A few months later…

Her fingertips ran down the fingers of my left hand, head on my shoulder and plump lips apart. Her fingertips moved to my right hand and they slowly traced down the lines. I smiled at her soft, serene face; her bright, green eyes moved up to my face and smiled into my eyes. Her hand brushed against my cheek and gently brought my lips to hers for another kiss. With Rose, I'd rather be here than anywhere else, her taste was sweet honey and fireworks exploded through my body. The day started with a stroll down the park and here we are sitting down against a large oak tree with each other in sweet kisses.

We pulled away and Rose leaned back on my shoulder and began to run my finger across the snow. The snowflakes gently flew in the wind and the sun was setting in the horizon bringing the sky into a deep blue and pink clouds.

"Well, I'd better get going, Rouge and Ella are probably waiting for me." said Amy with a gentle smile.

"With it being Christmas Eve and all, last minute shopping is the best." I teased her as I got up with her.

"How could I resist not being around you?" she whispered as she turned around and hung her arms over my shoulders.

I gave a small chuckle before giving her a peck on her forehead and seeing her off. Keeping Rose busy gave me enough time to get her something special and plan a night to remember.

I ran past all the different brightly lit stores until I finally saw the dimmed figures of Ella and Rouge waiting by a lamp post.

"Amy! Great, you're here!" Ella beamed.

"The place is beautiful! Look at all the little shops and restaurants." I said with glee.

Every corner was lit with lamp post and was decorated with Christmas wreaths and. Shop windows were laced with red and gold banners beautifully scripted with gold letters saying 'Merry Christmas', hollies and hung from the inside, and little nutcracker dolls were in almost every shop. Icicles hung above and played like chimes when the wind blew by. Coffee shops let out delicious aromas of gingerbread coffees and pastries.

"Little Belgium is a really popular tourist site and it's gorgeous by Christmas." Rouge chirped.

A small shop at the end of the corner caught my attention, it let out an inviting vibe that I felt like I was in a trance.

"Let's go in there!" I told the others.

We walked into the little shop called 'Frambroise' and it was lovely. Pretty, model dolls sat under a little Christmas tree, books were stacked, the fireplace was flickering with warm glimmers and crackled and the atmosphere smelt like roasted chestnuts.

"What is something Shadow would like?" I asked myself as I walked around.

Rouge's cell phone began to ring and she quickly looked at Ella from the corner of her eyes and walked out of the shop. I began to wonder why they were acting so strangely but I pushed it away and began to look around again for Shadow's gift.

It was difficult looking for Shadow's gift, some trinkets were so small, too big, too fancy or too expensive; I needed something wonderful. Suddenly I felt my overcoat being tugged; I looked down and saw a tiny figure. He was a white hedgehog with big, gorgeous auburn eyes, and was about 4 years old; he was probably the shopkeeper's son since the only people in the shop were me, Ella whereas Rouge was outside.

"Hello there." I chirped as kneeled down to his level.

He didn't say a word, he just held slowly held out his tiny hand which held a red satin handkerchief. The child motioned for me to take it and I carefully took it from and unwrapped the handkerchief. I gasped in shock, it was beautiful and perfect for Shadow.

"Thank you so much.." I said, smiling, "where did you find these?"

The child said nothing again, I figured that he was shy and wasn't interested in talking to strangers, so I thanked him again and walked towards the shopkeeper.

"Did you find what you were looking for, Ames?" said Ella as he spun a little green gift bag in her hands.

"Yes, it's perfect. I'll just cash out and we'll head out." I assured her.

The shopkeeper was a timid, young hedgehog, about mid-20s, silky beige fur and auburn eyes like the child I met.

"Hello, I'd like to buy there." I said placing the gift in her hand.

I looked towards the door and saw Rouge and Ella conversing outside and waved at me when they noticed me. I waved and was startled by a loud CLINK!

The shopkeeper has taken off the red handkerchief and gasped in fear, letting the gift fall onto the counter.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, suspiciously.

"Well, since today is Christmas Eve, why don't I just let you have it for free?" she stuttered as she brought out a small box, pretty wrapping paper and ribbons.

"No, no! I couldn't, I can't!" I stated.

"Don't worry, my dear, it's perfectly fine!" she stumbled on her words as she swiftly wrapped the gift.

"No, I can't-"I replied seriously.

"JUST TAKE IT!" she yelled and through the gift at me.

I was taken back by her actions and luckily caught the gift and the door opened in a rush.

"Is everything alright?" Ella asked.

Ella's eyes were filled with worry whereas Rouge's eyes were piercing daggers at the shopkeeper; they had seen everything.

"Please…" the shopkeeper whispered.

"It's alright, Ames, let's go." Ella smiled.

I walked quickly out of shop with Rouge and Ella without taking a last look at the strange shopkeeper. Soft flurries swirled around us and we decided to get warm up at a nearby coffee shop. As I continued to walk down the street with the other, I felt another tug on my overcoat; it was the little white hedgehog again. Ella and Rouge stood in front of a café admiring the young boy who stood before me.

"You two go in and get settled. I'll be there in a minute." I replied.

I turned my attention to the child and knelt down to his level again.

"Merry Christmas." he responded in an angelic voice as he held out a purple, velvet pouch with a tag attached by gold ribbon.

"Thank you, love." I chirped as I pulled out a little red bag of Christmas sugar plums, "Merry Christmas."

The child slowly took the gift in his tiny hands and smiled. My smile slowly disappeared and my face was covered with shock with what I saw; it was so unreal that ice ran down my spine. The child's beautiful auburn eyes brightened into white irises and him pupils rolled to the back of his head.

"Your eyes!" I gasped.

His smile disappeared and he ran back into his mother's shop. I stood up and ran into the coffee shop and was greeted by Rouge and Ella's questioning looks.

"Are you alright, Ames? You look...stunned." Rouge questioned.

"Um, yes! The nutcrackers were creeping me out." I babbled, nervously.

We ordered three hot chocolates and settled down at a table in the corner. The aromas of coffee calmed me and the delicious pastries made my mouth water.

"Who was the little boy outside? He was looked so sweet." beamed Ella.

"That was the shopkeeper's son; he wanted to return the glove I accidently dropped." I said.

"What was that woman's problem? That was...strange." Rouge said, tensely.

"We were bargaining and I was being stubborn with the pricing so she got angry and lost it. Oh well, I finally the holiday shopping done." I replied.

The young waitress came back with a tray of large cups of hot chocolates with whipped cream floating with a white chocolate drizzle. She carefully placed them down and we thanked her as she smiled sweetly and walked away.

"So will you be able to come over tomorrow?" Rouge asked Ella as she sipped her chocolate.

"Mhmm!" Ella agreed licking the cream off her lips, "will you be needing help with the decorations?" Ella insisted.

"That'll be great! Thanks. What about you, Amy?" Rouge asked.

"I'll be there." I responded.

"So…how are things going with Shadow?" Rouge gleamed.

"Great as usual, nothing new." I muttered.

"Question. Why were you so occupied for the last few days?" Ella questioned.

"Shadow and me spent a lot of time together…a lot of dates." I grinned with a small laugh.

"Oh…well the cancels out the second idea." Rouge replied smugly.

I choked slightly on my drink as I blushed madly, Ella patted my back as she glared at Rouge.

"No! No, Rouge! Nothing like that!" I exclaimed.

"I was joking, Amy!" Rouge chuckled, "besides, when the new year rings in you and Shadow will have been together for a year, haven't you thought of…?"

I shook my head. Shadow did not seem to be that kind of person who would go too fast in a relationship.

"Can we please talk about something else?" I asked, still blushing.

"Well, Rouge, how has your job been at G.U.N?" Ella pointed out quickly.

"Nothing special, it's pretty boring. It's odd that Eggman hasn't shown any activity in three years. I'm sure he's got something up his sleeve." Rouge said as she drank her chocolate.

"Gives us a good idea to keep our eyes peeled." I replied.

"Well, give me a head start on any activity. If I get the journalist job, I can get the big scoop." I beamed.

"Eggman or the story?" Rough chuckled.

Two stories in one day and it's 4:15am! Thank god for Christmas holidays! Yeah, it's mostly girl talk but shit's going to go down soon. ENJOY!