Chapter Five

Misty’s stomach growled furiously in it’s unrelenting protest for breakfast.  Alas, she could not eat until after her appointment at the clinic because she was getting a sugar and blood test done.  She readied her bag and smoothed her cotton sun dress over her belly, thankful that for the most part her pregnancy was still hidden under the loose dress she wore over her bathing suit.  Checking her reflection in her compact one last time, she locked the apartment door and made her way downstairs and through the Gym.

“Oh hey Misty.  Where’re ya off to?”  Tracey asked with genuine curiosity.  Misty had not told him about her appointment this morning.  He stood, and placed the pH tester he had just capped on the tiled floor.

“Just a prenatal checkup, that’s all, you can tell any Trainers that I’ll be back, and of course the aquarium can stay open.”

The Watcher’s face appeared to light up in intrigue.

“Can I come?”  He questioned innocently, sounding more like he was being invited to watch a rare never before seen Pokémon.

“Are you sure... I mean-”

“Would I get to see the baby on the ultra sound?”

“Yeah, I guess...”  She began uncertainly.  “It’s just a doctors appointment Tracey... I don’t-”

“Please Misty, I’d really like to go.”  He asked, taking her hand in his.

The red head sighed, she thought it would be inappropriate to bring a man that wasn’t the father of her baby to her prenatal exam.  

“Tracey, what if someone thinks-”

“Then let them think.”  He smiled at her and placed her arm through his.  “Shall we go?”

She nodded and they made their way out of the gym, having to lock up completely since Tracey would not be staying.  Misty was in her fourth month of pregnancy at seventeen weeks.  It was the second week of August and last month’s heat wave was still in full swing.  The short walk to the clinic was not a pleasant one, and what made it worse was the ice cream vendor on the corner had trained his Delibird to create snow with it’s Aurora Beam.  Misty gazed longingly at the frost covered cart and quickly melting snow on the pavement, causing Tracey to chuckle.

“What flavor do you want?”

“Oh... I can’t... blood test.”

“I promise I’ll get you both one after your appointment.”  

Somehow the fact that he had used the words “you both” made the walk just a little bit more bearable.  She had scarcely been paying any attention when Tracey opened the door to the clinic and placed his hand on her back to guide her inside.  She signed her name at the counter and they sat down to wait.  Misty was acutely aware that Tracey was the only man in the waiting room.  She thought it was a good thing that she did not recognize any of the women in the room.

“Might be quite a wait huh?”

“Hmm.”  Misty nodded her head.  She was about the take her knitting out from her bag but suddenly she did not feel very well, it was probably the heat, and the lack of food, but the nausea was the worst she had experienced thus far.  “Tracey...”  

The Watcher took one look at his friend and knew he needed to find some type of receptacle and fast.  With the speed that could only come from years of observing Pokémon in the wild, Tracey spotted a wastepaper basket in a corner and jumped up to get it.  All eyes were on him as he brought the lined plastic container to Misty just in the nick of time.  One hand continued to hold it as she emptied the contents of her stomach, which thankfully was only liquid, while the other brushed her bangs away from her forehead.

“Ugh...”  The red head moaned, as she placed the pail on the floor.  “I hate to say it, but I feel so much better now.”

“Glad to hear it.”  Tracey stood and handed her a napkin from his pocket.  “You stay put, I’ll get you some Fresh Water.”

“Your husband is such a gentleman.”  The woman across from her stated gaily.  “My husband won’t even come to these appointments, now don’t get me wrong, he loves that I’m pregnant, but doctors and him just don’t mix.”

The Watcher had meanwhile returned and of course had heard the entire exchange.  He handed Misty the water with a smile just as she was about to respond.

“Here ya go honey, you two drink up.”  He sat down and made a show of placing his right hand on her belly as he draped his left across her back resting that hand on her shoulder, giving it a very husbandly squeeze.

“You two are just too cute.  How long have you been married?”  The woman asked curiously.  

Misty wondered how much of an idiot she had to be if she continually failed to notice the lack of rings on their fingers.  She glared at Tracey to see if he was going to answer the question, he was leaning back in the chair, leg crossed over his knee looking entirely too presumptuous.

“You know ma’am, we’ve decided that when everyone can get married, that’s when we’ll feel comfortable tying the knot.  The gay community has been struggling for far too long, and I just think it’s unfair that a heterosexual couple like us can just go and get married and have a baby, and they can’t.”

“How dare you, I’m a Christian!”  With those words spoken, rather shrilly, the woman stood and walked to the other side of the waiting room, taking a seat and pulling out a small pocket Bible from her purse.

Misty placed her bottle of water down on the side table next to her and took a moment to look at her companion, a smile on her face.

“What?”

“That was pretty funny actually.  I think ya laid it on a little thick there, but you made that lady get up and walk away, and that was awesome.”

“That wasn’t exactly my intention.”

“Yeah I know... but-”

“Ms. Waterflower?”  The nurse called her name from the doorway.

“Well, that would be you m’lady, come on.”  Tracey said as he stood and helped her to her feet.

They made their way to the nurse who lead them to an examination room.  Once inside Misty sat in the exam chair, while Tracey chose to stand by her side.

“You must be the proud daddy!”  The nurse began.  “It’s always great to see the fathers come in, we want them to be completely educated about this wonderful journey.”

Tracey was about to open his mouth, presumably to say something asinine, so Misty quickly and discreetly pinched his thigh.  When neither of them answered her, the nurse continued as she flipped through the file in her hand.

“So, anyway, Ms. Waterflower, you’re at your seventeenth week, I’m sure you’ve noticed many changes in your body, is there anything specific you’d like to address?”

“Um... no, I don’t think so.”

“Ok... well, let’s get you weighed and your blood work done.”

Tracey waited patiently as Misty was subjected to her examination.  By the time the doctor came in, the red head looked to be in perfect health.  She had gained the proper amount of weight, her uterus was at the proper position for this time in her pregnancy, and there was no sign of gestational diabetes.

“Ms. Waterflower... and you must be Mr. Ketchum?”  The doctor extended his hand to Tracey who took it with a grin the size of a Snorlax.  Misty groaned inwardly, shuddering to think what would come out of the Watcher’s mouth this time.

“Actually, Dr...”  Tracey glanced at the embroidery on his lab coat.  “Greenberg, it’s Mr. Sketchit.”

“Uh...”  The confused medical practitioner glanced at the red head in the exam chair.  “Pleasure to meet you Mr. Sketchit.”

“Likewise.”

“Ok, well if you’ll have a seat over there, I can begin the ultrasound.”

As Misty was guided to lie back, she sighed in relief, thanking the heavens above that the doctor had some semblance of decorum.  He flipped on the machine, and spread the lubrication on her abdomen, when he began to pass the wand over her belly, Tracey grabbed her left hand with his right and held it tightly.  She noticed how he stared eagerly at the monitor and when the first clear images of her baby appeared they both gripped each other’s hands harder.

“Misty, it’s a baby.”  The Watcher said in awe.  “I mean, look, it’s-”

“I know... I know.”  She said as her eyes began to water.

“This makes the entire job worth it.”  Dr. Greenberg said proudly.  “Would you like to know the sex, baby’s legs are open, so I can tell you.”

Misty turned her head and looked at Tracey.

“Should we find out?”  She whispered searching his eyes.

“I... I don’t know Misty... it’s up to you.”  Tracey faltered, he was unexpectedly and painfully aware that despite his elation at seeing the baby on the ultrasound, he was not this baby’s father and it was Misty’s decision to make.

“No, I want to know what you think, would you like to know?”  

Tracey squeezed her hand as he continued to look directly in her eyes.

“I think it would make choosing yarn colors a lot easier.”

Misty couldn’t help but laugh.

“You can tell us doctor.”  She said cheerfully.

“It’s a girl.”  The doctor watched happily as the couple laughed joyously, all smiles.  “Everything looks normal, she’s just the right size, fluid is good, she’s one healthy little princess.”  

He bent down to press a button on the bottom of the machine.  A few seconds passed and four different screenshots printed out.  He handed them to Tracey so he could clean Misty up.  The appointment was now over and the friends thanked the doctor and prepared to leave.  As Misty stopped by the counter to pay the bill and schedule her next appointment, Tracey saw the Christian woman from before and gave her the most ridiculous smile and wave he could muster, which wasn’t difficult given his current jubilant mood.  She meanwhile stopped, wide eyed and quickly walked away, the Watcher couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“What’s so funny?”  Misty looked at where Tracey was pointing and grabbed his arm.  “Come on let’s get out of here, before she starts praying at us or something.”

“Oh, good call, anyway, I do owe you an ice cream.”

“Yeah that’s not gonna cut it, we need real food.”  Misty said as she rubbed her tummy.

“Ok, how’s tuna sound?”

“As long as you make it, that stuff from the store tastes weird.”

Misty placed her arm through Tracey’s as they made their way back to the Gym.  They passed the ice cream vendor and Tracey stopped to buy two lemon sorbets.  The temperature was over one hundred degrees and the Watcher figured that Misty would fare better eating something ice cold on their walk home.  He was right, their stroll passed without circumstance.  Upon reaching the Gym, Tracey helped Misty unlock, and soon they were on their way upstairs.  As soon as the apartment door was opened, the red head plopped down on the couch and put her legs up on the arm rest.

“Who would have guessed that a fifteen minute walk could be so brutal?  I need a shower.”

“Why don’t you take one while I make lunch?”

“Not so fast Mr. Sketchit.  What was with that act at the doctor’s office?”  Misty questioned accusingly with a hint of mirth.

“I don’t know... I just kinda decided to play this role, and it turned out to be fun.”  He sat down next to her and moved her head to rest on his thigh.  “Oh and before I forget.”  He took out the ultra sound pictures and handed them to her.

“Can you believe I’m gonna have a daughter?”

“She’s gonna be beautiful just like her mommy.”

“You think I’m beautiful?”

“Of course I do.  You put your sisters to shame.”

“Now I know you’re just messing with me.”

“No really.  They’re bitches, all those times I came to visit you Daisy tried to keep me all to her self as her personal handyman, I was only here cause of you.”

“I should be angry cause you just called the only family I have the ‘B’ word, but I’m not cause it’s true, they totally are.”  Misty’s face suddenly became serious and she placed the print out on the coffee table.  “Speaking of family... I’ve been doing some thinking, and I’ve made my decision.  I’d like you to be my baby’s godfather.”

“Are... you sure?”  The Watcher was stunned.

“You’re my best friend, and I saw how you were looking at the ultrasound.”  Tracey blushed.  “I think there was more to it then you just pretending to be my husband.”

“Misty, please don’t say it.”  He turned his face away, and Misty had the distinct impression that he was going to cry, so she sat up, placing herself on his lap, her arms around his neck.

“You like to pretend that you’re her father because you wish you were her father.”

His shoulders shook as the tears came, and he shut his eyes tight as they spilled down his cheeks.  Misty placed her hands on his face and gently kissed his lips.

“It’s ok.”  She whispered and kissed him again, feather soft and kind.  

“It’s not ok!  I sit here everyday, praying that he wont show up, it’s selfish I know, Ash has everything he ever dreamed of, including you, but this was my dream, all I ever wanted was a family.”

The red head was at a complete loss for words. Tracey had never spoken about his family, it was a topic she had known instinctively not to breach from the very beginning.  He had never pointed out his home, or the island of his childhood while they had been traveling from island to island on the baby Lapris.  All she knew was that they had met unexpectedly on Tangello Island during a Pokémon battle.  Tracey Sketchit, Pokémon Watcher extraordinaire was quite the enigma. 

She kissed his cheek disregarding the warm salty tears, and wrapped her arms around him more firmly; trying to convey her love and support for him through the embrace.  Just how unfair was it, that here in her living room was a man who was more than willing to be a father to her child, but she couldn’t even muster up the courage to tell her unborn daughter’s actual father the truth?  She felt like she was stuck in one of Team Rocket’s holes and it just kept getting deeper and deeper and deeper; awfully soon she’d be buried alive.

*))O((*

It had been raining the past couple of days, which coincidentally brought much needed relief from the stifling heat.  It also meant that Tracey and Misty were stuck inside, with each other.  He however, made it a point to make sure they were a good distance apart at all times.  Currently, Misty was upstairs, either still sleeping, or knitting more baby items.

Tracey, who preferred to keep busy with the Gym’s many Pokémon was on top of a ladder feeding the two Luvdisc when he heard the phone in the office begin to ring.  He stepped down carefully, barefoot as usual, and slipped his flip flops on.  Jogging to the office, he picked up the receiver just as Brock was beginning to leave a voice mail.

“Hey Brock, I’m here, it’s Tracey.”

“Oh hey, how’s it going?”

“Great despite the rain, I was just finishing up the breakfast rounds.”

Brock chuckled.

“Ah so Misty has you working hard huh?”

Tracey gulped.

“Yeah... but I don’t mind, she’s starting to really show now, so I don’t want her exerting herself too much.”

“Mmm, can you believe our little Misty is having a baby?  Seems like just yesterday those two were ten years old yelling down each other’s throats.”

“Uh... yeah, I remember.”  The Watcher couldn’t help but laugh.

“So, has she told him yet?”  Brock asked his voice suddenly serious, and Tracey very nearly choked.  “I take it no?”  The Breeder sighed rather loudly.  “Tracey have you been checking Ash’s App?”

“Uh... no... I-”

“All I know is that today’s post says he’s visiting a really close friend.”

“He has a lot of friends.”

“Yes, but I thought he was on his way over to Cerulean.”

“Then he would have said ‘girlfriend’.  You sure he’s not on his way over to you?”

“No...”

“Well, what about Max and May?”

“Hmm.”

“What’s this about anyway?”  The Watcher questioned cautiously.

“Misty needs to tell Ash.”  Brock spoke the words in his best Gym Leader’s voice.

“Yeah... but- Wait!  You don’t think Ash is cheating on-”

“No!  Ash is the most loyal friend I know, he would never-”

“Brock calm down, I know he wouldn’t do that... but you made it seem, I mean, what was I supposed to think?”

“I don’t know, I’m just really surprised at her.  Why would she think that not telling him is the right thing to do?”

“I’ve been asking her that same question... she’s afraid.”

“Well, you’re gonna have to convince her.”

“Me?  Maybe you should talk to her.”

“I already have...  you’re her best friend, you’ve spent so much time with her over the past few years helping out at the Gym.”  The Breeder sighed and continued.  “God... it’s like I’m more a father to her, she wont listen to me.”

“Brock, I don’t think-”

“We’ve gotta figure out something, she’s gonna actually have the kid before she goes and- Jesus, do you think that’s what she’s waiting for?”

“No... she’s waiting for Ash to come here.  He was only supposed to be gone for two weeks, it been eighteen!”

“God... that long already?  It’s good that she has you to take care of her.  You’re a great friend Tracey.”  The Watcher was thankful they were not on a video phone, so Brock wouldn’t see the blush that crept over his face.  “I swear, I wanna be there when Ash shows up, just so I can give that S.O.B a piece of my mind!  How’s he gonna leave his girlfriend alone for four months and let’s not forget to mention the fact that he was having unprotected sex!  Eighteen years old.... and- well, I think you get what I’m trying to say.”

“Yeah...”

“Is Misty ok?  I mean with becoming a mom?”

“Well, she starting knitting a blanket.”

“Hmm.  It’s a shame, a man and a woman should be married, then start planning for children.  No offense there Tracey, you get what I’m saying, I know you bat for the other team and all (Tracey cringed), but a child needs stability.”  And a gay man isn’t stable?  The Watcher questioned angrily in his head.  Brock continued.  “I hate to think that Misty will be raising this baby alone... there’s only so much we can do for her.  Ash needs to be told so he can do the right thing.”

“Which is what exactly?”  Tracey found the words leaving his mouth before he was even conscious of it.

“Marry her of course, make her an honest woman.  It’s what any self respecting guy must do.  I mean there’s too much stigma to being a single mom, with no one to take care of her and the baby.  Let’s face it, we both know how hard headed Ash is, he hasn’t so much as called, and he sure as hell hasn’t answered my phone calls.  I wonder if he talks to Delia?”

“How should I know?”

“Well, haven’t you spoken to Professor Oak lately?”

Tracey was suddenly very embarrassed.

“I... I’ve been busy with the Pokémon.”

“Oh Jesus, sorry Tracey, I forgot she has you working like a Jynx.  All I’m saying is.  Misty has always been the only one who can get through that thick skull of his- uh, look, I gotta go, my next appointment is here, I’ll talk to you later, tell Misty I said hi ok?  Bye!”

The young man hung up the phone and let out a huge sigh of relief.  He had not been prepared for that conversation.  Of course, when was anyone ever truly prepared for a surprise telephone call from the next town over’s Gym Leader?  Still, for him to be so... Tracey couldn’t think of a word to properly describe his views... puritan perhaps?  Misty was a strong and capable woman, she could take care of herself and her daughter without Ash’s help.  Besides, I’m here to help.

He sighed again, exasperated at his own conflicting feelings, and sat down on Misty’s desk chair.  Open for anyone to see was the Gym’s check book, the balance was a little over three hundred dollars, and the last check written was the one to the city.  The only thing Ash would be good for was his earnings as a Pokémon Master, he thought bitterly.      He wondered just how much money that was... enough to support himself and a family?  Enough to live a very comfortable life in the lap of luxury?  Or would he have to obtain a job, barely making ends meat, praying that he had enough to buy diapers at the end of the week?

He shuddered at his own sick cruelty.  Misty and her daughter didn’t deserve that.  He was here now, and he would do what he could to help.  He had savings, Professor Oak paid him well, there had been the occasional magazine looking for illustrations.  He leaned back and raised his feet to rest on the desk, placing his hands behind his head.  The rain could still be heard pitter pattering on the windows.  He could just imagine Misty upstairs sitting cross legged on the couch, needles clicking away, the soft yarn feeding through her fingers as they produced each stitch.  In his minds eye, she was glowing, radiant with the life inside her.

Brock was right, as usual.  Ash needed to know, the sooner the better.  That was his daughter, that was his girlfriend, and future wife.  Tracey needed to stop being so inconsiderate, Misty was his best friend, he would be her daughter’s godfather, perhaps it wasn’t his job to take care of them.  He needed to be a friend, and encourage her to do the right thing, just like Brock had explained. 

“I’m fucked.”

To Be Continued...