That's a wrap, folks. Here's the final chapter. I'd like to thank my faithful readers and those who reviewed. A question was asked about Fara's rescue. In the Nintendo magazine comics, Fara Phoenix was held hostage and then rescued by Fox. That's where the rescue reference came from in the last chapter.
Chapter 6
Thousands of furs were mingling around the well manicured streets of central Corneria City. It was the day of Fara's half-marathon, and things were fairly unorganized. Speakers were blaring announcements for races to line up at the front, and walkers at the back.
Fara, wearing her lucky running shorts and a tight tank top, was darting around the furs, trying to find a good starting spot.
Behind her, Fox struggled to keep up. He'd 'agreed' to allow Fara to race on the condition that he come with her. But it seemed that she was trying to lose him in the crowd. When the fennec abruptly stopped, Fox nearly ran into her.
"Here," she said.
"This is near the back," Fox said.
Nodding, Fara said, "Yes. I know."
Fox looked at her curiously, but took his place beside her. When the start signal was sounded, it took five minutes for the mass of furs in front of them to begin moving. Fara began a slow jog, one that even Fox could maintain for a long distance.
"Let's just enjoy our time together," Fara said, silently adding, 'Before the baby comes.'
Fox understood then, and smiled at her.
"Of course."
Side-by-side, they followed the mass of furs through building-lined streets, green parks, and rows of quaint houses. Neither were winded a few hours later when they crossed the finish line.
Peppy was waiting there for them, "How was the run?"
"Great!" Fara said.
Fox pulled her close for a hug, then said to Peppy, "How about a picture?"
Peppy pulled out his camera and the couple posed.
"Got it," he said.
"Let's put it in the album," Fara said as they looked at the image.
"Album?" Fox asked.
"I'm starting an album for the baby," she answered.
Fox scratched his head.
"Just nod and say okay, Fox," Peppy nudged his shoulder.
Fara rolled her eyes, but laughed anyway, "Men."
The hallway lights brightened and then faded as Fox passed through. The ship's computer had located Fara in the upper observation deck. He knew she would be there, she'd been there often lately, but he had double checked anyway.
Fox stepped into the elevator and it silently took him to the upper portion of the ship. The upper deck was much smaller than the lower deck, but it was more private. The star-lit room had been occupied by everyone on board when he or she needed to be alone. It seemed to have been made for that purpose.
"Fara, mind if I come in?" Fox said into the speaker.
"No, I don't mind," came the reply.
Fox walked in and wordlessly circled the couch to sit next to her. Fara's belly was huge by her ninth month of pregnancy. She was due at any time, and Fox found himself becoming more and more protective of her. Whatever she needed, he got, or would die trying.
She lay down on her side and rested her head on Fox's lap. He stroked her fur gently.
"Fox..." Fara mumbled.
He readied himself for whatever it was that she would want. She was, after all, still moody old Fara.
"I think I'm having contractions," she finished.
He sputtered, "Think?"
Fara sat up, "Well, it's definitely not normal. They've been coming kind of regularly too."
"But..." his mind raced, "Then we should go to Corneria?"
"That would be a good idea," Fara said slowly, emphasizing each word as if she were talking to a child.
"I'll meet you at the transport," he said as he leapt over the couch back and was out the door.
Fara sighed. She was quite calm at the moment. The pains had started nearly two hours ago, starting long apart and irregular, but now coming every seven minutes. They were also growing more intense, and she even had to pause in the hall. She was grateful, at least, for the late hour that no one would see her.
Behind her, footsteps grew louder. Fara turned to see Fox carrying two large suitcases and running. She could help but smile at the spectacle.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Catch your breath first," she murmured.
"No time!"
"I'm sure we'll have plenty of time, Fox," Fara said.
Fox's anxiety was disconcerting, and it was rubbing off on Fara. She wanted to remain calm until she reached the hospital.
"How can you be so calm?" Fox finally asked with a white-knuckled grip on the controls.
"Because it'll do no good for both of us to be panicking," she answered.
"I'm not panicking," Fox's voice rose a notch.
He took a few deep breaths, "Okay, I'm calming down."
"Good. Connect with my parents," Fara said.
"Right," he touched a few buttons on the computer panel.
It took a few minutes, but a tired looking fennec appeared on the screen.
Fox left out a preamble and said, "It's time."
"Time? It's two-thirty in the morning, that's what time it is," he grumbled, "Where's Fara?"
"Here, Daddy," she said, knowing the comm device would only play the image of the pilot; she'd only be able to talk to him.
"We're on the way to the hospital," she said, knowing it was all she'd have to say.
"We'll meet you there," the image went black.
Ah, how the best of intentions often go awry, and children have a way of doing things on their own terms.
Fara doubled over in pain, clutching her enlarged belly, "Fox, I think we may not make it."
"What!"
He set the auto pilot and went to his wife's side. Fara cried out and grabbed his paw. She managed to walk back to a passenger couch, where she lay on her back.
"I have... to push," she gritted her teeth.
"No! Not yet," Fox said.
That was when he noticed her water had already broken. Fox remembered from the data chips, that meant the baby was coming whether they were at the hospital or still on the speeding ship.
"Okay, I can do this," he said, "I'm getting a towel, or something..."
Fara screamed. Fox winced and was back at her side.
"You have to look," Fara said after the contraction faded.
"Uh," he said, "Look?"
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him close to her face, "Don't get stupid now! Just do it!"
Without a word, Fox removed her pants. There was definitely a head visible.
"Um, okay, Fara, I see his head," he said.
"Here comes another," she said and growled through the coming pain.
Fox watched in fascination as the tiny head moved little by little, and then popped out.
"Woah!" he said, and realized he'd have to catch his son.
Fara screamed again, and Fox barely had time to catch the kit. His tiny legs and arms were waving furiously.
"Fox," Fara gasped, and she leaned forward to see their baby.
"He's..." the stunned fox whispered, "He's beautiful."
The kit took a breath of air, his first, and let loose an ear piercing wail.
Fara leaned back and laughed in relief. Fox gently laid the howling baby on his mother's chest and went to find a blanket.
The vixen hugged her baby close and counted his fingers and toes.
"He's perfect, Fox," she said, "My little Todd."
Fox returned and they swaddled the infant in a blanket.
"You did great, Fara," Fox kissed her muzzle.
Smiling, she kissed him back, "You were great too."
"No way, Mom, Dad really caught me?" Todd McCloud said.
"I sure did. I caught you like a football," Fox answered, and grabbed his son.
He gave the boy a good hair scruffing before dropping him back on the couch. Todd laughed. Fox crossed his arms and looked proudly at the young kit. The boy was more precious to him than anything.
"Wow, Dad. You're the best dad ever!" Todd exclaimed.
"You just remember that when I tell you to clean your room," Fox laughed.
"Aw come on," Todd said.
"Consider it to be Arwing training," Fox said.
The kit's eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Yep," Fara said, taking advantage of the boy's obsession with the jets, "Now off to your room for training."
The couple shared a devious glance as their son ran off to his room.
"You did most of the work, you know," Fox said.
"Of course," Fara sniffed, "Mom's always do."
Fox wrapped his arms around Fara and kissed her.
"You're the best mom and wife in the galaxy," he whispered.
"Ewww!" Todd yelled from the rec room's doorway.
The couple laughed.
"So," Fara said, "How about a daughter?"
Fox choked.