Meant To Be!

Chapter Eleven: Back When We Were Young: Part Two

The pair continued talking about their past, and Serena brought up the holidays.

"I can't believe that in eleven days it will be our fifteenth Christmas together as a family." She said, surprising herself as she didn't really think of how long that was.

"That's so crazy..." Ash trailed off.

"Can't believe how old Selene is getting. She'll be eight next year." Serena noted.

"Well they are going to grow up sooner or later. We just gotta cherish the time we have with them." Ash explained. "When you told me about her was the best Christmas gift ever by the way."

Serena blushed and then giggled. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Remember back when we were traveling and I got sick?" Ash asked.

"Yes of course. How could I forget that?"

"So...uh...wh-when...you were, uh, changing into m-my clothes...I...uh...was awake..." Ash admitted.

"Really!?" Serena panicked and then calmed down as she realized they were married and had kids together.

"Yeah..."

"Eh. Oh well. You were going to see that sooner or later."

"That's true."

Ash got an idea.

"Hey, Serena?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to the spot?"

"Of course. It's been-wait. We haven't been there since we were like 23!"

"Damn have we really lost track of time?"

They got up and went back to the car. They arrived on another path and Ash parked next to the small wooden fence. They got out and Ash helped her over.

"Are you sure Professor Oak won't mind?" Serena asked her husband.

"I don't think so."

They walked for a bit and then Ash stopped.

"Here we are. The place it all began."

"Wow...it's so pretty in the moonlight..."

"Not as pretty as you." Ash complimented.

"Oh Ash. You are so kind." Serena said sarcastically, as she'd heard that line from him many times before.

"Haha. Very funny. Anyways I want to show you something." He took her hand and guided her over to a tree.

Serena looked at it for a second.

"Is this the tree?"

"Yep. It's also the one we carved our names into."

"It's so nice to be here." Serena said. "I'm surprised that we haven't heard a-"

There was rustling in the bushes.

Serena got frightened from the sudden noise. She tripped and fell against the tree.

Ash held back his laughter.

"You ok hon?"

Serena didn't get the chance to respond, because the noise showed itself. It was a Poliwag. It quickly ran by and back into the forest.

Ash walked up to his wife.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Just scraped my knee a bit. No big deal." She said.

"No big deal?" Ash said with fake surprise. "Why it certainly is!"

He pulled out an all too familiar handkerchief.

Serena laughed. "Oh my. If it isn't the thing that started my journey."

"Do you want me to do the honors?" Ash asked.

"Who else could do it?" Serena smiled.

Ash wrapped it around her leg.

"All better?" He asked.

"All better." She replied.

Ash stood up and offered his hand, which she took. He pulled her up, into a hug.

"You sure are romantic Mr. Ketchum." Serena whispered in his ear.

"You too, Mrs. Ketchum." He whispered back with a smile.

Serena blushed.

"We should probably start heading back. The kids might be worrying."

They returned home and greeted their children. They cleaned up and got ready for bed. As they got comfortable, Ash spoke.

"Hey honey?"

"Yeah?"

"I'll love you forever and ever, until the day I die."

Serena kissed him.

"I'll love you too forever and ever until the day I die."

Ash now kissed her.

They smiled and fell asleep. All was well in the Ketchum household.

Sorry for the short chapter