Sonic was having a good day. A quick run around the town had satisfied him after lunch with Shadow, and now he was jogging back home, whistling the tune of Green Hills.

Adjusting his white gloves before going inside, Sonic opened up the door. "Shadow?" he called. "I'm home!"

The house was almost silent.

Almost.

"And THIS was Sonic when he tried swimming for the first time!" a woman's voice cooed. "Wasn't he just adorable? I mean, yes, he's drowning, but he's drowning adorably!"

Shadow's chuckle was soft. "Yes, ma'am, very adorable indeed," he laughed. His crimson eyes were locked on the photo album. He golden tan lips were set in a smirk as he looked up at his azure lover, his ruby eyes sparkling. "Welcome home, Sonic. Your mother met me at the door, much to my surprise, with her husband trailing behind. They came for your birthday, to celebrate," he said gently. Though his face was cool and emotionless, his eyes were laughing.

Sonic's face went beet red. "Mom!" he cried, racing forward and slamming the photo album shut. "Stop that!"

Aleena sat proudly on the couch, her purple fur radiant. Her hair was combed neatly, tucked behind her ears. She wore a light lavender dress and high heels, beaming at her son. Jules' blue fur was just like Sonic's, except for that one brown bang. He smiled with an embarrassed pink blush tinting his cheeks.

"Sorry, son," he sighed. "Your mother just wouldn't sit still. 'My baby, my baby! We have to see him, he was born this very day!'" he mocked in a girlish squeal.

Aleena grimaced and flicked him on the nose. "I was not like that!" she growled, turning to Sonic. "I wanted to wish you a happy Birthday baby," she squealed, throwing her arms around her boy in a death grip. "It's been far too long!"

"Mom!" Sonic groaned, his cheeks burning. "Not in front of Shads!"

Shadow grimaced at the nickname. "She was showing me a few photos, Sonic. Aleena, would you care to show me that photo of Sonic at two months, please?"

"Of course, dear!" she gushed. Sonic sat down on the couch, scowling as he refused to lift his feet from the cover of the album. She gave up, sitting back on the couch, admiring Shadow. "Well, I would have liked Sonic to be with a girl, but you're all right."

Jules muttered, "Dear, that is quite rude…"

She ignored him. "You're strong enough to protect him, this boy has such a thick skull…"

"Mom. Stop. Talking. About. Me," the teen growled. He wouldn't meet Shadow's eyes, embarrassed at how Shadow's shoulders bounced up and down – he was laughing at him. Could this day get any worse?

"We'll stay down here, Sonic," Jules sighed. "You go upstairs. Shadow said he had his gifts for you up there. I'll try to contain- I mean, entertain your mother. Enjoy yourselves, you two."

"But not too much!" his mother cried protectively, glaring at Shadow.

Shadow just snickered, wrapping an arm around Sonic's waist and guiding him up the stairs. He leaned down, his lips at Sonic's ear. "Your mother doesn't seem to like me."

Sonic rolled his emerald eyes. "My mom doesn't like anyone other than our family or Michael Jackson. Don't take it to heart."

Shadow opened the door quietly, steering Sonic to the bed. Sonic looked up, confused, as Shadow brought over a small box. Inside sat a small photo of Sonic and Shadow, smiling off into the distance. Somebody had taken the photo when they weren't looking.

And underneath it was a small coupon for chilidogs.

"I love it!" Sonic announced. "Where'd ya get the photo?"

Shadow shrugged. "Fangirl."

Sonic nodded, smiling from ear to ear. "This is great!" he laughed. He and Shadow had announced they were getting married a few weeks ago (Happy Anniversary) and anything Shadow did made Sonic more than happy.

Sonic kissed Shadow's cheek. "You're the best. Love you."

"Well, you may not love me in a second…" Shadow said with a guilty smirk.

"Why?" Sonic asked. "What'd ya do?"

"I, uh… asked your parents to stay for the next week."

Sonic paled. "You didn't… he gasped. Shadow nodded, frowning. Sonic plopped onto the bed, throwing the covers over his head. "They'll embarrass me to death, Shads," he groaned.

Shadow smirked sheepishly. "Well, they seemed so happy to see you…"

Sonic groaned, sitting up. "You owe me," he said bluntly. He blinked, watching Shadow's face heat up. "Well, you do!"

Shadow sighed, leaning into Sonic's lips. "Anything you want, Sonic," he said softly. "I'm yours."

Sonic grinned. "Good. The minute ma and dad leave, you're mine," he said with a laugh. He leaned in, catching Shadow's lips.

SNAP

Sonic looked up, stunned, blinking a few times. Shadow looked dully at the doorway.

"MOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"

Aleena stood bashfully in the doorway, camera in hand. "Oh, hello, Sonic. I – um, well, think this will be a nice photo for the wedding album, don't you?"

A pillow was thrown right in her beet red face. "Get. Out," Sonic snarled.

"Aleena, darling, maybe we should leave them alone…"

"STAY OUT OF THIS JULES!" she shrieked, throwing the pillow in his face. He stumbled backwards, over his feet, and then down the stairs.

"Ah! Oh! OUCH! WHY IS THERE A NEEDLE ON THE STEP? AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Aleena met Sonic's glare with her own. "I just wanted to see my baby," she sighed.

"That's great and all, ma, but I honestly have had enough of you to last a lifetime. So… bye," he grumbled awkwardly.

Aleena had teary eyes as she walked over to hug him goodbye. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a hug as Jules managed to claw himself back up the stairs. Sonic hugged her back, Shadow watching him with a smirk.

SNAP

"MOM!"