Chapter 17

Dawn found Ash speaking to someone on the phone. Ash was smiling continuously and even nodding his head every two seconds.

"Who is he talking to?" Dawn thought to herself and slowly went near him. She placed the water bottle near the lamp and went to where Ash was standing. Seeing Dawn, Ash quickly disconnected the call. Dawn raised her eyebrows in suspicion.

Pushing all negative thoughts out of her mind, she asked,"Whom were you talking to?"

"Someone very special," Ash grinned. Dawn frowned.

"That person has a name right?" Ash grinned on hearing her question. He laughed a little and said,"I invited some one very special to have lunch with us, you will see that person then."

Before Dawn could ask anything else, Ash had left for the hospital. Dawn narrowed her eyes and puffed her cheeks,"I swear Ash, if you're thinking of cheating on me, I will cut your head. You are not bored of me already, are you? That's not even possible! We just have been married for two weeks!"

She was speaking to herself whereas Ash was enjoying her soliloquy. He left quickly, not wanting to be spotted by her.

Dawn quickly came out of her room and went straight to the kitchen. Seeing Delia preparing breakfast, she decided to help her. She applied butter on the bread and then started putting them in toaster.

"You didn't sit for practice today Dawn," Delia said while preparing the tea. Dawn apologized.

"Well, a huge competition is coming up next month, I want you to take part in it," Delia said.

"Mom?"

"Yes my child?"

"Does my singing cause problem? I mean I practice quite early in the morning. Ash and others come home late and need their sleep and rest. Am I disrupting something?" She shakily asked.

Delia eyed her in disbelief,"What nonsense? Who told you so?"

"I was just thinking.."

Delia placed an assuring hand on her shoulder and said,"The rooms are soundproof dear. Moreover if you think you're disturbing Ash's sleep, you can come in my room and practice."

Dawn smiled. Then she asked,"Is someone going to visit us today?"

Delia smiled and said,"Ash said they are special people. You have to wait to find out." Dawn sighed once more. Ash had probably told everyone not to reveal the identity of the visitors.

"Mom, there is something I always wanted to tell you,"she said.

Delia signalled her to go on.

"Ash was once showing me old family pictures. He showed me a picture of Paul," she slowly said. Delia looked at her with strange expression. Dawn continued,"Ash said he left home five years ago and still haven't returned. He also said that you all have no idea where he is."

Delia wiped away a tear and nodded,"Yeah, I last saw him five years ago. I don't even know where he is now."

"I saw him at Sir Harrison's house once, I think he will know,"Dawn said. Delia hugged her tight and thanked her,"You don't know how much of a relieving news it is to me, at least he is alive and okay!"

...

"Can't I come?" Serena asked.

"You have caused enough damage already. I don't want anything else destroying her happiness," Daniel said with hints of anger in his voice. Serena frowned and added,"I just want to apologize."

Johanna said that she will have enough time later on and they left, leaving Serena alone.

Once her parents were gone, Serena came out of the house and locked the door behind her. Then slowly started making her way to a nearby park.

The journey was uneventful, she remembered the sympathetic looks some people were giving her. She wanted to scream on their face about how she was cheated but stayed quiet. She didn't want to create a fuss again.

Sighing, she sat on a bench and closed her eyes.

"So I got see you again," A cold voice called from behind him and she turned, shocked.

"Are you stalking me or something?" She asked and adjusted herself in her seat. He sat beside her.

"That's rubbish, troublesome," he stated.

"What's with the annoying nickname Mr. Smarty-pants," she said, annoyed. He scoffed on hearing the name.

"I thought you would be in Celadon," he asked.

She gave him a strange look,"Are you a mind reader? How the hell do you know all these stuffs?"

"I told you before, I don't stay with my family doesn't mean I don't keep records on their life."

"You're mysterious and awfully rude."

"This saves many explanations."

"What do you mean by that?"

Paul got up and put his hands in his pockets. He smirked at her and started walking away.

"Wait up!" Serena yelled and ran to walk beside him. She wondered if all her encounters with Paul would end up her following him when he was leaving.

"You never told me about your girlfriend and stuff," she tried to start a conversation.

"I just met you once, you're a stranger," he stated.

"Well then, am sorry to disturb you. I must maintain my distance, Stranger," she said, emphasizing on the last word. Paul stifled a laughter at her choice of words.

"Well then, as you say." He said and left. Serena was staring at the back of the leaving man and muttering,'He is just so annoying.'

...

"Can't you tell me who is coming?" Dawn asked Ash as he entered his room, their room.

"Can't you wait for five more minutes?" He teased her.

"You're annoying me. Stop behaving like a brat!"

"Right now, you're behaving as one."

She sighed in defeat,"At least tell me whether I know that person or not!"

Ash grinned and poked her forehead,"You'll see."

Dawn pouted and turned away from him. He laughed a little and asked,"Jealous?"

"Why should I be? You can call anyone for dinner, why will it effect me. You can go anywhere you want. I don't care."

"You're not making any sense," he teased her again,"Signs of jealousy ha?"

"I am not jealous Ash," she gave him a murderous glare.

Ash got up, ready to leave the room. He turned for the last time,"They are here. You can finally meet them. And behave properly okay? They are very special guests of mine."

She bit her lip and managed to say,"They are your guests, you should attend them. I don't want to be a hindrance."

Ash shook his head,"You are coming with me," and started to pull her along with him. Though she was thin and petite, she was quite strong. He was having a hard time. Suddenly he picked her up bridal style and said,"I have to carry you like this I suppose."

"Put me down! There are people in the hall. They will see us!"

"I am carrying my own wife, why should they have a problem?"

Dawn almost felt like melting in his arms. She swallowed her smile and said,"You're not going to drop me are you?" He smiled deviously and shook her a little. She held on his shirt tighter. "Stop it!"

He shook her a little more. She knew he would not drop her but accidents happen. She didn't want to take the risk of falling and breaking her bones.

"Fine, I will go with you but put me down first." She said hoping he would do that. He gave her an unsure look. She repeated again,"I will go with you. Just put me down."

He nodded and helped her land safely on her feet. She let out a relieved breath and Ash signalled her to come along. Dawn gave a tired sigh and followed him.

...

"I thought you had left," Serena said when she found Paul waiting outside her house.

Paul, who was leaning against the door, came forward and handed her something. Serena was stunned when he took her hands and put something in it. Glancing down, she saw a pink purse.

"Is it?" She was unable to complete when Paul gave her a sideways smirk. He said,"You really let your guard down in my presence."

As he was going to leave, Serena asked without turning to face him,"Did I leave it at the park?"

"Yes."

"Thanks."

He didn't reply, instead raised a hand and said,"Forget it."

Serena could say just one thing,"you're impossible."

...

As soon as Dawn entered the hall, her eyes widened and a big ear-to-ear smile spread on her face. "Mom! Dad!" She cheerfully said and almost ran to where her parents were. She gave Daniel a hug who smiled amd patted her back. Johanna gave her hands an affectionate squeeze.

"How are you my child?" Daniel asked when Dawn let him go.

"I am fine Dad! How are you? And where is Serena? Is she still angry at me?"

Daniel shook his head. Johanna said,"She had some work. We wanted to bring her with us but she was busy. She will visit later on." Daniel mentally thanked her.

"Thats so bad," Dawn said a little sadly.

Delia handed The Berlitzs some drinks and they all sat down on the couch. Ash and Dawn sat near Delia.

"Where are the others?" Johanna asked while taking a sip.

Dawn said,"Drew will be home soon and is going to pick May on the way home. Gary is out of station with Mani, his mother and father."

They nodded in understanding.

...

Serena laid down on her bed, thinking about what to do next. She wanted to continue her studies, find a job and lead a happy life. She was thinking of a way to do it.

"So what if Ash rejected me, it won't effect me anymore." She said to herself.

However, her inner voice echoed in her head,"But I can't help but wonder what would have happened if we were together?"

Serena clutched her head and yelled,"No! I can't think such things, he is Dawn's husband now. It is wrong... So wrong."

Her voice echoed throughout the empty room. She got up and went near the window. Outside, she saw few children swinging on a swing, some playing tag. She could help but remember how she and Dawn used to play tag when they were kids.

"Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Dawn were my real sister?" She asked herself,"Would I have been able to play with her life like it?"

She drew the curtains and came back in her bed. She asked herself,"Am I really happy for her?"

...

"You liked your surprise?" Ash asked Dawn as soon as they entered the room. Delia had gone to sleep already and since May and Drew were back, the couple decided to call it a night.

"I almost had a heart attack. I thought you were cheating on me," she confessed. He smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead,"So you're afraid of losing me?"

She nodded. He teased,"Don't worry, I won't leave you so soon." She gave him a faint smile,"You better keep that it mind."

She proceeded to close the door. Ash grabbed her wrist and pulled her. As a result, her face got buried in his chest. She smiled,"The door is still open!"

He groaned,"Come on, am just hugging my wife."

"Have some privacy!" She replied.

He didn't move a muscle. He said,"I have another surprise for you!"

She titled her head sideways,"And what is that?"

"We are going on honeymoon."

Dawn blushed and bit her lip. Ash smiled on seeing her face so red. He laughed lightly and said,"We are going to Sinnoh.. I want to visit the place where me met with you by my side."

..

This is the beginning of a new twist in Dawn's and Ash's love life, which will now be tested. Serena, who is undergoing a change, must be creating a question in your mind, Can People Really Change? Well, read to find out.

And one more thing, if you don't get an update soon, assume that am dead XD I am not joking, the town where I stay is under Flood Alert! Pray for my hometown!

~ darkestlightofhope