Well, here we go, Chapter V!

Sorry, Midnight Bell, but we got the numbers wrong.

Math Muse is on vacation. He does that every summer... apparently.

Why do you think you never do math in the summer?

True. DISCLAIMER! Sonic and Co. do not belong to me.

Well, lets go get food.

I want a soda, but sure.

Memoirs of a Forgotten Family

Chapter V: Sick Day

It took a while, but Shadow and Maia fell into a routine.

The day started out with Maia awakening, discovering she was hungry, and crying for Shadow. Shadow would wake up, make her breakfast, and calm her down before allowing her to eat. After breakfast, the day became a learning experience; Maia would learn about whatever Shadow cared to teach her that day, and was laid down for her afternoon nap. When she woke up, Shadow would feed her and they would spend the evening on the porch, just looking at the stars until she fell asleep. Then, Shadow would tuck her in, and fall asleep in his own bed.

Yup, a regular routine. Of course, all routines are broken eventually.

This morning, when Shadow woke up, he found himself surprised; Maia never let him sleep in. Overcome with concern for the youth, he ran to her room. Inside her crib, the child writhed in discomfort. Shadow felt her forehead.

"You're running a fever," He muttered. Not fully awake, Maia continued to toss and turn in his grasp. She whined, tired and overheated from fighting the fever. Shadow took her downstairs. When Maria got sick, she would have him place a cold washcloth on her forehead to bring the fever down.

Setting the child on the couch, Shadow ran into the kitchen, suddenly full of adrenaline. He didn't want to leave her alone for too long. Rinsing a clean washcloth with cool water, he ran back and placed it on the squirming baby's forehead. She stopped squirming, but her face was still contorted with discomfort.

Shadow sighed; he hated seeing his daughter in such a state. What's worse, he couldn't do anything to help her. Just keep her cool and hope she'll recover fast.

A coughing fit interrupted his thoughts. Maia convulsed as she violently forced air out of her system. Shadow, in a panic, picked her up, placed her on his shoulder, and patted her gently, to help get the air out.

She suddenly relaxed, and Shadow felt something lukewarm and clumpy slowly drip down his back. Sighing, he put Maia down on a blanket on the floor, and retreated to the nearest bathroom. The ebony hedgehog quickly scrubbed the vomit out of his back fir, and returned to the room.

Maia was asleep.

Despite his worry, Shadow couldn't help but grin. The child laid quietly on the blanket, sleeping off her illness and occasionally turning in her sleep. She was cute; one tail curled under her head in a fashion much like a blanket. Her head fur, growing longer each day, draped over her shoulders and head. She laid, in complete bliss to the world around her. Shadow picked her up.

He carried the girl to the bedroom at the top of the steps. Maia snuggled into his fur, making Shadow smile gently. Opening the door slowly, as so it wouldn't creak, he entered the room and carefully set her in the crib.

The rest of the day was spent in Maia's room. When she awoke, tired and hungry, he would feed her, only to find her fast asleep as soon as she finished. While she slept, Shadow read books, wrote letters, did research... the kind of things one put off unless incredibly bored.

That night, Shadow slept in Maia's room. He brought a blanket and pillow in, and slept on the floor. Just above him, he could here Maia's gentle breathing. The sound becoming a lullaby, he found himself dosing off to the sound of his daughter sleeping.

The next day, Maia woke up hungry as usual. Shadow woke up, startled, then remembered yesterday. The first thing he did that morning was check her temperature.

Her fever had broke sometime during the night.

Pleased that his daughter was okay now, Shadow picked her up to carry on their daily routine. Sure, changing pace was a good idea once in a while, but not if it caused him a heart attack like that. He had never been so worried before. It just goes to show you; you can't take for granted what you have.

And as he watched the cub eat, he knew that lesson to be true. This was one blessing he would never turn away.

What's with you and the fluff bug?

I don't know! All I know is; it's hot! I'm burning up!

THAT can't be helped. Now get some shut eye; this thing needs to be posted in the morning.

Yes, almighty muse of muse-ness. I will obey your command of stupidity.

For once, I'm missing the annoying distraction.