Chapter fifty-five.

After all were finished at the bridal store they said their good byes and walked out into the city street. Tanya was leading the way with Max walking beside her, both chatting to one another as Sonic and Shadow walked behind with Shadow holding Nicholas in one arm.

"Cheer up love, you will be free soon." Sonic softly said as Shadow had yet to say anything to anybody since he played that trick on him.

Shadow remained silent as he looked on with a calm expression. What no one knew was that Shadow was simply waiting for the right moment to break free and sneak away for a moment or two just to cause his boyfriend to panic a little. He had the means to do so, that was thanks to another pick-pocketing session in the changing cubical, and alls he needed now was the right time to do the breakout.

"Uncle Shadow are you broken?" Nicholas asked with a small frown while looking up at his uncles calm features.

"What makes you say that?" Shadow asked with a raised brow down at his nephew.

"Well someone had to say something that would make you talk once more. It was the first question that popped into my head to ask and it got you talking again." Nicholas happily said with a smile at Shadow.

"Oh good I didn't break ya Shads but I have to point out we are falling behind a bit." Sonic said with a fake sigh of relief then had to point out that Tanya and Max were quite far in front.

"No I am not broken, yet anyway, and they wont just leave us behind so stop worrying." Shadow calmly said with a smile as he glanced beside him at his boyfriend.

"Yeah so where did they go then?" Sonic asked with a small frown as now Tanya and Max were no where to be seen.

"Around the corner clearly." Shadow replied back with some amusement as Sonic was starting to seem a little anxious.

When they reached the corner and turned Shadow began to smirk as both Tanya and Max were standing outside the shoe shop, that only sold shoes for males, a little down from the corner.

"Yeah ok you were right so quit looking so smug Shads." Sonic muttered with a small frown as he glanced at Shadow while they approached the couple.

"You guys are so slow." Tanya said teasingly with a grin.

"Well we are here now so let go inside." Shadow pleasantly said as he stopped in front of his sister with a grin on his muzzle too.

They entered one by one then went straight to the special occasion shoes, that was located at the end of the store. Shadow placed his nephew down then glanced at his boyfriend who was looking at the shiny new shoes on the shelves in front of them all.

"Right lets make a start in trying on shoes until we find something comfortable for you both and no Shadow you are not wearing boots." Tanya cheerfully said then grinned deviously as she glanced at her brother.

"That is a shame but it's your wedding." Shadow said with a sigh as he was going to ask if he could for he doesn't really get along with fancy shoes all that well.

Five minutes, it took five minutes for Shadow to become officially bored with this. Picking up pairs, trying them on then going for different ones was becoming taxing. Doing all this one handed didn't help much either and being forced to bend down when Sonic needed to use his cuffed hand was annoying him too.

"Now finally experiencing shoe shopping for myself, I do not understand how females enjoy doing this for hours." Shadow thought as he was sitting next to Sonic looking very much bored on a fabric mini sofa while Sonic tried on some shoes.

"I cannot even unlock these cuffs without being caught which sucks more." Shadow thought next as he decided to look around to at least try and find a pair that looked comfy.

"Yeah these feel nice and comfortable so far." Sonic happily said as he wiggled his feet to make sure he had enough room, which he did.

"Can we go to the park, this is boring." Nicholas whined as he too had had enough of shoe shopping.

"I'll take him and I swear we will go straight there and wait for you all." Shadow quickly said as he stood up with Sonic as Sonic needed to walk a little to test out those shoes.

"Dad said you are not allowed to wonder off and to stay with us." Tanya semi seriously said with a small frown, watching her brother being lightly dragged away as Sonic walked.

"What dad doesn't know wont hurt him. So long as everyone here keeps their mouth closed he and mum wont find out." Shadow said with a grin while also looking hopeful for a yes.

"I don't know, you still haven't picked out a pair of shoes yet." Tanya said as she did begin to think about it.

"Please mama, please let uncle Shadow take me to the park." Nicholas asked with a sad begging look up at his mother.

"Just pick out anything you like Tan, you know my shoe size. So is that a yes?" Shadow asked with the same sad begging look as Nicholas was giving, he and Sonic now walking back after taking six steps away.

"Sonic what do you think, shall we allow them to go to the park?" Max asked with a grin as he looked at Sonic, who looked back.

"If I say yes Shadow you have to swear you go straight there and not move. Also if you are caught by your dad then you have to say you snuck off without our knowledge and except whatever punishment he gives you." Sonic said with a grin at his boyfriend.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah sure." Shadow said then got the key out of his inner pocket and quickly freed himself from the hand cuffs.

"Oh smooth babe, real smooth." Sonic dryly said as once again he didn't even notice Shadow take that from him.

"Well we will see you three at the play park." Shadow happily said with a bright smile while taking his nephews hand into his.

"I mean it Shadow no detours." Sonic seriously said with a warning look to do as told.

"Sonic I am offended you would think I would do such a thing." Shadow said with fake shock.

"Uh-huh sure you are and yes you would. We'll see you both in twenty minutes or so and don't make a portal there ok, just walk." Sonic replied with a roll of his eyes.

"Yes sir, come on Nicholas lets blow this joint and go have some real fun." Shadow said with excitement in leaving the boringness of shoe shopping then led the way out of the store.

"Don't worry you two, he wont go disappearing and nothing will happen to them. It's a public place and no one is that stupid to approach Shadow with bad intentions there." Max assured with a smile as he could see his future wife and Sonic was having seconds thoughts in allowing Shadow to leave.

"People are stupid enough to attack him at home full of highly trained guards, what makes a public place any different?" Sonic said with worry as now alls he wanted to do his chase after Shadow and bring him back.

"Maybe we should bring him back." Tanya said with equal worry for her brothers and her sons safety.

"You both really need to chill and let them have some time alone together. On the very slim off chance something does happen then I take full responsibility." Max said with confidence that nothing dangerous will happen to either his son and soon to be brother-in-law.

Meanwhile…

"It is a good job that shop wasn't all that far from the park." Shadow happily said as he and Nicholas walked through the entrance and followed the path to the children's play area.

"Yeah which means more play time right uncle Shadow." Nicholas cheerfully said as he looked up at his uncle with a bright smile.

"Definitely means that." Shadow replied as he looked down briefly.

Another minute of walking down the pathway the play park was in view in the distance. This made them both walk faster then soon hands broke and they were racing there. Of course this didn't go unnoticed by others walking around or heading there with their children and all seemed a little surprised to see Shadow out in public after years of not doing so.

"I'm winning uncle Shadow!" Nicholas called out as he was a meters distance from Shadow.

"Oh so this is a race now?" Shadow chuckled as they were seconds away from the entrance gate.

"Yes I win!" Nicholas happily said as he stopped at the gate and grabbed the bars while looking back at Shadow, who had stopped running and walked closer.

"Yeah ok you win but next time you wont be so lucky." Shadow smirked with amusement then motioned his nephew to push the gate open, which he did.

Meanwhile…

"He is so not going to want to wear them." Sonic said with a grin as they lined up to pay for the wedding shoes, being next to pay.

"Yeah well he wanted me to pick for him and that is what I did." Tanya grinned a little deviously while holding a pair of shoes in each hand.

"They aren't all that bad and just a basic pair of shoes. What is there to complain about anyway?" Max shrugged as he thought the shoes his soon-to-be wife chose were alright.

"It's only for the wedding ceremony then he can go change before the reception party." Tanya casually said then smiled as she walked to the till.

After paying for the shoes and leaving the store they all made their way to the park area. At the play park Shadow was busy pushing his nephew on the swing while chatting to a guy doing the same with his daughter next to them.

"Yeah so everything is all good once more and I very much doubt it that guy will show up again with an agenda to fight." Shadow casually said with a smile at the wolf, talking about that bat assassin from the other night.

"I do hope he wont, I just do not understand why people are doing this to you. You haven't once hurt anyone or destroyed anything." The wolf said with a small confused frown while looking at Shadow briefly then went back to looking at what he was doing.

"Are you talking about what happened to you uncle Shadow?" Nicholas asked as he turned his head slightly to look at his uncle.

"Smart kid." The wolf whispered over to Shadow.

"Yep, we are all so proud." Shadow whispered back as he smiled at his nephew.

"Yes and no and remember what happened to me was like a total accident." Shadow lied with a smile, unsure exactly how much Nicholas knew about what he has gone through recently.

"That is not what my mummy said. She said there are people out there that want to hurt you badly and probably wont give up until you are dead. Then she said she really hopes they are caught before that happens because she doesn't want to hear they killed you Master Shadow." The wolfs four year old daughter said with a smile while turning her head to look at Shadow.

"What?" Nicholas whispered and was growing very upset with hearing this.

"I wasn't aware she was listening to that conversation." The wolf muttered to himself and was now feeling very embarrassed.

Shadow stopped pushing his nephew and was looking back at the little girl, unable to find the words to rely to that. The swing Nicholas was on slowed to a stop so he hopped off and ran to his uncle, embracing him tightly while crying. This distracted Shadow and bent down then picked his nephew up.

"I am so sorry Master Shadow." The wolf said with an apologetic look at Shadow as he too stopped pushing his daughter.

"It is fine." Shadow calmly replied to the wolf then looked down at his crying nephew.

"Nicholas no one will kill me ok, they don't have the skills to, and your grandpa Collin wont ever let that happen." Shadow softly said as he hugged his upset nephew securely.

"Daddy I'm going on the slide now." The wolfs daughter announced with a cheerful tone then hopped down off the swing and ran off.

"Again I am so sorry for what Hannah said." The wolf said with guilt then walked off to stand by the slide.

"Why do people want you dead?" Nicholas whispered as he moved his head and looked up at his uncle with teary eyes.

"How do I answer that without mentioning my gift?" Shadow thought as he did have an understanding his sister wanted Nicholas in the dark about his gift until he was much older to understand.

"Well some people just do not like me very much and that is understandable since you cannot expect everyone to like you. Some people think it is ok to hurt those they hate but we know it isn't don't we. I'm sure if they got to know me then they would like me but we cannot force someone to like you." Shadow calmly said with a soft smile down at his nephew, watching his nephew faintly smile.

"Now why don't we continue having fun before your mother comes along and drags us both out by the fangs." Shadow smirked as he jokes a little to try and cheer up Nicholas.

"Yeah she will definitely do that." Nicholas said with a more cheerful look and tone then was gently lowered back to the ground.

Meanwhile, ten minutes later, Sonic Tanya and Max were getting close to the play park. They would have been there by now if it wasn't for someone stopping them to congratulate the engaged couple and chat to them.

"Well I can see the park in the distance but I do not see Shadow and Nicholas." Sonic said with a small frown as he squinted a little to see better.

"No, neither can I." Tanya said as she did the same and was starting to sound annoyed.

"Well I can. They are at the sand pit with a couple of mums and their children. Shadow is holding a baby as Nicholas is playing with one of the children in there." Max grinned as he looked where he spotted Shadow and his son.

"Oh yeah I see them now. Aw that is so adorable, Nicholas found a friend to play with and Shadow has found a baby too." Tanya said with a gently smile as they got closer and closer to the play park.

"Watch out Sonic, a baby might be on the menu for you two." Max teased playfully as he glanced at Sonic.

"Yeah I wouldn't mind that." Sonic replied with a grin back and was totally being honest with that.

Meanwhile…

"She is so well behaved and so adorable. You are very lucky Jasmine." Shadow softly said while he looked down at the three month old baby in his arms as he sat crossed legged on the sand next to Jasmine, who was a light brown and black rabbit.

"She is behaving now but she sure can have screaming fits." Jasmine giggled as she smiled down at her content looking daughter staring lazily up at Shadow.

"Uncle Shadow what do you think of mine and Rob's castle?" Nicholas asked as he looked at his uncle with a smile.

Shadow looked up with a calculated expression then grinned.

"It's pretty good and I do like the use of leaves for flags. You just need to do a mote around it then it will be perfect." Shadow replied as he locked eyes with his nephew.

"Yeah then we can put water in it." Rob, the rabbits son, said with excitement as he looked at Nicholas, Nicholas looking back at him when he started talking.

"You look very comfortable here Shads." Sonic said as he walked over and stood beside the sand pit, grinning at his boyfriend being around a toddler, a baby and two mums as well as the two five year olds, one being Nicholas, building that mote together.

"Well I'm a people person and am always happy to take time to sit and chat." Shadow grinned up at Sonic with a happy look in his eyes.

"Can't argue with that one." Sonic shrugged as he spoke.

"It is time we were heading back now so hand the baby back. You need to be handcuffed again so dad doesn't know we took them off you." Tanya said as she and Max had finally caught up with Sonic and stood next to him, all looking at Shadow.

"Tanya did you have to mention that in front of these lovely ladies?" Shadow groaned in displeasure then gently passed the baby back Jasmine.

"Yes I did now go get cuffed." Tanya deviously replied with a wider grin at her brother while pointing at Sonic.

Shadow muttered complaints as he stood up and took the walk of shame to his boyfriend. He begrudgingly held out his wrist while looking to the side and was not looking happy. The cuff was clipped back on then his hand was taken by Sonic.

"I am sure it wont be for much longer Master Shadow and we all hope to see you again soon." Jasmine sweetly said with a smile up at Shadow.

"Yes so do I hope to see you again soon and take care." Shadow softly replied as he looked at those he was sitting with while Tanya informed Nicholas it was time to go.

After more good byes they all left the play park and took a casual walk down the pathway together.

"Uncle Shadow when you come back to visit next time, can we go to the park together again?" Nicholas asked as he turned his head to look back at his uncle while he held onto his fathers hand.

"We are so doing that, twenty five minutes is just not enough to have the full play park experience. We didn't even get a chance to go really fast on the round-a-bout or try out the see-saw." Shadow factually said with a grin at his nephew, watching Nicholas smile wide with excitement then turn his head back round.

"And I suppose having less time with baby holding blows huh babe." Sonic whispered in Shadows ear and sounding a little amused.

"Damn straight it blows but I know one way I can be surrounded by babies." Shadow whispered back with a fangy grin while glancing at Sonic.

"Oh yeah and where would that be?" Sonic raised a brow as he asked his question.

"The birthing home." Shadow winked as he spoke back and received a dry expression from his boyfriend.

(Sorry for the long wait for this new chapter but there it is. Only three or four more chapters to go then this story is finished. Hope you enjoyed the read and until the next update…)