Chapter 8: A New Responsibility

Sly was in shock and excited at the same time, "Carmelita, you- you're…pregnant? I'll be right over, I should get there quicker since Bentley gave me a boot over crutches see you soon."

Sly's old thoughts about the Cooper Line ending, and his true feelings for Carmelita and being out for 16 months suddenly disappeared and he felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders

Sly hung up and jumped into the air with his arms held high with joy "YES!" but landed on his bad leg and hoped around in pain for a second, grasping his knee, but the pain was nothing compared to the excitement of soon being a dad.

Bentley and Murray then entered the room, wondering about all of Sly's racket.

"Ugh, what's going on in here Sly, it's 1:00 in the morning." Bentley asked as he yawned.

"Yeah Sly, what's up? The Murray needs his sleep too." Murray said rubbing his eyes.

Sly paused and thought about how he would tell the guys, so he didn't sugarcoat it… totally.

"Guys, something big happened, something between me and Carmelita. We've been seeing each other over the past few months and a couple weeks ago, we..." Sly paused again.

"Guys, I'm gonna be a dad." Sly said bluntly.

Both Murray and Bentley's jaws nearly hit the floor! Murray even came and hugged his friend so hard he nearly crushed the raccoon.

"Wait guys, you're not mad or upset, or anything?" Sly asked surprisingly.

"Of Course not Sly, we want you happy no matter who you choose, even if she does try to electrocute us."

"Actually, Carmelita got fired from the force for losing to many criminals like us. " Sly said somewhat sadly.

"Well congrats anyway, Sly. I'm sure you'll make a great dad. By the way, is it a boy or a girl, do you know?" Bentley asked curiously.

Murray butted in "Hmm, I got 50 bucks on boy Bentley, you in?"

"Of course, remember that card counting trick I did back in Bombay?"

"Oh yeah" Murray said hesitatingly.

"I'm not sure yet, but who cares, I'm gonna be a dad!" Sly yelled at the top of his lungs as limped to his bed

While in the bed, Sly couldn't get the thought of being a father out of his head.

He remembered back to when he was first injured, and how he was nearly crushed by the weight of his thoughts.

Sly then thought to himself: Wow! A dad! I still can't believe it! I'm going to be the proud father of a little Baby fox, or raccoon, or anything in between! Either way, I'm happy.

A tear rolled down his cheek, but this was not out of burden or sadness or stress, but one of joy, happiness and pride, then a great idea popped in his head.

Chapter 9: A Beautiful Proposal

Sly was putting the finishing touches on it and finally fit it into 2 rings.

It was the Sapphire from the Alexandria Heist, where he got injured. Sly had been cutting it and personalizing it for a special occasion that was happening today.

After 5 hours of customizing it (Which he did pretty well since had to look and play the part in the Alexandria Heist) Sly looked at his creation, and could only say to himself "Perfect".

Sly took a shower and got dressed in some casual clothing, a certain blue sweater that was his favorite, one All-Star Chuck Taylor one his left foot, and some blue jeans.

He called Carmelita to tell her that he was coming over, and to be decent.

After he got there he limped again up the steps and was let in by Carmelita, and she was decent, but panicky "Sly what's going on, is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Look Carmelita, you've been chasing e my entire life as a thief, and now that you're gone and I might be gone too, and that we have a beautiful baby coming…" Sly said as he rubbed her slightly swollen stomach.

Sly got down on his good knee and opened up the little box that contained that the Sapphire ring and asked the question: "Carmelita Montoya Fox, would do me the honor, of making me the happiest man in the entire universe?"

Carmelita gasped when she saw the ring, and immediately said "yes" to him hugging him as tightly as she could and kissed him all over the cheeks.

Carmelita then stated feeling sick and held her stomach and rushed to the bathroom, only to vomit into the sink.

"Uhh, Carmelita, you alright in there?"

"Yeah Sly I'm fine, just a little morning sickness."

"Well how about tonight I treat you to a little romantic dinner, atop the Eiffel Tower, at Deliciux Plat" (Delicious Dish).

"Oh Sly that would be wonderful, I can't wait to go."

"Then I shall pick you up at 7'oclock milady" Sly said smoothly as he kissed her hand.

At 7 Sly showed up in a blue convertible Aston Martin (He had taken driving lessons from Murray) with the top down.

"Are you ready my sweet?"

"Yes and yes." Carmelita said as she was dressed in a silk black dress, a pearl necklace.

"You look amazing Carm!"

"I was just about to say the same to you Sly"

When they arrived they got seats at the top of the tower, on the outer balcony.

"Oh Sly, it's so beautiful, have you ever seen the city like this?"

"No, but still, it's only half as beautiful as you are."

"Oh Sly. I love you so much."

"Carmelita, how long has I been since you knew you were pregnant?

"About 5 months, why?"

"I've just been thinking, how we used to chase each other across roofs, and shoot each other and steal from high-security museums, and now in four months, we're gonna be parents!"

"I know Sly, it's a big responsibility, and a big transition from our old life, but we can do it Sly, I know we can."

Carmelita said reassuringly to him as they looked out over the City of Lights, was lit up like a candle.

After a 2 months, Sly and Carmelita went in for a Ultrasound.

"Cooper, Sly?" a wolf nurse said to the couple.

"Doctor Norton will see you now. Congratulations, how any months?" She asked curiously

"7 months, almost there." Carmelita said as she and the nurse giggled.

Sly and Carmelita entered the room as Sly took Carmelita's jacket off for her.

The lion doctor entered the room "Okay, just lie up on this table, and I get the thermo-gel. By the way, I'm Doctor. Aaron Norton."

Sly shock his hand thanked him.

While he was gone, Sly hugged Carmelita tight and said to her quietly, 'We're gonna be Mommy and Daddy in a couple weeks can you believe it?"

"I know Sly, and after he or she's born, we'll have a beautiful wedding and I will be Carmelita Montoya Cooper. Sound nice?"

"Already does" Sly said back.

"Okay Carmelita, I'll just apply the thermo gel…"

"SSSSS Ahh That is freezing cold Doc!" Carmelita hissed.

"I know, and the ironic thing is, it's thermo gel, it eventually warms you up!" Doctor Norton Laughed.

"Okay, the baby's vitals are normal, heart rate in check, and nutrients high, and body growing at a normal rate. Perfect, a clean bill of health for you and your baby. Now I'm sure you don't want me to just tell you that you have a boy or girl, so I'll give you the file so that you can look for yourselves."

Sly and Carmelita held each other's hands in anticipation of the file.

"Here you go, have a nice day folks, and congratulations on your soon to be child."

Sly opened the file and looked over the information, then showed it to Carmelita.

As they read down the sheet they got to the bottom. It only read

-Name:

-Date of Birth:

-Eye Color:

-Height:

-Weight:

-Sex Male.

"Oh my God." They both said in unison.

"A baby boy, can you believe it Sly, I'm carrying a son, and in two months, it'll be official."

Sly was now holding back tears, as he thought of all the great memories had had with his father, though he didn't have too many.

He then looked at Carmelita in all seriousness and said to her, "Carmelita, I love you, and I love our soon to be son, and I swear on my father's grave, I will be the best father and husband to you. I will protect you and our little man here. I promise you." Sly said with a serious face as he again though back to seeing his father dead on the floor in his house, and swore to himself, that he wouldn't let that happen.

With the birth date closing in, Sly decided to stay with Carmelita in her apartment until the baby arrived, plus the hangout was 20 miles from the nearest hospital, and Carmelita's place was only 7 miles away.

Sly's knee was starting to feel much better, and soon started walking including lifting weights. He then thought about Raiden from Metal Gear Solid 4 and how his son was initially scared of him, so he just started walking.

After about a month and a half, Carmelita was noticeably in her latest months.

Then on August 5th Sly and Carmelita woke up around 8'oclock in the morning, and Sly put his hand on Carmelita's belly as he felt a kick, and a another one, showing the baby's signs of life.

Then all of a sudden, Carmelita felt intense pain and pressure in her stomach and got up.

Sly got up and followed her to the kitchen, when he soon felt the floor, then looked at Carmelita in shock.

"Sly my water just broke, get the car!"

Sly nodded as he grabbed his keys and brought the car around front.

He went back and helped Carmelita to the car and took off.

About 15 minutes later (Sly's new Aston is pretty fast) they approached the hospital and Sly got a wheelchair for Carmelita and pushed her into the hospital.

Thankfully, it wasn't a crowded day, so Carmelita got attention immediately, and Sly was with her the whole time.

She was rushed into a hospital bed and put on a hospital gown, while Sly stood there in disbelief that the moment was almost here… a father

"Okay Ms. Fox, I can see the head." A duck doctor said, "Okay here comes the crown, okay push on 3. 1, 2,3 PUSH" The doctor said loudly.

'Come on Carmelita, you can do it, I know you can! Sly thought as he held her hand, hoping for the best

"AAAHHHH" Carmelita yelled as she pushed with the depleting strength she had.

"And finished," the doctor said, "Congratulations, you are know the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy."

Carmelita held the little one in her arms cradling as he cried. "Look at him Sly, he's so beautiful, shh shh shh, it's okay mommy's hear. What do you think we should name him?"

Sly looked at the baby and said to her "How about 'Raymond… Ray for short. Yeah, Raymond Sylvester Cooper."

"I love it Sly, and look at him, he's so beautiful. He's got your Eyes, your fur, my tail, and no mask. He's perfect!"

Sly then held him in his arms as Ray cooed at him. 'Hey buddy, I'm your daddy, and this is your mommy," as he pointed toward Carmelita.

They all then hugged together, as one happy family.

NOT THE END, THERE'S MORE CHAPTER'S AFOOT, SO STAY TUNED!