Triangle Love ( Palletshipping vs Comashipping! 🤍🤎 )

Chapter 30 - Valentine's Day

~ 3rd Person POV ~
"if we're interrupting then we can come back later" Stephanie said about to retrieve as Gary shook his head
"no need, we were just talking, right Ash?" Gary said turning to Ash who awkwardly nodded

"anyways come here pumpkin" Gary grinned kneeling and extending his arms to Ashley who giggled and ran to her dad hugging him tightly
"how's your knee?" Gary said with a smile
"better" Ashley smiled lifting her shorts a little to show him her unicorn bandaid
"Mr. Ketchum helped me and he cured me!" Ashley giggled making Gary grin
"I know sweetheart"
"thank you" Gary said with another smile turning to Ash who smiled back
"you're welcome" he smiled

"anyways do you want a snack?" Gary grinned as Ashley nodded
"let's get you a snack then okay?" Gary smiled exiting the room with the girl as Ash stood awkwardly avoiding Stephanie who was looking at him
"I thought you weren't anything with Gary" she said as silence creeped the room
"and as I said, no offense, but it's not your business"

"I just don't want you to end up like Angie"
"and I won't, Gary had no fault in her death. I'll say it again, i don't see why you all have the need to guilt trip him. he loved and always will love Angie"

"instead of always complaining about Gary, maybe you should be thankful. because of him you have your granddaughter in your life and she's the only thing you have of Angie" Ash added and walked out the office

"so was everything okay when you were with Stephanie?" Gary said uneasy as him and Ash had lunch together
"Mm, it was okay, she seems to not like me already, but it's fine" Ash said with a sigh twirling his spaghetti with his fork
"I'm sorry she's very . . . "
"toxic" Ash said making Gary blink
"sorry, but it's just my interpretation of her" Ash shook his head

"it's fine, she is . . . rough around the edges I'll say" Gary said looking out the window
"I just see it so wrong . . . " Ash blurted out
"you are such a great dad to Ashley, and you haven't once disrespected them, why can't they let you be happy and just mind their own business" Ash angrily as Gary softened and scooted his chair next to him
"getting mad isn't the solution, I see your anger but this isn't something so hurtful to me I promise" Gary said kissing Ash's forehead
"I've gotten used to it honestly" Gary added with a small sigh

"it's not something you should get used to, it's wrong. As cold hearted as I sound if I were you I wouldn't even let them see Ashley, it's risky for them to brainwash her into hating you" Ash  said looking deeply into Gary's eyes making him look away and break the stare
"I know but they're her grandparents and I wouldn't want her to somehow forget about her mother's family either" Gary said
"I don't have my parents so I would at least like her to have a grandparent figure in her life" Gary added zoning off

"I'm sorry" Ash frowned rubbing Gary's back in a comforting way
"it's fine" Gary smiled kissing Ash's hand
"anyways what do you think about the special collection I have planned?" Gary grinned
"well like I said I'm happy for you" Ash said with a smile

"I'm glad" Gary said taking a breath and smiling once more
"it's the first thing I am doing for myself and well everything I've done is just stuff I never really wanted" Gary confessed as Ash hugged him
"well I hope you keep doing what you love the most" Ash smiled as Gary hugged him back
"I will"

– Time Skip A Couple Weeks –

"Ashley sweetheart can you come for a second!" Gary called out as Ashley pounced into the room
"yes?" she giggled
"how would this look for a gift to Mr. Ketchum for Valentine's Day in a couple days?" Gary grinned holding up a sketch of a outfit and jewelry
"ooh that's pretty!!" Ashley said with a giggle
"you think?" Gary said tilting his head
"mhm"
"alright, thank you pumpkin" Gary smiled pinching her cheek making her giggle again