A Pokémon for the Family Braun

The warm rays of the morning sun enveloped the daycare, casting a golden hue over the surroundings. Fabio invited Ethan to join him near the entrance, holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

"Hey, Ethan," Fabio began, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "I think it's time for you to venture onto Route 2 on your own. We need more resources for the Daycare Center, and I trust you to find useful items like berries or anything else that could benefit us."

Ethan's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of exploring Route 2. "Really? That's awesome! I'll do my best to find things that will help the Daycare Center."

Fabio nodded with a reassuring smile on his face. "I know you will, Ethan. To assist you in your journey, I'm giving you a few Pokéballs. If you come across any Pokémon that you'd like to catch, you'll have the means to do so."

Ethan eagerly accepted the Poké Balls, his determination shining through. "Thanks, Fabio! I won't let you down. I'll search high and low for anything that could be useful to us."

As they prepared for their respective tasks, Fabio turned his attention to Audino, who stood by their side. "Audino, I need you to accompany Ethan and ensure his safety while he explores Route 2. Keep a watchful eye on him and alert him if you sense any danger."

Audino nodded; her ears perked up attentively. "Audino!"

Fabio gently patted Audino's head, grateful for her assistance. "Thank you, Audino. I trust in your abilities to protect Ethan and keep him out of harm's way."

Ethan, filled with anticipation, adjusted his backpack and looked back at Fabio. "I'm ready to go, Fabio! I'll gather as many useful items as I can and return with some exciting discoveries."

Fabio offered Ethan an encouraging smile. "I have faith in you, Ethan. Remember to enjoy the journey and keep an eye out for anything that could benefit us at the Daycare Center. Safe travels!"

With a final nod, Ethan set off on Route 2, armed with Pokéballs and a sense of adventure. Fabio watched him go, feeling a mix of pride and anticipation for the treasures Ethan would uncover. He knew that this experience would shape Ethan as a trainer and contribute to the growth of the Daycare Center.

As the clock neared 8 o'clock, Fabio eagerly awaited the arrival of Jennifer and Emma at the Daycare Center. True to their routine, he spotted them walking towards him with smiles on their faces.

"Good morning, Jennifer! Emma!" Fabio greeted them warmly, his voice filled with genuine excitement. He knelt down to Emma's level and allowed her to interact with Simisage, who happily played along, offering gentle pats and playful gestures.

Jennifer observed the interaction, a sense of joy evident on her face. "Emma really loves spending time with the Pokémon here. They bring her so much happiness."

Fabio nodded, a sparkle of understanding in his eyes. "Indeed, Pokémon have a way of bringing joy to our lives. Speaking of which, Jennifer, have you ever considered having a Pokémon of your own?"

Jennifer paused for a moment, contemplating the idea. "Well, I've thought about it, but I'm not sure if I can handle the responsibility. Plus, with my work and taking care of Emma, I worry that I won't have enough time to dedicate to a Pokémon."

Fabio reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I understand your concerns, Jennifer. However, I believe having a Pokémon could bring you and Emma even closer. And don't worry about the responsibilities alone. I can provide you with a Pokémon that suits your lifestyle and even give Emma a Pokémon that she can play with, while you officially remain the owner until she turns ten."

Jennifer's eyes widened with surprise and intrigue. "That's a thoughtful offer, Fabio. I appreciate your consideration. Can you tell me more about the Pokémon you have in mind?"

Fabio smiled, knowing he had piqued Jennifer's interest. "Of course! Let's discuss it further inside the Daycare Center. We can explore the options and find the perfect Pokémon that fits both your lifestyle and brings joy to Emma's life."

As they entered the Daycare Center, Fabio carried Sewaddle in his arms, the Pokémon seemingly content in his presence. The possibilities of adding more Pokémon to the Daycare family and creating a bond between Jennifer, Emma, and their new companions filled Fabio's mind. He thought about the idea of Jennifer having a Pokémon, symbolizing the shared responsibility and the bond it could create between mother and daughter.

"It's similar to how we treat pets in real life," Fabio thought to himself, reminiscing about his own childhood experiences. "The parents hold the ownership, but the kids take care of them, nurturing that sense of responsibility and companionship."

Inside the daycare, Emma's eyes sparkled with excitement as she asked, "Can I go play with Simisage and Liepard on the ranch, Mom?"

Jennifer glanced at Fabio, silently seeking his approval. Fabio smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course, Emma. Just be careful and have fun!"

As Emma skipped off to join the Pokémon on the ranch, Jennifer and Fabio settled down for a conversation about the Pokémon choices for Jennifer and Emma. They looked at the list of the daycare's Pokémon, discussing the different options.

Jennifer leaned back, contemplating their choices. "I'm not sure about Patrat and Pidove. They have their good points, but I think Purrloin and Lillipup might be better choices."

Fabio nodded in agreement, sharing his thoughts. "Purrloin is quite mischievous, and Lillipup is known for its loyalty and playfulness. It's a tough decision."

Just then, Emma came bounding back, her face beaming. "Mom, Fabio, I saw a cute Lillipup that was following me around the whole time while I was playing with the Pokémon! Can we get this one?"

Fabio chuckled, ruffling Emma's hair affectionately. "Well, Emma, your mom and I were just discussing that. What do you think, Jennifer? Will you take this Lillipup?"

Jennifer smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. "I think Lillipup would be a wonderful Pokémon for us, Emma. It's friendly, loyal, and will make a great companion."

Emma's eyes gleamed with joy. "Yay! I want the Lillipup, please!" she exclaimed.

Fabio grinned, knowing they had made the right decision. "Lillipup it is, then," he confirmed. "You'll officially be its trainer, Emma, but your mom and I will help you take care of it."

The fact that even young children could theoretically own a Pokémon was something Fabio truly enjoyed. Even though Jennifer would continue to be the legal owner of the Lillipup until Emma turned 10, Emma would be in charge of it. Fabio recalled a time in his past life when he experienced a similar incident with his dog. Since his parents didn't really want a pet, he was totally responsible for him while his parents bought and owned him.

As they finalized their choice, a sense of anticipation filled the air.

After deciding on Lillipup as their chosen Pokémon, Fabio instructed Emma to go and bring the playful pup. Excitement radiated from Emma as she hurriedly left to retrieve her new companion. Moments later, Emma returned, cradling the Lillipup in her arms. The Lillipup's tail wagged vigorously, expressing its happiness with a cheerful "Lillipup!"

Fabio, carrying a sense of responsibility, gently cradled the Lillipup in his arms and made his way to the basement, where the daycare's medical equipment was housed. With utmost care, he placed the Lillipup on the examination table, its small tail wagging with curiosity.

Fabio meticulously checked each vital sign, examining the Lillipup's heartbeat, respiration, and overall physical condition. He utilized the medical equipment available, running diagnostic tests and ensuring that every aspect of Lillipup's health was thoroughly assessed. The Lillipup, displaying a calm and trusting nature, cooperated throughout the examination process.

After completing the comprehensive check-up, Fabio was pleased to confirm that the Lillipup was in excellent health and ready to join their growing Pokémon family. A sense of relief washed over him as he carefully picked up the Lillipup, ready to reunite it with Emma and Jennifer.

While he was still in the basement, he adjusted the ownership details on the official records, transferring them to Jennifer and Emma. While there, he jotted down some essential notes about Lillipup, including its preferred food and basic training tips. Fabio handed the notes and a small bag of Pokéfood to Jennifer, saying, "Here are some helpful details about Lillipup, Jennifer. You can refer to these notes for guidance. And don't worry, you'll receive an employee discount on the Pokémon food, or if you prefer, we can deduct the cost from your next paycheck."

Jennifer looked relieved, grateful for Fabio's support. "That sounds great, Fabio. It will be much easier for us to manage Lillipup's needs with the employee discount. Thank you!"

Fabio smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Jennifer. I want to make sure you and Emma have everything you need to take care of Lillipup. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. I'm here to help."