Evolved Episode 40: You're What?

The lobby of Mandelberg Hospital is decorated with modern art. Various paintings hang on the eight foot walls and a large sculpture sits in the center off to one is the reception desk. The gang are in one of the rows of seats against one wall. They wait patiently for Zach and Melissa who are inside the first room near the entrance of the hallway. Nerelia cuddles in Tom’s lap.
Tom lays his paw on her head and strokes her head. “You’re very cute.”
Nerelia smiles as she stares up at him. “You too, Handsome.” Nick grumbles.
Alex faces him. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I barely got any sleep last night because of them,” he says. “Ugh, I feel tired.”
Alex pats him on the back. “It’s okay. At least it’s over now.”
“I’ll be glad when we go back to searching for Ivan.” Nick lays back in his seat. Zach exits the room and sits with the gang.
Tom notices them. “So, what’s going on with Melissa?”
“The doctor’s running a test,” Zach replies. “He told me to wait out here.”
“What do you think it is?” Alex asks.
“I don’t know what it is. They’ll tell me when they get the results in.” Zach stands and presses buttons on his EVA unit. “I’ll be back. I’m going to call my mother and tell her what’s happening.” He stands by the vending machines near the hospital entrance. A holographic screen with Lily appears. “Hey, Ma.”
“Hi, son,” Lily answers. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing much,” he responds. “I’m just at the hospital with gang.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yeah,” Zach says. “Melissa’s not feeling well. The doctor’s running some tests. I just hope she’s-” He notices Melissa has appeared in front of him. “Oh, Melissa! I didn’t see you there.” She has a slight frown on her face. “What’s wrong, Darling?”
Melissa takes a deep breath. “Zach… I have some news…”
Zach looks at her with worry. “Well, go ahead. I’m ready.”
Melissa presses her paws together by her waist. “I… I’m…
“You’re what?” Zach asks.
Melissa sighs. “I’m pregnant!”
The Lucario’s eyes widen. “WHAT?!” His voice echoes through the hospital. The lobby becomes silent as all of the Pokémon direct their attention onto him. “I’m going to be a father?!”
Lily is still on the line. “Zach? What happened?! Are you okay?”
“I’m going to have to call you back, Ma.” He deactivates the call.  
Tom stares at the couple. “Whoa, I can’t believe it.”
Nick sits up in the chair. “I’m fully awake now.”

***

Zach sits on the couch next to Melissa. He covers his face with his paws and takes a deep breath in and out.
Alex sits in the chair adjacent to the couch. “You okay, Zach?”
“Yes,” Zach responds. “Just needed to realize what she said.”
Melissa sighs. “I’m sorry, Zach.”
Zach turns to her. “Sorry? For what?”
“I know you probably don’t want a child.”
“What?” Zach leans closer to her. “How can you say that? It would be great to have a child.”
“But,” Melissa continues. “When I told you at the hospital, you didn’t seem happy.”
“Of course I was happy, Melissa. I can’t wait to be a father. Is something wrong?”
Melissa stares down. “I just don’t know if I can be a parent.”
“Why not?”
She brings her paws closer to her face. “I’m not sure if I can handle it. I’ll probably end up losing my grip.”
Zach leans closer. “Don’t say that, Honey. You will be a great mother.” He locks his paw with hers. “Besides, I’ve seen you handle bad guys in battle. If you can do that, then you can manage to raise a child.” Melissa stares at her paws, which are intertwined with his. She moves her gaze to Zach’s eyes. “Melissa, we’ll be good parents. I know we will.” He manages a smile. Melissa smiles too and wraps her arms around him and hugs him. Tears stream from her eyes. “Just wait. We’ll be proud parents.”
Nick steps into the living room. “Uh, I’m sorry to interrupt you guys, but what are we going to do about Ivan?”
Zach pulls away from Melissa’s hug and faces him. “I’m not sure. Either way, we can’t start looking for him now.” He gets up and stands in front of everyone.
“What are we going to do until then?” Alex asks.
“I don’t know,” Zach responds. “But we can’t just sit around and do nothing while he’s still out there.” His EVA unit flashes. He answers it. “Team Young’s base. Zach the Lucario speaking.”
“Zach, it’s Mom,” Lily says. Her face appears on the holographic screen.
“Oh! Sorry, Mom. I forgot to call you back.”
“What happened?” She asks. “I heard yelling.”
“Everything’s fine,” he replies. “I just got excited from hearing some news.”
Lily clenches one eye. “What news?”
Zach sighs. “Melissa and I are going to have a baby.”
“She is?!” Lily smiles. “Well, congratulations to you both! Oh, I can’t wait to become a grandma. And if you need a babysitter, I’m always here.”
“Uh, yeah,” Zach continues. “Okay, Mom. I have a few matters to think about right now. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I love you, Zach,” Lily responds. “Bye.” She hangs up.
“Well,” Nick starts. “Lily seems happy about that.”
“She’s family-oriented,” Zach says. “Now, back to the discussion.”
“Even if we do find Ivan, what then?” Nerelia asks. “We can’t go out and fight him.”
“We’re not going to go after him,” Zach implies. “We’re playing recon for our friends.”
Melissa’s eyes widen. “Spot Ivan for everyone else? I thought you wanted to go after him.”
“I did,” Zach says. “But you’re pregnant. We can’t head out when you should be resting.”
“Zach, it’s fine.” Melissa lays back against the couch. “I can stay here while you guys search for Ivan.”
“No.” Zach sits back next to her and wraps his arm around her. “I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.”
“Why don’t you let us go on mission while you guide us from the base?” Nick suggests. “Do you really need to be with us all the time?”
Zach turns to him. “No, but you may be right.”
“Yeah,” Alex adds. “You can use the team room and walk us through any situations we come across.”
Zach stands. “All right. But first, we need to track Ivan down.”
Tom smiles. “Getting Ivan without Zach and Melissa? This will be interesting.”
Nerelia nudges his shoulder. “Um, make that Nick and Alex. Is it okay if you stay at the base with me, Tom?”
Tom raises an eyebrow. “You’re not coming? Why?” She leans closer to his ear and whispers something. Tom’s eyes widen. “Really?!” Nerelia nods. Tom jumps with glee. “Whoopie! I’m so happy!”
Nick stares at him. “What’s going on with you?”
“I’m going to be a daddy too!” Tom shouts.
Melissa gasps and turns to Nerelia. “You’re pregnant too?!”
Nerelia nods again. “Just took a pregnancy test.”
“Huh,” Zach says. “This will be hard with just Nick and Alex out in the field. I’d never thought I’d say this but, maybe we should assign another team to go after Ivan.”
Alex faces Zach. “Are you serious?! Another team?”
“It’s only temporary,” he responds. “Besides, you and Nick can go out with them.”
Nick smiles. “Yeah, Alex. It will just be you and me with another team.”
Alex gives a slight nod. “Okay, but who will we be paired with?”
Zach stands and activates his EVA unit. “I’ll look through my contacts and see who’s available.” He heads into the garage.
Melissa stands as well. “I feel tired. I’m going to take a nap.” She walks away and trots up the stairs.
Tom grasps Nerelia’s paw as she lays back against the loveseat. “Do you need anything, my Dear?”
“Can I please have some strawberry ice cream with bananas, topped with whipped cream and a cherry?”
“Sure.” Tom races into the kitchen.
Alex turns to Nick. “This is going to be a long nine months.”
Nick nods. “You said it.”