Misty smiled genuinely at the engagement ring around her finger; it was a thin shiny white gold ring, with a medium-sized dark sapphire on the middle and tiny clean crystals surrounding it. She sighed happily. All she did lately was contemplate the ring and giggle to herself.

She's gone through a lot. Misty was convinced she deserved a break, and she needed to get some changes done too, in her life.

Ash discussed marriage with Misty in their two years anniversary. It took this latter a while to get the idea through her head. It was a big step they were taking. As soon as Misty agreed on making the big step, he's taken her to pick up any ring she wants. When Gary asked Ash why he didn't try to make the proposal more interesting, he's told him that Misty was probably going to freak out if he surprisingly proposes. Misty chose her ring herself, and she was happy this way.

Misty wasn't used to Viridian yet, even though it has been more than a year since she's moved in with Ash and got a transfer. It was a busy city with everyone else running in all directions and chasing time. She thought people were impolite. They gave you no time at all (not even the neighbors, but Ash was used to that). It was hard for the redhead to make new friends. 

"Would you like anything, miss?"

Misty turned to her left. She smiled at the woman. "I'm still looking."

"Let me know if you would like anything."

"Thanks, I will."

She was shopping for baby clothes. Misty was only on her fifth month, but excitement was taking over.

Misty wanted to keep the gender as a surprise. She thought both genders were okay. As long as her baby was healthy, everything was fine. She wasn't sure about Ash though... he said he was fine with both genders too, but she knew he would prefer a boy. She knew it.

Misty thought about it all the time; what if she was having a girl? Will Ash hate her? What was wrong with girls? What was so wrong about having a daughter? Why did men hate having girls?

Maybe Misty was just being paranoid. Ash probably just wanted a son he could share his interests with, but still, this thought had her worrying.

Misty sighed. She didn't feel like shopping anymore. The redhead walked slowly toward the entrance and left the store.

And speaking about not wanting daughters;

Misty caught sight of her father again, getting out of his car as soon as she got out of the store.

"Misty! Misty!"

He's been following her all the time lately, even since she came to Viridian. Misty had no idea why did her sisters reveal her location, and why did her dad want to talk to her in the first place. He abandoned her, and now he was begging. 

The redhead chose not to bother Ash with her family issues. He was busy enough, and she figured out he'd do something stupid to keep her dad away.

"Misty, please, I only want to talk."

He was back. Misty has heard it from her sisters. Daisy has said he's spent a few nights with their mom. It wasn't making her feel any good. Misty hasn't talked to her mother for weeks.

She forgave the man who's left them without any support and eloped with a girl half her age.

How could she?

If Carol, Daisy, Lily and Violet forgave him, Misty was never going to forgive him.

"Misty, please."

"Misty."

"Misty."

Misty ignored him. It was one of those days when she regretted selling her car, but Ash had already one, and one was enough. She's sold her car, and used the money to buy more stuff for their apartment (and to pay for cooking classes she was taking in secret).

"Misty, please, I have something to tell you."

"Misty-"

"What? What?" Misty turned around and snapped. Her father frowned.

"I'm sick, Misty... very sick..."

She remained silent.

"Please... let me talk to you."

-

"You've become a woman."

Not thanks to you... Misty chose to keep quiet. She's sit with her father in a bench in the park but promised herself not to take too long.

"The girls told me about your fiancé—and the baby. I'm happy for you, baby gir-"

"Don't call me baby girl." Misty cut him off in a rough manner. He jumped up.

"Mis-"

"Just, what do you want from me, Peter?"

Misty knew he was shocked that she called him by his first name, but she was convinced he didn't deserve being called a father. He created her, that's all. Misty never had a father.

"I'm not mom, I'm not Daisy; I don't like you—I hate you. I don't want you in my life, okay? I'll never forgive you. I hate your guts."

Peter's voice was shaking. "Misty, I'm dying. Cancer is back."

Misty's eyes started to water. "You never wanted me... why should I care about you dying?"

"No, no, I always wanted you. I always wanted my daughters... I had issues with your mother-"

"Why did you say you didn't want me then? Why did you blame it on me? Why did you hurt me?"

Peter didn't respond.

"You blamed it on me! I was six years old. Six. Six. I heard you. I heard everything. I cried hard that night. I cried every night. I hate you! You're not my father. I never wanted to see you ever again. You ruined my life. I don't even care if you're dying! You were never there so it's like you were dead. You always were dead, for me."

By now, Misty was silently crying. Peter was dumbfounded, and he was crying too.

"I know it's hard for you to accept me now, Misty, but I want you to know that I'm sorry, and that I've always loved you and wanted you. Please Misty, forgive me. I can't leave this world in peace if you don't forgive me."

Misty got up slowly, getting ready to leave.

"I only have one month, Misty, please..."

Misty made eye contact with him. She was still crying. "You're not going to see my child..."

"Misty..."

"Ash is a wonderful guy..." Misty stood up as she wiped off her tears with her hand. Peter got up and stood facing her.

"Misty, I'm sorry."

"He's helped me so much... you can't imagine—and I love him, I love him so much it hurts. He saved me. I was drowning, and he saved me."

Peter was hugging Misty for the first time in nineteen years. "My pregnancy got me thinking again, if I ever get a girl—and about myself, and how I've always felt unwanted... history is repeating itself... I'm scared..."

Misty pulled away. Peter stroked her hair and her face. "Don't be silly, baby girl, it's just the pregnancy. It used to make your mom a bit depressed. It's common among pregnant women. All parents love their children, no matter what gender they are."

Misty hugged him again.

"I love you, baby girl. I'm sorry I was reckless in the past. I'm sorry things had to end up this way. I'm sorry I hurt you."

"I'll miss you."

"I'll watch you from above, baby girl. You are beautiful. You're even more beautiful now that you're pregnant. You're so beautiful."

Misty chuckled and shook her head. What was so beautiful about having a big belly and being plump?

"I don't see any beauty anywhere."

Peter chuckled and kissed Misty's forehead.

"You've become a woman, Misty. I'm proud of you. Love you."

Those were the last words Misty has heard from Peter before he shook his head at her offer to have dinner with her and Ash and walked away. 

Misty found out later that it was Ash who's showed Peter where she was. She felt a bit disappointed that he hid something as important as this from her, but Ash has told her that he was sure she was going to refuse talking to her dad if he asks her to. It was a matter between a father and his daughter, and he preferred to stay out of it.

There was one thing Misty had to make sure of. Maybe it was that depression her dad was talking about, maybe not, but still, she had to know;

"Hey, Ash?"

"Yeah?" Ash had Misty by his side. He was stroking her hair as the two watched TV.

"What if it's a girl?"

Ash pulled away. "Don't tell me you went to the doctor's without me!"

"No, but-"

"You did! That's evil!"

"I did not!"

"Then why are you saying it's a girl?"

"I just have a feeling!"

"Misty, you went in secret, right?"

"I did not! I swear!"

"Okay then." Ash turned his attention to the TV. Misty asked him again, "So?"

"So, what?"

"What if it's a girl?"

Ash smiled to himself. "I think I'll name her Elizabeth, or Isabelle, Isabella, or even Bella, something that has to do with beauty, royalty."

"Oh..."

"I like how Isabelle sounds. It's classy, right? Plus, she'll get so many nicknames."

"I thought—I thought you didn't want a girl."

Ash blinked. He laughed and pulled Misty closer. "You're weird, you know that?"

"A little bit?"

"I'm not like that, Mist."

"Honest?"

Ash rolled his eyes quickly. He then, said, smiling; "I'd love a little Isabelle who looks like her mom. She'll be a cute chubby redhead baby with little freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose."

Misty giggled at the thought. "Awww. You think so?"

"I know so."

"So... you wouldn't like it if it's a boy?"

"Oh God."

THE END.

Next is the epilogue ;o; I AM SO SAD THIS ENDED. 

cries

Boy or girl? c;