So my muse and I have been discussing...

...And we've decided on six stories per year.

Since we plan to go to year five, that means thirty stories, plus the prologue and epilogue, so that's...

Thirty-two chapters total.

OMG, IT DOES MATH! ...why can't you do my math homework?

I'm your writing muse, not your math muse!

I HAVE A MATH MUSE? TELL ME ALL YOU KNOW!

Uh, enjoy the chapter! (Runs for life)

And we don't own anything. (Runs after muse)


Memoirs of a Forgotten Family

Chapter I: Welcome

Shadow and (the late) Maria's home was a lovely cottage outside the town. Not so close as to have neighbor's closer within eyesight, but close enough so Maria could drive to work each morning. When she died, Shadow thought about selling the large, memory-filled cottage and buying a smaller, one-bedroom apartment. Now, he was glad he didn't do that.

Turns out, legally adopting a child is hard work. Maria, as Shadow calls her, would stay at a nearby orphanage for a week while the ebony hedgehog prepared for her. The process would go like this; Shadow would become her legal guardian for a year, to prove he can take care of her, then go to court for several weeks so he could legally adopt her. Only then would he have the right to call the child his. And if the girl's real parent's were found... well, they'd better hope Shadow never finds them. Not only was it morally wrong to abandon a child to die; it was illegal! The police had tried searching the town, but, curiously enough, there were no foxes living in Emerald Hill...

When he got home, Shadow knew there was a lot of work to be done, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He had spent all afternoon being interviewed by a social worker about things that were apparently important in having a child around: his profession, his home, his income, every past relationship he had, and his experience with children. By the time it was over, he was biting his lip just to keep from attacking the insane lady. He also wondered if it was a test in patience.

The cottage itself was in decent shape; the kitchen was stocked, the rooms were neat and well-furnished, and the place was kept as clean as it could be (Hey, Shadow had a lot of free time on his hands). A kitchen, living room with a fireplace, a bathroom, and a spare bedroom. On the upstairs were two more bedroom (One room was where Shadow and Maria slept; the other was full of boxes and would have to be cleaned out), as well as a second bathroom. Overall, it was a nice, cozy house; the perfect size for a growing family.

He would not only need to clean out the room full of boxes, but paint it, decorate it, and make sure everything in it is 'baby-safe'. Cornelius had given him a book on child-care, and for some reason, he intended to make sure Maria was well taken care of. Perhaps it was because she reminded him of Maria; perhaps it was because he found her while praying for a sign. Perhaps he simply felt sorry for her. No matter what, the child was his now, and he would protect her to the letter.

In the meanwhile...

Shadow fell into bed without concern for the rest of the night; he was going to have a long week...


The first job that needed to be done was clearing out the room. It was about the size of Shadow's bedroom, but you looking at it, you would've said it was smaller. With chipped, faded yellow paint, and filled to the brim with boxes. Since Shadow always slept with Maria by his side, they really had no use for the second bedroom, and instead placed Professor Gerald's stuff in there from when he passed away, leaving all his belongings to Maria and her cousin, Ivo. Shadow had only met Ivo once, but he seemed to be the Professor's clone; almost every trait was the same, to the point of spookiness.

And so, the boxes had arrived, and had been moved right back here. Shadow would have to spend the day going through the boxes and determining what he wanted to keep and what he didn't. And the longer he kept the job waiting, the longer it was gonna take, so might as well start now!

So, three boxes at a time, Shadow emptied the room of it's bearings. By the time he was finished, the living room was crowded, and the room was empty. He had been surprised to discover the room had a balcony; the door was hidden near the side of the room, almost impossible to see without walking up to it. Well, it didn't matter. He'd simply have to gate that up until the girl was big enough to not fall off the edge. Simple enough solution.

Now, as for the boxes...

Shadow went downstairs, sat in the armchair near the fire, and picked up a nearby box. Crimson eyes softened as he found pictures of himself and Maria when they were younger, pictures of Maria and Ivo, taken shortly after the two had come to Earth (at the first and only time Shadow had met Ivo), pictures of Gerald throughout his life... random photos, really. And the entire box was full of them. Shadow took the five best pictures of himself, Maria, Gerald, and Ivo, and set them aside; he would get them framed tomorrow, when he went out for paint. The rest he put back in the box, to save for later.

This continued on. To Shadow's surprise, he found going through this stuff enjoyable, never knowing what was going to be in the next box. Sure, most of it was junk, and would have to be scrapped or sold, but there were a few boxes with items that held some purpose or interest. Shadow even discovered Maria's old nursery set, which could be used for the baby Maria once she arrived. It put a smile on Shadow's face. Even while dead, his friend would continue to touch his life.

The final box came and went. Shadow was mildly disappointed to find it was over. He took the unneeded cardboard and stuck it behind the trashcan in his kitchen, promising to get rid of it later. The rest of the boxes were taken to the basement Shadow had forgotten they had until he stumbled upon the door to it. One chore done, several more to go...


"Hello, may I help you?" Inquired an orange cat, working at a local store where Shadow was buying paint for Maria's room. Said hedgehog approached the counter, frowning at the woman. He never was one for public appearances, so being out like this -with other people- put him in something of a rotten mood. But he reassured himself it's just for a little while, and calmly told the cat:

"I'm going to need paint. About five gallons, and quick drying. Preferably in baby blue, daffodil, cream, or cherry blossom." Shadow looked the cashier right in the eyes, daring for a comment. The cat frowned, before leaving to find the appropriate paint. Though he didn't like this place, Shadow couldn't help but smirk. People are amusing when they're afraid.

Minutes later, the cat came back, carrying a bucket of cream colored paint. Shadow looked at the color; judging whether it was the right shade, would dry in time for him to decorate the room, and wondering whether or not little Maria would like it. Wait, she's an infant. She wouldn't care if the walls were white or cream. Well, that just makes it easier for Shadow, now doesn't it?

After leaving that store, he went to get a few more things (Framing the pictures he found, picking up some extra stuff for the baby that wasn't with Maria's nursery set, etc.) then headed home for to start the paining job, successfully coating the wall in primer. After that, he set to sleep on the couch, falling into dreams of his Maria.


The next day, Shadow coated the bedroom with a second coat, before beginning the decoration plans. The paint would be dry by the time he needed to come back in here, anyways. Shadow began assembling a crib, changing table, and other such items. This went along surprisingly quick, and Shadow was ready to move the stuff upstairs just as the paint finished drying. Positioning and decorating were the easy parts of the venture; now, it was just the wait.

The hedgehog looked at a calender. Three days until the baby would arrive. Then, this lonely house would be a home once again. With Maria living here, everything would be alright.

Nodding at his work on the child's room (Which looked so much better than when he started), Shadow went to get rest. An anxious feeling tugged at his heartstrings, and he somehow doubted he would get any sleep that night.


Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Shadow paced the room, waiting for the knocking that would alert him his wait had come to an end. Finally, after all the waiting, the planning, the paperwork... tonight, he would see his baby for the first time since he rescued her. A warm tug pulled at his insides, a mixture of anxiety and excitement acting up inside him.

A knock sounded through the otherwise silent cottage. Shadow leapt to his feet, running to the door, then paused in front of it. Take a deep breath, Shadow, he told himself. Because everything will change once you open that door. He sighed.

A click sounded with the unlocking of the door, followed by a turn of the knob and a gentle creak. The door bushed open.

Shadow smiled, though he didn't really like... people. He just had to keep this up until she left. The social worker walked into the house, looking around, and taking notes. Shadow noticed something almost immediately.

"Where's Maria?"

The social worker looked at him, "Maria, as you call her, is in the car outside. I just have to do one mandatory check on the household, then I leave." And with that, she continued to nose around, nodding and taking notes on some things, before heading upstairs. She paused at Maria's room. "So, this is where you're gonna keep the kid?"

"Yup." Shadow wasn't a social person.

The woman nodded, taking several more notes, before walking out of the room, as Shadow followed. She continued down the stairs, across the house, and out the front door. The ebony hedgehog ran behind her. The two paused coming to her car, and she took out a small seat with a handle, handing it to Shadow. He peaked inside, an a small smile worked it's way onto his face. There was his baby, wrapped in several layers of blanketing, and sleeping soundly. That changed with the sound of a car door slamming, and said car speeding away. Young Maria woke up, crying.

Shadow sighed. Things could only get better from here...


I Think I lost her... so yeah, review and-

(Pounces out of nowhere) GOTCHA!

Aw, come on! (Runs)

Teehee, that is WAY too much fun. Can't be healthy. See you guys next chapter! (Chases)