***Author's Note***

Helloooo lovely readers and welcome to the sequel of Misty the Matchmaker. I am going to do my best to write this as a stand-alone story (meaning reading the first part is not necessary though appreciated!!!). There will definitely be references of course but aside from that, completely new situations but same lovable and old school Pokemon characters.

So if you are a new reader, then I hope you stick around. If you're here because of MTM, then I gladly look forward to your comments once again! ^_^

Without further adieu, let's get to our story!

Main Summary: Ash and Misty are finally getting married! But planning for the wedding isn't as easy as it seems when obstacles in the form of questionable young women come in the way of holy matrimony. Who are they and why do they all keep going after Ash when he's clearly taken? And why does he not seem to mind at all?

Dedication: To everyone who read and reviewed Misty the Matchmaker, thereby encouraging me to continue to this sequel.

Disclaimer: I only own Serena and any last names I've made up for characters.

"I Do" or "I Don't"?

Chapter 1: The Beginning of A Million Things

Hideous. Gaudy. Atrocious. Repulsive.

Those were the thoughts going through twenty-seven year old Misty Waterflower's mind as her fiancé gleefully pointed to particularly tasteless wedding décor. True, Misty wanted Ash Ketchum's participation in their wedding to be more than just showing up on the wedding day. She wanted his involvement in all the planning but now, as the twenty-eight year old man picked up a colorful tablecloth bordered with pink flamingos, she thought perhaps she should have just left him back on the couch at her apartment where she had found him sleeping after her Friday morning run even though he had promised to be up and ready by nine.

One hand held the tablecloth with the happiness of a child presenting breakfast to their mother on Mother's Day and in the other hand he held a multi-colored lei.

"Luau wedding! No one's ever had one!"

"And no one ever will," Misty responded, snatching the horrible things away and slapping them back on the shelves.

"Aw c'mon Mist! I can't believe you never told me there were themed weddings," Ash said moving on to tiki stands and waving them in her face.

Misty rolled her eyes. "There's a very good reason for that."

They continued through the aisles at the wedding shop. Misty had visited the Cerulean shop before when her friends Melody Singer and Duplica Anderson, now Melody Kirk and Duplica Snap, were getting married. But then she hadn't paid much attention to detail as she was now since her own wedding was just seven months down the road.

Even though they had gotten engaged two months ago at Melody and Ritchie's wedding, but only recently found a September opening at the banquet hall Misty wanted to get married in, she had yet to hire a wedding coordinator. But it was fine since Misty preferred doing a lot of things on her own anyway. Such as she was now. Except her wayward fiancé wasn't being much help, she thought wryly, watching Ash disappear around the corner and down another aisle.

Misty just sighed and let him adventure. She wondered how the man had actually managed to keep his job as Junior Vice President of the ever-expanding Oak Tech Operations with his childish demeanor these past years. Alas, she still loved him, though on days like this, she often had to remind herself of his positive traits.

Ooh pretty, Misty thought as she reached up to take a closer look at a glass centerpiece when something poked her in the side. "Hey!"

"Look at this Mist! Lightsabers! We could make the guys each carry one and they could dress up like Jedi! And I could dress up as Hans Solo and you can dress up as –"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence Ketchum," Misty said as she grabbed the glowing blue sword from his hands and pointed it to his face threateningly.

Ash rolled his eyes. "Sheesh. Suck all the fun out of the wedding why don't ya." He snatched the lightsaber back. "Man this is so boring. When do we get to do the fun stuff?"

"Like what?" Misty asked, returning to the centerpiece. She turned the swan shaped flower holder in her hand then put it back on the shelf, deciding against it.

Ash followed Misty as she ventured further into the store. "Well, like cake tasting. Todd and Ritchie both told me that's the best part."

"Typical men."

"The cake is important!" Ash declared. "Oh hey what about –"

"No."

"You didn't even look at it. This centerpiece is so cool! It's a dancing bear. For a circus theme."

"Sometimes I wonder if you're really twenty-eight."

"And sometimes I wonder if you're not really eighty-eight."

"Well then," Misty said turning on her heels to eye her fiancé coyly. "I think I look pretty good for an eighty-eight year old, don't you?" She struck a pose and twirled a lock of her red hair, the rows of glass vases reflecting the lights above as her backdrop.

Ash smirked and drew closer. "Oh. I'd definitely say so."

"Really?"

"Mmhmm." Ash reached his arms out to grab Misty by the waist.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Mmhmm," Ash murmured pulling the woman towards him and looking down at her. He bent his head towards hers.

"Great! Then we'll go with these centerpieces!" Misty exclaimed cheerily, shoving Ash away and plucking a tall thick-walled cylindrical vase from the shelf behind her. As Ash collected himself and glowered at Misty, she hummed happily to herself. "Oh these'll look great with the flowers I want. We'll need at least fifty and we'll need the store clerk to put in an order."

As Misty began to walk towards the front of the store, she realized Ash wasn't following. She glanced back. He was staring after her with an expression like that of a puppy whose favorite toy had just been taken away. She grinned. She knew it was mean of her to leave him hanging but really, this stuff needed to be done.

"You get through this day with me and I'll cook you dinner tonight."

Ash looked up hopefully. "Steak with mashed potatoes and that gravy I love?"

"Plus my homemade apple pie."

"Throw in your shrimp pasta and we've got a deal."

Misty laughed and grabbed Ash's hand, dragging him away to find a clerk as she said, "Deal. Now c'mon you bottomless pit. We've got a lot to do."

"Eh? What more do we need to do besides centerpieces?" Ash asked as he allowed Misty to pull him towards the front.

"Ash! Did you not pay attention to anything I said last night?"

"Er…I know we're supposed to go cake tasting at some point?"

"That's the only thing you heard? And that's not even till much later!"

"So what's today?"

Misty sighed. "Just follow my lead and do what I say."

"Oh I also remember that we have to finalize the menu!"

"Yes. Along with the invitations, our outfits, the décor, and about a million other things!"

"Isn't that what a wedding coordinator's for?"

"I'm surprised you know that they exist."

Ash shrugged. "Serena made me watch all these wedding movies. One of them was The Wedding Planner."

"I'll have to talk to her about that one."

"Why? I thought it was a pretty good movie."

"The groom goes off with the wedding planner."

"So? Who wouldn't want to run off with ?"

Misty just shook her head in exasperation. "And this is supposed to encourage me to hire a planner?"

"Better than doing everything yourself."

"And even better than that is to actually have a groom on your wedding day."

"Touché."

~*~

Professor Samuel Oak was a patient and kind-hearted man. He lived for the world of science, wanting to know the whys and hows of every little thing so that he could utilize the information for the good of mankind. He had even expanded his wealth of knowledge by building his company from scratch to what it was now, Oak Tech Operations, a world-renowned and well-established cooperation. Pallet Town was on the map because of O.T.O. He had branches in several cities, each working on various projects for the betterment of humanity and advancement of the sciences and health care.

As the CEO and Founder, Professor Oak had high hopes that Oak Tech would be continued by his own family. Sadly, his only son and daughter-in-law had passed away many years ago, but they had left the professor a most treasured gift: a bright and eager grandson.

Professor Oak had dotted upon his grandson, caring for him like his own, giving him the world, and becoming extremely proud when he showed ambition and diligence for wanting to take over the company. Not only that, but he had managed to wrangle his best friend into helping and despite their antics, the two boys together made a formidable team to be reckoned with, coming up with new ideas and always wanting to be put to the challenge.

Unfortunately, Professor Oak realized that he had perhaps spoiled his grandson a little too much and taught him so much about the sciences and business that he forgot to teach him about some other things. Such as commitment. To women.

The elderly professor sighed as he eyed twenty-nine year old Gary Oak who sat in the CEO's office couch watching a basketball game and munching on an apple. Over the past several years, the old man had yet to meet a single girl who had come into his grandson's life who might be a suitable life-partner. He knew Gary dated. Oh yes he knew that very well from the tabloids his secretary was always reading. But that only meant Gary was no closer to settling down now than he was ten years ago.

Professor Oak could see his dream of the Oak lineage and cute great-grandchildren to play with dwindling away before his very eyes and decided that it was finally time to take action. Better late than never.

"Ahem."

Gary cocked his head but didn't turn his eyes away from the television set. "Yeah Gramps?"

Professor Oak pressed a button under his desk and the TV shut off.

"Gramps! That was the last-quarter!"

"And you're in your last-quarter Gary."

"Huh?"

Professor Oak sighed and rubbed his temple. He motioned Gary to come sit across from him.

"Gary. You are the heir to Oak Tech."

"I know."

"And as much as I love being CEO, I am old and want to retire."

Gary finished his apple and threw the core into the wastebasket. "I know. I thought that's why we decided you were going to pass the torch to me officially on my thirtieth birthday this December."

"That was the plan."

"Was?" Gary now straightened in his seat and gave his grandfather a curious look.

The professor nodded solemnly. "I've made a decision. You must be engaged before your thirtieth birthday otherwise you will never inherit the company."

Gary stared. "Have you been taking those painkillers for your knee again Grandpa? You know they make your mind go all weird sometimes."

"I am not under the influence of drugs Gary! Listen to me you playboy grandson of mine!" Professor Oak said in exasperation looking across the desk at the younger man. "I've managed to overlook your player antics thus far but you have almost lived three decades. Thirty years! And not even a stable girlfriend! What will happen to the future of Oak Tech? I must have assurance that our lineage will be carried on. All your friends are getting married and settling down but you are still fooling around with tramps and floozies."

"Hey now Gramps. They're not all tramps. Just the other day I went out with a banker."

Professor Oak scowled. "You are missing the point son."

Gary sighed and slumped back in his seat. "I get it Gramps, I get it. You want me to find a wife and make you a great-grandkid."

"You needn't make it sound like a death-sentence."

"I'm not a one-woman man. You might as well kiss Oak Tech's lineage goodbye."

"You really want to give up your inheritance like that? After all these years of studying, working, and getting to where you are now? Gone because you can't wrap your mind around the simple idea of marriage and family like all normal people?"

Gary was silent, contemplating as he looked down at his hands.

"My dear Gary, you will see that I'm doing this for your own good. I want to see you happy with someone. Ever since Iv –"

Gary quickly stood up and slammed a hand on the tabletop. "I said I understand Grandfather. Fiancée before December or no company. Sure."

Professor Oak didn't even flinch, only gave his grandson a sad smile. "And Gary? It must be someone you plan to spend the rest of your life with. Not someone to marry for the sake of getting the CEO position and then divorce. I want you to find someone to love and someone to love you."

"Right."

"Remember, I'm doing this because I love you but I won't be around for that much longer."

"Your love sure drives a hard bargain Gramps."

Professor Oak watched as Gary left the spacious office then let out a heavy sigh. He knew that approaching Gary about this would be the easy part. His grandson, no matter how cocky, arrogant, and flirtatious he may be, had never been disobedient. In fact, the professor couldn't ask for a more obedient grandson aside from the random little messes he used to get into as a child. The two were all each other had in terms of family and the way the professor would do anything for Gary, he knew that Gary would do anything for him.

Including finding a woman to marry. In reality, it wasn't just so the Oak line would continue. Professor Oak also wanted Gary find true happiness and love. But judging from Gary's lack of enthusiasm, that would be the difficult task in all this.

Someone please help my boy, Professor Oak thought looking up to the ceiling.

~*~

Twenty-six year old Duplica Snap paced. She wasn't typically a pacer. She was typically the type to remain calm and take things in a positive, light-hearted manner.

But now, she was anxious. Nervous.

She didn't need to be. No. There was absolutely no reason for her to retrace her steps back and forth, back and forth on her new, soft living room carpet behind the sofa, twisting her hands into the hem of her shirt.

But she was. And only paused every once in a while to cast a quick glance up to the clock that sat on the mantle of the electric fireplace. It seemed as though the minute hand mocked her, moving at the speed of a sloth and refusing to let time go by faster. Although, Duplica wasn't entirely sure she wanted time to move any faster.

Slow. Yes, slow was good.

She heard a car engine zooming closer, then slowing down as it neared until it finally stopped outside in the driveway. A door slammed shut and moments later, the front door opened.

Her thirty-year old husband walked into the living room and dropped his coat and camera bag on a chair before enveloping his wife in his arms. "Hey honey!"

"Hi Todd," she said, her voice muffled against his chest. She drew back.

"Are you feeling better? Your girls missed you today," Todd replied, referring to Duplica's modeling students.

Duplica shrugged. "Yeah. Well, I'm feeling as well as can be expected."

Todd eyed his wife. "Meaning? Is everything okay?"

Duplica placed her hands behind her back and looked up. "Well Todd. If you don't mind babies, then yes, everything is okay."

"Oh are you planning to open up a second job like a babysitting service?"

The woman stared blankly at her husband. Sometimes, she wondered how his mind worked.

"I'm fine with whatever you do just so long as your charges don't get into my dark room," Todd continued as he went back to pick up his coat. He stepped into the small foyer area and opened the coat closet to hang up his garment.

As he worked a hanger into the sleeves, Duplica narrowed her eyes. She had been worried about how to deliver the news and sure, she knew her husband usually responded better to direct approaches, but hadn't she been clear enough? And for what she was trying to tell him to not even register after he knew she had been to the doctor and just said the word 'babies'!?

The worry and anxiety now gone and replaced with indignation and anger, Duplica stomped over to her husband.

"No you idiot! I am not opening up a babysitting service for other people! I am opening one for myself because we're having a baby!"

Todd froze, one hand clutching the hanger, the other holding up a coat sleeve. He slowly turned. "Wha?"

Duplica heaved a sigh. "Yes. I'm pregnant. You're going to be a father."

Todd's eyes rolled to the back of his head.

THUD.

***Author's Note***

Well? What did you all think? I know it's a little slow but I promise, I have lots planned for our precious characters. Most of you probably have figured out that I like to build up the story layer by layer. Muahaha. Anyways, this is my first time writing a sequel of any kind, especially set so many years later than the first part, so I am taking this not only as a way to entertain readers, but also to practice my plotting and story outlining/organizing.

Please, please, please REVIEW!!! For those of you who are new, just so you know, I respond to each and every review in the next chapter so any questions you have I will try to answer. I appreciate any constructive criticism given politely as well as general comments.

I look forward to your feedback! :)

Take care,

Angelicfairy aka *Maura*

Preview of Chapter 2:

"You think bribing me will get you out of trouble for interrupting?"

"Aw but Ms. Seer! It's your favorite!" Amber called out.

"Yes it is Ms. Seer. You can't tell me you don't want this after a long, hard day of work," Gary taunted, slowly waving the cup before her eyes.

She could smell the cinnamon mixed with the aroma of vanilla wafting to her nostrils. Mmm…caffeine disguised in the form of fat and sugar.