JUDAS

Chapter 9: Talk

"Oooohhh, I wonder when they'll be born! I'm so excited!" Amy bubbled, stirring the chili dogs in the pot. Sonic, who had taken a seat at the table, let out an exhausted sigh. His body was finally beginning to wind down…but the talk of the impending babies caused him to tense and ache again. He pressed his thumbs against the nape of his neck, feeling how sweaty he was beneath the flawless blue fur (judging when he should next take a shower), and gazed in weary wonder up at his wife.

"Ames? It's a little early for that. Don't make me tired."

"Sonic, you're a stick in the mud for once!" Amy teased him, peeking over her shoulder as he hid his head in his folded arms. "Chill, okay? You had your fun all those long months ago. Now it's my turn."

"Sex is more fun for girls, anyway." Sonic shrugged for the sake of arguing, voice muffled by his furry tan arms. "Besides, I heard childbirth hurts like a bitch. Like my stomach. Ow." He sat up, groaning as he rubbed his empty belly in discontent.

"Well, that won't hurt anymore as long as you eat." Amy answered smartly. "And, I don't care. Being a mother is worth it."

Sonic studied his heavily pregnant girlfriend. She seemed so changed from the girl he used to know; the one who had mercilessly and unendingly pounced on him (not to mention saved him a few times, as well), that impatient little fangirl…seeing her as a woman—a mother—both shocked and warmed him. He'd always known she'd dreamt of the day when she'd have his kids…but he never expected her to treat it with such merit. And now he realized that he was ready to be a dad.

And he stopped flipping out. "Speaking of which…are they done? Cause I'm as hungry as a tiger shark!" Sonic laughed, which died off after it began to hurt his chest.

"Yes. You've been undernourished for so long, it's a wonder you've survived for so long! Oooohhhh, I wonder…do you think they'll be morning babies or evening babies?"

"Amy?"

"Summer or winter?"

"Amy?"

"Boy or girl, or boy-boy, or girl-girl, or--"

"AMY!"

His girlfriend whipped around from the stovetop at his urgent voice. Sonic looked faintly embarrassed as her eyes landed on him in intrigue. "Sonic? Is something the matter?"

The blue hero wrung his gloves hands. "I…I gotta tell ya somethin…but whatever the punishment you're gonna give me is, ya gotta swear not to take away my food for any length of time. Snively may've given us a break thus far, but he might not for much longer, and…I need to be a full power again."

Amy smiled. "What did you do now?"

"Promise?" Sonic pointed a finger at her in accusation.

"Promise."

"D'ya mean it?"

"I mean it."

"Pinky swear?"

"Pinky swear."

"Cross your heart and hope to--"

"Sonic!" Amy stopped him. "I do. What is it?"

Blue's emerald eyes studied the pebble-akin floor pattern. "Remember how you wondered how I survived?"

"Yeah, that was, like, five minutes ago. Where have you been?"

She was joking, but he didn't do more than turn up his lips a moment. "Out. But, listen. I…I…" He was struggling with the words, biting his lip and sweating. He was very afraid she would kick him out, and never let him near the twins if he said this. He was very afraid of the word "goodbye". "I…I drank, Amy." He admitted with shame.

Amy stood silent. Even the babies seemed still within her. All was silent, but for Sonic's nervous shifting, the bubbling water, and the occasional growl emitted from the man's stomach. "You…drank." Amy spoke slowly. "You mean…alcohol?" Her voice was quiet, almost frightened. But, her eyes and lips were at once unreadable.

And this gave her boyfriend, the father of the twins, little confidence; in fact none at all. He nodded, cowering before her. "Please don't send me away." He whispered.

"Thank you for telling me." Amy told him comfortingly. "It's okay."

Sonic's head shot up. Had he read her tone right?! Did she honestly not care?! "Wha…? Amy!"

"What did you want me to do?" Amy laughed at his expression. "Punish you? Take away your dinner? I promised not to do that!"

"If that's what you would do, do it then." Sonic's ears flattened.

"Sonic!" Amy gasped, panting for breath. "I don't love you any less because alcohol has passed down your throat! You're of age, and I'm okay with it. You never thought I would get offended for you running away from me for so many years…"

Sonic flushed, hot under the collar. "Yeah, well…but you mostly paid me back for those!" He looked up to find her hugging him.

"Sonic, I don't hate you. I love you, and I thank you for telling me. Drinking isn't something to be ashamed of. Maybe getting drunk is, but…a drink or two is par for the course."

Sonic lay in his future wife's arms, eyes wide and brimming with uncommon tears. "Thanks, Ames." His voice was hot from tears and too many emotions. His heart was overflowing with love for her at this moment, astounded that she so easily forgave his little sin.

Amy hugged him back. "You're welcome, baby. Now, come get your lunch like a good boy." She went to prepare him his filling lunch.

Sonic instantly went back to filling hungry as soon as he set eyes on the perfect chili dogs…all for him.