August 22nd comes, and we find Sonic and Amy with Tails and Cream in the lobby of the Station Square Care Center. Amy's getting her head scratched by Sonic as he usually does when they're in the Care Center. Tails and Cream are cuddled together in the chair next to them. Dash is playing with the Prower triplets in the designated play area.
Doctor Alnilam arrives in the lobby at 10 AM and calls the two families. "Prowers and Hedgehogs, come with me please."
The kids are gathered and the two families follow the doctor to the examination rooms. Exam Room 11 is set up for the two families, and Doctor Alnilam shuts the door. "Alright. This is the last time you have to see me before childbirth. Once you're ready we can begin the sonograms."
Sonic and Tails help Amy and Cream get on the beds. Both females sigh as their back muscles relax. Soon they're hooked up to the sonogram machines, and Doctor Alnilam layers the special jelly onto their exposed stomachs. Sonic and Tails take the attachments and make a few passes on their wives' exposed bellies. Dash and the Prower triplets watch as the images slowly appear on the screens. Amy, now 25, watches her screen with hopeful green eyes.
Her cobalt husband smiles at the image. "There we go."
Sonic's emerald green eyes shine as they look at his rose-pink wife. The doctor comes over and looks at the screen. "Okay. Well, the fetus is doing well. The eyes are fine, hands and feet are good. The umbilical cord is just fine, and the placenta is where it should be at this point in the pregnancy."
Amy gasps as Sonic and Doctor Alnilam see the baby kick the womb. Sonic chuckles and speaks to the growing child. "Easy now. You've been good so far. Save the kicking until after we get home."
Doctor Alnilam chuckles, and turns off the machine. Amy gives Sonic's hand a squeeze, and the doctor smiles. "Your daughter is looking just fine, Mr. and Mrs. Hedgehog."
Sonic helps Amy off the bed, and they join Tails and Cream. The orange fox and cream-colored rabbit watch as Doctor Alnilam looks at their child. His brown eyes narrow as they focus on one area. "Well, everything is alright. The child is developing normally."
Cream and Tails look at him, then Amy speaks up. "But…"
The doctor sighs. "But the location of the umbilical cord is bothering me. It's functioning fine, but it's too close to the fetus for my comfort. However, the child should be okay. In cases like this, the cord usually stays where it is. I'm going to assume the child will be a little larger than normal, as was the case for your triplets."
Tails and Cream nod, then Sonic speaks. "Will the child encounter any problems before childbirth, considering the location of the umbilical cord?"
Doctor Alnilam shrugs. "As I've said, the child should be fine, but I'd like Mr. and Mrs. Prower to keep a close eye on this situation. Sonic, I'd like you and Amy to help out with them, please."
The pink and blue hedgehogs nod, and Doctor Alnilam turns off Tails and Cream's sonogram machine. The fox and rabbit thank the doctor, and leave the Care Center.
The doctor washes his hands and turns to the hedgehog family. "See you for the child's delivery."
Sonic thanks Doctor Alnilam, joins hands with Amy and Dash, then says the two famous words. "Chaos Control."
The three hedgehogs disappear in a flash of blue light.
-That night-
It's 3 AM, and Sonic is tossing and turning in his sleep. Once again, he's having a nightmare. He suddenly sits bolt upright, screaming again. "AAAHHHHH!"
He's sweating profusely, but Amy has once again slept through it all. Sonic gets out of bed and walks to the balcony. The emerald green eyes look out over the quiet city, and a gentle breeze stirs the long quills that were four inches past his shoulders.
Sonic's ears twitch when he hears a gentle voice. "Sonikku?"
It was Amy, and she walks over to him, nuzzling his left arm. "Did you have another nightmare?"
The speedster nodded and pulled his sakura wife to him. Amy feels a few tears land on her quills, which extended three inches past her shoulders.
Her green eyes are laden with concern as she looks up to Sonic. "What did you see this time?"
Sonic shook his head, his voice shaky. "No… No I-I can't say."
Amy turns his head s that he looks into her eyes. "Tell me please."
Sonic takes a breath. "This time, you and the child died in childbirth."
Amy gasped. "No… Sonic, why would this happen?"
A female voice replies. "It's because you two keep worrying about it."
Sonic and Amy turn around and find a bluish outline of Tikal.
Amy frowns. "You again?"
The pinkish echidna's outline nods. "Yes, and once again, you two are naked. Did you perform the mating ritual again?"
Sonic shook his head. "No. We always sleep naked. What are you here for now?"
Tikal sighs. "It seems your nightmares aren't so unreasonable anymore Sonic."
Amy presses as best she can against Sonic. "Our child dies?"
Tikal shakes her head. "All I can say is that Sonic's nightmares will come true. Given that you and Cream are pregnant at the same time Amy, it may or may not happen to you. Then again, it could, and it'll spare Tails and Cream's child."
The pink hedgehog cries silently into her blue stud's chest. Sonic turns to the bluish outline of the female echidna. "You know who this happens to, don't you?"
Tikal nods. "I do, but I'm not allowed to say. I'm sorry Sonic."
Sonic gently rubs Amy's back as Tikal continues. "Tails and Cream will get a visit from me tomorrow night. They won't know who this will happen to, just that it'll happen."
Amy keeps whimpering into Sonic's chest, so he speaks again. "So you're just here to warn us?"
Tikal nods. "Yes, Sonic. I'm sorry I can't tell you more."
Sonic smiles. "It's okay. Amy and I definitely appreciate it."
Tikal's bluish outline fades and leaves Sonic and Amy alone on their balcony. Sonic helps Amy back into their room and back into bed.
Amy clings tightly to Sonic, her grip on his fur like a vice. "Sonikku… I'm so scared… I don't want our child to die… I don't want to die either… Oh Sonic!"
Amy buries her face in Sonic's chest again, crying openly. Sonic holds her close and gently rubs her back. "Shh…. I have you Amy… Try to calm down."
Amy continues to cry, her body heaving with her sobs. Sonic goes to his next attempt. He begins singing to Amy. The song he chooses is called "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys.
"I may not always love you, but long as there are stars above you, you never need to doubt it, I'll make you so sure about it… God only knows what I'd be without you…."
As he sings, Amy slowly stops crying, and her breathing slows. Once Sonic finishes singing he checks on his wife. She's peacefully asleep with a smile on her face. Sonic cuddles Amy as close as he can, and falls asleep.
-Two days later-
Sonic, Amy, and Dash are watching TV when a knock is heard on their door. It's Tails and Cream with the triplets. Sonic lets them in, and smiles as the kids go to the playroom. The fox and rabbit join the two hedgehogs on the couch.
Cream is the first to speak. "We got a visit from Tikal last night. She said she visited you two as well."
Amy nods. "She has. Twice."
Tails chimes in now. "Tikal has warned us that one of the coming children will die."
Sonic nods. "She should have also told you that I've been having nightmares about this for a long time now."
Tails nods. "She did. What are we to do?"
Amy frowns. "We don't have much choice. Our only option is to let things happen."
Cream presses against her twin-tailed husband. "But it scares me. I don't want my child to die."
Amy nods. "Your fears are equally shared by me Cream, but there's nothing we can do."
Sonic and Tails nod, then Amy gives the blue blur a nudge. He takes the sakura hedgehog's hint, and looks at the fox-rabbit couple. "Have you guys kept a watch on your child?"
Cream nods. "Miles and I are like hawks, Sonic. So far everything seems fine, but it's tough to give a certain answer without the proper equipment."
Sonic nods. "I understand Cream. I'm just trying to do as Doctor Alnilam asked."
Tails smiles. "We appreciate it Sonic."
Amy and Cream suddenly gasp at the same time. Sonic and Tails give them confused looks until they explain at the same time. "I just got kicked."
The boys chuckle and rub their wives bellies, occasionally getting kicked.
-9 PM-
Tails and Cream gather their children and leave Sonic and Amy's house. Sonic locks the door and turns off the lights while Amy helps Dash get ready for bed. Sonic joins them in Dash's room, and the bluish-purple hedgehog hugs his royal blue father and rose-pink mother.
"Goodnight Mommy and Daddy. I love you."
Amy kisses Dash and Sonic hugs him. "Goodnight Dash. We love you too."
Dash climbs into bed and his parents go to their room. Sonic and Amy undress and climb under the blue silk sheets. Sonic cuddles Amy to him, making her sigh contently. They share a sweet kiss, and close their green eyes.
Sonic gives Amy another kiss to the top of her head. "Goodnight Amy. I love you."
Amy nuzzles Sonic under his chin. "Goodnight Sonic. I love you too."
The two hedgehogs are soon asleep, snuggled close together.
