As you all probably know by now, July 12th is my headcanon for Misty's birthday, which means today is her birthday! And, of course, here is a birthday one shot to go with it!
Aiden and Michelle: 10 and a half
Elizabeth: 4 and a half
Present with a Problem
"Happy birthday, Mist!"
The gym leader's eyes snapped open before she shot up, her head smacking against someone else's. "Ow!"
"Jeez, that hurt!"
Misty rubbed the sore spot on her head before glaring at the person who had caused the trouble. "Ash! What was that for?!"
"I was trying to wake you up in a fun way," Ash groaned, still rubbing on his own head. "I didn't think you were gonna get so freaked out!"
"Your idea of fun is hanging over me while shouting?" Misty sighed, lowering her hand.
"Well…yeah!" Ash cheerfully replied. "That and, uh, the rest of the room."
Misty raised an eyebrow and looked around, suddenly realizing that her and Ash's bedroom had been filled with colorful balloons and draped with crepe paper. When her hand brushed the bedspread, she hit a pile of paper strips, and noticed that the bed was littered with confetti.
"Wow, look at all of this!" Misty giggled. "How did you manage to do all of this without waking me up?"
"The kids did most of it," Ash admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "They're surprisingly stealthy! Much more than I am."
"I see," Misty hummed amusedly. "And where are they now? I'm surprised they didn't want to watch you scare the living hell out of me."
"They're part of the rest of my birthday surprise for you," Ash replied, sounding quite smug as he placed his hands on his hips.
"You're all involved?" Misty breathed. "I really hope this doesn't end with the house burning down."
"It won't!" Ash assured her. "Michelle would never let it get to that point."
"Fair enough," Misty conceded. "So…where's this surprise?"
"You have to work for it," Ash teased, much to Misty's displeasure. "But it's gonna be fun, I promise! Just get dressed and come downstairs. Then we can start!"
Before Misty could ask any follow up questions, Ash jumped off the bed and ran out of the room, leaving his bewildered wife behind. "Oh, there's no way this can end well."
XXX
"Okay, do you three have your clues all ready to go?"
While Michelle and Elizabeth nodded, Aiden unsurely twisted his mouth. "Dad, are you sure this is such a good idea?"
"Of course, I'm sure!" Ash cried. "Why, you don't think so?"
Aiden shrugged. "I don't know. It's just that Mom never really seems to like surprises."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Aiden might be right," Michelle suddenly piped up, much to her father's surprise. "Every time we try to surprise Mom, she gets super nervous. Maybe we shouldn't do this to her on her birthday."
Elizabeth, on the other hand, was not on the same wavelength as her older siblings. "No way!" She cried defiantly. "Everyone loves surprises, especially on their birthday!"
Michelle sighed and shook her head. Elizabeth was still pretty young and was naturally carefree and spirited. It had yet to register with her that not everyone enjoyed the things she found to be fun…even her own mother.
"Mom complains about surprises all the time," Aiden reminded his younger sister.
"No, she doesn't!" Elizabeth argued. "I give Mommy surprises a lot and she always loves them!"
Aiden groaned and threw his head back while Michelle shook hers.
"Guys, it'll be fine," Ash guaranteed the kids. "As soon as your mom gets the present, she's going to love it! Aiden, you wait here for her to come downstairs so you can give her your clue. I'll take your sisters to their spots."
The boy said nothing as he watched them walk off, although he exchanged one last unsure glance with his twin sister. Once their father had his mind set on something, it was nearly impossible to change it. Aiden loved and greatly admired his father and had inherited a lot of his personality; but he'd also inherited a lot of his mother's, and that included her tendency to lean towards skepticism (or, as they both liked to call it: realism). Aiden certainly hoped that his mother would like this little surprise, but he could imagine it going sideways very quickly.
"Oh, there you are!"
Aiden looked over his shoulder towards the stairs and smiled. "Hey Mom! Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, sweetheart!" Misty giggled before glancing around the room. "How come you're all alone? Where's everyone else?"
"Can't say," Aiden replied. "But I do have the first part of your birthday present! You know, since I'm the oldest."
"By 12 minutes," Misty snickered.
"Still counts!" Aiden chirped before holding a note card out towards his mother.
"What's this say?" Misty asked, taking the piece of paper.
"No idea," Aiden admitted with a shrug. "I didn't read it or anything like that."
"Did Dad tell you not to?" Misty questioned, looking up from the card a bit nervously.
"No," Aiden refuted. "I just didn't want to."
Misty raised an eyebrow but chose to not prod any further. Her son was usually pretty nosy and would've never hesitated to read the card, even if he had explicitly been told not to. That seemed to tip her off to something being amiss, but she didn't want to overthink things, especially not on her birthday.
Scanning the card, Misty carefully read what was written on it…and furrowed her brow. She read it again and was still left confused. "Aiden, I know you didn't read this, but do you have any idea what it is?"
"It's some kind of clue," Aiden informed her. "Dad said he wanted to make giving you your present a lot more fun, so he thought he'd make a scavenger hunt out of it."
"Oh, great," Misty droned, attempting to decode the clue once again.
"I knew you wouldn't like it!"
Misty once again glanced up from the card. "What do you mean?"
"Michelle and I tried to tell Dad you wouldn't like this kind of thing," Aiden explained. "But he wouldn't listen to us. And neither would Elizabeth! I know you don't like surprises very much."
Suddenly, Misty felt quite guilty. Aiden wasn't exactly wrong, but she knew that Ash put a lot of effort into these kinds of things, and she didn't want to come across as ungrateful. "No, it's not like that! Your dad really means well, and I appreciate it. I just have trouble letting my guard down sometimes, that's all. But I'm sure that whatever he's got planned is wonderful!"
Aiden shifted his eyes, obviously not believing her. Misty smirked, understanding that expression full well, but chose to continue to try and work around it.
"Maybe you can help me figure out this first clue," Misty continued, holding the notecard back out towards her son. "You're much better at these kinds of things than I am!"
Aiden furrowed his brow. "I am?"
"You are," Misty confirmed, giving the card a bit of a wave.
The boy smirked and took the clue from his mother, finally scanning it himself. "Let's see…this says: 'you'll find your next clue outside, where everyone climbs on wood and swings with rope'…oh, I know!"
Misty's eyes widened. "That was quick. What do you think it is?"
"The swing set!" Aiden replied easily. "It's made of wood, and we climb all over it, and the swings have rope on them!"
"Wow, you are good," Misty marveled.
"Thanks!" Aiden chuckled.
"So, if I go out in the backyard, I'll be able to get my next clue," Misty mused, giggling as she walked off the stairs and ruffled her son's hair. "Sounds good! Thank you, sweetheart!"
"No prob!" Aiden chirped, watching his mother as she headed into the kitchen. Once she was gone, the boy puffed his chest out and commented to no one in particular, "I am good at that kind of stuff!"
XXX
When Misty walked into the backyard, she immediately set her eyes on the swing set and found Michelle sitting on one of the swings, watching as Pikachu and Pichu ran circles around her feet.
"I was told my second clue would be out here," Misty called playfully, her daughter's head snapping up in response.
"Mom!" Michelle cried, jumping off the swing. The mice Pokémon took notice of the gym leader's presence as well and quickly ran over to her, squeaking happily.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Misty apologized with a giggle, kneeling down to pet Pikachu and Pichu.
"It's fine," Michelle assured her, a smile appearing on the younger redhead's face. "Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, Shelly!" Misty crooned, standing back up while Pikachu and Pichu ran back over to the swing set to continue playing. "So, you're in on this whole birthday scavenger hunt too, huh?"
"Yeah," Michelle sighed. "Dad was really excited about it, so none of us could say no. But…"
"You think I don't like surprises either," Misty finished for her daughter once she trailed off.
Michelle raised an eyebrow. "I don't think, I know."
Misty laughed nervously. "You kids know me way too well. It makes me happy! But it's also a little eye opening."
"Not Elizabeth," Michelle scoffed. "She's convinced you're the biggest fan of surprises in the whole world."
Misty nodded. "Your brother said something similar. But Lizzie is still very young and innocent. I don't need her to know the truth just yet! Besides, just like I told Aiden, I know your dad means well with this whole plan. I'm more than happy to play along!"
That got a big smile out of Michelle. "Aw, that's really sweet of you, Mom!"
"Thanks!" Misty giggled. "So, do you have my next clue?"
"Yep!" Michelle chirped, reaching into her shorts pocket and pulling out a piece of paper. "Sorry, I folded it up."
"Don't worry about it," Misty assured the girl, taking the clue from her and opening it up. "Hmm…"
"What's it say?" Michelle asked curiously.
Misty couldn't help but to smirk. "You didn't read it either?"
Michelle looked confused. "No, I did. I just wanted to hear you read it. Are you saying Aiden actually didn't?"
"I am!" Misty confirmed with a smile. "And I was just as surprised as you are."
"Huh, that's interesting," Michelle pondered before quipping, "maybe he didn't because Dad didn't explicitly tell him not to. It's always more fun for Aiden when he's doing something he's not supposed to."
Misty gave her daughter a warning look, to which Michelle cried, "what? It's true!"
Although she still looked disapproving, Misty didn't argue…because she knew it was, in fact, true. Looking back down at the piece of paper in her hands, Misty read aloud, "'your final clue is inside your daily stop, where the sea meets the land'…what?"
"Yeah, Dad's not very good at writing these things," Michelle sighed.
At this, Misty arched an eyebrow. "You're on a roll today, aren't you?"
"If it helps, I know where he wants you to go!" Michelle offered, grinning at her mother.
"I feel like I should be trying to figure it out myself, since that's the whole point of a scavenger hunt…" Misty deliberated. "But I'm also seriously blanking right now. I have no idea what your father means by this."
"It's the gym!" Michelle blurted. "Get it? Because you go there every day and it's kind of like the ocean on land, with all the water type Pokémon there."
"Oh, that makes sense!" Misty crowed before sheepishly admitting, "even if the clue didn't."
"You should go there and get the next clue!" Michelle cheered. "It's the only thing standing between you and your gift!"
"That's certainly exciting," Misty giggled, handing the piece of paper back to Michelle. "Thank you for your help, Shelly!"
"Of course!" Michelle replied. "Although, I can't promise you you'll get the same kind of help at the next stop…"
XXX
Misty hadn't been entirely sure of what Michelle had meant by that, but as soon as she walked into the gym and saw Elizabeth with her face pressed up against the aquarium, it all made sense.
It wasn't a dig at Elizabeth's intelligence; she was very smart for a girl her age. But she was still just a four-and-a-half-year-old girl, and it could be quite difficult to keep her on track.
"Lizzie!" Misty called, knowing that would be enough to get her daughter's attention.
The little girl spun around and, upon seeing her mother, positively lit up. "Mommy!" She ran over to her, Misty kneeling down so she could catch the girl in her arms. "Happy birthday!"
"Thank you!" Misty crooned. "What're you doing in here? Watching the Pokémon?"
"Uh huh," Elizabeth confirmed, nodding her head. "They're so cute!"
"They are!" Misty agreed with a giggle. "Is that the only reason you're in here?"
She had asked it playfully, but Elizabeth suddenly appeared nervous to respond, which bewildered Misty. "Um…"
"Did you get in here by yourself?" Misty asked worriedly.
"No!" Elizabeth quickly refuted. "I came here with Daddy! But he's hiding."
"Hiding?" Misty repeated.
Elizabeth rapidly nodded her head. "I can't tell you where, Mommy. It's a secret."
"Oh, okay," Misty breathed. Elizabeth smiled before looking over her shoulder, obviously wanting to go back to looking at the Pokémon. Misty furrowed her brow before continuing, "I saw your brother and sister this morning, and they had clues that were supposed to lead me to my birthday present. I think the last clue is in here somewhere. Do you know anything about that, sprinkle?"
Elizabeth whipped her head back around and grinned. "Oh, yeah! I have that!"
Misty laughed nervously at Elizabeth's sudden realization. Unbeknownst to her, Ash was just out of her sight, pressed up against a nearby wall, and had buried his face in his hands in response to his wife and daughter's latest exchange.
"Great!" Misty cheered. "Where is it, baby?"
"I left it over there," Elizabeth replied, pointing towards the aquarium. There, Misty could see a piece of paper identical to the ones Aiden and Michelle had given her lying unattended on the floor.
"Guess you got too excited to see me, huh?" Misty giggled, releasing the girl and walking over to the paper.
"Yeah!" Elizabeth confirmed, running after her.
Misty picked up the clue and read it, her smile widening. "This one I can figure out on my own!"
"Mommy, what's it say?" Elizabeth cried, jumping up to try and grab the paper.
"Can you tell me?" Misty asked, kneeling down and showing her young daughter the clue.
"I can only read some of it," Elizabeth squeaked, shaking her head as she pointed at the card. "This says 'me' and 'pool' and 'Pokémon' and 'gift'."
"Those are some pretty big words for such a little girl!" Misty admired. "Here, I'll read it for you. It says: 'Find me by the pool with your Pokémon friends; you'll find your gift there, too!' So…is that where Daddy's hiding?"
"Yeah," Elizabeth cutely replied. It was becoming more obvious to Misty that Ash must've really made sure Elizabeth wasn't going to blab and reveal his location to her, and she was trying really hard to follow his orders.
"Well then, let's go see him!" Misty decided, standing up and taking Elizabeth's hand. "I do want my present, after all."
"Uh huh!" Elizabeth chirped. "It's such a good one! You want to know what it is?"
"Lizzie!"
The little girl looked up; her eyes glowing. "Daddy!"
She began trying to drag Misty into the pool area, causing the older redhead to smirk and pick up the pace. As soon as they got into the room, they saw Ash standing in front of the pool, looking considerably more exhausted than he had at any other point that morning. Misty's Pokémon had all been released from their balls and were floating around in the pool behind him, excitedly chattering as soon as they saw their trainer.
"She's trying to give away your secrets," Misty teased, nodding towards a beaming Elizabeth.
"So I've heard," Ash sighed.
"Daddy, you heard me?" Elizabeth gasped.
At this, Ash couldn't help but to smirk. "Well, you're not exactly quiet, pumpkin."
"Oops," Elizabeth squeaked, covering her mouth.
Misty laughed heartily, shaking her head. "You can't get too upset with her, Ash. She gets it from you, after all!"
"Guess you're right…" Ash admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, hey, you figured out all of the clues!"
"I did!" Misty confirmed. "Aiden and Michelle needed to help me out a bit with the first two, admittedly…where are they, anyway?"
"Psyduck, get back here!"
"Yeah, Mom's gonna wonder where you are!"
The duck Pokémon came waddling quickly into the pool area from a back door, his wings on his head as he looked around in a state of confusion. Aiden and Michelle were both chasing after him, trying to corral the Pokémon as best as they could.
"Hey, Ducky!" Elizabeth cried, running up in front of the water type and throwing her arms out, causing him to skid to a halt. "Stay!"
Psyduck seemed to heed her demand, staying in place and tilting his head to the side with a questioning, "psy?"
"Dad, you didn't give Mom her present already, did you?" Aiden asked with a groan.
"No, of course not!" Ash refuted. "I was waiting for you guys to come back."
"Good!" Michelle cheered.
"Wow, you two are excited," Misty remarked. "This must be one awesome present!"
"I think it is," Ash chuckled, walking over to the bleachers and reaching over their front barrier to retrieve a large wrapped gift.
Misty's eyes widened as soon as she saw it. "That is massive!"
"You know what they say," Aiden noted, "the biggest presents are the best presents!"
"No one says that," Michelle scoffed.
"I do!" Aiden cried.
Ash handed the present over to Misty, grinning excitedly at her. "This is from all of us! Hope you like it…"
Misty smirked and took the gift. "I'm sure I'll love it!"
She tore the wrapping paper off and gasped when she saw what was inside. "Oh my gosh, this is the biggest box of sweets I've ever seen in my life!"
A gigantic basket full of different flavored popcorn, cookies, and candies sat before her. They were all different shapes, sizes, and colors, and looked just as good as Misty imagined they tasted.
"We know how much you like sweet stuff, so we figured there was no better gift than this!" Ash chuckled.
"We all picked it out because we knew you'd like everything it came with!" Michelle added.
"This is so sweet of you guys! Literally," Misty snickered. "I can't wait to try all of it!"
"You're going to share with us, right?" Aiden asked hopefully.
Misty giggled. "Of course! There's way too much here for me to eat on my own."
Ash chuckled at her response. "See? The scavenger hunt wasn't so bad!"
"Nuh uh, it was fun!" Elizabeth chirped before her mother could respond. "I knew Mommy would have fun, I told you so!"
"I really did like it," Misty laughed softly. "Thank you for putting so much thought behind it, Ash! You really are the sweetest."
Ash blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Aw, thanks! I'm glad you think so."
Aiden pulled a face and muttered, "I'm getting out of here before you two start kissing each other. But before I go…" he ambled over to his mother's gift, gently pulling at the cellophane wrapped around it. "Mind if I take something for the road?"
Misty scoffed and playfully rolled her eyes. "You're too disgusted to stick around, but not enough to stuff your face with sweets?"
"No way!" Aiden cried. "I'm gonna eat it at a safe distance."
Before Misty could say anything, Michelle shouted, "Aiden! It's Mom's birthday gift! She should be allowed to eat something from the basket before you do!"
"Yeah, but I asked before I took anything," Aiden reasoned with her.
"That doesn't matter, it's still rude!" Michelle argued.
"No, it's not!" Aiden cried.
"Yeah, it is!"
While Ash groaned and rubbed at his temple, Misty looked to him and observed, "in all honesty, this is still a much better outcome than what I was expecting in the beginning."
