(Hello and welcome to the next chapter. Yep it is still very much active and probably will be for a while since I do not know when I should come to a close. Hope you enjoy the read and do not forget to comment by reviewing, thanks.)
Not all news will be good.
It was two days later, it now being a Friday morning, and Shadow was standing beside Jamie's bed. Jamie was sitting up with a thermometer inside of his mouth, arms crossed and not looking happy.
"I feel fine now." Jamie mumbled as he glanced at his mother, who was silently counting down a minute as his temperature was taken.
"Shh, you will cause an inaccurate reading." Shadow calmly said while also never losing count.
Jamie rolled his eyes then looked down at his crossed arms. Shadow smiled after finishing the count down then took the thermometer out of his sons mouth and read the results.
"Ok your temperature is normal but I want to keep you home just to make sure you are ok." Shadow said with relief that Jamie was definitely on the mend after getting poisoned.
Shadow and Rouge did a little investigating, after Rouge managed to convince Shadow not to go to the chef with murderous intentions, and found out something very interesting on the CCTV footage. Somehow a very small robot managed to get passed their tight security and contaminated the chicken after it was cooked and placed on plates. Of course Shadow was even more angered over this and went straight to the Dr's base, only to find it abandoned.
He will be getting revenge and the next time Eggman shows up he will be out for blood, well only if no one can change his mind with murdering Dr Eggman.
"I get to come out of bed right, you are not going to make me stay here all day right?" Jamie asked with a pleading look up at his smiling mother.
"Of course but take it easy ok, it was only yesterday morning you finally stopped being sick." Shadow calmly answered then walked out to leave his son to get up and sorted for a calm relaxing day home from school.
Shadow entered the kitchen with his smile still there to see and went about disinfecting that mouth thermometer before placing it back inside its plastic box.
"How's he doing love?" Sonic asked as he watched his husband wipe the thermometer clean while he poured cereal and milk into bowls.
"No temperature today but he is going to be staying home my love." Shadow calmly replied as he finished up his task then got his coffee sorted.
"If he is fine then why is he staying home?" Amber asked sweetly as she grabbed a spoon to make a start on her breakfast.
"Because I want to make sure he is on the mend and fine sweetheart." Shadow softly answered as he grabbed his mug and lend back against the countertop, facing his family.
"You know I've been thinking and…" Sonic began as he finished pouring the milk then closed the flap, only he was interrupted before he could say what he was thinking about.
"Oh no, daddy has been thinking, quick everyone take cover!" Amber called out as she teased her father, making her sisters giggle.
Shade just tilted his head in wonder to why that was funny while holding a slice of toast in both hands.
"That's right ladies, laugh it all out." Sonic rolled his eyes but was in no way annoyed, his grin was a sure sign of that.
"Daddy is not one to think and when he does it doesn't usually end well." Shadow explained in Shades head as he smirked while having his mug to his lips.
"Oh, daddy think." Shade said then laughed a little while looking at his father.
"Anyway, Jamie wasn't the only one to have chicken for dinner that night so why didn't you and Shade get sick babe?" Sonic finally shared his thoughts as he walked to the fridge to put the milk back.
"And how would you know that, you weren't even…" Shadow began to ask with a raised brow at Sonic when a very upset voice spoke out.
"I sick?" Shade asked with a scared look over at his mother, tears in his eyes as he was getting scared he was, dropping his small slice of toast onto his plate.
"Oh well done Sonic." Shadow said with an annoyed expression at Sonic.
"I-I no want sick." Shade said as he began to cry.
"Oops, sorry. I should really think before I open my mouth." Sonic sheepishly said as he looked over at his unimpressed looking husband putting that mug of coffee down on the kitchen side.
"Yes, you really should." Shadow mumbled with a deep frown then approached his upset son.
"You are not sick ok, daddy is just being silly." Shadow softly said as he undid the straps from around Shades waist then picked Shade up for a cuddle.
"Daddy has a point, why are you and Shade not sick?" Annabel asked with a curious look at her mother.
"At least I am not the only one asking now." Sonic thought as he walked over to his husband and crying son then stood next to them.
"Mama cannot get sick because his immune system destroys anything harmful to him." Sapphire said in a factual tone while looking at her sister.
"I didn't mean to upset you Shade." Sonic gently said as he reached over and took Shade so he could give his son a cuddle.
Shade hugged his father back and was slowly calming down.
"So does that mean Shade has the same immune system as mama?" Amber asked as she looked at Sapphire, who shrugged while putting cereal into her mouth.
"Maybe we do too and can't get sick." Annabel said with excitement to Amber, who looked at her with a grin.
"Yeah lets see if we do." Amber said with some excitement in her voice.
"Absolutely not. I will not have you both eating things you shouldn't just to see if you will get sick from it." Shadow firmly said as he looked at his and Sonics identical daughters.
"Aw but mama." Amber whined with a sad look on her face, Annabel mimicking that look too.
"No buts, you both will end up in hospital fighting for your life." Shadow said with slightly narrowed eyes at the girls who were now frowning back with pouted expressions.
"Your mother is right and that is something no one here wants to happen." Sonic semi seriously said as he looked at the girls while still cuddling Shade securely in his arms.
"What's up with Shade?" Jamie asked as he walked into the kitchen and stopped by the fridge while looking at his parents.
"Daddy asked mama why Shade didn't get sick from eating chicken like you and now he thinks he is sick." Annabel casually said as she spooned up some cereal then ate it after talking.
"O-k. Yo bro. You ain't sick or you would be throwing up every little thing inside of your stomach like I was. You clearly dodged a bullet." Jamie said with a smile as he watched Shade turn his head to look back at him.
"Huh, I dodge bullet?" Shade asked with a confused expression and was no longer crying.
"Yeah, you and mum are very lucky." Jamie said with a wink then opened up the fridge and got out the butter to spread on some toast.
"I lucky, like mama." Shade whispered with a smile and was liking the thought he was just like his mother.
"That's right son, you are just like your mama and that is a very good thing." Sonic cheerfully said as he looked at his now happy looking son in his arms.
"Another thing to add to that ever growing list I suppose." Sonic thought as he kept smiling.
"Yeah well hopefully he didn't inherit my immortality, he clearly inherited my strong immune system." Shadow mumbled under his breath as he walked over to the side to finish off his coffee before it got too cold to drink.
"Well I'm done and need to get ready for school. Thanks for breakfast daddy, you are the best ever." Sapphire sweetly said with a smile as she stood up while picking up her bowl, then walked to the sink to place it in there.
"You are more than welcome sweetheart." Sonic brightly said with a wide smile as he looked at his eldest daughter.
"She is buttering you up to ask you for a raise on her allowance dear." Shadow casually said as he brought his mug to his lips.
"Huh, so I am not the best?" Sonic said as he raised a brow, grinning a little as he and Sapphire locked eyes while she stood by the sink.
"Of course you are daddy, don't you listen to mama." Sapphire said as she kept to her sweet tone and smiled very innocent at her father.
"So you are not trying to get a raise on your allowance then?" Sonic asked as he grinned wider at his daughter while placing his son back into the booster chair to finish off breakfast.
"Well yeah ok I am but you are still the best." Sapphire replied as she just kept smiling at her father.
"Told you so." Shadow muttered with an amused grin.
"If Saffy gets a raise then I want one too." Jamie casually said as he waited for his bread to toast.
"If they get a raise we want one as well." Amber said and having Annabel nod in agreement.
"First of no one said anything about anyone getting a raise second you both don't have an allowance yet because you are only four." Sonic matter-of-fact said as he crossed his arms and was still grinning.
"Not fair." Annabel whined with a pout.
"Yeah so not fair." Amber said with a deep unhappy frown at her father.
"So is that a no then?" Sapphire asked with a small frown while looking at her father.
"Yep." Sonic grinned back at his daughter while standing next to a now strapped in Shade eating his breakfast.
"So I can have a raise?" Sapphire asked with a playful grin, knowing exactly what her father meant.
"No I said not you can't." Sonic replied with a small frown.
"Make up your mind daddy, you are confusing everyone. Why say yep if you were saying no?" Sapphire said with a roll of her eyes while still grinning.
"I said yep…" Sonic began to defend himself when he was quickly interrupted.
"Oh thank you daddy, you really are the best." Sapphire happily said then rushed out laughing before her father could register what just happened.
"Wait so she is getting a raise?" Jamie asked as he stopped spreading butter on his toast and looked at his father, who was looking a little confused with what just happened.
"I-I don't know." Sonic said as he was stumped.
"No she isn't so just finish making your breakfast Jay." Shadow calmly answered but was feeling quite amused inside over what he witnessed this morning.
An hour later…
"I'm back and have news to share!" Sonic called as he entered his home, closed the door then began to walk towards the living room.
"And what news would that be?" Shadow replied as he stood up from sitting on the sofa and watched Sonic enter.
"Wow all three are actually playing nicely together?" Sonic raised a brow as he witnessed the triplets play together with blocks.
"Getting off track my love and I believe that has something to do with me being in here too." Shadow pointed out with a grin and was eager to know this news.
"Saffy's teacher and I have had a little chat. She has been selected, along with a couple of other kids in her class, to do a home video project. I have the permission slip for us to read and sign and it needs returning tomorrow." Sonic happily said and held up the paper he was holding.
"Uh-huh so in other words it is us who decide whether or not we want our privacy invaded." Shadow said with a small frown, wondering if this should happen or not.
"Yep and I am totally cool with this little project so it is up to you." Sonic winked and was grinning madly at his husband, almost looking excited in getting filmed by his daughter.
"How generous to leave the decision making to me. I will think it over while at work which I need to get ready for." Shadow rolled his eyes then began to walk out.
"Hey Shads, just remember this would be a good experience for Saffy to do. She was saying a few weeks ago how being a film director would be a cool job." Sonic quickly grabbed Shadow gently by the wrist to stop him from leaving then whispered softly.
"A film director doesn't film, they direct besides this is the same child that wanted to be a cat and drink milk from a bowel with her tongue for the rest of her life. I will think about this ok and let you know when I get home. I don't particularly like my privacy invaded, as you know, so right now I cannot give an answer." Shadow calmly replied with a small frown, seriously unsure about giving a yes right now.
"True but like I said it would be good for her to learn what goes into film making ya know." Sonic tried to convince his husband to give a yes answer now.
"I will think about it, I really need to get ready for work ok." Shadow sighed with a shake of his head then was let go of so he could leave to get ready.
"Mama, I still work?" Shade asked as he looked over at his mother who was steps away from leaving the living room.
"So you don't want to come with me and your sisters to the play park?" Sonic asked with a slight tilt of his head in puzzlement.
"No, I no park, too louds." Shade happily said with a smile at his father.
"So weird." Amber whispered to Annabel who shrugged as her reply then carried on building with the blocks while humming.
"And a restaurant isn't?" Sonic raised a brow knowing The Ruby Shard can get quite busy and a little noisy too.
"No like park much." Shade said with a smile.
"It is still ok yes Shade." Shadow calmly said while looking back at his youngest then finally left to get ready.
"You sure you don't wanna come with us, we are going to get ice cream afterwards?" Sonic asked as he sat with his children and was looking at his son.
"I work daddy." Shade sweetly said then carried on playing with the blocks as he waited for his mother to get ready.
"You are so weird Shade, why go to a boring job when you can play at the park then eat ice cream?" Amber said with a small frown, not understanding how her brother could pass up on so much fun.
"I no weird you weird." Shade said with a deep frown while glancing at his sister.
"Ok guys lets not start." Sonic quickly said in a semi firm tone.
"Shade isn't weird Amber, he just likes The Ruby Shard like you like the ice cream place." Jamie casually said as he entered just as Amber spoke.
"Would you pass up on fun and go to mamas restaurant instead?" Amber asked as she looked up at Jamie, watching him take a seat on the sofa.
"Depends on what this fun is." Jamie replied as he looked at his sister.
"Park and ice cream." Annabel softly said while building a tower very carefully.
"Park yeah because I am like totally too old to be playing there. As for going to get ice cream, never too old for that." Jamie said as he gave a look of thought while answering his sisters.
"I am surprised mama and auntie Rouge want a baby there with them as they work, you will only drive away people wanting to eat a meal." Amber said with a small frown at Shade, making him stop and look back at her.
"You drive people away with your mere presence Amber." Shade spat back in Black Arms, getting far too angry to speak in English.
"Ugh English stupid, we all tell you to speak in English or are you too dumb to understand?" Amber spat back knowing she was insulted just by the tone and the way Shade was looking angry at her.
"Guys please, that is enough or we all stay home." Sonic semi loudly said to get his kids to stop name calling and getting nasty with one another.
"I hate you Amber, I wish we weren't related!" Shade cried out with tears in his eyes then stood up and ran out.
"Er say Jay, what did your brother say?" Sonic asked as he had no idea for it wasn't in English.
"Which sentence, the first or second?" Jamie asked as he looked at his slightly shocked father.
"Both if you don't mind." Sonic replied with a small frown and was looking at his eldest now.
"First he said and I quote, you drive people away with your mere presence Amber. After that one he said, and I quote again, I hate you Amber, I wish we weren't related." Jamie answered with a small frown, hoping this wasn't going to start more arguments between Amber and Shade.
"Tell him off for what he said daddy." Amber said with watery eyes at her father.
"And you never said anything to upset him, what you said was justified was it?" Sonic semi seriously said with a raised brow at Amber.
"But daddy it is not fair, he gets away with everything." Amber whined with tears threatening to leave her eyes.
"Ok what is going on in here and why is Shade in his room crying? He is asking for you Sonic." Shadow asked with unhappy features while walking over to his family, stopping beside the sofa.
"Ok, I'll go calm him down, try not to lose your temper ok love." Sonic softly said as he stood up then left to go comfort Shade.
"Can't promise anything. So what happened?" Shadow replied while keeping eyes on Amber, knowing she was the one upsetting Shade for she was always the one upsetting Shade.
"Shade said I drive people away and that he hates me and wishes we weren't related mama." Amber cried and her tears finally left her eyes.
"Right and what brought that on?" Shadow asked as he tried to keep calm, knowing something was said for Shade to say all that.
"Amber called him names, the usual really." Annabel casually said with a shrug.
"He started it by insulting me in Black Arms." Amber sobbed as she squished more tears out of her eyes.
"And why did he insult you?" Shadow asked with a deep sigh, knowing his daughter clearly started this.
"Because I called him weird and a baby, but he is." Amber defended herself as she locked watery eyes with her mother.
"How many times do I had to tell you to stop calling your brother weird? He is not weird and he is not a baby. It is no wonder he doesn't like you all that much when alls you do is call him names. Why cant you all just be nice to one another?" Shadow seriously said with a hint of anger in his voice.
"But he is. He cannot read, he cannot write, he cannot even talk properly. He does weird things, doesn't play properly, he still wets the bed and needs special pants on at night time. Me and Annabel are the same age yet we are nothing like him. Why?" Amber said with some frustration in her voice as she continued to look at her mother with teary eyes.
"He is behind in he development and will catch up. It is just taking a little longer than predicted that is all." Shadow seriously said with a deep frown.
"You have to admit mum, he should have caught up by now. The professionals said by this age he should have caught up and be like everyone else but he hasn't." Jamie softly said with a hint of confusion and some concern was there too.
"He will catch up and be like everyone else. I need to finish getting ready for work." Shadow muttered then vanished in a flash of chaos control.
"Mama is so in denial." Annabel sighed with a shake of her head.
"Yeah." Amber muttered as she wiped her eyes dry.
"Guys give Shade some slack, it cannot be nice for him to not be at the same level as you two then be called a baby all the time." Jamie softly said as he gave his sisters a gentle smile.
"It is not nice for us either. He cannot do anything we can do and what he can do is what babies do." Amber argued with a deep frown at Jamie.
"He can and has been playing with the blocks with you." Jamie pointed out with a grin.
"He organised them into colours." Amber dryly said as she pointed to the pile of colourful wooden blocks Shade was playing with.
"Oh yeah so he did, by the way a baby cannot do that." Jamie said as he looked at the blocks, all twelve were in small piles of four different colours.
"Everything all good now?" Sonic asked as he walked in alone, Shade was now with Shadow getting shoes on in the hallway.
"Yep." Annabel sweetly said with a happy smile at her father.
"Suppose." Amber muttered while looking at the blocks Shade organised.
"Shade has mad organisational skills dad." Jamie said with a grin then pointed to the blocks, watching his father raise a brow then follow his finger.
"And you got that conclusion from blocks he was playing with? Saffy used to do that and she never learned to be organised, have you seen her room? Books all over her desk, bin close to over flowing, her bed making skills are a bit rushed and don't get me started with her draws. I am surprised your mother doesn't make her tidy her room actually." Sonic said as he grinned while looking back at his eldest.
"Then I suggest you have a word with her and get her to clean up her bedroom. Me and Shade are ready and leaving now. Please behave you two and listen to your father. Jay make sure you relax and do not leave the house, enjoy the peace while you have it." Shadow announced as he stood in the doorway with Shade holding his hand.
"Will do love and have fun at work." Sonic happily said with a smile as he turned and looked at his husband and son.
"We will be back this afternoon and have fun." Shadow smiled back then chaos controlled himself and Shade to The Ruby Shard.
"Right then you lot, daddy is in charge and I say it is park time." Sonic announced as he looked at his daughters with a grin.
"Yay!" They both called out then rushed to go get their shoes on.
"Like your mother said, enjoy the peace. We will be back in a couple of hours and call me if you need me ok." Sonic said as he looked at Jamie, looking a little serious as he finished speaking.
"Chill dad and have fun on the slide." Jamie smirked with amusement as he locked eyes with his father.
"Daddy, hurry up!" Amber called out as she and Annabel stood by the front door.
"Yeah I am coming!" Sonic called back with a roll of his eyes.
"Just do not wreck the house ok." Sonic sighed with a shake of his head then walked out of the living room.
"I don't have a death wish dad!" Jamie called out then heard his father chuckle and the door opening.
"Bye!" Sonic called out as he ushered his excited daughters out of the house then left as Jamie called back bye.
The door closed, making Jamie smirk, then ten seconds later a sonic boom hit the teens ears. Jamie stood up and rushed to the kitchen, planning to grab some snacks and put a movie on he knew his parents wont be happy with him watching.
"Jamie!" Eclipse called after appearing in the kitchen as Jamie was reaching up to grab a large bag of popcorn.
"Ye-ahhh!" Jamie cried out as he quickly spun around and looked back at his uncle, a look of terror was on his face at the jump scare.
"Ha! I am victorious, I got you good." Eclipse laughed as he pointed at his nephew, sounding very amused.
"That was not funny anyway why are you here? I would have thought you would be with Becky, getting all lovey dovey with her." Jamie teased with a smirk as he watched his uncle stop laughing and look a little serious at him.
"I have you know mine and Becky's relationship isn't just about sex, regardless if we had a very good session last night." Eclipse smirked back with high amusement as he just knew he made Jamie uncomfortable by his words, he could feel it and see it in Jamie's features.
"Er yeah, sure." Jamie replied as he looked away, trying to not think about what his uncle just said to him.
"Anyway, I am here to bug my brother, where is he?" Eclipse said with his smirk growing that little bit devious.
"At work with Shade and wont be back until the afternoon." Jamie shrugged as he answered, not knowing the exact time for his mother never gave a time, just said afternoon.
"Got ya." Eclipse winked then vanished.
"Mum is not going to be happy. Maybe I should change my plans just in case he comes back early and catches me watching movies I am not allowed to watch." Jamie muttered to himself then turned and closed the cupboard door.
At the park…
"And here we are ladies, the play park. Now I want you both to play nicely, safely and do not leave this area until I say it is time to go." Sonic said with some seriousness as he placed his daughters down and watched them turn to face him.
"Ok daddy!" Both said together then rushed off leaving their father standing their alone.
"Please do not let me regret taking them here without dragging Shadow with me." Sonic thought as he walked towards the large jungle gym that had monkey bars, slides and whatnot his daughters had rushed off to play on.
"Please be careful girls and no arguing!" Sonic called up after stopping and looking at the two as they reached the top and walked to a rope bridge.
"We know daddy!" Annabel called out with a smile as she followed her sister.
"Yes listen to your father!" Dooms voice was heard, making Sonic cry out and look beside him.
Sonic gave Dooms eye a dry look after quickly recovering from the little scare. The floating eye moved a little so it was now looking back at Sonic.
"Yeah, can I help ya Doom?" Sonic asked with a raised brow in question to why his father-in-law's eye was with him.
"I have a situation and need your help Sonic. I would go ask Shadow but he is busy and I fear he will react badly." Doom said with some anxiousness in his third eye.
"First I need this answered. Is there an alien race on their way here to pick a fight with us?" Sonic asked with a deep frown and hoped to chaos there wasn't.
"No, most are not willing to come here and face death by us." Doom honestly answered as he and Sonic kept up eye contact.
"Us as in The Black Arms right?" Sonic grinned and was happy with that answer.
"Indeed Sonic and I am sure you can strike fear in others as well." Doom chuckled through his third eye.
"Look daddy, daddy look!" Amber called out with a happy voice as she and Annabel were dangling on the monkey bars.
"Hi grandpa Doom!" Annabel said with a cheerful tone.
"Yes and be careful!" Sonic called out with a hint of worry that the two will lose their grip and fall to the ground.
"And hello to you both, be careful as your father said." Doom moved his eye to look back briefly as he spoke to his grandchildren then moved it back to look at Sonic.
"So what's the problem I can help you with?" Sonic asked for now he was curious especially since Doom never comes to him when it comes to alien stuff.
"Do you remember Dark Flame?" Doom asked with a deep looking frown in his eye.
"Yes." Sonic lowly growled as he can clearly remember the guy that was trying to take his husband away.
"He is on his way to visit and wishes to speak to Shadow. I told him it was ok for him to come but whether or not Shadow would want to talk is a different matter." Doom explained as he kept his eye on Sonic and able to see the blue hero was looking vexed with this news.
"Oh hell no, I will not have him any where near my husband!" Sonic shouted with anger as he glared up at Dooms third eye, not caring some parents glanced over at his out burst.
"He is different now Sonic and not what he was like, he isn't interested in Shadow any more." Doom spoke with calmness as he kept looking at an angered Sonic.
"Daddy what is the matter?" Amber asked as she and Annabel rushed over and stood in front of their father and Dooms eye.
"Who don't you want near mama?" Annabel asked with a curious look.
"Grown up stuff girls ok." Sonic said as he willed himself to calm down and was not willing to explain to his daughters.
"Yes, go off and continue your play. Me and you father need a moment alone to talk." Doom said as he looked at the two look-a-like, nearly five year old, hedgehog children.
Amber and Annabel exchanged looks then shrugged, planning to get information out of their father later at some point. They ran off to play on the slide near the other side of the play park. Sonic was looking more calm but was still annoyed at what he heard. He and Dooms eye once again looked at one other.
"How long until he gets here?" Sonic asked as he did his best to not shout out or get too angry.
"In A few months from now. I am keeping tabs on him as he travels here so I will inform you when he is close." Doom said with a slightly serious look.
"You know I am going to have to tell Shadow about this and you are right, he will not be happy." Sonic said and was dreading the conversation.
"I understand but maybe you should give it a little time before telling him, a couple of days or so." Doom suggested and only asked this so he could prepare for Shadows not so pleasant visit.
"I will give it a week then I am sitting him down and telling him who is on their way." Sonic sighed and only said a week so he could find the right way to break the news to his husband.
"That should be plenty of time for the both of us to prepare for what could end up deadly if Shadow gets mad enough. I will speak to you soon." Doom said through his eye then vanished back to his home.
"Great, this is all we need right now. Why the hell did Doom say it was ok to visit for knowing what happened years ago." Sonic muttered to himself as he made the walk to where Annabel and Amber were playing.
At The Ruby Shard, an hour later…
"Eclipse please, I am trying to work and people are trying to have a good meal without being interrupted." Shadow hissed as he glared at his brother while they stood to one side away from diners.
"Come on it was funny and I do not hear any complaints." Eclipse grinned as he crossed his arms and stood in front of his getting angry big brother.
"I do not think your antics here are funny and you will drive customers away to not return. It is bad enough Eggman is trying to shut the damn place down by giving us a bad reputation, I do not need you helping him." Shadow seriously said as he calmed down and hoped his brother will not be pulling any more stunts.
"Ok, ok brother. I am sorry and I will not talk to your diners in our native language or mess about in the kitchen." Eclipse groaned as his fun to over stress his brother seemed to be over with now.
"And stay away from the bar too." Shadow said then walked off to go find his son and Rouge.
"Waiter!" A customer called out close by making Eclipse smirk and watch someone approach the customer.
"Or maybe I can still have a little fun." Eclipse chuckled to himself then vanished, reappearing beside the customer before the waiter go there.
"Good day dear customer, what might be the problem?" Eclipse asked as he kept grinning.
"Er.." The customer said as he was growing a tad bit nervous with the way Eclipse was looking at him.
"What did I tell you Eclipse?" Shadow seriously said as he marched over and grabbed his brother by the arm when he got there.
"I am so sorry for my brother sir, is everything ok?" Shadow asked with an apologetic look at the man.
"All is fine Shadow and would like to order another coffee." The man said with his nerves vanishing.
At this point the waiter was now by the table.
"Terry will be happy to get that for you and again so sorry." Shadow replied with a smile then chaos controlled with his brother.
They appeared in the office area and Shadow let go of his brother. Shadow glared at his brother with anger and Eclipse just gave Shadow a smug grin back.
"What did I tell you?" Shadow growled as he was losing all patience with his brother.
"Mama?" Shade said as he and Rouge were in here, sitting on the small sofa and having a snack.
This made Shadow instantly calm down and look over at his confused looking son and an amused Rouge, both snacking on some fresh mixed fruit in a bowl.
"So this is where you both are, enjoying your snack Shade?" Shadow said with a smile at his youngest.
"Yep, it yum." Shade happily said with a bright smile.
"We made it ourselves didn't we Shade." Rouge said with a wider grin at Shadow, having Shade nod with pride at what he did and Shadow smile warmly at his son.
"Eclipse causing trouble huh Shadow?" Rouge asked and already knew what the alien was doing for she did witness some of it before taking Shade with here for a break.
"I am not causing trouble Rouge, I am helping." Eclipse said in a factual tone but knew he was in no way helping.
"I would but disagree with you Eclipse, you are not helping. You are confusing our customers and causing chaos in the kitchen." Shadow seriously said as he once again began to glare at his brother.
"I was helping, not my fault people do not know Black Arms or appreciate my cooking skills in the kitchen." Eclipse defended himself with fake hurt in his eyes at Shadow.
"Just stop please and if you really want to help then clear tables or something." Shadow sighed and figured he was wasting his energy in arguing with his brother.
"Or I could take Shade with me to the Black Comet. What do you say Shade, want to hang out with me on the Black Comet or stay here at The Ruby Shard?" Eclipse grinned then looked at his nephew for an answer.
"I no know?" Shade said with a small frown and thought about what he wanted to do.
"It is up to you Shade, I do not mind what you choose to do ok." Shadow calmly said with a smile as he watched his son think.
"I no know what do, I want be both." Shade sighed with a hint of sadness as he was having trouble with deciding.
"I want to be here and at the Black Comet mama." Shade said in Black Arms, knowing he would be more understood than trying to find the words in English.
"Spend another half an hour here then go with your uncle before the lunchtime rush." Shadow suggested with a smile and wasn't all that bothered his son spoke Black Arms.
"Yeah hun, we will be rushed off our feet and it will start to get noisy too." Rouge added with a smile down at the child.
"Ok, I will come off my break and take orders now." Shade brightly said in Black Arms and hopped off the sofa while looking at his mother.
"He said he will come off his break and start taking orders now." Shadow said with amusement as he noticed Rouge was looking a little lost on what his son had just said.
"Come with me then Shade and Eclipse, do not start." Shadow said softly to his son then gave Eclipse a semi firm tone.
"Yeah, yeah brother, I hear you." Eclipse rolled his eyes then Shadow vanished with Shade.
"You hungry for fruit?" Rouge casually asked with a grin at the alien before her.
An hour later, with Sonic.
"Why we taking it to go for?" Amber whined with a sad look up at her father as they stood inside the ice cream parlour.
"Because we have been out all morning and need to get back home. If you both didn't want to spend longer at the park we could have had it here." Sonic casually answered with a shrug while waiting for his order to be done, having placed it a minute ago.
"How are we getting home if you have to carry both me and Amber and the ice cream?" Annabel sweetly asked with an innocent smile up at her father.
"I'm chaos controlling you guys home of course." Eclipse said after appearing with Shade on his shoulders.
All three jumped and turned around with a some shock on their faces.
"Haha-hahaha you scared daddy and my sisters." Shade laughed as he pointed to his family, speaking in Black Arms.
"In English baby!" Amber shouted with anger at having been jumped by her uncle.
"No and I will continue talking in Black Arms because it annoys you for you cannot." Shade grinned with amusement as he locked eyes with his fuming sister.
"Ok guys please do not start in here." Sonic sighed while shaking his head.
"Guess that told you huh Amber, maybe he can teach you but in order for that to happen you will have to be nicer to him." Eclipse smugly said with a grin at the angry child.
"Why would I have a baby teach me when he can't even last one night with out wetting it." Amber grinned deviously as she and Shade locked eyes.
"Amber please stop ok. Look I have the ice cream and now lets go home." Sonic said in a slightly desperate manner for no more teasing harsh comments being thrown.
Shade growled at the comment and narrowed his eyes at Amber. He was feeling so angry at what she just said, so much so tears began to fill his eyes and it did not go unnoticed.
"Aw is the baby going to cry?" Amber teased some more and didn't care for what her father might do.
"That is enough, Eclipse please take us home." Sonic seriously said as he looked down at his daughter, not at all impressed she was still picking on Shade.
Eclipse nodded then chaos controlled them back to the house, in the kitchen. Jamie cried out as he was sitting up the table with a sandwich and almost choked on what he was chewing.
"Now I know how dad feels when we do this to him every given opportunity." Jamie thought as he calmed down.
"Say what's wrong with Shade, he is looking pretty vexed?" Jamie asked with a raised brow as he looked over at his brother staring daggers at Amber.
"The baby cannot handle the truth." Amber smugly said with a grin while looking back at Jamie.
"I am not a baby!" Shade shouted loudly, making Eclipse cringe from the loudness and everyone just stood there in silence looking at him.
"Wow, I have never seen him so angry." Jamie whispered and was in some shock as he looked at his huffing and puffing brother on Eclipses shoulders.
"We are going to go back to the Black Comet before anything else is said." Eclipse seriously said with a small frown then vanished with Shade.
"Right young lady, I catch you being nasty to your brother again then so help me I will ban you from the TV, take your dessert privileges away for a month and not take you our for a year." Sonic deadly seriously said as he looked at Amber, watching her turn around and look back at him.
"That is not fair. I just do not understand why he gets away with everything and isn't being told off for shouting and not talking in English." Amber said with tears of frustration in her eyes.
"He is only retaliating to what you do to him, what you say to him and he isn't in the wrong. Now lets just move on and have ice cream before it melts. And yes Jay, I got you some too." Sonic calmly said with a smile.
"Oh and Amber, you will be apologising to Shade when he gets back later." Sonic happily said as he walked over to the side with the bag of frozen treats.
Late afternoon…
"Dad when is mama coming home?" Sapphire asked as she walked into the living room, stopping by the sofa her father was chilling on with Amber and Annabel.
"He should be home soon sweetheart, he is probably picking your brother up from the Black Comet." Sonic answered as he glanced over at Sapphire with a smile.
"Do you think mama will say yes with that project the teacher told you about?" Sapphire asked with hope that she was allowed to partake.
"I wish I could answer that but he did say he will think about it and give us an answer later." Sonic said with thought and did half wonder if his husband did get the time to think about this home video project.
"He is going to say no, I just know it." Sapphire sighed a little sadly, she really wanted to do this project and she knew hers will be the best one.
"Tell ya what, I'll have a word with him and get that yes for you ok." Sonic smiled as he watched his daughter brighten up from his promise.
"Thank you daddy, I will be in my room finishing off my homework." Sapphire happily said then rushed out to her room.
The Black Comet…
"Come on Shade we need to get home now ok." Shadow calmly said as he was kneeling in front of his son.
Shade was still upset with what happened between himself and Amber and was refusing to come home. He stood beside Eclipse, looking down and arms crossed.
"No, I do not want to go home when she is only going to upset me more. I hate it there and she wont stop calling me hurtful names." Shade spoke back in Black Arms, he on the verge of tears.
"I know Amber can be a bit much to handle and she does seem to know what buttons to press when trying to upset you. Try not to allow her to get to you ok and maybe try and stay away from her." Shadow softly said as he lifted his sons head up so eye contact could be made.
"I do not see why I have to be the one to stay away from her, she is the one who starts on me, she is the one that comes up to me." Shade sobbed a little as he looked into his mothers calm red eyes.
"I know and I will have words with her too. So lets go home and we will come back here soon ok." Shadow said with a smile and wiped a few of his sons tears away.
"Oh you will most definitely be coming up here again Shade, we always have fun together." Eclipse said with a grin down at the child next to him.
"O-ok." Shade softly said with a small smile then hugged his mother, who stood up with him in secure arms.
"Thank you for looking after him Eclipse, We will see very soon I am sure." Shadow said with a grin then vanished to go home with his son.
Shadow appeared in the hallway and placed his son onto his feet. Both got their shoes and coats off then Shadow hooked their coats onto the peg.
"It no loud mama." Shade said with a curious look up at Shadow.
"Yes it is strange isn't it." Shadow chuckled then took Shades hand and walked towards the living room.
"Oh hey love, how was work?" Sonic asked as he caught his partner and son walk over in the corner of his eye.
"It was eventful. Eclipse showed up and caused me stress by confusing customers and messing about in the kitchen. Shade was a big help this morning and the customers love him. How was your day my love?" Shadow replied as he sat on a chair and picked Shade up to sit on his lap.
"Aw that's nice, not the Eclipse part of course. We had fun at the park, ate ice cream, played games, picked Saffy up from school and now we are chilling with some cartoons." Sonic happily said as he looked at his husband and son cuddling on the chair as he spoke.
"Mama can we play tea parties after dinner please?" Amber sweetly asked with a happy look at her mother.
"Oh please mama can we?" Annabel asked with hope it will be a yes.
"Yeah Shads, play tea parties after dinner." Sonic grinned as he locked eyes with Shadow.
"I do not see why you look amused Sonic unless you are jealous I have been invited to an important tea party and you never." Shadow said with a smirk, looking a little smug for Sonic was usually the girls go-to parent for tea parties.
"Daddy you have to attend too that way there are two boys and two girls, makes things even." Amber said with an innocent look at her father.
"Ha, I got invited too. I would love to attend such a wonderful event ladies." Sonic grinned with a little smugness too, glancing at his husband as he spoke to the girls sitting either side of him.
"Well I have a date to come with me, do you?" Shadow smirked as he was referring to Shade for he didn't want his son being left out and alone.
"Oh I have a date and she will love to come with me." Sonic replied with a wink and by that wink Shadow knew who was coming with him, Sapphire.
Few hours later…
It was now approaching nine o'clock and all the kids were in bed. Sonic was in the living room still tidying up the tea set and other toys that were left out, he almost finishing. Shadow was up the kitchen table with a small frown as he read through this letter the teacher gave Sonic. He had told Sapphire that he will give her his answer in the morning after fully reading the letter the permission slip came with that explains all about this home video project.
"Well that's the living room all tidy and whatnot." Sonic announced in a soft voice so he wouldn't wake up the kids while walking over to his husband.
"Did you read this?" Shadow asked as he placed the letter down and looked over at Sonic with a deep frown.
"Er well not really, I just signed the slip." Sonic sheepishly said as he ran fingers through his quills.
"The school will be providing Saffy with all that she will need to make this home movie. That is a camera, a stand for it as well as any accessories they feel she will need and a laptop for editing the footage. She will be given free range of what she films so long as it is about her family. She will have the whole of summer term to do this and it will need to be handed into the right teacher come September. Any damage to the equipment then we will have to pay for it. She will be given everything on the last day of school and will have to sign something to declare she takes full responsibility for the equipment if lost, damaged or stolen." Shadow explained the important parts of this letter as he locked eyes with Sonic.
"Right, at least we do not have to go out and get everything. That is if you agree with her doing this." Sonic said with a shrug and was confident the schools equipment will be fine.
"I have signed the slip so when you take Saffy to school, make sure she hands it to her teacher." Shadow grinned with amusement as Sonic gave him a shocked look.
"You did?" Sonic asked and couldn't believe Shadow was allowing this.
"I will be setting rules I do not want broken of course. Now how about we call it a night and go to bed." Shadow said as he stood up.
"Yeah that sounds fair and why not, I could do with some cuddles from ya." Sonic smiled as he watched Shadow push the chair in.
The two held hands and left the kitchen, with Shadow switching off the light.
(Again thanks for reading and I know, a long chapter or what. Please review your thoughts and whatnot. Until the next update…)
