I’ll Be Home For Christmas- The Extended Version

Part 5

By Finaille Nailo

~ A boy and a girl are looking happily at each other, as the boy leans in to kiss the girl. Seconds later, The End flashes on the screen. ~

Brock changes the channel, as Misty wipes a tear from her cheek. "That was pretty sad, wasn’t it Brock?" Misty comments. He nods.

"But you’ve seen this movie like, a ton of times. How can you still cry?"

"I’m a girl, what do you think?" She remarks. "Anyways, it’s ten, I think I’m gonna go to bed…"

"NO!" Brock shouts the moment Misty says that. Misty blinks in confusion.

"No what?" She asks, scrunching her eyebrows.

"Come on, please stay up with me to watch the parade… please?" Brock gets on his knees sarcastically and begs. Misty rolls her eyes.

"I dunno…"

"PLEASE???" I’m not gonna let this opportunity go. Brock thinks to himself.

Misty sighs, "Fine, I’ll stay up… but if I’m cranky tomorrow morning it is not my fault."

Brock grins evilly. "Maybe that person who keeps on saying I’ll be home for Christmas will pop up again somehow… in letter… in person…"

"What are you getting at?" Misty snaps at him.

"Oh nothing, I was just teasing anyways…"

"Yeah, I think I did figure who sent that email and the phone call… now that you mention it." Misty states.

"Well, who?" Brock asks curiously.

"Some 15-year-old kid I’ve battled who wants to confess his love to me." Misty says sarcastically. Brock blinks for a moment.

"Besides the 15-year-old, who else would?" Misty throws a pillow cushion at Brock. "Hey, you were being sarcastic."

"Well, I wasn’t giving you a hard time." Misty says, laying her head down on the side of the couch. I really hate not knowing who this person who’s sending me those messages is! It’s driving me insane! Sure… I thought it was Ash, but Brock gave a pretty convincing argument, it’s not Ash. A tear rolls down her cheek.

Misty is snapped out of her thoughts by a waving hand in front of her face. She looks up at Brock. "Whatcha thinking about?" He asks, sitting closer to her.

"Nothing…" Misty mumbles. This is crazy… I’d wish he’d just let me go to bed so I can just cry this pain away… Ash…

*********************************************************************************

After about an hour searching for the TV station, and after about another hour and a half of waiting just to get Ash’s request on air, Ash and Duplica leave the TV station, somewhat exhausted.

"Wow, that was really crazy." Duplica says, rubbing her forehead. "That place was so crowded, I have a huge headache now."

"Well, forget it, it’s 11:15pm, and we need to get to Misty’s house before it gets to be too late." Ash tells her.

"Yeah, I know. I’m so excited! And yet again, so nervous!!!" Duplica says as they get into Ash’s car.

"So, Brock does know we’re coming, right?" Ash asks.

"Yeap, called him this afternoon." Duplica says matter-of-factly.

"Ok, I’m just making sure you know. Does he know that you’re coming?" Ash asks curiously.

"Nope, all he knows is to expect just you around midnight. I sorta wanted to make my visit for Brock… I dunno, a surprise." Duplica says, twirling a strand of her green hair. Ash reaches into his pocket to pull out a slip of paper.

"Ok…" Ash mumbles, "Misty’s house is on the northwest side of town… we’re on the southeast." He says, glancing at the street number at the next corner. "Duplica, help me look for 22^nd Street, northeast, alright?"

"Yeah, sure, no problem." Duplica answers. Then find it about ten minutes later, and Ash turns left onto the street. "Sheesh, it’s so close to midnight, I’m getting even more nervous!"

Ash sighs and looks down for a brief moment. I am too… I don’t know how she’ll react. I hope she’ll be excited as I am… "Ok, down we need to find Cerulean Water Lane…"

"I’m looking, I’m looking…" Duplica says automatically…

*********************************************************************************

"Ok, Brock, I have no idea why you’re making me stay up, but I am going to bed at midnight, no ifs, ands, or buts." They glance at the TV, playing the last of the Christmas requests.

"Fine, fine, whatever…" Brock says, sitting on the couch with a smug grin on his face.

Misty looks at Brock, and then the TV. "What is it? You’re acting so, so…" She falls silent as the TV shows something she was not expected.

"Our last Christmas request tonight goes out to Misty Yawa…" And the message is shown on the TV.

Misty is deathly silent. She looks at Brock, who still has the grin plastered on his face. I don’t trust Brock… he knows something! "BROCK!!! You had better tell me what the hell is going on, right now!!!" She says, strangling him by the neck.

"I… uh, can’t…" Brock manages to choke out. "It’s a secret!" After a moment, Brock is released from Misty’s death grip.

Misty looks at the TV once more, still in disbelief. The person who’s been sending me those messages is coming… here! She glances at the clock. It’s five minutes to midnight… no one would come at this hour.

DDIIIINNNGG DDOOOONNNGGG!!!

Or maybe they would… Misty looks at Brock.

"Well, aren’t you going to get that?" Brock asks, smiling. Nervously, Misty walks to the door, and opens it. To her surprise, Ashton and Duplica are standing in the doorway, both smiling sheepishly.

"Ashton! Duplica! What are you two doing here?" Misty asks, obviously surprised. "Ok, please don’t tell me it was you two sending those messages… please!"

"Hate to burst your bubble Misty, but it was." Ash says, grinning. "May I talk to you alone?"

"Um, where is Brock?" Duplica asks shyly. Misty lets them inside.

"Brock’s on the couch." Duplica nervously walks over to him, leaving Misty and… (:: cough :: a hem) Ashton alone. "Come on Ashton, what is it?"

"Can we talk somewhere… I dunno, more in private?" Ash asks. Misty rolls her eyes.

"Fine." She grabs his hand and leads him up into her room. "Well, tell me! What is it?" But Ash ignores her, looking around the room. His eyes focus on a picture of Ash, Misty, and Brock, taken when they were in Goldenrod City. He walks up to the picture, and takes a hold if it. He smiles.

"I remember this day… it was after I beat Whitney." Ash says, smiling more, and looking at the once again surprised Misty.

"Wait… what?" Misty asks, confused. She snatches the picture, looking up from the picture, to Ashton, and doing that several times.

No way… it can’t be!!! Ashton… is ASH!!! I was right!!! Oh… god, I feel like I’m gonna faint…

"Ash?"

"Yes?" They both stare at each other for a moment, then Misty runs up to Ash and hugs him. She starts to cry.

"Ash… I’m so sorry!!!" She confesses. Ash picks her up and sets her on her bed. He sits next to her, as she buries her head in his shirt.

"It’s ok… it’s ok…" He says, stroking her hair. After a few minutes, Misty regains her composure and looks up at Ash.

"Why didn’t you tell me last night?" Misty asks.

"I wanted to." Ash sighs. "But you ran off after I kissed you… that’s when I was planning on telling you."

"Oh… sorry…" Misty mumbles. Ash grins.

"I understand… I guess I’d be freaked out of one of my girl friends pretended to be someone else and tried to kiss me… I’m still pretty… air-headed…" Ash says, rubbing his head. Misty grins. "There we go, you’re smiling again… you have such a beautiful smile."

Misty blushes. "Thank you. So, how have you been?"

"I’ve been alright… I’ve missed you so much… ever since you left." Ash says, looking around uncomfortably.

"You missed me… ever since I left?"

"Yes, I did. I didn’t want you to leave, but I was stubborn." He smiles.

"I heard you quit the league…" Misty says softly. He blinks.

"Who told you?" He asks curiously.

"Brock did, this afternoon… I’m sorry if I hurt you that much… I never intended to. I always thought you… didn’t really like me." Misty says, cracking her knuckles.

Ash laughs hysterically. "You thought I hated you?? Far from it!" His face turns serious. "Misty, I thought I’d never be able to tell you this, but I love you too."

"You love me… too?" Misty asks, puzzled. Ash grins.

"Guess you don’t remember, huh?" He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small bracelet. "It doesn’t fit anymore, but I used to wear it all the time."

"It’s the charm bracelet I got for you for Christmas ten years ago! But, what does it have to…" She remembers what words the larger charm said… "Oh… yes, that." Ash wraps his arms around her tiny waist, kissing her on the forehead.

"I actually didn’t uncover that "hidden message" until a while later… I was shocked that you… loved me." Ash whispers in her ear.

"I do love you."

"I love you too." Misty looks Ash in the eye, and Ash leans in to kiss her. This time Misty accepts the kiss, and it lasts for a while. Ash’s tongue traces around Misty’s lips, waiting for approval. Misty invitingly opens her mouth, as Ash tastes the sweetest of her mouth.

They slowly remove piece by piece of clothing, all falling on the floor next to her bed. For the first time, they both experience the true meaning of love, exploring new places they both had never been before, reaching new heights.

Later, the two are in Misty’s bed, snuggling. Ash smiles at Misty.

"I’m glad to be with you again."

Misty smiles. "I’m glad to be with you." She mumbles. Ash kisses her softly on the lips, and reaches down on the ground. "What are you doing?"

Ash grins, as he scoops up a small box. He wraps his arms around Misty, and reveals to her the box.

"Misty Yawa, will you marry me?" Ash asks, opening the box slowly. Misty’s eyes are wide with shock, and tears slide down her cheeks.

"Yes, Ash Ketchum…" She says, smiling. Ash’s hands nervously place the ring on Misty’s left ring finger. He sets the empty box back down on the ground, and glides his hands up and down Misty’s bare back.

"I love you so much…" He whispers.

"I love you too." She replies. They both fall asleep peacefully.

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Four months later, Ash and Misty were wed, along with… surprisingly enough, Brock and Duplica. At the wedding reception, Ash and Misty smile as they go out onto the dance floor for the first dance.

"You’re so beautiful tonight…" He says, patting Misty’s stomach. Misty was four months pregnant, and very excited. She gives Ash a funny look.

"Just tonight?" She asks. He chuckles.

"Always."

A/N- Wow, it’s finished! :: Sings songs of praises :: I can finally get started on my next fanfic!!! Anyways, thanks for reading and PLEASE review!