Another chapter guys! I think you'll like this one! although it seems like I create more problems for these characters than I solve. ^^" Oh well, it helps them grow. What can I say, I love my babies. A little piece of myself goes in each one. Anyway, I'm rambling. Enjoy!
The last few weeks of Tempest's pregnancy passed by quickly. She was due any day now. Gadget had gotten Ace's music back, and Infinite had come out of his shell a bit more. The substance from the water was discovered to be a poison so everyone had been cautioned to stay away from the rivers. A few stealth missions had been sent out to Eggman's base, but hadn't been able to get inside.
Jay and Tempest walked arm in arm to breakfast. Tempest was moving slow, but they were happy. She leaned against his side and sighed softly.
"Tired babe?" He asked while rubbing her upper arm. She nodded. He kissed her cheek.
Jay helped her sit at the table and went to get something for her to eat. She rested her hand on her stomach, feeling the movement in her belly.
Rouge sat down beside her. "Hey mama," she grinned as she put a strawberry in her mouth.
"Hey Rouge," Tempest said quietly. She looked so tired.
"Excited to see your babies?" Rouge asked. The jackal nodded with a smile.
Jay came back with a plate of food for her. It was mostly fruit, and a waffle. Meat had been making her sick to her stomach. But she missed eating it.
She took the plate with a grateful smile and started nibbling on an apple slice.
After a few minutes, she pushed the plate back. "Are you done?" Jay asked with concern as he looked at her plate. She'd only eaten two apple slices, and half a strawberry.
"I don't feel well Jay," she mumbled. "I think I need to go lay down." As she stood up, her water broke.
Jay's gold eyes widened as he grabbed her arm to steady her.
"Let's get her to your room," said Rouge, "I'll go get Vanilla, she knows what to do."
He nodded and the bat hurried off. Tempest had sat back down. She was taking deep breaths. "Can you walk back?" He asked. "Or do you want me to carry you?" His hand gently rubbed her back.
"I don't know if I have time to get back," she whimpered.
"Here," he gently pulled her to her feet, "I'll help you."
By that time, Vanilla and Rouge came over. Maybree hurried behind them. She was worried about her mother.
"Let's get to your room ok?" Vanilla said gently as she guided Tempest out of the room.
When dusk fell, the pup was here. Tempest gasped and tried to sit up when she heard the crying jackal.
Vanilla placed the pup in her outstretched arms, "You have a little boy," she smiled.
Tempest held him to her chest. His tiny fingers gripped her shirt as he cried. "Don't worry baby," she said, "Mama's got you."
He nuzzled his face in her chest, wanting to eat. She quickly pulled her shirt back so he could. Her heart swelled with love for her baby. He was the only one, no siblings were born, but she loved him so much. Her eyes filled with tears as she gently smoothed his head.
Jay leaned over her shoulder, just looking at his son. "You did such a good job babe," he said to Tempest, softly kissing her cheek.
She smiled at him tiredly, holding her baby close to her chest.
After a few minutes, Jay sat in a chair and held him. The pup snuggled up in his arms. He slowly opened his eyes. They were a striking blue. Jay smiled softly. The gene that had given Finn his one blue eye, had found its way to his son.
"What do you want to name him Tempest?" He asked, looking over at his tired wife.
"I want to call him Spade," she said quietly.
"That sounds perfect."
Maybree was helping Vanilla clean up the bedding. After she finished she went to see her new baby brother. She leaned over Jay's shoulder, "let me see him papa." He nodded, and then she brushed her quills back as she leaned forward.
"He's so small," she remarked as he held her finger in his little hand.
"He'll grow," Tempest said softly.
Rouge could tell how tired she was. "Get some rest hun," she said with a smile. "Jay will watch him."
The jackal nodded. She trusted Jay to keep their pup safe. She snuggled up under the blanket and went to sleep.
Soon everyone heard about the pup being here. Keelie, Gadget, and their boys, came to see their new family member. Gaia was with them.
Fortune grinned as he looked at little Spade. He wanted to hold him. He looked at Jay eagerly.
Jay was somewhat leery. Even though he knew Fortune was a well behaved young man, and responsible, the loss of their other child made him somewhat protective. He held Spade a little closer, "maybe later Fortune."
Fortune pinned his ears back, but he nodded in understanding. He didn't know what had happened in the past, everyone always danced around the subject, but he knew it was some kind of tragedy.
Gaia was excited to see the pup. "He's so cute," she gushed. She reached her hand towards his short mane, "may I?" Jay hesitated, but he nodded. Gaia reached forward and rubbed the soft white fur on top his head.
The pup nuzzled against her hand and softly licked her fingertips. Gaia smiled, "he's so sweet, congratulations guys."
"Thanks," Jay said softly. Tempest was still asleep. She turned over in the bed, mumbling softly.
Keelie stayed to the side of the room. There was tension between her and Gadget right now. She was upset that he had sided with Ace about his music. The jackal was upset about the young man he was becoming. He was getting more and more into the rocker look. He wore black and spikes. She hated it. But Gadget wanted to allow him to be that way. She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Spade jumped and began to cry. Tempest shot up in the bed, "where's my baby?" Panic was evident in her voice. Her gold eyes saw him in Jay's arms. She reached over and held him close, "it's ok baby," she whispered.
He sobbed and gripped her shirt as he cried. She tried to calm him down, but he just wailed. Tears rolled down his face as he cried harder.
"Don't cry Spade," she tried to soothe him. "It's ok. Mama's here." As she smoothed his mane, he slowly calmed down.
"Sorry about Keelie," Gadget said while adjusting his glasses. "She hasn't been herself in a while."
"I think it would be better if we were alone for a while," Jay said while putting his ears back.
Gadget nodded. "Come on boys." The three teens followed behind him as he left the room.
Jay stood up after a few minutes.
"Where are you going love?" Tempest asked while softly bouncing the baby.
"I'm going to find Finn, I want him to see Spade. Is that ok with you?" He asked.
"I think that would be a great idea."
Infinite was sitting cross legged on his bed. His eyes were closed as he was lost in thought. His ear twitched as the door opened.
Jay slipped in the room and walked over to the bed. "Hey."
He opened his blue eye, but did not say anything.
Jay nudged his shoulder, "scoot over?" He was trying to make things like when they were young.
Infinite slid to the side and Jay sat beside him. "Are you doing ok?" He asked after a moment.
He sighed heavily and folded his ears back, "I'm sorry."
Jay could hear the regret and pain in his little brother's voice. "I know you are. It's ok, I forgive you."
Infinite clenched his fists and pounded them on the mattress. "You shouldn't." He sniffled a bit as his mane fell in his face. "I took so many lives, and the worst part is, I didn't know I was doing it." He covered his eyes with his palms, "but the ruby had to show it to me. I just want it to stop."
Wordlessly, Jay rested a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Finn, you're the toughest jackal I know. And it kills me to see you giving up like this." His voice quivered. "You've survived too much to give up now."
"I asked you not to call me Finn anymore," he sniffed.
"You're my brother, I can't just forget you. No matter what you say, you're not Infinite. You'll always be Finn to me." He gripped his shoulders, "we haven't given up on you."
Blue and gold eyes widened, and the tears fell. Infinite's shoulders shook as he cried. Jay pulled him into a hug. He felt tears brimming his eyes too.
"I want to be Finn again," he sniffled after a while, "I just don't know if I can."
Jay wiped his brother's tears away, "you can. We'll help you." Infinite nodded. "Come on," the older jackal stood up, holding his hands, "there's someone I want you to meet."