January was cold and dreary with a lot of overcast days. Maria enjoyed playing in the snow, but it soon became bitter cold and Sara made sure she didn't stay out too long. Shadow still traveled into the warmer parts of Station Square for his job, so he only encountered the white powder when he came home, not that he minded. He did mind how the gray skies were affecting his mate, however

As it was the fourth month of her pregnancy, Sara spent a lot of time resting. She didn't want to stay in bed all day so she migrated from the couch to the E-Z chair to the couch in the den. Maria had decided to play games in there, so at least she had some company today.

"Mommy, are you okay?" she asked after a while.

"Hmm? Yeah, of course I am." Sara smiled tiredly.

"You're tired a lot," Maria commented, trying to get back to her game.

"Ahh? Yeah, I am." She leaned back against the soft cushions of the couch.

"Why? Papa doesn't like it," she asked, though her mind wasn't on the game as she fell in the same hole for the fifth time.

"Because I'm pregnant. Your lil' baby sibling's taking a lot of energy to support." She smiled anyway and stroked her round belly. "Daddy would like to see me more energetic, but he understands."

"Were you like that with me?" She pouted at the Game Over screen and turned off the system.

"Yeah." Sara chuckled. "It's nothing to worry about." She closed her eyes, but opened them a minute later when her little girl climbed up onto the couch and put her hands on her belly. "Ahh...?"

"You shouldn't make Mommy tired," she scolded at Sara's belly. "Wah! It moved!"

Sara laughed, "Yes, he's kicking…or she's kicking."

"You don't know?" She looked at her mother quizzically.

"Nope. I want to be surprised." She closed her eyes, but that didn't last long, as Maria slapped her belly. "Hey! Now what was that for?"

"...He hit me again!" Maria replied with her hands on Sara's belly.

Sara laughed. "I'm getting kicked from the inside out, I don't think he's old enough to fight with you yet."

"Oh..." The girl snuggled against her tired mom. "You need to stop kicking Mommy so she can sleep," she said into her mom's belly.

"That's my girl.." Sara gently stroked her daughter's quills, and soon fell asleep.

A gentle pressure on the cushions next to her woke Sara a few hours later. Maria had gone off to her room to play, so the one next to her now was a black and red hedgehog. "Morning, sleepyhead."

"Mmm...aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Sara worked to sit up, but quickly gave up supporting herself and leaned on Shadow.

"I know I ask this a lot, but are you all right?" he asked softly, putting an arm around his mate.

"Yep. Just tired." A peaceful smile was plastered on her face and couldn't be shaken. "You ask enough, though, that even Maria's after me about it."

"...Sorry." He placed his other hand on her belly, feeling for any movement. He didn't have to wait long. "How active is it?"

"Enough to keep me awake when I want to sleep," Sara chuckled.

"Figures, eh?" Shadow stopped stroking her belly and put one arm under her legs and picked her up off the couch. Sara gave no complaints as he hauled her upstairs to bed.

"Maria?" Sara walked around the house looking for her little girl. Having exhausted all possible hiding places, she headed into the half-completed nursery. "Ahh, there you are."

Maria was staring at the crib when she walked in. "Hi, Mama."

"Now what are you doing here?" she asked gently.

"This where the baby's going to sleep?"

"Yep. That was your crib once." Sara smiled.

"It's big."

Sara laughed, "Yeah, your dad's stubborn about some things. That crib was made for a human baby. We used to use your toy chest to step on so we could reach into it."

"Really?" Maria noticed the wooden platform next to it.

"Yep. Actually, some of the stuff here used to be yours... You don't mind, do you?" She knelt down by the dark blue hedgehog.

"No."

"You're gonna be a big sister, so you need to help your baby sibling out." Sara smiled warmly.

"How do I do that?" she asked.

"Well...you're the role model, so be kind and honest, and make sure you protect him or her like Blitz watches Rift."

Maria made a face. "His fists hurt. You want me to fight?"

"Well...not unless you have to." She took her girl's hand and walked back toward the door. "How about some pumpkin pie?"

Maria giggled, "Sure!"

Dawn was coming later and later, though sleep was coming less and less for Sara. Shadow lay next to her in bed trying to think of ways to relax his mate. A soft moan escaped her, and he knew she was still awake. He drew in a slow breath and placed his hand on her belly, not for the first time that night. As he suspected, the baby was freely kicking and testing its borders.

Shadow applied a bit of pressure and the kicking slowed. "That's better," he said softly, and began stroking the soft belly fur. Sara gave a relieved sigh. He still felt a bit of movement from the baby shifting inside, but it was no longer kicking full force.

It wasn't the first or last sleepless night for the expecting mother. Shadow continued to support her, giving her massages to ease her aching muscles, and rubbing her belly, which seemed to soothe her more than anything. When he was sure she was asleep, he would even whisper softly to the baby, telling it to be more gentle. It may have worked, as his touch and voice seemed to influence the unborn's behavior. He seemed to be able to calm the baby when it was restless, allowing Sara a more peaceful night's sleep.

Sara didn't wake until sun began shining through the window one morning. "Hnn?" She hadn't slept in like that in a long time. It was refreshing on the one hand, until she noticed her furry pillow was missing. She propped herself up against the pillows and glanced around the room. "Huh..." Did he have to work today? She thought about it but dismissed the idea.

Soon the bedroom door opened, and in walked a small dark blue and reddish brown hedgehog with bright crimson eyes. She was carrying a tray, on which was toast, eggs, hash browns, and a glass of orange juice.

"Easy..." Shadow's voice called from less than a step behind her as he held the door open.

"What's this?" Sara smirked a bit at the breakfast in bed.

"Breakfast, Mama!" Maria beamed. She tried to figure out where to put the tray, but pouted, "Mama's lap's too big!"

"Getting bigger every day." Sara chuckled and took the tray from her. "Thanks, pumpkin... So whose idea was this?"

"Hers." Shadow sat down on Sara's lefthand side where he usually was in the morning. "She was burning toast when I came downstairs."

"So that's why you were gone." She sniffed the food; it smelled good. She piled the scrambled eggs onto her toast and made it into a sandwich. "Mmmm. Now why don't I get this treatment every day?" She laughed lightly.

Shadow shrugged. "You need your strength...I don't want Dr. Quack complaining I don't feed you."

"I made my own bowl of cereal this morning!" Maria beamed proudly.

Sara glanced at Shadow, and he nodded. "That's great, sweetie!"

"Half of it wound up on the floor, but she did, all right." He shrugged again.

"Aww! You weren't supposed to tell her that!" Maria complained.

"And you burnt your fingers on the toaster," he continued.

Maria pouted. "Mommy! Make Daddy stop being mean!"

Sara laughed a bit and dug into the offered breakfast. Maria was on her best behavior and took the dishes for her mom after she was done. "Whew... Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome." Shadow held her to him, and lightly brushed her bangs out of her face. "You smile a lot."

"I'm happy," she replied.

"You smile even when you're in pain," he commented, and placed a hand on her belly; the baby was asleep for now, it seemed.

"You find it odd?" she said, not denying his claim.

"I like your smile, but I like it genuine." He nuzzled her lightly.

"It is." A content smile curled her lips. "Every kick reminds me of the precious cargo I'm carrying. I also smile for you...because I love you."

Shadow gently licked behind her ears. "I love you too."