A/N: Again sorry for the delay but coaching high school students does take a bit of my writing time away along with work getting ready for Thanksgiving etc. But here it is I hope you enjoy this chapter feel free to leave a review or favorite this story I appreciate all my readers who enjoy this story, your words of encouragement mean a lot to me.

Misty's fury was almost palpable as she fixed her stare on her two daughters, who were seated awkwardly in Delia's hotel room. Brock had only just walked in to join the group and was struggling to suppress a grin, clearly unsure of how to navigate the dramatic scene unfolding before him. With a tone of controlled anger, Misty began, "It seems one of you—and I can't pinpoint who—had assured me that your father was well aware that I'd be arriving today." Marina and Coral, her daughters, exchanged quick, worried looks, their apprehension growing as they anticipated the next thing their mother would say. Misty continued with a hint of sarcasm, "However, the man I ran into inside the elevator appeared to be totally clueless about my existence in this world, much less about my being in this very hotel."

Coral, her voice laced with anxiety, asked her mother, "You've managed to see Dad already?"

Misty, who was beginning to feel a pounding headache from the tension, made her way over to the couch and reclined, trying to find some measure of comfort. "He went as white as a sheet, like he'd just encountered the Ghost of Maiden's Peak," she explained. Then, looking towards her daughters, she requested, "Could one of you be a dear and fetch me something cold for this headache?"

Without hesitation, Coral sprang into action, soaking a hand towel in ice water and bringing it over to Misty. Taking the towel with a nod of thanks, Misty went on, "I've spent years imagining the day I'd see your father again. But let me tell you, being completely ignored as I waved, feeling like a fool at Ash Ketchum, who seemed quite content with another woman in that elevator, was certainly not the reunion I had pictured in my mind."

Brock, sensing perhaps that it was time to make a discreet exit, got up to leave the room, but Misty, ever perceptive, caught on immediately and questioned him, "And where do you think you're going, Brock?"

"Just going to change into my swimwear and relax by the pool for a bit," Brock replied casually. Misty let out a small sigh, recognizing this for what it truly was—a thinly disguised hope that he might bump into a lovely lady by the poolside. At that moment, Delia walked back into the room, her face lighting up as she embraced Brock, clearly delighted at their unexpected reunion.

But Misty was not to be deterred from the issue at hand and turned her attention back to her daughters, demanding an answer, "Now, you two have some explaining to do. Why would you deceive me and bring me here, all without your father knowing?"

Delia, catching wind of the conversation, chimed in with a hint of surprise, "Oh? Did they do that?" After giving her granddaughters a quick, inquisitive look, she suggested, "Well, if that's the situation, I think I'll head back to my own room and check out the mini fridge for something."

Brock, ever the gentleman, offered, "I'll join you, Delia."

However, before they could make their exit, Misty exclaimed, "Wait a moment!" Both Delia and Brock froze in their tracks as Misty pressed on, "Is there some secret that everyone else seems to be aware of except for me?"

The room fell silent for a brief moment before Marina found her voice, "Mom, the truth is, Dad is planning to get married again." The weight of those words seemed to crush Misty, and she fell back onto the couch, her face a mixture of shock and despair. Coral quickly followed up, "He's decided to marry Regina George, Mom. And she's truly awful. We just can't let him go through with it."

Marina, her voice full of concern, added, "She's completely wrong for him, and the only way we can see to stop this wedding is..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air.

Coral took a tentative step towards her mother, her hesitation visible as she considered her next words. Finally, she whispered, "If he could just see you again..."

The realization dawned on Misty immediately, "Hold on a second, you're not trying to reunite me with your father, are you?"

As Brock and Delia tried to quietly slip away amidst this revelation, Marina came clean, "Actually, yes, that's exactly what we've been trying to do. You and Dad are just perfect for each other."

Misty, however, was having none of it, "Stop right there!" she commanded, stopping Brock and Delia in their escape. "Did you two know about this plot as well?"

Caught in the act, Delia and Brock turned back towards Misty, their feeble attempts at excuses overlapping until they were silenced by Misty's stern glare. It was Delia who finally came clean, "Yes, technically, we did know."

Brock agreed, albeit reluctantly, "Yes, Marina got in touch with me, and I have to confess, I'm a bit of a romantic at heart."

Standing up with a newfound determination, Misty made her stance crystal clear. "Let's get one thing straight. Ash Ketchum and I have nothing in common anymore. He seemed perfectly content with his new fiancée, who was barely dressed, I might add. And I want you to make sure your father understands that I am only here for one reason—to formally change the custody arrangements for the two of you. Now, let's proceed with this and put it all behind us."

Ash emerged from the comfort of his honeymoon suite, his eyes darting around with a sense of urgency, hoping to catch a glimpse of Misty. Even though he had chosen to forego his usual choice of headwear, his attention was quickly diverted by the sight of Marina making her way through the corridor. With a quick stride towards her, he said, "Hey Marina, is it okay if you spend a little time with Naomi? I've got to dash downstairs to the lobby for something."

Coral said with some fake cheer, "Sure Dad, no problem."

As she made her way to take care of the request, Ash couldn't help but seek a bit of reassurance and casually asked, "Hey Marina, what do you think? Do I look alright?"

Coral, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden question, offered a warm smile and reassured him, "You look good, Dad."

Comforted by her words, Ash quickened his pace towards the elevator. Upon reaching the bustling lobby, he began searching for the familiar faces in the crowd until a known voice caught his attention, "Dad!"

The sound halted him in his tracks, and he turned to see Marina calling out to him. With a tinge of confusion, he inquired, "I thought you were with Naomi?"

Marina looked just as confused for a second and then replied, "I was?" A moment later, realization dawned on her that he must have mistaken her for Coral, and she quickly covered up by saying, "Oh, yes, I was actually on my way to find her just now." Embracing her father, she added with a smile, "It's great to see you, Dad."

Ash returned the smile, although he couldn't shake off his bewilderment at how Marina managed to beat him to the lobby. Noting her changed attire, he remarked, "Nice outfit."

Desperate to keep any suspicion at bay, Marina simply responded with a grateful, "Thanks," and then encouraged her father to head back, "Now go on, get up there." She gave the elevator button a press and started humming the tune "Gotta Catch 'em All" to herself, a melody that had become all too familiar.

As the elevator doors slid open, Marina's eyes met those of a younger woman, someone who bore red hair and brown eyes reminiscent of her mother, yet her physique was distinct in certain aspects, particularly in the more generous curves.

The woman, Naomi, immediately asked, "Have you seen your father?"

Taken by surprise, Marina couldn't help but retort with a hint of sarcasm, "You talking to me?"

Naomi's patience seemed to wear thin as she replied with a mixture of annoyance and jest, "What are you, a goodfella? Yes, I'm talking to you."

Once Marina recognized the situation, she gestured vaguely and said, "Oh, Naomi, he headed off in that direction... I think." Marina took a brief moment to really look at Naomi, allowing herself a small, mischievous grin.

Feeling Marina's gaze, Naomi grew self-conscious and asked defensively, "What are you staring at?"

Marina couldn't suppress a light chuckle before complimenting, "Nothing, you're just very pretty."

With a mix of skepticism and resignation, Naomi began to walk away, half-expecting Marina to slip back into her usual antics. Throwing a comment over her shoulder, she said, "Don't tell me you're going to break your rotten streak and be nice now," and added as an afterthought, "If you see him, tell him he's late and I'm waiting."

As Naomi disappeared from view, Marina let out a soft scoff tinged with a delicate scorn, "Whatever you say, Regina."

Naomi made her way to the hotel bar and sat next to a red orange haired woman who had her face down on the bar.

Misty moved her head when the bartender said, "Here you go this will fix anything that wrong with you. Just don't ask what's in it."

In front of Misty was a drink that looked like somehow a less appealing color than most salsas. Misty thanked the bartender saying, "Thank you." Noticing the woman next to her Misty said, "Here's to you may your life be less complicated than mine."

Naomi said back with a genuine smile, "Thank you." Misty then downed as much as she could of the horrible drink.

Misty let out a small burp after letting the drink sit for a second, "I am so sorry I think I just drank what used to be a Grimer." The bartender brought her bill which she just signed along with a hefty tip for his skills in making a hangover cure.

Naomi seeing the name on the bill gasped lightly, "You're Misty Waterflower?!"

Misty smiled weakly, "Guilty I suppose."

"Oh my god," Naomi said enthusiastically, "I am one of your biggest fans, I used to see you and your sister's perform back when you were at Cerulean City. Your families productions were some of the best shows I have ever seen."

"Thank you glad to always meet a fan." Misty said, she only wished she wasn't so hungover from all the alcohol she drank to try and be less nervous when she saw Ash.

Ash made his way to the pool still having no luck finding Misty. Due to him desperately hoping to find Misty he kept bumping into multiple people around the pool apologizing each time. Ash was about to give up and leave the pool when Naomi's parents came up asking him about the hotel as a possible wedding venue. Then across the pool he saw her Misty putting on some sunglasses heading near the pool. Though she was still in typical clothes Ash couldn't help with a smile on his face as he said to Naomi's parents, "Could you excuse me for one second."

Darting towards her Ash didn't realize he almost tripped over a poolside table in front of his mom and Brock, "Ash are you ok honey?" Delia asked.

"Yeah," Ash said not even realizing Brock was sitting next to his mom as he continued towards Misty.

Coral yelled out, "Dad, watch out!" But it was too late. Ash had already bumped into a pool waiter carrying drinks, who then accidentally knocked Ash backward into the pool.

When Ash surfaced, everyone was relieved to see he was okay. He quickly apologized to the waiter with a simple, "Sorry." Then, walking to the other end of the pool, he hoisted himself out, fully clothed and soaking wet, in front of Misty. "Hi, Misty," was all Ash managed, trying his best not to look foolish.

"Hi, Ash," replied Misty, a small smile on her face, as Ash stepped closer to try and fix his wet hair. "Oh gosh, there you are."

Ash, noticing Misty clutching the back of her neck, inquired, "Is there something going on that I should be aware of?" Misty, at a loss for words, let him go on, "Because I'm shocked to see you...but you don't seem shocked to see me. I mean, it's been what, almost 10 years? And all of a sudden—"

"Dad," Coral intervened, stepping forward, "I can explain."

Confused, Ash caught Marina's gesture towards Misty and asked, "Marina, do you know this person?"

"Yes," Coral affirmed, "And I'm not Marina."

Approaching the group was Marina, who clarified, "Actually, I am."

Ash, looking back and forth between his daughters, took a moment before smiling. "Both of them... Coral? Marina?"

Coral explained, "It looks like you and Mom think alike because you both sent us to the same camp. We met there, and everything just came out."

Misty helped Ash, who seemed confused. "They switched places on us, Ash."

Ash smiled as he realized, looking at Coral, "You mean I've been with Coral this whole time?"

Coral replied, "I wanted to see what you were like, and Marina wanted to know Mom. Are you mad?"

Ash, full of understanding, reassured her, "Of course not, sweetie. I just can't believe it's you." He embraced Coral tightly, kissing the top of her head. "Last time I saw you, you had diaper rash." Noticing he had made her wet, he apologized, "Sorry for getting you all wet, but just look at you."

Coral smiled, touched by her father's love, and said, "It's okay. Though I've grown up a lot, I've been without a father."

Marina, delighted to see them hug, said, "I'm nearly in my crazy teenage years, and I'll be one of the few girls without a mom to argue with."

Ash turned to Marina and asked, "Have you been in Paldea all this time?" Marina nodded. Ash then pulled her into a hug, saying, "I've missed you."

Marina replied, "Mom's amazing. How did you ever let her go?"

Sensing her daughters were proceeding with their plan, Misty calmly interjected, "Girls, why don't you give your father and me a few minutes to talk alone?"

The girls smiled and agreed, "Of course, no problem. Take your time."

Ash and Misty settled into adjacent poolside chairs. Ash grabbed the towel from his chair and began to dry off, saying, "I can't believe this. Seeing them, seeing you..." He brushed the towel aside and noticed a slight scratch above his eyebrow.

Misty, realizing it might be painful, spotted a pool attendant and asked, "Do you have a first aid kit?" The attendant quickly fetched it, and Misty, sitting beside Ash, began to look for the right supplies to treat the wound.

With a smile, Ash asked, "How have you been, Mist?" Seeing Misty blush, he added, "Or does everyone just call you Misty now?"

"No, 'Mist' is fine. My sisters still call me that," Misty responded. "I've been great, actually."

Ash moved closer to Misty and remarked, "You know, you haven't changed at all."

Their moment was interrupted as Naomi burst in, exclaiming, "There you are!" Both Misty and Ash looked up sharply at Naomi.

With a look of complete surprise etched across her face, Naomi exclaimed, "Oh, you both met already? Ash, this is Misty— she's one of the most talented water performers that I've ever come across. She used to put on these amazing shows back in Cerulean City." Naomi's eyes then darted between the two, who stood in front of her with an awkward tension, not seeming to require any introduction at all. Filled with confusion, she questioned, "I just can't piece it together— how did you two come across each other? And Ash, why are you drenched from head to toe?"

Ash, with a slightly puzzled expression, turned towards Misty and asked, "You've met my fiancee?" His voice held a hint of surprise.

Equally taken aback, Misty replied, "I had absolutely no clue that she was your fiancee," her words laced with the same awkwardness that filled the air.

Seeking clarification, Ash made a sweeping gesture first towards himself and then Misty as he rephrased his question, "How did we come to know each other?" He pivoted his query to include Naomi and Misty, gesturing between the two women as he repeated, "How did you two meet?"

Naomi, still swimming in her own sea of befuddlement, asked, "Is there something I'm missing here?"

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Ash chuckled a bit and commented, "It really is a small world, isn't it?" though his chuckle was tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

Curious, Naomi pressed further, "Just how small are we talking?"

At that moment, Coral made her presence known with a soft, "Hi Naomi," as she appeared next to her, her voice gentle and familiar.

With a warm and friendly tone, Naomi responded with a cheery, "Hi."

No sooner had she greeted Coral than Marina approached from the other side, causing Naomi to turn and greet her as well. "Hi Naomi," Marina said, stepping into view. Naomi's eyes went wide in astonishment as she suddenly realized she was looking at two Marinas, each dressed distinctly, her gaze flipping back and forth between the twins in sheer disbelief.

Caught off guard, Ash questioned, "Honey, did I never mention to you that Marina has a twin sister?"

The revelation seemed to catch Naomi off guard, and she could feel a mix of surprise and slight irritation bubbling within her as she replied, "No, you did not," now questioning whether Ash had been entirely upfront with her, "That's a pretty significant detail to leave out."

"Don't worry about it, Naomi, he didn't tell me either," Marina said. "By the way, I am the real Marina, and this," she said, gesturing to Coral, "is my sister Coral. She was busy pretending to be me while I was pretending to be her." Now pointing to Misty, Marina continued, "And this is our mother, Misty Waterflower."

Taking in all the information, Naomi clarified, "This is your mother?"

Both Marina and Coral answered, "Yes."

Naomi gestured between Ash and Misty, "You were married to him?"

With a mix of embarrassment and a slight flush on her face, Misty replied, "Guilty as charged."

"Oh, this is a small world," Naomi remarked.

Feeling even more embarrassed, Ash added, "And it's getting even smaller."

Naomi looked on at the little family reunion with a smile and decided to let the matter rest for the time being.

The two young ladies, after a day filled with various activities, had returned to their respective primary caregivers to prepare themselves for the evening meal. Ash had finally recovered from his minor mishap in the swimming pool, thanks to some time to dry off and the care he received. Now, feeling much better, he posed a question to Marina, his curiosity getting the better of him, "Please, Marina, I've had enough surprises for one day. Can you at least clue me in on where we're dining tonight?" Ash asked with a hint of exasperation in his voice. Pikachu, ever the faithful companion, was perched comfortably on Marina's shoulder, as if standing guard.

Marina responded to her dad with a comforting smile, her eyes twinkling with the promise of a delightful surprise. "Trust me, Dad," she assured him, "all four of us are going to absolutely love this." Ash, though still curious, decided not to press further. He instead diverted his attention to scanning the area for their approaching rideshare.

It was at that moment, Pikachu caught sight of Coral and Misty emerging from the hotel. Overcome with excitement, Pikachu couldn't contain itself and let out a cheerful "Pi-ka-chu-pi!" before making an enthusiastic leap from Marina's shoulder.

Misty was quick to catch Pikachu in her arms, allowing the little Pokémon to affectionately nuzzle against her face. Ash, witnessing this tender exchange, found his gaze inadvertently drawn to Misty. The dress she had chosen for the evening left him momentarily speechless; the dark navy fabric complemented her figure beautifully, especially with the unexpected elegance of the side leg slit. To balance the dress' revealing spaghetti straps, she had draped a white patterned shawl over her shoulders. Noticing Ash's prolonged stare, Misty felt the need to ask, "Ash, is there something amiss with my face?"

Ash, snapped out of his brief daze by her question, could only offer a warm smile in response. "No, you just look fantastic," he complimented sincerely.

Misty, acknowledging the compliment, allowed herself a modest smile. However, she was careful not to appear overly enthusiastic to avoid giving their daughters the impression that there was more to her and Ash's interaction than there actually was. "Thank you, you're looking quite dapper yourself," Misty replied with a friendly nod.

During the car ride to their undisclosed dining destination, the atmosphere was filled with a quiet anticipation. Both Coral and Marina kept the secret well, sharing no hints with Ash or Misty. Pikachu's excitement was palpable, however, revealing that something special was in store. The car journey concluded at a dock situated not far from the Plateau. As they all stepped out of the vehicle and took in their surroundings, Ash's patience had reached its limit. He needed to know, "Is this the place where we're going to have our meal?"

Coral couldn't suppress a smile before she finally revealed the surprise. "Actually," she began, her hand gesturing towards the water where a sizeable yacht was anchored, "that is where we're having dinner." The revelation promised an evening that was sure to be remembered.

As soon as their small boat had docked beside the luxurious yacht, the energetic Pikachu couldn't contain its excitement and began to bounce joyfully up the steps that ascended the side of the gleaming vessel. Ash, with his ever-present curiosity and a slight raise of his brow, couldn't help but pose the question that had been playing on his mind, "Might I inquire as to how we're managing to finance this extravagant outing?"

Without even a moment's hesitation, Marina responded as she confidently ascended the steps ahead of the rest, her voice steady and sure, "Coral and I have combined our allowances to cover the costs."

Ash, with a hint of playful skepticism in his tone, let out a snort of disbelief, "Yeah right, Marina."

Coral, stepping in to add clarity, with a small smile, contributed, "Well, our aunts and uncle also contributed a modest sum."

Misty, who knew her daughter all too well, gave her a knowing look and uttered a single word with gentle firmness, "Coral."

Accepting the nudge towards full transparency, Coral relented and admitted with more candor, "Alright, the truth is they contributed quite generously."

Upon reaching the entrance of the yacht, Marina, with a flourish of her hand and the poise of a seasoned hostess, announced to the guests of honor, "Ash Ketchum, Misty Waterflower, your dinner awaits you." With that, she swung open the door, allowing the party to step inside, Pikachu now perched comfortably on Marina's shoulder.

Ash let out a light chuckle as his eyes took in the sight before him; the dining area was elegantly arranged, yet the setting was intimate, with a small table suitable for only two diners, "It appears the table is set for just two."

Coral, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, revealed the final twist of the evening, "That's the ultimate surprise. This evening, Marina, Pikachu, and I will leave you two to dine alone."

Misty, with a hint of nervousness in her voice, inquired, "Is it going to be just the two of us here?"

At that moment, Brock emerged, fashionably clad in a waiter's attire, and announced with a hint of playfulness in his tone, "No, you won't be alone, as I'll be joining you both, taking on the roles of your waiter and personal chef for the evening."

Likewise, Delia made her appearance, equally dressed in waiter's garb, and added warmly, "And I'll be here too, lending a hand to make sure this lovely surprise orchestrated by your daughters goes off without a hitch. I hope you're not upset with us for stepping in."

Both Ash and Misty couldn't suppress a light chuckle at the unexpected setup, yet they couldn't shake off the feeling that this was an elaborate ruse to give them some privacy. As Misty observed the scene, she couldn't help but be struck by a sense of familiarity; the whole arrangement bore an uncanny resemblance to one of their cherished dining spots in Celadon City, a place they often visited during the days when they were a young couple in love. Delia, catching on to the moment, motioned to Coral, who then set the mood by playing "We're A Miracle" by Christina Aguilera through the bluetooth speakers, a song that perhaps held special meaning for the two.

Brock, ever the attentive friend and sensing a slight tension in the air, sought to lighten the mood by asking, "Can you guess what we're up to, or would you prefer to ease into the evening with a refreshing beverage first?"

With a knowing look, Misty answered, "Yes, Brock, I think it's quite clear to both of us what's happening here."

Meanwhile, Ash, wearing a smile that was both appreciative and slightly amused, responded, "Actually, Brock, I think I'll take you up on that offer for a drink."

With careful attention, Brock took the time to pour and present a glass of wine to each of his friends, Ash and Misty. Wine glasses in hand, they found themselves near an opening where the outside world was visible. It was Ash who broke the silence, his gaze transfixed by the view beyond the pane, his mind drifting to times long past. "You know, I can't quite remember the last time I set foot on a boat. It may very well have been when I left Hoenn, traveling alongside Chloe and Goh," he mused aloud, the memory both distant and dear.

Misty, with a lightness in her tone that belied the sudden rush of recollections within her, offered a soft laugh in response. She was about to share her own last seafaring adventure when the memory halted her, a shadow of the past best left unspoken. With a gentle wave of her hand and a cryptic smile, she simply concluded, "I believe it's been a decade since then."

Sensing the undercurrent of emotions within Misty's brevity, Ash sought to shift the mood to something more celebratory, something that would unite them in the present joy rather than the unspoken echoes of yesteryears. "How about we raise our glasses in a toast?" he proposed, his voice buoyant with the suggestion. Misty, understanding and appreciative of the gesture, joined him, her wine glass meeting his in the quiet space between them.

Ash was the first to voice the preamble to their toast, "To-" but Misty, with a quickness born of a heartfelt connection to the moment, interjected with her own dedication, "Our daughters." It was a poignant choice of words that caught Ash slightly off guard, the sentiment bringing a complex mix of emotions. He echoed her toast, his smile a tad more restrained as he repeated, "Our daughters."

At that precise moment, as if drawn by the unspoken bond of family, their daughters, playful and curious, peeked through a pair of adjacent windows. The sound of the wine glasses meeting had been the siren call for their innocent eavesdropping. Both Ash and Misty caught the sight of their children's delighted grins just before they vanished from view, a game of hide and seek with their parents' attention.

The scene sparked a shared laughter between Ash and Misty, a joyous acknowledgment of their daughters' antics. Misty, with a nostalgic glint in her eye, reminisced, "Now I know what my Pokemon must have felt like back in Cerulean City when spectators would wander through the aquarium, always watching." The memory was a warm one, a reminder of the simple pleasures of her past, and now, a shared moment with Ash and their daughters on this serene evening.

Ash's face held a smile, a gentle one that didn't quite reach his eyes, betraying a sense of vulnerability as he spoke, "You know if we ever find ourselves in a moment of solitude, I'd really like to delve into the details of what transpired between us." Misty's reaction was not visible on her face, but inside, she was taken aback by his candidness. Ash went on to explain, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and curiosity, "The memories are kind of blurred for me now. Everything came to a close so abruptly."

With a voice laced with a hint of melancholy and wistful remembrance, Misty responded, "Indeed, it all began just as quickly as it ended."

Facing Misty, Ash's cheeks took on a warm hue as he locked eyes with her, the green of her gaze reminding him of forests bathed in sunlight, "Well, I have to admit, that particular chapter of our story, I recall with crystal clarity."

The exchange, filled with unspoken emotions and a shared past, caused Misty to let out a light giggle, her face now matching the color of Ash's as she tried to suppress the flood of memories that his words had brought to the surface. Meanwhile, Delia and Brock, who were nearby, caught a glimpse of the subtle exchange of flirtation between the two. They shared a knowing glance and hurried to prepare the meal, hoping that their efforts in the kitchen would further encourage this light-hearted and tender atmosphere to blossom.

Ash found himself genuinely in awe of Misty and the performances that had become her new vocation, stepping away from her previous role as a trainer. He reminisced about the time he had unwittingly assisted her and her sisters in Cerulean City with a particularly memorable act that had featured a prince and a mermaid, mentioning how it had seemed to provide her with a sense of tranquility following the intense gym leader battles she had experienced. Misty couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness knowing that Ash took such pleasure in his unexpected role in aiding her transition to a figurehead for Pokemon Training through his esteemed position within the Kanto Pokemon League.

As they were settling down for dinner in the warm glow of candlelight, Misty couldn't shake off a pressing concern and she questioned, "So what do we do about the girls now?"

Ash, expressing his gratitude to his mother Delia for the meal before him, responded thoughtfully, "We can't keep them apart now that they have met."

Misty, with a hopeful tone, put forth a proposition, "Well how bout I keep the girls with me for half the year, and you keep them for the other half?"

Delia, who had been attentively serving the dinner, chimed in with a note of caution, "I don't know if that would be good, both girls have established lives and…pretty soon unless something changes they are likely to start their own Pokemon journeys soon."

Caught slightly off-guard by his mother's interjection, Ash could only nod and agree, "I agree," he said, poised to elaborate further but then he paused, noticing that his mother's presence seemed less like that of a server and more akin to a concerned guest. He gave her an acknowledging look.

Realizing her own intrusion, Delia quickly excused herself, "Oh sorry just a grandma who cares about her granddaughters, I'll leave you two to figure this out. Enjoy the chicken." Inside, Delia felt a twinge of regret, her expression betraying her concern that she might have disrupted the natural flow of the evening's earlier pleasant atmosphere.

As Ash cautiously ensured that neither his mother nor Brock were eavesdropping, he explained the practical reasons behind their current situation. "That was why we came up with this arrangement. This way it didn't get too complicated with care for each girl," he said, hoping to clarify their mutual decision to simplify things.

Misty responded, her voice tinged with longing, "Really, I thought it was because we didn't want to see each other again." There was a wistful note in her tone, suggesting a mix of sadness and nostalgia.

The change in Ash's facial expression was immediate and noticeable. His features turned down as he replied, "I didn't want to never see you again, Mist. I just…" His voice trailed off, hesitating on the brink of sharing his deeper thoughts.

Noticing Ash's reluctance, Misty chimed in with a hint of shyness, "Well I guess that part for me is a bit hazy." She seemed unsure of her own feelings and memories from that time.

Driven by curiosity, Ash probed further, "So you don't remember the day you packed?" He was trying to piece together their past, looking for understanding.

Misty's memory suddenly seemed crystal clear as she responded, "No, that day I remember perfectly…" Her face twitched, a sign of discomfort or regret as she cautiously ventured a question, "Did I hurt you bad when I threw that…?"

"Mallet," Ash supplied the word promptly.

Misty closed her eyes, filled with remorse as she recalled the incident with the huge wooden mallet—a bizarre item she somehow always had with her, even from their childhood days. She silently mouthed an apology, unable to vocalize it.

Ash, now wearing a look of compassion rather than accusation, decided to delve deeper. "I know the odds of me ever being mostly alone with you may never come again. Why did you leave?" His question was direct, seeking a truth that had been buried for too long.

Misty's gaze dropped to the floor before she bravely met Ash's eyes. "Ash, we were both so very young, we both got under each other's skin with our tempers. We both said some very stupid things then one day I just packed up took Coral and…" She hesitated, about to reveal a vulnerability she seldom acknowledged, "I thought you would come after me."

Ash's expression fell, his face a mask of regret. "I didn't know you wanted me to come looking for you," he admitted, the pain of the past evident in his voice.

With a sigh, Misty acknowledged the present reality. "Well, it's far too late for that now given you are engaged." Her words were resigned, but she pushed past the regret.

"Mist," Ash began, clearly wanting to express something more, something that weighed on him.

Misty quickly interjected, putting on a brave face and offering a genuine smile. "Since we are here we might as well put on a brave face for our daughters and get this over with." She hoped her smile would ease the look of sorrow from Ash's face.

Ash simply nodded in agreement, muttering a quiet, "Yeah." There was an unspoken conversation hanging between them, a multitude of words left unsaid. Misty felt a strange pang in her heart, sensing that Ash was holding back, not saying everything he wished to convey.