Surprise!

(Amy's POV)

Sonic and I just got out of the pregnancy unit from the hospital. We received an ultrasound on our baby. I can't believe it! Six months and we're having a baby girl! I'm so excited! We already came up with the name—Lavender Rose. Sonic held my hand as we walked and with my other arm, I wrapped it around his. I then lay my head on his shoulder. I was wearing my loose pink and white sweats and pink boots.

We passed by the café; Sonic looked at me.

"You hungry?" he asked.

"Very." I answered. Looks like I'm eating for two; got to keep my baby girl healthy. Just when we were about to enter, someone called us.

"Sonic! Amy!"

We turned around and it was Knuckles and Tikal. They were holding hands and Tikal was wearing a red hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes. Her hair is tied up to a ponytail. Sonic carefully waved his hand at them.

"Hey guys!" he called.

The echidna couple walked up to us. I've haven't seen them for a long time because of Knuckles' condition and Tikal's part-time job as a caregiver.

"How have you two been?" asked Tikal.

"Great, thanks for asking." I complimented.

"We're just heading to the café for lunch," Sonic stated, "care to join us?"

"Sure," Knuckles answered.

All four of us entered and sat at the outdoor table underneath the awning. The waiter showed up and gave us the menus. We thanked him and he left for two minutes. After we made our orders, we had a conversation while we waited for our meals. When I glanced at Knuckles, I noticed a scar below his left eye and another on the top-left of his head. I didn't say anything about it; I don't want to hurt his feelings.

"So, Knuckles," Sonic began, "fully recovered, eh?" From that incident at the bar that everyone's been telling me about?

"Yeah," Knuckles had his hand on his head, "glad I've survived though."

Our drinks came; the guys' light beers, Tikal's virgin pina colada, and my water. We took sips of our beverages. I had my hand on my stomach, feeling my baby kicking.

"What happened?" I lied. I was curious for the whole story. I never got to see him because of Scourge. Even though that green jerk did told me what he did to Knuckles, and Sonic and the others told me about his severe injury, I still want to know.

Knuckles let out a soft sigh. Tikal touched his hand. "It's ok, hun," she told him, "you don't—"

"No, it's alright, babe," the male echidna cut her off, "after all, she's part of the family and she's the only one who haven't heard yet."

He began the story.

"Sonic, Shadow, Silver, and I were at the bar on a Saturday night. We were only sitting in the booth, minding our business, having a few drinks, and a get-together. Then, all of the sudden Scourge rudely walked up to me; he looked very pissed off.

"'You,' he snarled at me, 'where is it?'

"I borrowed $100 from him to pay off the rent. I knew that was a bad idea; never take money from a villain, but he was the only one I can turn to. That motherfucker's got some serious issues. It's been weeks that I've haven't paid him back because of financial problems I've been having. I told him,

"'Look, I don't have it with me right now, but I promise you, I'll—'

"'You said that like every week! And still, you don't have my shit!'

"I yelled, 'Don't go mad at me, alright?!' I was getting pissed off, 'I already told you, I'm having money troubles right now and I won't get my next—'

"Scourge banged his fist on the table, 'I want my money now!'

"I stood up, 'Dude,' I shoved him, 'calm the fuck down!'

"Suddenly, Scourge nearly tackled me; he was about to fight me. Shadow and Silver instantly stopped him and Sonic grabbed my upper arms from behind. The three inarticulately shouted at us to calm down. Shadow yelled, 'Will you two, cool it?! We'll get kicked out or arrested if you start a fight here!'

"He's right. I took a deep breath to relax. Scourge broke free from their hold. 'You better pay up, Echidna!' he exclaimed.

"'No!' I exclaimed back. Then, Scourge turned around and walked away in anger. I turned to the guys. 'What was that all about?' Sonic asked. I sighed,

"'Long story, I borrowed money from that guy and I didn't have enough to pay him back. Not the best idea, but I gotta do what's good for—'

"'HEY, JACKASS!' Scourge screamed at me at the top of his lungs. I turned around and immediately, he hit me in the head with the beer bottle!

"I was screaming so loud, it filled the entire bar. 'Knuckles!' I heard the guys and there was indistinct shouting. I had my hands to my eyes; I could've sworn the glass from the bottle went through. I got to my knees and then Scourge violently beat me to the ground. I should've punched him back, but I was in too much pain to get up and fight him. He repeatedly punched and kicked me so hard, he broke my ribs, he broke my shin, and he almost cracked my damn skull. That shit's painful as hell. All I can hear is screaming and yelling from the bar patrons. I was bleeding, I blacked out, and the next thing I know it, I was at the hospital."

Oh my God. That story was so intense. That would explain why Scourge never told me what they fought about. I was so shocked, I was wide-eyed and I had my fingertips to my lips. Knuckles took a sip from his beer and he had his arm around Tikal's shoulder.

"Anyway," he continued, "I'm just glad that I had Sonic, Silver, and Shadow by my side. I'd be dead without them. Took me many months to recover in the hospital."

"Tikal took it very hard when she heard about it." Sonic informed me.

"Is that true?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she answered softly, "I was crying so hard, I was really afraid of losing him, but luckily, I didn't."

I felt very sympathetic for the couple, "I'm so sorry for what you two have gone through."

"It's ok," Tikal responded.

The waiter shows up with our food. I had a light Caesar salad, Sonic had a couple of chili dogs (obviously) with fries, Tikal had pasta, and Knuckles had a burger with onion rings.

About 20 minutes later, we finished our lunch, we chat some more, and the boys paid the check. We got up from the table and I felt Lavender kicking; I placed my hand on my abdomen and Sonic carefully helped me up.

"Thanks," I whispered.

"So, Amy," said Knuckles, "not to be nosy, but what's with the healthy getup?"

Sonic and I glanced at each other and we grinned. Technically, since everybody else heard the big news, Knuckles and Tikal were the last to know. "Shall we?" I asked and Sonic nodded in agreement. In unison, we told them, "we're having a baby!"

They gasped happily. Tikal squealed in excitement. "Oh my—I'm so proud of you!"

"Congratulations!" Knuckles responded, "So what is it, Sonic Jr.?" he jokingly guessed.

Sonic laughed, "No, but I wish. We're having a baby girl and we're naming her Lavender Rose."

"Aw," the female echidna carefully gave me a hug. I returned it. "We should throw you a baby shower."

"I'll think about it," I told her, "Anyway, we should get going, lots of things we need to do for our baby."

"Yeah, we have errands to run too, right Knuxie?"

"Right." Knuckles blushed and he had his hand behind his head. I giggled at his expression when Tikal called him by that pet name. It was cute.

We exchanged goodbyes as the echidna couple walked to a different direction and Sonic and I walked hand to hand to a baby store.