Derek's First Christmas by WyldClaw
Plot: short and sweet modified animeverse AShxMisty Christmas Day set one shot that i originally wrote in 2020. Takes place when Derek is is five months old and two months before his parents' wedding. Note: he was born near the end of July and was seven months old when his parents got married on Valentine's Day. Pokeshipping- obviously. I own nada but Derek, storm and her pups and the fact that I gave Misty a birthday of December 10. ""- Regular speech, ( ) is translated Pokemon speech italics are thoughts. Merry Christmas
XxX
It was a little past six -thirty in the morning on a lightly snowing Christmas Day in Pallet City. Most of the city's residents were asleep ... but Misty Waterflower was not. The exhausted looking twenty five year orange-red-head- who wore read and green fluffy pajamas - watched the tiny snowflakes drift past the still dark window for a few minutes from the couch in her and her fiancé's small rental house. She gazed at the falling snowflakes for a few minutes before turning her gaze briefly to down to the snoozing five month old black haired baby in her lap. He wore a blue onesie with a red nosed Stantler below the green words 'baby's first Christmas ' . She smiled as she lovingly brushed a lock of his hair- identical to his father's out of his face. A few of his baby picture books and a half filled small baby bottle filled with milk were were on the small coffee table a foot or two front of her to her.
"My little boy.." she muttered before turning her gaze to the decent sized room- or at least the what she could see in the dark room .hH liday decorations were on the walls and over the pictures on the mantle. The small-decorated realistic looking fake Christmas tree had a few wrapped presents underneath it and the few stockings under the mantle were stuffed. On the other end of the couch a few feet away from her was a big fluffy Pokebed with four Pichus-one much smaller than her siblings -surrounding a small female Pikachu in it. All of them were asleep. . Storm-the Pikachu- looked as blissfully content as she slept.
She gazed over to them with affection in her eyes. "It's a Christmas miracle: Thora and Electra aren't picking on Aki or causing trouble for once. but then again they are fast asleep . All of them must be wiped out. I don't blame Storm - having five Pichus to tend to is a lot. " Misty said quietly to herself then added,"Poor little Zapp. ." She felt bad for Storm's easy going Pichu son with a tuft of head fur that seemed to always stick up. . It wasn't his fault he'd gotten a cold around the same time Derek - the baby in her lap- had gotten that fever . Luckily both were recovering. She then looked back down at Derek in her lap feeling a great swell of love and affection inside. .
.She rubbed her eyes and yawned twice. She'd been up for hours with Derek who had the tail end of his fever from few days ago. She'd been so panicked when he first got the fever and scared the blazes out of her fiancé until the doctor reassured her it wasnt fatal. Not to mention his teeth were starting to come in so he was in pain from that as well. The infant stirred in her lap and she picked him carefully with her arms. "Good morning sweetheart. I know you're way too little to understand it but Merry first Christmas."
He sleepily opened his eyes at his mother's voice-showing light blue-green eyes. " "guh zee,. ah bo-Bah " He babbled. Five months on and Derek was starting to take after his dad- from his black hair to his enormous appetite. Contrary to what she'd read in the baby books, his eye color was slowly starting to chage. It was going from the baby blue color all newborns had to a light hue of green. It wasn't turing into a deep Leaf Stone or emerald color - but more like a light spring green color.
She didn't know where the green color came from . Perhaps it came her grandmother who raised her and her sisters when her parents decided being both gym leaders and parents to four young girls was too much for them . That's where Daisy got her green eyes from so that's a possibility.
"I love you too pumpkin. Do you feel better?"
"ewo nuh bapo. " He babbled.
"I take that as a yes."
"Ah wuh . fl- duh-za "
"You must be hungry. You're just like your Daddy when it comes to food. " She lifted her shirt up and brought him close to her right breast. He grabbed onto the nipple and started nursing. She yawned again and felt her eyes drooping. " I'm exhausted .. I'll just close my eyes for a few minutes..." She closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep
.
The next thing she knew she smelled still -warm berry mini-muffins on a plate next to her and sensed her husband-to-be next to her. She opened her eyes and saw him next to her dressed in an oversized red sleeping shirt and green pajama bottoms. His black hair was a mess as usual. Derek was in his lap grabbing onto his shirt as he gurgled. Zapp was in between them and the pokebed with his siblings in it. Pikachu was grooming his pups' fur as Storm tried -and failed to get Zapp's head fur to stay down. A small plate of the mini muffins was on the side table. "Morning Ashy , morning Pikachu. Morning Storm. Merry Christmas."
The two Electric type Pokemon looked top from what they were doing and smiled. (Morning. Merry Christmas to you too.)
Her fiancee kissed her.. "Hi beautiful. Merry Christmas. How was Derek after I fell asleep?" The two took turns whenever Derek woke up during the night.
"Somewhat.. He woke up a few more times due to his fever." She stretched one arm
*" What time is it?"
"Around 8:45. You must have been wiped out since you were fast asleep on the couch when I came out."
"Which was..."
"About an hour ago. I would have slept longer but I had to give Zapp his medicine."
"How is he doing?" She looked over at Storm, who had given up on flattening her son's head fur and was now grooming him.
He rubbed a hand through his messy hair. " He's doing pretty well-I think his chill is mostly gone. ."
"Poor little guy,.. he probably got it from one of the Pokemon at the lab or from the weather."
Her fiance nodded. "I think we should still bring him to the Pokemon Center to have Nurse Joy do a thorough check-up on him. Gary's getting a bit antsy about having sick Pokemon near Dora since she's due pretty soon with the twins. "
He grinned as he took out his phone and turned it on . "when I brought him out to give him his medicine and I saw the two of you just sleeping there.. well.." he blushed. "I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. "
he went to his photos and showed them to her and then showed them to Pikachu and Storm. She smiled as she swiped through the pictures. There was a close up of her fast sleep with Derek against her chest. The baby had his eyes sleepily open and his mouth caught open in a yawn. Another picture showed their sleeping faces -a pure facial expression of bliss on hers-with the soft winter morning sunlight behind the couch . Yet another one was a selfie of him holding Derek in him arms A final picture was a wide shot of the couch , showing the two and Storm and her children.
(Those are amazing.) Pikachu told his trainer.
(They are definitely ones for picture frames and the albums.) Storm added.
" Thanks guy." Ash replied.
" Oh Ashy.. these are wonderful shots," she kissed him on the lips ." You should send
these to the group texts with the message ' Merry Christmas to all.' " she said as she handed him back the phone and leaned against his left shoulder. He nodded and did just that. Pikachu came over and got on his favorite spot on Ash's right shoulder.
Within a minute or two of sending the group text, the replies started coming in . A few minutes later, Misty's older sister Daisy called them on video-chat and Ash turned it on. He held it so she could see them. The blonde haired woman's face filled the small screen. She wore a snowflake patterned red top. Her face was a bit tanned and her green eyes sparkled with love. Behind her, they could see her boyfriend Tracey and her Piplup asleep. They had spent the night at Tracey's parents' house in the Orange Islands and were going to meet up with them and the other two Waterflower siblings later that day.
The couple wasn't really surprised she called them first. Out of Misty's older sisters, she was the earliest riser.. next to Violet's toddler daughter Danielle . . "Merry Christmas you guys ! "
" same to you .."
( hi Daisy ..) Pikachu waved a front paw at her.
" hi pal. Oh my Mew! What adorable pictures."
"Thanks sis. Ashy took them."
" i love them. Can't wait to see you guys soon. " she grimaced in pain for a few seconds.
" Daisy? " Misty asked. She recognized the painful early pregnancy grimace.
Her sister's face returned to its normal color. " Sorry sis.. pregnacy pains..you remember how that goes."
"Oh I do.. there are not fun but ask Violet or me.. it's all worth it " Misty saw Derek looking at the phone as if hearing his aunt's voice . She nudged Ash , who brought the phone to his eye sight .
"Look champ, it's your Auntie D." He told the baby.
"Hi little cutie-pie-merry first Christmas ." Daisy waved at the infant. Derek's face split into a baby smile and he gurgled happily . "Auntie D can't wait to give you lots of kisses today." She paused. " I'm gonna go give my team and myself an early morning swim. "
They nodded.
." Bye." She waved and blew a kissing before ending the call. Ash turned off the phone and Pikachu went back to his children and started grooming Aki's fur. .
He paused . "Right as I was feeding him his medicine Talonflame tapped on the window."
Her stomach rumbled. She took a still warm mini muffin from the plate on the coffee table and studied it before eating it. It had a perfect dollop of glaze on it. She knew from the delicious flavor explosion in her mouth that it could have only come from her future mother in law. They were so small she ate another one. "Yum. Did your mom make these? They're delicious."
He nodded. "Yup. Talonflame dropped a box off this morning with a note". He showed her the handwritten note on a piece of card stock with a festive Christmas border:
'Merry first family Christmas Enjoy the peace ...while it lasts.. Tell Derek Grams love him . call me when you're up.
-Delia
P.S. don't eat ALL the muffins Ash. Save some for Misty's sisters '
She looked at her fiancé. "Please tell me you didn't let your appetite get the best of you."
He pretended to look shocked. "Of course not. I only had one when she dropped it off then when i was putting some on the plate ...I maybe two or three more."
Idiot. She sighed. "You and your appetite . "
"It' s mom's cooking. How was I supposed to resist?"
The yellow mouse Pokémon flicked his ears as he looked up from grooming Aki's fur. (Huh? What did he do this time?)
"Just let his appetite gets the better of him as usual." She nudged him.
Pikachu rolled his eyes as he padded over to them and gazed at Derek grabbing his father's shirt. "Guh pabah be" the baby babbled as he looked at the mouse.
(He's getting closer to saying his first actual word.)
Misty bent down and kissed her son's head. "Mmmm hmmm. I wonder what it's going to be. Hopefully it's 'mama'."
"Bet it's gonna be 'dada' instead." Ash countered. " I hope he starts talking before the wedding."
She groaned. "Seriously? It's in two months. Are you expecting him to speak sentences before then? .He'll start saying words when he's ready. "She paused as he got out a small red box with a green ribbon on it."You said we weren't doing presents until later when your mom comes by and we have the dinner with my sisters later one/ ... so what's that?"
She asked as she took the box in her hands. What's he planning now? His face went bright Tamato Berry red. "Uh ...it's a birthday gift."
"Genius, my birthday was on the 10th. You took me to that nice Italian restaurant remember?"
"But I said there was another part of your gift coming. It didn't come in until two days ago. But yesterday we were busy with the party, Derek's first Santa picture and putting up the tree and I was trying to figure out when to give it to you..."
She opened the box and could only stare at the gorgeous necklace on the white cotton lining inside. A beautiful vibrant blue crystal cut into the shape of two overlapping hearts lay in the middle of a gold chain. "Holy Miltank! This is incredible! Where did it come from?"
(Remember Mateo from Sunburst Island? The one who wanted to find the Crystal Onix for inspiration? ) The mouse asked as his trainer placed the necklace around her neck.
"Oh yes. I see his designs and works being sold everywhere." She looked at her fiancé. "Is that why you stayed an extra day during that Orange Island Crew festival?"
He nodded. "Guilty as charged. It's not too much is it?"
"It's gorgeous ashy." She put the box carefully on the table next to the couch and gave him a long kiss on the lips. "Does that answer your question?" She asked as she laid her head against his shoulder. "I love you. Merry Christmas
"Same to you too, water blossom."
"fa-duh-dah zee goo." Derek chattered.
"That's right. Daddy loves you too, sweetie, "his mother told him.
The baby turned and noticed the presents. "Da buh be lee-lee gafa"
His father kissed the boy's forehead. "That's right champ. Santa brought those for you and the pups . "
.
His fiancé lay her head against his shoulder as she gazed around the room at the occupants as the weak December sunlight lit up the room. Small but sweet Storm trying to get Zapp's head fur to lie flat to no luck he smiled in his sleep.. I wonder what he's dreaming about His sisters Electra and Thora-normally fighting lay curled up by their mother's side as if they had been best friends since the day they hatched. On the other side of the bed Storm's last two pups- Taran and Aki were curled up side by side. She smiled- the two Pichus seemed to have a close bond with each other. Taran and Zapp didn't care that their sister was the runt of the litter and smaller than them. She turned her attention to the Pichus' father who was playing peek-a-boo with Derek for the baby's amusement. He really made such a wonderful father. i bet its thanks to all those times he helped look after the younger Pokemon and … Togetic.
she felt a twinge of sadness as she thought that but it was overshadowed by an extreme feeling of happiness for the little mouse. In a strange way it had been him who'd tied her fate to her future husband all those years ago. if I hadn't fished them out of that river and told them where to go and Ash hadn't stolen my bike I'd be somewhere totally different. I wouldn't have gotten Horsea or Corsola or gotten over my fear of Gyarados. My life would be completely different be sitting here right now.
Her fiancé looked over at her, a smirk on his face as if reading her thoughts. "You wouldn't have gotten Politoed or Psyduck either. Things would be very different right now if you hadn't saved us."
She playfully flicked the top of his messy hair with a finger. "Hey… stay out of my head. Don't remind me about him. But you're right about things being different if we hadn't met."
( for starters you wouldn't know about any of this ) Pikachu poked his trainer's arm with a paw and the two humans blushed. The mouse didn't mention that he probably wouldn't have survived or bonded with Ash if they hadn't stolen and then fried her bike.
" fair point."
(You couldn't foresee the future back then. Think of all the adventures we've had. )
"And the new ones we are about to embark on." The redhead added as she looked down at her infant son who was happily gurgling away as Pikachu moved his tail up and down to amuse the baby. . "My little angel." She sighed happily. "Life's picture perfect at the moment."
He kissed her forehead and glanced at the ring- an aquamarine stone with a sterling band on her hand. "not piture perfect just yet,"
She followed his gaze at her engagement ring. "oh yeah… I almost forgot." Less than two months to go..She kissed her fiancé on the cheek. "Merry first family Christmas Ashy."
"Same to you too sweetheart." He stretched his arms. "We should get moving. Mom said to call her when we're ready to open presents-"
At his last word the pups' ears twitched and they opened their eyes. (Presents?) Thora asked.
(I'm gonna open mine first!) Electra said as she jumped out of the bed.
(No way sis!) Thora sprang out of the bed and started wrestling with her sister on the floor.
(Can I open my gift first mom?) Aki begged.
(huh? When's breakfast?) Taran asked.
(Huh?) Zapp sleepily looked up. (What's going on?)
Storm looked from her squabbling daughters to her trainer. (Good going Ash.)
( I thought we were gonna wait until your mom arrived) Pikachu added.
He grinned. "I didn't know they were going to awake up this -." just then Derek spit up all over his tee shirt. "Oh man..."
" ababoo-fee fee." The infant chattered .
Misty giggled. " good job sweetheart. " she turned to her fiance. " He must be hungry again . I'll get his baby food and bottle and then you can change." she forced herself to get up off the couch.
" naba guh-goo ?" Derek looked up at his mother .
"don't worry champ. Mommy's gonna be back with your food and bottle soon." Her fiance told the baby. " want to pet storm, Aki and Taran?"
"guh-goo" he chattered.
" okay sport here we go." Ash picked his son up carefully, got up off the couch and sat over where the mic Pokemone were. Misty sighed happily as she took in the scene: Ash guiding derek's tiny chubby hand as he pet Storm's soft fur as he talked to the little baby, taran , Zapp and Aki listening and Pikachu trying to stop Thora and Electra from roughhousing too roughly. It mat be chaotic later but I wouldn't have it any other way.