Hello :P Wow it feels like ages since I uploaded and I guess it is. I hope the New Year is going well for everyone. This chapter is New Year themed seeing as I do something like this every year. I hope you enjoy :3

Disclaimer: I own the offspring of all the characters :P (I'm not adding the names because so many characters appear so I hope that's okay).

It was New Year's day and all of our close group of friends and family had come together to celebrate the start of a new chapter. The snow was still falling as it had done throughout the holiday season and Professor Oak's big research lab looked magical with perfect snowflakes sprinkling down upon it. All the usual machines and systems that normally filled the biggest room had been pushed to one side so a giant table could be placed in the centre. Everybody in the room helped bring a tray of food or a plate to the table to help out before taking a seat.

I couldn't help but beam to myself as I sat down in my own special highchair, glancing lovingly at everyone around me. Our group was filled with all different kinds of people with different backgrounds but we always came together as one to celebrate in unison.

Jessie and James and their children had been placed at the far left end of the table. I was in the centre of the long end and had Jayden and Jaxon to my right. Opposite me was Jayme and Gary and their three children, Eddie, Melissa and Dylan were taking their seats. To their right was Jayde and Cameron, the couple who didn't have any children. To my left was baby James and Jessika in their highchairs with Ben and Katie sat in big boy and girl chairs next to their younger siblings. Professor Oak had been sat at the head of the table, next to where Ash and Misty were supposed to be sat but for some reason they were absent. Soon everybody was sat down with a plate of food in front of them. We were all eager to start but of course had to wait for the missing couple and Delia to come back in from the couple.

As if by magic when Ben leaned forward to sniff his plate of delicious food, he must have passed on the glory to his father because Ash came bounding in, Misty following sheepishly behind him.

Gary Oak took one look at his ruffed up hair and stifled a snort, causing Jayme to nudge him and remind him there were young ones with us all. He ignored this warning and continued smirking at his best friend.

"Okay okay, let's just all pretend we don't know what you guys were off doing."

Ash's reaction to this was an equally proud look and he fist bumped his buddy before sitting down. Misty blushed deeply as she took her seat and waved her hands innocently at her best friend. I gave off my own smirk as James finished whispering something to his wife to sit taller up in his seat, glaring protectively between Ash and Misty.

The red headed female shook her head fondly at the two completely opposite reactions from the two males she knew before putting a napkin on her husband's lap.

"No. Just no. This idiot got locked in the bathroom so don't believe any of his little twists of the tale."

Jessie couldn't help but laugh as Ash went from looking like a proud teenager to a fibbling little boy in seconds and her husband patted his best friend so she knew he was still as protective as ever.

"Anyway…" Ash pouted, turning to give baby Jessika a piece of bread to chew on as she grew fussy before he looked around at the rest of our group. "Where did my mom get to?"

The older gentleman, Samuel Oak, gave my best friend a nod and turned to him so he could see the confused furrow in his own brow.

"I was just thinking that, my boy. I do hope she hasn't gotten distracted by all the stuff that needs to be cleaned up after our delicious meal."

Delia must have heard the two males discussing her as at that moment, she came to join the scene, taking off her apron and hanging it on the doorknob as she went.

Ash beamed upon seeing his mother and spoke through a secret mouthful of potato.

"Come sit, mom. We all can't wait to try the amazing food you've prepared and we can't eat without you, the chef."

Delia couldn't help but blush at her dear son's words before glancing around the room for her seat. We all copied her action and soon noticed that they were all filled up.

"Oh dear me, I must have miscounted…" she pretended to shake her head at herself and flick her own forehead, still looking around and can't helping but catch Misty's eye.

I stifled my own giggles as Misty looked away quickly and let out a quiet groan, clearly knowing exactly what was about to happen. With our group, we all spent a lot of time together so the same few things happened over and over again. When it was a good thing, it was funny. But when it was bad, it grew horribly predictable.

Jessie turned to look at her lavender haired now partner in life who was taking a sip of his wine. She knew what a nice guy he was and unfortunately, so did Delia.

James put his glass down and wiped his mouth with a crisp white napkin before moving back on his chair, smiling at the older female.

"It's okay, Delia. I can sort you out with a chair."

Upon hearing this, the chestnut haired woman let out a girlish giggle and her face turned the colour of James' wine. When she took a step forward, Misty couldn't help but object to save her best friend's skin.

"No no, Mrs Ketchum, James means that he'll get one of the little ones to sit on his lap so you can have their seat."

Both Jessie and James nodded gratefully at this before the magenta haired woman called their youngest son over to sit on his father's lap.

Jaxon looked up from secretly having a foot war with Ben under the table and didn't see the firm look on his mother's face, or the hopeful expression on Delia's.

"But I'm happy here. I just wanna eat."

When Ben nodded in agreement, Jessie and James' quiet son, Jayden, spoke up and pulled out his own chair.

"I'll share with Katie and then Delia can have her seat, it's no big deal."

Jayme smiled fondly at her younger brother's helpful smile and Jessie and James nodded gratefully at their son.

Ash's expression soon went from in heaven at the food to in hell when he heard the younger male's words.

Jayden reached out and took Katie's hand, ready to assist her onto his seat to share with him.

"It will be fun. We won't have moments like this when I'm on my journey."

Ash flinched as if he had been poked with a hot knife, reaching out and taking Katie's other hand and leading her back to her own seat next to her twin brother.

"No no no, that won't be necessary." He said loudly for everyone to hear before hissing at Jayden just for those two to hear. "You little worm."

Upon hearing this, Misty looked appalled and she jabbed the side of his ribs.

"Ash!"

When my best friend gave off an innocent look, I couldn't help but shake my head fondly. His actions made it seem like he was awful with children when it was in fact the opposite. Jayden had been crazy about Katie since the day she was born and the feeling was very much mutual. Katie loved Jayden and his father to pieces. Katie was Ash's eldest baby girl and there was no way he was letting her go off with boys that easily.

Ash reached forward to press a kiss to Misty's cheek to sweeten her before leading Delia round the table to sit onto his lap. I saw Misty's expression change from irritated to the most loving expression ever. My best friend would assume it was the kiss when actually it was his kind actions with his mother. That was definitely one of Misty's favourite things about her husband; his wonderful bond with Delia.

The raven haired male smiled and pressed a kiss to his mother's cheek as she perched on the edge of the chair.

"There you go. Perfect."

Delia smiled lovingly but couldn't help look slightly wistful as Jayde took Delia's plate from her father and passed it down to the older female.

As all of the younger ones couldn't wait any longer and tucked in, Misty gave Delia a worried look.

"Are you okay there? Are you sure you're comfy enough? You did prepare the meal so you should have your own seat."

Delia's expression changed once again to yet another loving look but this time it was directed at her daughter in laws kindness and concern. She reached forward and squeezed the red head's hand.

"I'm just fine, thank you dear." She nodded before picking up her drink in her hand. "I daresay James' lap would be more comfy."

Despite the fact that Jessie and James were at the opposite end of the table, they had very good hearing and heard every word of Delia's. The pink haired female choked slightly on her drink and James proceeded to pat her back before standing up, holding up his wine glass.

Misty knew he was about to propose a toast but she couldn't help but pipe up and tease her best friend, handing him a fresh wine bottle.

"You looking for a top up there, Jimmy?"

James returned her playful look with his own comical weary expression and took the bottle from her and began to drink straight out of it.

Everyone laughed at his actions except his children who, of course, face palmed and hissed his name at him.

Delia giggled and wiped a tear from her eye and stood up, holding up her own glass.

"I think James was going to do a speech so I shall steal it seeing as I didn't get to steal his seat."

Once James took another swig from the bottle in return, Delia smirked and continued.

"I just want to say how lovely it's been getting to know each and every one of you in the long run, not just in the last year. I hope that this New Year as a group we can continue to get to know one and other and support one and other in whatever things we have to face. I feel as though the year will be filled with wonderful memories and laughter and success, but if any bad times do happen to crop up, none of us will have to face it alone."

After everybody chinked their glasses, Ash and James both stood up to add their little bit. James knew they were going to say similar things to he let Ash go first.

My best friend's expression grew reflective for a moment before he began talking.

"I'm not going to sugar coat it and say this past year has been all fun and games because it hasn't some really tough things have happened. But we won't go into detail because it is a time for lightness and laughter. I will say I'm proud of us all for all and I speak on behalf of everyone when I thank you all so much for your support with everything that each and every one of us has faced."

When everyone let out a noise of agreement, it was James' turn to speak. The lavender haired male bit his lip and rubbed the back of his neck slightly.

"We all know I'm not so much into public speaking but I feel as though the past year has been one for struggles and darkness but also strength, bravery and growth. I know the next year will be amazing because we'll all be here together. And even if we do happen to lose sight of each other along the way and get distracted with life, we'll always have each other to come back to at the end of it. Misty, you have especially done us proud. Let's follow her example and embrace this New Year with the same open mindedness, courage and sensitivity as she has shown us how to."

After the speeches were done and hugs were had, everyone began to tuck into their food but I just sat in my seat, looking around and each and everyone's faces and reflected.

New Years were always such a big deal and were they actually? A New Year means a new chapter but it doesn't have to be that way. If you were lucky enough to have an amazing year then carry on with that same passion as you did the previous year. If you weren't so fortunate, oh well. Things can change so much in a day and not just because it's a new year. In our group, some people get worried for the start of a new blank diary while other's get pumped. It doesn't really matter what our reactions were because we were all going to be just fine. And why wouldn't we be? We all had each other. Looking around, I realised that I was going to be diving into the New Year with each and every one of them. And when you have people to share the experience with, it doesn't seem so scary.

Happy New Year.

The End.

There you go! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed :3 It was a little longer than normal because so many characters appeared. I enjoyed writing it for that reason and I always enjoy the dynamics of the big group together :P Taking the break meant I had time to write a lot of new chapters and even came up with a new character. She will be making her appearance next time I upload which is with PS I Miss You on the 28th. I can't wait to start writing about her. See you soon :3

AmyBieberKetchum signing out :P