Anything For a Friend

Ship: Boutiqueshipping, Journeyshipping, Amour friendship

Summary: Serena has a big favor to ask from Ash. She just hopes he will agree.

Serena sat, blissfully enjoying the calm serenity of the small Hoenn town as she waited for Ash to arrive. Although they had both grown and were now adults busy with their own lives, they made an effort to meet up as often as they could. Of course, given that they were the Monarch and Kalos Queen respectively, having private conversations. Thus, the best work around they found was to meet in regions neither of them were tied to. Hence, today they met in a small cafe in Petalburg City May had recommended.

Serena sighed, and smiled wistfully. While a relationship between them had never blossomed like she had hoped, they still remained close friends, something Shauna often teased her about. So close, in fact, that she really hoped Ash would agree to this.

"Serena!"

Her thoughts were cut short when she saw Ash running to her. Smiling, she got up to hug him.

"Wow Serena, you look great!"

"Aw, aren't you sweet? How's Goh and Alex?"

"They're great! Alex just loves playing with our Pokemon. How's Shauna?"

"She's awesome! We're actually working on integrating Contests into Showcases."

"That sounds great!"

After catching up, Ash sat down across from her, his face turning serious in an instant.

"On the phone you said you had something important to ask me. So…"

Serena sighed. Best to rip the bandaid off quickly.

"Well…Shauna and I have been talking about starting a family lately..."

"That's awesome! If you want, I can give you the number of the agency Goh and I used!"

Serena shook her head.

"I appreciate that, and maybe another time, but…we were hoping to do a sperm donor."

"Oh?"

"Not that Alex is any less of your son just because you adopted him, but this is something I want to do. I've thought about it for a long time, and I want my first child to be born from my body."

Ash nodded in understanding.

"No, I get it. So, did you have a donor in mind?"

"Well, um…I was hoping maybe you would?"

Ash blinked a few times, surprised.

"Me?"

"I know that it may be weird, considering I used to have a crush on you. But it would make it easier for both me and Shauna if it was from someone we knew. Especially if it doesn't work. You don't have to say yes, I understand if you don't want to, but it would mean a lot."

Ash remained silent for a few minutes before responding.

"I need to talk to Goh about this. I'm alright with it, but I want to make sure hes okay with me doing it."

Serena nodded in understanding.

"Just let me know. Thanks, Ash."

"Anything for a friend."

A few days passed without any word from Ash. Serena was beginning to get nervous, her wife watching her pace the living room with a look of exasperation.

"Worrying about it isn't going to make him call sooner, you know."

"I know, I just…I hope I didn't weird him out."

"Didn't Ash say Goh was on a research mission for Professor Amaranth? He's probably just waiting for him to get back from that."

Serena nodded, before joining her wife on the couch. Seeing Serena was still upset, Shauna gently took her hand in hers.

"It's going to be okay. Even if he says no, we can still ask around."

Serena nodded, but there was still something else on her mind.

"You are okay with him being my first choice, right? I know I told you I was over my crush on him, and I am. I just…"

Shauna smiled, and held up her wedding ring.

"Well, you proposed to me and not him, so I think I know where you stand. I promise, I don't have a problem with it."

Serena smiled, and moved in to kiss her…

Incoming call from Ash! Incoming call from Ash!

Just before their lips could meet, Serena's Rotomphone flew up, shoving Ash's smiling face into hers. Shauna wasn't too upset, though, laughing it off.

"See? I told you he'd call."

Serena rolled her eyes, but answered it, bringing them face to face with the Monarch.

"Hi, Serena!"

"Hi, Ash!"

"Shauna, nice to see you."

"Right back at ya!"

"So…I've talked to Goh, and…"

After pausing dramatically for a few minutes, Ash grinned.

"I'll do it!"

"Really?"

"But…I do have one request…"

"Anything!"

"I want to be a part of their life. You guys can raise them, you'll be great parents, but…my dad was never around for me. And I made a promise that any children I have, regardless of the circumstance, I would be there for."

Serena smiled.

"Oh Ash, always so loving. I'm alright with it, what about you Shauna?"

"A free babysitter? I won't say no to that!"

Everyone had a good laugh before they continued.

"Thanks, Ash. This means a lot to us."

"Of course, Serena. Anything for a friend."

Some time after the procedure, the four of them met in a hospital room waiting for the results. Serena had been having bouts of morning sickness, and they had high hopes, but they'd been warned that nothing was guaranteed. Serena sat in the exam chair, hand on her stomach in concern.

"Do you think it worked?"

Shauna smiled, and took her other hand in her own.

"Even if it doesn't, we can always adopt. I want to have a child too, and we will."

Pikachu hopped up next to her, nuzzling against her side for support. Serena smiled, and stroked his fur while kissing her wife.

"Thanks, guys."

At last, the doctor came in, smiling from ear to ear.

"Congratulations, the procedure was a success."

"YES!" Ash cheered, making his husband flinch.

"Ash, not so loud!"

But Serena just breathed a sigh of relief, as did Shauna.

"I told you it would," she said. Serena chuckled, and kissed her cheek.

"When am I going to learn to listen to you?"

"I don't know, but I hope it's soon."

Months passed, and Serena found herself experiencing all of the many joys of pregnancy. The morning sickness, the cravings, everything. But despite all of this, her excitement grew everyday. Shauna, Ash, and Goh were there for her every step of the way, all just as excited as she was.

Finally, the day came when her water broke. After a long labor, their daughter was finally brought into the world.

"Serena, she's beautiful!"

"Aw, isn't she so cute?"

"Have you guys decided on a name yet?"

Serena smiled.

"We decided on Sylvie."

"How adorable!"

Serena then to Ash.

"Thanks so much, Ash. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to do this."

"Of course, Serena. Anything for a friend."