Hi everyone, just stopping in with a new chapter. I know I said in the previous chapter that I would post as soon as possible but it seems that I lied. My apologies. I have not got started on the next chapters but I will begin soon, perhaps a couple of days after this chapter post. Again, if you have any comments, criticisms, applauses, etc., don't be shy and let me know, especially in my inbox so I can personally talk to you. I know these last two chapters feel somewhat rapid pace in terms of some of the characters and dialogue but I do want everyone to remember that this is a lead up from all the other chapters plus, sometimes people both in fiction and real life often don't need time to accept things (especially when they already had suspicions or notice well ahead of the actual reveal of news). Chapter 7

*Celia wakes up*

An hour or so after Stephanie went to check on Ellie and Celia, Celia groggily woke up to find Ellie sleeping under the tails of Stephanie's ninetails. Relieved that her efforts to get Ellie to safety were rewarded, she figured it would be best to just leave Ellie to sleep. Seeing her daughter, she gives a relaxed sigh and kisses her on the forehead. Sitting up and getting out of bed, she walked out the room to discuss what happened earlier with Stephanie and Jon if was there too.

Once outside the room, she used her innate ability to sense for others nearby. Focusing on the 'presence' coming from the living room, she picked out multiple people, all of which felt familiar to her, which immediately comforted her. More people meant that Stephanie probably informed them of Ellie's accident and that, hopefully, they cared enough to come rushing over to check in on them. Relieved, she focused harder on one presence that stood out from the rest. Celia joyfully teared up that Jon was here and, judging by his 'aura', was not worried. If he didn't exude negative feelings then that meant Jon knew of the situation already and that everything was already handled, at least she hoped so.

No longer wanting to wait, she started sending Jon feelings of love and awareness then telepathically spoke to him.

"Jon, I am so happy that you are here. I just woke up and saw that our daughter was asleep. I am sure you are already aware of what happened. Is it alright there? Can I come in?"

Getting both feelings of happiness and concern, he communicated to her through his thoughts that she can walk in since it was most of the other parents. Jon feeling concerned had confused her since while he didn't feel upset, it seemed that something was bothering him and that it had something to do with the parents there. Putting it off for now because she wanted to see Jon quickly, she cuts off her mental communications with Jon and walks toward the living room.

Walking in, she immediately see Jon, (1) Stephanie & Tim, (2) Henry and Melanie, (3) Janet and Edward, (4) Emily and Vicente (immediately came over after work), (5) Jack (Amelia too busy with watching Lindsey), (6) Hana and Hideki, (7) Alice and Jackson, (8) Thomas and Evelyn, (9) Hannah and Lucas, (10) Susan (Howard not there since he had to drive out of town to go check on his older parents), (11) Carlos (Him calling over after Henry called him but Zaira staying home because she didn't like storms), and (12) Mandy and Connor. Twenty-one people besides Jon and her; why so many people at once? Was this more than just a check up or something else?

She saw all eyes focused on her which made her uncomfortable. She looked over and saw Jon and, doing so, she focused on his mind which allowed her to hear his thoughts, trying inform her: "They know the truth."

Hearing those words, she was suddenly reminded of the last thing she said in her panic when she came to Stephanie for help. Celia hesitated. She wished at that moment that she didn't walk in there but she knew it wouldn't change anything. She had cried out to Stephanie, begged Stephanie, and, before falling unconscious, told Stephanie that Ellie was her daughter. She would have thought that she could perhaps explain that away except for what Jon said. He told her that they knew, and that could only mean that not only Stephanie but perhaps everyone else knew the truth. She couldn't begin to imagine what happened while she was out but it probably involved a very lengthy conversation given the time of the day outside the window. With no time to further contemplate what happened or how to get out, she assured him that she heard him then walked over to take a seat next to him. Before anyone could speak, Celia looked over at Stephanie. "Thank you for saving Ellie, Stephanie," she said timidly.

Stephanie accepted the gratitude but then responded, "Celia, I'm glad you brought her in time, she wouldn't have made it without a good mother like you." Surprised at the way Stephanie so casually referred to her as Ellie's mother in front of the others, Celia feigned being surprised and tried to say something when Jon stopped her, laying his hand on top of hers and looking at her.

"Celia, there is no point in lying to them now because they know the truth now. We have been speaking about it." Feeling awkward and a little uncomfortable, she kept her face down and eyes looking toward the floor, expecting to hear some outbursts.

However, instead of hearing outbursts, she heard Hana speak to her. "Celia, I will say that it was…a bit of a surprise to hear the truth but we are just glad to see that you and Ellie are okay. Most of us were called over when Tim and Stephanie called us over and Jon explained everything. We have been here for quite awhile, talking and discussing some things. Much of what we heard was shocking and a bit unusual but I think I speak for everyone here when I say we are willing to hear you and Jon speak."

Grateful to hear that, Celia immediately stopped Jon when she noticed he was about to talk. "Jon…please, you have done enough talking and now I think it's my turn to tell them our story but from my side."

She really wasn't looking forward to this but she knew that Jon must have had to bear the brunt of the conversation earlier, judging by his worn look. Feeling that it wasn't right for him to have to bear that burden alone, she had put aside her fears and anxiety to talk.

*Celia Shares her story*

"Well…like everything else, there is always more than one side so I would like to share with you my story." Getting everyone's attention she began telling her story.

"It was in my younger years, around seventeen years ago, when I was attacked by some poochyenas. I hadn't evolved into my Kirlia phase but I had spent many…many years surviving outside when my parents and I were separated. With the amount of survival experience I had, I was able to successfully fight off the few mutts that tried to hurt me but it had taken all of my energy and strength. Unable to move into a more hospitable environment, I…I was going to lay there and do nothing, having already accepted my fate. Just when I thought dehydration had gotten me, I saw a flash of red light then nothing."

Looking over at Jon, she took a deep breath before resuming her story. "It felt weird, to be honest. I was unconscious from the injuries earlier and the lack of water, yet, I could remember a weird feeling of weightlessness in the dark, unconscious sleep I was in. Soon though, I would find myself awake in the physical world. When I had awakened from my sleep, it was when I was released from what I would later learn was called a 'pokemon ball'. I remember the times I was with my parents when they would speak of humans having pokemons with them that battled each other but they never talked about where they were kept. Regardless, once I figured out I was being treated at some 'pokemon center' which was essentially a clinic, I started feeling uncomfortable with the idea of battling others until Jon and the nurse walked back into the room. Apparently, I was already treated in some fancy machine for immediate injuries but the machine couldn't treat something like dehydration so I was taken to a room for rest and to be given both water and nutrients. I continued to hear them talk, not fully understanding the words spoken since my species has something of their own language and I hadn't learned your language yet. But I was able to get an idea, though, as I saw them gesture to me and the emotions associated with their speaking. As I picked up more and more, I began to understand that they were talking about my continued treatment and what was to be done with me."

Taking a second to another breath, Celia looked over at all the others. "I remembered when Jon first spoke to me, his first words. "Would you like to travel the world with me as my new friend? I promise to take care of you and be nice." I would never forget those words and despite not being able to communicate in any way, I gave my answer through hugging Jon as tightly as possible."

Seeing no one wanting to interject, she took a drink of water from the glass Jon handed her before continuing. She felt a bit flustered talking about how she met Jon but if Jon could talk for hours, then she could set aside her embarrassment and continue. "It was from then on that we started our journey together. We traveled to different places and to different regions. In the process, we got to see new people, learn about different cultures and customs, meet trainers and their pokemon companions. Many of those trainers would try to challenge us to battles but Jon had always refused, telling them that he wasn't interested in battling and, instead, desiring to learn about pokemon and their nature. Keeping up with this idea, he, and even I at times, would work with or volunteer at pokemon research facilities which helped to keep us afloat and never in dire need for money."

At this point, Celia grabbed the hand that Jon had on top of hers, expressing her affection and love for him. "We were best of friends by that time and I couldn't imagine living without him at that point. I always had him to lean on and learn while I gave him my counsel and nurtured his mind when he felt sad or stuck in life. I didn't understand at the time that it would eventually blossom into affection. Sleeping side by side for every single night for years, from my ralts 'form' all the way to my current gardevoir 'form' and all the affection and love turned into romance and, soon, we started 'dating' or as close to dating as a human and a gardevoir could do. He would take me out to places, prepare wonderful meals with my favorite fruits and vegetables, teach me how to pronounce words that I couldn't speak in my ralts form and struggled with in my kirlia form, help me find new hobbies and even run off nasty trainers who would try to 'breed me' with their own male gardevoirs and gallades, as if I was some common stock."

Celia stopped momentarily to give everyone time to digest all the information; she looked over to see that everyone, including Jon, were mesmerized in the story, forgetting that it was basically about a taboo relationship.

Once ready, she continued. "We were happy and content, and okay with never having children since we came from different, very distantly related species. That is why it shocked us both when I realized the little bump I had on my stomach wasn't some kind of growth or extra weight but a life, one that shouldn't have been possible. It was around this time that Jon finished up an internship that he got several months and had received the news of his acceptance to the conservatory in Slateport City. He wasn't expected to start until the end of December, over two and half months more than when Ellie was born so it gave us enough time to elope and work on keeping her birth a secret. It was a blessing that her birth didn't have any complications. After her birth and all the initial doctor visits and stuff, we had packed all of our stuff and moved here, living here for the past five years."

*Celia finishes her story, Jon once again talks to the others*

Once Celia was done talking, Jon spoke. "I know I spoke a lot earlier and that much of what Celia said overlapped with what I said but I hope y'all understand us now. I wasn't thinking of myself when we chose this life of secrecy…what I did was to ensure the survival and happiness of Celia and our daughter. I don't even know if I could still trust you all. Not because I don't see y'all as great friends but because so much is riding on this, my family could be taken away for various different things, the welfare system, scientists and researchers wanting to study and experiment on them, and even ordinary people who find our love and family to be an abomination to destroy…we already have seen some of the cruel things that have been said by small groups about trainers who were suspected of being a little too 'affectionate' with their pokemon, not pokephilia just affection."

Looking at Celia, he says, "however…I didn't realize years earlier just how hard this would be, both with the secrecy and without the support of friends. Our talk earlier had helped me understand that this won't always remain a secret and, for our daughter's sake, it shouldn't. I believe that it will probably still come with risks but the risks associated with finding out through someone snooping around may outweigh them. And I know Celia wasn't here to listen but I promise that both she and I will talk about it as soon as possible."

Jon was finally done speaking. All those who gathered to hear the truth were silent, contemplating what Jon and Celia said. For Celia's part, she was confused by this sudden turnabout regarding their secret relationship and her biological relations with her daughter but understood what he said, figuring that whatever conversations they had while she was asleep must have changed him. But she would trust her 'husband' and talk later.

*Jack gives his own take of Jon and Celia's situation*

After a few minutes of silence, dead empty silence other than the rain outside, someone spoke. Surprising everyone was Jack, the more silent one of the group who stayed silent even throughout the conversations both now and earlier.

"Damn. Uhhh…I am not sure what to really say. We are all adults here but that doesn't mean we are perfect or that we know how to respond to new things. I really want to understand this but I think it may take me some time…however, I can understand the feelings. I was a young trainer once myself and beyond their friendship and presence, but I never really gave it a whole lot of thought…the things and complexities surrounding different pokemon socialization I suppose."

Noticing that Jon was about to say something, Jack held up his hand to stop him. "And before you interrupt, don't mistake this as me not accepting it because I do, at least after hearing the truth from earlier and the way you both spoke now. It's just that I…haven't thought about things like this either and never would I have thought what happened would ever be possible. I know this isn't what y'all were exactly talking about but I am something of a big picture guy and I have to say that I do understand your concern and hesitancy to talk about this with anyone." Looking at Jon, he pointed at him before taking his finger back to scratch his left temple, like a classic thinker. "Jon, you work at the conservatory and you know a lot about biology and pokemon health and rehabilitation. Do you know what I do for work?"

After receiving an affirmative 'no' from Jon, Jack continued. "Not everyone knows since I don't talk about it often but I work for a research company that works to advance studies on things from pokemon sociology, pharmaceuticals for both humans and various pokemon species, and technologies. It is more about consolidating, managing, condensing or 'simplifying' so-to-speak, and streamlining information. In many ways, it's like research and administrative work compacted into one and our work is public, mostly. Because of that, I am usually privy to some things so I will say this with a grain of salt that I never heard of this and beyond sociology of pokemon species, I again have never thought this possible and have never considered the considered the in-depth of pokemons' emotions and thoughts on things like companionship, definitely not my expertise. And sorry to have this conversation going so long but to conclude what I am saying, I somewhat affirm your concerns. If this was to get out, I am not sure exactly what would happen but I do know that researchers would be scrambling to find your family to research them. Possibly by force if the government and appropriate authorities were to get involved. And considering that you want to try to eventually reveal the truth, I know that probably doesn't make you feel more comfortable." With a grimace on his face, he finished his point. "I was here to listen to both of y'all's stories and I could feel the sincerity and emotions but I am not sure if everyone would feel that way. Regardless of our views, the public, and more importantly the court, will see it as illegal. Trying to convince them otherwise that you don't fit the narrative of a criminal and Celia as a victim would be difficult because of the views and laws that most people and places have."

*With Jack finished, the discussion discussion draws near the end*

Though it wasn't often that everyone heard Jack speak, they did listen to what he had to say. Much had been said and given what was going on, it took a few moments of silence to take it all in. Once done, each person gave either a nod or a hum of agreement. However, some did wonder about one thing, should they tell the kids and Jessica, who was absent from the earlier meeting and the impromptu meeting at Henry and Melanie's house.

"Absolutely not," Jon said. "Given the fact that their teacher already suspects it and essentially knows, Jessica can be told but not the kids. We already talked about this earlier…well I, Tim, Stephanie, Henry, Jack and Thomas did but for the rest of y'all, we only said we wouldn't tell the kids until they were older."

"Yeah, I know. We already knew this but what I meant to ask was when," Edward stated. "Sooner or later, we will have to tell them because with your little girl growing up, she probably will begin to have more…pronounced features like her ears, which may or may not grow large with age. Plus, there isn't any known case like this before as far as we know and she could very well begin to change to look more like Celia; that will be difficult to hide or explain away, Jon."

"Well it is difficult but the only way to know for certain is to wait and see. All of our kids are relatively close so if we explain it to them when they grow older and can understand the gravity of the situation better, it should help. My only hope is that some of them don't begin to notice something unusual and begin to start talking about it before the time is right." Stephanie, always the more rational and considerate person, brought up a good point. However, she wasn't done speaking and looked over at Jon and Celia. "Now that being said though, Jon…Celia…this is a very peculiar situation, I think it would be best if you can find someone, a researcher or otherwise, who could be trusted to try to bring this up to and ask them for help in monitoring Ellie's development. You have been doing fine as it is but as a nurse who has seen a lot of patients, not every patient is the same even when they have similar backgrounds and conditions, and the fact your daughter is half gardevoir really complicates things. I am not totally sure but she may need a different nutritional diet if she has had difficulties with her current, different medicines and vaccines, and even help to understand the changes she may have once she starts puberty."

That was a terrifying thought to Jon, what could be different for his daughter once she grows older. He is confident that she will do fine with food and even some medicines since she hasn't had any adverse effects from everything she has had already but puberty? Stephanie brought up a good point but it wasn't something to be thrilled about. What if she suddenly started turning into a ralts, kirlia, or gardevoir out of nowhere or started growing a horn like her mother or turned white suddenly?

"Fuck. I hate it but you are right about that. But I don't think nutrition would be a serious thing and even medicine hasn't been an issue as of yet but her later development could be a concern. I am not totally sure but I think there may be one person out there I could trust to talk to about this but I would have to be discreet before telling them the whole truth and explaining what is going on."

*With the conversation finished, everyone retires to their homes*

After they were done talking, everyone seemed content with the discussion. They had discussed everything they believed to be important and now knew the truth. And in regards to Jon and Celia's wishes, they had agreed to not talk about anything concerning Jon, Celia, and their daughter.

Once everything was done and they came to agreement, and once the storms had calmed enough for them to travel, most started their journeys back home. The only ones who stayed were Tim, Stephanie, Jon, and Celia, with the Haynes staying to be near their child while she recovered for the night. Since they would be staying over for the night, Tim had gone to the closet down the hall to grab an inflatable futon for both Celia and Jon to sleep on while their daughter stayed in bed with Stephanie's ninetails to keep her warm.

"Hey Stephanie before you go to your bedroom…thanks for everything you did for my baby. I know it had to be stressful but you didn't just save my daughter but me too…because if you didn't, I don't know if I could have lived with myself," Celia said. "If it wouldn't disturb her rest and treatment, would it be fine for me and Jon to see her before we go to sleep."

Understanding that Celia and Jon were still nervous about what happened with Ellie, she assured them both that it would be fine and told them that it was fine with her earlier too, especially because she saved one of her daughter's close friends.

"Absolutely, it is no problem at all and, in fact, I was about to go check on your daughter before going to bed. Though when you all were talking earlier, I went to check up on her and was able to give her a little bit of water to keep her hydrated throughout the night. With her already regaining her normal coloration and the fact she is sleeping more peacefully than what I would have thought, I think she may not have to go to the doctor's for any check up. But, regardless though, I still want her to be checked up for her own safety. Because of her unique situation, I will run tests and check ups on her whenever you bring her to the clinic to ensure y'all's secret stays safe, okay?"

Given an affirmative nod, Stephanie, Celia, and Jon went back to the guest room where Ellie was being kept for her hypothermia treatment. Seeing their daughter sleeping soundly and looking in good health, they both waited for Stephanie to walk out from her check up so they could see her.

Getting close, they both put their hands on their daughter's hand. Taking their time to gaze upon the beautiful, sweet face of their daughter, Jon spoke. "Celia, you are truly the greatest thing to have ever happened to me. And in return for being the best thing, you gave me something even greater, our daughter…thank you for saving her. I don't know the pain and anguish you suffered when you found her but you had the strength to bring her to safety and that is all I care about."

"...Jon, I…I." Feeling herself choked up, Celia stopped and reminded herself that it was over, that their daughter was safe and would be okay. Once she regained her composure, she continued. "Jon, I am sorry that I let her go outside. All she wanted was her ball and I nearly let her die because I was dumb enough to let her go…can you forgive me?"

Taking Celia into his embrace with his free arm, he spoke. "Celia, there is nothing for me to forgive, you risked your life to save our daughter and you pushed through tonight when everyone found out about her. I should have been at home so if anyone is needing to be forgiven, it is me. But I know how you will feel about it so I ask you to accept that we both were at fault and that we will work better in the future for our daughter. Okay?"

Celia nuzzled herself into her 'husband's' chest. "I really hate when you do that but thank you, I am glad that I met you all those years ago. You have proven time and time again to be the best man and best person I have ever known. We will work better for her, I swear."

After a few more moments with their daughter, they left the room and went to the futon laid out for them to sleep on. "Jon, before we go to sleep, I have to ask. This person you speak of…is it who I think it is?" "Yes, I think it is about time for us to go visit one of my old mentors again. I hope Professor Rowan will be able to help us."