Hey! Sorry for the late upload. I've been kinda crammed with homework. Anyway, happy Labor Day! Let's get on with the chap!

Previously

"I love you, Serena, I said I love you." Ash sighs afterward.

Ash shifts his position of his leg to get comfortable and stares up at the ceiling wishing he could say this to her face.

Ash and Serena are now allowed to leave the hospital and return home. The group, now reunited, all share a nice breakfast with one another.

"How are you two doing? Did you sleep well?" Delia questioned. Grace nodded, Clemont and Bonnie turned their heads to listen for an answer.

Ash rubbed his finger against his nose, remembering the talk he had 'with himself'. "Yeah, actually, I slept great!" He turns his head to Serena and smiles. "What about you?" Something's different.

Serena's face forms a slight blush due to his charming smile. All she can do is stare at the grin formed on his lips. It said something. It said I care. Serena kept staring at Ash, her own facial expression emitting confusion.

Ash starts to get nervous at the gaze Serena has. "Serena?" Ash snaps Serena back into reality.

"Something wrong honey?" Grace asks, most likely knowing why she was staring. Serena scrambles for an answer.

"I, uh, thought there was, uh, food on his face. I got a little distracted." Serena mentally sighs and continues. "Oh and to answer your question, I slept well too."

Bonnie gave Serena that knowing look she always seemed to do when something happened between her and Ash. She chuckled but then asked a question Bonnie is always likely to ask.

"Did you meet any cute Pokemon?" Bonnie said enthusiastically.

Ash answered before Serena could. "Nothing that you haven't seen before...What about my Pokemon Bonnie, are they not good enough for you?" Ash play crossed his arm and looked away acting as if he was hurt by her question. Bonnie looked worried until Ash turned his head back to her and said, "just kidding."

Serena laughed. Ash always had such a kindness to him, no matter the situation. Bonnie continued.

"I can't wait to turn ten! I'll be able to meet so many cute Pokemon!" Bonnie said getting out of her chair.

"Bonnie, mind your manners," Clemont said embarrassed about Bonnie actions. Even though everyone is about done eating, it still wasn't polite to leave the table. Bonnie sat back down

"Oh and Clemont. Thanks for saving us back there when we were injured." Ash gave Clemont a pat on the back.

"You saved us first, you can call it even," Clemont responded.

"Deal." The two shook hands. Ash turned his head back to Bonnie. "When is your birthday Bonnie?"

"February 7th." Said Bonnie. "I wonder how many days left until I'm ten."

"Well, what's today? Mom?" Ash asked.

"I believe it's September four-" Delia abruptly stops. Ash has never been home this early... he might be here any moment. "Wait. Can you children take the dishes to the sink, if you don't mind. I need to talk to Ash." They all nod and help take dishes over. Delia frantically leaves the kitchen and goes into the living room. Ash followed.

"Mom, are you okay? Is something wrong?" Ash asks concerned.

"Today is the fourth of September." Delia stopped.

"Okay, so you do know the date. I'll go tell Bon-"

"That's not why I brought you here Ash," Delia said softly

"Then why did you?" Ash said. He swallowed hard. Did he do something?

"Ash. There is something that I've been keeping from you for a few years now." Ash felt a lump in his throat start to form.

He struggles to speak. "What would that be?"

Delia takes a deep breath, preparing herself for what she's about to say.

"Ash. Well. You know you never really knew your father." Ash nods his head, realizing the tone of this conversation was more serious than expected. "We also covered how it wasn't your fault as to why you never met him." Ash nods his head again.

"Yeah. That's all we really talked about him." Ash said, starting to feel stinging in his eyes.

"Well. Today is his birthday."

"Is that what you've been hiding? I thought you said you've been hiding it for a few years?" Ash questioned.

"The most important part of the secret is..." Delia stopped and grabbed the end of her shirt.

"Is what Mom?" Ash asked, growing impatient.

"Is... For the past three years, your father and I would meet up on his birthday. Well, more like he would come here, uninvited. He wears a mask and a hooded cloth. Ashamed of himself. He won't let me see his face, and he doesn't want you to see him in the state he is in." Ash suddenly became interested in his shoes.

Staring down, "Why didn't you tell me?" Ash said calmly.

"Honey, he didn't want me too. I'm sorry." Delia said with sympathy.

Ash hesitated. "It's okay mom, but if he doesn't want me to see him then what is he going to do today?"

"He doesn't know you're back. He doesn't know your situation or anything as of last year."

"Then I guess it's time for me to go," Ash said turning around.

"Ash, where would you go?" Delia asked surprised by his comment.

"Anywhere but here," Ash quietly responded. Delia walked to the front door after Ash. "Come on Pikachu." Pikachu tilted its ears but obeyed and jumped on the boy's shoulder.

"Ash, why don't you take this time to talk with your friends. That is why they are here you know." Delia says looking at Ash.

Ash turns his head to see the three started doing the dishes for them too. Clemont was using an invention to help him, Bonnie turned it into a game, and Serena was laughing at Bonnie while cleaning.

"I don't know," Ash looks at his Mom and opens the door only to see a hooded clothed man with a mask, his cracked hands balled into a fist in knocking position. The man's hand drops to his side. Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie all stop and lay their eyes upon the man.

"Delia...Son." His deep voice broke the wall of silence.

"D-dad?" Ash weakly says. He backs up slowly as if the man he saw was from nightmares he would have on stormy nights. Ash turns and runs through the back door.

Everyone sets their attention on Delia. Delia motions the three children to go after Ash. They stop what they are doing and head out after him. Grace sits on the couch by the door observing the man.

"Nice to see you again Delia, may I come in?" The man questioned.

"You never had good timing, Red. You never did."

Sorry for the really short chapter, there will probably be the second half of it tomorrow. If not, there will be a long chapter next weekend. Luv you all! ALSS out!