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Leading up to Christmas, having a new baby in the house was both rewarding and exhausting. Ash and Gladion had learnt that Sakura was a bubbly baby who loved to be held and touch things with her hands. She adored the Pokémon and the Pokémon adored her but when the first night rolled around, Ash and Gladion had learnt how severe Sakura's neglect had been.
She was afraid to be alone in the dark and she struggled to stay asleep for thanQs a couple of hours, often waking up crying and screaming. Maria, her caseworker, had explained to Ash and Gladion that because she was left alone for long periods by her mother and now that she was living in a new environment, she would struggle to settle for a while.
So, Ash and Gladion tried everything they could think of to help Sakura feel comfortable and secure. Even Mimikyu had taken to staying in Sakura’s room in an attempt to provide some comfort to the baby by watching over her. But by the time the twenty-third of December had rolled around, Sakura still hadn't settled and Ash and Gladion were exhausted.
Gladion sighed as he walked out of her room for the fourth time that night, carrying an empty bottle in his hand.
"Is she okay?" Ash asked, holding out a cup filled with hot tea.
"The Moomoo milk calmed her down and she went back to sleep," Gladion said in a flat voice as he put the empty bottle on the sink. "I don't want any tea."
Ash nodded, throwing the tea down the drain before putting the cup in the sink. "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay," Gladion snapped.
Ash looked at him, eyebrows raised. Gladion sighed, his eyes filling with tears.
"I'm sorry, Ash," he said, rubbing his eyes. "I'm not angry. I'm just frustrated. I hate hearing her cry like that. Lillie used to cry like that after she was attacked by Nihilego. Saki sounds so scared. I know she has to learn to sleep by herself but I just want to go in there and sleep beside her so she knows we're not going anywhere."
"I know, me too," Ash sighed, pulling Gladion into a hug. "But she's still getting used to this. This is new for all of us but it's going to be okay. We just have to keep trying, okay?"
Gladion nodded before resting his forehead against Ash's. "I love you.”
"I love you too," Ash smiled, tilting his head back to kiss Gladion’s forehead, only to be interrupted by a familiar wail.
The two of them sighed sadly.
"My turn," Ash offered, releasing Gladion. "I'll try the lullaby again. That always seems to do the trick."
Gladion nodded, watching as Ash walked into Sakura's room.
"Hey, baby girl," he heard Ash say. "Are you feeling scared? It's okay to be scared. But Daddy and I promise you're safe, baby girl. It’s okay, you’re okay. I’ve got you, Papa’s got you. Shh. Close your tired eyes….”
Gladion smiled at the sound of Ash’s soothing vocals before going to the couch and lying down, closing his eyes.
"Pika?"
Gladion opened his eyes and turned his head to the side. Pikachu, who slept with Umbreon and Mimikyu in a large basket by the fireplace, was awake and sitting up, looking tired and worried.
He sighed. "You worried about her too?"
“Pika,” the sleepy electric mouse nodded.
"Yeah, me too," he sighed. “Go back to sleep, Pikachu.”
“Pi,” Pikachu yawned before settling over Umbreon’s back.
Sighing, Gladion grabbed a couch cushion before tucking it behind his head. His eyes itched from tiredness but his mind was racing with thoughts of Sakura. What in the world had her mother done to her to make her terrified of sleeping alone? Suddenly, he heard his phone buzz. Blinking, he blindly reached behind him to feel around before picking it up from the side table, flickering out the charger with a pinch. Squinting at the caller ID, he smiled when he saw the name before pressing the answering button and holding it to his ear.
"Hey sis," he answered softly.
"Hi, big brother," Lillie's voice came through the receiving end. "I’m sorry, did I wake you? I know it’s late."
"No, we're awake," Gladion told her calmly. "Why are you awake?"
"My turn to feed Basil," Lillie answered. "Wait, we? Oh no, has Sakura still not settled in yet?"
"It's not that she's not settling. She loves it here, loves the Pokémon. She's just scared of being alone at night. I think she's afraid that if she opens her eyes, we won't be there."
“Aw, poor thing.”
"Who's that?" Ash asked as he walked out of Sakura's room.
"Lillie," Gladion answered, shuffling over to make room for Ash.
Ash nodded as he curled up beside Gladion, lying his head on his chest.
"Hi Lillie," he yawned, closing his eyes.
"Hi Ash," Lillie said back. "Anyway, back to Sakura, have you tried talking to her? Mallow and I talk to Basil all the time. We're not too sure if he understands what we're saying but he seems to appreciate our voices."
"All the time," Gladion answered. "We talk, we sing; even the Pokémon talk to her. She’s just not sleeping through the night. I wish there was something we could do to help her feel more secure."
"Well, why don't we meet up tomorrow?" Lillie suggested. "Mallow and I want to meet up before we go to Mother and Father for Christmas. It would be great to see you two and officially meet Sakura, especially since Mother is probably going to hog her on Christmas Day."
Gladion hummed thoughtfully before tapping Ash's nose.
"I'm awake," he grumbled.
"What time do we pick up Delia from the airport?" Gladion asked.
"Um, two o'clock," he answered before falling asleep again.
"How about we meet at eleven at the markets?" Gladion suggested.
"Perfect," Lillie yawned. "Night brother."
"Night sis," Gladion yawns, hanging up before closing his eyes, hoping to get a couple of hours of sleep before Sakura woke up crying again.
****
The next morning, Ash and Gladion walked through Melemele Markets, pushing Sakura in a bassinet stroller. Pikachu was on Ash's shoulder, Mimikyu was sitting by Sakura’s feet and Umbreon was walking in between Ash and Gladion. As they walked, they smiled as Sakura excitedly babbled, gesturing with her arms and head at the decorations.
"You like the decorations, baby girl?" Ash smiled, reaching down to tickle her tummy. "When you're old enough, Daddy and I will take you to the different regions. You can meet my friends, lots of Pokémon and see how the different regions celebrate Christmas."
"If my mother lets us off the island," Gladion joked. "Your grandmothers and grandfather are going to spoil you rotten."
Sakura gave them a blank look before deciding that her feet were the most interesting thing in the world. Ash and Gladion chuckled as she waved her legs around.
"Funny flower," Gladion smiled. "You know, this will be our first Christmas with Saki."
"Good thing mum's coming tonight," Ash smiled. "She's so excited to meet you, baby girl."
"She's not the only one," a voice behind them called.
Ash and Gladion turned to see Lillie, Mallow carrying Basil, Tsareena and Snowy walking towards them.
"Alola!" they cried happily.
"Alola!" Ash and Gladion smiled as Mimikyu jumped to Gladion's shoulder.
After hugging the two, Lillie stepped back and examined them. "Oh wow, you both look exhausted.”
"Saki woke up a couple of more times last night," Ash admitted, turning around to pick up Sakura. "But she did manage to sleep for four hours at one point so that's good."
Lillie nodded, eagerly holding out her arms to take Sakura while Mallow gave Basil to Gladion.
"Hey Baz," Gladion smiled as Basil curled up into his arms.
Meanwhile, Sakura was in Lillie’s arms, looking at the new people and Pokémon with a bewildered look on her face.
"Hi Sakura," Lillie smiled. "I’m Aunty Lillie and this is Aunty Mallow. This is Tsareena and Snowy. And that's your cousin Basil over there."
"Hello," Mallow smiled, touching the baby’s tiny cheek with two fingers.
Sakura's eyes blinked, curiously touching Lillie's face before reaching out to touch Mallow. Lillie smiled, moving closer to Mallow so Sakura could touch her face too. She patted Mallow’s cheek a few times before beaming.
"She's very touchy, isn't she?" Mallow smiled as Sakura looked at Snowy and Tsareena before reaching for them.
"She loves to touch," Gladion smiled, handing Basil to Ash, who happily bounced the baby boy. "Loves touching the Pokémon too."
Lillie nodded, crouching so Sakura could touch Snowy and Tsareena too.
"So does Basil," Mallow smiled, taking Basil back. "He's been doing tummy time with Snowy lately. It's so cute."
"Sakura does as well," Ash smiled. "I swear she's having a competition with our Lycanroc with who can roll over first."
Lillie and Mallow laughed.
"Bring them over sometime. It sounds too adorable to miss," Lillie smiled, standing. "Anyway, we're here to help you find something to help Sakura sleep through the night."
"Help her sleep?" Ash asked as Gladion took Sakura before putting her back in her stroller. "What do you mean?"
"Well, when Basil was learning to sleep by himself, we learnt that we can use his senses to soothe his anxiety when he can't see us,” Mallow explained, putting Basil in with Sakura.
"What do you mean?" Gladion asked.
"Well, at the moment, it seems to soothe Sakura when she sees and touches you," Lillie explained. "I've also read in a book that a baby's sense of smell is very strong and that certainly seems to be the case with Basil. So, he sleeps with my old Clefairy doll. It soothes him to have something to hold."
"And the fact that it smells like Lillie helps too," Mallow smiled. "We also sewed one of my old aprons onto his swaddle blanket so he could smell me too. So, if we get Sakura something to hold and you two wash it so it smells familiar, it might calm her down and help her sleep through the night."
Ash and Gladion looked at each other and shrugged.
"If it helps her stop screaming, I'm all for it," Gladion said.
Ash nodded before looking down at the babies. "What do you say Saki? Want to find something to cuddle with?"
Sakura babbled with Basil joining in, much to everyone's delight.
***
As it turned out, finding a cuddly toy for a baby to sleep with so close to Christmas day in Alola was a little more difficult than Ash and Gladion thought. Most of the toys came with noises and most of the plush toys were out of stock due to people purchasing them for Christmas earlier in the month. It was also incredibly loud and busy, which was rather overwhelming for an infant, especially a tired one. The adults sighed as Sakura and Basil started crying and fussing, frustrated by the noise and stimulation.
"I think we should take Basil home," Mallow said, taking Basil out of the stroller and holding him close. “Shh, it’s okay, sweetie. Māmā’s got you.”
"Yeah, and we need to get to the airport," Ash nodded, quickly checking his phone. "We'll see you both tomorrow at the mansion."
Mallow and Lillie nodded, giving Ash and Gladion a kiss on the cheek before walking away, Tsareena and Snowy following close behind. The two of them waved before quickly making their way to the car rental place, Gladion cuddling Sakura while cooing to her as they went to calm her. Once they reached the rental office, Ash went to get the car they were hiring while Gladion fed Sakura while he and the Pokémon waited. After a few minutes, Ash drove up in a land cruiser, equipped with a baby seat. He got out and opened the back for the Pokémon to climb in before starting to fold up the stroller while Gladion put Sakura in the baby seat.
"She’s just finished eating so hopefully she'll sleep during the ride," Gladion said, strapping the exhausted infant in.
"Will she need changing first or do you think we can wait until we reach the airport?" Ash asked, putting the stroller in the boot.
"I think we can make it to the airport," Gladion said, grabbing the baby bag before going to the passenger side, closing the doors as he went.
Ash nodded, closing the boot before getting into the driver's seat.
"Okay baby girl," Ash smiled as he started the car. "Time to meet Sobo and Mimey."
"Sobo?" Gladion asked.
"Kantonese for grandmother," Ash explained. "Figured it'll be less confusing when she learns to talk."
Gladion hummed. "That's a good idea.”
****
"Alola, boys!" Delia called happily as she and Mr Mime walked towards them. "Alola Pikachu, Umbre and Mimi!"
"Alola Mum and Mimey!" Ash beamed, hugging his mother while Pikachu, Umbreon and Mimikyu hugged Delia's legs before talking happily to Mr Mime.
"Alola Delia," Gladion smiled, holding Sakura in his arms. "Sakura, this is Delia. She's your grandmother and Papa's mother. You'll meet my mother and father tomorrow."
Delia quickly kissed Gladion’s cheek before smiling fondly at the tiny baby, who was studying her with big eyes.”
"Alola Sakura," Delia smiled. "It's lovely to finally meet you. May I?”
Gladion nodded before carefully handing Sakura to Delia. Sakura gazed at Delia thoughtfully before patting the woman’s cheek with a big smile. Delia smiled before turning to look at Mr Mime.
“Mimey, can you say hello?”
"Mime, mime," Mr Mime smiled, gently poking Sakura's tummy, causing her to giggle.
Ash and Gladion smiled. They loved Sakura’s giggles.
"She's beautiful," Delia smiled, gently touching the baby’s cheek. "But these dark spots under her eyes and both of you too. She hasn't settled?"
"She's afraid of being by herself," Gladion explained as he and Ash took Delia's bags so she could continue holding Sakura. "She wakes up crying quite a few times during the night."
"We tried to find her a toy today so she wouldn't be as scared anymore, but no luck,” Ash sighed.
"Oh dear," Delia said sympathetically. "Are you afraid to be alone, sweetheart? I know it's scary to be alone when you're little. Your papa was the same."
Ash blushed while Gladion smiled, gently nudging Ash's shoulder with his own.
"So, you couldn't find a toy for her?" Delia said with interest. "Good thing I came today. Once we get back to your place, I'll show you."
***
After getting back to their house, helping Delia and Mr Mime settle in the spare room and placing Sakura on the ground so she could play with the Pokémon, Delia opened her bag and pulled out a large quilt.
"I was going to wait until tomorrow to give this to you both," she said as she handed the quilt to Ash. "But judging how tired you both look, I think it would be better to give this to you early."
Ash carefully unfolded the quilt to reveal it to be covered in different paw prints from different Pokémon.
"Oh mum, it's beautiful," Ash smiled. "Are these our Pokémon's prints?"
"Professor Oak helped me," Delia smiled. "I've been working on this since you told me you two were planning to foster and adopt."
"Thank you, Mum," Ash smiled.
"Thank you, Delia," Gladion smiled gratefully.
"You're very welcome," Delia smiled. "Now, I need you two to do me a favour. Well, two favours."
"What is it?" Ash asked.
"First, I need you two to get me some old shirts from the both of you," Delia said. "Ones you wouldn't mind getting cut up."
Gladion nodded before disappearing into his and Ash's bedroom. After a few minutes, he walked out again, holding a red shirt and a blue shirt.
"Will these do?" he asked.
"Perfect," Delia smiled, taking the shirts. "Now, I want you two to take that quilt and go have a nap. I'll wake you both up when you've slept for a couple of hours. Give me some time to bind with my granddaughter.”
"But Delia, you're our guest," Gladion objected.
"And we still have to make dinner and get Sakura ready for bed," Ash added.
"I'll look after dinner," Delia offered. "I've been sitting still for way too many hours so I want to feel productive. And you two look absolutely exhausted. So, you two go have a nap and I'll wake you up for dinner. Don't worry about Sakura or the Pokémon. I have Mimey, Pikachu, Umbre and Mimi helping me. Now go!"
"Yes mum," Ash said, picking up the quilt.
He knew from experience not to argue with his mother.
"But promise you'll wake us up if things get too difficult," Gladion said as Ash pulled him into the bedroom.
"I'll be fine," Delia smiled. "You never lose the parental instinct. Sleep well boys."
****
When Ash and Gladion woke up, they were surprised at how quiet it was.
"What time is it?" Gladion asked. Ash looked across at the clock beside him.
"Eight."
"Wow, shouldn't Saki be crying about now?" Gladion asked.
Suddenly, there was a knock.
"Boys, are you awake?" Delia called. "Dinner's ready."
"We're awake, mum," Ash called as he and Gladion got up and walked towards the door.
They opened it to reveal a smiling Delia.
"You two must have been very tired," she said. "I swore when I checked on you after five minutes, you two were out like lights."
"Where's Saki?" Gladion asked.
"Come with me," Delia smiled.
She led Ash and Gladion to Sakura's room. Slowly opening the door, Ash and Gladion peered inside to see a stereo playing soft piano music near Sakura's cot and Sakura holding what looked like the leg of a Lucario teddy in her little hand.
"How did you...?" Ash asked, completely speechless over the fact that Sakura was sleeping deeply and peacefully.
"I made that Lucario toy for Saki for Christmas," Delia smiled as she closed the door. "While you were sleeping, I cut up your shirts and sewed them into the toy. After singing her Ash's lullaby, I put on music from the Nutcracker on the stereo. She's been asleep for four hours now."
"Thank you, Delia," Gladion smiled, leaning against Ash in relief. "But why the Nutcracker?"
"It is Christmas," Delia winked. "And the Nutcracker is about Christmas."
Ash and Gladion looked at each other and smiled.
"Thanks, Mum," Ash said. "We're so grateful."
"I made you both soup and bread," Delia smiled. "Go eat and then go back to bed. Santa won't come if you're both awake."
Ash and Gladion chuckled as they went to eat.
"Your mother is amazing," Gladion smiled.
"You have no idea," Ash grinned.