AN: Another big jump as filler is lame... over all and I don't see myself doing this story justice without jumping around.
It had been 5 weeks since Shadow showed up with his small army. They stayed at the cabin for a week before heading out on the road. Randy had protested as it was just turning fall and Sandy was nearly six months pregnant, plus the kids were weak from the lack of exercise and food, but Shadow pushed they needed to get back to the safely of the compound he worked for. Part of Randy understood where the other man was coming from, but doubting his full recollection of things as he hadn't taken care of his children in a year and a half. To Randy's misfortune his worried turned out to be true as the children struggled to keep up, and Shadow's men became annoyed accommodating the young children, and even Sandy starting to struggle with her pregnancy. The only saving grace seemed to be the loyalty to Shadow his men had, but Randy was disgusted by the irritation Shadow showed to his own family struggling to keep up with him. Randy found myself, and his sister being the only comfort to the children during the cold and rugged trek.
Randy had barely said anything to his sister, other than his protest to Shadow's demands once he showed up. He figured it was likely her just trying to forget about their intimate time spend with one another as her husband was no where to be found as he impregnated her with her latest litter. At least her four children still found need for him and when not crying for their mother look to him for help. He was completely pissed as he could go to conform one of her children only to see their father turn away and avoid the situation. He knew Shadow wasn't a good father, but it seemed his time away from his family only made him more of unloving ass.
It wasn't until Sandy started faltering more and more one day that he actually started showing signs of real concern. She tried to push it off as nothing, but Randy recalled enough about what he read about pregnancy back when we fright got pregnant that he realized she was actually showing signs of real contractions, and they seemed to be closing in fast. Of course, her being herself she tried to down play it as nothing until she could barely walk and they had to take shelter in an area of mostly tall grass. Again, Shadow's men seemed to be annoyed by the hold up, but luckily their leader was able to shut them up for the time being. Randy found himself trying to calm the children down as well as aiding her as Shadow just kneeled as her side uselessly hold her hand as she screamed out in overwhelming pain.
Randy had finally had enough. "Do something you ass!" He screamed at the now one-armed hedgehog. "Or tend ta the kids so I can do something!" He stared aggressively at his sisters' husband who only looked back at him with empty eyes.
"This is your fault." Shadow stated plainly to Randy.
"No! This is yer fucking fault fer dragger her out here in her condition!" Randy stood up and walked towards Shadow before kicking him in the chest only to have the hedgehog grab his leg with his right arm and throw him off balance.
"Stop! Please!" Sandy begged while trying not to cry out more in pain.
"We need to leave them." One of Shadow's men spoke up.
"Stand down!" Shadow demanded as grabbed the man's gun and then smacked it back into his face.
"He's right." The lone female member of his small army spoke up. "They are slowing us down, and we won't last long when the snow starts to fall soon."
"I'm not leaving my family!" Shadow yelled at his men that seemed to be standing against him.
"Why not?" Randy asked as he found his footing again. "You had no problem leaving dem fer dead for the past year and a half. You worthless cock sucker!"
Shadow stood up and took three large steps towards Sandy's brother before delivering a blow that knocked him out cold. "I am not leaving my family." He reconfirmed to his troops. They all casts' glances back and forth before going back to their usual defensive stance. He at least held that much power of them that they'd do what he said even if it was only in his own best interest.
Shadow then kneeled back down next to his wife and held her hand as she tried to hold back the pain of her upcoming child birth. But to his horror she said something he never thought he'd hear... "I need Randy!" She begged.
"Why?" He tried not to seem too upset by the question but he knew it gave way to his angry emotions of how much he hated the man considering how he had tried to claim his wife.
"I taught him how ta deliver da babies, and... they are coming. I'm sorry Shadow!" She sobbed between cries of pain.
"Please shut her up." One of him men called. "They will be swarming us in no time."
"If you say anything like that about my wife again, I will kill you myself." Shadow replied plainly. "And wake that worthless squirrel up. Seems he might be worth something for a short time at least."
Randy woke up a few hours after Shadow knocked him out... he came to hearing his sister's cries of pain and her children crying. He jumped up still too dizzy to really navigate himself anywhere, but called out to them in an attempt to let them know he was on his way to help. He was quickly met by all her children latching onto him and still crying while begging him to help their mother which he promptly promised them he'd do... even though he hadn't fully regained his bearings yet. He finally found himself once Shadow grabbed one of fhis arms and pried him away from the children to tend to Sandy.
"She said you could help her." Shadow stated as the small children followed behind him.
Randy looked down at his sister obviously struggling and tried to hide back his worry as he finally found the nerve to speak to Shadow. "Take care of da kids so I can take care of her."
"Haven't you taken care of her enough?" Shadow growled.
"Ya already won, Shadow." Randy reminded him. "She ran right back ta ya after all dis time, and threw me away like nothing. At least let me help her... even if ya don't care about these babies as they aren't yers. Try to be a dad ta yer own kids for a few hours... I know dat is a lot ta ask from yer worthless ass." Randy scowled at him.
"RANDY!" She called out his name and reached out blindly before he gripped her hand and leaned over her and held her hand and arm tightly.
"I'm here Sandy!" He pulled her hand up to kiss it before letting his other hand pet the fur on the top of her head. He then bent down to kiss her check. "What can I do ta help ya feel better, baby?" He asked already feeling Shadow glare him down.
She didn't even bother responding but just tried to hold back cries of pain as more contractions bombarded her.
"We need boiling water and clean cloths!" Randy looked at Shadow and pleaded. "Alcohol would be nice too ta clean her up. Please." He looked at Shadow less aggressively. "Please help me help her... if she ever meant anything ta ya... please."
Shadow then barked the same orders to his small army of men, and they scattered to give him what he demanded.
"Thank ya." Randy plainly stated to Shadow as the children sat behind him watching Randy in terror.
"Just keep her alive. I don't give a damn about your children." Shadow then turned his back on the two siblings and sat next to his children who seems extremely uncomfortable next to the father they barely knew.
Randy ignored Shadow being a dick and just continued to hold her hand and pet her brow. "It's ok, Sandy. I'm here." He repeated as she gripped onto him tightly as her contractions kept assaulting her
"I'm so sorry Randy!" She screamed out. "I was wrong... I was so wrong!"
"Nah!" Randy tried to laugh at her. "Yer never wrong, ya nerd." He then kissed her forehead as she started to sweat more and struggle for breath.
"Ya have always been good ta me... I'm so sorry. I'm so stupid!" She cried while gripping her fingers tightly on his arm as she cried out desperately in pain.
"I'm stupid, Sandy! I'm so sorry! I'd give anything ta help ya right now! I swear! I'm sooo sorry!" He started to tear up seeing his sister in such misery and knowing full well it was his fault for being so full of lust for her. "I should have pulled out like ya told me too, but ya just felt so good... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"
Sandy barely laughed through her constant stream of pain. "It was worth it fer our babies." She gripped down on him tighter and looked him determined in the eye. "Yes." She barely stated before trying to hold herself back from crying out in pain again.
"Yes?" He responded completely confused.
"I'll marry ya." She let out with the little beath she had left in her lungs after screaming out moments before.