September arrives, and we find a party at Sonic and Amy's house. It's Dash's 5th birthday party, and the house is alive with party sounds. Tails, Cream, Sonic, and Amy Rose are on the couch. Shadow, Rouge, Knuckles and Tikal are also there, watching the children play together.

For gifts, Sonic and Amy had given Dash custom made bluish-purple speed shoes. Tails had given Dash some tools for the models of the X Tornado and Blue Typhoon he was given a few years earlier. Cream and Tikal hand-wove a bluebell flower necklace with special herbs to protect Dash in the future battles he may face, should he decide to become a world hero like his parents.

Knuckles had gotten Dash a carrying case for the piece of the Master Emerald he was given five years ago as a baby shower gift. Shadow and Rouge had agreed to give Dash stealth training for extra fighting prowess to go along with Cream and Tikal's gift.

Since Amy and Cream were now into the ninth month of their pregnancy, moving around wasn't easy. Sonic and Tails go get the chocolate cake and bring it into the living room.

Everyone starts singing "Happy Birthday" to the bluish-purple hedgehog, and after the song, Dash smiles. "Thanks everyone."

His jade green eyes shine as he blows out the candle, which is a number 5. As the cobalt speedster and orange fox cut pieces of cake for the guests, Amy smiles at Cream. "I can't believe it. Soon, we'll be giving birth to our daughters."

Cream nods, putting a hand on her large belly. "I can't wait for this to be over. Carrying the triplets was a lot tougher, but this is still pretty rough."

Amy laughs. "Believe me, I know. I don't think I could handle carrying three children like you did though."

Tails and Sonic join their wives, who lay their feet on their legs. Sonic rubs Amy's sore feet and ankles while Tails does the same to Cream.

Amy moans as Sonic works the tension out of her feet. "Oohhh, I needed this Sonikku."

Sonic blushes and continues working. Cream sighs as Tails rubs her feet. "This feels so nice, Miles."

Tails smiles and gives Cream's right hand a kiss. "I'm glad it does, Cream."

The other two couples take the chairs as they all watch movies on TV.

-5 hours later-

Sonic, Amy, Tails, Cream, Shadow, Rouge, Knuckles, and Tikal are barely awake. The kids are all asleep on the floor.

Rouge picks Samuel up off the floor and gently wakes Shadow. "Shad?"

The black hedgehog yawns and opens his crimson eyes. "Yes babe?"

The white bat blushes, and whispers. "It's time to go."

Shadow stretches, takes Rouge's hand, and says two words. "Chaos Control."

The family vanishes in a flash of green light. Tails and Cream gather their triplets, thank Sonic and Amy for having them over, and then leave. Knuckles and Tikal gather up their quadruplets, and leave after thanking the pink and blue hedgehogs. Amy yawns and turns off the TV while Sonic locks the door and carries Dash upstairs to his room.

After tucking him in, Sonic helps Amy off the couch and upstairs to their room. They undress and climb into bed. Amy faces away from Sonic, and smiles as Sonic's muscular arms wrap around her.

Sonic nuzzles the back of Amy's neck and speaks in a deep, quiet voice. "Are you ready for our second child?"

Amy nuzzles Sonic's left arm. "Of course. I am a little worried about Tikal's warning though."

Sonic holds Amy as close as he can. "I know you are, but remember that Tikal said worrying about it would only make it worse."

Amy nods and closes her jade eyes. "I'm doing my best Sonikku, but I can't help it with the due date so close."

Sonic nuzzles Amy's right cheek. "Just relax and let things happen, baby. I know you'll be fine."

Amy purrs when Sonic nuzzles her cheek, then she rolls over and kisses him. "I believe you. Now, let's get some rest."

Sonic kisses Amy back and closes his emerald green eyes. "Goodnight Amy Rose Hedgehog. I love you very much."

Amy smiles. "Goodnight Sonic T Hedgehog. I love you very much, too."

The two hedgehogs are asleep in ten minutes, dreaming about their second child.

-Five days later-

It's now September 19th, and Sonic is awakened by his cell phone ringing. The speedster finds his phone and answers it. "Yes Tails?"

Tails is frantic. "Sonic! You and Amy need to come to the hospital!"

Sonic frowns, then yawns. "It's 2:30 in the morning, Tails. I hope you have a good reason for calling me."

The fox sighs. "Does Cream being in the hospital count?"

Sonic is suddenly wide awake. "I wish you'd said so sooner. Me, Ames, and Dash will get there in the next hour."

Tails smiles. "Awesome. See you soon."

Sonic ends the call and gently wakes Amy. "Ames? Wake up honey."

The sakura hedgehog growls and replies in a sleepy voice. "Why did you have to wake me up?"

Sonic climbs out of bed. "Cream's in the hospital."

Amy's eyes shoot open and she throws the bed sheets off of her. "We need to get to the hospital!"

Sonic laughs. "Calm down babe. There's plenty of time. Let's shower, then Dash can shower. After that, we'll go to the hospital."

Amy nods, and Sonic helps her out of bed. 35 minutes later, Dash takes his shower. Sonic dresses in a dark green muscle shirt, black shorts, and his black speed shoes. Amy picks a green maternity shirt, a loose-fitting pink skirt, and green sandals. Dash finishes his shower and decides to wear a blue shirt, matching shorts, and his bluish-purple speed shoes.

Sonic joins hands with his wife and son, and nods. "Chaos Control."

The hedgehog family vanishes in a flash of blue light.

-Station Square Hospital-

A bright blue flash radiates in the lobby of the hospital, then three hedgehogs appear. Shadow, Tikal, Rouge, and Knuckles are already there. The kids are playing in the designated play area, and Dash goes to join them.

Sonic and Amy join the other two families, and Sonic speaks first. "Any news yet?"

Shadow nods, and Rouge answers the question. "Tails and Cream are in Room 463. Cream's at 5 centimeters, so she has a long way to go."

Amy nods. "What about the child?"

Knuckles speaks now. "We haven't heard anything yet. Since this is the case, we can only assume the best."

Tails comes into the lobby and smiles at his friends and older brother. "Glad you all could make it. Doctor Alnilam is examining Cream again now."

Sonic smiles at his little brother. "I'm glad everything is going well so far."

Tails nods. "The nurses say I can have one person in the delivery room with me."

Shadow frowns. "That sounds a little fishy to me. We all know you're going to choose Sonic."

Tails shrugs. "Well, I do know him better than the rest of you, so why shouldn't I choose him?"

Sonic rolls his eyes and joins Tails in Cream's room.

-Cream's Room-

The hedgehog and fox enter the rabbit's room. Doctor Alnilam nods to the two males. "Hello you two. Cream's at about 7 centimeters, so she still has a while to go."

Tails joins hands with Cream. "How do you feel Cream?"

She smiles. "A little tired, but I'm okay so far."

Sonic turns to the doctor. "How long do you think Cream will be here?"

Doctor Alnilam shrugs. "As long as she needs. It could be up to three days, including the day of delivery."

Sonic nods, and then Cream screams in pain. Tails winces as Cream squeezes his hand.

Sonic knows all too well what Tails is going through. "Tails, I hope you have a hand left after this. Amy damn near broke mine when she had Dash."

Tails laughs, then winces again as Cream has another contraction. The ocean blue eyes have a few tears in them when Sonic's emerald green eyes see them.

"Sonic, get an ice pack ready."

Sonic laughs and goes back to the lobby.

-37 hours later-

It's 4 PM on September 21st. Tails is in the lobby updating everyone on Cream. "She's at 9 centimeters, and the contractions are getting more frequent. Doctor Alnilam is thinking Cream will be giving birth very soon."

A voice comes over the PA system in the hospital. "This is Doctor Alnilam. Tails Prower and Sonic the Hedgehog please come to Room 463."

Sonic gives Amy a kiss. "It's time, honey."

Amy kisses back. "I look forward to good news Sonikku."

Sonic and Tails walk to Cream's room.

-Cream's Room-

The door opens to show Sonic and Tails. The two males enter the room, and Tails takes Cream's right hand.

A strong contraction hits, and Cream puts Tails' left hand in a death grip. "MILES PROWER! YOU DID THIS TO ME!"

Tails' eyes filled with tears as the pressure on his hand increases when the contractions hit. Sonic watches with concern in his emerald green eyes.

Doctor Alnilam puts on a pair of gloves and sits in front of Cream. "Okay Mrs. Prower, when I say push, you push as hard as you can."

Cream nods, and Tails almost begins crying when Cream squeezes his hand.

The doctor takes a breath. "Alright Cream. Push!"

The rabbit nods, takes a breath, then grits her teeth and pushes. The pain is intense, and tears stream from Cream's chocolate eyes.

For 10 seconds Cream pushes, screaming the whole time. "AAHHH!"

Doctor Alnilam has Cream stop to catch her breath.

Tails wipes Cream's face with a cool cloth. "You're doing fine Cream."

She smiles, and is asked to push again. 10 more seconds of pain, and the doctor has some good news. "You're crowning now Cream. One more push and you'll have your daughter."

Tails feels a nuzzle to his chest from Cream, then the rabbit is asked to push once more.

Tails gives his wife a smile. "You can do it."

Cream pushes as hard as she can, screaming loud enough to make Sonic cover his ears. Doctor Alnilam talks Cream through it. "Almost there… Come on, push… Got it. You're done, Cream."

Cream flops against the pillows. Tails looks at the doctor, then at the nurses who are leaving the room with the newborn.

Cream pants to her orange husband. "Miles… My baby! Where they taking my baby?"

Sonic and Tails follow the nurses and Doctor Alnilam.

-15 minutes later-

Sonic walks out to the lobby. Everyone stands, and Amy runs over to her royal blue stud. "Sonikku?"

Sonic's eyes turn to his rose-pink wife. Amy's face goes from hopeful to horrified when she sees the tears falling. "What happened?"

Sonic struggles to answer, and his voice is broken by his sobbing. "The child… It-It didn't make it."

Amy feels her own baby kick, then everyone gathers around the two hedgehogs. Sonic speaks a little louder so his friends can hear him. "Cream had a stillbirth…. The child was dead when Cream gave birth to it."

The shock races through the others, and tears flow unchecked from their eyes.

-Cream's Room-

Tails slowly walks into his wife's room. "Well, we tried for 15 minutes to help the child."

Cream nods, her eyes filling with tears. "What-What do you mean, Miles?"

The orange fox tried not to cry as he answered the rabbit, but failed. "You-You had a stillbirth C-Cream… Our child was dead when it came out."

Cream pulled Tails close and buried her face in his chest. "No… No, you're lying to me! You have to be lying to me!"

Tails shook his head. "You know I'd never lie to you Cream. I'm so sorry…"

Cream held tightly to Tails and cried harder than she ever did before in her life.

-The lobby, two days later-

Tails and Cream join Sonic and Amy in the lobby of the hospital. Doctor Alnilam is there as well. "Tails, Cream… I'm so sorry about your loss."

He turns away, and tries to keep from crying. Tails frowns. "That's all you have to say?"

The doctor whirls on him. "Dammit Tails, you don't understand! That was the first child I've ever delivered that was already dead! It's not any easier for me than it is for you."

Doctor Alnilam goes into his office, and he can be heard crying openly.

Sonic gently pushes Cream and Tails toward the exit. "Come on. There's no need for us to be here right now."

The Prower triplets and Dash follow their parents out of the hospital.

-Sonic and Amy's house-

The three hedgehogs enter their living room. It's 8 PM now, and Dash is sent to bed. Sonic locks the door and helps Amy up the stairs. When they get to their room, Sonic and Amy undress and climb into bed.

Amy wastes no time pulling Sonic to her. "Sonic I'm so scared. What if our child dies? What if I die?"

Sonic rubs Amy's back, gently talking to her. "Shh…. You won't die, and neither will our child."

Amy's tear-filled jade green eyes look into Sonic's emerald green eyes. "How do you know?"

Sonic smiles. "You've given birth to Dash, and I know you'll do the same with our next child."

Amy nuzzles Sonic's chest. "I trust you Sonic."

He smiles. "Good. Now let's get some rest, alright?"

Amy nods. "Goodnight Sonikku. I love you."

Sonic wraps his arms around his wife. "Goodnight Ames. I love you too."

Sonic and Amy are soon asleep, snuggled close together.