Aquatic Affection

by Coercer1730

Jake has everything no one would want in their life: A shitty salary, endless working hours, and a very rich, famous, yet demanding pokémon boss. However, everything can be turned up upside down... VERY EMOTIONAL SH*T AHEAD. YOU'RE WARNED.

Aquatic Affection

(M) Human X (F) Floatzel

A story by Coercer1730

Prologue

First of all, I want to thank you. It is not that usual that someone gets interested in reading these lines before diving into the story itself. Given you've done it, let me talk a bit about my motivation to write this story, as well as what you can expect from it.

It could be said, I am a user who is far from the average profile of those who roam these lands. I won't indulge in further detail, but, let's say I can assure I've been writing a few things for fun since the time computers were advanced machinery only Americans and wealthy people could afford…

Hence, I would lie if I said I perfectly understand the furry fandom, the several online communities around it, and the people who take part in them, but, well, we could say that, tiny bit by tiny bit, I've been gradually accepted here, and I can only be glad about that. Heh, what would my 20-year-old self think if he read these lines now? Who knows.

Anyway, one way or another, despite Blender, LLMs, or Stable Diffusion making their way into my skills, I still feel pretty much a writer at heart. No, I haven't been writing continuously or professionally for a living. No, I don't think I'm even near to be considered 'good', whatever it may mean, and, obviously, I don't see myself in a situation to ask for the recognition that many graphical artists around here have.

However, I can't help but wonder why the writer per drawing artists ratio is as low as it is, at least in the furry fandom. Maybe it's just a perception of mine, or maybe it has to do with our recent way of living that discourages people from taking their time to indulge in whatever they like, that is, unless it takes less than ten seconds to fully enjoy.

One way or another, you are still here, reading these lines as you prepare yourself to read this story. I could try to further explain the plot or the characters, but I think I'll probably end this introduction in a better way by simply telling you this is a pretty emotive story that you'll love or outright hate, but will leave no one indifferent…

…And I can't be more proud of that fact. Enjoy, fellow reader.

Sincerely yours.

Coercer1730

Chapter 1

It is six o'clock when the alarm clock starts beeping. I hit the snooze button, hoping to get a few more minutes of sleep. But the beeping continues, and I realize that I have to get up. I drag myself out of bed, feeling groggy and tired. I stumble into the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face, hoping to wake up. But it doesn't help much. I feel like I could sleep for hours more.

I make my way to the kitchen and start the coffee maker. While I wait for it to brew, I grab the remote, and turn on the TV. The morning news is on, and I half-listen as I pour myself a cup of coffee. The news is full of the usual stories - crime, politics, and weather. Nothing too exciting.

I take a sip of the hot, bitter liquid and feel it start to wake me up a bit. I glance at the clock and realize it's not late, but it isn't pretty soon either. I have to hurry to get ready for work. I take a quick shower, throw on some clothes, and quickly comb my hair. I'm out the door in ten minutes, ready to face another day.

The commute to work is a nightmare. The roads are packed with other commuters, all trying to get to their jobs on time. I sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic, cursing under my breath. I wish I could teleport to work instead of wasting an hour of my life in this metal coffin.

In the meantime, I turn on the radio, hoping to hear some interesting news. But the stations are all playing the same old songs and inane chatter. I switch it off in frustration.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I start to arrive at my workplace. As opposite as one might think, this place is, in fact, less crowded than the bustling highways or the packed subway. This job is... different.

Soon, I get to a long, long bridge which overlooks the rest of the city, before bumping into an entry access. I get out of the car and take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I know what I have to do, but it always pisses me off to a new extent almost nothing else does.

I walk up to the security guard and show him my ID badge. He nods and asks me for an explanation. I sigh and start to explain, "I'm part of Ripple's maintenance staff."

The guard looks at me before nodding. "Okay. You now need to pass through the metal detector."

I walk through the detector, and it doesn't beep. The guard waves me through, and I make my way back to the car. I drive across the bridge and park in the employee lot, which, obviously, is placed in the most remote corner of this special neighborhood.

I get out of the car, grab my toolbox, and start to make my way towards my workplace. The sun is starting to shine shyly, and the world slowly becomes alive once again. It's a beautiful day, but I can't enjoy it. I have a job to do. But, in the meantime, I like to throw an eye to the impressive penthouses around me, with their perfectly manicured lawns and their expensive cars parked in the driveways.

I finally reach my destination: one of the biggest mansions in this neighbourhood. I knock on the door, and a few seconds later, it opens. I might complain about the work schedule, but the truth is management staff still has a worse one.

"Good morning, Jake" A voice ringing through the speaker says. "Coming home late today?"

"Good morning, Rob. I'm here for the regular maintenance. If only..." I answer in a lighthearted tone as we both laugh, before I step inside the gardens. Some people working here are a complete ass, but some others actually have a keen sense of humor too.

"I'll be around the gardens and backyard, as usual. Let me know if you need anything" I say, before heading towards the back of the house.

The backyard is huge, with a pool, a middle-sized pokémon battle stadium, and a large garden. I start by checking the pool, making sure the water is clean and the filters are working properly. Then, I move on to the stadium, checking the walls and the floor for any damage.

Finally, I reached the garden. It's my favorite part of the job. I love taking care of the plants, watching them grow and bloom. I start by watering the flowers, making sure each one gets the right amount. Then, I trim the hedges and mow the lawn.

As I work, I can't help but think about how different my life is from the people who live in these mansions. They have everything they could ever want, while I'm stuck in a dead-end job, barely making ends meet. It's not fair, but that's just the way the world works. I've wondered one thousand times if I should have pursued my original path, but it's too late now, and I know it wasn't in my power at all to do something about it, at least back in the day.

I finish up in the garden in a couple hours and move up to the next section, the front yard. I start by sweeping the driveway and sidewalk, making sure they're clean and free of debris. Then, I rake the leaves and trim the bushes.

As I work, I can see the other maintenance workers going about their jobs in the other mansions. Having from three to five employees each, it's not unusual for one of them to do all the physical work, while others do management and paperwork for their employers.

I've been working for about three hours now, and I'm starting to get tired. I take a break and sit down on a bench in the front yard, looking out at the city. It turns out this mansion is not just one of the largest ones, but also one of the best located, which allows for a pretty good view of the whole city.

As I sit there, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to live in one of these mansions. To have all the money and power in the world, the good that could be done with it, and how different my life would have been if I only had a mere tiny fraction of that wealth.

But then I snap out of it. It's pointless to dwell on what could have been. I now have my job, and I need to focus on that. I finish my break and get back to work, determined to do the best job I can.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur of mowing, trimming, and cleaning. By the time I'm done, the sun is setting, and the mansion looks immaculate. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as I look over my work.

I make my way back to the front door and knock. Rob opens it and looks me up and down, taking in my sweaty, dirty appearance.

"Looks like you had a busy day, Jake" he says with a smirk.

"You know how it is, Rob. These rich folks expect perfection" I reply, wiping the sweat from my brow.

"Haha, you bet, it's not like I am less tired..." Rob says, before handing me a check. "Here's your payment for the day, though. See you tomorrow."

I take the check and nod. "Thanks, Rob. See you tomorrow."

I walk back to my car, feeling exhausted but satisfied. It's been a long day, but I know I've done a good job. As I drive away from the mansion, I can't help but feel a sense of envy towards the people who live there. I remember what people say, don't envy the rich, 'cause they have their own problems too, but, from my own point of view, it doesn't seem that bad at all, heh.

I make my way back home, looking forward to a hot shower and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is another day, and I'll be back at it, keeping the lawns and gardens of my employer looking their best.

"Yeah, my employer..." I whisper in the darkness of my room. "Of all the possible owners of such a place, I wouldn't have expected it to be someone like her..." I say to myself, thinking about Ripple. I know I shouldn't complain. It's a good job, and it pays the bills. But sometimes, I can't help but dream of something more. Something better. But for now, I'll just have to keep on keeping on, one day at a time.

Again, way before than I would like to, the alarm clock starts beeping, and I hit the snooze button, hoping to get a few more minutes of sleep. But the beeping continues, and I realize that I have to get up. I drag myself out of bed, feeling groggy and tired. I stumble into the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face, hoping to wake up. But it doesn't help much. I feel like I could sleep for hours more.

I make my way to the kitchen and start the coffee maker. While I wait for it to brew, I grab the remote, and blah, blah, blah, same old, same old. It's the same every day of the week, all weeks, all months.

I arrive at the mansion, and, as usual, Rob is already in the staff office. "Good morning, Jake," he says. "You don't know how lucky you are that you aren't in charge of invoices."

"Oh, I know, believe me" I reply with a smile, before heading towards the gardens.

I start my work, as usual, the same as I did yesterday, the day before, and the day before and...

"Psst... Jake... JAKE! Code Diamond, Code diamond!" Rob's voice rings through the speaker.

I freeze, and look around. I don't see anyone, but I know what 'Code Diamond' means. I quickly make my way towards the most faraway corner of the garden that allows me a view of the entrance, and hide behind a large bush. A few seconds later, I hear a car approaching. It's a black, expensive-looking sedan. It stops in front of the mansion, and a man gets out. He's wearing a suit and sunglasses… he really looks important. Then, he walks towards the rear door, opening it... before a Floatzel steps out.

She's beautiful, with long, lush orange fur that shines in the sunlight. Her eyes are a deep, piercing blue, and she carries herself with a regal air, her twin tails swishing gracefully behind her.

It's her. Ripple, the owner of the mansion. I've seen her before a few times, and I've heard the stories. Well, who doesn't... After all, she's been the star of the 'Sunny Circus' for a long time, since I was a kid! It's no wonder she's one of the most famous personalities in the region. She's pretty, she's important, she's crazily rich, and yeah, she's a pokémon. Life's full of surprises, huh?

Ripple walks towards the front door, her small feet claws clicking on the pavement. She doesn't even glance back at the man who probably is the chauffeur as she walks the rather long path towards the main, luxurious entrance.

"Welcome back, Miss Ripple" Rob says as he opens the door. "How was your trip?"

Ripple stops, and looks up to Rob as if he was a beggar or something. "I was in a business meeting, Rob. You know I hate small talk" she says in an icy tone.

"Oh, of course, Miss Ripple. I'm sorry" Rob replies, looking embarrassed.

Ripple just nods and walks inside, not even sparing Rob a second glance. I can see the hurt and anger in his eyes, and I feel bad for him. He's just trying to do his job, but Ripple can be so cold and dismissive sometimes. Or well, more than sometimes, usually. The feeling of icy water running down your spine is the first thing you feel when you see her, and the last thing you feel before she leaves. I would remain hidden for a long time, if it wasn't because the man is starting to open the other door of the car as another, smaller figure comes out.

"Yaay! We are homey!" A Buizel cub, clearly still an infant, says in a cheerful tone.

"Now, now, Splash, don't run around" Ripple says in a stern tone. "Go to your room and fix your fur. It's an order"

"Awww, but mommyyyy!" Splash whines.

"I said, go to your room, Splash" Ripple says, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Splash sighs and trudges towards the mansion, looking like a kid who's just been told they can't have ice cream. I can't help but feel a little sorry for her. It can't be easy being the offspring of someone like Ripple. I wait a few more minutes, just to be sure, before coming out of my hiding spot. I make my way back to the garden, trying to focus on my work and not on the drama that just unfolded.

But it's hard. I can't stop thinking about Ripple and her cold, dismissive attitude. I know she's the boss, and I should respect her, but it's hard when she's so... so...

"Cold" I whisper to myself. "She's just cold. That's all."

I try to push the thoughts out of my mind and focus on my work. I have to finish the garden before Ripple comes out and catches me slacking off. I can't afford to lose this job, not when I have bills to pay and...

I can even finish the phrase as I start to let out a couple sniffs, a tear rolling down my cheek. I wanted to say 'A family to take care of', but well, life is hard for some of us. Really hard.

I wipe my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I can't let my personal problems interfere with my work. I need to stay focused and do the best job I can.

I finish up in the garden and make my way to the Pokémon arena, which, to my luck, is completely deserted. I start to clean it, but I can't focus. My mind keeps wandering to dark places, and I can't shake the feeling of despair that's settling over me.

"Why, why, why...?" I whisper to myself, my voice cracking. "Why did it have to be like this? My only family left, my future... it's all gone."

I sink to my knees, my head in my hands as the tears start to flow freely. I feel like I'm drowning, like I'm being pulled under by a riptide of grief and despair. I don't know how much longer I can keep going on like this.

I don't know how long I stay like that, lost in my own misery, but eventually, I make myself up. I must always do it. And then, I start cleaning the arena again. If I don't do it, someone else will have to, and it will mean no good to me.

I lose track of time as I work, my mind numb and my body moving on autopilot. It's only when I hear a voice calling my name that I snap out of it.

"Jake? Jake, are you okay?"

I look up and see Rob standing there, concern etched on his face. I quickly wipe my eyes and stand up, trying to look like I have it together. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... just a little tired" I say, forcing a smile. Rob nods, seemingly taking my lie, and I let out a calm sigh. "By the way, what are you doing... here?" I ask, with inquisitive curiosity.

"Oh, you don't want to know," Rob says with a smirk. "Let's just say that Miss Ripple isn't too happy with the way her mansion looks. She wants it fixed ASAP."

"Ah, I see," I say, nodding. "Well, I better get back to work then."

"Yeah, you better" Rob says, before walking away.

I watch him go, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. I'm glad he didn't push the issue, but at the same time, I feel bad for lying to him. He's been a good friend to me, and I hate keeping things from him. However, as I process his words, I am left thinking... 'How her mansion looks' If I've just trimmed the garden! What can it be then?!

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I don't have time to worry about that now. I need to focus on my work and get this place looking its best. I finish up in the arena and make my way back to the front yard, ready to tackle whatever else needs to be done. However, the only part that can be cleaned up further is the pool, and well, that's my next stop.

I start by skimming the leaves and debris off the surface of the water, using a long-handled net. Then, I use a vacuum to clean the bottom of the pool, sucking up any dirt or grime that's settled there. I make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies, leaving no stone unturned.

As I work, I can't help but think about how nice it would be to just jump in the pool and let all my worries wash away. The water looks so inviting, so cool and refreshing. But I know I can't. I have a job to do, and I need to stay focused.

I finish up with the pool and, and it's not until I look up at the sky when I notice it's already past sunset. I make my way back inside the mansion's service entrance, ready to call it a day. I find Rob in the staff room, going through some paperwork. "Psst, Rob, are there eggs in the pot?" I whisper in a really low volume.

Rob looks around, before making a 'no' gesture with the head, then, I step in. It is a code we have that lets me know if I can step in. If the answer to the question is a yes, it means Ripple or Splash are around. If it's a no, then it's safe to step in and talk.

"Hey, Jake. How was your day?" Rob asks in a low voice.

"It was okay. Same business... How about you?" I reply, trying to keep my voice down.

"Oh, you know. Just the usual paperwork and invoices. I swear, sometimes I feel like I spend more time dealing with numbers than I do actually working" Rob says with a sigh.

"I hear ya. But well, you at least aren't completely exhausted" I say with a chuckle.

"True. But hey, did you hear about the new rule Ripple just imposed?" Rob asks, changing the subject.

"No, what rule?" I ask, curious.

"She said that from now on, all staff members have to wear uniforms. She wants us to look 'professional' or something" Rob says, making air quotes with his fingers.

"Me too?" I ask as if I had seen an alien.

"Yeah, everyone. She said it's non-negotiable. So, I guess we'll all be looking like a bunch of penguins from now on" Rob says with a laugh.

"Haha, very funny" I say, rolling my eyes. "Like if a maintenance worker like me can actually work without getting dirty! But seriously, what's the deal with her? She's always coming up with these crazy rules and demands. It's like she's trying to make our lives miserable or something."

"I don't know, man. She's just... she's just Ripple. You know how she is. She's always been like that, I bet. I guess some people are just born with a stick up their ass" Rob says with a shrug.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I say, sighing. "Well, I better head home. I'm beat."

"Yeah, me too. See you tomorrow, Jake" Rob says, giving me a wave.

"See you tomorrow, Rob" I say, before heading out the door.

I drive home, my mind still on Ripple and her crazy rules. I can't believe she wants us to wear uniforms. It's so ridiculous. But then again, everything about Ripple is ridiculous. She's a talking pokémon who owns a mansion and has humans working for her instead the other way round. It's like something out of a fairy tale… Or a nightmare.

I arrive home, feeling exhausted but also relieved to be away from work for a little while. I take a hot shower, trying to wash away the day's dirt and grime. Then, I collapse into bed, ready for a good night's sleep. But as I lay there in the dark, my mind starts to wander again. I think about my family, about how much I miss them. I think about the future, about how uncertain it is. And I think about Ripple, about how strange and unsettling she is.

I wake up again at the same hour, and look at the calendar. It's Sunday, yeah, but I still have to go to work. I sigh, before getting out of bed and starting my usual routine. I arrive at the mansion, and as usual, Rob is already there. "Good morning, Jake," he says. "You ready for your first day in uniform?"

"Ugh, don't remind me" I groan, looking down at the crisp white shirt and black pants I'm wearing. "I feel like a waiter or something."

"Haha, you look good though," Rob says with a smirk. "Ripple will be impressed."

"Yeah, right. More like she'll be pissed that I'm not wearing a tuxedo or something" I say, rolling my eyes.

"Hey, you never know with her," Rob says with a shrug. "Anyway, I better get back to work. See you around, Jake."

"See you, Rob" I say, before heading towards the gardens.

I start my work, feeling self-conscious in the uniform. It's not that comfortable, and I keep worrying about getting it dirty. But I know I have to focus on my job, not on how I look.

As I work, I can't help but notice that the mansion seems quieter than usual. It's almost eerie, like everyone is holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. And then… I hear it.

"JAKE! Get in here, NOW!" Ripple's voice rings out through the speakers, loud and commanding.

I freeze, my heart starting to race. I know that tone, and it never means anything good. I quickly make my way towards the sound of her voice, my palms sweaty and my mouth dry.

I find her in the living room, standing in front of the fireplace with her arms crossed. She looks at me, her eyes narrowed and her fur bristling. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" she asks, her voice icy.

"Um, it's... it's 10:30?" I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Exactly! And do you know what I expect from my staff at 10:30 on a Sunday morning?" she asks, her tone getting even colder.

"Um... to be working?" I venture, feeling like I'm walking on thin ice.

"Bingo! And yet, here you are, dilly-dallying around like you have all the time in the world!" she says, her tails lashing behind her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ripple. I didn't realize it was so late. I was just trying to finish up in the garden..." I say, my voice trailing off lamely.

"The garden can wait! I have guests arriving in an hour, and I expect this place to be... spotless! Do you understand me?" she asks, her eyes boring into mine.

"Yes, Miss Ripple" I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Good. Now get to work, and don't let me catch you slacking off, or you'll regret it!" she says, before turning on her heel and stalking out of the room.

I stand there for a moment, my knees shaking and my heart pounding. It's not the first time she gets like this for nothing. I was hired as an outdoors worker, but she does this every time she wants me to do something out of my contract and schedule. I'm tempted to quit, but then I remember that I need this job, and that I can't afford to lose it.

I take a deep breath and head back outside, ready to tackle whatever needs to be done. I work like a man possessed, cleaning and polishing every surface I can find. I don't stop until the mansion is gleaming, and even then, I'm still not sure if it's enough.

Finally, the guests arrive, and I breathe a sigh of relief as I run into the distance, not wanting to be seen. I can't believe I made it through the ordeal without getting fired. As I watch the guests file into the mansion, I can't help but wonder what kind of people they are. What do they do? How did they get invited to a reunion at Ripple's mansion?

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. It doesn't matter. They're not my concern. My job is to keep this place running smoothly, and that's what I'm going to do.

I spend the rest of the morning hiding out in the gardens, trying to stay out of sight and out of mind. It's a long, boring while, but at least I'm not getting yelled at by Ripple anymore. I don't remember her being nice nor sensitive even once, and I've worked here for two years…

As I finished with the garden, I was going to clean the pool in the large backyard. I went to the shed to pick up the necessary tools for the work when...

"Gotcwa! Yay!" I hear as I feel a pat on my back when I was crouching. I turn around and see Splash, the little Buizel cub. "Oh, hey, Splash," I say with a smile. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was bowed, so I came here to pway!" she says, bouncing on her feet. "Wanna pway with meee?"

"I'd love to, but I have to clean the pool first" I say, feeling a little guilty.

"But Jakeeeyyyy!" Splash whines, her lower jaw trembling. "No one wants to pway with me..." She says, looking down at the floor.

"Hey, now. Don't say that" I say, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure there are plenty of people who would love to play with you. You're a great cub."

"Rweally?" Splash says, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"Really. And you know what? I bet if you asked your mom, she'd be happy to play with you too" I say with a wink.

"Noo... She doesn't... But you do! You are my bestest fwiend Jakey!" She says before hugging me tightly.

"Aww, thanks Splashy. You're my bestest friend too" I say, hugging her back.

"Yay! Let's pway then!" Splash says, bouncing again.

"Okay, but just for a little while. I still have to clean the pool" I say with a laugh.

"Okay!" Splash says, and we spend the next hour playing tag and hide-and-seek in the gardens. It's a blast, and I forget all about my worries and troubles for a little while. Splash is a cute bundle of energy! And I love that she's so innocent and has a heart of gold, despite her mother's attitude.

Finally, I have to pull myself away to go clean the pool. "I gotta go, Splash. But I'll see you again soon, okay?" I say, ruffling her fur.

"Okay, Jakey. See you soon!" Splash says with a wave, before skipping off towards the house.

I watch her go, feeling a little sad that our playtime has to end. But I know I have a job to do, and I can't let it slide. I head to the pool and start cleaning, my mind still on Splash and how much fun we had together.

As I work, I can't help but think about how different she is from her mother. Splash is so sweet and innocent, while Ripple is cold and calculating. It's like they're two completely different pokémon. I wonder what you call it, species? Yeah, species!

I finish up with the pool just as the guests are starting to leave. I watch them file out of the mansion, looking tired but satisfied. I wonder what they thought of the place, and if they'll ever come back.

As the last guest leaves, I hear Ripple's voice ring out through the speakers. "Jake! Get in here!" she barks.

I freeze, my heart starting to race again. What did I do wrong this time? I quickly make my way towards the living room, where I find Ripple waiting for me.

"Yes, Miss Ripple?" I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"The guests had a wonderful time." she says, her tone not really matching her words.

"Oh, um, you're welcome?" I say, surprised.

"Shut up!" Ripple interjected. "I didn't call you over to congratulate you! Look at those lightbulbs, they flicker too much! Fix them, now!

"Yes, Miss Ripple" I say, before hurrying off to find the ladder and lightbulbs.

I spend the next hour replacing all the flickering bulbs, my hands shaking and my heart pounding the whole time. I'm exhausted by the time I finish, but I know I can't rest yet. There's still the whole house to clean and maintain.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I finish my work and sneak back to the garden. I collapse onto a bench, feeling like I've been run over by a truck. I close my eyes, trying to block out the world for a little while.

But it's not long before I hear footsteps approaching. I open my eyes to see Rob standing there, looking concerned. "Hey, Jake. You okay? You look like you've been through the wringer" he says.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired" I say, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. "Ripple really put me through a lot today. I swear, that pokémon is impossible!"

"I know what you mean. She's a real piece of work" Rob says, shaking his head. "But hey, at least the day's over now. You can go home and get some rest."

"Yeah, I guess..." I murmur when the speakers sound again.

"JAKE! Come here!" Ripple asks in her usual snappy tone.

"I'll correct you Rob, YOU can go home and rest" I say while starting to get up.

"Ugh... I'll see you tomorrow, Jake. Try not to let her get to you" Rob says with a sympathetic smile.

"Yeah, thanks. I'll try" I say, before trudging off towards the mansion.

I find Ripple in the kitchen, looking over some premium Magikarp on the kitchen table. "H-hello...?" I say, not wanting to interrupt her.

"Jake. Ann hasn't been able to come today." She says, referring to their personal cook. "You'll have to serve me and Splash dinner." She demands.

"Of... of course, Miss Ripple..." I say, looking at the floor. I'm not a cook! This is nuts! How the hell am I supposed to cook for a Pokémon with standards as high as Everest! To top it out, I'm already a couple hours overtime after the lightbulbs, and the day doesn't seem to get better...

"Thank you, Jake. I'll see you in the dining room at 10 P.M." She says before walking away.

I stand there for a moment, my mind spinning. Then, I look at the clock. "What the fuck! If it's 9:40 already! How the hell am I going to cook a decent meal in 20 minutes?!"

I start looking around, frantically trying to find something, anything, that I can make into a decent meal. I finally settled on some leftover Magikarp and a couple of cans of vegetables. It's not much, but it's better than nothing.

I start cooking, my hands shaking as I try to follow the instructions on the back of the cans. I'm sure it's not going to be good, but at least I'll have tried. Maybe Ripple won't be too mad...

I finish cooking and serve the Magikarp and vegetables on two plates, trying to make them look presentable. I carry them into the dining room, my heart pounding and my palms sweating.

I find Ripple and Splash sitting at the table, looking bored. They look up as I enter, and I can see the disappointment in Ripple's eyes, yet Splash gives me a wide smile. "Smells yummy, Jakey!" She says in a cheerful voice.

"Thank you, Splash" I say with a genuine smile as I see little Splash's face lit up. "I hope you like it."

"Its pwettyyy! Let's eat!" She says excitedly as she digs in, eating it quickly with her paws, a total mess as you could expect from a cub.

I look over at Ripple, who is picking at her food with a look of disgust on her face. "This is unacceptable, Jake!" she says, her voice icy. "I expected so much more from you!"

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Ripple. I did the best I could with what I had" I say, feeling my face heat up with shame.

"This is not good enough. I demand that you go back to the kitchen and make me something better, right now!" she demands, slamming her fist on the table.

I feel like I've been slapped. I know my cooking isn't great, but her words still sting. I nod, not trusting myself to speak, and rush back to the kitchen. I'm fucking it bad, shit! I'm going to lose this job over a fucking meal! How the fuck can I be so useless at everything?!

I start searching frantically through the pantry and fridge, looking for anything that I can use to make a decent meal. Finally, I decide to try with the premium fish and a box of instant rice. It's not much, and it's not fancy, but it's the best I can do on such short notice.

I cook the fish and rice as fast as I can, my heart racing and my hands shaking. I plate the food and carry it back to the dining room, praying that this time, it will be good enough.

I place the plate in front of Ripple, feeling like I'm presenting a masterpiece in a gallery. She looks at it, her black nose wrinkling slightly. Then, she takes a bite, chewing slowly and deliberately.

I hold my breath, waiting for her verdict. She swallows, then looks up at me. "Measly. But edible. I suppose it will have to do" she says, before turning her attention back to her food.

I let out a sigh of relief, feeling like I've dodged a bullet. I look over at Splash, who is still eating her food with gusto, making a mess and not caring. I can't help but smile. At least someone appreciates my efforts.

"It's taaasty! I love you, Jakey! You're the best cook ewah!" She says, making my heart melt.

"Splash!" She says, giving a haed slap to the back of her head. "NEVER say that to a poor person! Ugh... It's disgusting..."

I immediately flinch, looking down at the ground, trying to disappear. God, that commentary hurt. So much... I can't help but shed a single tear as I think of myself as 'poor' as she described, feeling that I have no right to feel happiness or share it with the ones around me.

"Ahem... Don't make a filthy number here. Get out of my sight, NOW!" She says as she wipes her muzzle with her paws, pushing the plate away.

"Yes, Miss Ripple" I say, quickly backing away.

I make my way out of the dining room, feeling like a complete failure. I slowly retreat to the service room to change to my normal outfit and grab the keys of my car, when I hear faint footsteps coming towards me.

"Jakey... Is Jakey sad...? Splashy is sad too..." I hear the little cub say as I feel her hug my leg tightly. "Splashy is Jakey fwiend... No sad..."

I look down at her, my eyes filled with tears. "I'm okay, Splashy. Don't worry" I say, ruffling her fur. "It's just been a long day..."

"Jakey cries... Splashy cries too..." She says, looking up at me with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Splashy... Don't cry, baby girl. I'm okay. I promise" I say, wiping my eyes. "You should go to bed now, okay? You need your sleep."

"Okay, Jakey... Will you pway with me tomowow?" She asks, sniffling.

"Of course, Splashy. I'll play with you tomorrow. I promise" I say with a smile. Then, I sit on the floor and hug her delicately but with so much love. She's a piece of heaven despite her short age... and despite who her mother is.

I hug her, and hold her close. "Now, go on. Bed time, little one" I say while making her walk to the stairs, slowly, but she won't let me go.

"Splashy wants Jakey to be hawpy! Splashy loves Jakey!" She says, as she hugs me once more before running up the stairs.

I stand there for a moment, watching her go. My heart feels so heavy, but at the same time, so light. Splash is like a ray of sunshine in my life, even when everything seems to be going wrong.

I finally make my way back to the car, feeling exhausted and defeated. As I drive home, I can't stop thinking about Ripple and her cruel words. I know I should be used to it by now, but today she has outdone herself. It hurts so much.

I arrive home and collapse onto my bed, feeling like I've run a marathon. I close my eyes, trying to block out the world and all its pain. I just want to sleep and forget about this awful day. If only there was a way for Ripple to treat everyone like Splash treats me... with so much respect, admiration and love. She is truly a treasure. Well, and about Ripple... I think as my mind replays the moment Ripple looked at Splash with a certain... warmth as she ate. Maybe there is still a part of her heart that knows what it's like to love someone, even if it's just her own daughter? Or maybe I'm just hallucinating... Nevermind... I just need to sleep...

Chapter 2

As I wake up, I see in the calendar that it's Monday! Almost everyone would be depressed today, but, for me, the ending of the weekend means the ending of Ripple's home 'torture', at least for a few days. And it's already almost time for work, so I don't have a choice but to get my ass out of bed.

I get ready and head out the door, ready to face another day of backbreaking labor. As I arrive at the mansion, I enjoy the usual silence, the sign that everyone is at work and Ripple probably has already left for her performance training. Maybe I'm in luck today?

"Mornin' Jake!" A voice calls through the speakers, making me tense for a moment, until I notice it's a masculine voice, not Ripple's. The only other male figure there is Rob, so I can remain calm until late evening! Life's pretty! I make my way to the kitchen to make a quick coffee and something to eat, and find Rob already there. "Sleep well?"

"As much as a man can sleep, when he's as old as I am." I say with a chuckle.

"Man, you are in your twenties! You're not that old!" Rob says, throwing a piece of bread at me.

"Ouch! That hurt, you punk!" I say, rubbing my head.

"Yeah, right! You big baby!" Rob laughs, before getting serious. "So, how are you doing, man? You seem a little... down lately."

"Ugh, don't remind me. It's been a rough couple of days, that's all" I say, sighing.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. But hey, at least it's Monday. No more weekend Ripple to deal with for a few days" Rob says with a smirk.

"True. And maybe it will be a better week for us" I say, trying to be optimistic.

"Yeah, maybe. But with Ripple, you never know" Rob says with a shrug.

"Yeah, you're right about that," I say, standing up. "Well, I better get to work. The gardens won't trim themselves."

"No, they won't. And hey, if you need anything, you know where to find me" Rob says, giving me a pat on the back.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it" I say, before heading out the door. This week, the pool is the main priority, as the outside is in a perfect state due to the last week's work, and I'm supposed to maintain it. Not that it's hard, but it's still a full day's worth of work, if not more!

I start cleaning the pool, using a long-handled brush to scrub away any dirt or algae that might be stuck to the sides. I work quickly and efficiently, wanting to get it done as soon as possible. But, as I'm reaching to scrub a particularly stubborn spot, I slip and fall into the pool with a splash.

"Fuck!" I yell, surfacing and gasping for air. I feel like an idiot, but at least no one was around to see it. I pull myself out of the pool, shaking the water off of my clothes. I'm soaked, and now I have to go back inside and change. Great, just fucking great...

I make my way back into the mansion, hoping to sneak past Ripple's room before remembering she's not home. I go to the staff room and change into a spare uniform, trying to dry off as best I can. I feel cold and grumpy, and not in the mood for any more crap. Luckily, life treats me well until the afternoon, and I get to clean the pool without any more incidents. I feel tired and sore, but I've done a good job. And that's all that matters.

I'm just finishing up when I hear a voice calling my name. "Jake! Is that you in the backyard?" It's Rob.

"Yeah, it's me. What's up?" I call back, wondering what he wants.

"Code Candy, Jake." He states, using another code, which means... I think as I crack up a little smile.

"Jakey! YAY! It's Jakey! I missed you!" A cute, little voice cries out, running towards me and jumping into my arms, completely soaking me… once again.

"Splashy! You little darling! You did pool training today at the Pokémon daycare, right?" I say as I feel the wetness from her fur cover my clothes and body. The smell of chlorine covers us both, and I laugh a little.

"Wow Jakey you are a mawician! How did you know?!" She says, her eyes wide like saucers with surprise. It's not like the answer is all over my clothes now, but well, cubs... they are so innocent!

"Well, I studied magic, but psst, that's a secret, okay?" I whisper, feeling it's great fun to keep her little game going.

"Okay, I won't tell anyone! Pinky sweeaaar!" She says as she swears on her little paw.

"Hahaha, thanks little cub!" I say while holding her tight. "Did you have fun today?"

"Yes, it was amazing! We played 'catch the Magikarp' and 'who can dive the farthest'! I won both, y'know!" She says proudly.

"You won both? Wow, that's impressive!" I say, impressed.

"Uh-huh! Splashy is the bestest cub ever!" She says, before looking at me with a serious expression. "But Jakey... I have a pwoblem..."

"Oh? What's the matter, baby girl?" I ask, feeling a little worried.

"My mommy says I'm too cwude. She says I need to bewave and be with rich people and famous people. She says I can't pway with people like you because we don't match in stadium and you are poor..." She says, her voice trailing off as she isn't sure of that. I'm pretty sure the word was 'status' though.

I feel my heart ache for her. I can't believe Ripple would say that to her own daughter! "Hey, Splashy... Your mommy loves you. She just wants what's best for you, that's all" I say, trying to comfort her.

"Then why does she always say mean things?! Why can't I be fwiends with you, Jakey? Why do I have to pway with the other cubs at the daycare if you're my best fwiend?" She asks, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes. It absolutely breaks my heart to see her like this, and I feel so angry at Ripple for making her feel this way. I know what it's like to have a parent who isn't very kind, but she's still so young, and it's not fair to put that kind of pressure on her! Come on!

"Hey, it's okay. I understand what you're feeling" I say, hugging her tightly. "But look at the positive side of it, richer friends means better toys too!" I say, trying to steer the conversation to a lighter note. She giggles a little, but it's a start.

"Jakey is funny..." She says, still giggling. "But I want mommy to not yell at Jakey for being good..."

"Aww, baby girl... I wish your mom would understand that too..." I say, sighing. However, I can't tell her what I think of her mother. I know she loves Ripple too, and me talking shit about her mother is not what little Splash needs. "Hey, I have an idea! Why don't we go get some ice cream, and then I'll take you to the playground?" I ask, hoping to cheer her up.

"Yes! Yay! I love ice cream!" She says, bouncing in my arms.

"Okay, then. Let's get going" I say, setting her down. I grab my wallet and keys, and we head out the door. I know Ripple won't be back until 8 P.M, which gives me plenty of time to spend with Splash. I've mostly finished the work for today, so I feel good about it.

We make our way to the ice cream parlor, laughing and talking the whole way. Splash is such a joy to be around, and it's easy to forget about all the stresses of my life when I'm with her. We order our ice cream and find a table to sit at. I watch as Splash eagerly devours her scoop, making a mess all over her face and fur.

"Splash... I think you missed your mouth, sweetheart" I say with a chuckle as I grab a napkin and help her clean up.

"Oh, noes!" She says with a giggle. "I'm just a silly cub..."

"Hey, we're all silly sometimes, baby girl. It's okay" I say, ruffling her fur, as I take out a napkin and start cleaning her muzzle with it. "Mmm... ice cream... so delicious... so creamy..." I say, also dirtying my face a bit so she doesn't feel bad about it.

"Yummy!" She laughs, looking at my messy face. "And Jakey eats ice cream like a puppy!"

"Yeah, well, puppies know what's good," I say with a grin. "Want to take a selfie together, to remember this moment?"

"Yay! I wanna take a pwecious photo with my bestest fwiend!" She exclaimed with joy, putting on her best smile.

I pull out my phone and snap a couple of photos of us, making sure to get the ice cream in the shot. We look happy and carefree, and for a moment, I feel like everything is right in the world. Splash and I are together, and that's all that matters.

After we finish our ice cream, we make our way to the park. It's a beautiful afternoon, and the park is full of people enjoying the sunshine. We find an empty bench and sit down, people-watching for a while.

"Jakey? Can I ask you something?" Splash asks, looking up at me.

"Of course, baby girl. What is it?" I ask, putting my arm around her shoulders.

"Why are people always nice to mommy? Why do they like her even if she's mean?" She asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

I sigh, trying to think of the best way to explain it. Holy shit, she might be a small cub, but her social intelligence is way on another level than expected for someone her age! "Well, Splash... You see, your mommy is famous. People like her because of that. But it doesn't mean she's always nice or fair" I say carefully. "Sometimes, famous people can be mean because they think they're better than everyone else. But that's not the truth. Everyone is equal, no matter how much money or fame they have. It's an issue, but also poor people have issues too… we all have, little pumpkin." I say, patting her head.

"But mommy says I have to be nice to important people, and to keep my fwiends secret, or I'll get in trouble!" She says, looking worried.

"Aww, honey... I'm sorry your mom said that. But you don't have to keep me a secret" I say, hugging her close. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what. And you kno? I think it's important to be kind to everyone, not just the important people. Because you never know when you might need someone to help you or be your friend."

"Really, Jakey? But what if mommy yells at me?" She asks, still looking concerned.

"Then, mommy will have to deal with me" I say, my voice turning serious. I don't want to scare her, but I want her to know that I'll always protect her. "I promise, I'll make sure your mom doesn't yell at you. Okay?"

"Okay, Jakey," She says, snuggling up to me. "You're my hero..."

"Aww, thanks baby girl" I say, kissing the top of her head. "You're my little hero too..." I say as I shed another silent tear. I know I need to be careful and not say anything too rebellious, but I also want to make sure Splash knows that she's special and loved, no matter what her mother might say.

"Well, enough thinking, Splashy! How about playing chase? You're it!" I say, tapping her on the shoulder before taking off running.

"Yay! I'm gonna catch you, Jakey!" She cries out, chasing after me with a gleeful laugh.

We spend the next hour running and playing, having the time of our lives. I feel so grateful for this moment, for the chance to spend time with Splash and make her happy. She's a gift, and I'll always cherish the time we spend together. However, it's true what they say about 'The poor's happiness is short-lived'. As I'm playing with her at the park in the neighborhood, I start to hear whispers of the humans and pokémon alikewere there. I've always known this neighborhood has more than a few prominent and wealthy individuals, but I really had the illusion they weren't as closed-minded... but I was REALLY wrong...

"Look, he dresses like a beggar... I wonder what he's doing here..."

"Who cares, as long as he stays away from us. He probably stole something."

"Well, I heard he's the help of that celebrity, the one with the cute cub..."

"He's so... unclean... He doesn't belong here."

I start to feel out of place... I wore my normal street clothes, and nobody said anything about that back where I lived before, right? However, soon...

"That man is filthy! He shouldn't be playing with cubs like that... I bet he'll spread lots of diseases..."

"Hmmph... I think the only reason he's playing with the cub is that he probably is a pedophile or something!"

As the intensity of the statements QUICKLY escalates, my fists clench in rage, feeling my cheeks heat up and my whole body tensing. I want to shout at them, tell them they have no right to judge me or talk about me like that.

If I got to know who was the retarded faggot who said that, I bet I would cross their face right in place, but sadly, I didn't. They might take out their best clothing and fashion, but they all made sure to leave decency at home!

"Hey, Jakey!" I hear Splash calling, bringing me back to reality. She runs over and hugs my leg tightly. "I got you! You're it now, Jakey!"

I force a smile, trying not to let my anger show. "Okay, little one. But it's getting late, and we should head back home before mommy arrives." I say as I guide her out of the park immediately. I try to push the nasty comments out of my mind, but it's hard. The words sting like little daggers, and I feel the heat of shame and humiliation creeping up my neck.

As the sun starts to set, I know it's time for us to head back. We make our way to the car, hand in paw. I look down at Splash, feeling a surge of love and protectiveness. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and happy, I swear it. No one, not even her mother, will ever hurt her.

We arrive back at the mansion, and I walk Splash to the front door, making sure to keep her away from the prying eyes of the neighbors. I don't want them to see her with me and start spreading more gossip.

"Okay, baby girl. It's time for you to go inside. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I say, kneeling down and giving her a hug.

"Okay, Jakey. I had so much fun with you today!" She says, hugging me back tightly. "Can we do it again tomorrow?"

"Of course, sweetheart. I'll always have time for you" I say, ruffling her fur. "Now, go on inside and get ready for when mama Ripple arrives. I love you, little one." I say, giving her a childish salute as I smile.

"I love you too, Jakey" She says, before she starts walking towards the mansion but... I swear the door is opening itself...? Oh no... don't tell me... I look at my watch and see it's 8:20 PM…

Chapter 3

"Where have you been, Splash?! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Ripple exclaims, looking furious. I immediately hold my breath. Oh fuck...

"M-Mommy! I was with Jakey! We went for ice cream and played at the park!" Splash says, smiling up at her mother. I was hoping she could lie about it, but well, I can't blame her, she is a cub at all, it's not her fault... Poor Splash!

"Go back to your r- WHAT?" Ripple exclaims as she looks at Splash and then at me, her eyes blazing with anger. I can feel the blood draining from my face and my soul falling to my feet as she processes what has happened. "JAKE! JAKE! WHAT IN THE *FUCKING* HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH MY DAUGHTER?!" She shouts, her voice shaking with fury.

"I-I..." I stutter, as I've been caught. There is really no way to escape this. I have no choice but to accept my punishment. I never should have let Splash convince me to take her out, but her situation and how she trusts me really convinced me that I could help her... "I'm sorry..." I say looking at the floor in defeat. However, I gulp as I see Ripple start to walk towards me in a threatening manner. She might just be as tall as my chest, but god, she can be SO scary...

"SORRY! ARE YOU FUCKING SORRY?! YOU'LL SEE NOW, FILTHY SEWER RATTATA! YOU WON'T EVER PLAY WITH MY DAUGHTER AGAIN, EVER! YOU'RE A DISGUSTING, ROTTEN FAGGOT! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY DAUGHTER WITH YOUR DIRTY FILTHY HANDS?!" She says as she looks back to Splash, which turns out, was frozen in place, standing in the hall, watching everything, to my dismay. "SPLASH GO WASH YOUR PAWS RIGHT NOW! YOU MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN DISEASES FROM THIS PILE OF CRAP!" *She says, pointing at me*

"B-But mommy, I-I don't feel sick! And Jakey didn't do anything ba-"

"DO WHAT I TOLD YOU, CUB! WASH YOUR PAWS NOW, OR YOU'LL GET IN VERY VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE!" Ripple yells again, causing Splash to cry instantly, rushing off the hall and up the stairs with a couple sobs.

"Splash! Splash, wait, it's okay baby! I'm fine, please don't cry!" I say, feeling my heart ache. But Splash is gone, and now it's just me and Ripple... The feeling of dread sinks in as I prepare for the worst. The whole situation is escalating to a critical point and...

"AND YOU SON OF A FUCKING BITCH, COME INSIDE THE FUCKING HOUSE NOW, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MORE OF A NUMBER FOR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD TO HEAR!" She yells at me like a maniac, pointing towards the living room while her whole body trembles in anger. She really doesn't take prisoners today, that's for sure. I hesitantly walk towards the house, feeling like a lamb walking towards its slaughter as she holds me by the arm, draining blood with her claws. She's fucking scary, man, just by looking at her!

I am almost dragged into the living room, my heart pounding in my chest. I know I'm in for a world of hurt. I take a seat on the couch, trying to keep my composure. Ripple stands in front of me, her arms crossed and her face red with rage.

"WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING, JAKE?!" She demands, her voice shaking. "WHEN I SAID YOU WERE TO CLEAN THE FUCKING POOL, I MEANT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO CLEAN THE FUCKING POOL, NOT GO OUT AND PLAY WITH MY FUCKING DAUGHTER LIKE SHE WAS YOURS!"

"Miss Ripple, I-I'm" I beg, but I'm interrupted.

"SILENCE, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT! I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING EXCUSES!" She screams as she slaps me, the sound echoing through the room. "YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO KNOW YOUR PLACE! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A SLAVE, A SERVANT, SOMEONE WHO I CAN TELL TO DO WHATEVER I FUCKING WANT YOU TO DO! NOTHING MORE!"

I keep staring at the ground, trying to hold back the tears. I feel like a child being scolded, and it hurts. But it's not just my physical pain. It's the pain of knowing that I've disappointed Splash now, that I said I would help her be happy, and I ended up doing the diametral opposite.

"P-please..." I say, my voice cracking. But she doesn't care.

"PLEASE?! WHAT, NOW YOU'RE GOING TO FUCKING PLEAD FOR MERCY, IS THAT IT?!" She asks, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "WELL, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, JAKE. MERCY IS NOT A FUCKING OPTION FOR A DISGUSTING BASTARD LIKE YOU. I OWN YOU, AND I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT WITH YOU!"

She grabs my shirt, yanking me to my feet. I can feel her claws digging into my skin, and I know she could easily rip my flesh if she wanted to. "AND IF I EVER FIND OUT THAT YOU'VE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF MY DAUGHTER IN ANY WAY, I WILL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU SUFFER BEFORE YOU DIE!" She hisses, her eyes flashing with malice.

I swallow hard, trying to convey wordlessly what I'm not allowed to explain, but...

"MOMMY! NOOO! WHAT AWE YOU DOING!" Splash cries out as she appears in the living room, wrapping her arms around my leg, sobbing.

Ripple suddenly stands up and approaches her daughter. I relax a bit, thinking she will at least try to get her to leave again but...

SLAP!*"WHAT DIDN'T YOU UNDERSTAND?! GO WASH YOUR FUCKING FACE IMMEDIATELY!"

"AAH!" Splash screams as she crouches to the floor, crying in pain. In that very same moment, I feel all my feelings and sensation disappear, all consumed by a fiery rage that would put to shame the wildest Charizard's one. There were MANY, MANY red lines I've allowed her and the ones she mixes with cross. I've been treated like a slave. I've been treated like a pet. I've literally lost a family member because of people her kin failing me. I've been called a beggar. God, I've even been called a pedophile! But the very same second I heard Ripple slapping her daughter, that was the last one, the only thing that would ever trigger a switch on me.

In an instant, I stand up, my body aching from the rough treatment. I don't care if she kills me right in place, at least, I'll have been useful once in my life. "YOU BETTER APOLOGIZE TO YOUR DAUGHTER RIGHT NOW!" I demand, my voice shaking with barely contained fury. I hear myself but I feel detached, like a third person is talking. I have never been this angry in my whole life!

"WHAT?!" Ripple spits, looking at me like I'm crazy. "YOU MUST HAVE LOST YOUR MIND, FAGGOT! I WON'T DO ANYTHING YOU ASK FOR, IDIOT!"

"WELL, MAYBE IF YOU DID, YOUR DAUGHTER WOULD LOVE YOU INSTEAD OF FEARING YOU!" I retort, my hands clenched into fists. "YOU ARE A TERRIBLE MOTHER! ALL YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IS YELL AND SCREAM AND ORDER EVERYONE AROUND YOU! YOU NEVER SHOW HER ANY LOVE, ANY AFFECTION! SHE LOVES YOU, AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS TREAT HER LIKE CRAP! YOU DON'T HAVE A HEART AT ALL!"

Ripple stares at me, her eyes wide with shock. I know I've crossed a line, but I don't care. I'm done taking her shit. I've had enough.

Ripple turns back slowly, dangerously, and starts walking towards me, with pure hatred in her eyes. "YOU BETTER NOT DARE TO TALK ABOUT SPLASH, NOT ONCE MORE IN YOUR FUCKING LIFE" She says as I see the musculature of her lean build twitch behind her fluffy, lush fur. "You think I'm not big enough, brat? I can easily FUCKING SPLIT YOU IN HALF, AND NO ONE WILL EVER BEAT AN EYE, YOU HEAR ME, ASSHOLE?!"

"Do whatever you want, anyways, I'll have the rest of the eternity to see you rot in hell..." I say, my tone lowering to normal as a part of me begins to actually expect her to finish me with an attack I would have little to no chance to survive. And you know what? The hell with it.

"JAKE P. SELLERS," She screams, but I hold her gaze. "YOU ARE FIRED! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, RIGHT NOW!" She says, her voice filled with venom as she grabs her phone and dials something. I hear some voice in the other line, and the words 'security' make my skin crawl, but that's all I hear before I quickly leave, knowing I'll be in DEEP trouble if I don't do so quickly. As I leave, I bump into Splash, who still stood there, crying, her little paw on her red cheek. I slowly stroke her head, feeling a mix of regret and relief.

"Remember what I said, that you are my little hero?" I say, kneeling down to her level. She nods with a little sniffle. "Heroes are famous. Heroes are important. Heroes are strong. But heroes, above all that, are kind, and compassionate, okay?" I say with a strong, firm voice as I also nod, wanting her to do so too.

She finally nods, but her face is still full of sadness and fear. "Whenever you think of me, let it be as a cub, or as a grown up, remember I want you to be the hero your friends deserve, okay?" I say with a weak smile as I stand up. I can't help but feel like I've failed her. "Goodbye, Splash." I say, ruffling her fur once more as I turn around and leave the mansion, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

I'm not sure what the future holds for me now, but I know one thing for certain: Even if I end up dying out of hunger, I will, at least, die knowing that I stood up for what I believed in. And that... That's something no amount of money will ever buy.

As I walk out of the mansion, I quickly get in my car and leave, as I see cops start to arrive at the mansion through the rearview. Once I leave my rented flat, I don't know where I'm going, probably I'll have to find a way to go back to my inherited family's house in Kanto, but I'll figure it out later. All I know is that I can't go back to that mansion ever again…

But as I drive, I can't shake the image of Splash's tear-stained face out of my mind. I feel like I've abandoned her, and that thought tears me apart inside.

It's almost midnight when I make it to my still-rented flat, letting out a shaky breath, feeling as if I've literally been through the wringer. I get out of the car and make my way to the entrance of the building, my body aching and my mind racing. I take the stairs up to the third floor, trying to keep my footsteps quiet so as not to wake my neighbors. I reach my door and unlock it, stepping inside my small, cramped apartment. It feels empty and lonely, but I guess it's an issue with my life rather than the room. I take a shower, trying to wash away the grime and the memories of the day. I wrap a towel around my waist and make my way into the living room, flopping down on the couch as I turn on the TV. I flip through the channels, not really paying attention to what's on, until I lay my sight on an advert that makes my eyes go wide.

"Tomorrow, Tuesday the 23th, only on channel thirteen, you will be able to see the promotional show for the new Sunny Circus show, the 'Magical Water Rink'. Don't miss it!" The voice on the TV says, making my blood run cold.

"Magical Water Rink..." I whisper, my heart starting to pound. but soon, the narrator speaks again.

"Starring the phenomenal Blade the Absol, Flareheart the Braixen, and... The world's best waterbender artist... Ripple the Floatzel!" I hear the same voice say, as if the whole world is playing against me now.

"Live from Sinnoh's Colosseum at 5 P.M, don't miss the most magical show in the world!" The TV host says with an exaggerated smile.

I feel like I'm going to be sick. I turn off the TV, feeling completely drained. I know I should try to sleep, but my mind is too full of thoughts. I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare, and I don't know how to wake up.

Finally, around 3 AM, I give up on trying to sleep and make my way to my laptop, booted and connected to the internet. I start searching for anything I can find about the Magical Water Rink, hoping to get some more insight of the show, just out of curiosity. I discover it is something that has to do with acrobatics at extreme heights, but nothing more.

By the time I shut down the laptop, the sun is already rising, and I decide it will be a better idea to start packing up to leave, hoping the landlord gets compassionate of me and returns me the equivalent part of the month I'm not going to stay in, even if it's just a little. I walk through the small apartment, looking around, trying to decide what to take with me. I don't have much, just a few clothes and some personal items. But I still feel overwhelmed, not knowing where to begin.

I start by packing up my clothes, throwing them into a duffel bag. I then move on to my books, carefully packing them into another bag. I look around the apartment, wondering what else I should take. I notice the small urn in the corner, and I feel a pang of sadness. It's the ashes of my younger sister, the only family I had left. I take it off the shelf, holding it close to my chest.

"I promise, Barbara, I'll find a way to stay strong" I whisper, my voice cracking. "I don't know how, but I'll do it."

I pack the urn into the duffel bag, along with the rest of my things. I look around one last time, making sure I haven't forgotten anything. I take one last look at the apartment, feeling a mix of sadness and relief. This place has been my home for the past two years, but I know it's time to move on.

I make my way out of the apartment, locking the door behind me. I take the elevator down to the ground floor, dragging my bags behind me. Then, I tell my landlord I'm leaving, and give him the keys. Unlike many of them, my landlord actually is a nice man, and handed me 100 bucks to help with the trip in compensation for leaving one week earlier, which I really appreciated.

I step out of the building, feeling a sense of uncertainty. It wasn't a dream job, but I certainly didn't expect to be leaving in these terms. I have a long, long trip by car to the place where I came from, so, the earlier I start, the sooner I'll arrive, although it will be impossible to arrive in less than two days. I make it to my car, and I leave all my packages in the trunk.

As I start my car and drive, I can't help but look back at the apartment building, one last time, with a nostalgic smile. I feel a mix of emotions as I remember my life there, the good memories and the bad ones, but, for some reason, I don't feel well. It's not something physical, or purely emotional... It's like something in my head was telling me to not leave, at least not today. That it was going to be dangerous or something. I was a fool if I thought it, I was just paranoid or something, but it was like my whole body felt against leaving just today, for some reason.

I shake my head and ignore the feeling, starting my car. I had to go home, as this was probably my last chance to do so, and I wouldn't throw it away just because my body was playing mind games with me.

But, as I was leaving the city, my eyes couldn't help but see the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen in my life. The sky was painted in the most perfect combination of colors, it was absolutely stunning. I literally had to stop my car to look at it, because I was mesmerized, feeling as if I was under some spell or something. The sun looked like a burning pearl, and the clouds were absolutely ethereal.

Twenty minutes later, I went back to my car, and started to drive away, only to see I was running out of gas. It probably was because I forgot to refill the tank yesterday, in all the mess, but I just had to stop in the middle of nowhere, or go back to the city, because there was no way for me to make it anywhere too far.

I got out of the car, cursing myself for my stupidity as I checked the map on my phone. Sure, there were many gas stations in the city, but I would have to make a LONG queue, which would imply a time I didn't want to lose in travel, especially if I had no choice but to be the last one in the queue.

I was about to go back when I felt a tense calm, such as it happens with the calm before a storm. I could literally feel my hairs stand up on my head, as if the sun itself was telling me what I had to do. I tried to brush it off, telling myself it was just paranoia, but, seeing I really had no other alternative, I went with it, and ended up returning to the city, even if it was just for refueling before starting the journey. I made my way to the gas station closest to where I had stopped, and, as I supposed, there was a never-ending queue.

But as I waited there, my mind couldn't help but go back to that weird feeling I had in the morning... The strange calm before the storm, the beautiful sunrise... The fear... Something was telling me it had all been a warning...

"Hello...?" I said to myself, as I took the money out to pay, although it was, at least, a couple hours until I could leave again...

"Fuck it. I'm going to go back and see what the hell is this about..." I muttered to myself, a mix of fear and excitement bubbling inside me. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew I had to find out, no matter what it would take me. I drove back to the spot where I first had seen the sunrise, and as soon as I arrived, the feeling I had that morning intensified, as if the whole city was surrounded by some sort of forcefield that disallowed me to leave somehow.

I took a few breaths, hoping there was nothing bad about my health, although I decided to go have a medicine pill I was prescribed back when I caught a cold early last week. I waited a security time, trying to not think too much as the medicine took effect, but, once I really decided upon starting to drive away no matter what, stormy clouds like I hadn't seen in a long time started to gather on top of the city. I could swear I was back in a place like Geodude Desert, or something similar, but just at the outskirts of the city! How the hell was that even possible?

Obviously, such clouds weren't the prelude of nothing, and, before I could drive too far, the rain started to pour, with hail and lightning included. I parked my car in a shopping center, trying to stay safe as I waited for the storm to subside. Then, the feeling I've had since early in the morning came back to me... What if it was something else, something more?

I waited there for what felt like ages, until hunger started to get the best of me. It was past 3 P.M. and I hadn't eaten since yesterday's evening. I walked around the place, until I found Taco Dong, a shop of what was, probably, the worst fast food chain I'd ever been in, but, well, hunger is the father of desperation, so there you have it.

I made my order and ate quietly, watching the news on my phone as I did so... And, just a minute after I started browsing, my breath hitched as I stumbled upon an ad with... a photo of Ripple in a performer attire! It was the one I had seen on TV, reminding me it would start at 5 P.M, a little more than an hour later!

My jaw hit the floor as I kept watching the ad in repeat, feeling the very same feeling I had in the car… with no doubt at all... The clouds were... a message. A sign. A warning. They wanted me to know I had to watch her show! But why? What did she have to do with me? And what was the connection with the 'Magical Water Rink'?

I thought for a moment, wondering what I should do. I took a peek through an emergency door, observing how the hailstorm still raged outside, and my car wasn't really an option until it calmed down. I looked back at my phone, and saw it was already 4:20 P.M. I had nothing to do, nothing to lose at this point, so I decided to make myself comfortable at one of those almost empty bars inside the shopping mall, and luckily, I found one with a pretty large screen, displaying the channel in which the show was about to start. I ordered a drink, and waited patiently until 5 P.M. When the time came, I started to feel an incredible anxiety, but I tried my best to relax, while still wondering what the hell was happening with me. Sure, I had been a fan of Ripple's shows back when she was starting and I was a kid, but, after all the ordeal... She was the last Pokémon I would want to watch, especially under these conditions.

Five minutes after the show started, my eyes were glued to the TV, as I saw the host appear on screen. He was a pokémon trainer who was said to be extremely famous, and was about to show the viewers a show like no other in his whole career, one that would be remembered for the rest of our lives... I couldn't help but smile, because I knew, deep down, this act was going to be something really special. I sat there, watching, my heart starting to pound faster as the seconds passed, the excitement bubbling inside me...

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Magical Water Rink! I am your host, Frank Thomas, and I'm excited to be here today! But don't you think it's a shame I'm just the one who is introducing such a wonderful show, when our true star is just waiting to shine in all her glory? Well, fear not! For this very special event, we have brought not one, not two, but THREE amazing pokémon to participate in our show! Three, beautiful, strong, and, above all, PRETTY POWERFUL POKEMON! And you know what? When they join together, they can perform magic beyond our wildest dreams! So, please, welcome them all to the stage, the crowd's favorite, and the TRUE stars of the show... Blade the Absol, Flareheart the Braixen, and... Riiiiiiiiiiiiippple the Floatzel!."

I was speechless as the applause and cheers of the audience exploded through the TV, and I couldn't stop myself from joining in, as my body was shivering with excitement. Fate itself seemed to make me enjoy such a performance, so the least I could do was to do it. I was the only person in the bar, sitting there, alone, watching the show. I don't know why, but it felt wrong, as if I was part of a forbidden secret club or something. I smiled to myself, wondering why the hell I would feel that way, but I quickly forgot about it as my focus went back to the show.

The performance started, and it was, well, truly magical! Ripple and the other two pokémon were absolutely stunning! They were performing some of the most incredible acrobatics I had ever seen, moving seamlessly through the air with grace and precision. And the audience was going wild! Cheers, applause, shouts of admiration... The show was a massive success!

But as I watched, I couldn't shake the feeling that I couldn't leave yet, that I had to remain glued in place for a bit longer. I watched the show with rapt attention, marveling at every moment of it. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. Something about the whole situation just didn't feel right.

Then, the moment arrived, the peak of the show, when all three pokémon came together to perform one final, breathtaking trick. A few gymnastic rings came down from a TRULY impressive height, and the two other pokémon quickly took hold of Ripple, just before using a powerful attack each, propelling her up in the air at a speed that defied all physics known to mankind, lifting her exactly where the rings were placed. What a precision!

She jumped through the rings flawlessly, one by one, then performed a magnificent flip in the air, as she got to another of the rings further ahead, the second last one. The audience was silent, waiting for the final move, holding their breath. And then...

...Ripple swiftly jumped, letting go of the ring, propelling herself first with her paw, then, with her feet, as she started to fly a great distance to the last ring as if it was a slow-motion replay, making me think I could even hear the sound of the air caressing and waving her thick fur as if I was there somehow.

The shiny pearls of the outfit she wore also sparkled in the spotlight as she made the jump, as if she was an angel leaving a trail of shimmering stars behind her. It was such an enchanting moment, each second feeling like an hour to me...

...And then, the last ring came into view. Ripple was quickly flying towards it, following a well-calculated trajectory in the air that would get her to the ring perfectly... But, just a couple seconds before she got there, a gentle, almost imperceptible blow of wind blew in, making the ring sway mere millimeters from its original position. As soon as I noticed, I let out a silent scream as Ripple swerved her arm in an attempt to correct the trajectory, the single frame in which her paw skimmed the surface of the ring getting etched deep into my eyes...

...Then, my world became completely still, even more if possible, as the camera followed her path to the floor, a sickening three seconds that were completely silent until...

BANG!*

Chapter 4

The sound of a perfect cannonball hit traveled through the audience, breaking the silence and triggering a massive gasp. Ripple's body crashed against the floor of the Colosseum, her face and stomach hitting the floor at once like a ton of bricks. My heart stopped as I saw how Ripple's body spasmed a couple times before a red pool of blood started to emerge from underneath her body as she lay there, completely motionless. Just then, the cameraman seems to fumble with the camera, quickly shutting it off, triggering a screen test, effectively ending the broadcast.

"NO! SHIT, SHIT!" I screamed, standing up and running to my car, noticing the face of horror of all the people who were in one place or another watching the show as I quickly made my way to the garage. "SPLASH!" I scream out loud as I get in my car. "I need to take her with me, I need to take her with me!" I keep screaming as I drive out of the parking lot at full speed, driving through the city as if the devil himself was chasing after me, the wipers doing all they could to sweep the water from the windshield.

My mind was completely blank, empty, as I drove through the city at an incredible speed. I just knew I had to get to the mansion, I had to see her, and had to be sure she was okay. My hands were trembling on the wheel, and I could barely see anything through the tears in my eyes, but, at that point, I didn't really care if I crashed or not. I quickly turned on the radio, hoping to maybe find any news about the accident, which, obviously, was the most important thing anyone was talking about.

"Breaking news: The most shocking event in the history of Sunny Circus! The legendary performer, Ripple the Floatzel, has just suffered an extremely serious accident during the Magical Water Rink! The star performer fell from a great height, crashing into the Colosseum floor! Authorities have confirmed that she has been immediately rushed to the Pokémon hospital in a desperate critical condition! All fans of this iconic superstar are urged to keep their phones and computers handy to any news that may come in the hours to come!"

I slammed my fist against the wheel in frustration as I listened to the horrible news. I couldn't believe it, it had to be a dream, a nightmare, a twisted, cruel joke! This couldn't be happening! Not Ripple! I just HAD to get to her daughter and figure out what to do with her! What do I tell her? What do I do with her?

As I crossed the bridge, I quickly slammed the entry access bar, sending it swirling around in the air and making a couple of pieces of it fall onto the front of the car. I didn't care about that. I simply drove through the posh district at breakneck speed, blowing through multiple red lights and swerving in and out of oncoming traffic.

I finally made it to the mansion and slammed on the gas, blowing apart the doors that led to the garden of the mansion. Luckily, it seems no one was at home yet, as Splash was supposed to be in the mansion, to the care of some of the staff.

"Rob! Rob! Do you hear me?! It's Jake! Open the fucking door!" I screamed as I rang to the entrance, but no one answered. I didn't have time for this shit. I grabbed a paving stone from the ground and threw it through a nearby window, breaking the glass and causing an alarm to go off.

"Splash! Splash, where are you?!" I yelled as I climbed through the window, my body covered in cuts and bruises. I ran through the mansion, looking for any sign of her. Finally, I found her in her room, sitting on her bed reading a story book. Thank goodness she wasn't watching the show!

"Jakey! Jakey, you came ba-"

"Splash, dear, we have to go, now!We cannot stay here for now!" I say, not wanting anyone to tell her what happened. On top of that, now that her mother isn't with her, and there's no apparent further family to take care of her, her life might be in danger if anyone knows she's there alone.

"But why, Jakey? I don't wanna go to the daycawe!" She whines.

"No, no, no, no more daycare. You are coming with me, hm? With your friend Jakey! Remember that I promised I would be here for you?" I say with a sad smile, before I quickly pack a bag with a couple of her most important things. It's taking my whole life to not crumble in front of her.

"Oh, yeeess! I'm coming with you Jakey! Splash is your fwiend!" She says as her eyes sparkle with excitement, although I can tell she was sad about having to leave her home, and, for some reason, I also started to feel really sad for her. We made our way back to my car, and, as soon as I had Splash in the back seat, I drove off, determined to put as much distance between us and this house as possible. I made my way back through the city, trying to avoid the police that were surely looking for me by now.

However, I wasn't paying attention to the radio, and soon...

"...and twenty-six degrees in Goldenrod. Recently in our redaction, we have received a new report about the tragic incident that took place in the C-" It radiates before I power it off for good. Not when I had Splash in the car. I kept driving, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to take her somewhere safe, where she could be protected. I thought of my old hometown, Kanto. It was a long drive, but I knew I could find someone to help me there. Maybe I could even find a new home for us.

As I drove, I kept glancing at Splash in the rearview mirror. She was so innocent, so pure. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

We drove for hours, not saying much. I tried to keep my mind off of what had happened to Ripple, but it was impossible. I replayed the moment over and over in my head, the sickening sound of her body hitting the floor echoing in my ears. I felt guilty for not being there to help her, for not being able to save her. But most of all, I felt a deep, aching sadness. She was a terrible mother, but she didn't deserve this. No one did.

Finally, as the sun started to set, I pulled off the highway into a rest area. I parked the car and turned off the ignition, taking a deep breath. I looked back at Splash, who was starting to doze off.

"Jakey... are we almost there?" She asks sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

"Almost, little one. We're going to take a little nap, okay? Then we'll get back on the road" I say softly, giving her a gentle smile.

"Okay, Jakey" She says, snuggling up against her favorite stuffed animal, a white and pink Wishiwashi she named 'Whisey'. I watch her for a moment, feeling a wave of protectiveness wash over me. I would give my life for her.

I get out of the car and walk around for a bit, trying to clear my head. I feel so tired, so drained. But I can't stop. I have to keep going, for Splash. However, I can't help but turn on my mobile phone to browse the news, only to see that... As I had feared, the incident with Ripple was already being covered by every single media outlet in the country. It wasn't clear what was transpiring, and the authorities kept urging people to keep all speculation at bay, but one thing was clear: She had been taken to a hospital immediately, and her life was in serious danger. My heart clenched as I read the words, the reality of the situation hitting me like a punch to the gut.

I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away. I can't think about that now. I have to focus on Splash. I get back in the car, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before continuing our journey. As I lay down in the front seat, I can't help but wonder what the future holds. What will happen to Splash now? Will she be taken away from me? The thought makes my stomach twist into knots.

I close my eyes, trying to get myself to sleep. But it's impossible. My mind is racing, my body is tense. I keep replaying the events of the day in my head, over and over again. Finally, sometime in the early hours of the morning, I must have drifted off, because I woke up to the feeling of a soft paw pushing onto my face.

"Jakey... Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!" I hear a sweet voice say, making my eyelids flutter open.

"Oh... M-Morning, Splash... Did you sleep well?" I ask as I look at my watch, noticing it's already 7:15 A.M. It wouldn't have been ideal to sleep for much longer, but at least I've gotten some rest, even if it was hardly any.

"Uh-huh! I had a pwetty paw of a dream! I dreamt we were pwaying and eating lots of ice cream! And y-you were there too!" She says with a giggle.

"Oh, wow! That sounds like a great dream, little one. I wish we could make it come true" I say with a smile, feeling my heart swell with love for her. "But for now, we should get going. We have a long drive ahead of us." I say before looking her into the eyes. "But... if you are a good, patient cub, I promise we will eat as much ice-cream as you can as soon as we arrive in Kanto! Deal?" I say, giving her a thumbs up, which she returns with a paw-friendly equivalent.

"Deal! Ice cream and Jakey, the bestest things in the whole world!" She cheers excitedly, making me laugh as I finally start the car again. I leave the rest area, and, once again, I'm driving as fast as I can on the highway. I keep my eyes fixed ahead, except for the very brief moments I allow myself to look at the mirror, watching Splash count yellow cars and Pidgeys. She is my little hero...

I keep driving until 2 P.M. when I parked in a service area to have something to launch. "Splash, tell me, which one would you like?" I ask, knowing we would have to choose something quickly, as I was already a bit hungry.

"I want a chocolate one with loooots of cream!" She says as she rubs her hands together.

"Then, we will have a chocolate one, with lots of cream! Let's go inside!" I say with a warm smile as we make our way inside the shop. If it was another situation, I would've told Splash to choose a bit more of a healthy option, but, considering she might just be a little cub about to lose her only family, I didn't really want her to eat just potatoes or carrots at the moment... It reminds me of some other story I know a little too well...

"Hey! Order number 52! A chocolate muffin with chocolate and cream and a standard ham sandwich!" I hear someone shouting, which makes me turn around. "Mine!" I say as I stand up and take the order, before carrying it back to the table.

"For my little princess!" I say as I give her the muffin, also hugging her.

"Ah... Jakey... You are the best!" She says as I sit with her.

"I'm glad you think so, my little cub... I'm glad..." I say, as I realize it was the first time I called her that way, which I actually liked a lot. The muffin must be delicious, but I bet it isn't as near as delicious as the image of her munching on it happily, without a care in the world. She deserves all the happiness and love in the world, and I will make sure she gets it, even if I have to fight for it!

As we finished eating, I decided it was time to get back on the road. As soon as I got to the car, I checked my phone and noticed I had received a message. It was from Rob. He was telling me that he was fine, and that the mansion was currently empty, as all the staff had been dismissed due to the incident. He also asked about me, but I quickly sent him a message saying that I was okay, that I had gone back home to Kanto to stay with my family for a while, and that he should take care of himself. I didn't want him to worry, as I knew he would try to help us if he found out the truth.

I started the car and continued driving, my mind still racing. I couldn't stop thinking about Ripple, about what had happened to her. I had so many questions, so many doubts. But I knew I had to keep going, to keep moving forward. For Splash.

As the hours passed, the scenery started to change. The rolling hills and lush forests soon started to give way to a more desertic landscape, and the air seemed to grow warmer. I knew we were getting closer to Kanto, and my heart started to beat a little faster in anticipation.

Finally, as the sun was starting to set, I saw the familiar signs welcoming me back to the region. I felt a mix of emotions as we got there, that feeling one only notices when they arrive in their hometown, their place, where they were born and raised. It was a sense of comfort, of nostalgia, but also one of anxiety... What would I find here? How would people react to me after all these years? And most importantly, would I be able to protect Splash here?

"Look Splash! We have just entered Kanto! Have you been to Kanto before?" I ask with curiosity, and then Splash answers making a 'no' gesture with her head. "Well, you are in for a treat! It's a huge region, and it has many beautiful places to visit! Are you excited to explore?" I say, feeling a bit of anxiety as I wait to receive a positive answer.

"Yay! I wanna see all the pwetty cities a..a-and play with the cubs in here and eat the yummy berries and..." She goes on and on, her eyes shining with excitement as she rattles off the things she wanted to do, which made me feel better.

I smile, knowing that she would love it here, and hoping that I could find a way to make all of her dreams come true. I keep driving, following the familiar roads, until we reach the small town, sunset already becoming a distant memory. I pull up in a spot near the house where I used to live.

I park the car and turn off the ignition, taking a deep breath. I look at Splash, who is staring at the houses in the neighborhood with a look of curiosity.

"This is where I grew up, Splash. It's my hometown" I say softly. "We're going to stay here for a while, okay? It's a nice, safe place."

"Okay, Jakey" She says, her voice small. "But why are houses smaller? Mommy's one is biiiiig!" She says, looking up at me with an expecting expression on her little face, yet it had no traces of sadness at all.

I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that I can't give her the life she was used to. "Well, you see... People... ahem, not all people can afford big, fancy houses, Splash. Some people have to live in smaller ones, like me" I say, trying to explain it in a way she could understand.

She nods, looking thoughtful. "Oh... I see... Mommy says that rich people are better than poor people."

I feel my blood boil at the mention of her mother, but, instead of what happened earlier, that feeling was soon overridden by the sorrow I felt for Ripple, and the fear that she might die and leave Splash without a mother. I can't believe I was thinking that way, but the situation was too complicated and painful to deal with in any other way.

"Splash, that's not true. People are people, no matter how rich or poor they are. It's what's inside that matters" I say firmly, sitting on the ground, tapping where I suppose her heart may be. "Here". I then place my hand on my chest, and tap once more. "And here". I say as I gently take her paw, and place it on her chest, making her pat it gently. "People can be good or bad, kind or mean, but they all have feelings, just like you do."

"But Jakey, mommy said..." She says before I stop her.

"Oh, Splash... I know you love your mom, and she loves you too, in her own way... But sometimes, mommies and daddies can be wrong about things. Does that make you angry?" I ask, waiting for her to think about it.

"No..." She says after a moment of silence, looking down. "Mommy never smiles... Jakey, where is mommy?"

I feel a lump form in my throat as I look at her. I wish I could have said something more comforting, but I didn't know what to say. Instead, I pull her into a tight hug, holding her close.

"That's okay, little one. I promise, we will find a way to smile again, okay?" I say, my voice cracking a bit. She hugs me back, and, in that moment, I can feel the love and trust she has for me. I know I have to be strong, for her sake.

I give her one last squeeze before standing up. "Okay, enough of that. Let's go find my house, hm?" I say with a smile, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

"Yeah!" She cheers, quickly getting up and taking my hand. We walk towards my old house, and as we get closer, I can see that the neighborhood has changed a little over the years. The paint of some houses is faded, others have been remodeled, but it's still the place I remember. It feels good to be back.

We walk up towards one of the streets, until we get to a house with the number '54' on it. "Here it is, Splash!" I say as I pull the key out to open the door. See? It's small, but it also has a garden with grass." I say as I open the front door, noticing the beautiful, small garden next to the house. As soon as I opened the door, I could swear I could feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me, remembering the times I used to spend in that place. The furniture was all very familiar to me, even the one or two places that were out of place, as my old neighbor used to leave the window open all the time, even on days where it was raining, which my father always used to scold him about, and a few other things that were already falling apart as well as the paint of a couple rooms, but this house... Well, it was still a beautiful place, which only made me more sad about having left it after my parents had passed away in the Kanto-Johtonian war back when I was a teenager.

"Wow... Jakey... Your house is beautiful! I love it!" She says as she runs to the middle of the living room, throwing her arms in the air and spinning around before jumping on the couch.

I laugh, feeling a sense of relief. "I'm glad you like it, Splash! Come on, let me show you your room" I say, walking to my old room. I open the door, and I sigh in nostalgia, as I remember the poster with a Raichu attacking a fierce Charizard is still on the wall. "Well, at least the decorations still remain" I say as I turn to Splash.

"What a pwetty poster, Jakey!" She says with a giggle.

"Haha, you're right, my dear. It was so cool when I was a kid, you know?" I say before smiling. "You should go take a nap, okay? I'll be right here with you"

"But I'm not tired!" She whines, her lower lip trembling.

"I know, sweetie. But you've been through a lot today, and you need some rest. I promise we'll have plenty of fun tomorrow, okay?" I say gently. I can't bear to see her upset.

"Okay..." She sighs, looking up at me with those big, sad eyes. "Will you hold me while I fall asleep?"

"Of course, little one" I say, lifting her into my arms. I carry her to my old bed, lying down next to her. "There you go. Get some sleep, okay?"

She snuggles up against me, her little paw holding mine tightly. I watch as her eyes flutter closed, and soon she is fast asleep, her little chest rising and falling gently. I lay there for a while, watching her, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. This is what matters, I tell myself. This little cub, this innocent soul who deserves so much more than what life has just given her.

Once she's in deep sleep, I gently leave, leaving the door open in case she needs something, and I go to the main bedroom, where my parents used to sleep. I look around, feeling a pang of sadness hit me as I notice a framed photo of my family, a photo of a much happier time, when my parents were alive and I was still a child, still full of hopes and dreams for the future. I look at it, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

I quickly shake the sadness off and sit on the bed, trying to focus on the present. I have to find a way to protect Splash, to make sure she's safe and taken care of. I know it won't be easy, but I'm determined to do whatever it takes.

As I sit there, thinking about what will happen next, I notice the phone buzzing in my pocket. I take it out and see that someone is, in fact, phoning me. I quickly fumble, switching on the light of the little bedside lamp as I answer the ring. "Hello? I'm speaking to?" I ask, thinking it was probably Rob or someone who I knew who was getting worried about Splash. but...

"Hello? Is it Jacob- sorry, Jake Parker Sellers on the line?" I hear a feminine voice asking. It sounded like someone who didn't expect to know me, but it also had a hint of urgency in her voice.

"Yeah, it's me, it's me. What's the matter? Who am I talking to?" I ask quickly, fearing it might be some sort of reporter or something.

"My name is Virginia, I am a Pokémon doctor at the Sinnoh Central Pokémon Hospital. I'm calling on behalf of a pokémon named Ripple. A Floatzel." She says very professionally, despite everyone knowing who she is. "Are you related, by any means, to the pokémon I have just mentioned?" She asks very politely.

"Ripple...? You mean the... the one from the Magical Water Rink, true?" I ask very nervously, my heart starting to pound in my chest, as I dread what I was about to hear.

"...Yes, that's right. Now, I don't know if you know her or not, but, if you don't mind, I would like to inform you about the situation, since you are the only person reachable or who has shown any interest in her, it seems" She says, her voice very soft, almost as if she was trying to give me a chance to back off and say I'm not related to her or something, but I couldn't, obviously. But... how come NO ONE gave a shit about her?! What the hell was wrong with those people?!

"Y-Yes, I am... a maintenance employee... at her mansion..." I say hesitantly. "Is... is she..." I try to ask, before closing the door to my room, just in case. "Is she... dead?" I say, feeling like someone had just stabbed me in the heart. I hate the fact that I hated her, that yesterday morning I was wishing her dead in my mind. And now...

"..." A tense silence passes, and then, the doctor starts to talk again. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but I need you to acknowledge the following basic information of the patient as a protocolary formality: The patient is a female Floatzel, registered as 'Ripple', weight 36.5 Kilograms, height: 133 centimeters, age circa 38. If this is correct, would you confirm it for me, sir?" She says, taking it much more seriously than the previous questions, even as she provided the most obvious things about her. I wanted to tell her I was the one asking the questions, but, of course, it wouldn't make much sense, so I just nodded my head and said...

"Yes, it is. That's Ripple alright..." I say softly, my voice barely audible as my eyes start to feel hot.

"Thank you. Now, please, understand that the information I'm about to give you is in any way extremely confidential and sensitive, and is intended only for you, as a family member or relative, and must not be shared with anyone else for any reason, you understand?" She says sternly. I feel a chill go down my spine, as this could not be a good sign at all.

"Yes, I do understand." I answer seriously. "Please, what happened to her?"

"The patient arrived at our hospital last night in critical condition, with multiple serious injuries including a fractured skull, severe head trauma, a collapsed lung, a ruptured liver, and, most seriously, an irreversible laceration on the water genesis organ in the inferior left side of her abdomen, which, as you might imagine, is vital for her ability to... well, perform attacks as pokémon. She was immediately performed an emergency surgery, in which our best doctors did everything they could to stabilize her condition, but, it appears, the damage to her abdominal area was too extensive, and, during the stabilization surgery, the head doctor decided to extirpate the damaged water genesis organ to prevent further harm to her body" She explains very professionally, as if I knew what the hell she was talking about.

"I... I see... But... what does that mean, exactly?" I ask, still not understanding.

"I mean, the patient will now be unable to perform any attacks for the rest of her life, hence being considered a disabled pokémon from now on under Sinnoh's law. Moreover, the possibility of her ability to reproduce as a female has been dramatically reduced due to the damage..." She says as she pauses for a moment, as if wanting me to tell her I understand.

"Yes, I do, but I don't really care about that! Tell me how she is!" I say, my patience is running down a bit... This poor girl seems to be a beginner in the role...

"O-Of course... I'm sorry to not explain it in a more concise way, but... the truth is, the patient is currently in a critical, if not desperate, situation. While the patient managed to make it through the stabilization surgery, her vital signs are extremely weak, and the head doctor is afraid that she might not be able to survive the night. Her injuries are too severe, and the organ damage too extensive for her body to heal itself in any significant way without further extensive surgery." She says, now sounding much more concerned.

"So... what are our options now? Is there any way to save her?" I ask as I feel a mix of anger and desperation bubbling inside me, anger for this situation, and desperation for not being able to help her...

"There isn't much we can do at this point, other than to keep her stable and let her body try to heal itself in a way that lets us continue the treatment. We're doing everything we can, but it's looking very bleak. Internal surveys reveal a survival rate at 48 hours at about 10%... And it has been exactly... 31 for now." She explains with a sigh. "The head doctor strongly recommends that you come to the hospital immediately to be with her in case... well..."

"I understand... But I fear it can not be, Virginia." I say, addressing her name, acknowledging her efforts personally. "I was an immigrant in Sinnoh, and, sadly, I was relegated from my position the day before the accident, so I had to return to Kanto. It would take me, at least, a day or two to get there" I say sadly, knowing it was impossible to make it in that short time frame.

"Well, we will see... But, I have to say, you seem to be the only person who we manage to contact from her circles. Can we address this number as a reliable communication channel if things change?" She asks, her voice sounding very hopeful.

"Yes, of course. Please, don't hesitate to call me, no matter the time of day, even if it's just to keep me updated. I'm... I'm ready to hear anything" I say softly.

"I will. Now, I must go, sir. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. If anything happens, I'll call you right away. Take care" She says before hanging up the phone, leaving me alone in the darkness of my room.

I sit on the bed, holding my head in my hands as the news sinks in. She's dying... She's really dying... And it's all my fault. If I had just shut up... maybe she was bothered when she fell, but would she have ever fallen if it wasn't for me? The anger and the frustration bubble up inside me again, and I quickly close my eyes, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down... No... I can't do that... I can't think that way...

I stand up, pacing around the room, my mind racing. I have to find a way to help her, to save her. I can't just sit here and do nothing. But what can I do? I'm not a doctor, I can't perform surgery, I don't have any special knowledge or abilities. I feel so useless, so helpless.

Suddenly, an idea strikes me. I grab my phone and start searching for information about Buizel nursing and care, spending an hour more browsing and browsing about how to take care of Splash myself, from her current cubhood to adulthood by myself, in the possible case that Ripple doesn't... survive at all. The thought of it makes me shudder, and a part of me feels like a monster, but I have to face reality.

Splash is my responsibility now, and I'll do whatever it takes to take care of her. I'm just hoping and praying that Ripple pulls through, because, more than anyone else, she deserves to be happy, and to be the one to raise her daughter, but, if she can't... then, I'll have to step up.

Finally, as the night has grown deeper, I feel exhausted, and I know it's time for me to get some sleep too. I walk back to my old parents' room, and crawl into bed, sleep soon getting the best of me.

Chapter 5

Next day, as I woke up, it was already 11:00 A.M. "Jakey... wake up!" I hear a voice calling me from outside. I quickly jump out of bed, my body aching from the stress of yesterday, and make my way out of the room. I find Splash sitting on the couch, looking at me with a worried expression on her face.

"Good morning, little one. Is everything okay?" I ask, kneeling down in front of her.

"Yee!" Splash says as she finally sees me waking up. "But mommy didn't make breakfas, she's not here, and Jakey slept too much!"

I laugh softly, feeling guilty for not waking up earlier. "I'm sorry about that, Splash. I promise I'll make it up to you. How about we go get some breakfast right now?" I say, standing up and holding out my hand.

"Yeah! I want pancakes!" She says excitedly, jumping up and taking my hand.

"Well, then, let's go get some pancakes!" I say, giving her a gentle squeeze. I quickly grab my keys and wallet, and we head out the door.

We walk down the street, hand in paw, until we reach a small pancake house near the town's main square. It's a cute little place, with a big sign out front that reads 'The Golden Flapjack'. It's not the typical luxurious place Splash would probably frequent with Ripple, but it was a small, cozy spot with a few tables and a counter. The smell of pancakes and fresh coffee fills the air.

We take a seat at the counter, and a waitress comes over to take our order. "Good mo- Jake? Is it you?! What a surprise!" The waitress says and I soon recognize her too.

"Amanda! It's been ages! How have you been?" I say, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. Amanda was an old friend of mine from high school. We used to hang out all the time, but I lost touch with her after I moved to Sinnoh.

"I've been good! It's so nice to see you again! How did you end up back in Kanto?" She asks with a smile.

"Well, it's a long story, but..." I start to explain, but I'm interrupted by Splash tugging on my sleeve.

"Jakey, can I have pancakes?" She asks, looking up at me with those big, innocent eyes. I feel my heart melt, and I can't help but smile.

"Awww, such a cutie it is!" Amanda says with evident tenderness in her voice as she ruffles Splash's head with affection. "Tell me little one, what do you want to have for breakfast?"

"I wanna have lots of pancakes! With chocolate sauce and whipped cream on top, pleeeeeeease!" She asks, her voice going up an octave as she twirls her little paws in the air, begging. Amanda smiles at her and says, "I can't say no to that adorable face! I'll bring you the biggest, fluffiest pancake with chocolate sauce and extra whipped cream. How does that sound?"

"Yaaaaaaay!" Splash squeals, clapping her little paws.

"And you Jake?" Amanda says, looking at me.

"One caffé latte, the usual, you know" I say, winking at her. Amanda laughs and heads off to place our order.

As we wait for our food, I find myself wondering how in the world am I going to explain why a Buizel cub is sitting with me. She's not a local pokémon that can be seen roaming around Kanto, and, to top it out, it's a cub that, clearly, hasn't chosen to live in Kanto...

"Here we go, one super delicious, extra fluffy pancake, with a mountain of chocolate sauce and whipped cream, just for you!" Amanda says as she puts a massive plate in front of Splash, making her eyes grow even wider and her jaw drop.

"Wow..." I murmur, looking at the giant pile of food. It looks amazing, but it's going to be impossible for Splash to finish it all by herself. "Impressive!" I add with a grin, turning to her.

"Thank you! And here's your coffee" Amanda says, placing a steaming mug in front of me.

As soon as our food arrives, Splash dives in, her little paws sticky with syrup and whipped cream as she tries to cram as much food into her jaw as possible. I can't help but laugh as I watch her, amazed by the sheer enthusiasm.

We spend the next hour or so enjoying our meal and catching up on old times. Amanda tells me about her life since high school, how she became a waitress here at The Golden Flapjack, and how she loves it. I fill her in on what's been going on with me, leaving out the more controversial details of my life in Sinnoh, and I just tell her Splash is here as a part of a NGO program for cubs to know more about other regions.

As we finish up, I notice Splash starting to get a bit restless. "Aww, little one, you're getting a bit tired of this grown-ups chatter, don't you?" I say, wiping her muzzle with a napkin. "It was a pleasure, Amanda, see ya!" I say as I pay, before taking Splash by the paw and leading her back home.

The walk back to the house is quiet, with Splash holding my hand and occasionally humming a little tune. A while later, however, she looks up to me.

"Jakey..." She says, pawing my leg.

"Yeah?" I say, smiling down at her.

"Where is mommy...?" She asks in a small voice, looking up at me intensely with those pretty little blue eyes that look just like Ripple's did.

I feel a lump form in my throat. I knew taking a cub with me like that was an unorthodox way to deal with the problem, despite doing it with good intentions. I would be an idiot if I thought I would be able to have her in my house like that without her asking for her mother...

I stop walking, sitting down to look at her eye level. "Well, Splash... You see, sometimes, people get sick and have to go to the hospital. Remember that time when Mr. Potts and Mrs. Potts had to go to the hospital?" I ask, trying to explain it using a cartoon show TV episode she must have watched.

"Yeah, they got a big Band-Aid and they felt much better aftewads!" She says with a little smile.

"Yes, that's right. Well, your mommy got sick and she had to go to the Pokémon hospital to get better, like Mr. Potts did." I explain gently.

"Okayyy... But why did you then take me with you?" She asks, pouting a little.

"Because... well, it's hard to explain... But sometimes, when there are only two people or pokémon living in a house, it can be so sad if one has to go and then there's just one left in the house all alone, it can make the other person feel very lonely and upset, so..." I start to say, before Splash cuts me off.

"Oh... So you didn't wanna be alone!" She exclaims, her eyes widening. I was trying to convey the opposite idea, that SHE was the one who would be alone in the mansion, but, well, if this works, it works...

"Exactly! Well, I mean, I was not completely alone, but..." I try to explain, but Splash is already hugging me tightly.

"Jakey, you awe not alone, because Splash is hewe with you! And we are friends forewer!" She says, making me feel so incredibly touched. I hug her back, feeling my heart swell with love and gratitude.

"Thank you, Splash. I'm so lucky to have you as my friend" I say softly, with complete sincerity despite her being a cub. "And yes, I promise, you will never be alone with me, I will always be here for you, no matter what."

"Yay!" She cheers, jumping up and down. "Can we pway games now?"

I laugh, feeling a sense of relief. "Of course! What about playing chase?" I suggest.

"But... you became upset... when the other people looked at you and..." She says in a small voice, before I cut her.

"You'll see how it doesn't happen here, sweetheart" I say with a smile as I take her paw and start walking to a nearby park where we could play. At least, I know with total certainty that people here are nothing like the ones living in the luxurious areas or those that know Ripple personally. No. Here, people like me are the vast majority if not all of the residents, so she should be fine.

As we get to the park, Splash immediately runs off, giggling as she plays with a few other cubs, to my great relief. I watched her for a while, feeling a sweet, sweet feeling of conviction, because, as I thought, soon other Pokémon cubs there started to play with her. Everyone here is much more open-minded and friendly than those rich neighborhood brats, and the people who see me with her don't seem to care at all. It's more, some even approached to meet her, and elders gave her candies!

I smile, feeling like I'm finally back home. I sit on a bench and watch Splash play, feeling a mix of happiness and contentment. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm in the right place, doing the right thing. I just hope that Ripple will be okay, that she will pull through and join us, so we can all be happy together...

Happy together...

Then, I notice my phone buzzing in my pocket. I pull it out, and I answer right away. "Jake Sellers here! What's going on?" I say, feeling a bit anxious.

"Mr. Sellers, this is Eric, reinforcement staff in the Intensive Care Unit of the Sinnoh Central Pokémon Hospital. I'm calling to inform you that there has been a... change in the situation of the patient we were treating, Ms. Ripple. Are you able to speak freely?" He says in an extremely serious tone.

My heart starts racing, and I stand up, pacing nervously. "Yes, of course! What happened? Is she... is she..." I ask, my voice trailing off.

"Mr. Sellers, I must warn you that the following information is highly sensitive and confidential. It cannot be shared with anyone else under any circumstances. Is that clear?" He asks very firmly.

"Yes, of course. I understand. Please, tell me what happened to Ripple" I say, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Mr. Sellers... the patient... has survived the night" He says, and it takes a second for the words to register in my brain. My mouth falls open, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me.

"W-What? Ripple is still... alive?" I ask, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

"Yes, she is. However, her condition is still extremely critical. She is currently in a coma, and it's very uncertain if she will ever wake up. The head doctor has wanted to inform her family of her situation, but no relatives nor any family members have been able or accepted to be informed about the patient's condition. We were only able to find your number, which is why we are contacting you" He explains, sounding very serious.

"I... I understand. What do you need from me?" I ask, my mind racing.

"Well, it would be very helpful if you could accept the terms, even if it is telematically, establishing you as her next of kin or official representative, so that we can have someone to make medical decisions on her behalf. Also, if you are able to visit, it would probably be beneficial." He says, sounding also very professional. However, hearing so many times in a couple days that someone as Ripple doesn't have ANYONE that cares about her really triggered me.

"Let's see, Eric. You know WHO the patient is, right?" I say, wanting to sound convincing and reassuring.

"Yes, it is a fem-" He starts to say, but I cut him off.

"I mean, you know who she REALLY is, right? You know her from..." I say, wanting him to confirm to me the obvious, that he knows about Ripple. Who doesn't?

"Of course I do... I mean, she has a fan club and everything, so..." He says, which made me feel even worse.

"And you, speaking in general, haven't been able to find NO ONE to tell her situation to due to lack of information? Even to her work partners or the... circus staff?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at this point. It was like speaking to someone who was almost uninformed about her...

"Yes... Well, that's the situation..." He says, also sounding a bit frustrated.

"Don't you think it's... underwhelming?" I say, starting to show my true feelings.

"Uhm, I suppose it is..." He answers back, probably thinking the same as I do. What sort of life did Ripple have, that the people around her are so uninterested in her well-being? Heck, this is a life or death issue! Then, I decided to try to keep my feelings a bit at bay, for his sake.

"I'm sorry, Eric. I'm just a bit... over my head right now. Thank you for your interest." I say in a more professional tone.

"Thank you, sir. We really appreciate it. And please, remember that any information you obtain or any decision you make regarding the patient must be kept strictly confidential." He says.

"I will. I assure you of that" I say, hanging up the phone. As I sit back down on the bench, my mind is racing. Ripple is alive... But she's in a coma. Will she ever wake up? Will she be okay? I feel a sense of worry and anxiety wash over me, but also a glimmer of hope. I don't know what the future holds, but I know I have to try. "Is there something else that must be addressed to me?" I ask.

"No, Mr. Sellers, that's all for now. We will inform you of any updates or changes in the patient's condition." He says before hanging up the phone.

I sit there for a moment, my mind spinning. I have so many questions, so many concerns. But I know I need to be strong, for Splash's sake. She deserves to have a happy life, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure she gets it.

I turn my attention back to the park, watching as Splash plays with her new friends. She's laughing and giggling, completely unaware of the turmoil that's going on in my head. For now, that's enough. I'll just enjoy this moment of peace and happiness.

"Jakey!" Splash calls out, running towards me. "Jakey, I made new fwiends!" She squeals, pointing towards a group of pokémon cubs, a Bulbasaur, a Pidgey, and a Nidoran, from what I can recognize from the bench. I hug her tightly, feeling a rush of love and protectiveness. "Wow! That's neat!" I say with a smile, before she runs back to her new friends.

I take a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. For now, everything is okay... Well, as okay as it can be, Splash is safe, and Ripple is... well, not dead, let's say, which, even though things don't look good right now, is still better than a few hours ago. I keep staring at the emptiness for almost half an hour longer, until the sun is starting to set. I take another deep breath, and I look up to the sky, admiring the beautiful colors that come with the sunset, a mix of red, orange, and yellow. I close my eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of the sun on my face.

As I open my eyes again, I notice a warm blow of breeze caressing my face, as if someone who wasn't there was somehow encouraging me, telling me I was doing a good job. I smile, as, even if it was a coincidence, it made me feel good. I quickly grab my camera phone, and snap a few photos of the sky and the park before I take Splash home.

As the night starts to set in, I notice people starting to leave the park. Splash and her new friends slowly make their way towards me, laughing and chattering excitedly.

"Jakey! Jakey! We had so much fun! I made new fwiends! And they let me play with their toys!" Splash says, bouncing with excitement. "They also loved Whisey!" She says, looking at me with an excited look.

"Whisey?" I ask, not really remembering who's Whisey.

"Whisey! It's him, Jakey!" She answers, slightly offended, as she lifts up the Wishiwashi plushie I took from her house. I'd have loved to pack everything for her, but I couldn't do it, given the complicated situation. "It's the bestest, most loveliest, softest, cuddliest, prettiest, most awesome stuffed pokémon in the whole world, and everybody loves him!"

I can't help but smile as I see her cuddling the soft pink and white fish plush so tightly. "Well, then, it's a very good friend of yours. And I'm happy you made new friends too!" I say, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"Yes! I love them! They said we could play together again tomorrow!" She says with a grin, making my heart swell with happiness.

"Wow! That's great, sweetie. I'm so happy for you" I say, picking her up and giving her a little twirl in the air. She squeals with delight, and I set her back down.

As we start walking home, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment and gratitude. Yes, life has thrown us some curveballs lately, but we're dealing with it together, and that's what matters most. And with every new day, I'm determined to make it the best it can be for Splash. She deserves it, and so does Ripple. I go back home walking behind her, wondering how in the world can she be so lively with what's happening around her...

Maybe... Maybe that means I'm not doing such a bad job, after all...

Chapter 6

One month after*

I'm standing at the social assistance headquarters of my area. I came here in the morning, as I had the day for myself. Splash was staying for the day in the house of a human neighbor, who were partners with a Raichu and had three cute Pichu cubs, who were some of the friends Splash had made in the past few weeks. It was the first time I would leave her alone for so long, but I wanted to get some things sorted out.

I'm here to apply for welfare assistance, specifically the Poké-Aid program. I had to make some changes to the plan I had originally come up with. I can't take care of Splash by myself, at least not indefinitely. I need help, and I'm hoping that the government can provide it.

"Next!" The clerk calls out, and I step forward. There are a few people in line ahead of me, but it's not too bad.

"Good morning! How can I help you?" The clerk asks, looking up at me with a friendly smile. She's a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a warm demeanor.

"Good morning! I'd like to apply for the Poké-Aid program, please" I say politely.

"Of course! Please take a seat and fill out this application form, and fill out as much information as you can. Once you're done, bring it back to me, and we'll go over it together." She says, handing me a thick packet of papers.

I sit down at one of the desks in the waiting area and start filling out the forms. It takes me about an hour to complete them, and by the time I'm finished, my hand is cramping. I hand the papers back to the clerk, and she starts going over them with me.

"Okay, Mr. Sellers, let's see what we have here. You are applying for yourself and a Buizel cub, correct?" She asks, looking at the form.

"Yes, that's right. The cub is Splash, and she's... well, she's my world." I explain, not really wanting to go into the details of our situation.

"Alright. And what is your current source of income?" She asks, pointing at a line on the form.

"The monthly income? Sorry, I don't have any income at the moment." I say with a sigh, I say, feeling my cheeks heat up a bit.

"No worries! That's quite common. And are you currently employed or searching for employment?" She asks next.

"I'm not employed at the moment, but I am actively taking care of Splash." I say honestly. I haven't had any time at all to look for a job since we arrived in Kanto. I've been too focused on making sure Splash is safe from the world and happy.

"Okay, I understand. Well, based on the information you've provided, it looks like you would qualify for the Poké-Aid assistance program. However, we have a massive flow of requests now, and we are afraid we won't be able to process your request here, in this facility." She explains, looking a bit apologetic. I feel a knot form in my stomach.

"What? Why not?" I ask, feeling a sense of desperation. "I need this help, you don't understand!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sellers. The problem is that we just don't have enough staff and resources to handle all the requests we've been getting lately. We're doing our best to process them as quickly as possible, but it's taking longer than usual. We recommend you file your application via email or telephonic conference to this number." She says as she hands me a small slip of paper, which, of course, I read with the utmost attention.

"Mr. Sellers?" The clerk calls me from her desk, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. I turn to see her, noticing that she's looking at me with concern. "I know it's been a long day, but is everything okay with you? You've been sitting here for a while, just staring at that piece of paper." She says softly, but, somehow, I can also hear a hint of worry in her voice.

I shake my head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, I was just... lost in thought, I suppose" I say, trying to smile.

"Are you sure? Because I have to tell you, I've never seen anyone with such a blank expression on their face in my whole life. Do you want to talk about it?" She asks, her eyes filled with concern.

"Well, it's a long story, but, let's say, the cub is... probably orphaned, and I've become her guardian, at least temporarily, as her mother is in the hospital, in critical condition, with no signs of recovery, and no relatives to take care of her." I say, hoping I don't sound too cold as I say it. "She's been with me for the past month, but now the time has come for me to look for a way to take care of her, but it seems there aren't many options out there." I explain honestly, trying my best not to show how I feel.

The clerk's eyes widened in shock. "Oh my goodness, Mr. Sellers! I'm so sorry! That's an incredibly difficult situation to be in. I had no idea..." She says, sounding truly sympathetic. "Here you have another number for... urgent procedures... You may not get exactly what you need, but you can call there and see if they can help you." She says with a more reassuring tone.

I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Mrs. Sato. You've been very kind to me." I say with genuine appreciation.

She smiles warmly. "Please, call me Yumi. And it's my pleasure to help. I want you to know that we'll find a way to get Splash taken care of. In the meantime, why don't you take this number and give them a call? They might be able to provide some temporary assistance until your paperwork goes through here." She says, pointing to a line at the bottom of the paper.

"Thank you, Yumi. I appreciate it." I say, taking the paper and folding it carefully. I stand up, feeling a bit more optimistic than before. At least I have a lead now, even if it's just a temporary solution.

As I make my way out of the building, I quickly dial the number on my cell phone, trying to think about what should I say. It occurs to me that I might actually have an advantage with the Poké-Aid, given Splash is a non-Kantonian Pokémon... but I shook my head as I tried to focus on the conversation I was having right now, hoping it would work in my favor.

"Hello, this is the emergency line for the Kanto regional Pokémon Aid Program. How may I assist you today?" I hear a masculine voice answer.

"Hello, I'm calling about an emergency. I'm currently taking care of a Buizel cub, but I need immediate assistance." I say quickly, feeling a bit desperate.

"I see. Can you provide me with some basic information about your situation?" The man asks, sounding calm and professional.

"Of course. The cub's name is Splash, and she's currently staying with me in Kanto, but I have no income, and I'm not sure how I'm going to provide for her." I explain, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Alright, I understand. And what is the current age of the cub?" He asks next.

"She's a little over four years old, I think." I say, trying to remember.

"Okay. And is the cub's mother's identity...?" He asks, his voice sounding a bit more sympathetic. However, there was no way I could tell the truth to him...

"Well, you see..." I start to say. "I can't provide it because I think her mother fell victim to... pokémon poachers" I invent. I'm not saying her mother is Ripple the Floatzel. No way. I've brought her all the way to my home to protect her from paparazzis and ill-willed people who might try to use her for fame, even if she's only a cub. I wouldn't put it past them. And the story of her being an orphan was plausible enough, I thought.

"I see. I'm sorry to hear that. But please, let me tell you, Mr. Sellers, that, without any more identity than the cub's one, I will only be able to provide aid for said cub, but not for you." He says, and, as much as I would like to disagree, he's right...

"And I understand that it's not okay. But, right now, she is my responsibility, so... can you help me? Please..." I say, feeling like I was on the verge of tears as I realize I might be losing Splash...

"Sir... I know it's very hard, but, unfortunately, the only other option other than providing help for one cub is to take her to a shelter." He answers, making my blood turn cold.

"No fucking way, you hear me? There's no way in this world I'm leaving Splash alone with strangers!" I say, raising my voice and not even caring that I was in the middle of the street.

"Sir, please calm down. I understand your position, but it is the law..." He says, trying to reason with me.

"No, it is NOT the law! It is pure stupidity! You can't just separate a cub from the only person she knows and loves! She has been through so much, and you're saying I have to abandon her now?!" I yell, feeling the anger and desperation bubble up inside me. I can't believe this is happening. I won't lose her, I can't!

"Sir, please, I'm begging you, there's no need to curse. I'm here to help, but there's only so much I can do. I recommend you take the cub to a shelter immediately, as we will only offer maintenance for one person in your household." He says, but his voice sounds a bit shaky now, which I take as a sign that he actually feels a little bad for the situation.

"Oh, okay, so you want to separate us, right? FINE! File the maintenance help for her, I will find my way to survive, but Splash stays with me until she grows up to be an adult Floatzel or I die from hunger, Are we clear!?" I say very firmly, standing my ground.

"Well, Mr. Sellers... If that's what you desire, we will accept the proposition of help for one. We will provide 300 Poké monthly for her maintenance. We will transfer the money to the account number you will provide, as well as the name on which the account should appear. Is everything clear?" He says, sounding a lot more professional.

"Yes, that's right. The name will be 'Splash'" I say, sounding confident.

"Splash Sellers then." He says, making me feel a strange sensation inside. Splash Sellers? I'm not her father, I'm not even related to her, but, the way he said it...

"Splash and that's it. That's the name you should use." I say with a mix of melancholy and affection in my voice.

"Then, if it's all settled, I will process the transaction as soon as possible. As for now, I will remain at your disposition for any other queries. Goodbye, Mr. Sellers." He says before hanging up the phone.

I walk out of the building, feeling a mix of emotions. I'm relieved that Splash will get the help she needs, but I also feel a sense of unease. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I do know one thing for sure: I won't let anyone take her away from me. She's mine now, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and happy. Even if that means giving up my own freedom, I don't care. She's worth much more than that.

I get in my car, and drive back to the house I left her in. As I pull into the driveway, I see Splash running out the front door, her little face lighting up when she sees me. "Jakey! You're back!" She squeals, running towards me and throwing her arms around my waist in a tight hug. I scoop her up, holding her close, feeling all my worries and fears melting away.

"Hey there, little one! I missed you too! Did you have fun with your new friends?" I ask, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"Oh Jake!" The young man who was taking care of her, says with a smile. "That little cub is an absolute delight! She was amazing with the cubs today..."

"Yeah, she sure is, darling." The Raichu says with a grin as she comes out of the door too. "We really appreciate you letting us take care of her today. She's such a sweet girl."

I smile, feeling a sense of pride and gratitude. "Thank you both so much. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it." I say sincerely. "And thank you for watching her for me while I took care of some stuff."

"Of course, Jake! You know we're always here to help." The young man says with a smile.

"Yay! I wanna play with Spark, Zap and Shock again!" Splash squeals excitedly, wiggling in my arms.

"Well, we'd love to have you over again anytime. Just let us know!" The Raichu says, giving Splash a warm smile.

I thank them again and carry Splash to the car, putting her in the back seat. As we drive away, I glance at her in the rearview mirror. She's soon fast asleep, her little paw curled up against her cheek. I feel a wave of love and protectiveness wash over me. No matter what happens, I'll always be there for her, always. She deserves a chance to be happy, and I'll make sure she gets it.

As we arrive back at home, I carry her inside and tuck her into bed, making sure she's all snug and warm. I stand there for a moment, watching her sleep, feeling a sense of contentment and peace. For now, everything is okay. Splash is safe and taken care of. I will worry about the rest later. Tonight, I just want to enjoy this moment of calm and happiness, but soon, the phone rings...

"Hello?" I say, picking up the phone, wondering if it was an important call.

"Am I talking to Jake Parker Sellers?" A feminine voice asks.

"Yes, it's me. Are you from the..." I ask, eager to know if this call has something to do with Ripple.

"Yes, this is Virginia. Mr. Sellers, how are you?" She asks, sounding as kind and gentle as she always does.

"Hi Virginia, how are you? I am... well, things have been better" I say, looking at Splash as she sleeps peacefully.

"Well, I can understand that, but I have to say I'm glad to hear you are doing better." She answers.

"And... Now, tell me about Ripple..." I ask, not wanting to sound too forward, but the words just come out naturally.

"Ripple is still in a coma, her condition hasn't changed. I'm afraid there is still no sign of any improvement, but there also hasn't been any decline." She explains, and I can hear the concern in her voice.

I sigh, feeling a mix of sadness and frustration. "I see. I wish there was something I could do to help her."

"Me too, Mr. Sellers. I've never seen a case like this before. It's just so tragic." She says softly.

"I know. I just... I can't stop hoping that she'll wake up, you know?" I say, my voice cracking slightly. I clear my throat, trying to compose myself.

"Me too. But right now, we just have to keep trying to be strong for her and for Splash." Virginia says, her voice filled with understanding and empathy.

"Thank you, Virginia. That means a lot to me. And please, keep me updated on any changes in her condition." I say gratefully.

"I will. And... Jake, I know this is a hard time for you. But just know that, whatever happens, you're not alone. You have friends who care about you and want to support you. You just have to let us." She says, and I can hear a hint of warmth in her voice that wasn't there before.

I smile, feeling touched by her words. "Thank you, Virginia. You have no idea how much that means to me."

As I hang up the phone, I walk back into my room, throwing myself on the bed. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to clear my mind of the overwhelming thoughts and emotions. Finally, I drift off to sleep, dreaming of happier times and a brighter future.

Chapter 7

Two months after*

"Sqweee!" I hear Splash shout as she jumps up and down on the couch in my living room. "Jakey! It's Fwiday, It's Fwiday!" She beams with happiness. I know why she does this. Days after setting here, I decided to set a training path designed for Buizel cubs I found online. The pressure she had back at the mansion was too much, but these pokémon species need quite an extensive amount of movement and training to maintain themselves healthy. Each day, it was a different type of exercise: Strength, normal attack moves, special attack moves... and so on...

...But her favorite activity was hands down, on Friday. It was our sacred day, and we followed a routine we both loved.

"Yeah, it's Fwiday! Are you ready to start our special training, little one?" I ask with a grin.

"Yes!" She squeals, jumping into my arms. I carry her over to the living room, where I've set up a small obstacle course. It's a bit of a mess, but it works for what we need. There are hula hoops, jump ropes, and even a little trampoline I picked up from a garage sale.

"Okay, Splash! Here we go! First, let's start with the hula hoops. You gotta go through them one at a time, okay?" I say, setting her down in front of the first hoop.

"Okay, Jakey! I can do it!" She says confidently, marching towards the hoops with determination. I watch as she wiggles her way through each one, her little body moving with surprising agility for a Buizel cub her size. I can't help but smile with pride as she finishes the course, standing tall with a look of triumph on her face.

"Great job, Splash! You did it!" I cheer, giving her a high five. She grins up at me, clearly proud of herself.

"Yay! I'm the bestest cub in the whole world!" She says, jumping up and down.

"Yes, you are! Now, let's try the jump ropes next." I say, guiding her over to the next station.

We spend the next hour or so working our way through the obstacle course. Splash is a natural athlete, and it's amazing to watch her in action. She's getting stronger and faster every day, and I can tell she loves the challenge of it all.

As we finish up, I carry her back to the couch, exhausted but happy. "You did such a great job today, Splash. I'm so proud of you." I say, ruffling her fur affectionately.

"Thank you, Jakey! Can we go have pizza now?!" She asks, looking up at me with her big blue eyes.

I laugh, shaking my head. "You don't forget, do you? What a memory you have!" I say,

"Jakey, you promised we would have pizza every Fwiday after training!" She whines, pouting her little jaw.

"Well, little miss, I did say 'you choose' and pizza was the first thing you mentioned, remember?" I tease her, badly pretending to sound mad.

"Oh, yah... I fergot. But I want pizza! Pleeeeeeease?" She begs, wrapping her little arms around my arm and gazing at me with those innocent eyes. It's hard to say no to her when she's being so cute.

"Okay, okay, I give in! We'll have pizza, like every Friday!" I finally give in, but not before kissing her forehead. God, how can a pokémon be so cute! As I get up, I notice the paper hanging in my room. Since day one, I've been marking every day that passes, just for a reason: Convince myself I'm worth more than I think. As I walk nearer to adding a new stick, I notice this one is exactly the 100th one, and I feel my heart sink a bit, as, stabilized or not, it will be 100 days today at 5 P.M since Ripple went to the hospital. I can't believe it's been so long already. It feels like just yesterday when I was sitting alone at that damn restaurant, but at the same time, it feels like an eternity has passed.

"Are you going to put the mark on?" I hear Splash asking, looking at me with an innocent expression, totally unaware of what I was feeling.

I told her it was a memory game against myself when one day she saw me adding a mark, and since then, she asks every time I'm about to do it. I smiled, knowing it was probably better for her not to know what the real reason was.

"Yes, I am, little one." I explain softly.

"I undewstand, Jakey. You are counting days, like mommy always did before she went on trip!" She says, but I quickly notice the sadness in her voice. It's clear she misses her mother, but we rarely talk about her. She used to ask me a lot of questions at the beginning, but now she just seems to accept the situation. Still, every time she mentions her, I feel a pang of guilt and sympathy. I wish I could do more to help her. I wish Ripple was here.

"Splash... I miss her too, you know." I say softly, kneeling down to look at her eye level. "And I know it's hard not to have her around. But, I promise, I will always be here for you, no matter what happens."

"Okay, Jakey... I know." She says, looking down at the floor. "But... why doesn't mommy come back?" She asks, her voice filled with confusion and sadness. It's the question I've been dreading the most.

"Well, sweetie, mommy... She's very sick. And she has to stay in the hospital for a long time, to get better. Much longer than a cold... That doesn't mean she wants to abandon you... She simply must remain in the hospital, even if she really wants to come back home." I try to explain, feeling like I'm stumbling over my words.

"Oh... Okay. But... Jake... how long?" She asks, and, for a moment, I'm struck dumb, because, with that one question, she showed me that, no matter how young, how innocent she was, she was well aware that there was no guarantee Ripple would ever come back home.

I take a deep breath, trying to choose my words carefully. "Splash, the truth is... no one knows for sure. We have to be strong and patient, and hope that mommy gets better soon."

"I miss my mommy... Can you show me how she looked? I don't want to forget her." Splash asks, sounding sad. I pause, not really knowing what to say. I know she has photos of Ripple at the mansion, but I haven't wanted to bring them up with me at all... However, it seems to be the right thing to do now, to help her deal with the situation.

"Sure, little one. Let's go browse for a photo." I say gently, taking her by the paw. We sit on my bed, and I pull out my phone as I do so. I went to Pooglé, finding a picture where she wore a tantalizing, colorful dress that matched perfectly with her natural fur color. She looked happy and radiant, so I didn't think it would be a problem.

"See, Splash? Here's your mommy. She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" I ask, showing her the picture.

Splash looks at the phone for a moment, then she takes it from my hand and softly starts pawing the screen, as if trying to touch her mother's face. "Mommy... I miss you..." She says in a small voice, her eyes filling with tears. I feel my heart ache for her.

"Oh, Splash... I know, sweetheart. I miss her too." I say, wrapping my arms around her, feeling my own eyes sting with tears. "But tell me, she looks pretty in that photo, right? She was happy and strong there."

"Jakey... What happened to her?" Splash asks after a while, her little paw still resting on the phone's screen.

I sigh, knowing I can't avoid the question forever. "Well, sweetie... You know how mommy likes to perform, right? Well, sometimes, pokémon can get hurt when they do tricks. And one day, mommy tried to do a special trick, and... she got hurt. That's why she had to go to the hospital, to get better." I explain, trying to keep it simple, not wanting to enter in any details at all.

Splash thinks for a moment, then looks up at me with her big blue eyes. "Will she ever be able to hug me again, Jakey? Will she get better?" She asks hopefully.

I hesitate, not wanting to get her hopes up. "I... I don't know, Splash. But we have to keep hoping, okay?" I say, before taking her to the place where I have the paper. "Today is the 100th day mommy went to the hospital. Each day we put a mark, it means that we are a little closer to the day she might be back, don't you think?" I say with a smile, hoping this would give her some sort of reassurance.

She looks at the paper, counting the marks slowly. "Okay... That means that, in 100 more days, mommy might come back home!" She says, sounding excited again.

"That's right! And while we wait, we will have so much fun together, and we'll show her what a big, strong, and amazing cub you are. And since it's such a special milestone, why don't we do something special today?" I ask, hoping to change her mood. "You've been such a good cub, that I'm going to take you to... a very special place you've never seen before!" I say, knowing exactly where I'm going to take her to.

"YAY! I wanna see it!" She squeals, jumping up and down.

As we walk out of the house after Splash had lunch, I glance up at the sky, noticing the beautiful afternoon we have. It was a day with a tint of sadness, but it was a magnificent day, one way or another. "Come on, Splash, let's go! We have a long way ahead of us!" I say with excitement, and together, we made our way to the secret place I wanted to take her. A place that, I hoped, would cheer her up.

We get into the car, and I start driving there slowly, taking my time to also enjoy the landscape of Kanto, as it's been a long time since I visited many of these places. "So, where are we going?" She asks from the back seat, looking at me with excitement through the mirror as she hugged her plush.

"It's a secret, little cub!" I say teasingly. "But, I promise, it will be worth it!" I say as I think of the place I'm going to. However, at that moment, I spotted a field full of olive trees. I have run out of food for me at least a month ago, so I have to rely on what I can forage around to survive. I'm already feeling this paying a toll on me, but I'm not wavering on my resolve.

"Splashy, can we stop for a moment? We will continue in a minute. We are pretty near already" I say as I take out a bag I use to scrap the wild food around, and make my way to the edge of the field, looking for anything I can use. "You Splash don't come out." I say as I take several handfuls of olives, before heading back to the car. "Good cub! Now, to the place I promised you!" I say, driving for ten more minutes until a vast amount of water appears on the horizon, an imposing dam appearing right in front of us.

"WOOOOOOWWW! A hyper-ultra-giant pool! You took me to a hyper-ultra-gigant pool!" She shouts as she sees it.

I laugh at her, shaking my head. "It's just that, yes... Do you like it?" I say with pride, because, despite her being so young, she sure knows her way around words.

"Yay! I love it! This is the bestest day since I came here!" She squeals. I look at her with a smile, but, again, I feel a twinge of guilt for making her live here in the first place. "And... Splash, would you like to swim in it?" I ask softly.

"WOW! Can we really?" She asks, looking up at me with those big blue eyes that, no matter how much time passes, still remind me of her mother's.

"Of course we can! I checked before we came, and it's a safe place for cubs to swim. Plus, it's shallow here, so you won't go very deep, okay?" I explain, feeling excited for her too. She loves the water, and I know she'll have a blast.

I park the car as soon as I get to the shore, and we both get out, heading towards the water's edge. I set Splash down on the grass, and she immediately starts moving her little paws in the water. "It's so warm and nice!" She giggles, looking up at me.

"Just be careful, okay? Don't go too deep, and stay where I can see you." I say firmly, wanting to make sure she's safe.

"Okay, Jakey!" She says, before gracefully diving into the water.

I remained standing, leaning against the car for god knows how long, peacefully watching Splash swirl around the water in an artistic manner, as if trying to pull out a perfect copy of some of her mother's past performances, swiftly resurfacing, jumping in the air before diving head-first once again. She sure ripped a soft smile off my lips as I munched on the olives.

Eventually, the sun started to cast a slight orange hue, and, even though it wasn't still at sunset, I really wanted to take her to the last special place she would love. "Splash, sweetie, it's time to get out of the water now, okay?" I called out, but she was already standing up, swimming towards the shore. As soon as she got out, she ran to me, shaking herself dry like a puppy.

"Jakey, today was so much fun! I wanna swim again soon!" She says excitedly, but I quickly cut her off.

"Oh, little one, I'm afraid the fun part of today is not over yet." I say with a mischievous grin. I sat her on the hood of the car as I used a towel to dry her fur a bit, and then, I used a hair comb to brush her fur, which was really in dire need of a good brushing. "Now, how about I show you a pretty city? It's also near here!" I say, hoping she'll go for it.

"Yay! Another city! Yes, please, take me!" She squeals, jumping up and down on the car hood.

I smile, feeling a sense of relief that she was so easily convinced. "Okay, then, buckle up! We're off to see the city!" I say as we both get into the car.

As we arrive at the outskirts of the city, I see the excitement building on Splash's face. "Jakey! It's so big and pretty!" She exclaims, looking out the window as we drive into the city center.

"Yes, it is, my dear!" I say with a smile. "There's a place in here you'll love!" I say excitedly.

"Really?" She asks, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Yep! I'm sure of that!" I say as I park the car near the place I'm walking her to. But first, an idea pops up in my mind. "Splash, would you want to ask for a wish? Something that I'm sure mama Ripple would like us to do if she was here?" I ask, looking at her in the rearview mirror.

She thinks for a moment, then her face lights up. "Yes, Jakey! I wish I could have ice cream, with lots of sprinkles, with you and mommy, all together! On a big, happy, perfect day, just like today!" She says, smiling up at me. My heart melts, and, for a moment, I want to give up. I know it's not possible, at least not yet, but I still feel the need to make her wishes come true. I want her to be happy, and to know that her mommy is out there somewhere, thinking of her.

I reach back and squeeze her paw gently. "Then come with me. We are going to ask for that wish to come true, in a special way only people here do, okay?" I say as I step out of the car, then open her door and take her by the paw, guiding her a few steps to the sidewalk. I see a copyshop just next to me, and I smile as I tell Splash to wait by the door for me to come out.

"Hello, sir." I say as I enter. "I'd need to have a copy on paper of... this photo." I say as I show him the photo of Ripple Splash looked in the mobile phone this morning.

"Of course, sir. One copy, right?" The clerk says professionally.

"Yes, one copy. In photograph paper." I ask as I pull out some money from my pocket.

"Yes, sir. We will charge 0.5 Poke for the copy." He says as he grabs the phone to do something before returning it to me, and starts working on it. Just then, my phone starts ringing again…

"Hello?" I ask, hoping it's Virginia with some good news. But, as I listen, I can tell it's not.

"Is this Jake Sellers?" A stern voice asks.

"Yes, who's calling?" I ask, feeling my heart pounding in my chest. "Who is this?"

"Mr. Sellers, this is Dr. Hattori from the Sinnoh Central Pokémon Hospital. It's about Ms. Ripple." He says, and my stomach drops.

"Wh-What is it? Is she okay?" I ask, my voice shaking.

"Since this morning, the patient has been suffering from... alterations in her vitals. We don't know exactly what's happening, but we are afraid that, given the length of the coma, if her condition doesn't improve in the next few days, we might need to... discontinue treatment." He explains, and my blood runs cold. He means they would withdraw care, stop trying to keep her alive...

"No! No, please! You can't do that! She's the mother of a little cub! She's all she has!" I scream, feeling the tears start to fall.

"I understand, Mr. Sellers. But as a medical professional, I must inform you of the gravity of the situation. Please, try to visit the hospital as soon as possible to discuss the matter further." He says firmly.

I hung up the phone, feeling numb. This can't be happening. Ripple can't die! I take the photograph from the copyshop, and stare at it, at Ripple's smiling face. I can't give up on her. I can't.

"Jakey... What's wrong? Why did it take soooo long? You said you wouldn't be long!" Splash says as she pouts up at me, tugging on my arm.

I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "I'm sorry, little one. I had to do something important, but I'm done now." I say, kneeling down in front of her. "Now, would you like to go see something special?"

"Yay! What is it?" She asks excitedly.

"It's a surprise!" I say with a grin, taking her by the paw and leading her to a long, long, vintage gateway that linked two different parts of the city on top of two different hills. The views from the middle were breathtaking,... It sure was a special spot for me already back in times…

"This is... so tall! I can see soooo many things from here!" She exclaims, holding onto the metal railing.

"Yes, you can!" I say, smiling down at her. "And do you know what's really special about this place? It's said that, if you throw something that you care about over the side and make a wish, it will come true!" I explain, hoping to give her a moment of happiness.

"Really?" She asks, her eyes widening.

"Yep! That's why I bought this" I say, showing her the photo I had ordered.

"Yay! Mommy's photo! Can we throw it now? Can I make the wish?" She asks eagerly.

"Of course you can, little one!" I suggest, feeling a little more hopeful. Splash nods, and I hold her close, both of us looking out over the edge of the bridge, the warm, sunset light pouring on my skin and her fur.

"Okay, Splash. Remember your wish from earlier? About mommy, ice cream, and a perfect day? Well..." I say softly, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I start bending Ripple's photo into a paper plane. "Grab it like this..." And, after you say your wish in your head, swing your paw to throw it!" I say, nudging the paper plane as best as I can in her paw, so she can throw it herself despite not having proper hands.

I watch as she takes a deep breath, holding the plane tightly. For a moment, she looks up at me with those big blue eyes, and I can see the sadness and fear in them. But then, her expression changes, and she smiles softly. "Bye, mommy. I love you. I wish you come back to Jakey and I very soon, and we can have lots of ice cream and play together and be happy again!" She says, her voice barely a whisper. She takes a deep breath and swings her paw, sending the paper plane flying over the edge.

I watch as it starts to dive to the ground quickly. I feel a tear roll down my cheek, and I hug Splash tightly, feeling her little body tremble in my arms. However, as it was about to touch ground, a strong current of air caught up on the paper plane, causing it to drift upward steadily, propelling it farther and farther, sending it sailing towards the sun...

"That was a really special wish, Splash. I hope it comes true someday." I say softly, looking out at the setting sun. The clouds were painted in brilliant hues of orange and pink, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and peace wash over me.

Splash looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you, Jakey. This was the most special day ever." She says, hugging me tightly.

I smile, feeling my heart swell with love and gratitude. "Me too, little one. Me too."

We stand there for a moment longer, watching the sun sink below the horizon, the sky slowly turning from shades of orange to deep blue until it starts to be chilly outside. "Let's head back home, Splash, it's starting to get late." I say gently, taking her paw. We walk back to the car, and then, I drive a couple hours back home. Of course, Splash quickly fell asleep soon after I settled her comfortably in the back seat.

As I pull into the driveway of the house, I glance up at the night sky, noticing the full moon casting a dim, ethereal white glow all over the landscape, to the point I'm able to more or less see everything even after the streetlamps are turned off. I was feeling tired, but I decided to have a little walk around the neighborhood once I tuck Splash into bed, trying to take advantage of this beautiful night.

The air was chilly but refreshing, and there was a light breeze rustling the leaves of the trees. I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me as I walked down the street, taking in the quiet beauty of the neighborhood. It was moments like this that made me appreciate the simple things in life.

As I was about to turn around and head back home, I noticed my phone vibrating, alerting me of an incoming call. I sighed, hoping it wasn't any bad news. I answered the phone, putting it to my ear. "Hello?" I say softly.

"..." I hear movement in the background, but no voice. "Hello? Who is this?" I ask again, starting to feel a little impatient.

"J-Jake... Jake Parker Sellers? Am I talking to Jake Parker Sellers?" I hear a feminine voice ask, sounding a bit muffled.

"Yes, it's me. It's Jake Sellers" I answer slowly, as the audio quality is far from perfect. "Who's calling, please?"

"..." Silence again, as more rustling sounds, it's probably the hospital hall, with machinery being moved here and there... "Hello? Is this Virginia?" I ask, hoping to hear a more reassuring voice.

"...(incoherent chatter)..."

"If it's propaganda, I'm not interested, huh?! I'm waiting for an important call!" I yell, raising my voice a little and making sure I'm using the speakerphone as the signal is not that good.

"Jake! Hello!" A loud, female voice rings out from the phone. "Y-yeah, I'm V-virginia, I..." I listen, before it's heard how she talks to someone near to her.

"Virginia... Are you there?" I call out, a bit confused. She sure sounded panicked a moment ago...

"...Sorry, Mr. Sellers, don't mind her, she really has the right to be confused on what to say now." A masculine voice says, not being able to put my finger on who it can be.

"Who is this? Who's there with Virginia?" I ask quickly, feeling my stomach drop.

"Oh, I'm Dr. Axe. I'm the head doctor in the ICU here at the hospital. I apologize for the confusion. As you may know, Virginia works as auxiliary personnel here, and she's currently working in our department. She's just a bit shaken at the moment, so she's having a bit of trouble getting her words out." He says, sounding very serious.

"I... I see... So, what's going on, Doctor? Why are you calling me so late?" I ask, trying to remain calm.

"I'm calling because, well, how to say this..." He starts to explain.

My heart starts to race. "What's wrong? Is she okay?" I ask, feeling a wave of panic wash over me. I know I should be used to these calls by now, but it doesn't make them any easier.

"The patient... The patient with the name Ripple..." He says slowly.

"Yes, Ripple, yes. I... I have been updated this afternoon about her situation... I've been getting ready to receive the worst news." I say, feeling my stomach churn with dread. "Has Ripple... passed away?" I ask, solemnly. It almost feels unreal to say it aloud, but it is what it is...

"Mr. Sellers... The patient... The patient identified as Ripple... has... miraculously awoken from her coma ten minutes ago."

Chapter 8

"What?! I didn't hear well..." I say, confused about what I've heard.

"Mr. Sellers, Ripple... Has woken up." He repeats, and it takes me a second to process what he's just said. My heart leaps, and I feel a rush of adrenaline course through my veins.

"She's awake?" I ask, hardly daring to believe it. "She's okay? She's alive?" I say, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

"Well, I wouldn't say that quite yet. She's alive, yes, and her vitals seem to be stabilizing for now, but she's still very weak and fragile. She won't be discharged from the ICU yet, but the prognosis for her recovery looks much better now." He says, sounding more optimistic.

I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "That's… That's incredible... Thank you, Dr. Axe... Thank you so much." I say, my voice shaking with emotion.

"You're welcome, Mr. Sellers. I'm just doing my job. If you want to receive more information on the recovery, I'll now pass you with the communications staff" He says as I hear him calling Virginia over.

"...J-Jake? I-Is that you?" She asks, sounding a bit more coherent now.

"Virginia, are you okay? How is Ripple?" I ask urgently, hoping for good news.

"She's... She's okay, Jake. She woke up, just like that, out of the blue... The doctors are amazed, even the most experienced ones say it's a miracle!" She states, sounding as amazed as everyone must be right now.

"And what did Ripple say, what did she do, what's going on, tell me, Virginia!" I demand, feeling desperate to know more.

"...She... She opened her eyes, and asked for a glass of water." Virginia laughs softly on the other end of the line.

"No way, she can't be that coherent after waking up from a coma that long! She was probably just confused or delirious!" I say, but Virginia cuts me off.

"Well, it may seem unbelievable, but she was as lucid as anyone! She looked straight at the doctor, and even asked how long she had been out!" Virginia says, sounding amazed. "Yeah, it gives the sensation that she's sleepy or dizzy, but her vitals are stable and strong. She just needs rest now, Jake." I hear Dr. Axe say, taking the phone from Virginia's hands.

"And what happens now? I mean, how soon can I see her?" I ask eagerly.

"The doctors will continue monitoring her condition, but, if all goes well, they plan to move her to a private room in the hospital in the next few days. As for visiting, we'll need to take it one day at a time, but I'm sure they will allow you to see her soon." He explains, sounding a bit more optimistic than before.

I feel a wave of relief wash over me. This is the best news I've heard in a long time. "Thank you, Dr. Axe, Virginia. Thank you both so much." I say sincerely. "I'll bring her daughter as soon as I can."

As we hang up the phone, I can't help but smile. After so many months of heartache and worry, things are finally starting to look up. Ripple is awake, and, with any luck, she'll be home soon. I can't wait to see her, to hug her, to tell her how much I missed her.

I start making my way back home, feeling a sense of joy and excitement building inside me. As I approach the house, I start thinking about how I would tell the news to Splash. I soon realized I shouldn't tell her just yet, because, even though Ripple woke up, she still isn't out of the hospital, and she is still very much an invalid, so she wouldn't be able to care for her daughter just yet, but... I don't know... I can't wait to tell Splash, to take her see her mom, even if it's only for a few minutes a day. Then, as I look up at the moon, a thought crosses my mind, one I didn't expect...

I look down to the floor, as I used to do each time Ripple reprended me, and step inside, feeling confident that, tomorrow, Splash will receive the best news she has probably received in her short life...

For the first time in months, I slept well that night. I wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy, ready to face the day ahead. I go towards Splash's room (I've already grown accustomed to name that room this way), noticing that Splash is still fast asleep. I smile, feeling a sense of love and gratitude wash over me as I look at her. I go to the kitchen and start preparing a bowl of berries and fish from the assignment I've been given for her. I don't get how she can think this is tasty, but well, I'm not a Buizel or a Floatzel, so I can't judge...

"Jakey!" Splash soon beams from her room. "Is it Fish and Berries?!" She asks excitedly, as she smells it.

"Of course, little one! Come here and eat up!" I call out, setting the bowl on the table. She quickly makes her way into the kitchen, her eyes wide with delight.

"Thank you, Jakey! This is my fawouritest breakfast!" She squeals, diving into the food. I smile, watching her eat.

"Splash..." I say, kneeling down to look at her eye level. "I have something very important to tell you today, okay?" I say softly.

She looks up at me, her mouth full of berries. "Whaw isw it, Jawkey?" She asks, chewing slowly as she speaks.

"Last night... your mommy... she woke up from her long sleep." I explain gently, watching her face closely for her reaction.

Splash's eyes widen, and she drops her spoon, staring at me in shock. "Mommy...?" She asks, sounding barely audible.

"Yes, sweetie. She's awake now, and the doctors say she's going to be okay." I say, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes once again as I see the joy and relief in her face.

"Really? Is mommy coming here with us?! Will she get to hold me and hug me?! Can I show her all the tricks I learned from yo?!" Splash asks excitedly, jumping up and down.

I shake my head, feeling a pang of sadness for what she doesn't understand. "Not yet, little one. Mommy is still in the hospital. She needs to rest and get stronger before she can come home. But the doctors say she will be able to see us soon, and we can visit her together, okay?" I explain, wanting to make sure she understands.

"Okay..." She says, sounding a little disappointed. "But... Why did mommy take so long to wake up? Did she not want to see me anymore?" She asks, her little voice trembling a bit.

"No, sweetie, of course not! Mommy loves you more than anything in the world. She just had to take a long nap to get better, that's all. She would have woken up sooner if she could." I say, giving her a gentle squeeze.

Splash nods, looking down at the table. "Okay... I miss mommy..." She says softly, and my heart aches for her, but now, there's optimism too.

"I know you do, little one. But remember, we will see her reaaaally soon, and then you can tell her all about your adventures in Kanto!" I say, trying to sound reassuring.

"Okay, Jakey..." She says with a small smile. "I'm going to eat fast so we can go see her!"

I smile, feeling a rush of love for her. "That's the spirit, Splash! Now, eat up, and then we'll go visit mommy." The doctor said it would take still a few days for Ripple to be allowed to receive visits, but it will also take me a couple days to travel back there, so, I figure, I can start packing now, so we can leave in the afternoon. If we are lucky, she'll be discharged from the ICU by the time we arrive there.

After breakfast, I get us both ready to go, making sure to bring all the supplies we'll need for the trip. I can't believe this day is finally coming. Ripple is awake, and Splash will get to see her. I just hope everything goes well.

As we get into the car, I glance up at the sky, noticing the sun shining brightly. It feels like a new beginning, a fresh start. I put the car in drive, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation building inside me. We're finally going to see Ripple again, and I can't wait to see her smile as she sees Splash.

Two days later*

The drive to the hospital was a blur, even if it took two nights to get there. I barely slept at all, both for the excitement and the worry. What would I say to Ripple? How would she react when she sees me? Would she be happy to see me? I don't know. I just know that, no matter what happens, I will be there for her and Splash, always.

As I park the car in front of the hospital, I feel a wave of nervousness wash over me. But, as I look back at Splash, I see her smiling up at me, and I feel my fears melt away. She is the most important thing, and, as long as she's happy, that's all that matters.

We make our way into the hospital, and, as soon as I get inside, I head to the main counter.

"Hello?" I say, wanting to be attended. "Can you help me find a patient please? Her name is Ripple." But, just then, a woman approaches us from behind.

"Mr. Sellers?! Is that you?!" She calls out, and I turn around. It was an average-looking girl, around twenty or so, with her hair tied back in a messy ponytail and wearing a pair of glasses. She looked kind of like a librarian or something.

"Who are you...?" I ask, confused.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself!" She says with an awkward laugh. "Yes, I'm Virginia. We spoke on the phone." She explains, shaking her head. I feel a rush of relief.

"Oh! Virginia, hello! It's so nice to finally meet you in person!" I say, feeling a sense of familiarity and warmth towards her already as we shake hands. "Is Ripple okay? Can we see her?" I ask urgently.

"Of course! She's waiting for you in her room. Come, follow me!" She says, motioning for us to follow her. I quickly grab Splash by the paw, and we make our way to the elevators.

As we step into the elevator, I feel a sense of nervousness wash over me again. "Well, here we are, fourth floor. Her room is the number '419'." She says as she points to a long white sign posted outside the elevator's doors. "The second door on the left, that's it."

I take a deep breath, feeling my heart race. This is it. I'm finally going to see Ripple after all these months. "Thank you, Virginia." I say, before turning to Splash. "Now, remember, sweetie. Mommy might look a little different from the last time you saw her, okay? She's been sick for a long time, but she's still the same person, and she loves you very much." I explain gently, wanting to prepare her for what we might see.

"Okay, Jakey..." Splash says, sounding a little nervous. I smile, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

I lead Splash down the hall, and, as we approach room 419, I hesitate for a moment, feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. I know this is the right thing to do, regardless of how well or badly Ripple and I get along, to inform her about Splash's time with me, and to bring Splash to her, so they can be together. I just hope she takes it well... Finally, I slowly pull the knob, the door opening slowly...

"Mommy?!" Splash squeals, as she peeks her head inside the room. I freeze, as, for a second, I think a million impossible scenarios. But, before I can push the door open myself... Splash pushes it herself!

"Mommy! MOMMY!" She screams, as she starts running inside the room.

"Splash, wait! You can't..." I yell, but, as I peek inside, I notice she already got to the side of the bed, where a pale, slimmer, but pretty Floatzel was lying.

"Splash? Is that you, my little cub?" Ripple asks, her voice barely a whisper. She looks exhausted, but, to my surprise, there's a smile on her face. as she sees Splash.

"Mommy, I missed you so much! I...I-" Splash sobs, climbing onto the bed and hugging her tightly. Soon, Ripple breaks into tears too, and they start to cry together, both of them weeping as they hold each other close. I stand there, outside the door, watching them, feeling a mixture of happiness and completeness wash over me. Ripple is alive, she's okay, and she's finally seeing her daughter again. This is the best moment of my life.

Chapter 9

I was transfixed, looking to nowhere in particular, when I noticed Ripple had, in fact, noticed my presence. "Y-you... What are you... What are you doing here?!" She asks, as the smile on her face contorts to an unamused one. I break out of my daze, realizing I'm the one with the more explaining to do...

"Jakey! Come see mommy!" Splash squeals, waving me over excitedly. I look at her, then at Ripple, feeling a strange sensation inside me. But...

"Are you mad, idiot, or something? Get out of my sight! I don't need you here! I won't let you ruin my relationship with my daughter!" Ripple says, raising her voice dangerously, as Splash stops waving at me and looks confused.

"Mommy? But... But Jakey took care of me... He played with me... We had lots of fun... I love Jakey!" Splash says, still holding on to her mom's arm tightly.

I shake my head, feeling the anger rise inside me. "Ripple, you can't just dismiss me like that! Please..." I say, not knowing what to do.

"Oh, you're so deluded! You're nothing but a nuisance, a pathetic human who thinks he can tell me what to do with my daughter! I won't let Splash see you anymore, I won't let her be tainted by your presence!" She yells, and I can see the fire in her eyes. I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I have to make her understand.

"Ripple, please... I know you're upset, but you don't understand. I only want what's best for Splash, and for you. I took care of her when you couldn't, and I love her like she's my own. I won't just abandon her." I say firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ripple's gaze fixed at me as if she was preparing to spit venom like an Arbok. "You love her? BULLSHIT! You're just a selfish human who wants to get to my wallet!" She screams.

I shake my head, tears starting to fall down my cheeks. "This isn't fair, Ripple..." I say softly. "I risked everything to keep Splash safe, to protect her from the outside world. I didn't do it for money or fame, I did it because I love you two." I say, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Shut up! You're lying!" Ripple yells. "You don't know anything about me, about my life, or about my daughter! You're a stranger, an intruder, and you have no right to talk about us like that!"

I take a deep breath, feeling a sense of desperation wash over me. "You're right, Ripple. I'm not part of your family. I just did this out of my heart, because I wanted the best for Splash. Now that she's got it, it's time to make my leave." I say as I glance at Splash. "Splash, remember, always be strong and compassionate to everyone. I'll always love you... my little hero."

As I say these last words, I quickly turn around and start walking away, feeling my heart shatter into a million pieces. This is it. I'm leaving Splash and Ripple behind, walking away from the only thing that made me feel alive. But, if this is what's best for them, I have no choice. I can't let my selfishness destroy their happiness.

"Jakey? Please, don't go!" Splash sobs from the room. I stop, looking back at the open door before turning away, walking into the elevator with tears in my eyes. As I get into the car, I start to cry uncontrollably, letting out all the emotions I've been holding in for so long. I miss Splash already, and the thought of never seeing her again breaks my heart. How come I let myself get so attached to her? It was all just a cruel joke, a test of my emotions... And I failed miserably.

As I drive away, I glance at the hospital one last time, a wave of sadness and regret washing over me. I loved Splash as a daughter, and I loved Ripple too, in my own way. But maybe I was never meant to be part of their lives. I was just a temporary solution, a Band-Aid on a broken heart. Now, it's time for me to step aside and let them heal on their own.

I turn off the car radio, wanting to drive in silence. As I drive away, the sun begins to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and red. It's beautiful, but I can't enjoy it. All I can think about is the pain I feel inside, the void that Splash and Ripple have left in my heart. I wonder if I will ever feel whole again. I don't know. All I know is that I have to keep moving forward, no matter how much it hurts. I have to find a way to live with the pain, to carry on without the two people I've grown to love the most.

Interlude 1. Ripple 's POV.

"Splash... it's not... well to leave with strangers! It's dangerous!" I say whispering, still too weak after shouting to Jake to really talk louder...

"Mommy, it was Jakey who took care of me! He took me to the doctor, and he gave me nice food, and he played with me, and he protected me!" Splash insists, her eyes welling up with tears.

"But Jake isn't your daddy! He... He isn't family, and he didn't ask me for permission to take care of you!" I yell, feeling my strength and anger grow at the mere mention of him.

"He... He's not my daddy, but he's very good, mommy! Why do you dislike him so much?" She asks, making me think for a moment. But, the moment is short-lived.

"Splash, do you remember when I told you there were bad people in the world? People who want to hurt you to get to your mommy's money?" I ask, and she nods. "Well, Jake is one of those bad people! He wanted to use you just so he could take money from me!" I say, gritting my teeth.

"That's not true, mommy! Jakey never asked for any money, never! He even bought me food and... and... and even got me many big ice-creams with looots and looots of sprinkles!" She says, her lower jaw quivering. I sigh, realizing she won't be convinced easily. I have to make her understand.

"Splash, dear... You're too young to understand, but there are many people in this world who would do anything to get rich, even if it means hurting others. Jake was one of those people, and he has taken advantage of me now when I am weak. He knew I was in the hospital, and he saw an opportunity to get close to you." I explain gently, trying to make her see the truth... or what in my mind was the truth, that is.

"But... but he didn't take anything, mommy! He came to the mansion, and he just took Whisey! He said I couldn't stay there because it was dangerous, and he'd take care of me until you got better!" She insists, looking confused and upset.

I shake my head, feeling a wave of anger wash over me. How dare he manipulate my innocent daughter like this? "Splash, listen to me. Jake is a liar. He wanted to take you away from me, to get you all to himself. He was probably planning to demand money from me in exchange for your safety! Don't you understand?!" I say, my voice rising with each word.

"But... But why, mommy? He didn't do any of that! And I was in Kanto, living with him for months! And he always said he loved me!" Splash argues, tears streaming down her face.

"WHAT?! IN KANTO?!" I scream, feeling my blood run cold. "Splash, are you telling me that Jake abducted you abroad this whole time?!" I ask, my voice shaking with rage and fear. She nods, looking scared.

"But, mommy, I told you he was really nice! He... He took me to many cool places, and we played together, and... and we had pizza every Friday, and... And..." She sniffles, her voice trailing off.

I feel a knot form in my stomach. This is worse than I thought. Jake has been brainwashing my daughter, manipulating her into thinking he's a good person. I can't believe I fell for his act. I should have known better. I should have protected Splash from him.

"Splash, you need to listen to me very carefully, okay? Jake is dangerous. He's a bad person who wants to hurt you and me. You can never, ever trust him, do you understand?" I say firmly, looking into her eyes.

"But... why? Why do you think that?!" She asks, looking hurt and confused.

"Because he's a human, Splash! And humans can't be trusted!" I say harshly, feeling the bitterness of my own past experiences welling up inside me. I know all too well how cruel and deceitful humans can be.

Splash's eyes widened in shock. "But... but you're fwiends with the people and pokémon who work at the circus, mommy! Thewe are also humans too!" She argues, and I feel my blood boil, and I snap as memories flood my mind.

"NO! NO ONE AT THE CIRCUS ARE MY FRIENDS!" I scream, and Splash jumps in surprise, crying. I shake my head, trying to rein in my emotions, after remembering supposedly forgotten memories...

"Splash, dear, I... I'm sorry I yelled. I didn't mean to scare you. But-"

"You are the worst mommy in the world, you yell to good people, you almost don't hug me and I don't even have a daddy! I HATE YOU! I LOVE JAKEY! I WANT HIM TO BE MY DADDY!" Splash screams, as she runs out of the room.

"SPLASH! COME BACK HERE! DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY FROM ME!" I yell, but there's no way I can chase after her, as I can barely move without getting dizzy. I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. This is not how I wanted this to go. I never meant to upset Splash like this. I just wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from the bad people in the world...

I sigh, feeling a sense of regret for not being able to convince her. I push the button to call the nurse. "Yes, this is patient Ripple, in room 419. Can you please send someone to find my daughter? She ran out of the room a few seconds ago..." I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Of course, Ms. Ripple. We will send someone to search for her immediately." The nurse replies, and I can hear the concern in her voice. I feel a sense of relief, knowing that Splash will be taken care of. But, as I lean back in my bed, I can't shake the feeling of unease that's settled in my stomach.

I hope Splash is okay, and that she'll be brought back soon. I don't know what I would do if something happened to her. She's the only thing that matters to me in this world. No matter what it takes, I will make sure that Jake never sees her again.

As I wait for the nurse to return with Splash, I can't help but think about what she said, about how Jake took her to many cool places and played with her. I feel a pang of jealousy and anger at the thought of him bonding with her, of him becoming her father figure. He had no right to do that, not without my permission! He had no right to come into our lives and turn everything upside down!

I shake my head, pushing away the thoughts. I can't let myself get consumed by jealousy and anger. I have to focus on what's important, on keeping Splash safe. And that means making sure she stays as far away from Jake as possible. No matter what I have to do, I will protect my daughter from him, even if it means destroying any relationship she might have formed with him. She is my daughter, and her happiness comes before anything else.

As I wait, I glance out the window, watching the sun set over the city. It's beautiful, but it just makes me feel lonely. I wish I had someone to share it with, someone who loved me and Splash as much as I love her. But, I remind myself, I don't need anyone. It's just me and Splash against the world. And that's all that matters.

And it will stay that way, forever.

Two weeks later*

It's been two weeks since Splash came back to me, and I've arranged to keep her at the nursery the hospital provides for children, so I can rest and recover my strength. She's been visiting me every day, but she's still upset with me for yelling at Jake and for not letting her see him anymore. I know I have to make things right between us, but I just don't know how.

As I lie in my bed, staring up at the ceiling, I can't stop thinking about what Splash said, about Jake taking her to all those different places and playing with her. I know it's just a manipulation tactic, a way to get close to her and eventually demand money from me. But, as much as I want to believe that, I can't ignore the fact that Splash seemed happy when she was with him. And, honestly, I feel a twinge of envy at the thought of her having fun without me.

I sigh, pushing away the thought. I can't let my jealousy cloud my judgment. I have to focus on the facts, on what's best for Splash. And that's keeping her away from Jake, no matter how much it hurts her...

Suddenly, there's a knock at my door. I sit up, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over me. Could it be Jake? Has he come to try to see Splash? I take a deep breath, preparing to do whatever it takes to protect my daughter.

But, as I open the door, I see Dr. Axe standing there, holding a notepad and a pen. He looks serious, and my stomach drops.

"Dr. Axe, what's wrong? Is something wrong with Splash?" I ask quickly, my heart racing with fear.

"No, no, Ms. Ripple, your daughter is fine. She's currently with the staff in the nursery, and she's been doing very well." He says, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me.

"Oh, thank goodness..." I say, feeling a bit lighter. "Then, what is it? Why are you here?" I ask, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

"Well, Ms. Ripple... I've been reviewing your medical records, and I have some news about your recovery." He starts to explain, and I feel my heart start to pound. "You're improving way faster than we expected, and your vitals are looking stronger every day. However, there is still one concern..." He says, his voice trailing off.

"What is it? Just tell me, please!" I say urgently, feeling the panic start to rise inside me.

Dr. Axe sighs, looking down at his notepad. "Ms. Ripple... we've noticed a significant improvement in your mobility since you woke up from your coma. Yet, you're still having a bit of difficulty moving your limbs, and you're not as responsive to stimuli as a healthy specimen of your species should be." He says gently, and I feel a chill run down my spine.

"What does that... mean?" I ask, barely able to get the words out.

"Well, the medical team has pondered about different possibilities, and we've decided you to choose what better suits you. If you want to be discharged back to your home, you will be able to, but note full recovery within the plausible limits will still take several weeks at least." He explains, looking a bit nervous about my reaction.

"Several weeks? But I can't wait that long to go back home! I need to be with my daughter!" I argue, feeling frustration and worry bubble up inside me. Dr. Axe nods, understanding my position.

"I know, Ms. Ripple. You'll be then discharged, but please, note that it's normal you don't feel completely healed yet, because you haven't been to the post-rehabilitation program yet." He explains. "However, given the particular characteristics of your home, it will be possible to do it there too, but... well, now that you are awake and fully aware, it is necessary for you to sign a paper with your decision." He adds, showing me a form that reads 'Discharge form for patient'.

"Okay, I'm leaving then." I say, slowly standing up and walking towards him, grabbing the pen and signing where it asks for it. "There you are." I say, as I give it back to him. "Now, when can I take Splash and leave the hospital for good? When can I get back to my normal life?"

"As soon as Splash is taken back to you. Just wait a sec." He says as he makes a call to the nursery. "Yes, hello. I want you to bring Splash, daughter of patient Ripple, back to her mother's room. Ms. Ripple will be leaving with her as soon as possible." He says before hanging up the phone.

"You can take Splash with you whenever you're ready, Ms. Ripple." He says with a small smile, as the elevator's doors open.

"Mommy?" Splash squeals as she runs out of the elevator and towards me.

"Hi, sweetie. Are you ready to go home?" I ask, smiling down at her.

"Yeah!" She squeals, jumping up and down. "Can we phone Jakey when we get home?"

I feel my smile falter at the mention of his name. "No, Splash, I've already told you, Jake isn't going to be part of our lives anymore." I say firmly, but she just pouts.

"Mommy, I want to call Jakey! I miss him!" She whines, and I feel the familiar pang of jealousy and anger in my chest. I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

"Splash, please don't make a number. He's not a good person, and we need to forget about him, okay?" I say with authority, before Dr. Axe gives me a little box, with a paper inside. "Hm? And what's this?" I say as I start to read it.

"It is the bill for your medical treatment here. You will need to settle it before you leave the hospital." He says, handing me the box. I open it, and start scanning for the total amount through the breakdown of costs. Soon, I read it. 'Total amount for payment: 1.317.821,79 Poké' I read out loud, feeling a slight rush wash over me. "Is this really over a million bucks? Really? This is ridiculous!" I comment as we all make our way to the reception desk. I have no problem at all paying this amount, as it is actually a very small sum in comparison to my personal assets, but I have a genuine doubt that comes to my mind. "What would happen with... you know, average people, like... well, people without money or insurance?" I ask. And Dr. Axe answers with a sigh.

"Well, if the total amount surpasses the double of the total assets of the patient, then, treatment is interrupted. It's that simple." He answers with a shrug. I look at him, blinking repeatedly as I process the information.

"Wait, so... if I was a pauper, or even just... I dunno, like, poor, I couldn't have afforded this treatment? I would have to be... Put down?" I ask, a bit shaken. He shrugs.

"In your case, no, I mean, you would have had non-stop assistance, since the hospital knows you are a celebrity. But for those that don't have this privilege? Yes. But please, don't tell anyone else I told you this." He says, before leaving, and I'm left with Splash and my thoughts.

After paying the bill and signing the papers, I take Splash by the paw and we make our way towards the exit of the hospital. As we step outside, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. Finally, I am free. I can take my daughter back and start our normal lives again, without any more interruptions or distractions. However, as we walk to the car that's already waiting for us, some hospital staff come to us.

"The cleaning staff found this mobile phone in room 419" The man says as he hands me a rather dusty mobile phone. "Is it yours?" He asks, and I shake my head.

"No, it isn't mine. I don't use this type of technology, actually." I say dismissively, waving the phone away, but the staff man insists.

"But, madam, perhaps you should check it. Even if it's not yours, we should return it to its original owner. Otherwise, we might have some trouble." He insists, looking a bit nervous.

I sigh, feeling impatient. "Fine, give it here." I say, grabbing the phone from his hand. I swipe across the screen, unlocking it. Immediately, as I see the wallpaper, I freeze, not believing what I saw. A selfie of Splash and Jake... Together... And smiling... I feel my heart racing as I nod, deciding to take the phone with me, just in case. "Yeah, I'll check it and see. Thanks." I say quickly as I hurry into the car. But, as soon as the doors close, I can't help but check the phone again, when...

"Mommy! It's Jakey's phone! What are you doing with it? Can we call him now?" Splash squeals excitedly, looking at me with those big blue eyes.

"No, sweetie, we can't." I say softly, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. If this is really Jake's phone, it probably fell when he brought Splash to the hospital two weeks ago.

As we are driven away from the hospital, I glance back at it one last time, feeling a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach. Jake was here, and he left his phone behind. He probably didn't notice as he rushed out because... I yelled at him and made him leave. I feel a pang of guilt, but I shake it off. I can't let myself get distracted by thoughts of him. He's in the past, and that's where he's going to stay.

But, as we are driven away, I can't shake the feeling that something is off. Something about this whole situation feels wrong, and I don't know what it is. But I'm determined to find out. I'm sure Jake plans something shady, and I'm going to find proof of it in his phone. If he really tried to do something awful to Splash, I bet he will never see the sun again!

Soon, the car arrives at the mansion, and I step out. At that moment, I feel... nostalgic? I haven't been here in so long! And I have to admit, it looks... iffy. It seems the maintenance staff hasn't been as meticulous as usual.

I shake my head, dismissing the thought. I have to focus on what's important, and that's making sure Splash is safe. As we walk inside the house, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. It's been so long since I've been here, and it feels... different. But then, I shake off the feeling. I'm home now, and that's all that matters.

I lead Splash upstairs to her room, wanting to give her a little time to settle in before we talk about the future. As I walk through the place, I can't help but notice all the changes that have occurred while I was gone. The training arena is all wet and muddy from the recent rains, the pool's water is green, and the paint on the walls is peeling. I shake my head, feeling a mix of annoyance and pity for the staff. I'll have to have a word with them about keeping things up to par.

But, as I step into my room, I freeze, feeling a wave of shock and confusion wash over me. It is almost... empty! The beds, the decorations, they're all gone. It looks like someone took everything, leaving nothing behind but bare walls and dust. I look around, feeling a sense of confusion and unease settle over me. What happened here?

As I stand there, trying to make sense of it all, I notice something on the floor. I bend down to pick it up, and my heart stops. It's a single gold coin, with the letter 'S' engraved on one side and the letter 'R' on the other. I feel the blood drain from my face as I realize what this means. 'S' stands for Sellers! I'm sure! He robbed me! He stole everything!

I feel a wave of anger and betrayal wash over me as I stand up, my hands shaking. I knew it! I knew he was only after my money! He probably thought he could get away with it while I was in the hospital, but he underestimated me! I will make him pay for this, I swear! He won't get away with stealing from me and my daughter!

As I stand there, holding the coin in my hand, I feel a sense of determination wash over me. I will find out where Jake went and what he did with my things. I will track him down and make him pay for what he did. He might have fooled me once, but he will never fool me again!

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the coin in my paw. I quickly get to the phone in my room, and dial the police. "Hello? I need to report a robbery." I say, my voice shaking with anger and rage. I give them all the details, explaining what happened and who I think is responsible. As I hang up the phone, I feel a sense of satisfaction. Jake will never get away with this. I will make sure of it.

But, as the hours pass and I wait for the police to arrive, I can't shake off this strange feeling of unease. Something is still not adding up, and I can't put my finger on it. As I glance down at Jake's phone in my hand, I remember the selfie of him and Splash. I unlock it again, studying it closely. They look so happy together, so natural. It doesn't look like a fake at all.

I sigh, pushing away the thought. It doesn't matter. Jake is a liar, a cheater, and a thief. He took advantage of me and my daughter, and I will never forgive him for it. As the police arrive to take my statement, I tell them everything, making sure to emphasize how dangerous and unstable Jake is. I want them to know just how serious this is.

As they leave, promising to investigate the matter further, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. Finally, I am getting justice. Finally, Jake will pay for what he's done. But, as I stand alone in my empty house, I can't shake the nagging feeling that I need to check Jake's phone. So, once I tuck Splash to bed, I decide to use the opportunity to unlock it and see what's inside.

I sit on the bed, unlocking the phone, I feel a knot form in my stomach. I don't know what I'm going to find, and I'm not sure I want to know. But, I have to. I have to know the truth, no matter how much it hurts.

As I start to scroll through his messages and photos, I can't believe what I'm seeing. There are so many pictures of him and Splash together, laughing and smiling. They look like a real family. There are videos too, of him teaching her how to swim, how to use a fork and knife, or doing mock battles... My heart burns with rage as I think how good of a good actor Jake is, pretending to be a caring human to gain my daughter's trust, and the most painful fact is that it seems he truly got along well with her!

As I delve deeper into the phone, I find something that makes my blood run cold. It's the call record for the last year, and, it seems, the option to record calls was always turned on. This is the moment I had been waiting for, where Jake would communicate his true intentions... I quickly swept upwards, to the very day I suffered the accident. There have been 649 calls since then, and I get comfortable in bed, ready to listen to each and one of them... I paw the 'play' button on the first call, and the audio starts to play...

"...you are the only person reachable or who has shown any interest in her, it seems..." I can hear. I am completely shocked. How come? Does it mean...?

"...Please, don't hesitate to call me, no matter the time of day, even if it's just to keep me updated." I hear Jake's voice speaking. back. Did really NO ONE really care for me when I was to the brink of death?!

"...establishing you as her next of kin or official representative" The call continues. Did Jake really… accept that? I think, before thinking it was a way to have me under control when he was in Kanto…

However, I keep on listening, but...

"...The cub is Splash, and she's... well, she's my world..." I hear Jake say as he seemed to have called for social help...? No, it can't be! He can't care about her like that... I mean... What's the point of helping her like that? What does Jake win out of this?

"...I've been too focused on making sure Splash is safe from the world and happy..." The call continues, and my heart stops. This sounds like... like he actually cares about her. Like he loves her. I can't help but start playing the next phone call, which is as long as the previous one.

"...No fucking way, you hear me? There's no way in this world I'm leaving Splash alone with strangers!" I hear Jake scream, sounding desperate and scared. My heart races as I keep listening, not believing what I'm hearing.

"...Splash stays with me until she grows up to be an adult Floatzel or I die from hunger, Are we clear!?" He shouts, and I can hear the fire in his voice. My paws start to shake as a really bad sensation starts to overwhelm me. Now, I must continue with every audio stored until I get to the last one, as if I was glued to the phone. Soon, another audio strikes my feelings...

"...I know. I just... I can't stop hoping that she'll wake up, you know?" Jake says softly, sounding exhausted and defeated. This was from a month later than the previous ones, yet, his determination to have Splash by his side didn't wane! Then, I slide further, wanting to find out if Jake still cared these last days as much as he did the first ones. I scroll to the very last hours before I woke up, and I find one audio strangely recorded with the voice recorder... What will it be?

"...Mommy... I miss you..." I hear Splash say, her voice barely a whisper. My heart leaps at the sound of her voice, and I can't help but start whimpering as tears cloud my eyes...

"...Oh, Splash... I know, sweetheart. I miss her too..." Jake says softly. Then, I hear a rustle, as if he was moving.

"...Will she ever be able to hug me again, Jakey? Will she get better?" Splash asks, and I feel a knot form in my throat at the innocence and vulnerability in her voice.

"...we'll show her what a big, strong, and amazing cub you are." Jake says, before the audio ends. I can hear the love and devotion in his voice, the sincerity in his words. And, as I sit there, listening to that recording, I feel my heart shatter into a million pieces.

What have I done?! What have I said! Jake was only trying to protect her. And I... I drove him away! I hurt him and made him leave. I was so blind, so consumed by my own jealousy and anger that I couldn't see the truth right in front of me...

I drop the phone on the bed, feeling the tears stream down my face, as I can't help but start crying hard. I can't believe I was so stupid. I thought Jake was using me, using Splash to get my money. But he... he never wanted anything from us. He only wanted to keep Splash safe and make her happy. And I threw it all away!

As I sit there, sobbing and wallowing in my own self-pity, the phone keeps playing the last records.

"...No! No, please! You can't do that! She's the mother of a little cub! She's all she has!" Jake screams, sounding desperate. I sat up, wiping away my tears, as it must've been the morning before I woke up, when my vitals fluctuated weirdly... Finally, the last call, the moment I wake up, it's heard.

"...I'll bring her daughter as soon as I can." I hear Jake say, before hanging up...

"No more audios in the playlist." A robotic voice says, and then, silence.

I blink, taking a few moments to process what I've just heard. I've been a fucking idiot. I've been a selfish bitch, blinded by my own insecurities and past trauma. I drove away the one person who truly cared about my daughter, who loved her like his own. And I did it for no reason, except my own pride and prejudice.

As I sit there in the darkness, the truth of what I've done hits me like a freight train. I have to find Jake. I have to tell him how sorry I am, how much I was wrong. I have to make this right, no matter what it takes.

I pick up the phone, swiping across the screen with shaking paws. I dial the number for the hospital, demanding to speak to the head doctor, Dr. Axe. As I wait for him to come on the line, I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

"Hello? This is Dr. Axe." He says, sounding a bit impatient.

"Dr. Axe, it's Ripple. I need to know if you have any information on the whereabouts of Jake Sellers, the man who was visiting me and Splash in the hospital two weeks ago." I say quickly, not caring how I sound. There's a pause on the other end of the line.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Ripple, but we can't track visitors once they are out of the building." He says apologetically.

"Please, doctor! It's really important. I need to find him!" I beg, my voice shaking with desperation.

There's another pause, and then I hear him sigh. "Ms. Ripple, I shouldn't be doing this, but... I may have some information that could help you." He says hesitantly. "Before he left the hospital that day, Jake made a donation to cover 2000 Poké from your medical expenses. We can track the transaction info..."

As I listen to Dr. Axe talk, I feel my jaw dropping to the floor. On top of everything, Jake, who can't even pay for food now that he is unemployed, paid 2000 frigging Poké for my care?! It was a very small proportion of the bill, yeah, but that is quite an amount for an average worker, so I can't believe what 2000 Poké must mean for him! 2000 fucking Poké from an almost homeless person! And he knew I didn't need help at all!

"...I can't provide you with his personal information, but I can tell you that the donation was traced back to..." He says while Ripple writes in a nearby notebook. "... street, number 54." I write down, before adding 'Kanto' at the end of the street name. "Thank you, Dr. Axe, I won't forget this." I say, barely able to contain my emotions.

As I hang up the phone, I feel a rush of determination wash over me. I will find Jake, no matter how long it takes. I will make this right, and I will beg him to forgive me, to give me another chance to be part of his and Splash's lives. I start tracking phone numbers from the area in a white pages app, until I find a certain number from a '54' building, where supposedly lives one resident, named J. P. Sellers, a male aged 27 according to it. I quickly dial the number, and hope for the best...

Chapter 10. Jake 's POV.

I was cooking diner, throwing glances at the small pink toy table, where Splash used to sit and eat, and now, as I do it myself, I can't help but feel a wave of sadness wash over me, remembering how she looked while I taught her how to use the fork and knife.

I sigh, shaking my head, not being able to wrap my head around the fact Splash is gone forever from my life when the phone started ringing, and just a second later, someone knocked at my door. I froze for a second, glancing to the side of the table, where Whisey, Splash's favorite plush we forgot to take back to Sinnoh, was lying. I put down the spatula, feeling a lump form in my throat. Who could it be?

I opened the door that led to the garden... then, as I opened the one that led to the street...

"POLICE! OPEN UP! THIS IS THE KANTO POLICE DEPARTMENT! WE HAVE A WARRANT TO SEARCH THESE PREMISES!" Several policemen shout in unison, before barging inside and aiming their firearms at me!

"W-what's the matter...?" I say as I lift my arms, showing that I'm unarmed. I can't understand what's happening. Did someone call them and say I did something wrong?

"Jake Parker Sellers? We are arresting you for grand larceny, under the suspicion of having stolen valuables and funds from the property of Ms. Ripple!" The officer says, reading from a piece of paper he's holding.

I feel my eyes widen in shock. This is insane! I didn't steal anything from Ripple! I've been living off the bare minimum for the last several months, scraping berries and fruits I could find just to survive! How can they accuse me of something like this?

I shake my head, feeling a sense of anger and frustration start to rise inside me as I'm taken to the police station. As I sit in the interrogation room, I try to explain to the officers what really happened, but they just brush me off. They keep asking the same questions, over and over again, as if they're trying to trip me up.

"...And why did you take the cub to Kanto, Mr. Sellers?" The officer asks, his voice dripping with suspicion.

"I already told you! I took her to Kanto to protect her from the media and the circus! They were going to put her on display like a fucking toy!" I shout, slamming my fist on the table. The officer just smirks, leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah, right. And you were just trying to be a good Samaritan, is that it?" He says sarcastically. "We've spoken to several of Ms. Ripple's friends and associates, and they all say she's a very private pokémon. They doubt she would have ever allowed a human, let alone a stranger, to take care of her daughter like that." He continues, and I feel the anger start to boil inside me.

"That's because they don't know the whole story! They don't know what kind of person Ripple really is!" I argue, but the officer just shakes his head.

"I'm afraid we can't let you go, Mr. Sellers. You're going to be held here pending further investigation." He says, standing up and motioning for the other officers to take me away. I feel a sense of panic wash over me as they start to handcuff me.

"Wait! You can't do this! You're making a huge mistake!" I yell, struggling against the officers' grip. But it's no use. They drag me out of the room and down the hall, ignoring my pleas and protests.

As I'm shoved into a holding cell, I can't stop thinking about what's going to happen to me. They're going to lock me up, throw away the key, and leave me to rot in this hellhole! And all because of Ripple, because of her stupid jealousy and prejudice! I can't believe it!

I sit on a bench, waiting for half an hour, until a phone rings, and an officer comes to answer it.

"How? Has the loot appeared?" I hear the policeman say. "So the culprit was the second suspect, huh? All right, it must be him! Did you just arrest him?" The officer continues, his face lighting up with excitement. I roll my eyes, feeling a bit of relief. At least it sounds like they're starting to see I might not be guilty after all... Then, he dials another number.

"Yes, we'll hold him in custody. Don't worry, Ms. Ripple, your property has been found in the belongings of Mr. Robert Smith, who has been also proven to be the owner of the pendant coin given as a clue. He was the real thief all along, and he has been wanted since 20 years ago, having stolen valuable items from all the places he has worked in. Ann Hensey has also been busted, as she was proven to be an accomplice in his criminal plans." I hear, before the policeman hangs up.

I blink, taking a few moments to process what I just heard. Rob?! It was... Rob?! And Ann?! They were my fellow workers! The guys from the mansion, who used to watch over the place while we were away, were the ones who stole it all? How didn't Ripple suspect? And... wait... Second suspect? Why was I the first one to be blamed for this?

I sigh, feeling a mix of relief and frustration wash over me. At least I was innocent, and the police seem to realize it now. But why was I the one they came to first? What made them suspect me of all people?

Finally, minutes later, I was freed, with all the charges dropped, and I was even given a 'letter of apology', given that they barged inside my house without a real warrant, and... Well, I have to admit it felt good to have the upper hand for once.

As I left the police station, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off. Why did they come to me first? How did they even know to look for me? And, more importantly, what was I going to do now? I had no job, no money, and nowhere to go. I was left with nothing but the clothes on my back and the memories of the time I spent with Splash.

I arrived home late, but, as I entered, I felt... strange. Then, the phone in the living room rings again. I recognize it's the landline, the one that almost never used to beep since I don't have a landline number listed anywhere. I answer, not recognizing the number, and after a pause, I hear...

"Jake?...Jake, is someone there?!" A feminine voice says, but with a familiar tone...

"Wh-who's this?" I ask, trying to identify the voice.

"Jake... Jake Parker Sellers?" The voice asks again, sounding hesitant.

"Yes, I am. Who is this?" I ask again, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

"Oh, Jake, it's... it's Ripple." She says, and I feel my jaw drop to the floor. What? Ripple? Now, why is she calling me?

"Ripple? What do you want?" I ask harshly, still feeling bitter about the way things ended between us.

"Jake! Jake! You're there! Thank God! Please, don't hang up! I have to tell you something!" She says quickly, sounding desperate and out of breath.

"Is that so? What." I ask dryly, feeling no inclination to make this easy for her.

"Jake... I was wrong about everything. I was just... I was scared, and jealous, and I let my past trauma cloud my judgment." She starts to explain, and I can hear the sincerity in her voice.

"Ripple, what do you want from me? You made it clear that you wanted me to do nothing with you or Splash. You kicked me out of your lives without a second thought." I say bitterly.

"I know, Jake, I know. And I'm so sorry. I was a horrible pokémon, and I hurt you and Splash in the worst way possible. But please, just listen to me for a second." She begs, and I can hear the desperation in her voice. I take a deep breath, knowing I have to hear her out.

"You probably have noticed, your mobile phone is missing. It fell the day you left the hospital and was given to me. I listened to all the voicemails on your phone, Jake. I have heard... everything." She says quietly, and I feel a chill run down my spine. I fiddled with the phone long ago, and I indeed left the recording option active for calls.

"Ripple... I don't know what you're talking about." I say cautiously, trying to gauge her reaction.

"Jake, you... you really love Splash, don't you? You were only trying to protect her, and keep her happy." She says softly, and I feel a lump form in my throat at the thought of Splash. "I know that now. I know that you were never trying to hurt us or take advantage of me. And I... I am so sorry for what I did to you."

I take a deep breath, feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. Part of me wants to stay mad, to hold onto the anger and resentment I feel towards her. But another part of me, the part that still cares about her and Splash, wants to forgive her, to give her another chance to make things right.

"Ripple, I appreciate the effort you're putting in right now. You're not a pokémon who likes to apologize, and I respect that. But..." I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. "You have to understand that the way you treated me, and the way you treated Splash, was far from okay. It was cruel and unjust, and it hurt both of us deeply."

"I know, Jake. And I can't apologize enough for that. But... Can we meet? Can we talk about this in person and figure out a way to make things right between us?" She asks, sounding hopeful. I hesitate for a moment, feeling a rush of anger. What if Ripple just wants to rehire me for cheaper? What if she's not really sorry at all?

I sigh before answering. "Look Ripple. I'll agree with something you say." I pause before continuing. "In society, there are... different levels. Not all people are meant to live under the same conditions. You can find a common ground with a pokémon or human like you, sure. But with the likes of me? It's simply impossible for us to truly understand each other." I say, and she gasps audibly.

"Jake... What are you trying to say?" She asks softly, sounding a bit hurt.

"I'm saying that, no matter what, you and I will never see eye to eye, Ripple. We live in different worlds, and, although we share a common goal of keeping Splash safe, that doesn't change the fact that, ultimately, we are very different people. You've been telling me for the last couple years, and I can't do anything but agree." I explain.

"Jake... Jake, are you listening to yourself?! This is not the Jake I know! You don't mean it!" She argues, and I can't help but fall silent. She hit right on target! She... understood me! She knew my true intentions and could see beyond my words.

"I..." I hesitate, but she cuts me off before I can say anything else.

"Please, Jake. The Ripple you knew, the one who was jealous and cruel, died in that hospital. The pokémon you hear now... she's different. She's better." She pleads, and I can hear the conviction in her voice. "She might be more insecure now, but she is really trying to rediscover herself and the pokémon she wants to be." She continues, and I feel a sense of sadness wash over me. This really doesn't sound like the Ripple I loathed at all.

"Ripple. Want me to tell you something? I can't stand liars." I say, and she gasps again, a newfound tension palpable in her breath. "I will give you the chance to... redeem yourself, right here, right now." I say as I continue. "I have been arrested a few hours ago, and afterwards put back into liberty, you know why. The question is... Who gave my name to the police? Tell me, Ripple." I ask, but she hesitates.

"I... I did." She says finally, and I clench my fists in anger.

"Why...?" I ask, feeling betrayed.

"Because I... Because I thought you had something to do with the disappearance of our property." She says slowly, and I scoff.

"You didn't just think it. You believed it wholeheartedly. You wanted it to be true, so you could prove to yourself that you were right about me." I accuse, and she falls silent for a moment.

"Jake... I'm sorry. I was wrong. I should have trusted you, and I shouldn't have listened to Ann and Rob without double-checking the facts first." She says, sounding genuinely remorseful. "I thought they were my trusty employees, the ones that worked for me the longest. But they betrayed me, and they hurt you too in the process."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Ripple, you really can be such an idiot sometimes." I say softly, but I can't help but feel a small smile tug at the corner of my mouth. "But well, I'll give you another... little fact about me. I... hate liars... as much as I'm keen on sincere people. And you've just impressed me, Ripple." I say, and I hear her sigh with relief.

"Jake, please. Meet me. Meet me face to face, so we can talk about this like grown-ups." She begs, sounding more insistent this time. I hesitate for a moment before agreeing.

"Fine, Ripple. I'd like to, but I have no way I can go back there. I've run out of gas, and I must spend what I have left wisely..." I say apologetically.

"And you go to the hospital, doing the major idiot by paying 2000 Poké I don't need when you don't have a dime to yourself..." She says as she sighs. "You are such a case, Jake. I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow morning, and they'll fly you here in no time. I'll handle the expenses, trust me." She says firmly, seemingly determined to see me.

"Very well, Ripple. You win this round. But I hope you understand that, although I'll be more open to the possibility of trusting you, this doesn't mean I can change my mind one day to another." I warn.

"I understand, Jake. And I'm willing to put in the effort to make things right, no matter how long it takes." She says softly. "See you tomorrow."

As I hang up the phone, I feel a mix of emotions wash over me. A part of me still feels bitter and resentful towards Ripple, for the way she treated me and Splash. But another part of me, the part that still cares about her, feels a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to make things work, to build a new relationship based on trust and understanding.

As I sit in my living room, I can't help but think back to the time Splash and me spent together. They were difficult times, but we were happy, we were somewhat of a family. Before I can even think further about it, sleep gets the best of me, making me fall asleep on the couch.

Chapter 11

I wake up as the sunlight starts to peek through my windows, and I feel more determined than ever. Ripple might not be perfect, but she's still the mother of little Splash. And, despite the problems that arise between us, I still want to be there for them. As long as Ripple and Splash are happy and safe, that's all that matters to me.

I spent the morning packing my things and getting ready for the trip. As I finish packing, I hear a knock at my door. I open it to find a man in a suit, holding a piece of paper.

"Mr. Sellers? I'm here to take you to the airport." He says, and I nod, grabbing my bag and following him to the car. As we drive to the airport, I can't shake the feeling of unease that settles in my stomach. As we arrive at the airport, I walk to the departures panel and start to search for somewhere in Sinnoh, but I find nothing.

"Excuse me, Mister..." I say, not really knowing his name.

"Irving." The man answers politely.

"Excuse me, Mister Irving. I don't see any... flights going to Sinnoh. Do you have the tickets to see the time it's scheduled?" I ask, feeling a bit flustered.

"Oh, that would be because it's a private jet, sir. We don't have to wait for any commercial flight. We'll take off as soon as you board." He says with a smile, and I feel my eyes widen in surprise. A private jet? Really?

"Uhhh... what?" I say, stuttering like an idiot, before he takes me by the shoulder.

"Come on, Sir. I'm sure Ms. Ripple wants to see you as soon as possible." He says, pushing me towards the way he came from, and I feel like a little child, being dragged along.

Soon, I'm taken to an opulent private plane, and the stewardess even offers me a cup of coffee that I accept. I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe Ripple is really going through all this trouble to see me.

As I take a sip of the coffee, I start to think about what I'm going to say to her. I knew she was wealthy, but, this private jet thing is... a bit too much for me... I'm not this important... I'm not some business associate she has to impress! And then, my thoughts drift to Splash. I wonder how she's doing, if she misses me as much as I miss her...

I shake my head, pushing the thoughts away. I need to focus on what's important right now, and that's making sure Ripple understands the gravity of her actions and the damage she caused.

As the plane takes off, I glance out the window, watching the city shrink below me. I feel a sense of excitement and apprehension wash over me. I'm about to see Ripple again, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I try to stay calm and collected. I know I can't let my emotions get the better of me, not if I want to make things right. I need to keep my head clear and focus on what's really important.

The flight is smooth and quick, and before I know it, we're descending towards the airport. As we touch down, I feel a wave of nervousness wash over me. It's really happening. I'm really about to see Ripple and Splash once again...

Another exquisitely dressed man comes to us as we land. "Mister Sellers, I'll take you to your destination." He says simply, as he shows us the car he'll be driving, and I can only nod. And as soon as I get inside, my thoughts start to get the best of me. I keep replaying over and over again some critical phrases I need to say to her, learning them as if I was about to take an exam or something.

The driver parks the car and comes around to open my door, offering me his hand. I take it, stepping out and walking towards the mansion's front door. I see the gardens and the general appearance of the place, and I can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. This was my workplace, after all, although it's very unkempt, I must say. I then ring the bell, and I wait for a time, not really knowing if there's anyone inside... until the door suddenly opens.

"JAKEY!" I hear Splash scream, before running outside the house and jumping in my arms, knocking me backwards, but thankfully I managed to steady myself and hug her back, not wanting to let go. Then... I hear Ripple's voice.

"Oh my God, Jake! It's you!" Ripple says, as she walks out of a room. "I... I can't believe you're really here! Splash, honey, please, don't climb on Jake. You can hurt him!" She says, trying to pull her away from me.

"It's okay, Ripple. She's not hurting me. She just... She really missed me, didn't you, Splash?" I say softly, glancing at the little Buizel, who's sobbing in my arms.

"I missed you! I missed you so much, Jakey!" Splash cries, burying her face in my chest. I hug her tighter, feeling my own eyes start to well up with tears. I missed her too, more than she could ever know.

"Oh, honey, it's okay. It's okay..." I coo softly, stroking her head fur as she cries. "I'm here now again, okay?" I promise, and she nods, sniffling.

I look up at Ripple, thinking she was about to split us up, but she's standing there, frozen in place, with a hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face as she stares at the two of us. I... I didn't expect her to cry. I thought she would be all tough and business-like, but I guess Splash's outburst made her realize that this was a lot more emotional than she thought it would be.

"Jake, I... I'm so sorry. I had no idea you two were this close. C-can we talk? Can we go somewhere private?" She asks softly, wiping away her tears. I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to leave Splash, but I know I have to. I have to sort this out with Ripple once and for all.

I carefully let Splash on the floor when I remembered I had to return Whisey to her. "Hey Splash! You forgot this!" I say, as I hand the little plush to her.

"Whiseyyyyy!" She squeals, before squeezing it tightly. "I missed you too!" She says as she rubs her cheek against it, smiling. I can't help but laugh as I watch her, then Ripple asks Splash to go to her room and play until she comes back for her.

"Mommy's going to have a long, grown-up talk with Jakey, okay?" She says softly as she wipes off her tears.

"Okay, Mommy. I'll be good." Splash says, happily trotting away on all fours with Whiseyin her jaw. As she walks away, I turn back to Ripple.

"Jake... I'm so glad you're here... I'm serious, I swear!" Ripple starts, and I can see the sincerity in her eyes. "I have so much to apologize for, and so much I need to tell you. Can we go to my office? Please?" She asks, and I nod, not wanting her to be upset.

I follow her into the mansion, through the halls that I know like the back of my hand. As we walk, I can't help but admire the artwork and decorations that line the walls. It's all very tasteful and elegant, just like Ripple herself.

As we enter her office, I see a large desk with a computer and several folders and papers scattered across it. Behind the desk is a plush chair, and in front of it, two smaller chairs for visitors. Ripple sits down in her chair and gestures for me to take one of the visitor's seats.

"Jake, I want you to know that I've been doing a lot of thinking since you left, and since I listened to those voicemails on your phone. I realize now that I was completely wrong about you, and I'm so, so sorry." She starts, her voice cracking with emotion.

"Ripple, I appreciate your apology, but I have to be honest with you. What you did... It really hurt me and Splash. It was more than just a simple misunderstanding." I say firmly, not wanting to sugarcoat my feelings.

"I know, Jake, and I wish I could take it all back. But I can't. All I can do is promise to make things right, to make sure that you and Splash never feel that way again." She says, and I can hear the conviction in her voice. "I want to be better, Jake. I want to be the kind of mother Splash deserves." She continues, looking into my eyes.

I take a deep breath, feeling a wave of emotions wash over me. "Ripple, you're already an amazing mother. You just need to trust yourself more, and be more open to others. You have so much love to give, and Splash is lucky to have you." I say honestly, and I can see a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Jake... I don't know what to say. Thank you for those words... I've never heard anyone say something like that to me before." She says softly, looking down at her paws. I reach out and take one of her paws in my hand, squeezing it gently.

"Ripple... You need to be kinder to yourself. You're not perfect, but you're still a great pokémon." I say with a small smile, and she looks up at me, a tiny smile tugging at the corner of her jaw, but then, she shakes her head.

"Jake... you don't understand. I've done so many terrible things... Things I'm not proud of." She says, a haunted look in her eyes, before she starts to cry softly. "I... I had rough past experiences, and... I took it out on you, and Splash. And I... I can never forgive myself for that." She continues, as her voice starts to wobble.

"Ripple..." I say softly, feeling my heart break for her. I don't really know what happened in her past, but I can tell it was painful. I squeeze her paw gently, trying to offer her some comfort. "Whatever it was, I bet it didn't negatively affect your current situation at all..." I try to reassure her, but she shakes her head.

"No, Jake... You don't understand. The things I did... They were unforgivable. I made my daughter start a life no cub should live, just because I was too selfish and too afraid to say no." She says, tears streaming down her face. "I thought I was doing the right thing by pushing you away, by protecting Splash from you. But now I see that I was only hurting her further, hurting both of you, because of my own fears and insecurities."

I feel a knot form in my stomach as I listen to her. This is the real Ripple, the one who's scared and vulnerable and overwhelmingly human, no matter if she was a pokémon. I never got to see this side of her before, and it makes me realize just how much she's been through.

"Ripple... What did you do?" I ask softly, not really wanting to know but feeling like I need to know.

She takes a deep breath, composing herself. "I used to work at a circus already when I was a cub. I was just a stray cub when I was found by a caring person, and he took me in, trained me, and made me perform." She says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I had no experience, and I performed rather poorly..." She continues, and I can see her wincing at the memory.

"I'm sure you did just fine." I reassure her, and she gives me a small, sad smile.

"Well, anyway, I was very young, and I was scared and lonely. I had no one to turn to, no one to comfort me when things got tough. And then, one day, I met a human who turned out to be the circus' owner. He... He took care of me, and really made me shine in my acts." She says, and I feel a twinge of jealousy, but I push it away. I'm just glad she had someone to help her.

"And he was friends with a pokémon, a Quilava, who also worked at the circus. Her name was... Flamark. We became best friends, and we would do everything together, train, eat, play..." She continues, her voice breaking at the mention of Flamark's name.

"Years passed, and, once we both evolved to Floatzel and Typhlosion respectively, we were paired together in a new act. It was a banger, and that's when I became famous... but... Things changed... The man who discovered me, he became... controlling, and manipulative... And Flamark did too, only in a different way..." She says, and her voice drifts off as she loses herself in her memories.

I remain silent, not wanting to interrupt her. I can tell she needs to get this out, and I'm here to listen.

"The act... it was supposed to be something magical, something beautiful. But the way he made us do it... it was cruel and degrading. He would make us perform for hours on end, until we were exhausted and broken. And then... one night... during one of the acts..." She stops, her voice cracking, and I see her shoulders start to shake with sobs. "He... he forced us to have a... a sexual encounter, right there, on the stage, in front of the audience. And when we refused, he threatened to fire us and send us to the streets."

My jaw drops in shock as I hear her words. I can't believe it. I can't believe someone would do something so horrible, so twisted. I feel a surge of anger and protectiveness wash over me.

"Ripple, I'm so sorry... I can't even begin to imagine what you went through..." I say softly, reaching out to comfort her.

"But that's not the worst part, Jake. The worst part is that... I let him do it. And, after that, he forced us to do that in front of a private audience, once each week. And we... We let him. Because we were scared, and because we thought it was the only way to keep our jobs." She says, crying harder now, and I can feel my heart breaking for her.

"And... what happened..." I ask quietly, not really sure if I want to know the answer.

"Well, he was eventually found by police, and he was arrested and sent to prison. Flamark ran away to the wild, and I retook my circus career... But... But..." She looks up at me, tears still streaming down her face.

"But what, Ripple?" I ask, not understanding.

"But... soon after starting with the next circus performance, I... I started to feel... iffy... Like, I felt a bit strange... But I didn't pay much mind until it became clear that the... 'performances' with Flamark made me pregnant, and, again... I wasn't able to... get rid of the cub... So I had to give birth, and Splash was born..." She says, looking at me with wide eyes.

I feel my stomach drop as I realize what she's saying. "Ripple... Are you saying that... that Splash is... is the result of that…?" I ask slowly, feeling sick to my stomach.

She nods, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, Jake... That's exactly what I'm saying. And that's why I was so terrified of letting her get close to anyone, especially a human like you. I didn't want her to become like me, to become... damaged goods." She says softly, looking down at her paws.

I feel a wave of anger wash over me as I think about what that must have been like for her, to carry a cub that way. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been, to know that her daughter was the product of such a sick act.

"Ripple, you are not damaged goods. You are a survivor, and a mother who loves her daughter more than anything." I say firmly, taking her paws in mine. "And Splash is a wonderful little cub, who deserves all the love and happiness in the world." I continue, and she looks up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Jake. Thank you for saying that..." She says softly, squeezing my hands gently. "I was so afraid of letting you in, of letting you get close to Splash. But now I see that I was just making things worse, for all of us." She continues, and I can see the regret in her eyes.

"Ripple... I'm not going to pretend that what happened to you wasn't terrible. It was, and it's something you'll have to live with for the rest of your life. But you can't let it define you, or define the way you raise Splash." I say honestly, and she nods, tears still streaming down her face. "You can be a wonderful mother, and Splash knows that. She loves you to no end, so you've got an easy one there!"

Ripple lets out a shuddering sigh, her shoulders shaking with relief and emotion. "Thank you, Jake... Thank you so much for saying that. You have no idea how much it means to me..." She says, her voice cracking with emotion.

I give her paws a final squeeze before letting go. "You're welcome, Ripple. I just want to see you and Splash happy and safe, no matter what it takes." I say with a small smile, and she returns it, a genuine smile this time.

"Jake... Can I ask you something?" She says softly, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Of course, Ripple. What is it?" I ask, feeling a bit concerned.

"Can... Can you stay? Can you be with us again?" She asks, looking into my eyes. "I... I know I have no right to ask, after everything I've done. But... But I really want you to be part of our lives, if you're willing..." She continues, and I feel my heart skip a beat.

"Yeah, I will..." I say, content that it seems I got my job back too.

"Really? Oh Jake, thank you! I promise I will make it up to you! I will be better, for you, for Splash, for all of us!" She says, practically crying in her seat, but with an evident excitement behind her actions too.

I laugh softly, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "That's what I like to hear!" I say as I stand up. "By the way, where are the tools?" I ask as I glance around, wondering if I can finally get to work and fix some things around the place.

"Tools?" Ripple asks, looking confused.

"Yeah, you know. The tools for fixing things? The hammer, the nails, the saw, the drill..." I say, starting to tick off the items on my fingers.

"Jake, what are you saying?" Ripple asks with confusion, and I frown.

"What do you mean? The tools to fix the place!" I say, gesturing to the peeling paint and the broken furniture.

Ripple's eyes widen, and then she starts to laugh, a real, genuine laugh that I haven't heard since Splash left Kanto. "Oh, Jake... I'm so sorry, but... I'm afraid I'm not hiring you..." She says, still laughing.

"And then, what do you want me to do, huh?" I ask, feeling a bit frustrated because of this enigma.

"I don't want you to work for me, Jake... I want you to live here, with us. As... as a family member." She says, and I feel a lump form in my throat. I can't believe she just said that.

"Ripple..." I start, not knowing what to say.

"Jake, I'm serious. I want us to be together, all of us, as a family. I want Splash to have a father figure, and... and I want her to have you. And... And if I'm sincere, I need you too..." She says softly, looking up at me with her big, blue eyes.

I feel tears start to well up in my eyes as I listen to her words. I never thought she would feel this way, that she would want us to be a family. I'm not even sure what that means, but it sounds amazing.

"Ripple... Yes... Yes, I'll stay. I'll stay with you and Splash, and I'll be there for you both, no matter what." I say firmly, and I mean it with all my heart. I've never wanted anything more than to be part of their lives, to be their family.

Ripple smiles, a real, beautiful smile that makes my heart flutter. "Thank you, Jake. You have no idea how happy that makes me..." She says softly, and I lean onto the table to give her a kiss on the cheek as I did to Splash. As I do it, I feel a spark of electricity pass between us, and I pull back quickly, feeling a flush of heat rise in my cheeks.

I clear my throat, feeling a bit awkward. "Well, I better go see how Splash is doing." I say, standing up and walking towards the door.

"Jake?" Ripple calls after me, and I turn around.

"Yes?" I ask, looking back at her.

"I... It's nothing... Yes, go check on Splash..." She says, waving her hand dismissively. I nod, feeling a bit confused by the sudden change in her demeanor, but I brush it off.

Chapter 12

As I walk out of the office, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and hope wash over me. I can't believe this is really happening, that we're really going to be a family. It seems like a dream, too good to be true.

I walk down the hall towards Splash's room, smiling brightly as I do so. I can't wait to see her again, to hold her in my arms and tell her that I'm not going anywhere. She deserves to have a happy life, and I'm going to make sure she gets it.

As I approach the room, I hear a faint whimpering sound. I push open the door, and my heart stops. There, lying on the floor, is Splash. She's on her back, her tiny paws twitching as she lets out a soft, sad cry.

"Splash! What's wrong, little one?" I exclaim, rushing to her side. I scoop her up into my arms, and she immediately nuzzles into my chest, sobbing.

"Jakey... You... You're back!" She cries, and I feel tears well up in my own eyes.

"I'm back, sweetheart. I'm not leaving again, I promise." I coo softly, stroking her head fur. "What's the matter, little cub? Why are you crying?"

"Whisey... Whiseyis hurt! He doesn't wanna play anymore!" She wails, showing me the little plushie she was holding. I glance down and see a small, jagged tear in one of Whisey's fins.

"Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. That must be upsetting..." I say softly, wiping away her tears. "But don't worry, Whiseywill be okay. We can fix him up, okay?" I offer, and she nods, still sniffling.

"Okay..." She says, her voice still quivering with sadness.

"Come on, let's get to work. I have just the right tools to make Whiseyall better." I say with a smile, and she smiles back at me, a tiny glimmer of hope in her eyes.

As we sit together on the bed, fixing up Whisey, I see Ripple peacefully walk into the room. "What are you two doing? Can't you see you both need to rest?" She asks with a frown, but the smile on her face can't be concealed.

"Mommy, Jakey and I are helping Whiseyto heal!" Splash says, smiling up at her mom.

Ripple's eyes widen in surprise, and then she laughs, shaking her head. "Oh, Jake... You're a natural with cubs." She says with a smile.

"Thanks, Ripple. I've always been fond of taking care of cubs, even if they're little buizels." I say with a grin, and she laughs again.

"Well, I'm glad I made the right decision. You can move in tomorrow, if you want." She says, and I nod.

"Tomorrow?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I mean... You'll need to pack up some things, right? I'm sure you'd like to have your own space, and..." She starts, but I cut her off.

"Ripple, I don't need much, and I've been living out of a suitcase for so long, I think I can survive until I can get everything organized." I say with a shrug. "And besides, I like it when we're all together..."

I catch her eyes drift to the bed, and, before she can say anything else, I laugh.

"Ripple, if you're asking if I want my own room, the answer is yes." I say, and she looks relieved.

"Oh, good. I was hoping you would say that. I want you to feel comfortable here." She says softly, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"I will, Ripple. Don't worry about me." I reassure her, and she gives me a small smile.

"Good. Well, I'll let you two get back to your... doctoring." She says, laughing at her own joke, and that makes me blush a little, yet I don't know why. I shake my head, pushing the thought away. I can't think about that now, not when Splash needs me. I need to focus on her, on being the best father figure I can be.

As we continue to work on Whisey, I can feel my heart swell with love for this little cub. She's already become such a big part of my life, and I can't imagine being without her now. "And... this is it! I think Whiseywill feel much better now! What do you say, little Splash?" I say proudly as I show her the 'patched' plushie, and her eyes light up.

"Thank you, Jakey! You're the bestest!" She squeals, squeezing Whiseytightly.

I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Well, it was a team effort. You helped too, you know." I say, ruffling her fur gently.

Splash giggles, nuzzling into my touch. "I love you, Jakey. You're the best daddy!" She says, making me freeze in place again.

"Splash... I'm not your daddy..." I whisper, not wanting Ripple to hear her cute slip of tongue...

"But I want you to be, Jakey!" She says simply, as if it was obvious. "You take care of me, and you play with me, and... you love me, right?" She asks, looking up at me with her big, blue eyes, and I can't help but feel my heart melt.

"Splash, you're right. I do love you, more than anything in the world." I say softly, pulling her into a tight hug. "But... it's not that easy, little one..." I try to explain, but she just shakes her head.

"Mommy says a daddy is someone who is a boy that takes care of you and loves you, and is in love with your mommy! So... that means you're my daddy!" She states matter-of-factly, and I have to laugh, yet again, a strange feeling runs through my spine as I process those last words.

"Well... I suppose you're right..." I say, and then I laugh nervously. "But I'm just a friend of Ripple, nothing more, okay?!" I say, not wanting to get flustered like that to a cub.

"I don't mind... Weehee!" She squeals before I lift her up, making her giggle and scream with excitement.

"Splash! Don't make Jake play with you like that for too long... he will get tired..." Ripple says as she seemingly appears from nowhere.

"Okay, Mommy! I will!" Splash says happily, and then, before I can do anything else, she plants a wet kiss on my cheek before I lower her back to the floor.

I laugh, wiping my cheek. "Little mankey!" I say playfully, and she giggles, running around the room.

"She's a little tornado, huh? I'm sorry..." Ripple says, smiling at her daughter.

"No worries, I think it's part of her charm." I say with a smile, and Ripple nods.

"Well, you two seem to have a blast together. I'm going to get dinner ready, but you can stay and play, okay?" She says, turning towards the door.

"No way! I'm doing the cooking here, now it's your turn to play with her." I say, winking to her, reminding her she promised to be a better mother for her cub.

"Oh, right! Okay, you're on! I'll play with her then!" Ripple says, before trotting over to Splash, ready to play.

"Alright, let's see who wins the big, grown-up fight of Rock, Paper, Scissors!" I hear her say as I walk away, a huge smile plastered on my face.

As I walk towards the kitchen, I can't help but think about what Splash said. "Daddy is a boy that takes care of you..." I sigh, feeling a lump form in my throat. I guess she was right. I do take care of her, and I do love her... But, I'm not her real father. I'm not in love with Ripple... Yet, the thought of her makes me feel a flutter in my stomach for some reason... I shake my head, trying to focus on the task at hand.

As I start walking the long path to the kitchen, I can hear Splash and Ripple laughing and playing until it's way too far to hear. I can only imagine the joyful scene, and I feel a sense of warmth and contentment wash over me. I remember the time Ripple asked me to cook a few days before the accident, and I decided upon cooking the same recipe, which I finished in about half an hour.

"Dinner's ready!" I yell out, and, soon enough, I hear the clatter of paws on the floor, followed by the two of them running towards the dining room, their laughter still filling the air.

"Wow, Jake... It looks amazing!" Ripple says as she steps into the dining room, looking at the table, laden with the food I made.

"Thanks, I'm glad you like it." I say with a small smile.

Splash bounds over to the table, her eyes wide with excitement. "Jakey, can I have ice-cream later? I love ice-cream!" She asks, and I laugh, ruffling her head fur.

"You can, but you have to eat your veggies and fish too!" I say firmly, and she nods.

"Yes, Jakey! I will! I'll be the bestest eater ever!" She promises, and I feel a surge of pride wash over me. She's growing up so fast, and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

As we all sit down to eat, I can't help but marvel at how perfect this moment is. The food is delicious, the company is wonderful, and the laughter and conversation fill the room. I've never felt happier or more at peace than I do right now, sitting at this table with Splash and Ripple.

As we finish up dinner and start clearing the dishes, I can feel a sense of contentment settle over me. This is what I've been waiting for, what I've been dreaming of for so long. A real family, a home filled with love and laughter.

"Well, little one, it's time to go to bed!" Ripple says, scooping Splash up into her arms.

"But... but can't Jake put me to sleep today?" Splash whines, and Ripple looks at me.

"Oh, uh, sure, if you want..." I say, feeling a bit nervous. I don't want to overstep my boundaries.

"Yay! Jakey, come on! Let's have a great night!" Splash squeals, and I can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

"Alright, little miss. Let's get you tucked in." I say, following Ripple and Splash up the stairs to her room.

As I lay Splash down in her bed, I start to sing her a soft lullaby. "Shine on, Harvest Moon... In the middle of the night..." I sing softly, watching as her eyelids start to droop.

"Jake... that's a beautiful song..." I hear Ripple say from the doorway. I glance up at her, feeling a flush of heat rise in my cheeks.

"Oh... thanks, it's just something I've always liked." I say softly, turning back to Splash. "And I always like to sing it to her when she's feeling down..."

"Well, she seems to love it, Jake." Ripple says, and I feel my cheeks grow even warmer.

"Thanks, Ripple. I appreciate that." I say quietly, not really knowing how to respond to her words.

After a few more minutes of singing, Splash starts to drift off to sleep. I gently stroke her head, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. She looks so peaceful, so content. I can't imagine my life without her now.

As I stand up to leave the room, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see Ripple looking up at me, a soft smile on her face.

"Jake... I just want to say thank you, for everything. For being here for us, for making this place feel like a home again." She says softly, her voice filled with emotion.

"You don't have to thank me, Ripple. I'm here because I want to be, because I love you both." I say honestly, looking into her eyes.

Ripple's smile falters for a moment, and then she looks away. "I... I should get going too. I have a long way to go to my bedroom..." She says, her voice trailing off.

"Yeah, of course. I'll see you in the morning, I guess?" I ask, feeling a bit uncertain.

"Oh, and I must show you the empty rooms where you can sleep, and help you make it a bit comfy before you move in, it seems silly to leave it for tomorrow." She says with a soft smile, as she makes her way outside the room.

I nod, following her out into the hallway. As we walk side by side, I can feel the tension between us, the unspoken words hanging in the air. I don't know what she's thinking, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something more going on.

As we reach the guest room, Ripple turns to face me. "Well, here it is. It's not that spacey, but it's clean and comfortable." She says, gesturing to the small, cozy room.

"Ripple... I don't need much. I'm just grateful to have a place to stay." I say sincerely, and she gives me a small smile.

"Jake... I... I want you to know that I'm happy you're here." She says softly, looking up at me. "And not just because of Splash. I... I missed you too, more than I care to admit." She continues, her voice barely above a whisper.

I feel my heart skip a beat as I listen to her words. I had no idea she felt this way, that she missed me too. I thought she only cared about Splash, that I was just a means to an end for her.

"Ripple... I..." I start, not really knowing what to say. I feel a surge of emotion well up inside me, a mix of happiness, confusion, and fear. "Thank you for letting me stay here." I finally manage to say, and she smiles.

"Well Jake... sleep tight..." She says as she starts to walk away from me.

"Wait... Ripple!" I call out, and she turns around, looking at me with questioning eyes. "Do you want me to help you to your room? You're injured, remember?" I ask, and she blushes.

"Oh, right... I guess I am still a bit sore. Thanks for reminding me, Jake." She says, as she accepts my help. It's another five minutes until we reach her room, and I feel an awkward silence, but at least she is still close to me.

As I open her door, I look inside. Her bedroom is beautifully decorated, with a large, plush bed in the center of the room. I can see her bookshelf, filled with classic novels and poetry books. I feel a pang of envy, wishing I had a room like this to call my own.

"Wow, Ripple... this is amazing..." I say softly, as we step inside. "It's so... you." I add, glancing at her bookshelf.

Ripple laughs softly, shaking her head. "Thanks, Jake. I guess it is." She says, leaning against the doorway.

"Well... I better get going. You need your rest, and so do I." I say, feeling a bit nervous. I don't want to overstay my welcome, but I also don't want to sound cold. Ripple nods, smiling up at me.

"Goodnight, Jake. And... thank you again." She says, reaching up to squeeze my arm gently.

"Goodnight, Ripple." I say, smiling back at her. As I turn to walk away, I feel her hand on my arm again.

"Jake?" She says softly, and I turn back to look at her.

"Yes, Ripple?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I... I just wanted to say... that I'm really glad you're here. And that I... I'm looking forward to having you stay with us." She says, looking into my eyes, and I feel my heart start to race.

"Thank you again. Sleep well." I say as I start heading back to my room. It's quite lonely as I lay down in bed, not being used to sleeping on a bed of this size, in a room that's larger than my whole house, and, well... thinking about what happened, it's hard for me to fall asleep. But, eventually, my body takes over and I doze off.

I wake up the next morning, feeling a bit groggy, but overall, quite content. As I make my way downstairs, I hear laughter and commotion coming from the dining room. I poke my head in, and I see Ripple sitting at the table, a bunch of papers scattered across it. They both look up at me, smiling.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Ripple says, grinning. "We've been up for hours, and Splash has been... preparing for your arrival. I also have a bit of work to catch up to, nothing serious, but needs to be done."

"Morning..." I say, stifling a yawn. "No, I don't mind at all. In fact, it's nice to see this place lived in for once." I joke as I see a bunch of kitchen instruments scattered here and there, and Ripple laughs.

"Well, we certainly tried our best." She says, and Splash nods vigorously.

"Yeah, Jakey! I tried to make pancakes, but mommy said they're too burnt for you to eat!" She says, frowning.

"Hey, little one, pancakes are perfect! I love burnt pancakes!" I say, ruffling her head fur. She giggles, and then looks back at her mom.

"Can Jake have my pancakes now, pleeeeease?" She asks, looking up at Ripple with big, pleading eyes, and I have to laugh at the sight.

"Of course, sweetie. Go ahead and feed Jake his breakfast." Ripple says with a soft smile, and Splash jumps up excitedly, grabbing a plate and bringing it over to me.

"Here you go, Jakey! Pancakes made with loooove!" She squeals, placing the plate in front of me. I glance down and see a pile of... well, dark, dark pancakes. I stifle a laugh, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

"Thank you, Splash. These look delicious!" I say with a smile, as I take a bite. The pancakes are... actually pretty burnt. I pretend to chew, not wanting to make Splash worry.

"Are they taaaasty?" Splash asks, looking hopeful, and I nod, swallowing the bit of food as best as I can.

"Mmm-hmm, they are! Thanks for making breakfast for me, sweetie!" I say, and she beams, looking pleased.

"Yaaay!" Splash beams as Ripple looks at me as if she had seen an alien. "What are you doing? You can't pretend it tastes good, or she'll just keep making those and you'll be sick of them!" She says in a low voice so Splash doesn't hear us.

"Shh! I'm okay, I've got an excuse!" I say, but she just rolls her eyes.

"You're crazy, Jake..." She says, shaking her head, thinking how I was following the cub's requests just like a lap dog, and I laugh.

As I finish my breakfast, I glance at the clock on the wall, noticing that it's already noon. "Wow, I slept way too much today..." I say, feeling a bit guilty.

"It's okay, Jake. You needed the rest. I'm sure you haven't slept well in ages." Ripple says gently, and I nod.

"Still, I should get up and start helping around the place." I say firmly, standing up from the table.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that just yet..." Ripple says, waving her hand dismissively. "You need to take it easy, and rest up. I've already called some new staff to come help out around here, so the place will be back in shape in no time." She explains, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me. I guess I can take it a bit slower than I thought.

In fact, I ended up spending the whole day playing with Splash, letting Ripple do what she needed to do, but I also did it for myself, so I could again catch up on the lost time with Splash…

Chapter 13

As the days pass, I find myself settling into a new routine. I spend my mornings helping Splash with her training, while Ripple catches up on her work. In the afternoons, I have lunch and then we play together. And in the evenings, we all gather in the living room, watching movies or playing board games.

As for Ripple and me? Well, we've grown closer with each passing day. We talk more openly, share more of ourselves, and laugh together like never before. I've seen a side of her that I never knew existed, a playful, caring, and warm side that I love more than anything. And, in turn, she seems to be growing more comfortable with me, more open to trusting me with her feelings too.

However, with the passing of days, I feel... nostalgic about my old life, surprisingly. It's neither Ripple's or Splash's fault, not by a long shot, but it's hard to say goodbye to that simpler way of living, to that routine that I had grown so accustomed to. And it's also hard to admit, but... I still miss my own house in Kanto, where I could actually be myself...

"Jake, we're ready to go!" Ripple announces as the car is waiting for us to go to one of the most expensive hotels in the whole city. As I step out of the car, I feel like I'm walking into a dream, literally.

"Wow, this place is beautiful!" I say as I take in the grand lobby, with its high ceilings and opulent decorations.

"I thought it would be nice to take a little trip, just the three of us. Splash deserves to have some fun, and I thought you would too." Ripple says softly, smiling up at me.

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. I don't know what to say. I've never been to a place like this before, and I'm not sure I belong here. But, as I glance over at Splash, who is skipping excitedly beside us, I realize that this is all about her, and that's what matters.

As we check in, I can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. The room is huge, surrounded by all the wealth and privilege. I keep wondering what I'm doing here, with these two beautiful, perfect creatures.

"Jake... you okay?" Ripple asks as we step into the elevator, noticing my tense expression.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a bit out of my element, you know?" I say with a forced smile.

Ripple reaches out and takes my hand in her paw, squeezing it gently. "It's okay, Jake. Just relax and enjoy yourself. You deserve this." She says softly, and I feel a warmth spread through me at her touch.

As we reach the room, I can't believe my eyes. It's huge, with a private balcony overlooking the city. I feel like a kid in a candy store, and I can't help but let out a low whistle.

"Wow, Ripple... this is incredible!" I say, looking around the room in awe.

"Yeah, it's not bad, huh?" She says with a grin, and I have to laugh.

I feel a surge of emotion wash over me at her words. She really does want to take care of me, to make me happy. I don't know why, but it means more to me than she will ever know.

There are a few other diners already sitting by the tables, and my eyes grow wide as I realize I have no idea how much this dinner is going to cost. But Ripple just waves off my concerns, insisting that she's the one paying for everything.

As I take my seat, I glance over at the menu, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choices. I really don't know what to choose, but there are three and four-numbered price tags next to each dish that intimidate me. I can't help but laugh inwardly at the fact that I still find those prices way too high.

"Jake... just choose something you like." Ripple says gently, noticing my hesitation. "We're here to relax and enjoy ourselves, not to worry about the price tags."

I nod, taking a deep breath. She's right. I need to just focus on the moment, on enjoying this special time with Ripple and Splash. I look down at the menu again, trying to make a decision. Then, before I can even choose, I see a Lucario dressed in a waiter uniform approaching us.

"Good evening, Ms. Ripple, Mistress Splash and..." He says, falling silent as he eyes me.

"Mr. Sellers." I say as I nod.

"...Mr. Sellers. Welcome to the Lustrous Lair, our most exclusive, members-only dining hall. May I take your order?" He asks, smiling down at us.

"Hello, there. Yes, we would love to order-" Ripple says, but Splash starts beaming...

"I want cheese pizza for lunch!" She says joyfully, smiling at me as she does so. I let out a chuckle... She thinks we are still in the pizzeria I took her to in Kanto!

"Awww, my little pumpkin, I'm afraid they don't have that type of food here..." I say with a smile, and her face falls.

"B-but... I want pizza!" She whines, and I feel my heart break for her. I reach out and ruffle her head fur, trying to cheer her up.

"Hey, sweetie, how about we compromise? We can order something really tasty, and then, after lunch, we can go find the biggest ice-cream in the world, okay?" I suggest, and she thinks for a moment before nodding.

"Okay! But I want sprinkles on it too!" She insists, and I laugh.

"Of course, little one. As many sprinkles as you want!" I say, and she grins, bouncing in her seat.

As the waiter turns back to me, I feel a bit guilty, like I should have been a bit more selective with the food, but Ripple just smiles at me.

"Well, I guess we'll have one 'Delicious Dreams', one 'Heaven Slice', and one 'Flavor Blast'. Oh, and water and wine to drink, thanks." Ripple says, fixing the situation for us, as she knows exactly what those dishes are.

"Very good, Mistress." He says as he writes down the order, before turning to Splash, asking her what she would like. "And for you, Miss Splash?"

"A coke, please!" She says excitedly, and Ripple has to laugh softly. She sure seemed fond of our times in Kanto, didn't she?

"I'm sorry, but we don't carry coke. We have a wide selection of fresh fruit juices and fine wines, if that would interest you more?" He offers.

Splash looks up at Ripple with confused eyes. "Mommy? Is this... a restauwant? Are you sure...?" She asks softly, and I reach over to squeeze her paw gently.

"Hey, little one, this is a really special place. It's not like the pizzerias we used to go to, but the food is amazing, I promise." I reassure her, and she nods.

"Okay... Can I have some lemonade?" She asks, looking hopeful, and I smile.

"That's a great choice, sweetie. Lemonade sounds delicious." I say, and the waiter nods. Then, he leaves, and, as we are left alone, I start to notice the people in the other tables throwing questioning glances at me before they did as if they weren't doing it, but I noticed. I look at my clothes, that are... well, my usual jeans and black hoodie, but my sneakers are pretty worn out. I feel self-conscious, and a bit uncomfortable.

"Jake... what's wrong?" Ripple asks softly, noticing the change in my demeanor.

"Oh, nothing..." I say, shaking my head. "I'm just a bit out of place here, you know? Look at these people, they're all so... well-dressed and... and wealthy." I say, gesturing to the other diners.

Ripple reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it gently. "Jake, this place means nothing. The only thing that matters is that you're here with me and Splash, enjoying a special moment together." She says firmly, and I feel a wave of emotion wash over me.

"You're right, Ripple..." I say, but I keep staring at the other diners as they have lunch, still murmuring and whispering, some even laughing softly when I accidentally drop my fork to the ground, and I can't help but feel that this was a huge mistake. "Ripple, maybe we should... go to a more... 'common' place, or something..." I suggest, but she just shakes her head.

"Jake, I won't let you feel uncomfortable or intimidated because of these people. You're perfect just the way you are." She says, and I can hear the sincerity in her voice. "We're going to stay right here, and we're going to enjoy this meal, no matter what anyone else thinks." She continues, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

But, as the minutes pass, I can't shake the feeling that I don't belong here. Everywhere I look, I see people who are looking down at me. Not at us. At me. I start to feel angry, resentful, and I find myself wanting to leave. I can't believe Ripple thought this would be a good idea.

Finally, the waiter arrives with the meals and a cup of wine that he hands up to me. As we start eating, he doesn't leave, for some reason...

"Psst... Ripple... don't look, but I think he wants to steal our food..." I whisper, feeling a bit nervous about the situation.

"Jake... this is the usual service here. Don't be ridiculous." She says under her breath, but I can't help but shake my head.

As we continue to eat, I can feel my anger growing. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just can't stand these pretentious people, looking down on me like I'm some sort of peasant. I start to think about how much better I would be back home, in my own bed, watching the sunrise through my window, rather than sitting here, being stared at and judged by complete strangers.

"You okay, Jake? You seem a bit... tense." Ripple asks, noticing the scowl on my voice low. I glance over at her, but before I can respond, she starts talking again. "Jake, are you having a hard time keeping it together right now? You seemed excited about this trip, but..."

Then I notice an elderly woman at the table next to us pointing at me. "Mr. Sellers it was? You ought to double-check your... etiquette when trying to approach the fine society in a dining hall like this..." She says in a condescending tone, and my anger starts boiling.

"Ripple... Etiquette? Etiquette?! I haven't had time to buy other clothes... Is she nuts?" I say under my breath, feeling more and more offended with every second that passes.

"I know, I know... But don't worry about them, okay?" She says, trying to reassure me, but it doesn't work, not this time. As I look around, I can see all the judging eyes, and it feels like they're slowly draining the life out of me. I can't take it anymore. I start eating quickly to leave. I need to get out of here, I need to feel normal again...

Then, Splash pipes up, "Hey mommy, why is Jake eating so fast? He's not supposed to make a mess and stuff, right?" I stop and glance at her... She is right... I must look ridiculous... I shake my head as I try to eat more slowly...

Ripple stifles a laugh, looking at me with amused eyes. "It's okay, sweetie. Jake's just excited about the delicious food, that's all." She says with a smile, and I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, that's it, Splash. The food is so good, I just can't get enough." I say, forcing a smile on my face.

As we finish up our meal, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. We've finally made it through without too much drama or embarrassment. I can't wait to get out of this stuffy restaurant and back to get some fresh air. I start to stand up, but then I notice that the waiter is still standing there, looking at us expectantly.

"Was... was something wrong with our meal, sir?" I ask, feeling a bit confused.

"Oh, no, Mr. Sellers. Everything was... quite satisfactory." He says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Even a Pokémon waiter was now making fun of me! "However, I was merely wondering if you would like to try our... signature dessert. A taste sensation so exquisite, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on even the most... discerning palates." He says, and I feel my temper start to flare up again.

"Actually, I think we're fine, thanks." I say firmly, and Ripple nods in agreement.

The waiter's eyes narrow slightly, and then he leans in closer to us, lowering his voice. "I must warn you, Mr. Sellers, that the price of the signature dessert is... quite steep. I wouldn't recommend it for someone of your... status." He says, and my jaw drops in shock.

"Are you deaf?" I answer, starting to lose my temper a bit. "Ripple, if you want something, order it. I'm sure that dessert will taste... bitter to me." I say as I stand up and leave, not caring about the shocked looks on the other diners' faces as I stride past their tables.

As I step out of the dining hall, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I can't believe I just did that, just walked out in front of all those people. But I can't help it. I just couldn't take it anymore, the judgment, the condescension, the blatant disrespect.

"Jake! Wait up!" I hear Ripple call out after me, and I stop, turning around to face her. She jogs up to me, a look of concern on her face.

"Jake, what's going on? Why did you leave like that?" She asks, her voice filled with worry.

I shake my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. "You know why, Ripple! You saw what they were doing in there, looking down at me like I was some sort of filthy being! I couldn't take it anymore." I say, feeling the anger and frustration start to bubble up inside me again.

Ripple sighs, reaching out to take my hand. "Jake... I'm sorry you had to go through that. I had no idea it would be like..." She says softly, and I feel a wave of emotion wash over me.

"It's not your fault, Ripple. I should have known better. I don't belong in a place like that, with people like them." I say, my voice cracking slightly.

"Jake, that's not true. You belong anywhere you want to be, with anyone you choose to be with." Ripple says firmly, squeezing my hand gently. "And as for those people, they don't matter. You are perfect just the way you are, and anyone who can't see that is blind." She continues, and I feel a surge of warmth spread through me at her words.

"Ripple, I..." I start, but I'm cut off by a loud squeal.

"JAAAAAKE!" Splash screams, running towards me. "Where did you go? You missed the ice-cream!" She says, throwing her arms around my waist and squeezing me tightly.

I laugh, hugging her back. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to miss it." I say softly, feeling my anger start to dissipate.

"It's okay! Mommy said we can still have ice-cream, even if we don't get to taste the fancy one!" She says happily, and I glance over at Ripple, who smiles at me.

"I'm glad you're having a good time despite everything, little one." I say, ruffling her head fur. "How about we find an ice-cream shop that's a little more... to our liking?" I suggest, and she jumps up and down excitedly.

"Really?! Yay, yay, yay!" She squeals, and Ripple laughs, shaking her head.

"Well, looks like that's decided, then!" She says with a grin. "Lead the way, Jake."

As we walk somewhere I feel more comfortable, I can't help but think about how different our lives are, how far apart we really are, Ripple and me. She's a celebrity, a rich and famous pokémon who belongs in fancy places like that, surrounded by people who look like her. And I... I'm just a plain old human, nobody. I don't know what I was thinking, thinking I could fit into her world.

We find a cute little ice-cream parlor, not far from the hotel, and Splash orders a giant ice-cream sundae with so many sprinkles that the server has to use a measuring cup. As we sit down to eat, I can feel myself starting to relax, the tension from earlier slowly melting away. This is what I've been craving all along, this simple, normal moment with the two pokemon I care about the most.

As we finish up our ice-creams, Splash leans back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling with a contented sigh. "Mommy, Jake... I had the bestest day ever!" She says excitedly, and Ripple smiles, reaching over to squeeze her paw.

"I'm glad, sweetie..." She says softly. "Jake, I need you to come with me to pay the bill, I don't remember the extras on Spark's ice-cream" She says, and I nod.

"Of course, go ahead and start eating Splash, We'll be right back." I say, as I follow Ripple to the counter. But then, I remember we already paid...

"Ripple, don't worry about it, we already paid, remember?" I say as we are now at the entrance, then Ripple shakes her head.

"I know, Jake. I didn't want to pay for anything. I took you here because I want to talk." She says, turning to look at me with a serious look in her eyes.

"Oh... What's wrong?" I ask, feeling a sense of unease wash over me.

"Jake... It wasn't a good idea to go to that place, right?" Ripple asks nervously.

"Well, Ripple, you couldn't know... I'm not mad at you, you just did what you think was the right thing, it's me who felt... out of place." I say, shaking my head. "It's not about you, or the mansion..." I take a deep breath before continuing. "It's just that..." I say, not knowing how to express it with words.

"Jake? Are you okay?" Ripple asks, placing a paw on my arm, and I can feel her worry radiating off of her. "We can talk about anything. You know that, right?" She says gently.

I take another deep breath, looking into her eyes. "I just feel... like I don't really belong here, Ripple. It's not your fault. It's me. I'm just not used to this kind of lifestyle." I say quietly, and her eyes widen slightly.

"Jake... I... I'm sorry. I never meant to make you feel like that." She says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just wanted to do something special for you, to show you how much you mean to us." She continues.

"Ripple... I know, and I appreciate it more than you could ever know." I say, squeezing her paws gently. "But... I don't need fancy dinners or expensive hotels to feel special. All I need is to be with you and Splash, no matter where we are or what we're doing." I say honestly, and her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

"Jake... I... I can't tell you how..." She says, her voice cracking with emotion. "I've been so worried about this, about what you think of me, of my world. I didn't want to push you away, to make you feel uncomfortable." She continues, and I shake my head.

"You worry so much. Now, let's go back before Splash starts wondering where we went! I say with a soft smile, and she nods, smiling back at me.

As we sit back down at the table, Splash looks up at us with concerned eyes. "Jakey... What's wrong? Why were you guys talking for so long?" She asks, and I reach out to squeeze her paw gently.

"Nothing's wrong, little one. Jakey and mommy were just having a talk, that's all. Now, who's ready to head back and get some rest?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"I am!" Splash says excitedly, jumping up from her seat.

I laugh, shaking my head. Some things never change, do they? "Well, then, let's get going! We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." I say, standing up and taking her paw.

As we arrive at the mansion, Splash rushes to the bedroom to watch some cartoons on her TV, and Ripple and I stand in the doorway, watching her. "She's so precious..." I whisper, and Ripple nods in agreement.

"She really is." She says softly, and then she turns to look at me, a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "Jake... Thank you for being so understanding today. I don't know what I would do without you." She says quietly, and I smile, reaching out to take her paw.

"You don't have to thank me, Ripple. I'm flattered that you actually considered me worthy enough to bring along to this trip." I say jokingly, and she laughs softly.

"Oh, Jake... I would consider you worthy of anything and everything." She says, and our eyes meet. For a moment, it feels like time has stopped, like we're the only two people in the world.

Then, Splash calls out, breaking the spell. "Mommy! Jakey! Can you come watch cartoons with me?" And just like that, we're back to reality.

"Coming, sweetie!" Ripple calls out, and we both walk into the room, ready to spend the night curled up on the couch with our little princess.

As I drift off to sleep, surrounded by the soft snores of the two pokémon I love most in the world, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. I may not belong in that fancy world, but I really think it would be okay to pursue a future with them, one that goes beyond being their maintenance staff…

Chapter 14

Two weeks later*

These last two weeks, I've almost never stepped outside the mansion. I know Ripple doesn't want me to work anymore now that I'm actually living here, but, well, I find that my usual morning walks help me a lot to start the day, and the mansion's huge garden is a great place to keep myself occupied in the afternoon, but I also find myself talking to myself more and more, and... well, that's never a good sign...

It's late in the afternoon, and I'm still tending to the garden, when I feel two paws press on my back. I glance over my shoulder to see Splash, looking down at me with a smile.

"Hey, Jakey. What are you doing?" She asks, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.

"Just taking care of the plants, sweetie. Making sure they're all healthy and happy." I say with a smile, turning back to my work.

"Oh, that sounds fun! Can I help?" She asks excitedly, and I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Of course, little one. Here, grab a watering can and let's take care of these flowers together." I say, handing her a small, pink watering can.

As we work side by side, watering and pruning the plants, I can't help but admire Splash's enthusiasm. She's so eager to learn, to be a part of things. It's one of the things I love most about her.

"So, Jakey... what are we going to do later?" She asks as we move on to a bed of azaleas. "Can we go to the park?" She suggests, looking up at me with big, hopeful eyes.

I think for a moment, nodding. "Well, it's a nice idea! I'll have to ask your mom first, but I'm sure she'll be fine with it." I say, and she squeals excitedly.

"Yaaaaay! I love the park! Can we go on the swings, and the slides, and the see-saws?" She asks, bouncing in excitement.

I laugh, ruffling her head fur. "Yes! You bet!" I say, and her eyes light up.

"Really?! Yay! This is going to be the bestest day ever!" She squeals, and I feel a warm, fuzzy feeling spread through me at the sound of her laughter. I love making her happy...

"Hey, all days are your happiest day, huh?" I say with a laugh, and she nods emphatically.

"Uh-huh! As long as I'm with you and mommy, that's all the bestest!" She says, smiling up at me, and my heart melts at her words.

Just then, I hear Ripple calling out, "Jake? Splash? Where are you two?" I stand up, brushing off my pants, and I call back, "We're out in the garden, Ripple! We're just about done here!"

Ripple appears in the doorway, looking around with a concerned expression. "What are you two up to out here?" She asks, and I gesture to the neat rows of flowers and plants.

"Well, we were just taking care of the garden, actually. Splash wanted to help, so I thought I would show her how." I explain, and Ripple smiles, walking over to us.

"That's wonderful, Jake. Thank you for taking care of her once again, and for teaching her such useful skills." She says softly, placing a paw on my arm.

"I was happy to help. She's a great cub, you know. So eager to learn." I say, looking down at Splash with a proud smile.

"Speaking of learning, Jake... What do you say? Will we take a little trip to the park later?" Ripple says, looking at me with a playful grin.

"Mommy! Yes! Jakey already said we can go!" Splash squeals, and Ripple laughs, shaking her head.

"Well, it looks like the decision has already been made!" She says with a chuckle. "Alright, you two. Let's get cleaned up and ready to go!"

As we arrive at the park, Splash's eyes widen with excitement. "Wow, look at all the other cubs!" She says, pointing at a group of cubs playing on the swings. "Jakey, can I go play with them?" She asks eagerly.

"Yeah, sure thing." I say, as I look at Ripple who nods, allowing the idea.

As Splash runs off to join the other cubs, I can't help but smile, watching her run towards them, interested in presenting herself to them. However, I notice the cubs look at me before they decide to even look at her, and a bit of dread rushes through my heart as I realize these aren't cubs like the ones she used to play with back in Kanto...

"Jake... Don't worry... I'm sure it will be fine..." Ripple says softly as she nudges me, noticing my frown.

I sigh as I shake my head. "It's not that simple, Ripple..." I say as I watch the other cubs approaching Splash, sniffing her and looking towards me as if I was a plague. I see Splash's confusion as she notices it too, the look of dread on her face when they start walking away from her...

"No, no, no..." I murmur as I start to walk towards Splash, but Ripple stops me, placing a paw over my chest.

"Jake, wait..." She says, and I look up at her, feeling confused. "Let her handle this, okay? She's a tough little one, remember?" Ripple reassures me, and I bite my lower lip as I keep watching Splash.

To my surprise, Splash seems unfazed by the cubs' rejection. She simply walks up to the slide, pushing a smaller cub out of the way, and starts to climb up. I gasp, turning to look at Ripple, who just shrugs, clearly amused.

"She's just like her mom..." Ripple says with a soft laugh, and I can't help but laugh too.

As we watch Splash play, sliding down over and over again, I can't help but feel a sense of pride and love wash over me. She's so independent, so strong-willed. She doesn't let anyone or anything get in her way. I wish I could be more like her sometimes...

Suddenly, Splash lets out a loud cry, and I turn to see her lying on the ground, holding her elbow. I rush over to her, scooping her up into my arms. "Splash! Are you okay, sweetheart?" I ask, looking down at her with concern.

"Owie... I fell off the slide!" She says, tears streaming down her face. I watch her elbow, and I tranquilize myself as I check it's just a scratch. However...

"Hey, if it's that beggar again!" A voice snarls behind us, and I glance up to see an imposing Tyranitar standing over us, his eyes narrowing at me. "Mind accompanying me to the exit of the neighborhood?" He demands, his voice laced with venom.

I feel a surge of anger rise up inside me, and I open my mouth to retort, but Ripple steps in front of me, her eyes flashing with anger at the much larger pokémon. "Excuse me? What are you implying?" She says, her voice low and dangerous.

"I'm part of the security staff of the residential area, and he has no right to be here. He's a thug, a delinquent, and he needs to be shown the door." The Tyranitar says, jabbing a clawed finger towards me. "And he has hurt the cub too." He adds, looking down at a whimpering Splash.

"Ripple, I can handle this!" I say firmly, stepping forward, but she shakes her head.

"Stay out of it, Jake. I'm not letting this piece of junk push us around." She growls, turning back to the Tyranitar. "Look here, you incompetent pile of crap! This human is my employee and my friend. He has as much right to be here as anyone else." She says, her voice rising. "And as for the cub, she's my daughter, and she's completely fine. She fell from the slide you should've checked, and this 'beggar', whose name is Jake, was taking care of her! So unless you have some actual grounds for accusing him of wrongdoing, I suggest you get out of our way before I make you regret it." Ripple says, stepping even closer to the Tyranitar.

The Tyranitar looks taken aback for a moment, and then his expression hardens. "Well, well, well... I never thought I'd see the great and powerful Ripple taken by a little... street rat like you." He says, sneering at me. "You must be quite the stud to have such a high-class pokémon like her wrapped around your finger." He continues, and my fists clench at my sides.

"That's enough for you!" Ripple snarls, "I'm filing a formal complaint with the neighborhood committee for your rude and inappropriate remarks! How dare you insult my friend like that!" She continues, and the Tyranitar pales slightly.

"Ripple... don't worry…" I try to say, but she shakes her head vehemently.

"No, Jake! This punk needs to learn some respect, and I'm going to make sure he does!" She says firmly, turning back to glare at the Tyranitar again.

"I... I apologize for my words... I meant no offense..." The Tyranitar stutters, suddenly looking unsure of himself.

"It's not that easy to change my mind! Now, if you'll excuse us, we're not comfortable with you sitting around here" Ripple says coolly as she snaps her fingers at him.

"Right, right... I understand..." The Tyranitar mumbles, looking nervously between me and Ripple. "I'll... I'll be going now. Good day..." He says quickly, turning and hurrying away.

As the Tyranitar retreats, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I can't believe what just happened, I never expected Ripple to step up to defend me like that, especially in a place like this... But, on the other hand, this is another hard strike to my reputation here... Everyone looks at me, as if I was guilty for causing the situation.

Ripple turns to me, a look of concern on her face. "Jake... Are you okay?" She asks softly, and I stand up, my expression cold.

"Jake?... Jake, please... Talk to me!" Ripple's voice keeps rising as she shakes me, trying to get a reaction out of me. It doesn't work, I can only see the judgmental, mocking looks of all the people around us, their whispers and laughter starting to fill the air, as they are staring at me, some even pointing...

"Jake, please! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to embarrass you! I was just trying to help!" Ripple keeps saying, her voice breaking with desperation, but I can't answer her, I'm in my own world right now...

"Jake! Mommy! What's wrong with Jakey?" Splash asks, and I finally glance down at her, noticing that she is staring up at me with her big, blue eyes, looking up at me with such worry...

"It's not your fault, sweetheart." I say as I pat Splash. "It's not even mommy's fault. It's me. I'm just... I'm just not like the others."

"Jake, come on, that's not true! You're wonderful! Don't let them get to you!" Ripple pleads, but it's too late...

"I'm going back home" I say as I start walking down the street, Ripple and Splash going back to the mansion with me. As we arrive, I suddenly feel exhausted. I enter my room, closing the door behind me, and all the memories of the last weeks come flashing back, like a movie reel playing in my mind...

I hate myself for being so weak, for letting those people get to me like that. But I can't help it. It's not just about the Tyranitar, or the other cubs. It's about every single time I've felt out of place in this world, every single time I've been made to feel like I don't belong. And it's about the fact that, no matter how hard I try, I always seem to fall short. I'll never be good enough for Ripple, for Splash, for anyone.

I can hear the faint sound of Splash and Ripple talking outside my door, but I can't bring myself to face them right now. I feel too ashamed, too embarrassed by the way I acted. I don't want them to see me like this, not after all the effort I've made to be a better person, a better father figure.

As I sit on the edge of my bed, I can't help but wonder what I'm doing here, in this mansion, in this life. I thought I was ready for it, thought I could handle it. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I know I need to talk to Ripple, to tell her how I'm feeling. But I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm too scared of what she might say, too afraid of what she might think of me.

As the sun starts to set, casting long shadows across the room, I no longer hear them, as Ripple probably took Splash somewhere else in the mansion to give me space, but I know they are still there for me... As I sit here, I realize that I miss my old life... My own house, my old maintenance job, my simple, peaceful routine. And, I also realize that, as much as I love Splash and Ripple, I can't pretend to be the person they think I am. Splash met and liked Jake, the real Jake. But I know Ripple wants to give a second chance to that man who goes by 'Mr. Sellers', and, despite her really wanting me to live her life with her, I can't... I can't be him. I've been Jake all my life, and that's what will remain for the rest of my life. Mr. Sellers died pretty soon after he was created, sadly.

I know I need to make a choice, and the choice is clear. I take out a page from a nearby notebook, and I decide to pack all my feelings into a note, not wanting to leave any loose ends.

"Dear Ripple.

I know it will be pretty hard for you to read these lines, so I want to start by apologizing for not being a strong enough man to face you in person. I love you, and I love Splash, with all my heart, and I know that this is the reason I can't stay here anymore.

Ideally, I would want to be able to stay in this wonderful mansion and live my life with you and Splash, but... it's just that the people around you want me to be something I can never be. Your world is a world of commodities, of luxury, of awe, I can't deny it. But, there are also several... drawbacks I can't bring myself to ignore. The prejudice, the intransigence, the classism... facts that really add up, creating a constant negative current that drowns me in my way towards your care and love.

I don't think I can cope with the constant judgment, with the constant feeling of inadequacy. I'm not perfect, I know that. But, I don't feel that I need to be perfect in order to deserve respect. I thought that, as long as I had you and Splash by my side, I could overcome anything. But it seems that I was wrong.

I miss my old life, the simple, quiet, peaceful life I had before. I miss the freedom to be myself, without the constant pressure to fit into someone else's idea of who I should be. I know I could never ask you to give up your lifestyle for me, but I don't think I am the type of person you want me to be. And I don't want to disappoint you anymore.

I have moved on from countless difficulties and misfortunes, but, this time... I just can't. It's not a 'me' thing, but, today, when I noticed my condition affects Splash's happiness, I realized that I couldn't allow things to continue this way. I need to put her feelings first, and, believe me, it's tearing me apart.

I won't tell you to be a good mother to Splash, or a more caring pokémon, because, as I've seen, it's impossible to have a better mother than you. You really keep impressing me, Ripple. I would have laughed at myself six months ago if I saw myself writing these lines, but, here we are, I'm actually writing a letter to you, telling you how much you've changed for the better since the accident.

You'll have to decide what to do next, but, for me, I have already decided. I'm leaving, I'm going back to my old house in Kanto. I think it's for the best, for all of us. I want you and Splash to have a happy, stable life, and I know that, as much as it hurts me to say it, it's not something I can provide for you.

I will always love you both, no matter what happens, and I will pray to Arceus all days from today until the last of my days, hoping you find the happiness you crave and deserve.

Goodbye, Ripple. Take care of yourself, and take care of Splash. And thank you, for giving me a chance to be a part of your lives, even if it was only for a little while. I'll never forget it.

All my love,

Jake"

I put the letter on the nightstand, before I start to pack my belongings. I can't believe I'm actually doing this, but I know it's the right thing to do. As I pack, I keep glancing over at the letter, my heart aching with each passing second. I know this is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, but I also know that, in the end, it will be worth it. For Ripple, for Splash, for myself.

As I finish packing, I take one last look around the room, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. I've spent so many happy moments here, but now it's time to say goodbye. I pick up my suitcase, take a deep breath, and walk out the door.

As I step outside, I feel a wave of relief wash over me. I know I'm doing the right thing, even if it hurts. I start to walk down the driveway, and towards a new chapter of my old, normal life.

Interlude 2. Ripple 's POV.

Next morning*

I wake up as usual, but there's a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can't quite identify... I shake it off, thinking that it's just my overactive imagination, but, as I step out of the bed...

"Jake? Where are you?" I ask, as I walk towards the living room, where Splash is having breakfast. I expect to see him there, but, instead, I find Splash sitting alone, nursing a bowl of cereal.

"Where's Jakey, mommy?" She asks as she looks up at me.

I shake my head, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. "He's probably just sleeping in. You know how he likes to sleep in on Saturdays." I say, trying to reassure her.

But, as the morning goes on, and Jake still doesn't appear, I start to feel more and more worried. I call out his name, but there's no response. I search the entire mansion, but I can't find him anywhere. It's like he's just vanished into thin air.

Finally, I decide to open the door of his room, but what I see inside makes my heart stop. The room is completely empty, all of his belongings are gone. There's just a single sheet of paper. I walk over and pick it up, my hands shaking as I read the words written on it.

My heart feels like it's being squeezed in a vice, and I can feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. I can't believe it, I can't believe he's really gone. I thought we were finally starting to make things work, that we were really becoming a family. But it turns out it was all just a dream, a delusion.

As I sit down on the edge of the bed, I can feel the sadness start to bubble up inside me. I miss him already, I miss his laugh, his smile, the way he made me feel so safe and loved. I don't know what I'm going to do without him.

Then, I hear Splash calling out for me, and I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I can't let her see me like this. She needs me to be strong, to be her mother. I stand up, taking the letter with me, and walk out into the hallway.

"Mommy? What's wrong?" Splash asks as she sees my face, and I force a smile.

"Nothing, sweetie. I just... I found a note from Jake. He had to go away for a while, but he'll be back soon." I lie, not wanting to worry her.

Splash's eyes widen with concern. "But, mommy... He promised he would never leave us again! I don't want him to go!" She says, her voice starting to wobble with emotion.

I sat down in front of her, taking her little paws in mine. "I know, sweetie, I don't either. But sometimes... sometimes people have to go away, even when they don't want to. But that doesn't mean they love us any less." I say softly, trying to explain something I don't even understand myself.

Splash looks up at me with tear-filled eyes. "But... I love him, mommy. And he loves me too! Why can't he stay?" She asks, and I feel my heart break at the sight of her pain.

I pull her into a tight hug, stroking her head fur gently. "Oh, sweetheart... He does love you, so much. And he loves me, too. It's not that easy, though. Sometimes… adults have to make really hard decisions." I say softly, tears streaming down my face.

As we hold each other, I can't help but think about what Jake wrote in his letter. He said he loved me, that he loved Splash. But he also said that he couldn't be the person I wanted him to be, that he couldn't fit into my world. I thought I was giving him everything he could ever want, but maybe I was wrong. What could I have done differently? What could I have said or done to make him stay?

I don't have any answers, and, right now, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that I have to be strong, for Splash, for myself. Jake made his choice, and I have to respect that. But it doesn't mean I have to stop hoping that, somehow, someday, he might find his way back to us.

"Mommy... d-does Jakey hate us?" Splash asks, her voice quivering, and I shake my head firmly.

"No, sweetie! Jakey could never hate us! He loves us so much, and he always will. He just... he just had to go away for a little while, that's all." I say reassuringly, and she nods, sniffling.

I know she still doesn't understand, and I'm not sure I do either. But, for now, all we can do is wait. Wait and hope that, someday, Jake will find his way back home to us.

As the days pass, I keep waiting for him to return, for some sign that he's thinking about us, missing us like we miss him. But there's nothing. No calls, no messages, no letters. It's like he disappeared off the face of the earth.

I try to keep myself busy, to focus on work and on taking care of Splash. But it's hard, so hard, to pretend like everything is normal when a part of my heart is missing. I see Splash struggling too, her usually bright and bubbly personality replaced by a quiet, withdrawn version of herself. I know she misses Jake just as much as I do, maybe even more.

One night, as we sit together watching TV, Splash suddenly asks, "Mommy... why did Jakey leave us?" And I can see the pain in her eyes, the confusion and the hurt.

I take a deep breath, searching for the right words. "I... I don't know, sweetheart. Sometimes, people do things that they think are right, even though it hurts other people. Jake thought he was doing the right thing by leaving, but I don't agree." I say honestly, and she nods thoughtfully.

"But... I wish he would come back. I miss him." She says softly.

"I miss him too, baby. More than you could ever know." I say, pulling her into a tight hug. "But you know what? No matter where he is, or what he's doing, Jake loves us. And we love him, too. And that will never change." I continue, and she looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I... I love you too, mommy." She says, and I feel a rush of emotion wash over me.

"I love you too, my little angel. So, so much." I whisper, hugging her tightly.

"Mwmmy..." Splash mutters, her little voice muffled by my fur as I keep hugging her. "Can we watch a movie?" She asks, and my heart breaks at the question.

"Of course, sweetie. We can watch whatever you want." I say, even though I know it won't be the same without him.

As we settle in to watch our movie, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness. I wish Jake was here with us, I wish I could tell him how much I miss him, how much I want him back. God, how I miss him...

But, as I look down at Splash, snuggled up against me, I know that, whatever is that grown-ups think, sometimes, I should try to preserve the cubs' illusion and will to make my dreams true. As I look down to Splash again, I see she has fallen asleep on me... I gently lift her, and take her to her bedroom, before I decide to get some rest too. I'm really tired today.

As I fall asleep, I can't help but wonder about Jake, what he's doing right now, if he's thinking about us at all. I miss him so much, it hurts…

Four weeks later*

It's been a month since Jake left, and, while the pain has dulled slightly, it's still there, a constant ache in the back of my mind. What doesn't really let me move on is the fact that Splash isn't as lively as she used to be. The Espeon I took her to a couple weeks ago explained that a cub shouldn't really miss anyone longer than a couple weeks for those who aren't direct family with, but... Splash seems to really be having a hard time right now... I look over to her as she stares out the window, her elbow still red, but it has healed for the most part. But that isn't the main thing that is getting her attention, it's the memories of that day at the park... The day that Jake... decided to leave. That is what really worries me...

"You okay, sweetheart?" I ask, as I walk to her, placing a paw on her shoulder.

She turns to me, a small smile on her face, but her eyes are still filled with tears. "Mhm... I'm okay, mommy. It's just..." She starts, and I feel my heart sinking into my stomach. "I just miss Jakey. I miss him a lot..." She says, her voice cracking a bit, and I pull her into a hug, my eyes stinging with unshed tears too.

"I know, sweetheart... I miss him too..." I say as I see how it's starting to snow. It's already December, and christmas' lights are starting to shine in other parts of the city, but not here, in this district. I don't even remember that they put them on any of the years I've been living here at all... Maybe I was too focused on other tasks to notice.

"But... It's almost christmas!" Splash squeals in complainment. "And... There are no lights here! Why are people here so boooooring?!" She says, crossing her arms.

I chuckle softly as I ruffle her head fur. "Oh, don't say that, sweetie. You just haven't seen the best Christmas yet!" I say, winking at her, but she just huffs and turns away from me, her face pouting.

"Well... I still want to see them! Can we go to the city today, mommy? I wanna see the big tree, and the ice-skating, and all the people happy!" She squeals excitedly, and I smile, feeling a surge of warmth spread through me. It's amazing how easily she can cheer me up with just a few words. Jake was right, I definitely need to get out of the house more often with her.

"Of course we can, my little snowball! Just let me get my coat, and we'll be off!" I say, and she squeals with joy, rushing to get her own coat.

As we step out into the crisp, winter air, I can feel a sense of excitement starting to build inside me. I haven't been to the city center in years, I couldn't before the accident, as we had a christmas performance every year. And I can't wait to show it to Splash, to see her eyes widen with wonder and delight at all the festive decorations.

As we walk through the crowded streets, I can feel the familiar warmth and joy of the season start to envelop me. There are lights and tinsel everywhere, and the sound of holiday music fills the air. I see Splash's eyes shining with excitement as she takes in all the sights and sounds.

"Look, mommy! There's the big tree!" She squeals, pointing at the enormous, glittering Christmas tree standing in the center of the square. It's even more impressive than I remember, with miles and miles of twinkling lights and hundreds of beautiful ornaments.

"Yes, that's the one! Let's go have a closer look!" I say, taking her hand and leading her towards it.

As we stand in front of the tree, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. It's so beautiful, so magical. I look down at Splash, and I can see the same emotions reflected in her eyes.

"I... I like it, mommy..." She says softly, and I smile, my heart swelling with love for her.

"I'm glad you do, sweetheart. This is what Christmas is all about, the magic and the wonder." I say, squeezing her paw gently. "But that's not all, do you wanna have some hot chocolate?" I ask, looking at the people skating around the rink near us.

"Yaaaas! Let's go, let's go!" She squeals, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"Alright, alright. Let's go warm up with a drink first, and then we can hit the rink!" I say, leading her towards a nearby coffee shop.

As we sip our hot chocolate, I can't help but think about how perfect this moment is. Just me and my little cub, enjoying the most wonderful time of the year. I know Jake is missing out on this, and I wish he was here with us, but, in a way, I'm also glad Splash is enjoying this, until, again...

"Mommy... Jake is spending Christmas alone... without us... and without a tree or hot chocolate..." She says sadly, and I feel a pang of guilt in my chest.

I know she's right. I've been so wrapped up in my own grief that I haven't even thought about what Jake will be doing in a couple weeks, on christmas eve. I bet he's all alone, just sitting in his empty house, wishing he was here with us...

"Hey, sweetheart..." I say as I start thinking of a plan. "Would you... would you like to be with Jake for Christmas this year?" I ask cautiously, and her eyes widen with surprise.

"Really, mommy?! You mean it?!" She squeals, jumping up from her seat.

I can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "Yes, really. I know you miss him, and I think he misses you too. But..." I continue, shaking my head. "I'll try to phone him, and ask him if he can come over, but..." I start, but Splash is already bouncing in excitement.

"Yes! Please, mommy, please! I wanna see Jakey on christmas! I wanna give him a present!" She squeals, clapping her hands together.

I smile, nodding. "Okay, okay. I'll see what I can do..." I say as I think what to say to Jake.

"Now, now, mommy, call him now! I wanna hear him!" She squeals impatiently, and I have to laugh.

"Alright, alright, you little impatient furball, I'll call him now." I say with a smile. As I get my phone, I feel a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. I haven't talked to Jake since he left, and I don't know how he's going to react to me calling him. But I have to try, for Splash.

I take a deep breath and dial his number, my paws shaking slightly as I hold the phone up to my face. It rings a few times before he finally answers.

"Hello?" His familiar voice says on the other end, and I feel a rush of emotion wash over me.

"Jake... it's me, Ripple." I say softly, trying to keep my voice steady. "How... how are you?" I ask, and there's a moment of silence on the other end.

"I'm... I'm doing okay, Ripple. How about you? How are you and Splash?" He asks, and I can hear the concern in his voice.

"Well... that's actually why I'm calling. Splash really misses you, and she... wants to spend Christmas with you this year." I say hesitantly, and I can practically hear the surprise in his voice as he gasps softly.

"She... she does? Oh, Ripple, I... I miss her so much. But..." He says, his voice trailing off. "I don't know if that's a good idea. I don't think I can handle being around you right now." He continues, and I feel a stab of pain in my heart.

"I know, Jake. I understand. But please, just... just think about it. I would really appreciate it if you could give her this gift, this christmas with you." I say, trying to keep the pleading out of my voice.

I can hear him sighing on the other end of the line. "Ripple, you don't know how much I want to be there, to spend Christmas with her. But... I don't think it's a good idea for me to return to you two, for any of us. I'm sorry." He says, and I can hear the pain in his voice.

I feel tears start to well up in my eyes, but I try to blink them back. "Jake, please... I'm not asking for me, I'm asking for Splash. She needs you, she needs to see you, to feel your love." I say desperately.

I wait for a moment, holding my breath, hoping he will change his mind. But then, he says softly, "I... I can't, Ripple. I'm sorry. Kanto is my home, where I belong. And you belong in that world, with all the luxury and the prestige. I can never be a part of that, not in the way you want me to be." He continues, and, in that moment, I realize that he's right.

As much as it hurts me to admit it, I know that Jake can never fit into that world. He doesn't want to, and I can't blame him for that. But, there's a second, last possibility... "Jake... you're right. You're not suited to that world, and... that's why I'm talking to you now. Splash wants to see you no matter what, so I was thinking..." I start, trying to put my words in order.

"Thinking... what?" He asks softly, and I take a deep breath.

"Jake... would you like me to send Splash to you for christmas? So she could spend it with you, in your old, normal house." I say slowly, and I can practically feel the shock coming through the phone.

"Ripple... you... you would do that?" He asks hesitantly, and I smile softly, even though he can't see me.

"Yes, I would. Anything to make my little girl happy. She deserves that much." I say firmly, and he makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like a sob.

"Ripple... Thank you. Thank you so much." He whispers, and I can feel the tears stinging at my eyes again.

"It's what we do for each other, Jake. No matter what happens, we look out for each other." I say softly. "So, you'll... you'll keep her safe for me, won't you? You'll take good care of her?" I ask, a bit worried, even though I know Jake will never hurt her.

"Of course, Ripple. You know I would never let anything happen to her. I promise, we'll have a wonderful christmas." He says, and the excitement in his voice is unmistakable.

I feel a sense of relief wash over me. I know Splash is going to be happy, and that's all that matters. "Great. Tomorrow is the 23rd, so I'll have a car pick her up in the afternoon and bring her to you. Sounds good?" I say, and he agrees.

As I hang up the phone, I feel a wave of sadness wash over me. I'm going to miss Splash so much, and Christmas won't be the same without her. But I know she needs this, and, in the end, that's what matters most.

I look over at Splash, who is bouncing in her seat with excitement. "He said yes, mommy! Jakey said yes!" She squeals, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"Yes, he did, little one. And you're going to have the best Christmas ever!" I say, hugging her tightly.

As we finish our hot chocolate and make our way back home, I can't help but feel a sense of peace and contentment. I know I've made the right decision, and, no matter what happens, I know that Splash will always be happy.

Next day*

I wake up early, feeling a sense of nervousness and anticipation. Today is the day that Splash will leave to spend Christmas with Jake, and I still can't believe I agreed to it. I know it's the right thing to do, but it doesn't make it any easier.

As I walk into her room, I see her sitting on the edge of her bed, looking out the window. "Good morning, sweetie. How are you feeling today?" I ask softly, and she turns to look at me, her eyes shining with excitement.

"I'm excited, mommy! I can't wait to see Jakey! I packed all my best toys, and my new fur comb, and..." She starts to rattle off, and I laugh softly.

"Slow down, little one. We have all morning to get ready. Let's go have some breakfast first, okay?" I say, leading her by the paw.

As we sit down to eat, I can't help but think about how much I'm going to miss her. She's been such a huge part of my life for the past few months, and I don't know what I'm going to do without her.

"Mommy, are you going to be okay without me?" Splash asks, sensing my sadness, and I force a smile.

"Of course, sweetheart. I'll be fine. I'll just miss you, that's all." I say, ruffling her fur. "But don't worry about me. You just go and have a wonderful time with Jakey, okay?"

She nods, and I can see the concern in her eyes. "Okay, mommy. I'll make sure to take care of him too, so you don't have to worry!" She says, and I laugh.

"Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate that." I say, shaking my head. I can't believe how grown-up she sounds sometimes.

As the morning goes on, I help Splash pack her things, trying to keep my mind off of how much I'm going to miss having her around. She keeps chattering excitedly about all the fun things she and Jake are going to do together, and I find myself getting caught up in her enthusiasm.

Finally, the time comes for her to leave. I walk her downstairs, my heart feeling heavy. As the car arrives, I scoop her up into my arms, holding her tightly.

"Mommy, don't cry!" She says softly, and I realize that I'm already starting to tear up.

"I'm not crying, sweetie. Well, maybe just a little bit." I say with a laugh, wiping the tears from my eyes.

I walk over to the car and help her get situated in her seat. As I buckle her in, I can't help but stare at her, memorizing every detail of her little face.

"Mommy, I love you. I'll miss you, but I'll be back soon!" She says, reaching out to hug me.

"I love you too. More than you could ever know. And I'll miss you terribly. But you have to promise me that you'll be good for Jake, okay? And that you'll do whatever he says." I say, squeezing her paw gently.

She nods solemnly. "I promise, mommy. I love you, and I'll be back before you know it!" She says, blowing me a kiss... She REALLY acts like an adult sometimes... I'm so proud of her, even more having in mind the life I've given her all this time before the accident...

I watch as the car pulls away, feeling a mix of sadness and excitement. I know Splash is going to have an amazing time with Jake, but I can't help but worry about how I'm going to manage without her. As I walk back into the empty mansion, I can feel the weight of my loneliness settling over me.

One week later*

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. It's 8 A.M. but, as it's still at night, I can't really get myself to get up. Groggily, I reach out and grab it, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I look at the screen. I don't recognize the number, but I answer anyway.

"Hello?" I say, my voice still heavy with sleep.

"Ripple? It's Jake." The familiar voice says on the other end, and I jolt upright, suddenly wide awake.

"Jake? Is... is everything okay? Is Splash alright?" I ask, my heart starting to race.

"Yes, yes, she's fine. She's right here, actually. She wants to talk to you." He says, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness. Can you put her on?" I ask, and there's a moment of silence before I hear a click.

"Mommy? Mommy! It's the bestest Christmas ever!" Splash squeals into the phone, and I can't help but smile at the sound of her voice.

"Hey, sweetie! I'm so glad to hear from you. How's it going? Are you having fun with Jake?" I ask, trying to keep the longing out of my voice.

"Oh, my gosh, yes! We went to see the lights here too, and we went ice-skating, and Jakey bought me a new coat, and we had cookies and cake, and... and..." She rattles off, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"Wow, it sounds like you've had quite the adventure! I'm so happy for you, sweetheart." I say, and I mean it.

"Mommy, when are you coming? I miss you!" She says suddenly, and I feel a lump form in my throat.

"I miss you too, baby. But I can't come just yet. I have some things to take care of here first. But I'll see you when you come back after the holidays, okay?" I say, trying to reassure her.

"Jakey says that he misses you too!" She stammers, and I feel a twinge of hurt.

"Oh, he does? Well, that's nice of him." I say stiffly, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice. I don't want to ruin her good time by telling her how much it hurts to know that Jake doesn't want to see me. "Now mommy wants to talk to Jake, okay? Can you put him on for me?" I ask, and she agrees.

"Mommy says you want to talk to her!" She squeals, and then I hear the phone being passed over.

"Ripple." Jake's deep voice says, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

"Jake. How are you?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

"I... I'm glad you accepted to send Splash over. I know you have no obligation to do this, yet you did, knowing it hurt you. I don't need you to tell me it's not that hard, because I know it is. But... I want to say thank you. For putting Splash's needs before your own." He says, his voice soft, and I feel my eyes sting with unshed tears.

"Jake... it was never about that. It was always about her, and her happiness." I say firmly, and I can hear him take a deep breath on the other end.

"I know, Ripple. And... I... I just wanted to say thank you." He repeats, and I can hear the sincerity in his voice.

"Well, you're welcome. I just want her to be happy." I say softly, and then there's a moment of awkward silence between us.

"Listen, Ripple... I am sorry for putting you through this, for leaving the way I did. I was a coward, and I know that. But please... don't think that it was about you, or about Splash. You both mean the world to me." He says, and his words send a wave of emotion crashing over me.

"I know, Jake. That's all that matters." I say, blinking back the tears.

"Thank you, Ripple. I'll make sure she has a wonderful time." He says firmly, and I smile, knowing that he will.

As we hang up the phone, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. I know I did the right thing, and, no matter what happens, I know that Splash is safe and happy. However, as I lay on bed in my dark, cold room, I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something. I miss Jake, I miss his laughter, his warmth, his comforting presence... I feel lonely, and I can't think of any other way to fight back my sadness.

I stand up and walk around the empty mansion. I know I can leave to take a stroll, have a drink somewhere, or simply go watch a movie, but, once I come back home, everything will be exactly in the same place it was when I left... Empty, and lonely.

I stare through the big window, watching the snow falling outside, and I can't stop thinking about what Jake must be doing right now, and about Splash too... I really wish I could be there with them, spending Christmas together, enjoying each other's company. It would be so nice... I sigh as I look away from the window, looking down at the floor as the light from the streetlamps casts a long shadow on the floor. The sound of the falling snow reminds me of how much Christmas means to me... At first, it was my favorite holiday, because it meant quality time with the ones I loved. And then, when I got a bit older, it meant time to give and receive gifts... But, now... Now it feels like a burden from here.

It's not that I hate Christmas, but now that I'm sitting here all alone... I see the tall, big walls that surround me as the symbol of my loneliness. Many people would dream of having the chance to live in a mansion, yet, for me, it has turned out to be something far from a blessing. The garden is all dried up and frozen, the arena is all unkempt and dirty, and the pool has been empty since the autumn. but I don't care about that. It's the feeling that, while everyone here and there starts preparing for the holidays, I remain here, alone, in what could be said to be... the largest prison cell in the world, in a way. I used to love being at the mansion, but it all feels so futile now, I don't even bother to keep up with the decoration... And, I must confess, I'm not surprised Splash prefers to stay with Jake, and I'm not going to force her to stay here.

As I lie back down in bed, I feel a tear rolling down my cheek. I know it's selfish to feel like this, especially when Splash is having the time of her life. But I can't help it. I just wish I had someone to share this holiday with, someone to hold me close and make me feel loved. As I stare up at the ceiling, feeling the cold seep into my bones, I can't help but wonder if there is even some use of living in a place like this, for a pokémon like me...

I stand up, put on a coat, and go walk out of the mansion, gauging the reaction people I face up with have when they see me. It's true, I still get stares and whispers, as if I was contaminated from an invisible aura I can't discern. I can't shake the sense of emptiness that I feel inside. It's like something is missing, something important. And, as I walk past the brightly decorated store windows and hear the laughter of the people inside, I realize what it is. It's Jake.

I miss him so much, it hurts. I miss his laugh, his smile, the way he looks at me when he thinks I'm not paying attention. I miss the way he makes me feel safe and loved and alive. I also miss how he used to worry about me, and how he used to be so protective. It feels like he's gone forever, and I don't know how to live without him.

As I walk through the crowded streets, I try to keep my mind off of my sadness, to focus on the beautiful decorations and the joyful atmosphere around me. But it's hard. Everywhere I look, I see happy couples and families, all enjoying the Christmas season together. And all I can think about is how alone I am, how empty my life feels without Jake.

I stop in front of a store window, staring at the display of Christmas ornaments. They're all so beautiful, so shiny and perfect. But they don't mean anything to me, not without someone to share them with. I feel sadness getting to me as I stare at the sparkling tree topper, and I have to blink back the tears.

I know I shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself, not when Splash is having such a wonderful time. But I can't help it, I just feel so lost and alone. I think it's... finally time for me to surface the true feelings that linger inside me, to trace a path to my heart... Even if it means I might be forced to accept the truth I've been trying to avoid...

I... I love Jake.

There, I said it, even if it's just inside my mind. I love him. I don't know when it happened, or how, but somewhere along the way, he became the most important person in my life with Splash. And now that he's gone, I feel like a part of me is missing too. I thought I could move on, that I could just forget about him and focus on my life. But I can't. He's always in my thoughts, always in my heart. And I know, deep down, that I will never stop loving him.

As I stand there, staring at the ornaments, I make a decision. I can't keep pretending that everything is okay, that I don't need Jake. I do. I need him more than I ever thought possible. And, even if it means facing the truth, even if it means risking my heart, I have to tell him how I feel.

I turn away from the store window, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. It won't be easy, and I know there's a chance he might not feel the same way. But I have to try. I have to give him the chance to choose, to choose me or to choose to walk away from me forever. And, if he chooses to walk away, then... I'll learn to live with it. But at least I'll know I tried.

As I arrive back at the mansion, I take out a big 'ON SALE' sign from the garage and put it on the door, before I contact the agency I hired to manage the mansion to organize a cleaning before selling it. I'm... going home. Not the building I'm about to leave behind, but... my home at heart.

Chapter 15. Jake 's POV.

"Splash! Tonight it's Christmas Eve! Santa will be at the shopping center today!" I say as I notice Splash waking up. She starts to wiggle around, a huge smile on her face. "I... wanna go see him, please! Please!" She squeals excitedly, and I can't help but laugh.

"Oh, of course, my little reindeer! We'll go see Santa Claus. Then we'll go to the park, and later we'll have a big Christmas dinner for us two, okay?" I say, and she squeals with delight.

As we get dressed and head out the door, I can feel the excitement bubbling up inside me too. It's going to be a perfect day, filled with all the best parts of the holiday season.

We arrived at the shopping center, and it's even more crowded than I expected. Kids and cubs are running around everywhere, and there's a long line snaking out from Santa's throne. I can see the disappointment in Splash's eyes as she looks up at it.

"Oh, no... We're going to have to wait for a long time!" She says, pouting.

I ruffle her fur, shaking my head. "No worries, sweetie. We can wait. It will be worth it to see the big man in red." I say, and she nods, looking up at me with trusting eyes.

As we take our place in line, I can't help but think about how much Ripple would love this. She never took Splash to see Santa, and I know she would give anything to be here with us right now. I wish I could have brought her, but I know it's better this way. She needs time to heal, and I need time to figure out what I want.

As the line inches forward, I find myself getting lost in thought, replaying all the moments I've spent with Ripple over the past few weeks. The way she would smile at me, the way she would look at me while I played with Splash, the spare looks and longings she would give me. And, I... I know I feel something for her, something deep and strong.

"Jakey! Jakey! We're up next!" Splash's excited voice snaps me out of my reverie, and I look up to see that we're next in line. I scoop her up into my arms, and we approach the big, bearded man in the red suit.

"Ho ho ho! Who do we have here? Is this little girl on the nice list this year?" He asks, his voice booming, and Splash nods vigorously.

"Yes, sir! I've been good all year!" She squeals, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?" Santa says with a wink. "Now, little Buizel, what do you want for christmas?"

Splash's eyes light up with excitement, and she starts to rattle off her long list of toys and books and clothes. I watch with amusement as Santa nods and writes it all down on a big piece of paper. He even makes sure to write down all the details, like the color and the size of the dress she wants, and the type of book she wants to read.

Finally, when she finishes, Santa looks up at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Well, little miss, I think you've given me a very nice list. I'll do my best to make sure you get everything on it." He says, and she squeals with joy, hugging me tightly.

"Thank you, Santa! I love you!" She says, and he chuckles, handing me a small candy cane.

"Merry christmas, young lady. And you too." He says with a smile, and I thank him, taking Splash's paw as we walk away.

"You are a pretty imaginative cub, you know? Why did you ask for... a Floatzel costume when you're a Buizel yourself?" I say, as I can't hold off my laughter for longer, which makes her start to laugh too.

"I... I wanted to dress up like mommy for Christmas! She's the bestest Pokémon in the world, and I don't wanna wait until I get ooooold! It will also remind me of her, her birthday is on christmas day!" She squeals as I'm trying to stop laughing. "You're a pretty fun human, Jakey!" She continues as I nod, and I pick her up, carrying her to the sweets section. "I... wanna see the candy! Can we go to the candy store, please?!" She asks, and I shake my head.

"Let's go have some candy, but just a bit, okay? We don't want to spoil your dinner." I say, leading her towards a nearby candy shop. As we walk inside, I can hear the familiar jingle of Christmas music playing in the background.

We spend a while browsing the aisles, trying to decide what to get. Finally, Splash settles on a bag of jelly beans and a box of chocolate Santas. I know Ripple wouldn't approve, but, hey, it's christmas!

"That's what you choose?" I ask, surprised by the small amount.

She nods, smiling up at me. "Jelly beans are mommy's favorite, and chocolate Santas are minee!" She says, and I feel a surge of emotion wash over me. I don't know how she could remember that, but it's so sweet of her.

"Well, then I guess it's settled! Two small bags of treats, coming right up." I say, leading us to the register. As I pay for our candy, I can't shake the feeling that Ripple is with us in spirit, even though she's not physically here.

We take our candy and head to the park, where we spend the rest of the afternoon playing on the swings and the slides, also getting involved in a snow fight, which leaves Splash all soaked, with her fur mostly coated in white. Then, after patting the snow mostly out, we kept walking around the decorated streets in awe, until I decided it's time for dinner.

As we sit down to a feast of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and green beans, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Even though Ripple isn't here, and even though there are still so many questions and doubts swirling around in my mind, I know that this is a Christmas I will never forget. I have the most precious gift of all, Splash, and that's all that matters.

As dinner comes to an end, I stand up and start to clear the dishes from the table. "Hey, little one, why don't you go pick out a movie for us to watch while I get this stuff cleaned up, okay?" I suggest, and she nods, racing off to the living room.

As I put the dishes away, I can't stop thinking about how much I love her, and how much I would do for her. I would move heaven and earth to make sure she is always happy and safe and loved. And, as I stand there in the kitchen, staring out the window at the falling snow, I realize that there's something else I would do too. I would face my fears, I would face the truth, no matter how scary or painful it might be. Because, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the love of the people in our lives.

And, as I stand here, surrounded by the memories of the past few weeks, I know that there is one pokémon who will always be in my heart, no matter what happens. One pokémon who I love more than anything else in this world. And, even though it terrifies me to admit it, even though I know it might change everything, I have to face the truth.

I am in love with Ripple.

As I walk into the living room, where Splash is already curled up on the couch waiting for me, I know that I have to tell her, no matter what it might cost me. Because, in the end, the only thing that really matters is the truth. And, for the first time in my life, I feel like I finally know what that truth is. But now...

"Hey, sweetie! Did you choose the movie already?" I ask as I sit down on the couch, and she smiles up at me, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Yes! But... you have to guess which one it is!" She says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. I smile, shaking my head.

"Oh, really? Well, then, I'll have to be very careful to choose the right one. Is it... the crazy Growlithe?!" I say, and she shakes her head vehemently.

"No, silly! That one goes about a bad guy, and it's not for christmas! You need to choose a good movie!" She says, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"Okay, okay. How about... uh... The love of... eons? Is that what it says there?" I say, squinting my eyes.

"YEEEEAH! That one, that one!" She squeals, jumping up and down on the couch. I laugh, ruffling her fur.

"Wow, you really seem to like that one, do you? How about we put it on then?" I say, reaching for the remote and turning on the TV.

As the movie starts, I wrap a blanket around us, pulling Splash close to my side. She looks up at me with big, bright eyes, and I can see the love and trust shining in her face. The movie itself is kinda cute. It's about the legend of Latios and Latias, who pursue a forbidden love across the ages, and it all starts to feel a little too real as I think about my feelings for Ripple...

"It's a happy film!" Splash chatters as she grabs another handful of jelly beans. I laugh softly, shaking my head. I love how easily she can move on from one thing to the next.

As the credits roll, I notice that it's getting late. "Hey, sleepyhead, it's time to get ready for bed!" I say, ruffling her head fur, and she pouts.

"But... I'm not tired!" She whines, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Really? Well, maybe we should see what Santa thinks about that!" I say, and her eyes widen.

"You... you mean he'll know I was up too late?!" She gasps, and I nod, trying to keep a straight face.

"Yep. Santa knows everything, remember? He even knows when you don't want to go to bed!" I say sternly, and she bites her lower lip, looking thoughtful.

"But... can he also know if I promise to be good for the rest of the night?" She asks, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Well, I suppose we could see. But only if you promise to brush your fangs and get into bed right away!" I say, and she squeals with excitement.

"Yes, yes, I promise! I'll be the bestest little Pokémon in the whole world!" She says, bouncing off the couch and racing towards the bathroom.

As I follow her, watching her brush her teeth and wash her face with the same care and precision as Ripple, I can't help but feel a sense of pride wash over me. I'm so lucky to be a part of her life, to watch her grow and learn and become the amazing little pokémon she is. As soon as she ends washing herself, she quickly runs to her bedroom and, in a matter of minutes, falls asleep. I cover her up with a soft blanket and kiss her goodnight, before I turn off the light and go to my room.

As I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, I can't shake the feeling that something is missing. I know Splash is safe and happy, and I know that I will always love her, no matter what happens. But there's still a part of me that feels empty, like a piece of my heart is missing. And I know that, no matter how much I try to ignore it, there will always be a part of me that belongs to Ripple, that will always be in love with her.

I spend two whole hours staring at the ceiling, thinking and thinking about the same topic on replay, unable to bring myself to sleep. Not really knowing a better remedy for this late-night insomnia, I decide to get up, put on some warm clothes, and go out to walk on the cold streets for a bit, to breathe some fresh air.

The streets are still filled with the beautiful, bright christmas decorations, even at this late hour, and I find myself enjoying the peaceful quiet of the night. As I walk along, I can't help but think about the past few months, and how much my life has changed since I met Ripple. I thought I knew what I wanted, what I needed, but it turns out that I was wrong. I needed more than just a place to live, more than just a job to keep me busy. I needed love, and I needed someone to share my life with.

I also accept I did it wrong. I shouldn't have left her for good, on her own, even though the circumstances made it easier. She was recovering from an accident, and I should have been by her side, no matter what. But I was too proud, too scared of what people would think, too afraid of what she might say. And, because of that, I lost her, and I lost a part of myself too.

Feeling sleepness slowly getting to me, I decide to head back home, taking me a few minutes to arrive there. The streets are now completely deserted, and a thick, cold fog has begun to roll in. I get to the street where I live, but, as I approach, I see something strange. A faint shadow of someone walking a few meters ahead of me shines in the fog, thanks to the faint streetlamps on the otherwise dark, residential street. I stop, curious about who might be walking in this neighborhood at this hour. I see the figure walk past the numbers 46... 48... 50... 52... before the fog becomes too thick to see.

"Wait..." I say softly, my heart starting to pound in my chest. I keep walking, trying to make out the shadow, but it seems to have disappeared into the mist. I start walking towards my door, and the figure again starts to appear in front of me. It has stopped walking, and is now standing in front of a doorstep, about ten meters away from me, more or less.

I take a few more steps forward, until I can clearly make out the figure of a pokémon looking at the door... My heart starts pounding in my chest, and my breath starts coming in short, quick gasps. I know that figure, I would recognize it anywhere. But, it can't be... She can't possibly be here, not at this time of night, not in this place... But, as she raises her head and the fog clears just enough for me to see her face...

It is her. It is Ripple.

Chapter 16

"Ripple?..." I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper, but she must have heard me. She turns to look at me, and, in the faint light of the street lamp, I can see the tears glistening on her face.

"Jake..." She says softly, her voice trembling, and I feel a jolt of shock run through my body. I take a step forward, my heart pounding in my ears.

"What... what are you doing here?" I ask, my mind racing with a dozen different possibilities.

She takes a deep breath, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I... I need to talk to you. I can't wait until the holidays are over, it's... urgent." She says, her voice barely above a whisper. I feel a twinge of fear in my stomach, wondering what could possibly be so important.

"Of course, of course. Come in, please." I say, unlocking the door and ushering her inside. As we step into the house, I can feel the warmth and familiarity of my home enveloping us, and I can't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. Whatever this is, we can face it together.

As we walk into the living room, I turn on the lights, blinking a few times to get used to the brightness after the foggy darkness outside. I turn to look at Ripple, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of her. She looks exhausted, her fur is still a bit unkempt, and her eyes reflect the harsh feelings she's been feeling since we last saw each other, but she is still the most beautiful Pokémon I have ever seen.

"Would you like something to drink? Tea, coffee, water?" I ask, and she shakes her head, her eyes fixed on mine.

"No, thank you. I... I just need to talk." She says, and I nod, taking a seat on the couch and motioning for her to sit down next to me. She hesitates for a moment, but then she sits down, placing herself carefully next to me.

"Okay, what is it you wanted to talk about? What's so urgent that you had to come all the way out here, in the middle of the night?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm and steady.

She takes a deep breath and looks up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions I can't quite discern. "Jake..." She starts, her voice shaking slightly. "I... I know I don't have any right to ask this, after everything that has happened between us. But... I need to know. What made you leave...?" She says, and her words hit me like a punch to the gut.

I feel the room start to spin around me, and I have to grab onto the arm of the couch to steady myself. I don't know what I was expecting her to say, but it definitely wasn't this. I thought she was here to tell me that she found someone else, that she wanted Splash to come back to her already, or something like that. But this...

"Ripple, I... I don't know what to say." I stammer, my voice coming out in a choked whisper. "You came all the way here, just to ask me that?" I say, a hint of incredulity in my voice. She nods, her eyes never leaving mine.

"I had to. I couldn't go another day not knowing." She says softly, and I feel my heart start to break. I want to tell her the truth, to tell her how I really feel, but I'm scared, scared of what she might say, scared of how she might react.

"Well... you came all the way here to ask… So I am going to tell you the full story, okay?" I say, taking a deep breath and steeling myself for the conversation that is about to follow...

And so I start... "Before I started working for you, I've been a maintenance worker of different wealthy people, all of them human. I got to the point where I didn't really mind doing this job, as it was the only way to... survive after the war, where most of my family was killed... well, everyone, except my younger sister" I start, and a look of surprise shines in her eyes.

"Oh..." She stutters, but I wave her off.

"It's... it's okay, it was a long time ago. What matters is that, as I kept working for different people, I started to notice something... People, rich people, and even middle-class people... would always look down on me, the person that works for them, no matter how hard I tried to show them that I was more than just a worker" I continue, and I see her eyes start to soften.

"I... I'm so sorry, Jake. I didn't know, I never thought..." She says, but I shake my head.

"No, it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just... the way the world works, you know? Anyway, I was basically a slave that worked to provide his food, shelter, and clothing for him and his family" I say, and, as a response, she looks at me, raising her eyebrow.

"A... a slave?" She asks, and I shake my head with a laugh.

"No, no, it wasn't literal slavery. I'm not the kind of person that would let himself be enslaved for the rest of his life. But... It felt like a slavery. A slavery of my time, and my dignity, and my freedom of choice, even though I thought the pay was enough to let me have a simple life. But it turned out, it wasn't."

"Is that why you came to work for me?" She asks, a look of realization dawning in her eyes.

I shake my head. "No. This happened a couple years prior to that. By that time, I had no bitterness towards well-to-do people. I just wanted to do the job, and leave as soon as the contract was over. But... tragedy struck my life. My sister started to suffer a rare disease, which basically drained her out of her strength and energy until she became just a withering, fragile shell of a human being" I continue, and I can feel the tears starting to well up in my eyes.

"I'm so, so sorry..." Ripple says, placing her paw on my shoulder, and I take a deep, shaky breath, trying to keep myself from breaking down.

"It was... a very difficult time. I took care of her as best as I could, but I needed to have a raise, at least, to provide the treatment she needed. I... I had to ask my current employer for a raise, but... he refused. He said that I was already making enough money to live my life, and that it was my fault, not his, for having a sick sister" I say, my voice filled with bitterness.

"Jake... that's... that's terrible." She whispers, and I can see the anger and outrage in her eyes. I nod, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"It was. I did my best to help her, to be with her when she needed it as well as working hard to provide for her, but, in the end... I failed. One day, she went to have a walk by herself, and... she never came back. I found her body on the sidewalk, in front of this house. She had collapsed as she couldn't bear with the illness for longer, and passed away there. That's when I decided that I was done with working for that kind of people. I was done with being their slave, their punching bag, their doormat" I continue, and Ripple gasps softly.

"Oh my goodness, Jake... I didn't know... I had no idea..." She says, her voice barely above a whisper, and I can feel the sympathy and concern radiating off of her.

"I know. And it's okay. It was a long time ago, but I built some sort of an inherent rage against the upper class. And... When I came to work for you… well, you know the rest of the story..." I say with a sigh.

"And you were so good at what you did, and with Splash, and with me. I wish I had known, Jake, I wish you could have told me before..." She says, shaking her head, and I feel a wave of guilt wash over me.

"We can't control what we do or what we think about certain topics. We react according to our own experiences and mindset. I can't help it. If you hate me for leaving all of a sudden after what happened in the park, I'll understand" I say, and she laughs softly.

"Oh, Jake... I could never hate you. I know you would never hurt me, or anyone else for that matter. You're too good for that" She says, and I feel my heart swell with pride at her words.

"Thank you, Ripple. That means a lot to me." I say softly, and she smiles, her eyes shining with affection.

"Of course. I only say what I mean." She says, and then she pauses for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "But... Jake, there's something I need to say, too."

I feel a jolt of fear run through my body at her words, and I brace myself for the worst. But, then, she looks at me, and I see something in her eyes that I've never seen before. A look of sincerity, of truth, of... love?

"Jake... I..." She starts, but then she pauses, taking a deep breath. "I... I love you." She says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. I feel the world around me stop, and all I can hear is the pounding of my own heart. I stare at her in shock, not sure I heard her right.

"Ripple... what are you saying?" I ask, my voice hoarse with emotion. She takes another deep breath, and looks up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination.

"I'm saying that I love you, Jake. I love you with all my heart, and I want to be with you, not just as a friend, or as an employee, but as something more. As... as your partner, your mate. I know it might be hard for you to believe, after everything that has happened between us, but it's the truth. And I had to tell you, before it was too late" She says, her voice trembling with emotion.

I feel my heart start to race, and I reach out to take her paw in my hand. I can barely believe what I'm hearing, but at the same time, it feels so right, so natural, like I've been waiting my whole life to hear these words. I look into her eyes, and I can see the love and the sincerity shining in their depths, and I know that she means it, every word of it.

"Ripple.." I stammer, my mind racing with a million different thoughts and feelings.

She squeezes my hand, a look of uncertainty flickering across her face. "I understand if you don't feel the same way, Jake. I know I'm a pokémon, and you're a human, and that there are so many barriers between us. But I had to try, I had to take the chance, even if it meant risking everything" She says, her voice filled with desperation.

I look at her, this beautiful, amazing, incredible pokémon who has turned my life upside down in the best possible way. And, in that moment, I know that I have to be honest with her, no matter what it might cost me. Because, if there's one thing I know for certain, it's that I love her too.

"Ripple..." I say, trying to steady myself...

"It's okay, I understand. I just wanted you to know how I feel, even if it changes nothing" She says softly, and I feel a pang of guilt in my chest. But then...

"Ripple... I love you too." I say, and I can see the shock and the joy and the relief wash over her face. A single tear rolls down her cheek, and I lean forward and brush it away with my thumb. "I love you more than anything in this world, and I would be honored to be your mate, to spend the rest of my life with you, if you would have me."

She looks at me with a mixture of happiness and disbelief. "Jake... you mean it? You really love me?" She asks, and I laugh softly, shaking my head.

"I really love you. I have for a long time now. I just didn't know how to tell you, or how you would react" I say, and I look down, looking thoughtful.

"Well, I think I've made it pretty clear how I feel, don't you?" She says with a teasing smile, and I smile, pulling her closer to me.

"You sure have. And I couldn't be happier about it..." I say, looking at her captivating, blue eyes, as we both fall silent. The moment stretches in time, feeling like time has really stopped now as Ripple slowly caresses my face with her paw as her eyes shine with joy and love. I smile, and, as I feel the time has come, I slowly close the distance between us, until our lips are just a hair apart...

She smiles, and closes the remaining distance, kissing me softly, and passionately. And in that moment, the world seems to disappear around us, and I finally feel like I am home... Like I have found the missing piece to my puzzle, the pokémon I was made to love for the rest of my existence...

As we break apart, breathing heavily, I stare at the beauty before me, as if I'm trying to see a dream. But... it's not a dream, it's really happening. The pokémon I've always loved, the pokémon I thought I could never have, has finally confessed her feelings to me, and... I've confessed mine to her as well...

"I... I'm completely... flattered..." I whisper, and she laughs softly, wrapping her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"And I... I don't think there are any words for what I'm feeling right now, Jake... You make me feel so... loved, so cherished, so..." She starts, but I pull away, shaking my head as I look at the clock, noticing that it's already 5:30 AM.

"Ripple, please... We need to get some rest... Splash will wake up tomorrow morning, and we need to tell her about our... relationship" I say, and a look of embarrassment washes over my face.

"Our relationship?..." She asks, laughing softly as she looks at me, teasingly. "You see Jake... Splash's deep in sleep, we've just confirmed our relationship... and... I think we're both... aware it needs to be... sealed... What do you say?" She whispers seductively, and I start to blush wildly.

"S-seal...? R-Ripple... t-that's..." I stammer as I look away, before she motions to the door that leads to the bedroom. She smirks at me, knowing she got me at her game. I nod, and then, we then start walking towards my room, my arm wrapped around her neck, and hers around my waist.

Chapter 17

As soon as we step inside, I turn to face her, looking deep into her eyes as I slowly lean in, taking her into my arms, and kissing her again, this time more deeply, more passionately, more lovingly than ever before...

"Jake... it's... too hot here..." She whispers as I start to take off the heavy Pokémon coat she had been wearing since I found her on the street, smiling as I do so, revealing her breathtaking figure I can't ever get tired of... "Come on... it's still way too hot, hon..." She says as she tugs at my own clothes, and I chuckle softly as I take off my shirt, and then the rest of my clothes, until I am standing fully naked in front of her. I feel her eyes lingering on my body, and I blush wildly, embarrassed by the fact I have no other option but to let her see me in this state, especially now that the emotions of this moment have really shown their effect on me, but she just smiles.

"Don't be shy, Jake... I like what I see..." She murmurs seductively as she starts to pull me back towards the bed, a look in her eyes I know it's reflected on mine as well...

"What would you like to do now to cool off...?" I whisper, as I caress her face. She smiles, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What do you think?" She asks coyly, and I laugh softly.

"Well, we could always go for a swim in the ocean..." I suggest teasingly, and she laughs, shaking her head.

"Oh, no, I don't think that's what I had in mind..." She says, looking at me through half-lidded eyes.

"Well, in that case... I think I have a few ideas..." I murmur, slowly starting to massage her neck and shoulders. I can feel the tension starting to melt away under my touch, and she moans softly, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Mmhmm..." She whispers, and I smile, starting to work my way down her body. I can feel her skin beneath the thick layer of fur start to heat up, and I know that she is feeling the same passion and desire that I do.

As I continue to caress and stroke her skin, I can feel my own desire starting to build, and I know that I won't be able to hold back for much longer. But, I want to make sure that she is fully satisfied before I let myself go. I want to show her just how much I love her, how much she means to me.

"Feels good...?" I ask, a bit shyly, unsure if I'm going too slow or something...

"Oh, yes... But I'd start going... lower if I were you..." She moans, her voice thick with passion, and I feel a thrill of excitement run through me. I start to massage her chest and stomach, feeling her muscles relax and soften under my touch. I can feel her heart beating rapidly, and I know that she must be really turned on…

As I continue to work my way lower, I can feel her breath starting to come in short, shallow gasps, and I know that it won't be long before I get to her core. I can feel my own arousal growing more intense, and I know that, if I'm not careful, I might end up finishing before I even start.

But, I don't care. All that matters is her, and making sure that she experiences the most pleasure possible. I don't want to rush her, or make her feel like she has to reciprocate. I just want to love her, in every way possible.

"Jake, are you alright, darling?" She asks as I continue to stroke her body, feeling myself getting closer to the edge of climax before I even get to the fun part. I laugh softly, shaking my head.

"I'm fine, Ripple. I'm just... focusing on you, and trying to make this as good for you as possible." I say, and I can hear the sincerity in my own voice. She smiles, and reaches out to caress my face.

"Jake, you don't have to worry about me. You make me feel so good, just by being here with me, just by loving me. I want us to experience this together, as equals." She says softly, as she looks at me softly. "Come on, let's get comfortable..." She says, and starts to crawl, laying down on the bed properly. I do the same, laying next to her, as we both hold hand and paw while staring at each other.

"Jake... I want you..." She whispers, her voice husky with need, and I feel my heart start to race.

"I want you too, Ripple... more than anything in the world... Can I..." I start, and she looks at me, her eyes filled with desire.

"Can you what, darling...? Kiss me...? Touch me...? Make love to me...?" She asks, her voice barely above a whisper, and I feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"...All of them, Ripple..." I say, and she smiles, pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss. I can taste her sweetness on my lips, and I feel myself getting lost in the sensation. I know that we are both ready, that we both want this more than anything, but I also know that we need to take our time, to make sure that this is a moment we will both cherish for the rest of our lives.

I gently get her to lay on top of me, pressing her back to my stomach and chest, as she takes both my arms in hers, guiding them to her soft body, slowly moving my hands lower, towards her intimate area, not really leaving me another choice than to touch her like she wants. I smile as I start to gently graze her fur, feeling a growing amount of heat as my hands slide down her hips towards her most intimate area. I can feel how much she wants me, how much her body yearns for my touch...

"Ah... Jake... Yes... we're almost there..." She whispers as I reach the promised land, feeling her body shudder slightly as I feel a patch of wet fur right between her thighs. "There you are... Oh, Jake, we're definitely getting hot here..." She murmurs teasingly, and I chuckle softly.

"Sorry for that... I think you know what I can't help but do whenever I'm with you, don't you?" I say teasingly, but she just smirks at me, pushing herself harder against my hand, wanting more...

"Let's get to the good part, Jake..." She whispers in my ear, and I smile, happy to oblige. I slowly slide my fingers into her, feeling the slickness of her insides as she arches her back against my touch, letting out a soft moan of pleasure. I start to stroke her gently, feeling her walls pulse around my fingers.

"Oh!" She moans, surprised, and I smile at the sound. I love hearing her voice, hearing the pleasure I'm giving her. I keep going, moving my fingers in and out slowly, as I have no experience in how to make a pokémon feel good in this situation, but, the way her body reacts to my touch, I'm pretty sure I'm doing a good job so far...

"Ripple... Is this right? Do I need to do something different? I want to make sure I'm pleasing you..." I ask, as my other hand starts to gently massage her stomach, and she arches her back even more.

"Oh, no, Jake... That's... more than perfect... I'm already at the point of no return... You just need to keep going..." She moans, her voice coming in short gasps, as her whole body starts to quiver. I can tell she's close, and I start to move my fingers faster, wanting to push her over the edge.

"Jake... I'm... I'm... AAAH!" She suddenly screams, as her body starts to convulse uncontrollably to the point I have to hold her close to keep her from falling off me. Her face is filled with ecstasy, and I feel a surge of pride wash over me, knowing that I'm the one who made her feel this way.

As her orgasm starts to subside, she collapses on top of me, panting heavily. "Jake... That was... incredible..." She whispers, and I smile, holding her close.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Ripple..." I say as I hug her, her light frame allowing her to rest on top of me without making me feel uncomfortable at all. She laughs softly, her body still trembling slightly from the aftershocks of her climax.

"You didn't do too bad yourself, big boy..." She teases, and I blush, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I... I didn't really do much..." I stammer, and she shakes her head, looking at me with a mixture of affection and amusement.

"You did more than enough, Jake. You made me feel amazing, and that's all that matters. I love you." She says, her voice filled with sincerity, and I feel my heart swell with emotion.

"I love you too, Ripple. So much." I say softly, and she spins around to kiss me, her tongue gently brushing against mine. I feel a spark of desire ignite inside me again. I can feel my own arousal growing more intense, and I know that, if I don't do something soon, I am going to gush my load all over the bed...

"Hmm... Jake... you're throbbing down there, love..." She says as she slides one of her tails between my legs, wrapping the other around my arousal, which only serves to make me twitch even more. She teases me, lightly stroking it with her tail, and I can feel the pressure starting to build. I bite my lip, trying to hold back, but it's no use.

"I... I can't... Ripple, please... I'm going to... Aah~!" I moan loudly, as a surge of ecstasy washes over me, and I release my load, coating her tail in my semen. I shudder and twitch, feeling the most intense pleasure I have ever experienced in my entire life from that mere contact. Ripple just smiles, watching me blush in embarrassment for my... less than ideal performance.

"Mmmm... Looks like somebody got a little overexcited..." She says teasingly, and I blush, looking away sheepishly.

"I'm... sorry... I didn't mean to do that..." I murmur, feeling embarrassed.

"Oh, don't worry about it, love. It's perfectly natural, and I think it's kinda sweet, actually." She says softly, kissing my cheek. I smile, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.

"Thanks, Ripple... That means a lot to me." I say, and she nods, cuddling up next to me.

"Anytime, darling. Now, why don't we... start a second round? I really hope you've left some of your baby batter inside you, because we have enough time yet for a pretty satisfactory lovemaking session..." She says mischievously, and, as she moves closer to me, I already feel my arousal starting to come back...

"You know me as if we had done this a thousand times before..." I say teasingly, but she just smirks at me.

"Well, I do have an experience, and I suppose you do too..." She answers, but I... shook my head.

"I'd really like to say yeah, but the truth is... it's a first for me..." I say softly, hoping she won't ask further questions.

"Wait... are you serious..." She starts, and I laugh softly.

"I... I've never had a girlfriend before..." I mutter, embarrassed, and she stares at me, her eyes wide with shock.

"Oh, my God... Jake... I can't believe it... You were... a virgin..." She says, and I groan, hiding my face in my hands, which just makes her laugh even more.

"No! Please, stop embarrassing me..." I whine, and she pulls my hands away, kissing me softly.

"It's okay, baby... It's actually really sweet that you saved yourself for me. I'm honored." She says, and I feel the blush spread across my cheeks. "You know what, though...? It means I get to teach you... All the tricks and pleasures of lovemaking with a pokémon..." She purrs, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

"You mean...? I never even thought it was possible... to... You know... do the actual act... with a pokémon before... But, since you mentioned it..." I say, not really believing my own words, and she laughs softly, shaking her head.

"Oh, Jake... You're so adorable. Let's just say that pokémon and humans can breed just fine, and we're both going to have a wonderful time together, alright?" She says reassuringly, and I nod, still in a bit of shock. She smirks at me, pulling me in for a kiss. "You silly human... why in the world would you think that...?" She asks, and I shrug.

"Well... It's not like you ever brought up the topic of a future relationship before, or even a friendship outside of work. And then, when you did, it was too sudden and too unbelievable for me to process. I just assumed that being together meant cuddling, kissing and... well, this much." I say, gesturing to her tails and the sticky fluids one of them is coated with, and she laughs.

"I mean... you're right. I didn't bring up the topic before, and now that it's here, it's gonna be a bit… awkward for a while, but... I need you to know I'm serious about this, and... I love you, no matter what... Let me be a proper partner to you, Jake. For once and for all." She says seriously, and I look at her, feeling a mixture of happiness, relief, and love.

"I love you too, Ripple. So much. I'll do whatever it takes to make this work. I promise." I say, and she smiles, pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss, that really lasts a long time, until we're both out of breath.

"Well, Jake... if you're feeling like receiving a lesson..." She whispers, as she grabs my cock, pushing two of her small fingers on my tip, eliciting a moan straight from my deepest insides.

"Yeah, sure..." I say between pants.

"Then, let's get to it." She says as she gets off me and onto the bed, laying on her back, her thighs and tails spread apart. "Go take a close look... I won't bite..." She giggles as she motions me to come closer, and I hesitantly do it, taking a look at her most private area for the very first time...

"Wow..." I whisper, looking at her needy entrance, and she laughs again, slightly pushing her hips upwards to give me a better look.

"Hey... like what you see, stud?" She asks teasingly, and I blush.

"It's just... so beautiful..." I say, and I mean it. Her pink, tight little hole just looks so inviting, and so vulnerable, and I feel another surge of arousal as I see how wet and ready she is for me.

"Well, why don't you come give it a little kiss, then?" She says with a smile, and I feel my cheeks heat up even more. "Jake... I'm not going to tell anyone... and it's okay to do this. It's just the first step for you to understand how to properly please a female." She continues, and I take a deep breath, feeling myself blushing uncontrollably.

I lower my head, and, as I do so, I feel Ripple's hand on the back of my head, guiding me to her. I slowly lean in, and feel the heat of her body against my lips as I press them against her, giving her a soft kiss, right at the center of her opening. She moans softly, and I feel myself getting even more excited.

"Mmmh... That's it, Jake... Just like that..." She murmurs, and I start to kiss her more firmly, feeling her body start to quiver slightly against my touch. "Y-yeah... push your tongue inside... and try to lick like this..." She says as she starts licking her paw, indicating the way she wants me to do it, and I shyly copy her moves, feeling the taste of her arousal on my tongue.

"Oh, yes... Jake... Good boy..." She moans as I keep licking. I can feel her fingers gripping my hair tighter, as she arches her back to press against my mouth. I continue to pleasure her, slowly starting to use my hands to explore her body, caressing her hips as the taste of her further spreads in my mouth.

"I think you've got the general idea down, now... keep doing that while rubbing my clit with your fingers, like this..." She says, taking one of my hands and bringing it between her legs, as she presses it against her sensitive little bud. I start to stroke it, feeling her squirm underneath me.

"Just like that... don't stop!" She moans, her voice filled with pleasure, and I can feel myself starting to get even more aroused by the sight of her writhing in ecstasy. I keep going, licking and stroking, wanting to give her as much pleasure as possible.

"Jake... Jake... I'm... I'm close..." She pants, her voice coming in short, ragged gasps, and I feel a surge of pride wash over me. I keep going, moving my tongue faster and more firmly against her, feeling her start to convulse uncontrollably against my mouth. She lets out a loud moan of ecstasy, and I can feel her walls strongly gripping against my tongue in a rhythmic fashion, until...

"Jake... oh... Oh... Ohhh~~!" She moans loudly as a strong squirt of fluid gushes out of her, hitting my face in the process, but I don't care. I just keep licking and stroking until she collapses back on the bed, panting heavily.

I pull back, wiping her fluids from my face, and smile at her. "How... how was that?" I ask, and she looks at me with a mixture of affection and awe.

"Jake... that was... incredible. You're a natural at this." She says softly, and I blush, feeling proud of myself.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Ripple." I say, leaning down to kiss her. She wraps her arms around me, pulling me close.

"Mmmm... You've definitely earned a reward, Mr. Boyfriend..." She whispers in my ear, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

"Oh, really...? And what kind of reward might that be?" I ask, a hint of teasing in my voice, and she smirks at me.

"How about you lay down on your back and find out?" She suggests, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Is that what you want to do right now?" I ask, feeling a little unsure.

"Mmhm... And then maybe you can teach me a thing or two as well…" She says teasingly, and I laugh softly.

"Well, I suppose we could try... But I don't want to hurt you. I know that we humans are... larger..." I say hesitantly, and she shakes her head.

"Don't worry, love. I'll be gentle. And I promise you won't hurt me." She says confidently as she gets on top of me, this time our faces mere inches away.

"Then... it's you who is going to make love to me... right?" I ask, suddenly a bit nervous, but she shakes her head, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Well... that's the idea yeah... you lay down and lemme do the work for you." She purrs as she starts to grind her hips against my hardness, rubbing her wet slit against my member. I feel myself throbbing in response, and I gasp softly, feeling like I might blow my load at any moment once again.

"Ripple... please, be gentle..." I beg as she presses herself harder against my length, teasing me with her heat, and she smiles, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

"I promise, I will be. I want to make this as good for you as it was for me, Jake." She says softly, looking into my eyes. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

"I trust you, Ripple. I love you." I say, and she smiles, leaning down to give me another kiss.

"I love you too, Jake. So much." She mutters as she lifts her hips, and, with a slight pressure, I feel her slowly start to slide down onto me, taking me into her body. I let out a loud groan of pleasure, feeling myself start to twitch and throb inside her tight, warm insides.

"Oh, my God... You feel so good, Ripple!" I moan, and she laughs softly, blushing as she looks back at me.

"Me? I was going to say the same thing about you..." She says, and I feel my cheeks heat up. I reach up to touch her face, caressing it gently.

"You're so beautiful, Ripple. I can't believe that you're really here with me, that we're really doing this." I say softly, and she leans down to kiss me, her body starting to move slowly on top of mine.

I let out a moan of pleasure as I feel her starting to ride me, and I can't help but buck my hips up against her, trying to go deeper. She laughs softly, shaking her head.

"Easy there, big boy. We still have time before Splash wakes up..." She says, and I blush, realizing that I'm being a bit too eager.

"Sorry... I just... I've never felt anything like this before." I say apologetically, and she smiles at me.

"I know, Jake. It's okay. I'm just teasing you. Let me show you how it's done." She says, and starts to move her hips in a slow, sensual rhythm, taking me deep inside her and then pulling back, over and over again. I feel myself getting lost in the sensation, my body responding to hers, instinctively matching her slow pace as we occasionally kiss with undenied passion.

"Mmmmh... You're so hard, Jake... I love it..." She moans as she keeps bouncing on top of me, taking me to the very edge of ecstasy, before slowing down, allowing me to get a grip on my arousal.

"Oh, Ripple... it feels so good... I think I'm going to..." I start, my voice coming out in short gasps, but she places a finger on my lips, silencing me.

"Not yet, love. I want you to do better, and I know you can, Jake..." She says teasingly, as she gets up to turn around, facing away before tantalizingly lowering herself onto me in reverse cowgirl position.

"Oh, wow!" I exclaim as the sensation of having her tight insides press against the tip of my erection from a new angle washes over me, and she giggles softly, giving me a wink.

"You like this position, Jake? Well, there are many others you're going to enjoy as well." She whispers seductively, as she slowly starts to bounce on me once more, and I'm forced to keep myself from exploding on the spot, as I don't think my human body could handle that much pleasure at once...

We continue like that for a while, her riding me at a slow pace that lets me appreciate the sensation of being inside her as much as possible, before we decide it's time for me to switch to a more active role. I don't really know much about positions, so I let her guide me once again.

"Okay, darling... Now I want you to get on top of me, and start making love to me like you mean it." She says with a teasing smile, and I laugh softly as I get up, switching places with her.

"Alright, just tell me how you like it..." I say, a bit hesitant, but she just smiles, looking up at me with a mixture of love and desire.

"I want you on top of me. It lets me see how much you love me, how much you want me." She says softly, and I feel a surge of emotion wash over me. I lean down to kiss her, playing with my hard cock as I do so. "Mmm... that's nice... Now, I want you to start slowly, and build up the pace as you go, okay?" She says, and I nod, pressing the tip of my length against her opening.

I start to slowly press into her, feeling her tight insides stretch to accommodate me. It's a tantalizing sensation... It feels incredible, and I can tell that she's enjoying it too. I keep going, pushing deeper and deeper, until I'm finally all the way inside her. I pause for a moment, letting her adjust to the feeling, and then I start to move, slowly pulling out and then pressing back in.

"Oh, yes... Just like that, Jake... Mmmm..." She moans, and I feel a rush of pride and desire wash over me. I start to pick up the pace, moving faster and faster, feeling the heat and the tightness of her body enveloping me.

"Ripple... you feel... so... amazing..." I pant, as I start to pound into her with more and more force, our bodies slapping together in a steady rhythm.

"Slow down, my love... I want us to last..." She gasps, and I force myself to slow down, remembering that we're not in a rush. I want to savor every moment of this, to make sure that this moment etches into my mind.

I lean down to kiss her as I start to make love to her at a slower pace, our bodies moving in perfect synchronicity. She wraps her arms around me, pulling me close, as I press my forehead against hers.

"Jake... I... I love you so much..." She whispers, her eyes shining with tears, and I feel my heart swell with emotion.

"I love you too, Ripple. More than anything in the world." I say softly, and we continue to make love, slowly and gently, savoring every moment. Eventually, I start to pick up the pace, but Ripple doesn't seem to have any complaints this time, as she is just as eager as I am to reach that special peak we both crave.

"Oh, yes, Jake... Harder... Faster!" She moans, as I keep slamming my hips against hers, driving into her as deep as I can. The bed shakes with the force of our passion, and the sound of our bodies slapping against each other fills the room.

"Ripple... I'm... I'm so close! Are you...?" I gasp, and she nods, her body starting to quiver underneath me.

"Yes... Yes... I'm ready, Jake... Just a bit longer... and we can cum together!" She pants, and I feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge, but I force myself to last a moment longer, wanting to make sure she gets there at the same time I do.

"Hah... Ohh..." It's all I manage to answer back, as it takes my whole concentration to not finish before her...

"Jake... hurry... ahh~ kiss me... now..." She begs, and I do, pressing my lips firmly against hers as I start to pump my hips as fast as I can, pushing her closer and closer, until...

"MMHHH!" She screams, not breaking the kiss, and I feel her walls start to clench around me as I start to feel her familiar wetness gush out around my member, and that's the signal I need to finish as well.

"NGGH~~!" I roar, my own climax taking over me as I start spurting inside her, coating her womb with my seed. I keep moving, slamming into her, wanting to fill her completely with my love, my desire and my seed, until finally, after what feels like an eternity, I collapse on top of her, exhausted and satisfied.

We lay there for a moment, panting heavily, our bodies still joined together. I feel a sense of peace and contentment wash over me, knowing that I have just made love to the Pokémon I love more than anything in the world.

"That was... incredible... Ah~" She breathes as I finally pull out of her, leaving a trickle of my sperm dribbling out of her now sated hole. I smile at her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"I love you so much, Ripple." I say, and she smiles up at me.

"I love you too, Jake. More than anything." She murmurs, and we lay there for a while, enjoying the afterglow of our lovemaking...

"And now... what?" I ask, as we lay next to each other, looking up at the ceiling. It's 7 AM, and we haven't even had breakfast yet...

"What do you mean?" She asks, looking over at me.

"Well... now that we've... you know... done the deed... What happens next?" I ask, feeling a bit unsure.

She looks at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What happens next is that we go downstairs, and act like nothing happened." She says, and I feel a twinge of disappointment.

"But... Ripple... I want to spend the day with you. I don't want to hide our relationship..." I say, and she shakes her head, smiling.

"You really are way too easy to fool, darling." She says, ruffling my hair playfully, and I blink at her in surprise. "No silly. Now that it's official… I can tell you the whole truth. The mansion... I'm selling it. If you feel like it, I'm moving in with you, Jake. I'm done with my old life." She says with a wink, and I can't help but laugh nervously.

"You... what? Really? Oh, my God... I can't believe it!" I exclaim, and she laughs, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Yep. I'm all yours, Jake... Upon three conditions..." She starts, and I look at her, a bit confused.

"What? Three conditions?" I ask, and she nods.

"Yah, that's it. First... You have to..." She starts as we both start talking about what she wants us to do...

Three hours later*

"It's cwistmas!" Splash's voice echoes from her room as she runs down the stairs, her eyes wide with excitement. She spots me and Ripple in the living room, and her face lights up with a huge smile. "MOMMY?! YOU'RE HERE!" She exclaims, running towards us and jumping into Ripple's arms.

"Merry Christmas, sweetie!" Ripple says, hugging Splash tightly, and I can't stop smiling as I watch them.

"Happy biwthay too, mowmmy..." She answers as she presses her snout into her mother's fur, making both of us laugh.

"Huh? Was it true? Is your birthday on Christmas day, Ripple?!" I ask, and she nods, smiling at me.

"Yep! It's today, and I'm so happy that I get to spend it with my two favorite people in the world." She says, and Splash looks up at her, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Mommy... what's that?" She asks, pointing at the small, wrapped boxes under the Christmas tree, and Ripple looks at it, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Oh! It seems Santa Claus didn't forget about you after all!" She says excitedly, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"Well, I guess it's time to open those presents, huh?" I say, and Ripple nods, setting Splash down on the floor.

"Let's do it, then! Splash!" She says, and Splash eagerly runs to the tree, grabbing a box and ripping it open.

"Oooh! It's a new toy!" She exclaims happily, and Ripple can't help but smile as I watch my new family enjoy their Christmas morning together.

Epilogue

Two weeks later*

It's a lovely winter day. The holidays are now over, but a feeling of fulfillment eases my mind as I see the bright sunlight reflecting on the white snow covering the garden and the streets. I walk around the house, looking at all the decorations that still hang on the walls, a reminder of the festive ambiance that still reigns in the air. I smile, knowing that, no matter what, I've been granted the best gift anyone could ask for. I look at Ripple, thinking she's as gorgeous as she was when I first saw her. My admiration doesn't go unnoticed, and she soon winks at me in return before walking up to me.

"Jake... It's time to do what we talked about, isn't it?" She asks me softly with a warm smile, and my heart starts to beat faster.

"Y-Yes... Yes, it is..." I stammer, as I realize she's right. We have been talking about it for a while now, but the time has finally come to make it a reality...

"Okay, then. Come on, let's go..." She says as she goes to find Splash. "Splash, honey, come down here, we need to talk." She calls, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

"Yeee... Is it time to have breakfast?!" She asks, and I chuckle softly.

"Not yet, little one. We need to talk to you about something first, okay?" I say, leading her to the couch. She looks between me and Ripple, a curious expression on her face.

"What's up? Is thewe something w… wong?" She asks timidly, and Ripple shakes her head, sitting down next to her.

"No, sweetie, there's nothing wrong. Quite the opposite, actually. Jake and I are going to do some grown-up tasks, but, this time, we need you to come with us." She says gently, and Splash's eyes widen.

"Really? Where are we going?" She asks excitedly, and I take Ripple's paw in my hand, feeling a surge of strength and courage wash over me.

"Well, we're going to the capital city to run some… special errands, sweetie. If you behave, we will go to an ice-cream shop afterwards and you'll be able to choose one with as maaaany sprinkles as it can hold, okay?" I say teasingly, and she squeals with excitement.

"YEEEAAH! I'LL BE SO GOOD, I SWEEEAR!" She exclaims, and we both laugh.

"Good cub. I know you will. Now, come on. We have to get ready." Ripple says, standing up, and Splash jumps off the couch, ready to follow her.

As I drive to the big city, I can't help but feel a sense of nervousness wash over me. It's nothing to be worried about, but my mind really can't calm, no matter how hard I try to do so. Finally, after an hour, we arrived at the building we were heading to, and I parked the car nearby.

As we step out, Splash's eyes widen with amazement at the sight of the grand, imposing building before her. "Wow... it's huge!" She exclaims, her voice filled with awe, and Ripple smiles, taking her paw in hers. "Yes, it is. Come on, we have to go inside." Ripple says, leading her towards the entrance.

As we walk inside, I feel a wave of emotion wash over me. I had been here before, but never for anything like this. As we make our way through the halls, my mind is too focused on trying to stay calm.

Finally, we arrive at our destination. I open the door and we walk inside, leaving Splash waiting outside the room we are in while she happily licks a lollipop.

"Good morning. You must be Jake Parker Sellers and Ripple. Am I right?" The man, whose identification read 'Bank Manager' said, and we both nod. "We are reunited here to make a transfer between the interested parties, regarding the total funds of the source account, which ascends to 17.30 billion Poké." He says, my mind going blank at the mention of that huge amount.

"Jake... Jake..." Ripple whispers to me as my face pales. "You know this was our first promise, my love." She says, and I look at her, still too stunned to reply while the man keeps working on the PC. "My savings grew on par with my unhappiness. I'm finally free, and I have no better way to start than to take this burden off my shoulders. I trust you, darling. Please, do it for us, for our family. For our happiness..." She says, her voice barely a whisper, and I feel my heart swell with emotion.

"You... you really want me to...?" I ask softly, and she smiles, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Yep. You, Jake. You're the only one I would trust to make this decision." She says, her voice filled with sincerity.

"O... Okay... I will, then..." I stammer as I take the necessary papers the man hands us. "I... I'll do the right thing." I say as we start to sign the papers, making the transfer from Ripple's account to mine.

"The transaction will be completed in about two hours. You won't need to do more paperwork now. You're free to go." The man says with a smile, and Ripple squeezes my hand.

"Thank you. Have a nice day." I say softly, and he nods.

As we walk out of the room, we go get Splash, and we head to the second place we have to go, in order to fulfill the second of Ripple's conditions. We drive there in silence, but I can feel the sense of excitement and anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Finally, after about 30 minutes, we arrive at our destination, this time a more modest, yet modern building with many people working in it.

"Jake, are you ready?" Ripple asks silently, and I nod as I blush. The truth is... I had already made up my mind since christmas, but well, today is the day...

"Yeah, I do..." I answer back, and her eyes soften, also knowing deep inside I was already looking forward to this moment. We park the car in the underground garage, and make our way to the reception desk, where a well-dressed woman greets us with a smile.

"Good morning, sir and madam. Welcome to the law firm of Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, Johnson & Sons. You must be... Mr. Jake Parker Sellers, Ms. Ripple, and Ms. Splash..." She says, her face softening at the sight of the cute cub.

"Jakey, Jakey, she talked about me! That's me!" Splash squeals, and the woman laughs softly.

"Yes, you are. Now, if you will follow me, Mr. Johnson is expecting you in his office." She says, leading us to an elevator. As soon as the doors close, Splash squeals again.

"This is sooo cool! I wanna ride it all the way to the tooop, Jakey!" She says excitedly, and I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Maybe next time, sweetie. For now, we have an important appointment to attend to." Ripple says gently, and Splash nods, her eyes wide with curiosity.

As we arrive on the top floor, the doors open to reveal a luxurious, modern office with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a breathtaking view of the city. A man who I assume is Mr. Johnson stands up from his desk to greet us.

"Good morning, Mr. Sellers. Ms. Ripple." He says, extending his hand, and we shake it. "Please, take a seat." He says, motioning to the comfortable-looking chairs in front of his desk.

As we sit down, I feel my nerves starting to get the better of me. I can't believe that this is actually happening. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

"We are reunited here to formalize the marriage between Mr. Jake Parker Sellers and Ms. Ripple..." Mr. Johnson starts, and my heart starts to beat faster. I close my eyes, as I hear him quickly read the rest of the contract, not wanting to miss a single word of it, until... "You now need to sign here, Jake, and here, Ripple." He says with a smile, my hand trembling hard as I sign as best as I can...

"And now... you are officially Mr. and Mrs. Sellers..." He says, as he shakes hands with both of us. "You can now kiss the bride, Jake."

As soon as he finishes the sentence, I feel Ripple pulling me close, and our lips meet in a passionate, loving kiss that makes me forget all about the nervousness I felt just moments ago.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Sellers!" Mr. Johnson exclaims with a smile as he starts to file the necessary documents, leaving us to enjoy our newly married status.

"I... I... I love you, Jake..." Ripple whispers, and I pull her into another tight hug, tears of happiness filling my eyes.

"And I love you, Ripple. More than anything else in this world." I say, and we kiss again, knowing that we are now bound together for the rest of our lives...

"Yeeeah! Mommy and Jakey fell in love!" Splash squeals excitedly as she jumps up and down, and we both laugh, happy to know that she is just as thrilled about our union as we are. I feel lots of butterflies dancing around in my stomach, but, at the same time, I know that I am exactly where I belong, and that I will always be happy as long as I have Ripple and Splash by my side.

As we leave the law office, hand in paw, I feel a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. I look at Ripple, and then at Splash, my heart swelling with love and pride. This is undoubtedly the best day of my life, and we haven't even finished yet...

"Well, my mate. That's two out of three..." Ripple says as she leans to me, her body pressing against mine in a sensual way, as we both think about the last thing on our list... "What should we do now?" She whispers, and I smile, feeling a surge of excitement run through me.

"Well, I think the third task is the most important one of all, Mrs. Sellers..." I say, looking at her with a mischievous glint in my eyes, and she laughs softly, her cheeks flushing.

"Really? And what might that be, Mr. Sellers?" She asks teasingly, and I smirk at her.

"You know already, my love..." I say, pulling her close, our bodies pressing together in a way that leaves no doubt about our newly acquired status. I can feel her breath hitch in her throat, and I know that she is just as excited as I am.

"Let's head there right now." Ripple says as she looks at Splash, who is walking right in front of us, throwing petals of some sparse flowers she pulled from the ground in our walk to our last destination. "Sweetie, come with us." Ripple says as she looks at Splash with a love-filled gaze as we arrive at the place we were going to.

"Come on, Splashy! Let's go inside..." I say as I crouch to take Splash's little paw in my hand. "We're going to do a very important thing now, okay? Do what the woman tells you to do." I explain as Splash nods intensely.

"Yeah, Jakey! I'll be a good cub, I promise!" She answers as she pulls her tiny paw away to give me a high five.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sellers?" A middle-aged woman asks as she approaches us, and we both nod with smiles on our faces. "And you little one, must be Splash, right?" She says with a warm smile as she looks at the cub who nods excitedly.

"I'm Splashy!" She answers back.

"Okay then, follow me. We'll start with the paperwork right away." She says, and we do as she instructs, walking right next to Splash all the way to the waiting area.

After some minutes of waiting, we are finally called to the room where we will spend our next hour or so. The same woman greets us, smiling, and closes the door behind her.

"Mr. Sellers, I'm pleased to see that you're taking the step." She says as she takes a seat in front of us, as I nod. "Splash, can you come here, with Ripple and Jake?" She says, and Splash runs to us, eager to follow her instructions. I sit her on my legs, so she can reach to see the papers the woman is handing us as she continues. "Mrs. Sellers, you need to sign on these forms, and so do you, Mr. Sellers and Splash." She says as we start signing, with Splash soiling her paw in ink and pressing it on the paper as a way of signing, making all of us laugh.

"Okay, that's done. Now, Mrs. Sellers, we need you to confirm the basic information about your daughter. Name, date of birth, age..." She starts as I pull out the papers she gave me just moments ago, containing the details.

"Her name is Splash. She was born on August the twelfth. She's 4 years old." Ripple answers, and the woman nods, satisfied with the verification.

"Perfect. Now, last but not least, can you confirm you are her... biological mother?" She continues, and I can feel myself blushing at the question, as Ripple chuckles softly, looking at me. She then looks at the woman, her expression serious.

"Yes, I am." She answers softly, and I can see the understanding in the woman's eyes as she smiles. "That will be all from your part, Mrs. Sellers. Now... Mr. Sellers..." She says as she looks at me, and I nod.

"Yeah?" I ask, a bit confused, and she smiles again as she hands me one final paper.

"Mr. Sellers... Do you accept the adoption of the Buizel cub named Splash as your daughter? You need to confirm that by signing this last paper right here..." She says, pointing to the blank line on the page, and I look at her, then at Ripple, then at Splash. I feel my heart swell with love and pride, knowing that this is the most important decision I've ever made in my life.

"Yeah, I do. I mean, yes. Of course I do." I say with a smile, as I sign the paper, leaving no room for second thoughts.

"And now..." She says as she looks with a friendly look at Splash. "Splash. Do you accept Mr. Sellers as your daddy?" She asks, and Splash looks at her, her eyes wide with surprise. She then turns her gaze to me, and then to Ripple, as if she was looking for confirmation of something.

"Splash... it's up to you, sweetie." Ripple says before looking at me with those blue eyes that I'll never get tired of before we all look at Splash, waiting for her answer.

"Jakey..." She whispers as she turns her gaze back to me, and, suddenly, a huge smile shines on her jaw. "I love you, Jakey! I want you to be my daddy!" She squeals, and I laugh as I pull her into a tight hug, my heart filled with love and joy.

"Splash... I love you too, sweetie. Thank you for making me your daddy." I whisper, as tears of happiness start to roll down my cheeks. I turn to look at Ripple, who is hugging us too, looking at her daughter with a mix of love and pride.

"Whewe do I..." Splash mutters as she is still hugging me, not really wanting to break the hug herself.

"Right here." The woman says as she points to the place she wants Splash to 'sign'.

"Yeeeah!" Splash says as she finally pulls away and pats the paper one last time with her little paw, as if it was the most important task in the whole world.

"Congratulations, you three." The woman says with a smile as we all stand up, ready to go home. "I'll have the final adoption certificate for you in a few days. You can pick it up at the front desk. Have a good life, guys." She adds, and we all smile as we shake hands.

"Thank you." We say before Ripple and I take each of Splash's paws as we walk out of the building together. Soon, Splash starts to run in circles around us, repeating all the good news that happened today.

"Woohoo! Jake is now my daddy! He loves meee! And now my daddy and my mommy love each other! And we will live happily ever after!" She squeals with pure joy, and I can't help but laugh as I shake my head.

"Yep, that's right, sweetie! Your mommy and I love each other very much, and you're the best part of our lives!" I say, picking her up and twirling her around as she squeals with laughter, making Ripple smile with pure happiness.

"Jake... I have one last thing to give you, actually..." Ripple says, a teasing glint in her eyes, and I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Oh? And what might that be?" I ask, feeling curious.

She smiles, reaching into the bag I didn't even notice she carried with her, and pulling out a small, velvet box. She opens it to reveal a beautiful, shining ring.

"Will you love me ever after, Jake? Will you wear this as a reminder of our love and our commitment to each other?" She says softly, her voice filled with emotion, and I feel tears well up in my eyes as I stare at the ring, knowing that it's the perfect symbol of our love.

"Oh, Ripple... yes, I will. Yes, I love you." I whisper, and she slides the ring onto my finger, sealing our love with this final, beautiful gesture. We tenderly kiss as Splash claps her paws, celebrating our new beginning.

"Gweeeat! It is sooo beautiful! Like in the movies!" Splash squeals as she hugs my leg. We laugh, happy to know that our family is finally complete.

"Come on! How about we go to the very neatest ice-cream shop and we eat that big, big ice-cream I promised my beloved daughter?" I suggest Splash with a wink before looking at Ripple, who smiles at me before we kiss once again.

"YEEESSS!" Splash screams excitedly, and we both laugh as we start to walk together, hand in paw as Splash keeps running ahead of us, already planning on the recipe of her future ice-cream.

"I want it to have a vanilla flavor! Oh! And chocolate too! And I also want another mint ball on top of it! Yeah! And I want it to have many toppings! And loootsa sprinkles! And also an oceanof chocolate syrup! Yeah, that's a nice idea!And I also want..."

-The End-