Woohoo! A new day, another chapter! ^^ This one is extra fluffy adorable, so just a nice advance warning, hehe.

Ornaments

"Aw, look how cute!"

Ash glanced over to see what Misty was looking at. Catching sight of the object held in her hand, he gasped and leapt forward, snatching it out of her grasp.

"Hey!" Misty snapped, jumping up to face Ash, "what's the big idea?"

"Don't look at that!" Ash wailed, clutching the item to his chest, "it's so embarrassing."

"No it isn't. It's adorable!"

"Mist, I don't like it," Ash whimpered, now moving his hand behind his back.

"I'm your fiancée," Misty rolled her eyes, pronouncing the word with an air of elegance and, Ash hinted, joy, "I'm not gonna make fun of that. It's probably what our son will look like anyway," she said the last part with a devious smirk.

Ash grew wide eyed as his heart began to race, and he quickly threw the ornament back at Misty, who caught it with ease. She held it in front of her again, smiling fondly at the baby blue porcelain frame, to be hung by a royal blue ribbon, and displaying the sweetest picture of an infant Ash, fast asleep and curled up.

"It's still embarrassing," Ash grumbled.

"You were such a cute baby!" Misty cooed, eyes sparkling, "Oh, your hair looks the same! Jet black and sticking out all over the place."

"Misty, put it away!" Ash whined, tugging at his locks.

"I'm going to hang it on the tree," Misty skipped over to the tall, dark green pine, "your Mom said she wanted us to use all the ornaments, so on it goes!"

"She's only doing that to humiliate me," Ash folded his arms and pouted.

"Really?" Misty raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, really."

Misty gently hung the ornament from one of the branches, and skipped back towards the large boxes that contained all of the Christmas decorations she and Ash were in charge of putting up. So far, however, she'd done all the work, while Ash complained about having to do all the "hard" jobs like hanging up the lights, which he'd yet to even attempt. Misty knew she'd have to take the camera out for that one, especially when he got on the roof.

"I thought you loved Christmas Ash," Misty commented nonchalantly, still digging through the decorations.

"I do," Ash sighed, sitting down next to the pretty red head, "I just don't like doing all this work."

What work have you done? Misty thought acidly to herself as she shuffled through red velvet ribbons and small plastic cases.

"Hey, look at this!" Ash's voice jolted Misty out of her thoughts. In his hand, he held up a round, glass ornament, messily painted to look like a poke ball. "I made this when I was younger. I must have been about four."

"I didn't know you were an arts and crafts kind of guy," Misty teased playfully.

"I was as long as it had to do with Pokémon," Ash laughed in response. He got up to hang the homemade ornament on the still rather bare tree.

Misty pulled another ornament out of the box, this one a figurine of Pikachu.

"Pika!" Pikachu squeaked excitedly, jumping onto Misty's shoulder to get a better look.

"Yes, it's you Pikachu!" Misty laughed, scratching behind the electric mouse's long, slender ears.

"My Mom bought that after I got Pikachu," Ash piped up from behind Misty. He kneeled down and reached under her arm to take it, pulling the young woman into a tight hug as he did so. "It reminded her of me, especially while I was away, so it's one of her favorites."

"Your Mom always seemed to appreciate Pikachu's return just a little more than your own," Misty chuckled at the memory.

"Haha, very funny," Ash scoffed lovingly as he kissed Misty atop her head. He decided to place the ornament near the top of the tree, so the star would shine down on it, and everyone could see the special object.

"Well, well, look at this."

Ash raised an eyebrow and jumped back down next to Misty. "What did you find?"

"This," she held up a large gold circle, engraved in some of the fanciest script she'd ever seen:

Ash Ketchum

Pokémon Master

November 25th

"Yeah, it was one of the league's gifts to me after I won," Ash laughed, rubbing the back of his head, "I believe this one is my Mom's new favorite."

"That's understandable," Misty smiled, "wow, I didn't even realize! It was exactly one month until Christmas."

The ornament had no dust or fingers smudging its beautiful appearance. It was only about a week old, after all.

"It's so heavy," Misty mused as she handed it to Ash.

"I think it's made of real gold."

"Real?"

"Yeah," Ash nodded, "they told me it was expensive. So, I'm guessing it's real."

Misty continued to stare at the object. It was to be hung by a gold, true silk ribbon. The whole thing was incredibly fancy, and a shot of reality as far as Ash's new life was concerned. To her, he was still just…Ash. She couldn't view him as the famous celebrity and revered, ultimate Pokémon master that he now was. To be honest, she wasn't sure if Ash could even view himself that way.

Shaking her head to abandon the thoughts, Misty continued digging through the sea of holiday ornaments. Each one was so special to Ash and his mother, with a unique story for them all. It made her miss her sisters back home, and how they would decorate their own tree together every year, marveling over their own special ornaments. But things had to change. They were all married now, and soon she would be as well. It was just going to take some getting used to.

As Misty sadly shifted through the decorations, she stopped at a particularly striking box. It was dark green velvet, wrapped in a shiny white ribbon. Misty lifted it out gingerly, untying the bow and carefully opening the soft square container. What was held inside made Misty blush heavily.

The ornament was a silver heart, smooth and shining. A silk, emerald ribbon graced the top, and in the center of the heart, was a picture of Misty. It was a simple photo; she wasn't dressed up, her hair wasn't done, and she was fairly certain she wasn't even wearing any make up. It was just her smiling informally.

"That one is my favorite."

Misty whipped around, finding herself face to face with Ash, whose chocolate brown eyes danced with glee. A gentle smile was gracing his face, and a little giggle escaped from his throat.

"A…Ash," Misty breathed, "I…" He gave her a somewhat confused look.

Softly placing the ornament on the floor, Misty turned back around and enveloped her future husband into a hug.

"I love you Ash."

Ash looked down at the red head and smiled lovingly, hugging her back firmly.

"I love you too Misty."

I'm so much better at writing Ash and Misty in an engaged/married relationship more than just a dating one. I have no idea why, it just comes easier to me. Maybe I think it's a little cuter?

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