STH © SEGA/Archie
Sarah, Peter, Samwell, Rosemary & the Wilson Family © Cozy Shadow
Flame, Petunia, Jeffery, and Sunny © Phantomask
Italicized brands or names (like food labels, movies, and songs) belong to their rightful owner.
I've gotten the writing/uploading thing figured out - I have a new laptop, but not Word. I know this chapter is way overdue, and I apologize greatly. I'm not sure when I'll have chapters ready to upload, however. It took me this long just to finish this chapter. :/
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Mourn
"Is she dead yet?"
A blaring white light made it impossible for him to see his surroundings. A buzzing in his ears caused him to groan in pain. His vision was a bit blurry every time he tried to open his eyes. Feeling with his hands, he stopped when they grasped what felt like iron bars.
"I want to know, Shadow. Is she dead yet?"
The ebony hedgehog couldn't quite tell who the voice's owner was. It sounded familiar. It sounded...sarcastic and laidback. Opening his eyes again, Shadow saw the iron bars that caged him in.
"It's just you and me, Shadow. I want to know - is she dead yet?" the voice continued to whisper to him, to taunt him.
"What…" he whispered as he tried to walk. Instead, he stumbled. The voice laughed a booming laugh that stopped the ringing in his ears for a split second. Then everything went back to being impossible to bare. "What are you talking about?"
"Is she dead yet?" the voice turned serious. "I want to know. It's just us, Shadow. We're alone together - you can tell me."
'Aleena,' Shadow thought.
"No. Not Aleena."
He opened his eyes wider this time, looking at the white light for a moment until his eyes adjusted. Then it dimmed and he was in a cage of rusted iron. On the other side, however, was himself. Only, it wasn't himself. It was Devil Shadow - but at his height now. It was no longer a mini-version of the Ultimate Life Form, but it was still a nuisance.
The little ingrate whipped its spiked tail to curl around one of the iron bars. He leaned against the cage as his torn and tattered, black wings folded against his back - barely visible with the large quills in the way.
"Is she dead yet, Shadow? Did I succeed?"
"What the hell...are you talking about?" he mumbled between tripping over his own feet and grasping onto the bars. Shadow groaned as he stood upright - the ringing subsided. His vision was still blurred to hell, though.
"Not Aleena," Devil Shadow sneered. "I want to know about Amy. Is she dead yet?"
"No," Shadow was quick to respond. He glared at the doppelganger at the sudden silence between them. "Why would you say that?"
Devil Shadow stared at him with an emotionless look. It was as if Shadow was looking into the mirror when having one of his bad days. When he was in a foul mood and stared at someone - stared as if he were looking into their soul.
Only this time, Shadow was the scared victim, experiencing what it felt like. And it made him tremble to the core.
"You should've listened to the logic, Shadow. You should've listened to Mr. High and Mighty -" the Devil Shadow cut himself off to give a smirk. A flash of humor sparked in his eyes. "And I'm not talking about God," he quoted himself from earlier.
'This...this is just a dream,' Shadow thought as he supported himself with the bars of the cage. His vision was still blurry, and his balance was still off.
"Is it, Shadow? Or is it your conscience telling you something?" Devil Shadow whispered as he tilted his head. The look of a lunatic came across his face. He wasn't like the mini-version of Devil Shadow. This version was...more dangerous.
"Now, I want to know. Is she dead yet?" he whispered again.
"What are you talking about?" Shadow growled this time.
"IS SHE DEAD YET?!" Devil Shadow hollered, his eyes blazing with craziness. His appearance suddenly started to change as his maniacal laugh filled the cage.
His wings grew smaller - more bat-like. His eyes turned blue, and his red stripes vanished from his quills. Said quills morphed into spiky hair as his ears became larger. Bat-like. The face became another familiar face, but not a welcome one.
"Samwell," Shadow snarled under his breath. He tried to take a step closer, but his feet had become heavy.
"You better watch yourself, Shadow." Samwell started to sing the words he spoke. "Anybody might just take Amy Rose for themselves. Anybody like me."
"Don't you dare touch her." Shadow, again, tried to move. He barely lifted his foot before it planted itself back on the cement floor. The bar of the cage started to bend under his mere grasp - for no apparent reason that he knew of. The rest of his surroundings started to swirl around him.
"Oh?" Samwell began to circle the cage as he hummed a little tune. "And what will you do? If Amy Rose is not under your protection?"
"I swear to God, I'll -"
"You better not promise anything, Shadow." Samwell spoke like a child as he stopped and looked through the bars. If he hadn't been on the other side of the cage, Shadow would've ripped his throat out by now. "You better not promise anything for something that's not yours."
"Amy…" Shadow faltered in his sentence.
Sam was right in that sense. Amy wasn't Shadow's - but that didn't mean he couldn't promise to protect her. That didn't mean he couldn't promise to kill Sam if the bat dared to lay a finger on her.
"You better not promise anything for something that's not yours," Samwell repeated. He looked straight into Shadow's eyes. "A wise man wouldn't promise something he doesn't have."
Shadow listened. He didn't speak, simply because perhaps Samwell would give away something useful for Shadow to use as an advantage. So, he listened intently.
"Do you understand what I'm saying to you? Or should I elaborate?" Samwell continued his circle around the cage. He continued talking whether Shadow replied or not. "What I mean is that you don't have Amy - therefore you shouldn't promise something for her. If you do not have her, then you shouldn't promise protection for her. A wise man wouldn't promise anything he doesn't already have - or else he'll end up losing it along the way or losing the desire to fulfill said promise."
"I do have Amy, though," Shadow spoke in confusion. "She's with me. Not you."
"Is she?" Samwell raised an eyebrow. "I would be careful, if I were you. I would keep an eye on her at all times, if I had such a beautiful lady in my possession."
"I do not own Amy Rose," Shadow corrected him. "But she is with me, in my presence. Not yours."
Samwell pretended to think about it with pursed lips before shrugging. "Even so. Would you dare to not watch her every move? You know what she's going to do, Shadow. She's going to put herself in harm's way - in my way. And Aleena was just the beginning for your pathetic friends."
"You had nothing to do with Aleena's death."
"Correct. I had nothing to do with her death, but I won't say anything for Amy's fate should she...fall into the wrong hands," Samwell sickly grinned. "Given the circumstances that a child's life is at stake, I'd say it won't be long until Amy starts to cross a fine line that might cause some trouble. I'm not going to waste my time with things that won't obey."
Shadow growled as his quills quivered. "What the hell are you talking about?"
The dark bat only continued to smile creepily. He started to back away into the darkness.
Shadow's feet became 'unstuck' from whatever held them in place throughout their entire conversation. He rushed to the other side of the cage where Samwell was. Grasping the bars, Shadow growled lowly in a warning to the bat.
The lights that had dimmed in the cage shut off completely. His only response was a whisper, barely audible, but enough to cause his spine to shiver at its new meaning.
"Is she dead yet?"
Flinching awake, Shadow stared at the wall of his room.
Everything was as it should be - he was in his bed. Amy was curled up beside him, still not wearing anything but a tanktop and her undergarments.
Shadow sighed and let his arms wrap around her waist, pulling her towards his body until their chests touched. She was fully against him when she started to squirm in her sleep. Shadow didn't glance down at her. He merely stared at the wall, even after her movements ceased.
I've never imagined Samwell Turner to be a madman...But perhaps my dream - No. We are not going to live based on what we dream. It doesn't mean Samwell Turner is a crazed lunatic. But I do know he's attracted to Amy - that was evident enough when they first met.
The memory made his quills quiver and his hold on the female tighten.
Amy softly whined in her sleep, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. Her fingers laced themselves through his chest fur. When she became still again, Shadow sighed. He put his head in the crook of her shoulder and neck - hiding among her quills as he burrowed himself in the blankets with her.
His legs came up to wrap around hers. They only tangled more as she continued to move about in her sleep. She was always a mover.
She whacked me once, in the middle of the night.
Shadow reached to grab her thigh and wrap her leg around his waist. He wasn't sure what to do about the other leg, since she was sleeping on her side. But at least it made it easier for him to curl up around her. Tilting his head ever so slightly, Shadow's quills softly shook as his body instinctively protected Amy's.
Shadow couldn't explain his actions.
Perhaps I am a cuddler. Or perhaps my instinctive side is coming out now that it's beginning to notice that she's not wearing much of anything. Shadow growled to himself, but Amy twitched in her sleep. Or the instincts are coming out because of that damn dream.
The last thing he needed was for Samwell Turner to swoop in one night and take Amy out from under him. It sounded improbable. But with all the events happening, Shadow wasn't going to take any chances.
His logical side was saying to protect Amy from the maniac that possibly wanted to eliminate him and his friends. His animalistic side was saying that the pink hedgehog was his and his alone.
Frankly, Shadow liked the cuddler excuse.
That morning could have gone better, but Amy wasn't going to start complaining given the circumstances.
She merely went about making breakfast in the quiet house. Well, it was quiet until a certain feline strolled in with a look that said she and Amy were about to have a long talk - a talk that had been postponed for long enough.
Blaze leaned against the table in the middle of the kitchen. "Anything I can help with?"
"No." Amy swallowed after she whispered her response. She glanced back while at the stove. "Where's everyone?"
"Sonic and Sarah are taking their turn in the shower," Blaze folded her arms across her chest. "Silver is typing some emails to his boss. Manic and Sunny are still asleep. And I assume Shadow is feeding animals."
"Yes," Amy murmured.
She focused on the food cooking - the Eggs Benedict that didn't seem to be of much help now. She bit her bottom lip.
From the moment she had woken up, it felt all surreal - what had happened. It took her several minutes before realizing that a) she was practically wearing nothing in bed and b) Aleena was really gone.
Blaze, on the other hand, was thinking about different matters. She was saddened by the news of Aleena's passing, and being in the room while it happened, but there were other important matters.
Such as the lie you just told her. Silver's really trying to find more information on where Rosy went. Blaze chewed the inside of her lip. She didn't like to lie to Amy - but Silver had said not to tell Amy.
But why not tell Amy? Why not inform her that we're fighting against this Samwell Turner person? That Shadow needs to find Rosy apparently? Sure, I know why. Shadow doesn't want Amy to get into trouble and Silver agreed with him that it would be best not to involve Amy. But to involve the rest of us and not her...to have us all go behind her back on a cause she desperately wants to be a part of...She's not going to be happy when she finds out. And she will find out eventually, no doubt. We can't keep it a secret forever.
But the whole news with Samwell Turner and Scourge the Hedgehog - not to mention Rosy and him having a kid - was a little over Blaze's head. She had come here early to lecture Amy and talk Silver into dragging her back to New York before the month was even up.
Instead, she was getting wrapped up in something she wasn't sure she wanted to be a part of.
Silver is clearly on board. He likes the feeling of secretive work and fighting against bad guys - living in the past. Perhaps he's the one I really need to lecture.
Amber eyes went over Amy's solemn features. She hadn't spoken to Blaze in a while, and the room had grown rather silent and awkward. The awkward feeling made Blaze realize how much had changed in such a short time.
It's like we're strangers. Amy's living with them now - with Shadow, Sonic, and Sarah. She's been introduced to this different way of living so quickly and almost naturally that we haven't talked. It's almost like she's forgotten about us. Blaze hid her frown.
"When was Rouge showing up?"
"I don't exactly remember. I'll have to talk to her," Amy furrowed her eyebrows. "I'd completely forgotten about her."
"It seems you're forgetting about a lot of us."
With a raised eyebrow, Amy glanced over at the feline. "Excuse me?"
"Well, I feel like we haven't talked in a long time," Blaze cleared her throat as she stood straight. "And I was hoping to talk to you sometime."
"We're talking now."
"Yes," Blaze let a thin smile play on her lips. "Just with better circumstances, you know?"
Amy faltered.
She was about to give a sarcastic retort, but she hadn't expected Blaze to say that - and say it so sincere. Blaze hadn't really known Aleena, ever. Hadn't really tried to get to know her, either. While the death still affected everyone in the household, Amy didn't think Blaze of all people would let it show.
The reality kept hitting Amy, and it wouldn't give her a break. "Yeah...Things just won't stop, will they?" Amy questioned, as if seeking some philosophical answer. She narrowed her eyebrows again. "It's surreal. I can't grasp it yet."
"I doubt there will be much talk today," Blaze wandered near the windows by the laundry room. She looked outside at the muddy ground. The grass was still more yellow than green. "I wonder when the funeral will be."
Amy didn't want to think about that. She didn't have a black dress to wear, and she didn't want one. Not for this.
Tiredly, she closed her eyes to prevent the tears. She sighed. "Do you want to get the table ready?"
"Of course."
As the cat went around Amy to get to the cupboards, she eyed the pink hedgehog out of her peripheral. There was something else she wanted to talk about with Amy - something that would surely send Amy into a fit.
A lecture she didn't want to hear.
"Amy?" Blaze nonchalantly inquired as she grabbed the glasses.
"Yes?" It already sounded as if Amy didn't want to talk. But Blaze didn't know when she'd have alone time like this with Amy again. Especially since Shadow just seemed to appear whenever he pleased - Blaze had to corner Amy while he was gone.
And this was one of those moments.
"I know it's not a particularly good time to talk about this, but I can't help but pry…"
Amy's shoulders tensed as she stared at the cooking food, begging that Blaze wasn't going to embarrass her. Wasn't going to lecture her as if she were just a teenager.
"...but what's your relationship with Shadow?"
"Blaze, I told you when you got here. We're just friends."
"Friends sharing a bed."
"Oh!" Amy muttered under her breath at the intolerable feline behind her. "Blaze, it's not like that! We just...Well, we're…"
Like remembering Aleena's death was real, Amy recalled the events leading up to the moment when Sarah interrupted them in the workshop. She had shared a moment with Shadow - a moment where they agreed to go on a date and see where their odd relationship brought them.
I'd almost forgotten… Amy chewed her lip, trying to think of a response.
"Um...well, we're…"
Blaze raised an eyebrow. Now she was curious. "A moment ago you said you were just friends. Now you're acting as if you're not. Amy Rose, what is going on?"
"Oh, don't pretend to be my mother," Amy twisted around with a hiss. She glared at Blaze. "I don't care if you think me coming here was a bad idea. I don't care if you think this will only end badly. If it bugs you so much then take Silver back to New York and have a happy life."
"Amy!" the cat gasped as if she couldn't believe her friend would be so rude. Her ears folded back against her head as she prepared herself to have an argument in order to prove that she was right - that Amy's decisions right now weren't well thought out. "You and Shadow can't possibly be -"
"Whatever you're about to say, people would say the same thing about you and Silver. And you know it."
Blaze shut her mouth. Perhaps she hadn't been 100% right. "Amy, I don't want to see you hurt. He's uncontrollable right now -"
"He's fine. Blaze, he's perfectly himself. Why is the only thing you see when you look at him an animal about to rape me?" Amy hissed under her breath, mindful of Silver who was probably in the next room.
"I…"
"Shadow is a logical and civilized being. He would never do anything to hurt me, and we're getting along just fine. To the point where, yes, maybe we're going on a date."
Blaze's eyes went wide. Amy snorted as if that was the end of their conversation. The pink hedgehog went back to making breakfast.
It was silent for a while - the point where Amy really did think their conversation was over.
"You can't be serious."
Amy stopped and closed her eyes again. But it wasn't to hold in the tears. It was to keep hold of the spatula in her hand - making sure she didn't turn around and whip it at Blaze's skull.
Her temper was getting the best of her, sure, but Blaze's tone and following scoff was enough to make Amy snap.
She was tired of Blaze, Rouge, and Silver all thinking it was a terrible idea to move out here and be a burden to Sonic and Shadow. She wasn't much of a burden.
Still, Amy decided to keep her mouth shut as much as possible. Instead of flinging the spatula like it was her hammer, the pink hedgehog cleared her throat and straightened up - going back to cooking as if she were a professional.
"You'd be surprised," she merely said.
Blaze knew she should've held her tongue the moment she had spoken. Sighing, the cat grabbed the back of a chair and leaned against it. "Amy, I didn't mean to offend you...You're right. Silver and I are not alike. Neither are you and Shadow. That doesn't mean you can't have a relationship with him."
Green eyes glanced at her curiously, waiting for the punch.
"But I just want to you to be happy and safe. You're my friend, Amy. You'll always be my friend, first and foremost. Silver and I care about your wellbeing - and to think you were barely getting by without telling us is heart wrenching. I've felt so guilty that I didn't do anything."
"I didn't tell you guys for that reason," Amy whispered. "I'd feel obligated to make it up to you."
"Yet you don't with Sonic and Shadow? Or even Sarah?"
"Well...No." Amy's eyebrows narrowed as she turned and grabbed one of the plates from the table. Turning back to the stove, she slowly put some of the prepared food on the plate.
Blaze watched her, expecting her to explain herself. When Amy had plated two more plates, the feline crossed her arms and looked at the tile floor - knowing the answer already but wanting to hear it for herself.
"May I ask why?"
A little sound came out of Amy - a whine of protest. She didn't want to answer Blaze, but she knew it was inevitable.
Twisting around to face the Mobian she once called a good friend, Amy only saw a long distance friend that was almost a stranger. In such a short amount of time, her growing bond with the others had surpassed the bond she'd made with Blaze and Silver. That tether was worn and breaking.
"...I wouldn't have felt at home with you and Silver. I would have felt like I was intruding."
"And with Sonic and Sarah, you don't feel that way?"
"No, not anymore."
"Because of Shadow."
The young flower felt her heart tug towards the ebony male even more at that time. Something between them was clicking finally. Something she was excited about and yet terrified for at the same time.
Blaze could see it, too.
"Because of Shadow," she agreed.
Amy Rose was undoubtedly falling for Shadow the Hedgehog.
The water had always relaxed Sarah, but this time it didn't feel as welcoming. Perhaps it was because Sonic stood in the way so no water actually hit her.
The lime green hedgehog frowned at her fiance, giving him a pitiful glance. Sonic appeared to be in a trance - away from the world and the cruel reality. Sarah bit her lip.
I wish I could say something...But I don't know what it's like to lose someone like this. I'm the last person that could comfort him.
Still, she tried. "Sonic?" she whispered.
Sonic barely heard his mate with the water running. "Hm?"
"Are you...alright?"
Sarah was careful in her choice of words, but she knew in the end that no word could describe how he was feeling. She couldn't ask if he was doing okay because he wasn't. The question was merely filler - something to fill the space between them to make things less uncomfortable.
But Sonic didn't respond.
He continued to be in his own world.
Sarah went back to standing awkwardly in the shower - a little cold until he finally moved and let the warm water hit her. Sarah sensed his distress, and wasn't going to press him any further into talking. She had figured the house would be oddly quiet today.
And he and I both took the rest of the week off now… Sarah glanced up at Sonic, unsure of what was going on in his head. I've never been able to read him. Not fully. Certainly not as easily as he reads me.
She decided the best she could do was go about her day and let Sonic grieve. She'd be little to no help, and she'd probably only accidentally say something inappropriate. Holding her tongue even then, Sarah simply turned around and grabbed the shampoo.
Had she known what Sonic was thinking, Sarah would have been both confused and cautious.
The blue hedgehog that stood like a statue in the shower wasn't particularly thinking about his mother's passing. No. Instead, Sonic felt something in the room - a sort of presence that irked him because he didn't know where it was coming from.
Green eyes stared at the wall. It's strange...I woke up, and I didn't feel like myself. I get in the shower, and I really don't feel like myself. I can sense something...Something different. I'm not sure if it's good or bad.
It reminded him of the night Manic showed up with the other three guests. Shadow had tried to intervene when it came to Amy's sleeping arrangements, and Sonic's animosity went from being directed to Manic to Shadow.
It was strange. Like Shadow being near Sarah was something of a threat. It doesn't make sense. Now, every time, I feel something's not the same with her. It's her that has the feeling. I just know it. I'm not going crazy.
Sonic was still in doubt though.
He couldn't prove to himself that he did feel something in the room - with Sarah - but he kept thinking about it. That something was beginning to drive him up the wall. It kept him up at certain times of the night, as if taunting him to try and figure out what it was.
He narrowed his eyebrows and really looked at his future wife.
She seems...fine. But she's a good faker. The thought of Sarah becoming sick to the point where she woke up in the middle of the night to hurl her guts out made Sonic frightened. He hadn't confronted her about it, but he wanted to.
"Are you okay?"
His sudden voice brought Sarah back from her own train of thought. She raised an eyebrow and stared at Sonic with a peculiar look. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"Sarah, I'm serious." Sonic stood straight and blocked the water again. Despite her looking a little silly with shampoo in her quills, Sonic kept a solemn expression. "My mother was sick for a long time. So I want to know if you're sick."
"Sonic, I'm fine."
"So, what, hurling your guts out in the middle of the night is a normal routine now?" Sonic almost hissed the words. He felt hurt. She wasn't telling the truth. "Don't think I haven't noticed because I have, Sarah. I get this feeling that something isn't right."
She faltered for a second - and in that second her eyes told him everything.
That she was lying.
In that moment, his eyes narrowed and his expression turned cold. "My mother was sick for a hell of a long time, Sarah. Please, don't lie to me," he closed his eyes as if to hold in any emotions. "Please."
Her silence made him wary. Sonic knew something wasn't right with her. Sarah knew Sonic wasn't going to give in now.
She swallowed, failing to make a sentence. Instead, she merely heard her mother's voice ringing in her head.
"Are you crazy?! How do you not know?! You can't raise a baby - You're too young, Sarah! He'll leave you in a heartbeat - you're merely a toy. Get rid of the damn thing before it's too late!"
Sarah blinked back into reality, giving him a reassuring smile. "Sonic, I'm fine. Trust me, it's nothing serious."
Sonic had opened his eyes to watch her - watch for any movement that would give away what she was thinking. But she didn't let anything slip. He squinted a bit, showing he was unconvinced. She watched as his jaw clenched, a sign that said he was stubbornly backing away from the conversation for now.
She bit her lip and went to touch his arm. "Sonic - "
Her fingertips grazed his arm before he pulled away. The blue blur glanced at the curtain of the shower with a low gaze. "Breakfast is probably ready by now…"
Sarah retracted her hand as Sonic left the shower. She listened as he changed into his clothes rather quickly and then left the bathroom. It was as if he hadn't even been there.
Washing the shampoo from her quills, Sarah stared at the curtain with wide eyes.
It's only a matter of time now before I have to figure out whether or not I'm with child. The longer I drag this out, the more he questions me.
I can't keep chickening out of this. I've got to take a test - and soon.
Shadow was quite pleased to see Eggs Benedict waiting for him - on the plate he preferred. And the orange juice in the glass he favored.
Staring at the scene, Shadow raised an eyebrow slightly as everyone came into the kitchen for breakfast. It was quiet for the most part.
Shadow gave a little huff of amusement at what they were eating though.
Only Sarah has an attention for detail when it comes to favorites of mine… He glanced at Amy as he sat down. She avoided eye contact either from realizing she slept next to him with barely any clothing on or that she had made his favorite breakfast.
And Amy cooked breakfast.
He gave a little smirk at the idea of Amy trying to get pointers from Sarah about the Ultimate Life Form. Despite the silence in the air, the notion was still amusing to him.
While breakfast started off solemn, everyone knew it wouldn't last forever. At one point, somebody was going to get sick of the quietness and speak up. It was just a matter of who.
After several minutes of silverware hitting plates and mouths chewing food, Sunny cleared her throat softly.
"How did everyone sleep?"
"Not bad," Blaze was the first to reply. She shrugged. "Woke up a couple times in the night."
Mostly everyone agreed. Sonic glanced at Sarah, but he made no comment. Silver scoffed at everyone's hummed agreement to his girlfriend, however. "Well, that dog is like a furnace - I got little to no sleep last night."
Amy cracked a smile. "He does tend to sleep at your feet, doesn't he?"
"I haven't figured out why yet."
Shadow rolled his eyes. "Just put a pillow at your feet and he'll stop."
"Tried that. He proceeded to try and sleep on top of me at that point."
Sarah squinted at Silver while chewing her food. "Maybe it's the quills."
"Yes, that's definitely it," Silver sarcastically whispered.
What little conversation they had started to die down. The pink hedgehog, of course, didn't want to be engulfed in silence again. She put her fork down on her plate and took a glimpse at everyone.
"What's the plan for today?"
Plan.
They always seemed to have some sort of plan every day. A routine of sorts - an agenda. But the word seemed almost dreaded this time about. Plan.
Sonic grimaced. "I'll talk to Sonia about funeral arrangements. She spoke about Sunday, which would leave us at Joe's birthday party on Saturday still. We figured it would work."
Blaze's eyes softened as she looked at the retired hero. "Are you still going? You know, you don't have to."
"The Wilson's are as much a part of my family as my mother was," Sonic replied quickly and without hesitation. "I'm not going to miss either."
They were silent once more.
The blue male glanced at his little brother. "You don't have to go if you don't want to, Manic."
At that point in time, everyone seemed to notice the youngest member of the Hedgehog family. He almost didn't seem like Manic.
He didn't try to style his quills that morning. Of course, who would after their mother's death? He merely woke up with bags under his eyes and a cold look in his expression. It dawned upon everyone at that moment that Manic hadn't spoken yet.
Not once.
Sonic knew it was going to be toughest on him - he'd been away for so long but still wanted to be there despite the fear. But Sonic couldn't help but feel some sort of anger coming from his brother. An anger that radiated throughout the room at that moment.
"You said she had more time…"
Manic's hiss wasn't directed at his brother or his girlfriend. Dark eyes glowered at the ebony hedgehog sitting at the end of the table. Shadow felt his stomach knot as he remembered his words.
That day we spoke in the workshop...Sunny and Manic were helping me clean the place out. I had told him Aleena wasn't going to die. The memory hit Shadow like a giant wave crashing down. He felt guilt pile up at the bottom of his stomach.
I really said that. Shit. Why did I even open up my mouth about that? I wouldn't typically talk like that - mostly because I accept that things just happen. But...He was in distress. Shadow chewed the inside of his lip as he recalled the day. And I was merely doing the thing Sonic had practically taught me to do in four years - console those in distress. At least, that's a basic way we should respond to friends or family that are unhappy. We make them happy. God forbid I actually tried it.
Shadow swallowed as the household waited in agony to hear if it was true. He could see Amy's pained expression from his peripheral. They wanted him to say he hadn't said that to Manic of all people - that he had really said something else.
But there was no lying or making things worse. Not in this situation. Shadow felt it would be almost disrespectful to do so - to Aleena.
So, he sighed. "At the time - "
"At the time!" Manic's snap was right on schedule. Everyone but Shadow was surprised when he stood up so abruptly that the chair nearly toppled onto the floor. It wobbled and caught its balance as he huffed. "At the time, my mother was still alive! At the time my mother was still breathing! At the time," he breathlessly said as he shook his head, tears forming in the corner of his eyes.
He curled his hands into fists and pounded them on the table once, on both sides of his plate. Sunny gave him a sympathetic look as she touched his arm gently. "Manic…"
"At the time," he whispered again as his voice cracked. "She was still dying." Manic gritted his teeth, trying to come to terms with the news still. "She could never live on this planet, could she?"
His frail, croaking voice made Sonic worry. The blue blur hadn't seen Manic in forever, much less try and be an older sibling to him. Now without their remaining parent, it was Sonic who would have to console his brother. Sonic's frown deepened as he watched Manic crumble to pieces - an ache rising up in the old hero as well.
He was surprised to hear Manic after several minutes. Manic's voice wasn't shaking too terribly anymore. The green male seemed to tremble with anger again more than anything.
"What did you find out after I left?" Manic turned to his older brother for an explanation.
Sonic was hesitant to speak. "...Tails ran some tests - "
"You let him just run some tests on our mother - " Manic started snarling again, and he would have continued had Sonic not stood up with a determined glare.
"He's my best friend, goddamnit, I trust him more than I trust you," Sonic suddenly growled in retort. "He ran some tests on her - further proving the theory that she couldn't live on this planet. She's not the first case, either."
"The portal?" Manic asked with disgust. "Did Tails screw up another measurement on that?"
Sonic hissed. "Watch it. He's gone through more than you will ever know in your lifetime. The Mobians that were affected with this planet's atmosphere weren't affected by the portal. The portal had nothing to do with their deaths. It had nothing to do with our mother's death."
There was a silence in the air. It hung over the group for quite some time.
Finally, Manic left. Sonic closed his eyes and let his head droop.
"He'll be okay," Sarah reassured her fiance, rubbing his arm and guiding him to sit back down.
Sonic thought about brushing her away again, but instead followed her silent orders and sat. Besides, it would have been a waste not to finish his food.
"I'll talk to Sonia about funeral arrangements," Sonic repeated after a few moments of silence again. "Then I'll talk to Manic," he softly said.
Shadow gave a slight nod and went about eating - as did everyone else.
Sonic glanced at Sarah.
Then I'm dealing with you.
By that afternoon, things had dwindled down - for Shadow at least.
He had gone to fix some of the calf pens in the barn, deciding that the rest of the household could do whatever the hell they wanted. So long as he didn't have to endure one more argument - that was Shadow's thinking.
Still, he prepared himself for the worst when he heard the barn door open and shut. The bolshie male glanced over his shoulder to see Sonic sauntering up to him. His walk was hesitant, and his facial features remained guarded.
The cobalt hedgehog casually leaned his arm against one of the calf pens. The two were quiet until Sonic exhaled heavily. "Well, Manic is better…"
"Oh?" Shadow stopped his work and raised an eyebrow at Sonic. "Meaning?"
"He'll at least come out of the basement now."
Shadow nodded his head simply because he couldn't think of any other way to respond. Sonic gazed at the tools around Shadow before staring up at the red eyes he knew all too well. "Why did you say that to him? That Aleena had more time."
"At the time it was true," Shadow replied. "Last time I visited her, I could sense she was doing fine. Granted the last time I even walked into that room was a long time ago - at least before last night. I just...tried to help," he trailed off, unsure of himself.
Sonic scratched the back of his neck and glanced elsewhere. He cleared his throat. "Well, Manic's the least of my problems."
"The funeral? Hospital bill?" Shadow didn't mean to sound like it was all joke, but Sonic didn't seem to mind as he gave a slight scoff.
"Sarah."
"What about her?" Shadow asked slowly out of mere confusion.
"Something's up. She gets up in the middle of the night - it's been like this the past few days. Not too long."
"She go for a midnight stroll or something?" Shadow sighed, now uninterested in Sonic's lady problems. He went back to mending the calf pens as one of the calves continually tried to lick his hands.
"No…" Sonic furrowed his eyebrows. "Does Sarah peg you as the bulimic type?"
The question caught Shadow off guard. He fumbled a bit and the pliers hit the ground. He grabbed them before the calves in the pen could see what it was. Shadow stood straight and gave Sonic a concerned look.
"What?"
"Do you think she'd ever...do that?" Sonic swallowed.
"Are these midnight strolls to the bathroom?"
"To puke her guts out. She's been eating with us at all the meals, and she's typically eating what she normally eats," he narrowed his eyebrows. "But Sarah's always been insecure about her body. Maybe it's the wedding - fitting into a wedding dress or something. Or maybe because Amy, Blaze, and Sunny are all...skinnier, ya know. It's recent, though. Some nights it wasn't so bad - but I know she's trying to cover it up. Which typically means it's something bad. Right?"
"How should I know? I don't read women. We learned that a long time ago," Shadow shrugged, but still thought about the situation on Sarah.
Sonic snorted. "Well...I asked her about it this morning. She's avoiding it."
"So, you're going to put your foot down, yes?"
"I hate to do it, but I really don't want to know last minute if she's sick. I've had enough of sitting around and waiting for the inevitable." Sonic's empty gaze caught Shadow's eye. The Ultimate Life Form found the corners of his mouth drooping a little at the sight.
Shadow cleared his throat after an awkward pause. "What are the others doing?"
"Silver's checking up on where Rosy might possibly have ended up."
"Good. He told you," Shadow set the pliers down and turned around, leaning against the calf pen and facing the same direction as Sonic now. "Has he gotten anything that might prove Rosy went with Scourge?"
"Or met Scourge."
"The chances of her ending up here and re-meeting Scourge is slimmer than her simply coming here with Scourge. Don't you think?" Shadow posed the question.
Sonic tilted his head. "Fair point. He hasn't said anything to me yet."
"And the others?"
"Blaze and Sunny are dying of boredom while watching TV. Manic is mourning in the bathroom now - we're fairly certain he won't be getting out of the tub anytime soon."
"I thought you said he was better."
"Eh. I said he'd finally come out of the basement," Sonic responded. Shadow shrugged in agreement and Sonic continued, "And Amy and Sarah are doing God knows what."
"Where?"
"God knows where and what."
"That's never a good sign."
Sonic scoffed in agreement as he folded his arms. Another wave of silence hit them, and Shadow could feel something else was eating away at Sonic. Something much more noticeable than anything else.
He glanced at the blue blur. Red eyes softened as he tilted his head. "Despite Manic's obvious denial on Aleena's...death," he paused to see if Sonic reacted yet, "...I couldn't help but notice you haven't really mourned."
Sonic sighed and looked away, trying to avoid this conversation with Shadow. And yet, he was more than willing to stay for that very reason - that it was The Ultimate Lifeform of all people. A person he considered to be his enemy at one point was now considered one of his best friends. Sonic gave Shadow as much trust and respect that the black hedgehog truly deserved.
But at that moment, Sonic was caught between staying and storming out.
In fear that he might break down crying in front of Shadow, every manly instinct in Sonic told him to leave. In fear of not being able to mourn in front a single soul made Sonic plant his feet where he was.
"You saw me last night…" his voice already cracked. God, how he could handle anything else?
Shadow remained stoic. "Last night. Crazy to believe it all happened not twenty-four hours ago. You were in the stage Manic's barely in right now. Denial. That was last night. Today is the aftermath, Sonic." He stared at his housemate. A person he trusted wholeheartedly. "You've been too eerily calm for Sonic the Hedgehog."
Sonic scoffed. "For some reason Sonic the Hedgehog has to show weakness in front of others? Since when was Shadow the Hedgehog more masculine?"
The ebony Mobian shrugged and crossed his arms, copying Sonic's movements. "Fair point. You don't have to show me any emotion. But you should know, Sonic, that some people will judge you. Day in and day out."
"My mother died, they'll be sympathetic."
"Maybe. But they don't know you personally."
"Jesus Christ, Shadow." Sonic gave a sort of sound that seemed like a laugh and groan. He turned on his heel to walk out of the barn, but instead stood out in the open to stare at Shadow straight on. "You're actually trying to give me advice on this? Advice on mourning over my mother's death when you never had a mother?"
A sting hit Shadow, and Sonic saw. The azure male licked his lips nervously. "I didn't mean that."
"I know."
"It's just you don't know how this feels."
"But I'm the only person in that house that knows how you feel. Don't forget, I've grieved as well."
Sonic faltered.
He had almost forgotten, truth be told.
The image of Maria flashed through his mind as pain coursed through Shadow's eyes. He swallowed. "Then what do you want to say? I guarantee you, it'll be the same as what everyone else will say."
Shit. Were those tears developing? Sonic cursed to himself - he didn't want to seem weak. Especially not in front Shadow. But a part of him almost whispered to him that he needed to crumble.
"What will they say?"
"Everyone gives their condolences, but only a few understand," Sonic tried to swallow again, but the lump forming in his throat grew bigger. "The Wilson's are going to be the worst."
"You don't have to go to Joe's birthday party, Sonic."
"It would be rude not to."
"They'd understand."
"Exactly. They'd understand. All of them would pretend to understand what Manic, Sonia, and I are going through. The only ones to really get it though will be Joe and Frank. They've lost their mother - and they'll be the silent ones. Everyone else will speak."
"It's a natural tendency, Sonic. It's called comforting others," Shadow retorted at the ridiculous male. "You taught it to me."
Sonic's ears pinned back against his head. The tears stilled formed, and the lump in his throat still became a bigger nuisance with every passing minute. He started to walk backwards, regretting the decision of staying to listen to Shadow.
"On second thought, perhaps Sarah would be better to - "
"You and I both know Sarah certainly doesn't understand this. Unlike you, she doesn't care about her parents. She could care less if her mother died tomorrow. You loved your mother, and Sarah respected your decision of visiting Aleena whenever you could. But Sarah doesn't understand what you're feeling and she doesn't know how to help you," Shadow responded confidently. "If you go to Sarah, I doubt you'll be coping with this loss. You'll most likely be arguing about her possible condition."
For a moment, Sonic had forgotten all about the fact that he and Sarah were in a bit of an awkward tension. Shadow stepped closer to the Mobian he learned to call his friend.
"Sonic, you don't have to show any emotion to me. But I know when you're okay versus when you're not," Shadow simply said.
They stood there for the longest time afterwards.
Shadow waited for any peep out of Sonic. The latter tried to think of anything coherent to say. He opened his mouth a little, several times, but words weren't falling into place.
Finally, a tear slid down his cheek.
"Sonia was always close to Mom. I knew she'd be a mess, as any lone daughter probably would. Manic hadn't seem Mom in forever, but I knew he never hated her. This is hard enough as it is for him. But I...I don't know. I was the one to sit by her bedside for hours some days - knowing that the clock was ticking down. It was never going to reverse," his voice started as a whisper. "I'm the oldest. Last night, there came a sense of...being not only the oldest sibling but now the oldest in our family. It was a sudden responsibility of keeping everything in balance when the world went dark on us."
Shadow leaned further against the calf pen. Sonic shuffled his feet and put his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Mulling his thoughts over, Sonic continued.
"Every day, visiting her. I figured eventually something like this would happen - out of the blue. Sonia had the kids to worry about. Manic never kept in touch. I was the only one given any fair amount of time to mourn, Shadow. Even before she was dead," he felt sick saying the words. He scowled, but it was directed to himself. "So, please. Say anything that I'm not going to hear from the Wilson's, or my boss, or my coworkers, or other friends in this godforsaken valley. Just say it."
Green eyes stared coldly at him. Hurt and pain erupted through those eyes as tears pooled.
Shadow tried to think of anything to say to him. Condolences, how it felt with Maria - no. It's not anything new. He's right. It's going to be exactly like what everyone else will say, but in a different way. And none of it's going to help him. He's already mourned out loud - every day when he visited Aleena. Now, he's silently mourning to himself. He's past the stages his siblings are barely getting to. He doesn't need my advice.
What advice do I have to give anyway? What comfort?
His shoulders slumped and he walked towards Sonic. The male braced himself for something the Ultimate Life Form would think was inspirational. There was a long pause. Then Shadow clapped his hand onto Sonic's shoulder and shrugged.
"So, you're still up for Joe's birthday party on Saturday?"
Sonic gave a confused look - waiting for some hidden message Shadow threw in at the last minute. "Yes."
Shadow merely nodded his head before walking towards the barn door. "Good. Because I need help with Amy."
Now he was really befuddled. Twisting around, Sonic raised an eyebrow at his frenemy. "What? That doesn't make any sense - we were talking about my mother and then you - "
"Asked Amy out on a date, which happens to be Joe's birthday party," Shadow opened the barn door. He gave Sonic a shrug as if it didn't matter. "You're busy. Keeping thoughts to yourself - grieving. I'll ask Silver. I'm sure he's not busy with the whole Rosy-Scourge thing. Besides, he's the one that really pushed the whole date idea thing - "
Sonic's face was priceless.
As still as a statue, Sonic only continuously blinked. "He what?"
"- I'm sure he won't mind helping. Amy did seem happy about the idea, too," Shadow walked outside and peeked his head through the door. He gave Sonic a rather cheesy, uncharacteristic grin that was beyond rare and very sarcastic. "I'll talk to you later, though. Mmk?"
The barn door shut and Sonic was left to look like a complete idiot. He mumbled to himself for a moment before he finally caught up with reality and was hurrying after Shadow.
"WAIT!"
Shadow had successfully avoided Sonic's sudden pestering.
I'm thankful that my sudden...love life, as he called it, kept his mind off Aleena's death. Although it was rather annoying how adamant he was to get all the details.
The ebony hedgehog had hardly told Sonic anything, even after the blue male cornered him. Shadow had refused to say much besides simple things that he had already said before.
"Silver's idea?"
"Silver's idea. Apparently, he was getting annoyed with all of the so-called matchmakers who did nothing."
"I felt like I was getting somewhere when we went appliance shopping."
"We had a shelf topple on top of us, including Amy. I wouldn't call that progress on any potential relationship between Amy and I, whatsoever."
"At least you're starting to talk like it's a possibility."
"...Shut up."
Shadow didn't mind the sudden attention, except when it came to the date part.
"So, the date is a...birthday party?"
"She said it like that, too. Is something wrong with taking a date to a birthday party?"
"Well, if one takes a date to a wedding, it might mean they're serious about the relationship. I'm not sure about a birthday party, though. Sounds...odd."
"Well, her and I aren't your typical couple."
"Aw, how cute. You referred to both of you has a couple."
"A pair. Not specifically a romantic couple but - oh, for Christ's sake. You know what I meant."
"Mmmhmm."
Shadow took his shirt off and then his jeans. Clambering to the bed in the dark, Shadow collapsed on the soft mattress.
It suddenly dawned upon him that he wasn't alone.
Amy gave him a swift kick to the leg as she rolled over on top of his chest to turn the lamp on. She glared down at him, trying to avoid looking at anything below his collarbone. She grabbed the book she was reading and sat back on her side. Continuing from where she left off before Shadow so rudely turned off the lights, Amy tuned out the Ultimate Life Form.
He huffed in annoyance at the yellow light. Turning his head to her, he asked, "Why didn't you take this side of the bed tonight?"
"You like that side better."
"So, do you."
"Well, I...felt like being nice."
Snorting, Shadow turned on his side and away from Amy. He regretted his move instantly when realizing this made him more susceptible to the blinding light of the lamp. Tossing around again, Shadow moved to face Amy's direction. The light was a bit more bearable, but still infuriated him.
"So, Amy liked the idea of the date?"
"Yes…"
"You're sudden silence on details makes me think something happened, Shadow."
"Nothing happened."
"Something happened, didn't it?"
"Something happened."
"Sleep with Amy Rose this early into your blossoming relationship, and I kill you."
"I highly doubt her kissing my cheek will impregnate her, Sonic."
Shadow opened one eye and glanced up at Amy.
Thinking of Sonic's pestering that day, Shadow got more bold. He wondered, out of curiosity, how the young flower would respond. She seemed to like Shadow as more than just a friend. Now that her growing feelings had become aware to him, Shadow felt as if he should experiment what this meant.
Or perhaps it was simply him wanting to be closer to the hedgehog.
Groaning out of annoyance from the light, Shadow stubbornly placed his head on her stomach and burrowed into her pajamas. Amy tensed immediately but relaxed, placing the book down and sighing. She was no doubt glaring softly at him by now.
"Shadow," soft hands combed through his quills. He was liking his choice of being daring with this female. "How'd you get from the city to here? You never fully told me the story."
Shadow growled into her stomach - this time in annoyance to her.
Tilting his head sideways so as to breathe and talk, Shadow responded to her. "Can't we have one normal night of going to bed where we don't chit chat?"
"Sure. But not tonight."
The typically introverted male mumbled something incoherent before exhaling heavily. "I went to Canada for a long while. Tails showed up with an offer of a simple home out in the country - a place where I wouldn't have to move after a week. I took it. I'm still here. The end."
Amy cracked a small grin. Her fingers were delicate to the touch. Dare Shadow say he felt hypnotized. "I've heard all of that before. But how'd Tails come across this place? How'd you meet the Wilsons?"
"Why does all of this matter to you now of all times?" Shadow whined like a child. "I thought you weren't going to live in the past anymore."
"That was...just for myself," Amy blushed a little at the memory. She had almost forgotten that she had told him things no one else knew. "...You haven't told anyone, have you?"
Her cheeks grew redder as he grasped her hips. Shadow used the anchor to twist his gaze around to her face. Looking at her with a serious expression, Shadow responded, "Of course not."
"Well...good. But I still want to know about your past - how you got here really. I think it's rather intriguing."
Shadow scoffed and went back to resting on her stomach. His hold around her waist only tightened however. Amy squirmed a little to lie down rather than sit up in an uncomfortable position.
"Amy…" he droned.
"Please?"
Shadow waited for a minute or two. Maybe if he pretended to be asleep, Amy would stop asking questions.
"To get my mind off of...everything that's going on now."
Her words caught his attention quickly. Shadow's ear twitched in her direction.
"I just…" Amy continued but it was clear her voice was becoming shaky. "...I can't believe what happened actually happened…"
"I know." Red eyes stared at the blank wall in the darkness.
She licked her lips as tears developed in the corner of her eyes. "Why did it happen?"
Her voice was barely audible. Shadow almost missed it. He thought about replying to her, but instead he simply listened to the silence. He closed his eyes for a moment - catching her heartbeat. Shadow swallowed as his head moved with every breath from her.
When her fingers ceased their combing, Shadow raised his head. Amy was soon cradled in his arms as he put his chin on her head, now being above her rather than on her.
Something dared to flutter in his stomach when Amy wrapped her arms around him in return. The ebony hedgehog did his best not to shudder. Instead, he closed his eyes and thought of nothing but sleep.
Unfortunately, Amy wasn't totally ready for bed.
"Shadow...What do you think is going to happen now?"
He raised an eyebrow, eyes still closed. "What are you talking about?"
"With Sam."
He didn't suppress the shudder. This time, it wasn't anything out of delight, but out of rage. A silent rage that built up from 0 to 100 when she mentioned his name. Shadow wasn't sure if it was because Amy brought it up now of all times, or if it was the way she said his name.
Sam.
She said it like he wasn't a problem. Like he wasn't possibly insane, when it was her theorizing all of that nonsense up in the first place. She was the one treating Samwell Turner like a complete equal and not a possible psychopath. Just by saying his name like he was a common person they saw every day - an acquaintance or something.
"Amy, I told you - "
"Shadow, you can't expect me to do nothing." She pulled away abruptly to glare at his silhouette.
He growled lowly at her. "Drop it."
"Since when did you get the authority to boss everyone around - telling them what they can and can't do?" Amy whispered harshly to the point where Shadow thought about letting her sleep on the floor.
Instead, he held her firmly by the waist. "Since you live under my roof."
"That doesn't mean you start parenting me. I am an adult, Shadow. We've gone through this before. I don't think it's right to step aside and watch this play out . We could at least contact Scourge - "
Shadow snarled lowly again, trying to remain quiet. The last thing he needed was for Silver or Sonic to barge in. Red eyes glowered down at her as she felt his breath on her cheek. Amy flinched a little, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he intimidated her.
"We are not talking about this ever again. Samwell is Scourge's own issue. We protect our own."
"But what if Scourge is our own? Rosy? Rosemary?" Amy pressed the matter further. By now, she was pushing her luck to the very edge. "Are you really going to let a little girl be in potential danger, Shadow? Are you really going to stand by and watch? That's not who you are."
She was right.
Shadow wasn't going to stand by and watch - not while he was still breathing. If Samwell Turner had spies on them, and even his own men, it meant that the bat had gone through enough trouble. It meant that Samwell Turner might actually want the Sonic Heroes permanently out of the picture for some, unknown to Shadow, reason.
The bolshie male decided not to drag the fight into a real argument. Mostly to avoid dragging attention to them. The last thing he wanted were more people in his bedroom, uninvited.
Amy was about to continue retorting, but she was caught off guard. Shadow kissed her forehead softly but clearly palpable. She closed her mouth and sunk back into his embrace.
Sighing, Amy closed her eyes. "Then what's going to happen with Sonic? Manic? Sonia and the kids? They've just lost their mother, Shadow."
"I know."
"That doesn't bother you? You're not even the least bit concerned about Sonic?"
There was a long silence between the two.
Amy's breathing slowed down as she entered a deep sleep, letting go of the conversation for now. Shadow merely stared into the darkness of the room.
His lips pressed against her forehead one more time.
He thought about Sonic. Thought about Sonic's worries - thought about his own worries. His mind reflected back onto Aleena. The future funeral. He thought about Sonia and Manic being inconsolable. He thought about Sonic standing still at a gravestone, having years to mourn a death that hadn't happened at the time. Shadow thought about everyone else - crying or impassive. He thought about all of the chaos going on - Samwell Turner, the grief haunting the house, and his practically indomitable feelings for Amy Rose.
The future funeral, yet again, ran through his mind.
Then there was the bubbling tension that would cause Sonic to snap eventually. That was what Shadow contemplated about the most after first thinking about it.
Despite what Sonic had told him - which was basically not to worry - he could sense that the blue hero wasn't alright.
No one ever is. Not in this situation. I don't care if he had five or ten or fifteen years beforehand to mourn his mother's death. He wasn't mourning then - he was preparing. But no one can prepare for this sort of thing. Shadow knew from experience.
When they're alive, you'll never fully know what it's like when they'll be gone. Your brain and body doesn't know that feeling yet. Not until they're actually gone. He can bottle it all in as long as he wants, but it's not going to be pretty when he finally decides to let it all out.
He wasn't trying to be sappy.
Not in any way.
But if Amy had said that Shadow didn't care about Sonic - wasn't concerned about him at this very moment - then she was more naive than he originally thought.
Shadow nuzzled her quills after planting the soft kiss to her temple. Exhaling heavily, he closed his eyes and whispered to the dreaming female.
"I'm always worried about Sonic."
Holy shit, there were times when I wasn't sure if I would finish this. BUT. This chapter is finally done and it's one of those bigger bitches to write - even if it lacks in length compared to others.
Anyway - I know some people might not be...happy with this chapter. I don't know. I normally stare at my work until I hate it anyway. XD I want to point out that some might think the pregnancy thing was a little abrupt - but it's actually been foreshadowed in multiple scenes if some have forgotten. Hell, I've forgotten most of the story to the point where I constantly have to re-read it. The pregnancy thing is also not going to be cliche - that's all I'm going to say about it. You can imagine/predict the rest if you want. XD Um, I will also say that this pregnancy thing was planned for Those Country Boys, so it's always been on the backburner but never put into play until now - in the redo - since there will be no Those Country Boys. That City Girl is going to be a stand-alone story. No sequel, but maybe an 'Aftermath' story of one to three chapters to play as the Epilogue.
Aaaanywho. I tried to get this grieving thing somewhat right, and that's probably why it took so long to write. Because I've personally never had to deal with grieving this extremely - so I'm doing my best.
I don't know when I'll be able to upload. It's currently finals week this week - so I'll probably write Friday when it's over. :) I hope ya'll have had a great two and half months or so! XD
See ya next chapter, and spread those positive vibes!
Arrivederci!
(Chapter title isn't my fav (meaning I couldn't think of one) so if any of you readers have appropriate chapter title names for this chapter, please put them in with your comment below. Thanks!)