Clash
Misty was officially four months along. She was visibly pregnant now, and the fact was starting to make her a little self conscious.
Staring into the mirror, and pressing both hands against her ever growing stomach, Misty found herself longing for the days when she was a young girl who couldn't have cared less about her appearance. Once she grew into a teenager, she became fairly concerned with her looks, however, and somehow it had become slightly worse as an adult.
Of course, she adored the baby growing inside of her. Especially now that it was beginning to really move around. But it just looked so strange to her, with only gaining weight in her midsection. The rest of her, so far, had remained toned and slender.
To make matters worse, Ash wasn't home. He'd been doing work for the league; interviews and appearances. And Misty couldn't even go with him because of Ash still enforcing the "nobody will know" tactic.
"Like it matters anyway," Misty grumbled to herself as she walked away from the mirror, "they'd all just be commenting on how fat I look."
Walking downstairs, Misty grinned happily to herself as the soft movements moved through her stomach.
"Are you reading my mind?" Misty asked sweetly, happy that she was alone in the house to do this. Placing a hand on her bump, she continued, "I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful. You make me so happy, you know! I just wish there was a way we could do this without me getting so…big."
The gentle, soothing movements suddenly grew a little harsher, causing Misty's heart to race.
"Whoa, it's never been this strong before," she murmured. Giggling, she continued, "You must not be pleased I'm talking about you like this. Sorry baby! Although, maybe you're hungry too." In response, her stomach growled lowly. "Ha, so you are! Good, because I am too. Let's see what we can eat!"
Gliding into the kitchen, Misty opened the fridge and surveyed her options. Now that she was in her second trimester, Misty's morning sickness was a thing of the past, and her appetite had returned stronger than ever. Furrowing her brow, Misty suddenly realized she had an intense craving. Eyeing the shelves up and down, Misty caught sight of what she so desired and took it into her hands. Staring intently at the object, she studied its shiny red skin, and checked for any bruises.
"Looks good," Misty smiled at the perfect apple, "it's amazing to think these things were making me sick as a Growlithe just a few weeks ago…now all I want to do is eat them!"
Taking a small bite out of the fruit, Misty hopped merrily into the family room, grabbing the remote for the TV.
"I wonder if Ash is on…" she smirked as the television's screen flickered to life.
"Vay?" Vaporeon strode into the room, stretching out her elegant blue body.
"Hey there Vaporeon. Did you enjoy your nap?"
"Vay!" Vaporeon nodded happily and jumped up onto the couch.
"You want to keep me company?" Misty giggled, "okay then! Thanks sweetie!" Sitting down on the couch, Vaporeon poked at Misty's leg, looking up curiously at her owner. "Hmm? Oh, I'm just looking to see if Ash is on the TV. He always seems to be…"
Flipping through the channels, Misty stopped when she caught sight of a messy, raven head. His back was facing the screen, but Misty knew very well who it was.
"Hello Ashy," she chuckled quietly to herself. As if on cue, the young master spun around, his brown eyes sparkling as a gentle smile graced his face. He walked forward, shaking his head somewhat sporadically to get the hair out of his eyes. Misty smiled fondly at the sight of Ash in his new, dark suit.
As the young master kept moving ahead, a girl about his age suddenly appeared next to him, peering up brightly at Ash's handsome face. Misty furrowed her brow, and she could feel the crease in her forehead deepen as Ash smiled back at the woman, listening intently to her words. Suddenly, he touched the small of her back, and the woman turned around, her smile as bright as the sun.
"Wh…what's he doing?" Misty whispered tearfully, beginning to feel numb.
"Vaypy?" Vaporeon purred sadly at her trainer. Misty was holding her stomach, her face reddening with anger.
How could he do this? Misty thought miserably, looking down at her midsection.
XXX
Ash returned home very late that night. He moved carefully through the house, trying his best not to wake Misty up. She needed all the sleep she could get. When he made it to the bedroom and opened the door, however, he was fairly shocked to see Misty sitting up in bed, very much awake, with her arms folded.
"Hey honey," Ash smiled, "why are you still up? You should be getting some sleep."
"Like you care," Misty snapped.
"Whoa! Of course I care!" Ash shook his head frantically. He looked Misty over, and took a note that she looked absolutely ticked. "Are you having some more mood swings, Mist?"
"I'll give you a mood swing," Misty hissed, her eyes narrowing.
"You sound so angry," Ash chuckled gently, climbing onto the bed, "you wanna' tell me what's up?" Misty snarled and punched Ash in the arm. "OW! Misty, quit it!" Ash grabbed at her flailing arms, his strength far surpassing hers, "you're gonna' hurt the baby or something!"
"Why does it matter?" Misty cried, throwing her arms down, "you don't care! I'm gonna' end up raising it all by myself, so what do you care?"
"Okay, these aren't your hormones," Ash frowned, "why would ever say that Mist? I'd never leave you! You must be crazy."
"And you must be stupid," Misty replied through clenched teeth.
"Huh?"
"I SAW you with your hands all over that girl!" Misty wailed, tears starting to fall from her eyes, "it was on TV Ash. I know I'm getting fat and you're probably not attracted to me anymore, but…"
"Hey," Ash interrupted softly, touching Misty's shoulder, "you're not getting fat."
"Yes I am!" Misty bawled, folding her arms and burying her head into them.
"Is this what all of this is about?" Ash sighed, "your weight?"
"That girl you were with was awfully pretty, and thin," Misty refused to look up, and her voice sounded muffled, "not a thing like me."
"That's not true at all," Ash breathed, moving closer to Misty. He rubbed her back, but she still wouldn't raise her head. He got even closer, up to the point where he was nearly sitting on her lap. Ash kissed the top of her head, and Misty finally looked up with her emerald green eyes.
"You're the most beautiful girl in the world," Ash soothed, "haven't I always told you that?" Misty gave a nod, and sniffled. "So, why would that change now?"
"This," Misty mumbled, touching her growing stomach.
"That just makes it better," Ash laughed softly. Misty shook her head feverously, ginger locks flying out around her. "Well, why not?" Ash comforted.
"This is just the beginning, Ash," Misty sobbed, looking down at her hands, "I'm going to get bigger. My mood swings will probably get worse. Already, my body is somewhat sore, and that'll get worse too. My ankles and fingers…they're swollen. I…there's something I haven't told you."
"What?" Ash became slightly alarmed, "what is it?"
"My rings won't go on. My engagement ring, my wedding ring…for the past two days, I've been trying to force them on, but they just won't go. My fingers are too swollen. I'm sorry." The tears came rolling down her cheeks again.
Okay, it's back to the hormones now, Ash thought, feeling relieved. He'd rather her anger be involuntary rather than purposely directed at him.
"Do you think I'm upset about that?" Ash whispered. Misty shrugged before giving a slight nod. "That's a silly thing to think!" Ash grinned, squeezing Misty's hand, "I hadn't even noticed! It's not your fault they won't go on."
There was some silence, before Misty looked up at Ash with a glare, "you haven't noticed I wasn't wearing my rings?"
"Ah, you and your crazy hormones!" Ash giggled, pulling Misty's head closer to his in order to kiss her soft lips, "you're so adorable."
"I don't think it's funny," Misty pouted, looking away impatiently.
"Not funny; cute," Ash corrected, his tone still airy and amused.
"You still haven't explained that girl!" Misty bit, her head snapping back around.
"She's a skilled trainer from Unova," Ash elucidated, "her name is Baylee. They wanted me to take pictures with her. That's it."
"No…no romantic feelings?" some final tears fell from Misty's eyes.
"Absolutely not," Ash reached out and wiped the pendants of water away. Misty took a sigh of relief and lightly touched her side.
"So, now that we've cleared that up," Ash's face brightened, and he touched Misty's stomach, "how are you?"
"Okay. Tired. Which is weird, considering I didn't do anything all day," she eyed Ash with annoyance.
"Sorry, I just worry about you," Ash looked down sheepishly, "you're strong willed, Misty. I'm afraid of you doing anything you please."
"I'm not going to do anything that'll hurt the baby. That's dumb."
"Good point," Ash sighed, but his eyes were soon gleaming again, "guess what."
"What?" Misty raised a thin eyebrow.
"I've been reading more of that book," Ash continued excitedly, "did you know the baby can hear in there?"
"I did," Misty smirked.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ash grew wide eyed.
Chuckling and resting her head against the back board, Misty responded, "I didn't think it mattered."
"Of course it does!" Ash pressed his hands against the mattress, leaning down so he was at direct eye level with Misty, "I need to talk to it!"
"Hmm?" Misty tilted her head slightly.
"I need to talk to our baby," Ash repeated, "I want it to know my voice! I read all about it in the book. The baby already knows your voice very well. It's always with you, after all. I'm the Dad, it's harder for me. So, I've decided I need to talk to it."
"Really?" Misty smiled, a soft blush gracing her smooth face. Ash nodded and leaned down, his nose poking against Misty's gentle bump. Her blush increased at the contact.
"Hi," Ash whispered shyly, "how are you?"
"It's not going to answer you," Misty scoffed playfully. Ash thought about this for a moment before looking up curiously.
"How is it?"
"Good," Misty smiled warmly, "it's beginning to move around a little more now."
"Kicking?" Ash inquired, "I read about that too."
"Not yet," Misty shook her head, "it's very gentle movements. Soothing, almost."
"That's good," Ash turned his attention back to his wife's growing belly, "I don't want you hurting Mommy." Misty's face grew even hotter. Mommy.
"Ash, honey," Misty touched the back of Ash's neck, toying with his thick locks of raven hair, "I'm really tired. Do you think maybe you could pick up this little…conversation tomorrow?"
"Sure," Ash smiled, pulling away from Misty's body, "I need to get into pajamas anyway."
Misty sunk down into the covers and intently watched Ash as he pulled his black polo shirt over his head. Her heart fluttered as she stared at Ash's muscular upper body, his tanned skin appearing smooth and, in a way, glowing. Misty adored him. In fact, she needed him.
"Ashy," Misty whispered, her eyes sparkling, "I'm really cold. And your body is always warm. Could you…maybe…sleep without a shirt on?" She reddened at her last question.
"You're cold?" Ash raised his eyebrows, "its July. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. Just…please?"
Ash sighed before revealing a heartfelt smile, "alright." Misty grinned happily as Ash jumped back into bed, this time under the sheets. He wrapped his strong arms around Misty's delicate frame and pulled her close to him. The red head sighed contently, pressing her cheek against his bare chest.
"You're so warm…" Misty mumbled as she slipped into a sleepy state. Ash just chuckled and kissed the crown of her head.
"Good night Misty."