TDBigJ's message: Hiya you guys. Well, it certainly flies by doesn't it? Ah, who the hell cares? For those of you who live outside the U.S., we just had Thanksgiving here yesterday. Ah yes, Thanksgiving. One of my top three favorite holidays. What I enjoy about Thanksgiving is the family getting together. I got to see my uncle and his dog and my grandma for the day yesterday. I hardly ever see my uncle. It was the first time in about two years that I've seen him, mainly because he lives about three to four hours north of me. He lives within fifty miles of Canada so yeah, it's a pretty long trip for him to get down here. Yeah, I watched the Eagles-Seahawks game this past Sunday (That I mentioned in the last chapter), my two favorite teams. The Seahawks won, which I saw coming, 26-15. Today was also the Apple Cup (Washington vs Washington State in college). I rooted for Washington because that is the team in my state that I root for, and they totally dominated Washington State 45-17. Great game! It was 28-3 after the first quarter (I know, crazy right?). Today was Black Friday here in America (Don't know if other countries have it). For those of you who live outside the U.S., look up what it is (If your country doesn't have it). Did a bit of shopping today. Got my dad done with, my middle brother done with, all I have to deal with is my mom and oldest brother. Luckily, Black Friday here wasn't too hectic. Yes there were a lot of people but not a huge overload. So, yeah. Let's get to the responding of reviews while I think about what to get others for Christmas.
Wolves22 (Guest #1): I don't see how that can work, since the latter isn't even in this story. He was only going to be in my past two stories. The former might make an appearance later on though. Thanks for the review!
Espeon44: That will most likely happen in this story. Thanks for the review!
Oliverqueen01: So you did watch the first (and second) episode of Sun and Moon? Great! If it has potential (for now), that's good to know. I hope it does in the future. It's four episodes in already it seems. You did Edge's entrance as he did it? Yo man, I wouldn't be ashamed either, even though I've never done Cena's entrance as he did it, but I'm pretty sure some people might have. Yeah, I rooted for Team Smackdown as well. But it sucks that only their male superstar team ended up winning out of the three, and yes, Smackdown is the better show these days. Yep, it does indeed seem that Ash has to make a decision in this chapter. You'll find out what it is, even though you probably already know what that's going to be. Thanks for the review!
Pinkrangerfan: It's good for him to keep in touch with everybody he's known since his trainer days. Maybe the moment for the two of them is coming up. Thanks for the review!
Shadic4566: I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get more people. Miette being in this story, I'm not sure on that. It would be too obvious if she came in just to ruin Serena's chances of being with Ash to get him herself. But of course, I don't have to put her in for that reason. Thanks for the review!
Roger0326: Don't worry, it will happen. Thanks for the review!
Brig nodrm2347: Yeah, I was going to try something different, but him saying that was kind of needed for the plot. He actually will talk to Tristan this chapter. Well, your question will be answered this chapter. I know that Ash really hasn't been showing much affection toward her in this story, but more will be explained this chapter. I haven't watched the first two (or four as of yesterday) episodes of Sun and Moon but I plan to. You find them original and good? That's what I like to hear. You find Ash more expressive and Pikachu a more important character than in X and Y in the new series. That's something interesting, that might pique my interest of Sun and Moon more. Thanks for the review!
Guest #2: Oh no, the crossover fic will be updated once every few weeks, I will have it out soon. Sorry if I'm making you wait again. I wouldn't update a story monthly, that isn't like me. Yeah I agree, Ash's old look is better than his new one. I hope in the next series (If there will be one) they will go back to the original animation style. Thanks for the review!
TheAztecKing: Glad that you like that this is escalating and the story. Thanks for the review!
Mad Ass Dragon (both reviews): No, no. I'm trying to kill you again. I'm going to be a horrible man if I do. Now I'm panicking. The "mommy" moment is your favorite moment in this fic? Awesome! I don't know, something like that could happen. Thanks for the review!
Darkaura808: I wish I could have added the moment where Serena kissed Ash at the end of XY, but this story was posted almost a month before that episode aired so I couldn't. It would seem weird that Ash would go to Bonnie for advice, but yeah she is more mature on the idea of romance (in the anime at least). Glad you liked that part, you aren't alone. Sheldon possibly proposing to Amy at the end of the season? If it does happen, I kind of had a feeling they would do it at the end of a season. It would just make more sense. Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or it's characters, they are owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and… whoever else.
It was 1:48 in the morning, and Ash was still awake. He had gone to bed about an hour ago but had been keeping himself awake due to the amount of thinking he had been doing. Pikachu had already fallen asleep but Ash's thoughts were preventing his eyelids from closing. What was he thinking about you ask? Simple, is was an event that occurred earlier in the night. When Tristan had called Serena "mommy".
Ash didn't know what made Tristan call her such a word. Of course she wasn't his real mother, so Tristan calling her that confused and shocked Ash, as well as Serena. What was the reasoning behind it? Ash thought it through. He reflected on the conversation he had with Tristan a few short hours ago.
Five hours earlier
"Tristan, what was the reason for calling Serena "mommy"? Explain that to me." Ash asked his son.
"She just seems like a mother to me." Tristan replied, but Ash wanted more of an answer.
"I'm going to need more Tristan."
Tristan took a deep breath. "It's just that she is always visiting us, wanting to see us and you, and she is really kind. It looks like she cares for us… and you as well daddy."
Ash took in all the information Tristan had told him. "That is true, buddy. But you can't just call any woman I know "mommy" just because she cares about all of us."
"But she is the only female friend of yours that visits. Plus, mom is never around to be with us, so it's kind of sad that we never see her that much."
Ash had to admit, Tristan was right. Serena really was the only female friend of his he saw on a constant basis. She would come over and visit at least four or five times a week, and she would divide her time between the kids and him when she was here. And Denise was only around the kids once a month at the most, so it was probably hard for them to live in this house without a mother figure.
"I have to admit Tristan, you have a point there." Ash responded.
"It's just that… Serena seems like a mother to me. Her seeing us all the time, it feels that is what a mother should do." Tristan explained.
"That's true. But it seems you should get some sleep kiddo, it's almost nine."
Tristan shuffled under the sheets. "Okay daddy." And he then closed his eyes.
"All right. Sleep tight, buddy." Ash said and leaned down and pecked Tristan on the forehead and turned off the light and closed the door behind him.
Current time
For a four year old, Tristan gave some good points as to why he had called Ash's childhood friend "mommy". He was the only one around to take care of them so a father figure was all they had.
But there was one thing rattling in Ash's mind…
This whole thing brought up a decision for Ash to make, a whole decision for him to take some time to think. Oh boy, he hoped he would make the right one.
Serena
Serena was doing the exact same thing that Ash had been doing. She was in bed late at night thinking over what had occurred earlier that night. It was a little hard to know that her crush's son had just called her the one word she wasn't. The moment played through her head constantly.
"Night Tristan."
"Night mommy."
"Mommy". That one word. It wasn't just the scene that played over in her head, it was that word that did it more so. She just couldn't believe it. Why would he call her that? Was it because she saw him more than his birth mother, Denise? Even so, is that any reason to call her that?
Thing is, Serena did in fact want to be like a mom to them, maybe even their mother in general, even if it was just a stepmother. She loved those kids, especially their father. But was time ready for that yet. She didn't think so, but she only thought that, she wanted time to be ready.
She had wanted to ask Ash out for a while now, but still didn't have the courage. Plus, she didn't think it was time just yet. Sure, Ash had been divorced for over eight months and thought that it was time for him to get out there again, but that was entirely up to Ash. It was his dating life after all.
If she and Ash ever got married, she wanted to have at least a few kids. But since Ash already had two, she thought just one would be good enough. She didn't want to give her and Ash that burden if they ever did get together and got married. Five kids would be too much.
But she didn't want to think too far ahead. The two of them weren't even together yet. But she felt as though soon she would ask him out on a date.
She just had to figure out how to do it… and fast, before any other girl got the chance.
Ash, the following day
It was about noon, and Ash was talking to Dawn on his laptop via webcam. He had been going over what had just happened and what else had been going on recently.
"So Tristan called Serena "mommy"? That's interesting." Dawn commented.
"Yeah. Serena was just tucking them into bed, and he said "Night mommy" before she turned off the light." Ash stated.
"Man, talk about awkward moment."
"Tell me about it."
"Did you talk to Tristan about it?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah. He told me he called her that because she seems like a mother to him because she comes and visits us all the time, claiming that's what a mother does." Ash explained.
"I would agree. That is what a mother does. But I'm not sure if I would be comfortable being called that." Dawn responded.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean, if it were me that your son called "mommy" when I'm not really his mother, I would be pretty uncomfortable." Dawn stated. "And confused as well."
"Yeah. I completely understand that." Ash replied.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Serena feels uncomfortable right at this moment. Boy, I wouldn't want to be in her spot right now."
"Yeah, I know. Is there anything else I should do?" Ash asked.
"For now, I would just think over what to say to Serena. Give it some thought. Think about it. If you don't want something like this happening again, you're going to have to come up with something that would make this situation comfortable in the future." Dawn explained.
"All right. I'll put some thought into it, Dawn. Thanks for the advice!"
"No problem, Ash. If you need anything else on something like this, just give me a buzz. I'm always available to lend a hand to you if you need it." Dawn mentioned.
"Okay, see you later."
"See you."
And with that, Ash closed the window and shut his laptop and leaned back in his seat. Once the call ended, Dawn did the same. But after she shut her laptop, she had something to say.
"You're going to have to ask her out Ash."
Ash went over what Dawn had just told him in his head. She was right. He had to do something that would prevent uneasiness in his family and friends in the future. But thing is, what could he do?
He spent the next ten minutes, sitting there at the counter, thinking of possibilities of what he could do.
But then, one thing came to mind. And it was something that Ash hadn't done in years. But it was the best choice, and it was about time he got back to it. It had been a while, so he felt as if he was ready now.
He just hoped that it would go well.
A little later, Serena had shown up and Ash let her in.
"Hey Ash, good to be back here."
"It's good to have you here."
"Where are the kids at?"
"They're upstairs taking a nap. I kind of told them to take one." He stated.
"Oh, okay. Why so?"
"I'll explain that in a minute. So, are you okay after last night? I'm just making sure. I want to know if you're better than you were." Ash asked.
"I'm fine Ash. Still a little bit confused but I'll be all right."
"Okay good. I just hope it wasn't too much."
"It's fine. I'm not mad at the kid in any way."
"Well, that's good to hear."
"Hey, I'll be right back. I need to go wash my hands for a sec."
"Okay, go do what you need to do."
While she went to go do that, Ash went in the other room to think this over. He was unsure if he should ask her. Many things popped up in his head as in what to say. If he was going ask her, he was going to do it right. But what and how?
"I need to find the right words. What to say… what to say…" He thought to himself. "Just one wrong word and I'll screw this up. Don't want that do I?"
He then thought that he was thinking this over too much. This was Serena he was talking about. She wasn't judgmental, but he still needed to be careful with his word choice.
He stood by the back door, looking outside, wondering what he could say. This was a question he hasn't asked in a while, so the concept was a little blurry so to say.
Ash put his hands in his pockets. "What do I say buddy?"
Pikachu shrugged his shoulders. "Pika."
Ash had to think of this on his own. He didn't have the time or want to call Brock. This was something he had to do on his own. For crying out loud he was a grown man. He was almost twenty seven years old and he brushed up on this subject in the last decade, mostly with the help of his friends. His kids weren't around to interfere with this, so that much could be said.
He leaned his head down and closed his eyes, thinking through every possible example as if he was a quarterback studying a playbook. Ash was a smart man in most cases, but in the eight months since his divorce the subject of romance dried up a bit, but he still had a good understanding of it.
Once he thought through everything he could think of he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. He could hear footsteps in the other room, he assumed Serena was done with what she was doing. He turned around and took another deep breath and walked into the other room.
This was it. It was do or die time.
"Hey Serena, can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Oh, sure Ash."
The two of them went over and sat down on the couch.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" She asked him.
"I just wanted to ask you something, and it's really important. Just promise to hear me out, okay?"
"Okay, I'm listening."
"It's been a little over two months since I met up with you again, and it means a lot to me that you come over often and see me and my kids." Serena was wondering where Ash was going with this.
"And… I was happy to see my childhood friend once again, but as of late, I've just been feeling… different. My mind had been going through something that I haven't felt in a while. And there was something that I feel like I'm ready to ask again, but I'm not sure how you would feel about it." He continued.
Serena was beginning to get hints of where Ash was heading towards. She was hoping that it really was it, but she didn't want to get too confident that it was it, so she let him continue.
"Go on."
"The one thing I'm feeling different towards… is you. When I first met you again, I didn't feel it, but within the last few weeks, something's changed, but I feel like now is a good time to ask. You can say no if you want, I'll understand."
"What is it, Ash?"
Ash took a deep breath. "Would you like… to go out sometime?" And now Ash was feeling nervous. It wasn't like him on most occasions, but this was a rare instance.
Serena couldn't speak. Did she really hear what she just heard? Her crush had just asked her out… on a date. She had to blink a few times to confirm that it wasn't a dream. Nope, it wasn't, it was reality.
"Are… you asking me out… on a date?" She asked.
"Well… yeah. So… do you want to?"
Serena had been waiting for this moment to happen for nearly two decades. Her crush, her CRUSH just asked her out. She always thought it would be the other way around, but this way, it felt better somehow. She just couldn't believe it. She now felt like pinching herself. But if she blinked a few times and he was still in front of her, it was no dream, no matter how hard she tried.
"Ash… by all means yes." She replied.
Now Ash was the one to be surprised. She said yes. He was still oblivious that she has had feelings for him for a long time, so one would say he shouldn't be surprised.
"Um… well… uh… okay then. I guess… it's official then. How about… Saturday night?" He asked.
"Of course Ash. I would like nothing more. But could you excuse me for a sec?"
She got up and left the room to the entry way. Ash thought it over. In just a few days, he would be going out with Serena, the one girl he had known for most of his life, had been friends with for almost two decades. It seemed hard to believe, but it was true all right, mainly because he didn't know that Serena was doing a mini celebration in the other room.
Now there was another thing he didn't want to screw up, so he had some planning to do for a few days.
Three days later
Ash had gotten dressed for the date. He had put on a dark blue dress shirt and some black pants and some slip on shoes. This was a big night, so he had to do his best to be perfect for this.
As for the kids, Ash had his mom come over to watch them while he was out on his date. He didn't tell his mom who he was going on a date with. He didn't want her to know just yet. Pikachu would stay back as well, as Ash and Serena wanted the date to be just the two of them. Their Pokemon understood. Their trainers wanted to have a good first date, so they didn't want to interfere.
Ash checked over every last bit of his appearance. He didn't want to be the least bit out of order, he needed to be perfect. Well, not perfect but just right not to look scruffy.
After he went over his appearance a couple times, he decided it was time to go. He went downstairs and grabbed his car keys and went into the living room to tell his kids and mom that he was leaving.
"Okay, I'm leaving. Tristan, Bellamy, be good for my mom. Do what she says."
"Yes daddy."
"Okay, I'm going now. See you in a bit." He said and made his way out.
"Bye honey. You have a good date okay?" Delia called out.
"Will do, mom." He replied and left the house.
He got to his destination in ten minutes. He made plans a couple night ago with Serena to know what they were going to do tonight. He promised to meet her here. She just texted him and told him she was almost there. Ash looked at himself in the rearview mirror one more time to make sure he looked decent. After that, he closed his eyes and went through what he had to do tonight.
"Be cool, Ash. This is the first date. Don't do anything out of line. Yes, this is Serena, but still, make sure you do well tonight. Just remember how your first date with Denise went and you'll do all right."
After that, he got out of his car and waited outside. Just as he got out, Serena had shown up. He went over and opened her car door for her.
"Hey. You look… really great tonight." He commented.
"Thank you. So do you." She replied.
"So… shall we go in?"
"Sure."
They walked over to the entrance, all the while preparing themselves. They were thinking the exact same thing at that moment.
"Let's nail this, Ash."
"Let's nail this, Serena."
Author's note: Well, they're going on their first date. How do you think it will turn out? I hate to say it but that is how it is going to end. The date won't be written out in the next chapter. This chapter was to basically have Ash work up the courage to ask her out and the plan taken into action and the result. I'm sorry to do that to you guys, but that was the plan. But seeing as there are six chapters left after this one, there is plenty more big moments to be had in this story. And by big, I mean BIG! Like I've said before, I got a lot more planned out for the rest of the story. Next chapter is the next step for the two of them. What will it be? Check out the preview if you're curious.
As they were walking up the steps to Ash's mom's house, Serena went through a few thoughts. It had been a while since she saw Ash's mom. Not since she was a kid had she seen her, so Delia might not recognize her. But at the same time, what would she say when she met up with her for the first time in almost twenty years? So many thoughts rang in her mind. Ash looked at her and saw the look on her face and seemed concerned.
"What's wrong Serena? Are you nervous or something?" Ash asked.
"Maybe a little. I haven't seen your mom in ages. What do you think she is going to say when we tell her we are dating?"
"Look, my mom is not the critical type. She's not going to judge you just because we are going out. She's not one of those mothers that's overprotective of her son due to the girl he is going out with. She wasn't even that way with Denise, so I don't think she will be that way with you." Ash explained.
"I hope you are right. But… what will she think that you are now dating again?"
"My mom is not worried about me dating again. She knows that I am a grown man and that I can make my own decisions. I know it's been almost ten months since my divorce but I do feel like I am ready again."
He knocked on the front door. Ash's mother still lived in the same house that she raised Ash in. Serena closed her eyes and mentally calmed herself down and straightened herself out. This was an important meeting, so she couldn't appear or act nervous in front of Delia. But Ash did say she wasn't the critical type, so that eased her nerves a bit. A few seconds later Delia opened the door.
"Oh hey honey. You're here." Delia said and hugged her son. "Ash, who is this with you?"
"Mom, do you remember Serena? My childhood friend that I travelled in Kalos with when I was young?"
Delia's face lightened up. "Oh yeah, I remember you. You went to Professor Oak's Summer Camp with Ash a long time ago." She went up and hugged Serena. "It's so good to see you after so long."
Serena returned the hug. "You too, Mrs. Ketchum."
"Why don't you two come in. It must have been a long walk. I have to go in the kitchen and do something first before I join you."
Ash and Serena came in. It also appeared that the inside of the house hadn't changed either. Even after sixteen years Delia (and Mr. Mime) had kept the house in top form. The two of them went over and sat down on the couch while Delia dealt with something in the kitchen. Serena looked over at Ash, who was looking at a picture on a nearby wall, and tapped his shoulder. Ash turned his head so that he was now facing her.
"So how do you think we are going to tell her?" Serena asked.
"Well, I thought that once she asked how I've been and why you came here with me, I figured that would be the best time." Ash answered. Delia came back into the room and sat down on the chair next to the couch. Delia looked very good into her age, she had hardly changed in so long.
"So, why did you want to come here today, honey?" Delia asked.
"I just wanted to tell you that I just recently got home from Johto after taking a few challengers on. I wanted to show you that I'm all right." He explained.
"I know you're always all right honey. I believe you take good care of yourself."
"Well, I just wanted to let you know anyway."
"So, how come Serena is with you?"
Ash and Serena looked at each other. Now was the time to tell her.
"Well, mom, there is another reason I came here. There was something I wanted to tell you." He started.
"Okay, I'm listening."
"I hope you don't think it's too early…"
"What do you mean?"
"Mom, about a month and a half ago… Serena and I started dating."
Author's note: Whoa! They just dropped the news to Delia. What do you think her reaction will be? What is she going to say? Do you think she'll say it's too early for her son to start dating again? Do you think she'll say that it's good that he's putting himself out there again? Do you think the pumpkin pie has been in the oven too long? Oops, sorry. My mind is trying to get off Thanksgiving. But what do you guys think she will say. Leave your thoughts in your review and I'll see you next time when December comes around. Until then…
TDBigJ out!
"I look at you and I see two men: The man you are and the man you ought to be."
-Jimmy McGinty, the Replacements