Chapter 3 homecoming

After a week in the hospital, Delia took pick Ash and May home to Pallet town so he could recover, after spending most of the week with them. Ash and May were sitting in the backseat while his mother drove. Both were exhausted from the past week so they fell asleep with their heads leaning on each other. Delia smiled at the two as they slept. When they reached Ash's house, Delia stopped the car and turned it off. Seeing how exhausted the two were, she didn't have the heart to wake them up. So she unbuckled Ash's seatbelt first and carried him to his room. She placed him in bed, covered him in a blanket, and kissed his forehead.

"Sleep well Ashy…" she said and went back to the car to get his wheelchair, crutches and medication. Then she went back for May, placed her on the living room couch, and covered her with her own blanket. She would place her in the guest room but she didn't want her to get frightened if she wakes up alone in an unfamiliar place. If she wakes up in their living room when she's there, it might scare her less. Once the kids were in bed, Delia went to work. She began to cook a nice dinner for the three of them and made a desert she knew they both loved strawberry Jell-O.

By the time, the potatoes were ready, it was dusk, and May was just coming to. She groaned slightly and as opened her eyes.

"Where am I?" she asked as she looked around, trying to identify her surroundings.

"Hey, May. How do you feel?" asked Delia as she appeared from the kitchen.

"I'm feeling a little better, thank you. How did I get in here?" she asked as she sat up to face her.

"I carried you and Ash inside when we arrived. You two were completely exhausted so I didn't have the heart to wake you up."

May smiled at her.

"Thank you Ms. Ketchum, that was very thoughtful of you."

"Think nothing of it May. Glad you're feeling better, but please, call me Delia." She smiled. Then May remembered something.

"Where's Ash?"

"He's asleep in his room. The painkillers the doctors gave him before we left the hospital really knocked him out. Would you be kind enough to check on him for me?"

"Sure thing Delia." She said and walked up to his room. She knocked softly but heard no answer. She quietly walked in and found Ash sleeping soundly in bed. She smiled sweetly at the sight. She sat down on the side of his bed and watched him sleep. At some point, she wanted to wake him up, see how he feels and spend some time with him. But she felt like he could use the rest, at least until dinner is ready. So she got up, left the room and closed the door behind her. When she came downstairs, Delia asked her.

"How is he?"

"Sleeping like a baby." she reassured.

"Good. That means he's not in pain. Why don't you sit down and relax May? I'll let you know when dinner is ready."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"You can wake up Ash and help him down when things are ready. Okay?"

"Sounds good." Said May and sat down on the couch. She found herself fixated on a picture on the wall of Ash and his mother. She smiled at it and continued to stare at it as her mind went blank. Only after a few calls did she hear Delia call her name.

"May, could you please wake up Ash for me and tell him Dinner's ready?"

"Of course." She said and walked up the stairs towards his room. When she was there, she sat down by his bed again, caressed his cheek slightly as he slowly woke up, and smiled at her.

"That's new." He teased and she giggled.

"What? You think fourteen is too young an age to flirt with my boyfriend?" she asked.

"No, I just think it's nice." He said and she chuckled.

"Come on lover boy. Your Mom says dinner is ready." She said and helped him sit up.

"Sounds good to me…," he said as she grabbed his crutches and helped him into them and they walked out towards the hallway. When they reached the stairs, May looped the crutches in her one arm and helped Ash down the stairs with the other, since his leg was in a cast. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Ash's mother greeted them and she gave him a big smooch on the forehead.

"How're you feeling sweetie?" she asked him.

"Better. Thanks Mom."

"Glad to hear it. Come on and sit down. I made your favorite dishes. You too May." She said as the family sat down to eat their dinner. While eating Ash tensed up slightly.

"Hey Mom, while we're here I'd like to ask for a favor…" he began.

"Of course dear."

"What it be alright, if May stays with us while I recover? I enjoy her company and I would like to continue travelling with her once I get better. Besides I don't want her to go back to Hoenn on her own after what happened…"

"Certainly Ash. You can stay with us just as long as you want May." She said and May smiled with a slight blush on her face.

"Thanks Delia, that's very kind of you." She said and then turned to whisper something in his ear.

"How did you know I was worried about that?" she asked.

"What? Don't you think I know my own girlfriend?" he said with a smirk as they exchanged a kiss, but forgot they were in front of Delia. When they realized that, they pulled back and blushed. They turned to look at her to find her smiling.

"You made the right choice, you two." She said, her smile growing. Soon the whole house was filled with sounds of joy and laughter…

To be continued…

So I'm sorry about the long update. I didn't realize how long it's been since the last one so I'll try to stay on top of things with this one.

And yes, Ash and May are fourteen. I know I didn't mention their ages till now, but I figured it would be more natural if they were teenagers

Anyway, Ash is feeling better and is on the road to recovery. Plus, Delia now knows their little secret. What will become of their relationship and will Ash make a full recovery? Stay tuned to find out…

Reviews are most welcome…

Peace out…