It's family game night! But, of course, someone is gonna end up not too happy. You might be surprised with who it is, though...
Aiden and Michelle: 5 years old
Poké Life
"You know, you two have been so good while we've been here, I think you should pick out a game we can all play together when we get home!"
Aiden and Michelle's eyes lit up as soon as their mother said that. Squealing delightfully, they began scurrying up and down the board game aisle, where they were already situated, looking over all of the boxes that surrounded them.
Misty smirked to herself and followed after the little ones. She thought it was so sweet how excited they got over the littlest things. Their innocence was really one of the most beautiful things she'd ever experienced.
"Let's get this one!" Aiden cried, pointing at a box that had images of candy all over it.
"We already have that one," Michelle reminded her brother.
"Oh," Aiden squeaked, lowering his hand.
Michelle hummed to herself and kept moving down the aisle, more slowly this time. Aiden followed closely behind, continuing to examine the board games lining the shelves.
"Lookit this one!"
Michelle had stopped suddenly, causing Aiden to walk into her. He looked up to where she was pointing, and noticed the box depicted people and Pokémon sitting inside of cars together and following a winding, colorful road.
"Cars!" Aiden gasped.
"It has lots of pretty colors!" Michelle added. "And look at all the different Pokémon!"
Misty caught up to her children and took a look at the game herself. "You guys like this one?"
"Yeah!" They both chirped.
She took the box off the shelf, her eyes scanning the front of it. "Poké Life huh? This looks like a cute game…"
She flipped the box over to examine the back. It seemed silly, but she really had to look over these kinds of things to make sure they were really appropriate for a pair of five year olds. One too many times, Ash had brought something home for the twins that he thought was cute (usually based solely on the packaging) and upon actually looking more deeply into what those things were…they were definitely not meant for young kids.
This game, however, did seem pretty wholesome. She figured she could trust it enough…especially since she was never the one who accidentally bought inappropriate things for the twins.
"Okay, if this is the game you guys want, we'll get this one," Misty decided, smiling at the two as they cheered in response.
"And you and Daddy will play it with us?" Michelle asked excitedly.
"Of course!" Misty giggled. "I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun!"
XXX
The twins basically broke down the front door when they and their mother got back to the house. Their sudden entrance caused Pikachu and Vaporeon to charge towards the door, growling and ready to attack. Once they realized it was just Aiden and Michelle, however, both relaxed and instead happily greeted the children.
"Ah, I was wondering why they settled down so quick!"
Ash came trampling down the stairs, immediately kneeling down so Aiden and Michelle could tackle him.
"You guys think you're stronger than me, huh?" Ash teased. They continued jumping at him, finally managing to knock him down just a bit. "Ugh, maybe you are!"
Aiden and Michelle both shrieked with laughter, trying to get their father down closer to the floor.
"Are you two torturing your daddy?"
The twins both laughed again and looked over their shoulders. "No, Mommy!"
"I would hope not after you were both so well behaved at the store," Misty mused, placing the shopping bags down at her feet.
"They were good?" Ash gasped playfully as he got to this feet. "Well, if that's not the least surprising thing I've ever heard!"
"Yes, I know, you think they can do no wrong," Misty teased, crossing her arms.
"All kids do stupid stuff every once in a while," Ash elucidated. "Anyone who says their kids don't is a liar."
Misty smirked. "I see, so are you a liar?"
"Hey, just because I know it's a lie doesn't mean other people do," Ash chuckled, holding his arms out towards his wife to imply he wanted a hug.
"Ugh, are you all sweaty and gross?" Misty whined, making a face. He had a habit of trying to envelop her after a workout just to gross her out.
"No, I just showered!" Ash cried, plucking at his shirt. "Do I not smell like it?"
"I don't know, I was just messing with you," Misty purred, pressing a hand against the back of Ash's head to pull him closer and kiss him.
Ash eagerly kissed her back, placing one hand on her lower back and the other one cupping the bump of her belly.
"I think she got bigger since the last time I saw you," Ash whispered against her lips.
"You mean this morning?" Misty breathed. "I don't think so."
Ash hummed and started to kiss the side of Misty's neck instead, causing her to moan. "You know, I could see if my mom is free tonight…she could watch Aiden and Michelle and we could-"
Something suddenly pressed into Ash's ankle. Blinking, he looked down and realized Aiden was holding onto a box and jamming it against his leg.
"What's that, champ?" Ash asked, nodding towards the box.
"Game!" Aiden cried, holding it up so his father could see.
"I bought it for them because they were so well behaved while I got the shopping done," Misty explained. "And I told them we would all play it together."
Ash groaned and pulled his shoulders back. "I thought we were gonna have grown up fun today!"
"I promised no such thing," Misty snickered. "You totally made that up."
"Daddy, we wanna play the game!" Aiden whined, shaking the box.
"Okay, okay, we'll play it," Ash hushed the boy. "But I think we have to open it first."
Aiden blinked and took another look at the box before holding it up. "Daddy, can you open it?"
Ash laughed and accepted the game from his son. "Yes, buddy."
Aiden grinned and turned towards his parents' partner Pokémon. "You guys can play with us too!"
"I don't know about that, sweetie, Vaporeon always tries to eat the pieces," Misty sighed, watching as Ash disappeared into the kitchen.
"Vay!" The bubble jet Pokémon proudly agreed.
Michelle's eyes suddenly lit up, and she suggested, "They can be on a team with us! That way we can move all the pieces and no one tries to eat them!"
"Pi-ka…" Pikachu grumbled.
"Something tells me Pikachu doesn't like being accused of eating the pieces," Misty giggled. "It's okay, Pikachu. We know it's only Vaporeon."
"Pi!" Pikachu squeaked cheerfully.
"Kay, I got that plastic wrap off," Ash announced, walking back into the foyer with the game box in his hands. "It sounds like there's a lot of pieces in here…I'm surprised you're cool with that, Mist."
"I didn't check," Misty plainly replied.
"Wait…what?" Ash deadpanned.
"I was too busy trying to make sure this game was actually appropriate for a couple of five year olds," Misty explained, narrowing her eyes. "Something you forget to do quite often, Mr. Pokémon Master."
"I've only made that mistake like one time," Ash grumbled.
"Seven," Misty corrected.
"But who's counting?" Ash teased.
"Mommy! Daddy! Let's play now!"
Aiden was tugging at both of his parents' legs, trying to move them into the living room.
"Okay, we're coming, little guy," Misty sighed, moving on her own.
They set up the board on the floor, which as Ash had said, had far more pieces than Misty was anticipating. There were little cars, little pegs to put in the cars, paper money, several different stacks of cards, a spinner…
"I might have screwed up this time," Misty begrudgingly admitted, twisting her mouth once the multitude of pieces were finally in place.
"Thanks for admitting it," Ash chuckled. "Though I'll give you a pass this time and blame it on your pregnancy brain."
"Not a bad idea," Misty quipped.
"I wanna be the red car!"
"And I'm gonna be blue!"
Ash and Misty turned their heads, realizing the twins were now positioning their game pieces on the board.
"Man, we'd better stop talking and get to playing, before the kids start playing without us," Ash teased.
"You guys have to pick a car too," Aiden noted, pushing the remaining pieces forward. "Which ones do you want?"
Ash held his hand out towards Misty. "Ladies first."
"Aw, how sweet of you," Misty giggled. "I'll be green!"
Ash surveyed the remaining two pieces: white and orange. "Hmm…I guess I'll be orange!"
"Yay!" Michelle cheered. "Now everyone gets a little tiny person in their car!"
She held up four tiny pegs; two blue, and two pink, and then sat one in each little car piece. Once that was all set up, the four of them began to actually play the game, and that's when things quickly began to deteriorate.
It started when Ash became the first person to reach the marriage spot on the board. Michelle gleefully handed him a pink peg to put in his car, and quickly followed up with, "who are you marrying, Daddy?"
"Who?" Ash repeated, his eyebrow raising. "Is that part of the game? I have to say who?"
"No, I just made that up," Michelle giggled. "I think it's fun!"
"Oh," Ash breathed. "Well…I guess I'll marry Mommy!"
"Aww," Misty cooed, kissing her husband's cheek. "I'm glad to know you'd marry me even in a game!"
"Of course!" Ash chuckled.
When Michelle reached the spot next, she declared that she was going to marry the prince from her favorite mermaid movie. Misty giggled at her daughter's innocence, while Ash blushed a bit.
"It's not real, Daddy," Michelle reminded her father when she saw his cheeks were turning red.
"Yeah, I know that, princess," Ash laughed nervously. "Sorry, I don't mean to be so crazy!"
"It's okay," Michelle assured him. "I know it's –cause you love me!"
"You're right, it is," Ash confirmed, his smile widening.
Misty was the third to reach the spot, and quickly said, "Well, if Daddy married me, then I'm going to marry him too!"
Ash beamed, but that expression quickly faded when Michelle cried, "pick someone else!"
"Huh?" Ash muttered, looking confused.
"How come I have to pick someone else, Shelly?" Misty asked.
"Cause Daddy already picked you," Michelle explained. "So you have to pick someone else!"
"Is that in the rules too?" Ash asked, picking up the instruction manual.
"No Daddy, I made it up!" Michelle squeaked. "I told you that!"
"Oh, okay," Misty murmured, tapping her chin. "If I really have to pick someone else, then I guess I'll go with…Fiorello Cappuccino."
Ash's blush intensified. "Him? Seriously?"
"You know you're my first choice," Misty tried soothing him, placing her hand on his thigh.
"Yeah, but why'd you have to pick him?" Ash complained. "Isn't he a little old for you?"
"Maybe, but he's still very handsome."
"Misty!"
"Oh, Ash, don't get jealous! It's just a silly little game."
"You wouldn't be saying the same thing if I was picking a different woman to marry in this 'silly little game'…"
Misty shrugged her shoulders. "You picked me first! I can't help that. At least in your car we're married."
Ash was still pouting over Misty's choice. During this time, it was Aiden's turn to move his car, and he at last reached the marriage space as well. "Finally!"
"Aiden, who are you gonna marry?" Michelle asked excitedly.
"A sandwich!" Aiden replied, his eyes lighting up.
Ash, Misty, and Michelle all sat in silence. Unaffected by their strange looks, Aiden rested his head in his hands and mused aloud, "it'll be the tastiest sandwich ever."
XXX
"Mommy had a baby girl!"
Misty raised an eyebrow as she glanced down at her round stomach. "This game is getting a little too real."
"Yeah, except for you marrying Fiorello…" Ash muttered.
"My turn!" Michelle called, reaching out to spin. She got a three, and when she moved that many spaces, she landed on one that indicated a Pokémon adoption. "Oh, yay! I want a Growlithe!"
She plucked a green peg with floppy ears and stuck it in her car.
"I hope I don't get that," Aiden muttered as he took his turn to spin. "I already have a Growlithe and a Skitty! There's not gonna be any more room in my car."
Fortunately for the boy, he avoided that space. When it was Ash's turn to go next, he landed on a space that instructed him to pick a card. He did so, and read aloud, "Your Pokémon hurt its paw and has to visit the Pokémon Center. Pay $50."
"Ooh, that's too bad," Michelle breathed.
"Wait, do I really have to pay this?" Ash asked, looking incredulous.
"Yeah, the card says so," Aiden replied.
"But I don't even have a Pokémon in my car!" Ash cried.
"Daddy, you gotta listen to the card," Aiden sighed.
Ash growled and picked up the instructions again, flipping through them. "No way, there's gotta be something in here that says you don't have to pay for what you don't have!"
"Oh Ash, just pay the money," Misty huffed.
"Why am I gonna pay for a non-existent Pokémon?!" Ash hissed.
"Because the card says so," Misty answered.
Ash groaned and buried his face in his hands. "This game doesn't make any sense."
XXX
"Alright, hang on a second. Why do you get paid for having kids? That's not a real thing!"
"In this game it is, apparently."
"No one has ever paid us for having kids! We're usually paying other people because we have kids…"
Aiden and Michelle snickered as their father continued to freak out. He'd been taking the game a little too seriously, and had been getting repeatedly frustrated over almost every aspect of it. At this point, that was almost more fun for them than playing the actual game.
"You're just mad because you didn't have any kids," Misty challenged, pointing at Ash's relatively empty car. It was occupied by only two pegs; the ones that were supposed to represent him and Misty.
"Well I wanted kids, but apparently this game doesn't care about what you want!" Ash cried. "I mean, seriously, Aiden married a sandwich and they had kids!"
"They're cheese, pickle, and tomato," Aiden stated proudly, pointing at each of the three additional pegs in his car.
Ash looked positively dumbfounded, which led Misty to giggle.
"I can't take any of this seriously," Ash muttered, shaking his head.
Misty smirked and sidled up closer to Ash. "You are so cute when you get all frustrated like this."
"Let's see how cute you think I am when I tear all my hair out," Ash grumbled.
Misty pressed a kiss against her husband's cheek. "Please don't do that."
"So…are we all done?" Ash sighed, casting a rather nasty glare the board game.
"Not quite," Misty replied. "We've all got to count up our money first. That's how we'll know who won the game!"
"Mommy, Daddy, Aiden can't count his money."
Ash and Misty both sighed and glanced at their son. He had combined all of the colorful paper money, and had his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth as he examined the stack.
"Sweetie, what are you doing?" Misty asked kindly.
"I'm rich, Mommy!" Aiden announced.
"Really?" Ash chuckled, his mood managing to improve. "How much money do you have, champ?"
"A hundred million dollars," Aiden breathed, his eyes sparkling as he fanned the bills out.
Ash let out a shallow breath. "Oh Arceus."
"Hey, after the 'marrying a sandwich' shtick, this isn't so bad," Misty scoffed. "Come here, baby, let me help you with all that money."
Aiden crawled forward and settled himself next to his mother, holding the bills up to her.
"No, you come closer!" Misty playfully growled, lifting the wildly laughing boy onto her lap. "Ugh, you are just the cutest little boy in the whole entire world!"
Aiden continued giggling as he leaned against Misty, watching as she carefully leafed through his paper money. Michelle, meanwhile, realized it was a bit too much for her to count as well. She was a smart little girl, but these were numbers beyond any five year old's comprehension.
"Daddy," Michelle whined.
"What's up, princess?" Ash asked, finishing up counting his own money.
"I can't count mine either," Michelle admitted, sounding dejected.
"It's okay!" Ash assured her. "I'll count it for you. Just let me finish mine, okay?"
Michelle nodded and crawled closer to her father, offering him her stack. Ash completed counting his and mentally memorized the number before getting to work on Michelle's.
"Alright, Aiden and I are all set!" Misty announced, throwing down her money before wrapping her arms around her young son. "Right, buddy?"
"Yeah!" Aiden cheered.
"How much do you two have?" Misty asked, shifting her gaze between Ash and Michelle.
"Well, I have $950,000," Ash recited, just finishing counting Michelle's money as his face fell. "And Shelly has $1,250,000."
Michelle beamed. "Yay, I beat Daddy!"
"You beat me too," Misty sounded genuinely impressed. "I had $1,050,000."
Ash's eyes darkened. "Seriously? You also got more than me?"
"Seems like it," Misty giggled. "Aiden, why don't you tell everyone how much you had?"
Aiden blinked and glanced up at his mother. "How much was it again, Mommy?"
Misty smirked and lowered her head to whisper in her son's ear. Aiden listened intently before slowly reciting, "$1,500,000."
Michelle and Ash both paled. "Misty, is he kidding? Did he just make that number up?"
"No," Misty started to laugh, shaking her head. "He really had that much money. I couldn't believe it!"
"Does that mean Aiden wins?" Michelle groaned.
"It does indeed," Misty giggled as Aiden excitedly threw both of his hands up.
"I'm the champion!" Aiden declared.
"Good job, little man!" Misty cooed, lifting the boy up to kiss him all over his face. "Mommy's so proud of you!"
Ash was suddenly boiling again. "This whole game is based on luck! There's literally no skill involved!"
Misty smirked as she stood Aiden up beside her, gently squeezing his sides. "Daddy's just jealous he lost."
"Yeah, I am!" Ash cried, not even bothering to argue with his wife.
Michelle took a moment to think about it before deciding, "Mommy, I don't care that I lost. I really like this game!"
"I'm so glad!" Misty giggled. "You had fun playing together?"
"Uh huh," Michelle confirmed. "I love when we play stuff all together, Mommy!"
"Me too!" Aiden agreed.
Misty cooed and looked over at her husband. "Ash, isn't that sweet? Our kids were just happy they got to play with us!"
Once again, Ash's irritation dissipated. "I loved getting to play together too! Even if this game doesn't make a ton of sense…"
Michelle let out a short laugh and threw herself at her father, giving him a big hug. Ash smirked and placed a hand on the back of her head, craning his neck to give her a kiss on the forehead.
"I think it's nap time for you kiddos," Misty sighed, stretching her arms over her head. "Sound good?"
"No, Mommy, I'm not tired," Aiden whined.
"You'll get tired once your head hits the pillow," Misty teased.
"Nuh uh," Aiden refuted.
"Then why don't I read you two a pre-nap story?" Misty asked. "Would you like that?"
Aiden thought about it before replying, "I guess so…"
Misty snickered and ruffled her son's hair. "You two head upstairs, okay? I'll be there in just a minute."
Aiden and Michelle slowly made their way towards the stairs, ambling up the steps while their parents watched after them. Once both children were out of sight, Misty turned towards a surprised Ash and gently grabbed his face, pulling it in to plant a deep, sensual kiss against his lips.
"Thanks for entertaining the twins with me," Misty whispered against his mouth, breaking their kiss.
"No problem," Ash breathed, sounding entranced.
"We're gonna play a game you like a whole lot better once I get those two down for their naps," Misty added, running a finger down his chest. "One that you can't lose."
Ash grinned and placed his hands on the sides of his wife's pregnant belly. "Thank Arceus my real life is a whole lot better than whatever just happened in that dumb game."
