#an absolutely darling gentleman to delia )

[lionfanged]

" my, miss delia, you're looking rather different today. did you change up your hair? "

when arriving at the pallet house, atticus had anticipated meeting with one person, and one person only. so imagine his unpleasant surprise when someone else opened up the door, gold meeting blue with an arch of his brow.

at his heels, apollo chirruped in greeting, recognizing ash with glee.

starter call. // @disturbnot

[ilovedilfdraco]

Malfoy Manor | D.M

the noseless bitch doesn't exist <3

Part one

Originally Cordelia Windsor and Draco Malfoy had despised each other that was until it was 5th year and most Hogwarts students had gone home for the winter holidays, and like always the infamous Malfoy family hosted their annual Christmas Eve party inviting fabulously wealthy purebloods, the Minister of Magic, family and close friends.

Cordelia knew it was considered a 'great honor' to even be considered for an invitation but she never understood why because it was absolutely boring.

So boring that her and Draco Malfoy made a deal to fuck eachother that one night with no strings attached, he put it as "Something to do to make the time go by."

Now here they are 7th year dates by their sides.

Will their little tradition continue and turn into something more? or will they go back to originally hating eachother and decide to start a new one with someone new?

~

Cordelia had entered the eerie Malfoy Manor with her date by her side and her family walking in-front of her. Pearly white snow was graciously falling from the midnight sky outside.

She was wearing a beautiful black silk dress with her hair curled and resting on her shoulders. Her date was Adrian Pucey former Slytherin quidditch player, he was two years older than her but he was the only one who seemed appealing enough to invite.

This year her mother had forced her to bring someone with her so she could boast all about how her daughter's life is going amazing and how she would be extremely successful in her near future, which made Cordelia extremely pissed, more than words can describe.

This party was pretty much a competition between everyone invited, another reason as to why she hated coming to the same repetitious event.

When the Windsor family and Adrian entered the ballroom her parents dispersed and began to converse with the other guests.

Cordelia sighed and walked over to the white marble bar, her date's hand still holding hers.

"What can I get you?" The hired bartender asked the couple, she was pretty very pretty, probably hired to attract male guests over to the bar area.

"Um-" Cordelia started just before Draco Malfoy rudely interrupted her.

"I'll take a straight bourbon, thanks Mandy." Draco winked at the lady, her cheeks instantly becoming scarlet red.

He looked over to the girl standing next to him and rolled his eyes as he saw who it was, he noticed Adrian Pucey accompanying her and he couldn't help but feel a slight pang in his sternum.

But who was he to feel bothered at the sight of her with someone other then him as he was accompanied by Pansy Parkinson, who was right now probably flirting with someone across the room.

"Really Malfoy? You couldn't wait? I thought daddy taught you to be more politer to your guests," Cordelia sneered, it hadn't even been two minutes since she saw him and he was already starting to get on her nerves.

"You know Delia I can think of many other scenarios where I can use a similar sentence," He smirked knowing how she hated that nickname and him talking about their rarely occurring sex life, Draco grabbed his drink and walked away leaving her flustered.

~

An hour later into the party most people were seated meanwhile the rest were out on the ballroom floor dancing with their significant other to the orchestral music.

Draco was in the corner with pansy, they were clearly having an argument and Cordelia laughed at the sight.

It seems as if the universe was rooting for Cordelia and Draco as she was also having trouble with the person she came with, he told her he was going to get drinks and he never came back which resulted in an upset mother.

What a gentleman.

"Why don't you go see if Draco needs someone, darling?" Her mother said, pointing to Draco who was now storming out of the area.

"No mother, why would I do that?" she rolled her eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me again, and because the both of you seemed really close last year." Her mother continued to pry.

"We were never close." Cordelia scoffed, excusing herself from the table before getting up and walking out of the room, she wasn't about to follow the Malfoy heir she just had to get away from her mother before she was sent to Azkaban for using the Avada curse.

She wandered around the Manor aimlessly trying to pass the time, the thing she hated about life is when you're having so much fucking fun time passes so quickly, but when you're bored out of your mind and nothing seems fun time just decides to go by so fucking slow.

Soon enough she found herself infront of large double doors, curiously opening the doors. When she stepped inside all her vision could decipher was a glistening diamond chandelier and then all of a sudden the room lit up in candles.

A library.

The front of the room had black leather couches facing eachother and a brown wooden coffee table sitting inbetween the black sofas, towards the back there were tall brown wooden book shelves perfectly aligned filled with many many books.

It was like a public library but in a house.

She started walking towards the shelves since she had always loved reading and wanted to see what the Malfoys had collected over the years, her finger tips slightly grazing the spines of each book that rested comfortably in its designated spot.

She could perceive books older than herself and probably older than Dumbledore, romance novels which were most likely never read, she could go on and on.

"What do you think you're doing, Delia," He whispered into her ear, gripping her waist with his pale large veiny hands causing her to slightly jump as he came out of no where.

"Shouldn't you be with the others? I know my father wouldn't be to pleased to hear his guest was snooping around his house." Draco mocked, swiftly turning her around pinning her against the book shelf, she could hear books falling behind her at the impact.

"I wasn't snooping Malfoy, my mother told me to come look for you," She responded, slightly rolling her eyes.

He chuckled, "Why is that?" he asked pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

She swatted his hand away from her face, "I have no idea why Draco."

"You know you have a bad attitude, something I can fix if you let me." He said, slowly backing away from her.

Her cheeks flushed at his choice of words and despite her protests in her mind the thoughts of her and Draco last year fucking came rushing back.

The way he didn't leave a part of her untouched and the way he spoke harshly but caringly at the same time, she has been with plenty of men and none of them could compare to the boy standing infront of her.

He wasn't even doing anything right now besides sitting and flipping pages of a random worn out book and she was beginning to feel her panties getting wet with her arousal.

Why did she ever agree with their little deal? if she never did she wouldn't be in this position or would she?

"Enjoying the view?" He asked looking upwards- seeing her still standing there fiddling with her fingers.

"No I'm not."

"Ouch." He pouted dramatically, putting one hand on his heart acting as if he was hurt.

"What? did I bruise your poor ego?" She asked, taking a seat next to him.

"Oh please, as if I care about your stupid opinion." He rolled his eyes.

"Maybe you're the one with an attitude."

He scoffed before turning his head to look at her, when he did it seemed as if she was the most perfect person he had laid his eyes upon, and she was.

Draco had always had a crush on her from the moment he saw her and he thought she would realize it with the insults he would throw her way.

But she never did. And she probably would never know unless he stopped being a coward and admitted it.

But he couldn't find it in himself to say those four words Cordelia I like you as much as he wanted to.

It was foreign language he had yet to understand.

"Look who's enj-" Before she could finish her sentence he cut her off by smashing his lips onto hers and she happily kissed him back.

His hands came to the sides of her scarlet red cheeks and pulled her closer.

The kiss the two shared was soft and passionate, like he was trying to tell her his feelings through their lips colliding.

Words are meaningless without the actions to prove it.

After what seemed like an eternity of them both stuck in a world of bliss he pulled away, his hands were still resting on her cheeks and his thumb was tracing her lips.

------------

Author:

couple of things, first there were problems with my wifi last night so I couldn't finish writing this, second sorry for making you wait for the smut I'm tired and I want it to be good not rushed, third have a good day or night ily <3

Part 2 comes either tomorrow night or the next day

[cultofpokeshipping]

Enter the Missing Father ch.1

Now more improved thanks to the wonderful and talented @n-i-n-t!!!! Seriously, go check that chick out!!!!! I wrote this story when I had no clue how to do chapter stories (I still don’t have a clue tbh). Its a pokeshipping (duh) AU complete with marriges/new life/death/betrayal/trash fluff/and more!!!! Let me know what you all think!! and again, please go show some love to @n-i-n-t

If you’d like to check out some of my other stuff, here’s my link: 

https://www.fanfiction.net/u/6829205/

Enjoy!!!!!!!

Enter the Missing Father, Ch. 1

Rating: T 

Words: 5405

A man in his early forties stood at the door of his wife’s house. After being gone for so long, he was unsure of how she might react, or if she would accept him back into her life. Against the nauseous feeling in his stomach, he knocked on the wooden door, listening for an answer on the other side. How would she react? Happy? Sad? How long had it really been?    With a click, the door swung open, and the smile he longed to see faded instantly the moment their eyes connected.    “Hello m–”    She slapped him. Ending his introduction early.    “Do you have any idea how long it’s been!? I had to raise our son alone! I haven’t heard from you in the last twenty years!” She breathed. “I had to dry his tears when I told him that you died because I didn’t have the heart to tell him that you walked out on him! On us! I had to be strong for the both of us!” The woman roared, incensed with rage    Standing his ground, the man took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry… my dearest Delia.”    “And you—do you know what’s worse!? I stayed faithful to you!”    The man swallowed in response to her hostility and glanced tiredly around the entrance; she held her hand up to silence any response.    “How dare you speak to me that way, Giovanni!” Few times in his life had Giovanni, the great criminal leader of Team Rocket felt intimidated. Delia was one of the few people on the planet, a gaze so intense he felt his blood run cold.    Taking another deep breath, Giovanni started again, “I’m sorry that I left you to raise our son alone, and that I never called, or wrote, or dared to visit.” he cleared his throat, “I just didn’t want you and our son to get involved with…”    Without knowing it he had taken a few steps forward, but Delia stopped him with the palm of her hand, and gave a solid push, keeping him just out of reach, and out of her life. In a rather comical display balance, the shove came as a surprise, and Giovanni stumbled, and fell backwards onto the porch.    “Involved with what?!” She hissed, practically seething. Giovanni thought he had never seen her so angry before in his life.    “When I married you, I knew exactly what you were doing with Team Rocket. You even tried to induct me when we were engaged! Our son—My son—Ash Ketchum already grew up without a father; and he doesn’t need you, of all people now!”    “My beautiful son, that I spent years of sleepless nights with, listening to him cry few years that you didn’t want him–” She hesitated, furious beyond words. “I told him you were dead. You have no business here, not with him. Not ever.”  Delia had spent hours—years–of her life waiting on this man, this self-involved man. Whatever reason he had for missing Ash’s life, she didn’t care—and she especially didn’t want him suddenly showing up now. In Delia’s mind, the man she fell in love with, Ash’s father, died years ago when she had to hold her crying son when he would return home from camp, crying, because the other children teased him for his circumstances. She spent years patching the damage left by Giovanni’s absence, and she would sooner die than give him a second chance.    “I’m assuming you have his wedding invitation?” she fumed, folding her arms over her chest.    Giovanni seemed to pause for a moment, smart, if he knew what was good for him. “Yes…I have.” he replied calmly.    “Might I ask how?” She rolled her eyes. “First, you’re gone for years, and now you think you can make an appearance! You’re sick in the head!”    Now it was Giovanni’s turn to twist, he stood up, straightened his tie in preparation to speak again—he would not take this kind of treatment. He had barely said three sentences to this woman, and she exploded. Given, she had every reason to, he wouldn’t accept it.    Before he spoke, Delia raised her hand. Nimble, pale fingers pressed high to referee the moment. A threat. “If you, or any of your gang members ruin a single, solitary millisecond of my son’s wedding, I swear to Mew, and Arceus, and every godly creature on this planet it will be the last thing you ever do! Do I make myself clear!?” She was screaming, and hadn’t realized it. Lights flicked on in the neighbor’s house down the street, but no one rushed to their doors while she held a dark scowl. Her words pierced into Giovanni’s heart like fiery daggers and he nodded.    “Crystal.” He muttered, swallowing his pride. He didn’t remember her as such an angry woman—so vicious and tired. He saw the distinct traces of crowfeet beneath her eyes, and her once smooth skin was wrinkled just around her lips—laugh lines.    “I’m sorry.” he offered, but she made no attempt at reconciliation, as the door slammed shut shortly after. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOOX    The wedding between Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower went off without an issue. As if it were a moment in a fairy tale; everything was perfect. Delia couldn’t have been prouder or happier for her son and newly acquired daughter in law than she was now. They both looked absolutely precious.    Ash wore a jet black tuxedo with white carnations tucked into his chest pocket. Beneath he had on a white, satin dress shirt, a pearl white tie, and his original Cascade badge pinned onto his tie, just beneath the knot. Paired with midnight black pants, tailored to perfection and glistening dark leather shoes; he was the embodiment of the perfect gentleman. If only the guest saw how long it took him to get that way, especially his hair—neatly combed, matted down with gel so not a single strange of hair was out of place—he looked exactly like the prince Misty always wanted, and the prince Delia always knew that he was.    But across from her prince-charming, Misty looked absolutely breathtaking. He dress was pure, a silky white gown with diamonds hand embroidered throughout the full length of her bodice. A truly elegant pearl white tulle skirt puffed out all around her like a sea of white—and around her neck, she wore an elaborate crystal necklace, given to her by her mother. Matching her gown, she had diamond stud earrings, with an emerald center with red hair cascading down her backside. Holding it together was a seashell pin that Delia remembered as the pin that was given to Misty by Ash on their first date. To complete the look, her ballgown dress was perfected by a pair of pristine, glass slippers. In her seat, Delia chuckled, the world renown ‘tomboy mermaid’ certainly looked like a princess herself, standing in all of her glory beside her equally as darling son.    However, if the marriage was based solely on looks; their relationship would have never lasted, Delia knew. Unlike her own rather dauntless marriage, Ash and Misty loved each other like no one else. In fact, if they had been married in rags in the middle of nowhere, no gifts, no lights, no dancing, and no drinks—they would have still shared that same, tantalizing gaze. Material items did not matter; they were each other’s whole world.    “And by the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife!” After a cheer from the pews full of people, a hush followed as the officiate leaned in with a smile. “Ash, you may now kiss the bride.”    Ash looked giddy, hardly able to contain himself when he nudged forward to cup his new wife’s cheeks with his hands. Her heart fluttered in pure joy when he leaned in, kissing her passionately, and her arms flung up then around his shoulders as they celebrated the moment.    “Ladies and gentleman, it is my privilege to introduce you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum!” Along with the man’s own booming voice, the crowd roared in applause and happiness. A few hats were thrown in celebration, Delia thought wolf whistles came from a rowdy bunch in the corner—but she couldn’t care. All eyes were on her two children.    As the newlyweds separated, Misty’s brows knit daringly—mischievously, if Delia knew that look herself, and taking Ash by surprise, Misty laid a sloppy, lip-glossed kiss onto his lips and Ash gasped.    “Mis–!” he barely choked out before she snatched his hand bolted gleefully from the arch. Gazes fixed only on one another, they carefully followed the churches steps outside of the large, oak doors, and sprinted off into a waiting carriage. Ash barely snatched the door before Misty hopped in beside him, and as the driver started the engine, they waved to their long-time friends, new family, and from Ash, to Delia—a look of intense happiness as he turned forward to enjoy the scene with his wife.    The perfect moment. Delia could have never been more proud of her son. XOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOOXOXOOXOXOOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOX    “My, my, darling, when did you get good at slow dancing?” Misty crooned during their first dance. He not only avoided stepped on her dress and shoes, but she also bowed, kept his hands in the correct position, and move her gracefully across the dance floor as their carefully, and much fought over ‘first dance’ song played in the background as noise neither of them could hear.    “Anything for you Mist.” His voice was deep now, a sultry drawl that sent excited shivers up Misty’s spine. She grinned from ear to ear as he twirled her around.    “How much did you bribe Brock? You were horrible at those dance lessons we shared.”    Ash’s facade broke for a second, nearly tripping up the twist, but caught her effortlessly with pursed lips. Accidents brought them closer, and he squeezed her hand.    “Let’s talk about that later.”    “Later” She winked sheepishly at him, and he draped his arms around her affectionately to bring her beautiful face mere inches from his own.    “I love you, angel.” He hummed lovingly as he kissed her soft lips.    “I love you more, darling.” she purred, taking initiative by cupping his cheeks and kissing him once more, for as long as possible—to think, a few years ago, the idea of holding hands in public turned Ash several sheets of white—and now, dozens of his closest friends watched him, and he could care less.    He loved her, so if people talked, they talked. He didn’t care. As the song came to a close, they tried to keep from pawing at one another—mostly for his mother’s sake, but as the DJ announced the next dance, he kissed Misty’s hand farewell and traded her off with none-else than her father. The old man nodded to Ash proudly before whisking the redhead off further to the dance floor, and Ash stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked backward off the dance floor—eyes never fleeing from his wife.    She looked—and was—absolutely stunning, he couldn’t believe when he saw her that Misty was the same arrogant, sarcastic little girl he met when they were children. Oh, how times had changed for the two of them. One second away from her felt like isolation.    “We’re up next.” The familiar, sweet voice of his mother stirred him from his thoughts, and he broke concentration for only a second to see her glowing face. If there was anyone as happy as he was—it was his mother.    “Hey mom.” he offered with an over the shoulder hug where her arm lingered, keeping him close.    “I’m just so happy for you.”    “Don’t start crying, mom.” Ash chuckled while she wiped at her eyes with a handkerchief. “And thank you,” he added dutifully, meeting her dark eyes. Her bottom lip quivered when she hugged him tightly.    “I can’t help it; my little boy is all grown up!” She whined, grasping at the back of his tuxedo with her manicured fingers while Misty twirled by them, giving Ash a look of apprehension. Delia was a crier.    “Mom.” Ash laughed, patting her while Misty spun to a stop, her father looking directly at the two of them—their song was over. Ash passed Misty with a kiss on the cheek before leading his mom to the dance floor and smiling warmly. Delia’s tears had since stopped—she never cried on a dance floor, but the look of pure bliss and happiness bounced from her face to his; and he looked over at Misty briefly, unable to keep his eyes off of her. She talked with her dad, shared a long hug with both of her parents and Ash felt a wave of emotion wash over him while he stepped to the beat.    “Mom,” he cooed, earning her attention with a deep breath. “…I…I kind of wish dad was alive to see this.” When Delia didn’t immediately respond, Ash cleared his throat—it wasn’t sadness, but acceptance of the events.    “But it’s okay, I mean, I am beyond words happy that you’re here, mom. I love you.”    For a second, he saw her eyebrows twitch worriedly as if she had more to say than she was about to—but the tears started again, and this time she didn’t seem to care who saw her when she hugged her son tightly.    “I love you, too, Ash.” she sobbed, and the rest of the dance was spent sharing short remember when you were this big stories, that mostly reminded Ash why he grew up the way he did in the first place. To remind him why his mother was exactly the mother, and the father, that he always needed.    When the song was over, Delia directed him to a very patiently waiting Misty who was gabbing with her sisters offhandedly and tossing glance after glance over her shoulder to see when Ash was finished, and hearing the song end; she almost jumped from her skin in glee.    “Go sit with your bride. She’s waiting.” Delia sniffed, but Ash hesitated a moment.    “Are you going to be okay, mom?” Ash offered sympathetically, always the most sincere with his mother. Delia covered her sob with a cough and nodded.    “I’m fine. Go.” She urged, swatting him on the back to push him forward. He tone was rushed, and, dare Ash to assume—pained. But he couldn’t linger on it as the waft of freshly cooked food filled his nostrils, and of course, Misty, who was positively glowing in all of her bride-glory.    “What took ya?” She challenged, and Ash stuck his tongue out at her playfully before taking a seat at her side. Where he belonged.    Once the rest of the attendance were in their seats, a tall gentleman made his way to the microphone at the DJ stand and waved to the crowd. Ash knew him instantly, how could he not? Misty and Ash looked at one another,  then back at the tall, dark-haired man.    “Hello, everyone. My name is Brock Harrison, and I’m the best man tonight.” He almost seemed to chipper announcing it, and Misty and Ash both had to silence a chuckle. “That’s right, me. And boy I cannot describe how honored I am to be here tonight, to celebrate a union that many years ago…well, well, seemed almost impossible.”    “Booo” Misty whispered playfully under her breath to hide her blush as the lights fixated on them, but she was quieted by Ash who cuffed her hands to listen.    “You see—when I first met these two, they were only ten years old. Ash was a beginning Pokemon trainer, and when I say that; I should really say a novice, trainer.” He waited for the laughs to sprinkle around the room while Ash scowled vehemently at him and Misty covered her lips to contain a chuckle.    “In fact, the first time that Ash challenged my gym, he tried to beat my onix with Pikachu; and I crushed him!” At this point Ash had balled his fists and looked to Misty for support, only to see that she was chuckling, but her eyes had playfully narrowed at Brock.    “In the end, Ash did beat me. Not fairly, but I remember that I had never seen anyone with the determination and drive that he had. Ash inspired me. My best friend.” He took a moment to raise his glass to Ash, and the playful hostility died with an honest smile. “So I decided to travel with him and Misty, and I’ve never once regretted it—well, except for when I had to stop those two from killing each other on a daily basis—but they grew out of that.”    Under his breath, Ash thought he could hear Brock mutter a quiet I think, before continuing as the crowd that knew the newlyweds so well laughed louder.     “But in all seriousness, I love these two wonderful people like my own family. Misty, I have watched you grow into a beautiful young woman, both physically and emotionally. You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever had the joy of meeting, and I can’t imagine what life would have been without you there. I love you as much as I love my own sisters, and someday, I hope that I will meet a young lady as gorgeous and as faithful as you, I wish you and Ash the best.”    “Ash, you have come a long way since you began your journey from Pallet Town with Pikachu. The experiences you’ve gone through are things that most people only dream of. You’ve faced adversaries, the end of the world, and every time you’ve come up on top. No matter how much you’ve grown, or changed; there is one thing about you that hasn’t changed one bit. Your drive. Your determination.” Misty squeezed Ash’s hand in response to Brock’s pause. “You’ve always strove to be the best that you can be, especially with Misty. The love that you two share is intoxicating and genuine, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous of what you two have. I love you two like nothing else in the world, and that you two are going to give each other the best, forever and always.”    Brock took a moment to inhale, looking into each of their faces, watching the smile reach their eyes as he raised his glass.    “To Ash and Misty Ketchum. The two very best friends anyone could ever dream of!”    After the toast, each person in attendance rose for a standing ovation as a tearful Brock made his way to his best friends and whisked them into a warm, affectionate hug.    “That was beautiful Brock, thank you.” Misty smiled, planting a kiss on his cheek.    “I’m not gonna kiss ya, Brocko, but thank you for saying all of that. I know you meant it. We love you, too.” He smiled earnestly, and as the embrace ended, Ash and Brock separated on cue.    “Love you, too, buddy, but this is kind of.”    “Awkward.” Ash deduced, crinkling his nose and stepping aside while Misty snickered.    “Maybe you two should have gotten married.” Misty teased hotly, and Ash scowled.    “Only if he would stop bringing up that gym match.” Ash joked, shaking his head with wide eyes at Brock, who snickered.    “No chance in hell.”    After the short embrace and conversation, they took their seats again for the next speech—Daisy rose for all to listen.    As her speech started, Misty tucked Ash’s hand away against her lap and brushed calming strokes down the length of his arm while Daisy spoke of their past—of their future of their relationship and their friendship. Of how proud she was of Misty, how grateful she was for Ash, and most importantly, how amazing they were together. Lily and Violet chimed in on cue, smiling at Misty from ear to ear.    “This is the start of the rest of your life! And I know you couldn’t be happier. I love you baby sister. Here’s to the newlyweds!” She screamed, and once again, the crowd rose for a roaring applause, and Misty and her sisters shared a fitful of hugs.    “You’re going to make me ruin my make up,” Misty whined through a smile, wiping at her tears. “I love you three so much.” She urged, and the hugged again.    Finally, the moment they had all been waiting for, a polite hush followed his mother as she walked the distance from her table to the microphone where all eyes fell on her. No one was scared of Delia—they loved her unconditionally, she was a mother to all of them, and everyone respected her a great deal. She treated every single person with kindness and love and waited eagerly for her to speak.    At first, words didn’t leave, choked up on her gaze on Ash, emotional over the previous speakers, but then she offered a sincere smile and plucked on a pair of reading glasses as she reviewed her notes from an elegant notebook.    “Good evening, everyone. I’m Delia Ketchum, as most of you know, I’m Ash’s mother.” She waited for a string of quiet applause before continuing. “It’s my turn to finally toast my wonderful son, and his gorgeous wife, Misty, so…” She flicked a page or two but then tucked it behind her before speaking again.    “I was just nineteen years old when I found out I was pregnant with Ash, and to be honest, I was scared that I wouldn’t be a good mother, or that I would mess up and prove my family right that I couldn’t handle raising a child as a single mother.” her eyes hit the floor, but it was Ash who watched her eagerly, knowing well that she was the best mother he could have ever wanted—and the crowd agreed with silent mutterings of how 'untrue’ the sentiment was. Delia was a wonderful mother.    “Then, when I held my baby boy for the first time, all of my fears, my doubts, and my worries disappeared in an instant! No one could stop me; I had Ash, and that’s all that mattered.” She raised her hand to stop applause.    “And then when he was ten, he left on his Pokemon journey, and truth be told, I was sad, but I knew he was following his dreams and that always made me smile. And if he hadn’t gone—well, I would have never met my new, stunning daughter-in-law, Misty. I have had the utmost pleasure of knowing this beautiful young woman since she was just a ten-year-old girl with a fiery temper and legs too long for her body.”    Misty slammed her palm against her face, blushing with a sigh, but knew that Delia meant no harm. Ash leaned over to mutter something about I like your long legs, but she was too embarrassed to hear him as Delia continued.    “Like most everyone else here, I’ve watched you grow. I’ve watched you blossom, I’ve watched you fall and get back up. I’ve seen you mature into the magnificent young woman standing here today, and I love you like my own. Misty has always brought the best out in my son, even when they argue, there’s so much love. They bring out the best in each other, and they strive for greatness together. As friends, as lovers, as a couple.”    “They share nicknames;” she paused as if waiting for permission to tell the story. “Ash calls her  'Angel,’ after an incident where he was hospitalized for a few months, and Misty was there to take care of him. To make a long, and… not so happy story short; Ash was in pretty bad shape—but Misty came to his side every day and sung to him in this angelic voice that soothed him. When he finally woke up, his first words were thank you, my angel.” She waved to Misty, who blushed and tossed a sincere gaze at Ash who smiled affectionately at the memory. An event it was. Ash had terrible nightmares for months after the accident; he barely remembered it now, though; thanks to Misty.    “Ash and Misty were made for each other. No one has ever been more devoted to each other as they are, and I am so excited for their long and prosperous future together. They complete each other. To Ash and Misty Ketchum!” Delia boomed, hiding the tears that pooled at the sides of her eyes.    As the crowd cheered in elation, and Ash moved from his seat to walk to his mother, and she to him, an unknown figure walked to the microphone and stopped the mother and son dead in their tracks while he scanned the audience with calm eyes.    “Hello everyone, might I say a few words?” He tapped the microphone and then folded his hands behind his back. Immediately, Ash made a face while Delia spun around, clutching at her son’s arm.    “My name is Vincent Giovanni, and I’m the leader of the Viridian City gym, and  I would like to say a few words to this lovely couple.” As the man spoke, Ash found his way back to his seat, with his mom followed him quietly to the seat he had set up for her at his left side. Seeing his face scrunch up uncomfortably, Misty brushed her hand along his back and leaned in to whisper in his ear.    “Is everything okay, Ash?” Misty inquired.    Not wanting to see her worry, he smiled at her. “I’m all right, angel, really.” He spoke softly and turned back to the man, unable to shake the feeling that he had seen him somewhere before. In the seat not to far away from Ash’s, he could see Delia practically fuming in her seat, white-knuckled at the grip she held on her dress skirt.    “First of all, I would like to congratulate our regions Pokemon Master, Ash Ketchum, and his new bride, the gym leader of Cerulean City, Misty Ketchum, on this truly extravagant and breathtaking wedding ceremony. I wish you both nothing but the absolute best, and may your live only grow stronger as the years fly by. Giovanni grinned while raising his glass. A calloused glare made his words mocking, and both Ash and Misty were both on the defensive.    “I would like to take this extra time, to say something I should have said a very long time ago.” he stared at Ash first, but then to Delia, as if he was trying to embed the knife into her back. His cocky glare returned to Ash. “Ash Ketchum, I am your father,” he announced without any hesitation, and the audience gasped in pure silence at the accusation. For Ash, he looked on with a blank stare. Separated only by the dance floor and table, he felt like the room was suffocating him, and he couldn’t open a window.    His father? Ash thought grimly, but his father was dead, mom had told him so. Naturally, Ash tried to look at Delia but found his gaze stuck on Giovanni—this man. His father.    Then, as seconds moved into light years, Misty rose, leaving the small table set aside for them, hiking her dress up with the balls of her hands and storming through the silence until she stopped abruptly a foot away from him, staring him down regardless of the height difference. No one spoke, not even the fish bowls on the tables flipped when Misty exhaled icily. Full of rage and pain shared from years of experience handling Ash’s emotional baggage, Misty hissed.    “Get out.” She ordered firmly, but when he didn’t budge—didn’t look at her, she stomped her foot and pointed at the door. The rest of the crowd joined in, while Ash’s knees were too weak to move, Brock, standing at an amazing 6'3” was rushing to Misty’s side in her defense.    “You don’t get to talk!” Misty had screeched before Giovanni continued. “You will not barge in here and cause my husband anymore pain. Get out!”    Brock reached her, followed by Gary, then Tracey, and slowly the rest of the guest rose in the determination; and while Giovanni was sure they would not harm him, he brushed his hands against his suit and nodded.    “Alright.” he nodded, then smoothly turned away from them, and left through the swinging doors. Misty’s corset beneath her dress was suddenly suffocating, and she beamed at Brock.    “Who does he think he is, coming in here on our wedding day!” Misty hissed in a low voice at Brock who shrugged, but then directed her attention back to Ash, who had only now managed to stand.    “Ash, darling.” Misty hummed as the crowd dispersed and started to talk amongst themselves, she walked to him, cupping his cheeks and sitting him back down on the chair.    “What just happened?” A stunned Ash asked, while Misty pat his shoulder gently.    “A crazy man just tried to crash our party.” She said, in pure disbelief that Giovanni was really Ash’s father. Hearing her comment, Ash smiled in agreement.    “Yeah, I guess so.”    “But we’re not going to let him, right?”    “Right.” Ash agreed, finding it hard not to grin at Misty when he stood up to address the other issue.    “Alright, everyone, let’s dig in!” Ash shouted, and alleviated sighs and grunts responded to him as people started to make their way to the buffet table—but Ash had his hand in Misty and tugged her along with him as he shouted.    “Bride and groom go first!” He shouted, rushing passed Richie and Kasey, and a few other guests. Left alone, sitting at her table, knuckles still white and eyes as wide as saucers, Delia shook her head.    Ash didn’t believe him. But he came. He showed up. What in the world did Giovanni suspect he would get out of this meeting? Of barging in on Ash’s wedding. Her heart ached, and she leaned forward, crying, for the first time that night—for another reason than happiness. XOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOOXOXOX    Ash the night drew to close, and Misty and Ash were both partied out, and their friends had all gathered for dancing, cake, food, and probably too much alcohol, they were finally setting off from the party, to embark on their own, more intimate celebration of the evening.    “Thank you all for coming!” Misty sung eagerly, hugging people briefly as Ash practically dragged her away from the reception. She was moving too slow—and they were going to be late for the private jet he ordered if they didn’t leave right now.    “Misty–” He whined, but she was still eagerly waiting for pictures with friends and family, and catching up—basking in the one-time glory of being the center of attention, and actually enjoying it. So Ash watched her, a small smile playing on his lips, as he thought about what Giovanni had said to him.    It couldn’t really be his father. Ash’s dad was dead….so why… “Hey, stop thinking so much, you’re gonna strain yourself!” Misty whisked to him, planting a gently kiss on his cheek before starting their final goodbye with waves and bubbles.    She leaned over to whisper in his ear next, keeping her voice low and sultry. “I’m going to need you at your best tonight.” She sang playfully into his ear, and Ash snatched her by the arm, and practically threw her inside of the limousine he ordered, not sparing another thought on the Viridian City gym leader.