Two was a year of firsts and explorations for Maria. Everything seemed to go into her mouth... Everything. Shadow was having a hard time finding things that she wouldn't try to explore orally, and the cabinets had to be given child latches after a near-choking mishap. Though, in hindsight, Sara had a bit better sense of humor about it; Shadow had nearly turned white at the scene.
It was also a year of relief for a couple of worn out parents. The freedom that came with successful toilet training meant no more diapers. Moving to solid foods meant mommy's chest belonged to daddy again. Of course, the increased size and motor skills also meant more nap time, which meant Sara got quite a bit more shuteye.
For Shadow and Sara, there were more than a few changes. Shadow's job paid well enough that Sara wasn't required to work to make ends meet. She gladly turned in her two week's notice so she could be a full-time mom. Chris enjoyed baby-sitting, but, of course, he wasn't always available. The apartment was one thing that hadn't changed, however, and for now it was still just big enough for the three of them.
Blitz' and Maria's birthdays were close enough together that, for their third birthday, it would be shared together. The guest list was still pretty small, though, with "Grandpa Chuck" being the primary attendee along with Chris. Chris had brought his friend Helen, though; the pair had been rather close lately. Since she was confined to a wheelchair, it was best that the party was held at Sonic and Amy's.
Happy birthday, Blitz and Maria... Happy birthday to you!
The two children giggled and laughed at the singing in their honor. They were presented a nice large cake in the shape of a number 3 with candles for them to blow out.
"Make a wish!" Sara encouraged. The two looked very serious for a minute before nodding and blowing out the candles.
Applause shot up from the parents and guests, except Shadow, who was not entirely amused. "There we go! That's my lil' boy!" Amy beamed at Blitz.
"Doesn't seem like it was that long ago when you guys were single," Chris mused as the cake was cut.
"Yeah, time sure has flown," Amy agreed, smiling at her not so baby boy. She had to restrain Rift, who wanted to smash the piece of cake floating his way.
"Be patient, Maria, your piece is coming!" Sara smiled softly. "Hon? You want ice cream with your piece or no?"
"Yeah," Shadow replied.
"And what does my little granddaughter want for her birthday?" Charles asked mildly to Maria.
"A pony!" Maria smiled wide.
"Well...that's a direct response." He chuckled lightly. "We'll see what kind of gifts you get."
"How fast are they now?" Chris inquired.
"Fast enough to give me trouble!" Amy shook her head.
"Be running circles around me soon enough." Sonic grinned.
Shadow handed a slice of cake and scoop of ice cream to Maria, whom he had in his lap. "She's fast enough."
Helen noticed how the darker hedgehog had separated Maria from the ruckus, and how she stayed quiet even with all the noise going on about them. It was like he created a little haven for her; she wasn't quite sure what to think of it. "She's very well behaved for her age, isn't she?" she finally commented on the young female hedgehog.
"Yeah, she doesn't give us much trouble anymore." Sara smiled softly. She thoroughly enjoyed the piece of chocolate cake she'd been given. After weaning Maria off mother's milk, chocolate and caffeine returned to her diet, which made her and Shadow a lot happier for its effects.
"What do you mean by that?" Chris asked.
"Ohh... Just that it's a lot different having a three year old than an infant." She shrugged a bit and took a bite of ice cream...mint chocolate, her favorite.
Chris and Helen exchanged looks briefly before the party continued. Gifts were given out after the cake and ice cream, the two children more interested in the wrappings and bows than the gifts themselves. Somehow, Maria managed to pluck a My Little Pony from its packaging, satisfying the pony need she'd expressed earlier. Clothing, which Chris and Helen had contributed, was far more appreciated by the parents than the recipient children. Blitz' big toy was a roaring Charizard doll, which he then chased Maria around with. All in all, it was a pretty good party.
July was hot, and as such, beaches and pools were crowded with people trying to stay cool. Shadow was glad it was one of Sonic's work days, as he and Sara had arranged to visit the Thorndyke's that day. The very pool Sonic had almost drowned in once was crystal clear but also full of chemicals trying to find that fine line between clean and swimmable.
Chris had become a pretty tall teenager, and he looked a bit funny in his swimming trunks. But it was amazing to the hedgehog couple that Helen had chosen to come as well. She looked something like a mermaid in her swimmer, which understandably hosted floatation devices Chris didn't need. "If you get tired at all, let me know, okay?" He smiled to the blonde human, who clung to him as he lowered them both into the pool.
It had occurred to Sara that the two might be smitten, though she wasn't sure Shadow had caught on. "Here's where I prove I'm part fish," she said at last, heading into the water wearing a rainbow colored bathing suit.
Shadow held Maria in his arms. The little hedgehog had two floating armbands and a doughnut-shaped dragon she clung to cheerfully. In her other hand she had a My Little Pony with ratted up hair and crayon and marker stains all over it. The symbol on its rump was partly washed away and you'd never know that only a few months ago it was brand new.
"Ready to swim?" Shadow asked softly as he headed out to the water. He wasn't the best swimmer himself, but he and Sonic had eventually learned how to swim some time ago.
"Yeah!" Maria beamed cheerfully. She really enjoyed her bath times, something most parents would be glad of, so getting into deeper water was just a new extension of that.
Shadow waded out into the water until he was waist deep. The water was rather chilly compared to the blistering hot day, and he wondered how Maria would react. "Here we go!" He smiled softly, remembering a time when he just had to tease her belly to be besieged with laughter. He lightly touched Maria's toes to the water, and she kicked at it fiercely, sending splashes of water everywhere and giggling madly.
"Papa, it's cold!" she complained, squirming in his arms.
"Come on, it's fine! You're a big girl!" He squinted one eye to shield from the splashing child. After a few minutes of splashing, she'd forgotten all about any temperature changes, and Shadow lowered her to her waist. "There we go, that's a good girl."
"He's really good with her, isn't he?" Chris asked Sara as she swam out to the deep end.
The sky blue hedgehog turned and smiled. "Yeah. He's really patient, you know?"
"Ahh…. Sonic's not very patient at all." Chris chuckled.
"Well you know that's how he is, Chris," Helen put in. She was very capable of propelling herself with her arms, which she did, putting the human boy to shame.
"Pony!" Maria cried as she accidentally let go of her plastic horse toy. Shadow wasn't quite quick enough in grabbing it before it floated out of range. "Papa! Pony!!" She squirmed in his arms.
"Ahhh! Maria! Stop it!" Shadow said firmly, trying to reign in her kicks and flailing arms. While he was holding her in the water it was one thing, but she wasn't ready to go solo just yet!
"Excuse me. Mom to the rescue." Sara smirked and dove under water.
"Waaaa!" Maria cried as the pony drifted further from her grasp.
"It's okay, it's only a few feet away, we'll get your pony back!" Shadow's ear flicked in an annoyed way as she continued to cry. Maria's tears became deafening when the pony went under the water, pushing Shadow's nerves to their limits. A few moments later, though, she found himself nose to nose with Sara and the crying stopped.
"Looking for something?" she said warmly and offered the pony back to their daughter.
"Yay! Mama!! Mama's my hero!" Maria giggled.
"You couldn't have done that before my eardrums burst?" Shadow said softly, though he worked in a quick appreciative kiss.
"Sorry, I thought Super Dad had it sewn up." Sara continued to smile.
"Har har." Shadow checked on his girl, who was happily dancing the pony along her floatation device.
"You know...I think we're being watched," Sara said softly.
Shadow glanced beyond her to Chris and Helen. "So?"
"Ahh...don't be dense...Chris has seen his best friends coupled with kids for three years now... He and Helen are adults, you know." Sara shook her head lightly.
"You're saying they're studying us?" He monitored his floating cargo, making sure she couldn't break free, and that the pony was secure.
"Yeah. I think they're encouraged by our success." Her smile was radiant, and Shadow wondered if there wasn't more behind it.
"Oohh... Well, we have been pretty successful, haven't we?" Shadow said with a hint of pride.
"Mmmhmm..." Sara swam a bit around Shadow and Maria. "We've been together over three years and have a wonderful daughter." He watched his mate circle the pool, seeming so carefree. He wondered if Maria would remain an only child for long. The bathing suit hugged Sara's form pretty well, and Shadow thought he might have been reading into things to imagine any imperfection in it a potential brother or sister for his little girl.