The First Time Around by WyldClaw
Plot: the first half of the long Becoming Parents twoshot prequel to a blast from dad's past. In this first half Our favorite black haired slightly dense-hero doubts his ability about being a dad. It takes place well in the future. I own nothing asides from the pups, Storm-
Mia1986: AHEM!
Huh? What? what did i do?
Mia1986: need I say who came up with the baby's name?
Well I was getting to
Mia1986: AND the doctor's name?
Well I was going to –
Mia1986: bulllpoop you were! Do you want a black eye you tail kicked and then forced to watch 'from Justin to Kelly', 'that's my boy' ' Fifty Shades of Grey, Hubie Halloween and.. dare it say it .. 2019's Cats
( shudders) Bleeech! Do you want me to to figuratively hurl all over my new laptop's screen?
Mia1986: like you're going to complain about a little figurative puke on that thing. It's filthy and its only three years old. When's the last time you cleaned it?
Errr… uh two .. week ag-heyl … That's beside the point. I was planning on cleaning it… eventually . (Mia1986 fake coughs "bullcrud" ) oh shush. . Beside you wouldn't dare make me watch those. those .. Atrocities!
Mia1986: I so would. Plus I'd get Ross to help out. (Sing song like) oh Ross? Would you like to help me kick WC's tail and make her watch a bunch of sh- -
(Gulps) Okay, you win… You win. So Mia1986 named the baby and doctor so keep your hands off. There. Happy?
Mia1986: Finally I get some credit from this large mouse brain
hey ... I'm Go snog Ross! (Mia1986 leaves with a satisfied smirk on her face).
You flame me may Hawkfrost scratch your eyes out. Italics 'are thoughts, () is Pokéspeech and " " are humans talking. XXXX means time change. Ash's POV. AAML. I own the baby, doctor, nurse, Storm, her pups and her disorder. Enjoy!
XXXXXX fic starts below XXXXX
I was in the middle of a wonderful dream about being on a warm isolated beach at sunset with my fiancé and some of my pokemon when I felt her nudging me. . "Wake up. Wake up. It's time." She whispered.
"H-huh?" I mumbled still half asleep. I lifted my head, opened my eyes and glanced around. The room was in semi-darkness but I could see thin streaks of summer morning light coming through the window blinds start to illuminate the figures in the room. I looked up and saw the figure of my pregnant fiancé wearing a long blue nightgown.
"H-huh? Wh-What's going on? " I yawned as I rubbed my eyes.
"It's ...time." she repeated and i could almost feel her viridian eyes staring at me.
"Wh-what time is it?"
"5: 45 in the morning."
I groaned and sunk my head back into the pillow. "uggghh.. Why'd you wake me up this early Mist?"
"I said... it's time."
As I was still groggy I had no clue what she meant. I groaned. "Do you mean time for breakfast? It's too early sweetie. Give me at least two more hours. Then I'll make you some licorice tea and Oran berry muffins, " I mumbled into the pillow wanting to get back to my dream . Muffins from mixes were one of the few things I could make without totally messing up. Luckily for me Oran berry muffins were one of her cravings.
She groaned. "Do you always have to think with your stomach when you wake up?"
"Not always." I mumbled, wanting to get back to sleep. "I think about you and training my Pokemon and -"
"What your next meal is. I swear you are almost as bad as Snorlax. How you eat as much as you do and not look like him is a mystery I've have yet to solve.. and I've known you for fourteen years."
"Uh huh …" I slowly closed my eyes.
"I think it's time. I wasn't…" I felt myself tuning her out and slipping back into dreamland, back into my nice dream. "… Listening to me?"
"Mmm. Whatever you say…."
"You are utterly hopeless." She groaned again. " but I know a foolproof how to get you to wake up … oh Pikachu… want to give him a bit of a wake-up call?"'
(Glad to..)
"Oh come-"
(Wake up Ash! It's that time. Wake up!) He shouted as he Thunderbolt ed me for a few seconds.
"Ahhhhhhh!" I yelped as the attack hit. Luckily I had built up a tiny immunity to his electricity over the fourteen years we'd known each other. It didn't hurt as much as it should but it still stung. I was shocked out of the bed sheets and felt my hair stand on end for a few seconds . . "Okay. You win. You win! I'm up! I'm up. " He stopped the attack and my hair fell back into place. I looked over at my partner pokemon on the other side of the bed. " Thanks a lot bud."
He grinned. (sorry ... but you wouldn't get up. It's the only surefire way to get you going)
Misty glared at me and I gulped. What did I do this time around? "What's the matter, water blossom?" She motioned to the floor. "Huh?"
I looked over the bedside and noticed a huge puddle under her legs. Tiny droplets lead to her side of the bed. I followed the puddle to the end of her soaking wet nightgown. She was breathing fast. "You utter dolt... It's that Time. "She repeated through gritted teeth with a pained look on her face and she clutched her bulging belly
My eyes ping-ponged from the puddle to her bulging belly to her expression and back a few times until it clicked. "It's time?" My mouth dropped as it sunk in. She was about to be in labor! "... oh my freaking Arceus! It's time! I mean it's really time."
(Finally you get it!) Pikachu sighed.
I jumped off the bed- my fiancé got out of the way but slipped on the droplets and fell on the floor on my back . "Owww."
"You are such an idiot at times ." She remarked.
I chuckled nervously. "A little help here?"
She rolled her viridian eyes. "in my condition? Are you insane ?"
(really Ash? You really want an about-to-be-in-labor woman to bend down?) The mouse pokemon sighed as I rocked back and forth like a Squirtle stuck on its back to get back on my feet.
"Uh…no." I stated as I finally got up off the floor.
.
After we quickly changed our clothes I scarfed down a granola bar and some coffee- I rushed around from room to room to find the car keys. I thought I left them in the spare bedroom or the upstairs office so I looked as I called the hospital on my small cell phone. The nurse in charge of the surgical ward seemed surprised to hear that her water broke. "Are you positive about it this time Mr. Ketchum? I mean she's had all those false alarms. " I heard the nurse's slight Kalosian accent in her voice.
Great Arceus that makes me seem so much older than just twenty four. "Trust me Nurse Bearton.. I know her water broke for real this time I saw the puddle . Is her doctor in? "
"Let me see." She checked something. "He should be in around 7:45."
I glanced at my watch on my arm. It was 6:20 the morning. "Okay. We'll be there shortly." I turned off my phone and resumed looking for my car keys. "Think. Think. Where did I last put those blasted keys?"
Pikachu came into the upstairs room where I was in. (uh Ash, we may have a problem.)
"What's up pal?"
(Your car is not in the driveway and I can't find your keys. you left them at the Battle Park's construction sight yesterday. Swellow gave us a ride back since you were so exhausted. Remember?)
"oh.. Dang it you're right." I gazed out the window at the pre-dawn sky worried. Smooth move you dolt. Now what?
(And Misty's contractions are getting bad … Raine's downstairs with her.)
I bit my lip –a bad nervous habit. "She'll be fine if Raine's with her." Raine was Violet's young Vaporeon whom we were watching for the weekend while she was in a fashion competition on Cinnabar Island that weekend.
He hopped up onto the windowsill and noticed my concerned expression. (We'll get there- we just have to think of -) he saw something flying in the early dawn sky nearby. His face brightened as he pointed to the figure, which got close enough to recognize her golden feathers in the early morning light. (Look! It's Noctowl! Maybe she can help us out)
"Great idea Pikachu." I opened the window and whistled. "Noctowl! Over here, girl."
The shiny Flying Type heard me and shakily flew over. She looked wiped out. (Hmm? What's up?)
Within a few minutes I told her about our problem as she fluttered outside the window. (Great going genius) she nipped at my black short-sleeved shirt after I finished.
"I didn't know her water was gonna break now. She wasn't due until early August."
(You really don't know much about babies do you?) The Johto bird asked me
"Uh hello, first time father remember?" I reminded her.
(Oh right. I forgot about that since you raised Scraggy, Noivern, Donphan and the Pichus from eggs. At least with the Pichus you seemed like you had the father thing down.)
I stroked the top of her head. "ah.. that's just training. Donphan was ready from the get go…"
(Until you tried to get her in a pokeball and I scared her off with my electricity and then the two of us landed in the dimwit dolts' hands. . But we escaped and she learned from her mistake. Besides she had just hatched- that sacredness was understandable.) Pikachu added.
(true.. And she was a quick learner. Same with the others. You just seem so good with them that I often forget. I guess human babies come whenever they feel like it .)
"Yup. Danielle was a week late and Violet was ready to rip her hair out. . It's okay. I just can't believe the day is here. She needs the hospital fast. Can you fly us there? "
(Uh. I would but there are two problems with that. One: Confusion type flying is not good for a nearly -in labor pregnant human. And two … I can't fly that well or that far. Remember) She jerked her head to her left wing, which had a white hospital sash on it.
It hit me as I saw the bandage. Oh yeah- I forgot she got hurt in that tournament. "Sorry I forgot. You injured your left wing in that battle a few days ago."
She nodded. (It's getting a bit better but it still hurts. Gary and Dora Oak said to take it easy after it healed. It's doesn't hurt as much as it did. They told me to only do mini flights at first, which is what I'm doing now. )
(Sorry about that Noctowl. He's got daddy brain already. ) Pikachu told her. (He didn't realize what she meant when she said it was time until I literally shocked some sense into him). She smiled.
"Gee thanks a lot pa.. again. ," I told him.
The mouse grinned. (Anytime.)
"I guess I'm just nervous." I admitted.
(You'll be fine) she said matter of fact. (It seems like you need a pretty fast flier. Want me to get Pidgeot?) I nodded. (I think she was staying at the lab last night. I'll go find her. She does like to do morning flights in the summer so I'm sure I'll run into her in the air. ) she said then added, ( Don't worry. You'll be fine.)
"You think so? I mean Mom raised me and I never knew what happened to Dad until…" my right hand clenched into fists as I remembered what she told me about his fate. Arceus I loathe him so much…
She nudged me with her beak as Pikachu licked my hand until it unclenched. I patted their heads. "Thanks you two. That helped out-"
A piercing scream from downstairs cut me off. "I'm Going ...to kill. him !"
(I take that as my cue to get Pidgeot.) Noctowl said. (She's gonna be looking to thump you if you don't get down there soon.)
No need to remind me. "Yeah... I know."
(You'll do fine.) She said. We watched as she took off, the early morning sun shining off her feathers. I closed the window.
The electric type looked at me as he jumped down from the windowsill . (Don't worry. It's just nerves. )
"I know pal. It's just .. it's finally dawning on me that I'm going to be a father."
"AAAHHHH!" Misty screamed again painfully from downstairs followed by "so Going to... Kill… him."
(You're doomed if you don't get down there soon. You and I both know what her temper is like.)
I shuddered. Only too well. "We'd better get down there quickly."
He looked at me . (Uh.. what do mean by we have get down there quickly? You're the one she's wanting to kill.)
"Uh… it may just be the labor pains. But maybe if you're there she won't pummel me.. as much."
(fair point. Still.. it's your butt on the line not mine)
..
I rushed downstairs-Pikachu at my heels- and saw my orange red-headed fiancé in a plain white shirt-already covered in sweat and blue stretchy maternity pants. She was wincing clutching her stomach in pain on the wood floor in the hallway next to the door. There was a big puddle around where she was sitting. . She sat next to Raine. The blue Water type eeveelution kept rubbing her nose against her sides and licking her hand. Despite not being a mother herself the Water Type was very calm. (You'll be okay. Just keep calm and think of something other than the pain) she said softly.
"It's not… easy." She groaned as we reached where they were and sat down next to them. "Took you.. long enough ."
"Good girl Raine." I patted the Vaporeon's head. "You're doing great." I told her. "Just remember what Nurse Bearton said about staying relaxed… while we wait for Pidgeot. I um...left the car at the Battle Park construction sight." I mumbled the last sentence under my breath.
Raine slapped her blue mermaid like tail over her eyes for a few seconds. (Oh brother) she muttered. (You're doomed.)
Misty glared at me. "What was that last part?" I gulped and repeated the sentence louder. "You are such an idiot. If I wasn't in this much pain I'd clobber you…"
(H-huh? What d-did he do this time?) A sleepy feminine voice asked as Pikachu's mate Storm entered the hallway. She appeared to be like your typical female Pikachu including the small notch in her tail- but for two things: she was much smaller and due to a rare disorder called electrumus deficient disorder she wasn't able to use electricity that much-only in itsy spurts. We modified some attacks for her but she had other abilities. She looked exhausted but then again she had five Pichu pups. Electra and Thora would always compete with each other then beat up their smaller energetic sister Aki- who almost didn't hatch. Her boys-Taran and Zapp- were a bit calmer. It was no wonder she looked wiped out.
"Uh…."
(Misty's water broke. he wouldn't wake up so I had to shock sense him. then he realized he left his car at the Battle Park So we're waiting for Pidgeot) her mate explained.
Storm turned her gaze to me. (Good going.) I nervously chuckled. (Looks like someone's already got daddy brain) she added.
(That's what I told him.) He said.
"What is this, 'beat up on your trainer the day he becomes a dad 'morning? First Noctowl now you two "I asked the two mice not unkindly.
They looked at one another. (Well...)
Luckily we heard Electra and Thora arguing from the den. (Mom! Dad! Thora kicked me out of the bed again !)
(I did not!)
(You did too)
(You kicked me first!)
Pikachu shook his head and sighed. (Not again.) Those two were always fighting with each other over the smallest things- who kicked whom, who could do the better Thundershock, who was faster, who woke up first, etcetera. Their rivalry was worse than Oshawatt and Pignite's. . If they weren't competing against one another they were picking on their sister Aki.
(Electra started it! She kicked me first)
(I did not!)
(Did too!)
(Did not!)
(Yes you did. I saw-)
(Shush!) Thora and Electra said in unison.
(OWWW!) Aki cried out. (Mom! Electra and Thora pinched me again.)
Storm sighed. (I'll go make sure they haven't turned Aki black and blue... Again. Maybe I'll sing them to sleep). We nodded- she had a beautiful singing voice but wouldn't really sing out in public. . She turned to Misty and gave her hand a lick. (You'll do fine. You're going to make an excellent mother).
She smiled at the little mouse. "Thanks, Storm. " she turned to me. "sorry I yelled sweetie. It's just.. the pain.."
"no worries. "
We heard a voice trill outside the door. (This is your captain Pidgeot speaking. All humans coming aboard the hospital express come out soon.)
I helped Misty up to her feet. "Your winged chariot awaits." I turned to Pikachu and knelt down to face him. "Buddy, I wish i could take you but-"
Storm's ear twitched and she gave him a look. He understood and put a paw on my jeans. I let him have his privacy when his pups hatched and now it was my turn. This was something I had to face on my own (I understand. I'll stay here and hold down the fort here. You'll do great)
"Thanks."
We opened the door, got out and then I locked it. Pidgeot was waiting for us a few feet away the rising sunlight glinting off her feathers. As soon as I helped her on the bird's back Misty screamed in pain.
"Pidgeot…" I didn't need to finish my sentence as I jumped on her back and she took off. The bird knew there was no time to waste so she flew pretty fast.
XXX
She landed in front of the Viridian City Hospital. (Good luck.) She told us as we carefully got off her back.
"Thanks." I said as we rushed inside.
We rushed into though to automatic opening door and into the off cream wall painted hospital lobby. "Water broke… having baby… now" Misty panted.
The receptionist looked up. She was around forty years old and wore glasses over her hazel eyes. Her tan hair reached to her shoulders and she wore blue scrubs. "What's your name dear?"
"Misty… Ke-Waterflower. I'm Doctor Hawthyrne's patient." she stopped herself from saying her soon-to-be hyphenated new name. She'd been addressing envelopes to the wedding for the past day so it was understandable it was stuck in her head. If the receptionist was surprised at hearing her last name she hid it well. Then again not many people were too aware there was a fourth Cerulean City Waterflower sister- not with Daisy getting married and becoming a famous model. She had her sign a sheet while she called for a nurse and a wheelchair to come to the lobby over the PA system.
Her breathing got faster and she looked into my eyes. "You'll be fine," I reassured her.
"I-I know…I'm just…"
"Nervous." I finished and then kissed her. "I'll be here. I'll be there for you when it's time."
"You promise?"
"I promise." I nodded.
"just ,.. worried.. Ashy.. what if something bad happens..?"
I kissed her. "nothing bad is gonna happen. The doctors will be there if something does go wrong. And I'll be there too."
The nurse came with the wheelchair and got her settled in it. "I …love you even after this time. Always?"
"Always." I repeated as they wheeled her through the double doors. I stayed there for some time. Don't be a worrywart like Mom. She'll be fine. I told myself then gulped. "…I hope."
.
X
Tick Tock.
Tick Tock.
Tick Tock.
Tick Tock.
The wall clock echoed loudly in the hospital's empty cream colored waiting room as I paced up down on the tiled floor. My eyes ping-ponged from the clock to the door, my stomach churning with worry- it had been just over an hour since we arrived and no word yet . I bit my lip. There's nothing to worry about- nothing to worry about. Why haven't they called me in?
It was early in the morning, about 7:45 so there was hardly anyone there- maybe a few doctors coming and going. I jumped when my pocket buzzed as my phone vibrated. I took it out, opened it up and answered it- hoping it wasn't my mom. "Hello?" I whispered. Please don't be mom.
(Did she have the baby yet?) A familiar voice answered
"Not yet. I'm still in the waiting room," I told him. "How come you're up?"
(Hmm? let me think. Who woke up when Misty's water broke? Who shocked you to get your butt moving when you thought it was another false alarm?)
"Oh... right" I said sheepishly. "You didn't get back to sleep?"
(Trust me Ash I tried and failed. so are you nervous at all) the mouse asked.
"Yeah. I don't know if I'm ready for this pal. I mean I didn't have a dad growing up. What if I mess up? What if-"
(You're just nervous. Don't worry . you will be fine- trust me. )
"I was really young- just a baby really- when Dad left so I never grew up with a father figure. I don't know if I'm gonna be a good dad."
(You will. Want me to tell Skyler to t let Stephanie the news? )
"S-sure". Skyler was one of Pidgeot's offspring. He was pretty fast Pidgey whereas Stephanie was one of my assistants. I lowered my voice. "You should use you-know-what to let Skyler know."
(I'm planning on it. She just got back from her friend's bachelorette party in Nimbasa City yesterday. I don't think she'd appreciate a phone call when she's probably sleeping off jet lag. I'll tell the others too). As if sensing how I was feeling over the phone, he added. (Don't worry. That kid's going to have the greatest dad.)
I blushed. "I just don't know if I can handle it."
(I wasn't ready to be a dad when Storm had her pup's but-. Aki, what in the name are you doing?)
Not again. Aki was the runt of her litter. Her sisters Thora and Electra would goad her to get into trouble. She was an odd little Pichu- even Storm had trouble with her. I swear she was an Eevee in a past life. I heard a new voice in the background and a crash. (Whoops- uh Morning papa)
(Aki, get down from that shelf) Pikachu scolded her. (You know you're not allowed up there)
"What did she break?"
(Just that ugly pink mug with yellow polka dots Violet gave you as a housewarming gift)
"I never really liked that mug anyways."
(Neither did I) he muttered then raised his voice as he focused his attention on his pup. (Get down. That's too high up for you.)
(But Papa... Electra bullied me saying that I can't climb a fifty-foot birch tree because I'm a runt. I wanted to prove her wrong. This way I can jump on her when she wakes up for breakfast.)
He sighed. (I'll talk to her about that later. Don't let your sister's taunts get you. She's just trying to get you in big trouble). In my head I added… then it would be doubled. Ugh! So many years have passed and I still have that stupid motto stuck in my head. Get out! Get out! Get out! Stupid motto…
He continued. (You can climb the little Oran berry tree outside after breakfast)
(But it's not high enough.) She pouted.
(Aki Sparka Thorina 'Chu... you get your tail down from there right now.) I could picture her flinching. When Pikachu said her full name she knew was busted. (I'm giving you to the count of five. One…Two. Thr-)
(I'll talk to her before she breaks anything else) Raine's soft voice said into the phone.
(Thanks)
"Oh. Thanks, Raine".
Having been abused and abandoned on the street, you would think she'd be shy but she was the opposite. She was extremely gentle and kind and had a soft spot for children, which was good when she was watching Danielle.
(Tell misty I say congrats.)
"Will do."
A few minutes later I heard Raine's paws hit the floor and Pikachu spoke again. (How does Aki listen to her and not me? I've got to learn her secret. Don't you worry; Ash- You'll be fine. Let us know what happens.)
"Thanks pal" the call ended I turned my phone off and put it back in my pocket.
.
A half hour went by still no word then forty-five minutes. then an hour and fifteen minutes. It got slightly busier as doctors; patients and nurses came in through the doors. I tried to calm myself down by thinking about the frontier and reading the magazines but that didn't work. I resumed my pacing. Why hasn't the doctor called me in yet? Maybe something went wrong? They would tell me if something went wrong, right?
The receptionist at the desk looked over at me. "First time father doubts huh?"
"Huh?" I stopped and looked over at her. "Oh… yeah," I admitted. "How'd you know?"
She smiled kindly. "I've been in this job for a while. I can tell who the first time parents are. They have that nervous look about them. Everything's going to be fine Have a seat-" She gestured to a nearby chair and I sat down.
"Trying telling that to my nerves." I said to myself. My poor nerves were a total wreck. I'd never felt this nervous in my life- not in the conferences, gym battles, or anything.
She took a sip from a coffee mug next to her and then remarked, "You look pretty young to be a father."
I chuckled nervously as I ran a hand through my unkempt hair. "I'm only twenty-four and my fiancée" the word still felt alien on my tongue even after months of popping the question," is just a little older. We traveled together for a long time when we were teens. Even though we spent a while away from each other we realized that we really, really loved each other."
"Love at first sight?"
"Um… you could say it was something like that." I replied. Not really. We both hated each other's guts at first before it turned into love.
"That's nice to hear that still exists. " She took another sip of her drink and filled out some papers.
I looked down at the engagement ring on my right hand- the exact same as Misty's. The ring itself was simple-a heart cut out of an aquamarine stone and a sterling band. Ohh. I hope she's okay.
The receptionist looked at me closely, eying my empty belt. "You're a trainer?" she asked.
"Huh? Y-yeah" I nodded, wishing Pikachu or even Bayleef was here to calm me. -. But the hospital didn't allow Pokémon in the delivery room. -. He was probably as nervous as I am when Storm had her pups. He hid it very well lots better than I am now. Still, this is pretty nerve wracking- what if I'm not cut out to be a good dad? What if I'm-?
She interrupted my thoughts again. "You look familiar. Have you been on TV? I know I've seen your face somewhere…"
My face burned hot with embarrassment, as I gazed up. "Uh, well. I've been in lots of tournaments. I beat the Orange Crew twice. A couple of months ago I re-entered the Indigo Conference and got really far. No one expected me to get as far as I did this time..." I trailed off, remembering the roar of the crowd as they shouted my name. "Recently Mr. Goodshow Jr called and offered me to be the head of a Battle Frontier in and a spot on the league council. The Frontier is going to be located in Pallet City. It's going to be awesome when it's finished..."
I regretted saying those words. She got excited. "Oh yes! I remember my nephew saying something about that. Now I know who you are. You're-" At that moment the phone rang and she answered it in a business like tone. "Hello Viridian City Hospital, front desk. How may I help you?"
I sighed. Saved by the phone. At the same moment a doctor came out of the door I was looking at. He was about forty years old with blonde hair. His amber eyes sparkled when he saw me and motioned with his hand for me to come over. I recognized him right away and sprang out of the chair like someone who just sat on a Sandslash's sharp, brown quills. I walked over to him. "Doctor Hawthyrne how is she? Did she have the baby? She told me she wanted me there." I bit my lip again.
He laughed. "And you think that she would change her mind? She's just about ready" We walked down the hallway to the delivery room. "You came at just the right time."
I scratched my head in embarrassment. "Well, it was my Pikachu who told me her water broke."
The doctor laughed. "Really?"
"Uh yeah... I wouldn't wake up so he gave me a little shock.
"Pokémon are very intuitive. When she was little my daughter Marianne wasn't feeling and it was her Aipom who noticed she had a high fever."
"Smart Aipom."
"Usually Monkey was a jokester but he was pretty serious that time."
We reached the door and he handed me a hospital scrub. I put on the scrub opened the door and walked into the delivery room and saw my fiancée on an elevated hospital bed. She had an IV in her left arm and wore a hospital gown cover her paisley patterns maternity dress. Her breathing was labored and her long wavy red hair was all over the place. She smiled at me. Her right hand lay limp on the side. I went over to her and kissed her soft lips. "Hey, my water blossom. You settled in?"
"Yeah... I just can't believe this is really it. After all those alarm I think- I think I'm ready. What about you? You a bit nervous/worried?"
I nervously chuckled. "Who me? You're talking to someone who's faced plenty of Legendaries, fought off Lysandre, Team Flare, taken down Colress and other despicable villains. ...Yeah. I'm totally nervous and worried. "
She winced and saw my concerned face. "It's nothing."
"I talked to Pikachu. Electra bullied Aki into climbing the top shelf... again. She broke one thing.
"What?"
"That ugly mug Violet gave us."
"Oh. I didn't really like that mug anyways. "
I smiled. "I didn't like it either. Raine managed to get her down. It's funny how she won't really listen to her parents much but a few words from her and she'll do whatever she wants."
"She's good... that Vaporeon. She can be stern when she wants to-"
She winced again and I bit my lip. "Misty?"
"I'm fine. The baby is just moving around a lot and –YEOOOOW!" She started screaming in pain, as the kicks got more frequent. She was panting between words as Doctor Hawthyrne and his team got into action as the doctors scurried about the room. "If. These are ... twins... I'm. Going …to kill you for ...putting me through... This pain"
She glared at me. I grinned nervously. "It could be worse. You could be having triplets."
We hadn't wanted to know the gender or how many. "Shut… up ...Ashy." She groaned as she howled in pain.
One of the doctors patted my shoulder. "Don't worry, son, it's just the pain talking. Once the baby's out of her she'll be back to normal". I hope you're right. I've been on the receiving end of her fists and mallet way too many times in the past.
I extended my hand to her to squeeze. She began squeezing hard. Every time she had a contraction she squeezed it - this went on for quite a while. Every time I thought it was the baby coming out. For nearly two hours it was like this - my stomach tightening then relaxing then the cycle would begin again. Was I even ready to be a dad? I didn't really have a father figure growing up. Mom raised me by herself! I mean dad was never in my life growing up and I only found out what happened to him recently ago. But-
Doctor Hawthyrne looked at the machine next to the bed from his position at the end of the bed then at us, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Okay, Misty. I think the baby is really ready to come out this time when I say push, push with all your might"
"O-Okay." She squeezed my hand so hard I thought it would break. This is it!
He cried out. "I see a head!" Okay... PUSH!"
As she did, she unclenched my hand and let out a scream so loud it seemed to put a Hyper Voice to shame. I don't know if I can face this. I don't think I'm ready. I did the only thing logical any guy in my situation would do- I fainted.
.
Next thing I felt was a pair of tan hands helping me up from the ground. "Up you go," Nurse Bearton, the owner of the hands, told me as I stood up and faced my fiancé.
She was panting like she'd just run a long race. Then next thing I knew I felt her fist clonk my head. "Owww!" my head ached from the pain. "What was that for?"
"You…total idiot Ashton Ketchum!" I flinched- I hated my full name. "The birth of your first child and you faint!" I cringed at her words. I opened my mouth to say something but she gave me a look then kissed me. "You're lucky you're so handsome and that I love you. You missed the baby coming out."
"What do you mean-" I began but then I heard a different sound- the sound of a baby crying. Dr. Hawthyrne had something red squirming in his arms. "Is that… our baby?"
She warmly nodded - all the anger at me vanishing. He looked at us. "It's a beautiful boy. I just need to clean him up and do some tests to make sure he's healthy."
We nodded and he went out of sight. "Well there goes my idea of naming our kid after Mom" I said.
She kissed me. "What about some of the other names we thought have in case we had a boy? How about Ashton Junior, after you?"
I shuddered. "Ugh. I wouldn't wish my full name on anyone. Plus can you imagine the trouble it would cause? The poor kid would never hear the end of it. How about …Satoshi? After… my dad?"
She shook her head. "I know you want to honor him but…It just doesn't seem right when you say it out loud: Satoshi Waterflower-Ketchum."
"I guess you're right. Besides Mom would get majorly hurt and upset. What about. Tai?" I suggested.
"You want him to get the snot kicked out of him?"
"Good point. It's got to be a strong name, a name that says, 'I'm gonna make my parents proud."
"Will?"
I vetoed it. "Too plain. Eli?"
She shook her head. "Nah."
"Danny?" I prompted.
"You want him to get confused with Danielle? Nope. Jamie?"
I shuddered. "No freaking way. That's way too close to James. And no way are we naming him Jesse."
"Yeeeeah. Good point. Aaron?"
I made a face. "He doesn't look like an Aaron to me. What about Darren?"
"Nope."
"Zack?"
""Seriously? Uh.. no way. " she made a face. She thought hard for a few minutes. "What about ... Derek? And Erickson for the middle name?"
I tried it out. "Derek Erickson Waterflower-Ketchum. It has a nice ring to it. That's perfect."
The doctor handed Misty our baby in a blue blanket. "Congratulations. What's his name?" She told him and he wrote it down.
We both looked down at the newborn, just lost in pure bliss. A few wisps of black hair covered his face. He looks just like me. "Hey there little guy. I'm your daddy and this is your mommy," I told him. looking down at the little newborn a great ocean of love washed over me like an enormous Surf attack. My son ,,, I knew Father's Day would be a much happier holiday for Mom and I from now on those times in my childhood when she was sad on that day made sense since she'd told me what happened to dad .
He looked up at me and blinked, showing deep green eyes and yawned. At that moment my heart just melted into a puddle. I couldn't believe I had helped create this beautiful little human being. Misty yawned. "He's got beautiful eyes,"
"Just like your viridian ones except they're bright emerald green. Wonder where he got those from"
"Mmm hmm." She replied dreamily, still keeping one eye on the bundle in her arms. "I don't know. Daisy's got green eyes but not that green. Maybe he got them from my grandmother, who raised us when Mom and Dad left us in her care . " She paused to stroke the few wisps of hair." And he's got your hair."
"Yeah…"
"Let's hope it's more manageable than yours." She teased.
We stared down at him. "He's perfect."
The baby started fussing and she looked at me. "Derek's not even an hour old and he's already clamoring for food. Hmm…I wonder which one of us he got that trait from. "
I chuckled as she moved the bundle next to her nipple. The baby stopped crying as he grabbed the breast with her tiny hands as she started nursing. Misty sighed happily as she yawned. I kissed her again. "Get some sleep. I'll be back later. I'm going to do something very dangerous"
"What? Face down a pack of charging Rhyperiors that escaped from the Oaks?"
"Uh… not that dangerous."
"Tell my sisters their nephew has arrived?"
I got up. "No. Worse… Tell mom her grandson is here"
"You think she's up this early?"
"This is my mother we're talking about. "
"Fair point." She smiled. "It's a good thing you've faced much worse" she closed her eyes. Within a minute she was fast asleep.
.
I don't know how I managed take off my scrub, go out of the room and leave the hospital. I was in such a blissful daze I couldn't help skipping out the door- I was a father! I wanted to take Sunset fly up to the top of Lightning Island and shout it to the whole world. As I pictured Derek's little face something big and feathery but light slapped me on the back. (Congratulations) I recognized the speaker turned around. Pidgeot was standing there, a satisfied look in her eyes.
I blushed. "You saw the labor?"
(No I was flying around the Orange Islands) She lightly smacked me with a wing. (Silly hatchling! of course I saw It… up until you fainted . if I flew you two here. how else do you think you're going to get back?)
"Oh… yeah."
She crouched down as I climbed on her back. (You've got a moony-eyed look on your face. You know how many 'Geottos I've seen with that moony eyed gaze after their first clutch of eggs hatch?)
"I don't look that moony-eyed."
She rolled her eyes. (Uh huh.. sure… And Bulbasaur doesn't like Bayleef. Be glad the paparazzi isn't here yet- they'd get a lovely picture of you looking all dreamy. Boy or girl?)
"She had a handsome boy."
(Wonderful. What's his name?)
"Derek Erikson"
(Good strong name)
"He looks nearly identical to me , but he's got these brilliant green eyes. Misty suggested naming him after me. "
(Oh Pokegods, that's a scary though … a mini-you in the world.) She chuckled. (Let me guess.. Delia doesn't know yet.)
I shook my head. "Not just yet. She just had him. "
(Oh boy. That's going to go over so well.).
I winced thinking of Mom's reaction then my mind started to wander as I gazed at the buildings around me. The city-and its surroundings- was where lots of memories were made. I sighed and closed my eyes as those memories- Some good memories and some not so good ones started to surface and I got lost in them-: the Spearow attack, first encounter with the three dimmest members of Team Rocket, the battle for the Earth Badge, the battle with Agatha. An image of my son appeared. I can't wait to make some new memories with him. Images flooded my mind. Teaching him how to battle. Playing baseball… family picnics… him beating Gary's unborn kids in a match…(Ash? Ash? ) Pidgeot's voice seemed far away as I dreamily opened my eyes. She then waved a wing in front of my face. (Hello? Anyone in there?)
"Sorry. Just thinking about making new memories in this city. There are bunch of old memories I'd rather not remember."
(Uh… speaking of old memories from Viridian City three guesses who is here.) She gestured to a familiar balloon about maybe two hundred and fifty feet away in the now cloudy spotted sky near the Pokémon center.
I groaned into her feathers. "Seriously? Of course those three dolts would show up on the best morning of my life ," As if I hadn't already been shocked, slipped in water, fainted and clobbered by my fiancé I have to deal with the dimwitted dolt trio. "Like I really want to deal with those three Rocket idiots this morning... "I muttered." I guess telling Mom the news will have to wait until we get rid of them."
(Should be easy. at least you don't have Pikachu with you –they'd swoop on you quicker than you can say 'knuckleheaded Rocket members')
Good thing he's at home. "Yeah I totally agree … come on girl . Let's get this over with." I pressed my body to her feathery back as she took to the air.
Once we were about twenty- feet away I could hear the dimwits cackling about some hare-brained plot. Here we go .. I popped up, put two fingers in my mouth and whistled loudly. "Hey loser trio!""
They turned around and saw us. Predictably, they started smiling with glee. "Look who decided ta give us a break an' show up widout us trackin' 'im down." Meowth cackled. "Yer all alone asides from yer little birdie so…"
Jessie started on their stupid motto. "Prepare for trouble-"
I rolled my eyes and yawned. "Make it double- Blah, blah, blah. Bor-ring. Do you have to go through that lame motto every single time? Why are you three dim bulbs here? A trip down memory lane to the first time I met and creamed you perhaps?"
A vein popped in Jessie's forehead. "Shut up twerp," she yelled.
"Sheesh. Someone sure woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,"
"I said shut up!"
James and Meowth noticed who wasn't there. "Where's that twerpy redhead that's with you?"
"An' yer powerful Pikachu? He's always wid ya twoip."
"They're… sick." I lied. Come on you idiots believe me. Please believe me.
They looked in the direction of the Pokémon Center with glee. "How come you aren't with them?"
I rolled my eyes. "Believe it or not James I don't attach myself to them all the time. Even they need some quiet time when they're… ill. Look can we just cut to the chase? All of us know how this is going to go: you taunt me and outline whatever foolish scheme you're planning about to enact. I stop whatever your plan is and send you three dolts off into the horizon. Can't we just get to where I blast you off? I'm kind of in a hurry."
The three Rockets looked at one another and chuckled. "Lemme tink about dat… How about… no!" Meowth pushed a button on a big remote in his paws.
I groaned as a big rubber glove on a long extendable claw came out of a box on the bottom of the basket. "Seriously? You have got to be kidding me."
(Hold on tight) Pidgeot told me as she easily dodged it with her Agility.
It didn't help that James and Jessie were egging Meowth on. "Get that Pidgeot!"
"You dimwit! You missed them by an inch."
"Do you want to try ta getting dem instead?"
"She moved again!"
"Shaddup Jimmy! I can see dat."
"Get her!"
"She won't stay still ta grab 'err dat's the problem…."
The three of them started squabbling among themselves as per normal while we dealt with their stupid claw. Though she managed to evade the glove it first plucked two of Pidgeot's tail feathers off and then grabbed her leg.
(Let… go of me!) She turned around and flapped her wings. She released a stream of light blue 'X' shaped blades fired from the tips of her wings. Air Cutter!
The blades cut the extendable claw clean off. "Whoa… nice Air Cutter move."
(Thanks. Unfezant and Swellow taught me that.)
"You two Dimwits!" Meowth yelled as he slashed at his companions.
(That was way too close. I think I know how to get rid of that stupid thing. ) She said.
I saw a white tinge cover her as she dodged the claws. I recognized it the tinge as the charge up for a Sky Attack. I knelt down to her eye level and mouthed "Sky Attack?" She winked as if agreeing. The three Rocket goons were too busy fighting with each other to notice. "Go for it Pidgeot."
(YAAAAAHHH) she screeched as we flew at the box-, which I was sure had a second gloved extendable hand inside. The Sky Attack broke it.
"Impressive Sky Attack! Hey you guys…" I whistled loudly.
The trio stopped fighting long enough to see it fall through the air and crashed on the ground. Their eyes went wide as the tinge vanished as we flew up right to the top of the balloon. Jessie smirked. "Nice try, brat. The balloon and basket are protected against electrical attacks."
(Oh I'm sure you took care of that. But what about… this?) Pidgeot held out one extremely sharp talon close to the balloon and the look on Jessie's face turned to horror.
"Do something, you idiot!" she yelled at James.
"Like what? We only had the one extendable claw-"
"Ya reeeeally don't want ta do dat. Just put da talon down." Meowth was panicking.
(Oh I think I do.)
"No ya really don't want ta."
(Oh I think I really do you hairball.)
It was my turn to smirk. "We'd love to stay and utterly cream you but. Well we've got … other places to be."
Meowth looked at me strangely. "Dere's something different about ya taday. Why are ya in a rush ta blast us off ? Usually ya ain't that eager ta send us packin'. Ya got a weird look on yer face, twoip. Like yer glowin' or someting like it.'
Crud
There were a few minutes of silence. Oddly Jessie didn't contribute to the remark but only stared at me . That's weird.
However it was James that answered. "You're right. He does have that dreamy look on his face. Almost like-"
I bit my lip. If they found out why I have a dreamy look on my face…Pidgeot looked up at me. "We've got stuff to do. We can't stand around here all morning. Shall we send these idiots packing?" I asked her
(We shall.) she brought her talon 'accidentally' down against the balloon. (Whoops.)
The Rockets said in unison. "Oh cr-"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRIP!
We laughed as the tear ripped the balloon and sent them off. "We're blasting off again." They yelled as they disappeared over the horizon and we heard a distinctive PING. .
I sighed. "One day they're gonna give up chasing me."
She groaned rolled her eyes. (Riiiiight- like that will ever happen. And Noctowl didn't save us only a few months ago with Skar and his gang after she saved Aki.)
I shuddered, remembering the Fearow's attack on poor little Aki. I didn't blame the little Pichu for running away and hiding each time she saw a Fearow shaped shadow in the sky. It wasn't her fault she had been picked as bait and her total phobia of them was utterly justified. Her dad had been beyond furious. "Hey we had it covered."
She rolled her eyes like i just said something very stupid as she hovered in the air. (Ha! If she hadn't used Hypnosis on Skar's army birds and made them think a Mega Charizard X was coming after them… our tail feathers would have been toast.)
"I guess you're right." I sighed. "I just wish I could go back in time and stop those three from going near that grove of trees then maybe he wouldn't have been able to pluck her out like that."
A slight warm breeze ruffled my air and her tail feathers. (You can't change the past or what happened. Even if you could go back in time it would mean a lot of trouble for Celebi. Things happen for a reason. Though i can't see what Electra and Thora's bullying is meant for. Maybe. ) She paused. (Maybe Skar's attack was meant to happen.)
"I guess you're right. I just can't see the reason for it. "
(Ah. don't bother worrying about it today. Worry about the present not the future. Speaking of the future. Now that we've dealt with the dimwits... are you ready to face your mom?)
After the morning I had I was actually looking forward to her fussing over Derek's birth and me. "…Yeah."
The end