who attended and had plans on meeting with more of the Dragon Clan to see who he was now related to. Before he could meet with any more of them, he saw two women in particular make their way up to him. He greeted, "Hey Annie. Hey Oakley. Are you enjoying everything?"

Annie answered, "I've always wanted to see a wedding but I never thought I'd see anything like that. Do you feel okay after what the Dragon Elder did to you?"

Ash remembered the cut on his back that was probably visible when he answered, "Yeah. It stung a little at first, but it gets bearable after a while."

Oakley told him, "It sure must be nice that you have the sort of life that every guy only dreams of having. Do you think you might get excited and try to "bite off more than you can chew" at some point?"

Ash shook his head when he considered, "That is something that I have to hear a lot isn't it? Well I'm not planning to do anything huge right now. I'm trying to become a Pokémon Master still, and I need to manage my time better than ever now. I was lucky not to get into this situation any sooner than I did as it is."

Annie pointed out, "He sure is taking this in a more adult way than I would have expected. It's not because you care more about becoming a Master is it Ash?"

Ash told her, "Hardly. I just have to make the best of my decisions and make sure that I don't screw this up. Seriously, I have two of the toughest women I ever met as wives now. If I make either of them angry at me for even just a minute, I'm not only going to have my folks to explain to, I'm going to have them ready to chew me out."

Oakley considered Ash's explanation when she pointed out, "You say that like you know it from experience."

Ash confirmed, "Yeah. I'm really not sure which one I should be more afraid of either. I just have to trust that they don't really want to do anything to make ourselves miserable."

Annie told him, "That is true, no one wants to go out with the intention of making their life partners unhappy. At least unless they have some very underhanded long-term plans or think they can take advantage of you."

Ash told her, "Gotta say, it's pretty nice that I can actually get this sort of thing out there and not feel like I'm about to have my head bitten off. You guys seem to be really nice for being members of Team Rocket."

Oakley explained, "It isn't something we really have a right to be proud of. We did some things that we need to pay for."

Annie told her, "At least now we're doing something to make up for what we did. It's really thanks to Ash that we were able to get him to where he is now and what got us out of a life of crime. Whatever we do next is up to us."

Ash confirmed, "I'd like to think that you guys all know what you have to do now. You won't need me to help you go through life at this point."

Oakley smiled before asking, "Well what if we actually want to be with you Ash?"

Ash briefly wondered what Oakley was referring to before he remembered a critical point when he last left her and her sister. There were only a few things that two sisters who were willing to lean in for a cooperative kiss for. Ash scratched the back of his head when he told them, "Well… it's nice that you guys actually feel that way although… I'm not sure how it's going to be taken by everyone else. Even if it is my right, I don't know if everyone is going to be happy with the idea. Or if it's even legal."

Annie told him, "It's a bit of red tape Ash. But we really think you deserve something from us for going through the effort to stop us from becoming what we used to be."

Ash hesitated before asking, "Tell you what, when do you guys have to head back to Alto Mare?"

Oakley answered, "We have to head back in another week. Gives us plenty of time together doesn't it?"

Ash shrugged when he told them, "Yeah. I guess if we take the time to date for a bit, maybe it won't hurt so much. The League is still several months away, I don't think a week of being with others is going to hurt that much."

Annie smiled when she told her sister, "You were right. He is willing to forgive us."

Oakley confirmed, "I never would have taken him as the kind of person who would take advantage of another's situation. Well Ash, it sounds like it's a date for us then. We'll be sure to meet you every chance we get."

Ash nodded when he told them, "That'll be great. Well I have a week to plan for it sounds like. You guys enjoy the rest of the party. Once it's over, we're going to open the house across the street."

Oakley agreed, "Sure thing Ash. I bet that's going to be a fun event."

Nearly another day had come to pass and Ash was able to look at the inside of what was now going to be the house that he and his wives were about to occupy. Sabrina looked around the walls when she commented, "Everyone sure did manage to build something that we can easily live in."

Clair agreed, "This does look like a newly built pagoda. You certainly did well Sabrina."

Sabrina agreed, "I think now that we have everything we need in order to live comfortably. We can even build on it further if we ever happen to take any more guests under our roof."

Ash looked around the inside of the pagoda that him and his occupants were about to call home. The ground level in particular was the ground for a dinner table right next to a kitchen while taking a glimpse upstairs to notice that several king-sized beds had been set up for sleeping. He saw a few open doors that lead into bathrooms that had been fit with the necessary plumbing and equipment for preparing one's self in the morning or at night. For right now, the home was fitting the bare necessities, but it was enough to make the newly built structure one worth living in.

Ash told them, "I think we managed to accomplish a lot. Let's set up our bedrooms and get some shut eye."

Clair agreed to the plan, "Sabrina is certainly going to need the rest."

Sabrina told her, "I'm fine. The baby is not injured from everything I had to do."

Ash entered the conversation, "We're sure you didn't push yourself too hard Sabrina, but we don't want you to risk anything is all."

Sabrina smiled when she told him, "As long as we're both responsible, we won't have to be so worried."

Annie took out her sleeping bag when she told them, "I'm getting sleepy. Let's see if the floors are as comfortable as they look."

Oakley and Clair followed behind while Sabrina told Ash, "We'll be up there as soon as you're ready Ash."

Ash nodded, "I'll see you guys up there in a bit."

As soon as everyone made their way up to the second floor, Ash sat at one of the tables where he looked over his Pokédex where he brought up his schedule function. Before he began he heard Karen make her way in and greet, "So it looks like Sabrina did her job and made a nice place to live in."

Ash agreed, "Yeah. She and Clair all did their part in making this place look nice. Once we get some furniture in here, it should look more like a real place. From the looks of it, I'm probably going to have to make that one of my priorities."

Karen sat down next to him when she told him, "Under most circumstances you would probably have to worry about this. But that whole journey you went through is probably more than enough to show that you're ready for another League."

Ash looked at his calendar when he agreed, "Yeah. The League is still a ways away. I don't know that much else I can do other than get ready for it."

"Well Ash, knowing what you're going to be expecting in a few months, I think you're going to have a lot more on your plate than you might have expected. And I'm not even talking about trying to live up to fan expectations either."

Ash thought about Karen's point for a few seconds before he recognized what she was referring to. It was going to be a few months before he would have the duty to make a very important first impression. "Aw man. You might be right. My audience for the Pokémon league is about to get a little more personal."

Karen asked, "Do you think you're up to the challenge of being a dad? If you really plan on being the nice guy to everyone then you should know that you are going to have to make a few changes."

Ash scratched his chin before agreeing, "The thing is I'm going to have to be. Sabrina really wanted to be with me when I made her human again and from what I can tell, she wants to have some part of me to herself. I just need some way of knowing that I'll be able to leave her and the others here without causing total havoc."

Karen smiled when she confirmed, "You are handling this as well as anyone could have hoped you would have. Just so you know, you still have me to help out around here. You do have an agreement to live up to with me remember?"

Ash looked over the schedule that he made for himself when he commented, "Alright, so I think I can still manage some of the things that I need to do to make these relationships work. I bet if I manage to make time for everyone on a certain date, then I'll be able to keep in touch with them and keep my training for the League in top form." His mind broke away from the schedule he had made for himself when he remembered what Karen told him about his agreement to that he made a few months ago. He turned to Karen to ask, "You really weren't kidding about wanting to be with me were you?"

Karen nodded when she confirmed, "I know. It gets a little tricky to know when I'm kidding and when I'm not isn't it? I'll tell you this though, I meant everything I said."

Ash picked up his Pokédex when he asked Karen, "Well, I'm not really trying to complain about this situation, but what is it that made you think that I'd be worth hooking up with anyway?"

Karen stood up to remind him, "You remember how you read me right? Me just not wanting to be alone in this world. And to tell you the truth, I really think that you might be the guy I want to rely on. Being good friends with Sabrina is definitely a plus for me as well."

Ash smiled when he remembered the night at the Hale residence about how easy Karen felt about being around him. He sighed before asking, "I have to admit, I'm having a hard time saying no to your offer Karen. Is it going to get in the way of your duties though? And what about Will? Isn't he leaving soon?"

"Elite Four members have their own personal lives. And Will can take care of himself. He has a lot of information to keep himself busy while he begins working on his studies when he gets back to the League."

Ash shrugged before agreeing, "Then it looks like I'll be able to fit you in after all. I was worried you might have been too busy for some place as remote as out here."

Karen confirmed, "No place is too little for me. So can you give me an idea of when I can spend a whole day with you?"

Ash showed Karen the week he had planned out, "Here's what I've got planned, I think maybe if I spend a day or so with all of you, I'll be able to make sure I stick close to you. It won't be too taxing on staying ready for the League either. I might even be able to hear a few pointers from you guys if I get lucky."

Karen nodded when she reminded Ash, "That is a good plan. For right now you definitely want to make room for Annie and Oakley. Who knows when you get to see them again?"

Ash looked at his schedule when he decided to make of note of finding out when Annie and Oakley would be available next. As he made the note, he told Karen, "Yeah. They still have things to answer for. I think they are telling the truth about wanting to see me before they have to go back to Alto Mare. There might just be a future for them if I can make sure that they don't end up going back to square one. I think they could be really nice friends if I got to know them real well."

"Real sweet of you to be so humble. Then again, who can say how anything is supposed to play out right?" Karen took his hand and offered, "I think it's about time that we all got a good night's sleep don't you think?"

Ash took Karen's hand when he accepted, "Yeah. I have a busy week to be ready for. And I think my wives need to be ready to meet their third bed buddy as well."

Karen smiled when she praised, "I like how inviting you can be Ash."

So at least you might be a little pleased to see that another chapter has been added I hope. You might be able to tell that the writing wasn't as strong as the previous few chapters I'd imagine. Primarily because of two reasons: the first being that I chose to make a chapter out of some pretty unremarkable events and tried to reach the usual length I go for. The second being that I'm a bit out of practice at the moment because of a recent life change. A few months ago, I actually moved into a new house and I've had to do a lot of moving around and prioritize a lot of life things ahead of writing anything.

Those are my two big reasons, I just hope that everybody is at least happy to see that there hasn't been another long wait for an update like last time. I'll try to get more on top of answering reviews and making regular updates again to make sure that everyone is given what they want in the end.

I will reveal this much, the next chapter is going to be one that I'm sure a lot of people who read this are going to be very pleased with what they get. All of that is going to continue as soon as I make sur I have my skills stretched out again and into delivering another pivotal moment in this saga.

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.