Alex and Julia were sitting in the grass with Alan, Anthony, Grace, Isla, and Trey. It was recess time at school and they had decided to sit and talk.

"So what's the big thing that you had to tell us?" Grace asked.

"Our parents are engaged!" Julia cried.

"And you guys are all invited, as long as your parents come with you to the wedding." Alex added.

Grace smiled and jumped up happily. "You two are going to be brother and sister! You already act like it, so at least you won't hate each other."

Alex and Julia laughed. They knew that stepbrothers and stepsisters don't always get along when their parents get married. But they knew that it would work for them, since they were already best friends.

"That's great, you guys." Anthony said and Trey nodded his head.

"Congrats to your parents." Alan said.

"It's a happily ever after for you and your parents!" Isla said joyfully.

"So where's the wedding at?" Grace asked.

"We don't know yet. It's too early to know." Julia replied.

"We'll let you guys know as soon as we find out." Alex said.

After school, Alex walked into his house and was heading to his room, but looking into the living room, he stopped at the sight of who was there. His grandma, Delia.

"Grandma!" he cried, dropping his bag and running into the living room, hugging her excitedly. He hadn't seen her in almost a year.

"What are you doing here in Sinnoh?" he asked, pulling away.

"Your dad called me and told me to come to Sinnoh. He said that he had something important to tell me, so important that he couldn't say it over the phone and had to be done in person. I'm anxious to find out what it is." she replied.

Alex knew what it was and understood why his dad had called her to tell her to come.

Ash walked into the living room and looked at his mom. "Hey, Alex. Mom, I'm going to go and show you what I wanted to tell you about." Ash said and left the house before Delia could reply.

Ash walked across the street and into Dawn's house, hearing her talking to Julia and Johanna.

"Ash's mom is here and she's going to meet us all for the first time. We're also telling her that we're engaged." Dawn said.

Ash walked into the room, greeting them.

"I can't wait to meet her!" Julia cried, excitedly.

Johanna was smiling, happy to be meeting the mother of the man that her daughter was in love with.

"Ready?" Ash asked.

Dawn sighed softly. "I'm feeling really nervous."

I'm marrying Delia's son and I want to make a good impression on her. What if she doesn't approve of me? Dawn thought, worrying herself. Unknown to her, she had spoken her thoughts out loud.

Ash walked over to her and took one of her hands. "Dawn, look at me." he said and she looked up.

"My mom's going to love you, Dawn. She sees the good in everyone. She'll be crazy not to approve of you. You're everything that she wanted me to find in someone after I lost Misty." Ash said, running his thumb along her hand.

"Ash is right, Dawn. She's going to approve of you. Just be yourself and you'll be fine." Johanna said, squeezing Dawn's hand reassuringly.

"No need to worry, mom. If Mr. Ash and Alex like you, I know that she'll like you, too." Julia said, smiling at her mom, who smiled back.

Dawn nodded her head and they left her house and headed over to Ash's. Ash walked into the living room ahead of them.

"Mom, this is Johanna, Dawn, and Julia Berlitz. Dawn and Julia live across the street from us." Ash said, pointing to each one when he said their name.

Delia noticed that Dawn looked nervous. She obviously wanted to make a good first impression. "Dawn, there's no need to be nervous. I've heard a lot about you from Ash and it's great to finally meet you in person." Delia said. "It's nice to meet your mom and daughter, too."

They all sat down in the living room with Ash and Dawn on the couch, Johanna and Delia in the chairs, and Alex and Julia on the floor.

Maybe if I tell her about myself and my mom and Julia, she'll get to know us better and be more accepting of us. Dawn thought.

"I used to be a coordinator when I was younger. I was inspired by my mom and eventually reached my goal. I became a Top Coordinator, and now I'm a photographer." Dawn said, striking up a conversation.

"A Top Coordinator...that's a nice title to have. What kind of photographer are you?" Delia asked.

"Freelance, but I've been hired to take photos for magazines and other things. Ash managed to get me an opportunity as the photographer for the Sinnoh Pokemon League."

"Yes, Ash showed me some of his battle pictures. You took those pictures of the battles?"

"Yes..."

"Those were very impressive pictures, Dawn."

"Thank you. Julia plans to be a coordinator like me when she's old enough. She likes sports, too."

"Well, she and Alex certainly have a lot in common."

"That they do, and my mom watches them when Ash and I go out on dates. She loves being with them."

"Dawn and Julia were the first friends that we made after moving to Twinleaf Town. We met on the day that we moved in. From that first day, we've grown closer through all of the time we've spent together." Ash explained. "Alex and Julia became closer when Julia's leg was broken. Alex was over at Dawn's house almost every day, keeping Julia company, since she couldn't go outside and play."

"Each of them are never without the other. From helping each other with homework or playing together..." Dawn added. "I got to see Alex's championship hockey match and some of his other ones, which were the first hockey games that I'd ever seen. It was fun to watch him doing something that he loved."

A small silence passed.

"With a few small meetings and the kids constantly growing closer to one another, Dawn and I got to know one another, too." Ash explained.

"Dinners after a play date to cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner together. The Valentine's Day dance and smaller dates..." Dawn said, looking at Ash.

"And through it all, I was able to fall in love with her and she did the same." Ash said, looking at Dawn. "But through all of the happiness, there were some hard times...

"Dawn was poisoned and nearly died. That day was one of the worst days of my life. I thought that I was going to lose another person that I loved. I didn't think that I would be able to go on if Dawn died like Misty had. But Arceus listened to our cries and she lived, and I'm forever grateful for it." Ash said.

"Ash and I also had the privilege of going to a ball at Queen Salvia's palace, the Queen of Sinnoh. That was a wonderful night, probably the best date that we'd ever had. It was so magical and just...a night to remember." Dawn added.

"Then the happiness was broken yet again and we all paid a price. When Dawn and I broke up, we were too blind to see how our breakup had affected Alex and Julia. We were selfish and unable to see the wrong that we had done...well, the wrong that I had done." Ash explained.

"I was stupid and had kissed another man and that caused me to lose the man that I love for a while. I was so scared that I was going to lose him forever. I had also managed to hurt both Alex and Julia." Dawn said.

"I must say, you two have been through a lot." Delia said. She then looked at Ash, and he knew that she now wanted to know why he had told her to come here all the way from Kanto.

"I know that you're wondering why I asked you to come here, mom. Well, I'm going to tell you now." Ash said, looking at his mom.

He put his arm around Dawn. "Dawn and I recently went on our first date since we got back together. And while on the date...I proposed to her and she said yes. We're getting married, mom." Ash said.

They waited for Delia's reaction. Dawn was nervously holding her breath. A grin broke out on Delia's face and Dawn released the breath. Tears had sprung in her eyes.

"I'm so glad that my boy is happy and that you're happy too, Dawn. I always wanted Ash to have a second chance at love and it's happening." she said, walking over and hugging them both.

"Welcome to the family, Dawn. I'm so glad that you found happiness once more. You both have my blessing." Delia said and Dawn returned the hug, seeing that Delia approved of her.

Delia hugged Alex and then Julia. When Delia pulled away, Julia spoke, "I love you, grandma."

Delia smiled at those words. She only had one grandchild, Alex, and now she had gained another.

"I have one more surprise," said Ash. "I've picked a place to hold the wedding."

Ash walked to the phone and picked it up. After finding the number that he needed, he dialed it. He was trying to get a hold of Salvia. He knew that Salvia didn't take calls unless they were from someone important, but being the Pokemon Master, he had that privilege.

After saying who he was, Ash was asked to wait and Salvia appeared on the screen after a few minutes. She smiled, immediately recognizing him.

"Hello, Ash. How are you?" she greeted.

"I'm fine. How are you, Your Majesty?" he replied.

"I'm quite well, thank you. Is everything okay? Has something happened?" Salvia asked, concerned.

"I wanted to know if you remembered what you told Dawn and I on the day that we left your palace after the ball that we attended. You told us to let you know if we ever needed anything. Well...that time has come."

"Of course, I'll be happy to help in any way possible. What has happened?"

"Dawn and I are engaged. I was wondering if you would be able to let us have our wedding at your palace. Every bride wants to feel like a Princess on their wedding day, and what better way than a palace for a wedding?"

Salvia smiled widely. "Of course! You can use my palace to hold the wedding. Not only will I let you use the palace, I'll help with the planning and organizing for the wedding, cover a part of the cost, and preside over the ceremony."

"Thank you, Salvia. I want Dawn to have the wedding that she's always dreamed of, one that she'll remember forever. She deserves the very best." Ash said.

"Don't worry, Ash. I'll make sure that this wedding will be the most beautiful wedding possible."

Ash stood up as he finished, looking at the others, who were shocked at what he had just told them./p

Dawn was staring at Ash in complete shock. He had gotten a hold of Salvia and had asked her if they could have their wedding at her palace. A close friend would help her with her wedding. She was so happy that Salvia was going to help her.

"I can't believe that you did this for me, Ash." Dawn said, still in shock. Ash had done a lot of nice things for her, but this was incredible! Dawn stood up and held Ash as they shared a loving kiss. Dawn felt very happy, since Ash had done something so special.

"I'll finally get to meet Princess Sarah!" Julia cried excitedly. She had been looking forward to meeting Salvia's daughter and possibly gaining a new friend.

"This is going to be really fancy. I wonder what our friends will say?" Alex said softly.

Delia and Johanna just smiled at their children.

Looking up at the clock, everyone saw that it was almost supper time.

"I'll help with supper." Delia said, offering to help cook. "We can talk some more over our meal. I'm eager to learn more about everyone."

Alex, hearing that his grandma was going to be helping cook, smiled widely. He hadn't had her cooking in almost a year, so needless to say, he was excited to have it again.

"You'll love grandma's cooking." Alex said, looking at Julia. "It's delicious."

To Be Continue....