OK! So a year and a half later, I FINALLY sat down to write the last two chapters of the story. I know some of you have been dying to know what happens and you really truly deserve both this chapter AND the ending…but I wrote the ending first and then this chapter, so there a few minor details I need to change in the last chapter before I post it up. I'm sorry for the wait, but I had severe writers block on this chapter. I swear, I'd start writing something and then I'd come back to finish it a little later and I'd hate it and have to start over again. I must have gone through this process 5 or 6 times before I finally started writing this and refused to stop. Honestly, it's late and I really want to post this so I'm not even going to read it over. If I need to make changes, I'll do so, but at a later date. Anyways…after a long wait…here is the next chapter!
BTW, I don't own Sonic or anything related to him.
. . . . .
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" Sonic hit his head a few more times against the tree before he decided he'd stop torturing it. After all, it wasn't the tree's fault he was in this mess. What on Mobius had he been thinking? Amy was engaged to someone else. Someone who was obviously better suited for her. Did he honestly think that she would come back to him? After all of these years?
In your dreams, Sonic. He sat on the ground with his back to the tree and hung his head low as he recalled what had happened just a few moments before…
The setting sun…the sound of her voice…the closeness of her body…and then the awkward and crushing feeling of being deserted.
The thought to run right then and there had been so strong, but he wanted to play it cool, like Amy had not just affected him the way she had. It had killed him on the inside when Sam took hold of her hand. It took all of his strength not to punch that goofy, love-struck grin off of his face. On the outside, however, he managed to make himself look calm and composed. When they approached, Sam had seemed as happy and oblivious as ever while Amy refused to look up from the ground. Sonic had politely refused Sam's offer to join them for some refreshments and allowed them to pass by him to go inside.
She didn't even take one more glance back at him before she closed the door behind them. He had waited, hoping by some miracle she would come back, but the door never opened. Her choice had been made.
And so here he was, beating himself up over his predicament. Why had he been so foolish? And why was fate playing such a cruel role in his life? Didn't he deserve a happy ending for everything he'd been though?
Sighing in defeat, he stood up and slowly made his way to Tails' workshop.
. . . . .
Amy sat quietly as Sam talked about all of the details that needed to be finished.
"I've just arranged for the limo to come pick us up at the end." He leaned into the fridge to pull out a pitcher of lemonade and then grabbed two glasses from the nearby cupboard to fill. "And my mom says that she will take care of the center pieces…she just needs to know what you'd like for them. Did you get the invitations?"
When she didn't responded he looked over in her direction. "Amy? Are you ok?"
She heard her name being called and she snapped back into reality. Although she had forgotten temporarily what was going on around her she suddenly noticed Sam's worried expression focused on her and remembered.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Sam." She put on a fake smile and continued on. "I was just distracted with wedding details. You know, invitations and flowers and stuff."
He nodded. "Planning a wedding for next month is pretty strenuous. Are you sure you don't want to push the date back?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. You see," she reached into one of the bags she had brought home, "I even got the invitations today."
Sam's eyes lit up. "Oh, great! We can finish those up this weekend!" Amy nodded her approval.
Sam walked over and took hold of Amy's hands. Leaning forward he placed one gentle kiss on her forehead before leaning his own against it. "I love you, Amy Rose. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving it."
Amy looked at the man she had promised her life to and felt the wave of guilt she had been feeling increase ten-fold. Although nothing had happened between her and Sonic before he showed, she still felt as if she had somehow cheated on him. It was a horrible, gut-wrenching feeling that she couldn't shake. She wasn't being fair to him and the need to confess everything to him was so strong that she couldn't suppress it anymore. "Sam, I need to tell you something."
She looked at him seriously as he leaned away but still he smiled brightly at her. "Sure, sweetheart. What's up?"
Her heart was pounding in fear. It was the right thing to do- being honest about her feelings for Sonic- but part of her truly loved Sam and didn't want what they had to end, especially like this. Her eyes began to swim with unshed tears as she opened her mouth to speak. "I'm in love with…"
She was cut off by the sound of the phone ringing. She was so shocked by the moment that all she could do was stare wide-eyed at the phone as it continued to ring. Sam, noticing that she wasn't making a move to answer it, walked over and pressed the talk button.
"The future Mrs. Morton's residence, this is her future husband speaking." He stated proudly. Amy's heart began to pound. What if it was Sonic on the other line? But she calmed down when she heard Sam's enthusiastic "Hey Cream!"
Amy let out a breath she had unconsciously been holding and took several more deep breaths in and out to calm down. Was the phone interruption some kind of sign? Amy looked up at her fiancé and watched his animated face as he talked with Cream. At first her gaze focused on his bright smile that, she noted, stretched from ear to ear. Then her eyes traveled up to his eyes. She could see the sparkle in them and couldn't help but stare.
Sam, noticing that she was watching him, turned and gave her a wink and then blew her a quiet kiss. Amy's heart fluttered at the action. This is something that she had always been missing in the past. A love that was freely given with no demand for equal return. Sam was selfless and Amy admired that about him. So, for the first time since Sonic's arrival, she genuinely smiled back at him.
This is what I want. This is what I need. Sonic will never be able to give me this. Amy thought to herself as she continued to watch Sam. Knowing what she needed to do, she stood up and mouthed to Sam 'I'll be right back' and headed upstairs after she got his nod of understanding.
Closing her bedroom door behind her she pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and sat down at her desk to write a letter.
"Dear Sonic,
I don't know what happened between us today. Was it something or nothing? I'll never know the answer because the decision I am making won't allow for it. I'm getting married to Sam. You're a great person, but our past is complicating my future. This is really hard for me to say, given my devotion to you long ago, but we can't be friends anymore. Please respect my wishes and stay away. But always remember, friends or not, I still hope for your every happiness. Take care.
~Amy Rose"
Several tears and smudges had fallen while she wrote, but Amy folded it up anyways and carefully placed it inside of an envelope. Pulling the box of her Sonic memorabilia from underneath her bed she taped the envelope to the top and wrote "Sonic" on the front. She gently placed the box next to her door and, checking her face in the mirror, went back down to Sam.
She found him sitting at the table, drinking from his glass of lemonade. Quietly she walked over to him and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder. He didn't say anything, either, as his arms embraced her waist.
Sam was the first to speak, after a few minutes. "What were you going to say earlier, before the phone rang?"
Amy stiffened slightly in his arms and her heart sped up again. She pulled away and looked him in the face. "I was going to say…" His head tilted to the side in anticipation. She took in a deep breath and smiled. "I was going to say that I'm in love with you."
Sam's lips twitched upward and he leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss. "I'm in love with you, too, Ms. Rose."
. . . . .
Amy stared at the box between her hands and then back up at the door. She sighed before she set the box down at her feet. She raised her hand to knock but hesitated. What if he answers the door? But this is Tails' house. Surely he would be the one to answer, not Sonic, she reasoned with herself. Not giving herself a chance to back out she knocked three times and quickly placed her hands back at her side to wait.
She heard the shuffling behind the closed door getting closer and she became more and more nervous that she would be confronted by the blue hero. Oh God, he's going to answer the door! What should I say? Should I run? Should I play it cool? Do I pretend like the other night wasn't anything at all? Oh God, oh God, oh God…
"Oh, hey Amy! What brings you here?" Tails smiled at her from the open door.
Her heart was pounding from the few seconds of terror she had felt and at first she couldn't get her words together properly. "I- uh- that is- well-"
Tails' smile dropped and he looked at her with concern. "Is everything ok?"
Remembering why she came she quickly blurted out "I came to drop of this box off for Sonic!" She motioned toward the box as she said it.
Tails eyes dropped to where she had motioned and he nodded. "Ok. He's out in the garage. I'll call him for you." Tails turned to the inside of his house.
"NO!" Tails turned back to Amy in surprise and confusion. "Just make sure that he gets it, will you?"
Before he could even respond she took off at a sprint. Not knowing what had gotten into his friend, he picked up the box and carried it into the garage.
"Hey Sonic, Amy brought this by for you."
Sonic, who was lounging about on a chair stood up and raced over. "What is it?"
Not bothering to read the card he opened the box and was initially greeted by the picture of him and Amy. He felt a sinking feeling as he picked it up. He traced his fingers along it before he placed it back down and ripped the envelope off the top of the box. His fingers trembled as he pulled the letter from the envelope but they became very still as he read its contents.
Tails could see Sonic's face drain of color and he became worried. "Sonic, what does it say?"
Sonic said nothing as he stared off into space. The hand that held the letter dropped to his side and the letter slipped from his grip and floated to the floor. Tails didn't want to be rude and pry, so he waited patiently for Sonic to return to normal. Instead, however, Sonic leaned forward, picked up the box, and walked back into the house. Tails watched him as he retreated, knowing that he was probably going to his room, and then turned back to the forgotten letter.
He walked over and picked it up off of the floor. He looked in the direction his friend had left and saw no trace of him. His eyes drifted back to the letter and skimmed over the words. He was shocked by what had been written and his heart broke for his friend. What had happened between them that would cause Amy to take this extreme measure? Obviously she had been deeply affected, too, judging by the tear stains found on the page. He looked back at the house, wanting to go comfort his friend but knowing that Sonic just needed to be alone. He knew Sonic would not want to share, at least not yet, so he quietly picked up his tools and went back to work on his plane.
. . . . .
Letting go was almost as difficult this time around as it had been six years earlier, but she did it. The second Amy had run off she felt a weight lifted from her shoulders, as if the past was no longer haunting her and she could finally move on with her life.
The weeks following flew by and although part of her still pined for the life she was leaving behind, she felt the most alive she had in a while. Part of it, she knew, was because her time had been consumed with wedding details- leaving her no time to think of anything but. But the other part was the feeling that she was finally growing up. Sure she was already in her 20's, but moving on from her childish dreams was a big step for her.
Looking across from her, she smiled at her groom-to-be as they stood at the alter.
"Does anyone object to this young couple getting married?"
"I do!" Cream shouted.
Amy and Sam turned and looked at Cream. Cream smiled back up in amusement. "She isn't wearing her wedding gown right now!"
Sam chuckled. "You had me worried there for a moment, Cream!"
The wedding coordinator smiled at the couple before her and then looked out at the people who were standing around. "Does anyone else object?" When no one responded the young lady clapped her hands. "Good! Then these two are officially done with their rehearsal! The priest will tell you to kiss the bride and you'll walk off as husband and wife, tomorrow!"
Sam smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Amy. "Sorry," he said as he pulled away, "I felt I needed to practice. I want to get that one just right!"
Amy laughed. "Maybe you should practice again, then!"
Sam scoffed and then, shrugging his shoulders, he leaned in and kissed her again, but with much more passion. There were hoots and hollers from the friends around them and when he pulled away Amy's cheeks were lit up.
"Better?" He asked and Amy nodded. "Good! Now, let's go, Beautiful! We've got a dinner to get to."
They walked hand-in-hand back down the aisle and everyone else filed out after them. When they got into the foyer of the church Sam stopped and allowed the others to walk past him and Amy. "You guys go on ahead to the restaurant." He said. "Amy and I will be right behind you."
Amy turned to Sam in confusion. "Is something wrong?"
Sam shook his head and smiled down at her. "No. The exact opposite. I just wanted to tell you...well," she noticed a faint sadness cross his facial expression but it was gone quickly.
"There was a time, just after we got engaged, that I felt I was losing you," he spoke softly, "but now it feels as if you've come back to me."
"Oh, Sam." Amy leaned forward and kissed him. "I had a few things that I needed to work out, but things are better now." She didn't want to give him much more detail than that. She had finally worked everything out in her head and had come to terms with the deep loss in her life. She didn't want to do anything that would mess this up anymore than she had.
As of tomorrow, it would be official. All of her dreams of marrying her blue hero would be put to an end. Life isn't a fairytale. I'm not a damsel-in-distress. And Sonic isn't my prince charming. I'm just Amy Rose. And I'm going to marry Sam.
. . . . .
Tails walked in quietly, hoping not to disturb Sonic. He hung he coat in the coat closet and turned, without a sound to walk up to his room when he was stopped.
"How was dinner?" The voice was lifeless, so uncharacteristic of its owner.
"It was…good." Tails felt awkward in this position. Torn between two friends he loved so dearly. He shuffled his feet in the quiet that followed, wishing he could avoid this confrontation and just go to his room. But his friend needed him right now, so he stayed.
"Are you going tomorrow?"
"Yeah." Tails responded quietly, almost guiltily.
"Oh."
Tails sighed. "She's my friend. Did you expect anything less?"
It took a minute for the voice to respond, but when he did he was so quiet Tails had to strain to hear him. "No." He whispered.
"Sonic," Tails knew his friend wasn't going to like what he was about to ask, but it was time for Sonic to fess up. "What happened between you two?
"I don't want to talk about this." His lifeless voice suddenly filled with a very stubborn anger.
"Did you two have a fight?" He pressed.
"I said I don't want to talk about this." Sonic stood from his spot on the living room couch and began to walk off.
"I know you love her." Sonic stopped in his tracks.
"No, I don't." He whispered in denial.
"It's ok to admit it, Sonic. Love isn't a weakness."
"I know."
"Then why are you denying it?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
"BECAUSE IT HURTS!" Sonic turned to Tails with tears filling his eyes. "It hurts so much to see her with someone else. Do you understand what it's like?" Tails stared at his friend in shock. "All those years…in all those years I fought against Eggman. Can you remember all of the injuries I had? How much pain some of them caused me? Those are nothing compared to this!"
Sonic began to pace back and forth out of frustration. "After years of waiting I was about to have my moment. She was there…oh God she was beautiful…I was about to tell her everything. Lay my heart out on the line." He ranted more to himself than anything. "And then HE showed up and what happens? She just walked away. Left me standing alone. She chose HIM!" Sonic bunched his hand up and punched a nearby wall, putting a gaping hole in it.
His eyes went wide and for a few moments neither him nor Tails could take their eyes off of his hand in the wall. Sonic pulled his hand back out slowly and crumpled to the ground. "I didn't even get to say goodbye," he whispered
Tails walked over to Sonic and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look, Sonic. This is going to be hard for you to hear but please listen. When you didn't come back Amy took it really hard. For months she didn't talk to anyone but Knuckles and the only reason she'd talk to him was to check on whether you came back or not.
I know she cried all of the time because I'd stop by to check on her and that's all I'd hear coming from inside her home. The decision to let you go was difficult for her and it took some time for her to heal, although she was never the same…until she met Sam. Sam brought back the girl we all knew and loved and we were all very grateful to him. Sam's not a bad guy. He saved Amy. He brought back the light in her eyes and the happiness in her laughter.
And if you love Amy, and I know you do, you need to think about her happiness. She needs someone who will be there for her constantly. She needs someone who will support her and will give himself entirely to her. She needs stability. Her hearts been broken too many times."
Sonic didn't move as Tails walked away. Before going upstairs to bed Tails turned back to his friend. "Good night, Sonic. Try and get some sleep, ok?"
But Sonic wasn't able to sleep well that night. Tails' words continued to run through his mind. She needs someone who will be there for her constantly. She needs someone who will support her and will give himself entirely to her. She needs stability. Tails' voice spoke again and again.
But, Sonic thought, I could be those things for her.
Her hearts been broken too many times. Tails words haunted him. If you love Amy, and I know you do, you need to think about her happiness.
Sonic stared at the picture of him and Amy while lying in his bed. They were so young back then and he was so naïve. But things were different now. He finally understood how she felt all of those years. She deserves happiness after all I've put her through. But I can't leave things like this. I need to see her one last time. Even if it is to say goodbye…
. . . . .
Sorry if some of the characters are a little OOC. It's late. They're all older and more mature anyways, so they tend to act a little different as a result. I know Amy's age doesn't really mess with the fact that her real character is, what, 12ish? Well, I'm just going with her being around 23 for my story. Hope that doesn't upset or confuse anyone. Well, I hope to have the final chapter up soon! And like I said before, it's already fully written, I just want to tweak a couple of things. I'm pretty proud of it, if I do say so myself. I hope all of you will enjoy it, too! We'll have to wait and see…
Will she end up marrying Sam?
Will she end up ditching Sam for Sonic?
You'll just have to wait and find out!
