Thanks to SirRubio, AceisBae, Lynkia, Amefloza13, Blancis16, Groovy Jay, IT'S NO USE I'M OUTTA USE, kimchi-tan, NeckBreak, NightStar95! I also created a public review to respond to NightStar95. :)

Guys, guys, guys - this chapter. This is the chapter we all deserve. I channeled the 2010 me for real. Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Future

AMY

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

Pick. up. the. damn. phone.

Ring. Ring.

I was going to kill both of them.

Click. "Hello?"

Tails.

"Let me talk to Sonic."

" - I'm not here! - Uh…"

"I know he's with you. I just saw you both on TV."

Muffled voices.

"He's scared to talk to you - TAILS! - You are, look at you!"

"Sonic. What did you just tell the news?" I kept my voice nice and even.

Silence.

At least, from the phone. I could start to hear a commotion reignite outside my apartment. I tipped down the blinds and gulped as I saw news vans and tons of people just waiting outside. For me. I hadn't left my apartment since Sonic dropped me off here, and they'd been there ever since. But the crowd was growing by the second. Thanks to someone's recent antics.

"Sonic, there are lots of people outside my apartment. Why is that?"

"A-amy, I. I. I…" he kept stuttering, and I hated how adorable it made him sound. I couldn't help but picture his red cheeks. Such a strong handsome hedgehog being so emotional and cute - no, I wasn't going to be weak to him. I'd decided I was done with him. I couldn't live like this anymore. I was going to be strong and tell him that we were actually over, and we weren't getting back together. I had enough of his antics, his flip-flopping, his highs and lows, and all the pain he's ever caused me. I would be there to support him from his trauma recovery, but that was it. I was going to actually do it… and not give in to how charming and dreamy and amazing and heroic and perfect he was - I was done with him, over him, starting again - I didn't love him anymore, I couldn't -

"Sonic - "

"Amy-I'll-be-right-there-just-hang-on-a-moment-"

He was coming? Here? Now? I panicked, looking down at my disgusting self. I hadn't showered. I hadn't eaten anything but ice cream. I was wearing sweatpants, no bra, an old T-shirt - I couldn't let him see me like this. Gripping the phone, I rushed to my closet and started picking through it. Why had I decided this was a good week to put off laundry, fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Amy you there?"

"Mm-hmm," I muttered, quickly getting undressed.

"I'll be there, okay? Don't worry. I'm coming for you."

"Wait, ugh," I dropped the phone as I was trying to put on a bra. A cute one, with pink lace -

I scrambled to grab the phone, but it had somehow dropped behind my dresser. FUCK! I could hear Sonic asking my name. No, no, I didn't hang up on you, wait, I grabbed the side of the dresser to pull it back, trying to get to the phone, and finally managed to reach it.

"Sonic I'm here," I gasped, out of breath, leaning half-naked against my bed.

"You alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine." I took one moment, and then set the phone down on speaker while I pulled on panties and a red dress. I smoothed down the skirt. At least he wasn't going to walk in on me naked….

"I'm almost there."

I rushed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face and quickly applying deodorant. I ruffled my quills, but I still looked a hot mess. I'd have to do.

"Amy?"

He was here! My heart flip-flopped all over the place. Sonic was here, in my apartment. I didn't know how to feel, how to react, it was all so fast - my heart felt so warm and tender at just the thought of being close to him again. I had to be near him. I didn't care about being strong anymore. I knew in my deepest heart how I felt about him, and that would never change. Suddenly all I wanted to do was hold him close and apologize.

I walked into the main entrance, hiding my shaking hands behind my back. Why was I so nervous to see him? I'd been pissed off just as soon as two minutes ago. Time seemed to slow to a stop as I walked out and our eyes locked. My breaths came long and deep as all I could do was stare at him, and his perfect self. Nothing else existed in this moment but us. He smiled at me, genuinely, softly. His hands were behind his back as well. He looked almost shy, but 100% adorable and handsome. And oddly confident, too.

"Hi. You look beautiful."

"Aw, thanks," I blushed heavily, not just from his compliment, but knowing that I'd thrown this look together in less than a minute. "You look perfect."

He cleared his throat. "It took me a little longer than I thought cause I wanted to get these for you."

I knew what they were before he even handed them to me, but my eyes welled up when I saw the roses. Bright red, for love. I slowly walked over to him, accepting his gift, but then quickly setting it aside to hug him.

"I'm so glad you're here," I whispered in his ear, my former anger nowhere to be found. It had been replaced with nothing but tenderness now that I had him in my arms. He smelled so nice, too.

He didn't say anything, just held onto me, his hands rubbing my back gently. We just stood there, breathing and feeling and enjoying the sudden magical moment. I never wanted to let go of him now that he was here. Nothing else mattered to me, nothing else was important, just that he was here, he'd come back for me, and he still loved me. Oh, he loved me.

"Sonic," I said quietly, trying not to ruin the moment. "I'm so, so sorry. For what I said, for my insensitive jokes, and for getting angry. I didn't understand, and I was selfish. The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you, but I know that I did. I've made a lot of mistakes, and said some horrible things, which you didn't deserve. I'm just so sorry. You'd been through too much - "

He held me at arms' length, his tender green eyes shutting me up immediately. He rested his forehead against mine, our noses barely touching, us breathing the same air. I just wanted to stare at him forever, I just wanted him to always be here, I just wanted the world to end and fall away so it was just me and him forever and ever.

"Amy."

He broke the gaze, much to my concern, as he looked down. "I'm the one who's sorry. I came outta nowhere, busted back into your life and demanded and expected too much of you. I was super emotional, and I didn't consider what you want, what you need to be happy. I'm just so broken and messed up, I'm gonna need a lot of help, and I know that I'm not what you hoped I'd be. I'm not the same guy you used to love when we were kids. I'm a disappointment - "

It was my turn to cut him off, by gently taking his chin and angling his head up so we met eyes again. I gave him a soft, romantic smile.

"You're not broken, or a disappointment." I cupped his face in my hands, as his arms circled my waist, making my heart spark with warmth again. I stared so deep into his eyes, wanting to know every inch of him, every deep secret and dream and nightmare and weakness and strength and hurt and pain.

I never loved him more than I did right then.

"You're my Sonic. And I love you very much."

I leaned forward to capture his lips in a kiss - romantic, gentle, soft, nice, and innocent. Pure. It was my favorite Sonic kiss yet, nothing but raw emotions and sincerity and care. I'd never felt so good in my life - my heart felt so tender and warm, like it would burst.

"I love you, too," he whispered across my lips. "Neither of us is perfect, huh?"

"No, but, that's why we need each other. So we can be strong for each other. I forgive you, Sonic."

"I forgive you, too." He nodded. "I'll always be here for you, Ames. I'll never leave you again. I promise, with all that I am."

Happy tears sprung out of my pupils, and I didn't even try to sniff them away, letting them rain down my cheeks with pride. "And I'll never stop loving you, and taking care of you, no matter what."

He pressed his lips to my temples and cheeks, absorbing my tears. "So, does this mean I can be your boyfriend?"

I had to laugh a bit, suddenly remembering why he'd come in the first place. "I'm pretty sure you're already my self-proclaimed boyfriend. Seems like we've come full circle." Nostalgia hit me hard as I remembered calling myself Sonic's girlfriend for so long.

"Speaking of full circle," Sonic looked outside, frowning at the reporters. "There's somewhere I wanna take you. I mean, if you wanna go with me."

My heart fluttered. A date? A romantic date? "I do. But, only if we can hold hands."

"You're adorable," he said, and took my hands with grace. I squeezed them and giggled.

The sunlight stung my eyes as we headed off, but I was glad to finally be out of that wretched apartment. The fresh air, the rush of the breeze, and Sonic's presence was all exhilarating and yet calming. He was so mellow and chill right now, as if he didn't have a care in the world other than that I was happy. And I was. Very. Couldn't be better.

Of course, my heart wouldn't let me enjoy being happy for too long. It was almost too easy that we made up and were back together. I just hoped this time, it was for real. And this wasn't just yet another high point that I'd crash down from in a few hours. Maybe we forgave each other now, but what about all the questions and doubts between us? Those hadn't gone anywhere. And if neither of us wanted to talk about them, they would be there forever. When would this finally end, and be settled? Would we be this uncertain forever? I couldn't live like this much longer.

But as I looked back up at Sonic, and felt his calming aura, I realized something. This - this was why I couldn't be happy. I was too focused on the future that I couldn't enjoy the here and now. Maybe he had the opposite problem and that frustrated me, but… thinking optimistically, positively - didn't that mean we were perfect for each other? Filled each other's holes, made up for our weaknesses? We were made to be together.

I was so comfortable in his arms that I almost closed my eyes for a nap, but I couldn't tear my gaze from him. I was head over heels in love with this hedgehog, I just couldn't help it. He was gorgeous, and I was swooning.

I was so focused on his face, that I didn't even realize we'd stopped until Sonic looked down at me. "We're here."

"Oh. That's nice," I said, still staring at him with dreamy eyes.

"Ames," He was starting to blush from the attention. "Don't you realize where we are?"

What did it matter where we were, so long as I was with him? Still, I'd humor him. I looked around to take in my surroundings, only for my smile to grow twice as wide.

"Sonic!" I yelled, leaping out of his arms, but quickly taking his hand and pulling him behind me as I ran forward. I stopped when my boots hit the shoreline.

"This is Never Lake…" I trailed off, my eyes scanning the water's horizon. The gentle blue waves were mesmerizing. "Where we first met. That was so long ago..."

"Mm-hmm. I knew you'd remember."

"Oh, how could I forget?" I looked at him incredulously. "I came all the way here just to see you, knowing my cards said we'd be together forever."

"Cards weren't wrong."

"Oh, Sonic!" I wanted to hug him so tightly, but I held back, gnawing at my lip. He just chuckled at seeing my struggle.

"You can hug me, it's okay."

I did more than just that - I glomped him tightly, just like I used to, and I felt the air leave his lungs. But instead of protesting, he hugged me back just as tightly, and I wanted to laugh but I was without air. We let each other go, both panting.

"That… was… so… silly," I tried to fill my lungs.

"I always wanted to try that. Now I see why you like it so much."

I took his hand again and sat down, pulling him down with me. I rested my head on his shoulder, as we snuggled closer, just staring at the lovely blue water. As much as I was able to enjoy it, my doubts came back. My fears, my insecurity. I cursed myself, just wanting to enjoy the moment for once, like Sonic could do effortlessly. But no, I was stuck with the anxious and uneasy demeanor.

Sensing something was wrong, he looked at me with concern. "Ames?"

I stood up, ashamed of my thoughts. Sonic jumped up next to me.

"Where is this going, Sonic? I just have to know. You took me all the way out here for what reason? Do you finally want to talk about the elephant in the room?"

He didn't seem annoyed with my question, but still calm as ever, as if he expected it.

"Amy, I think we've talked enough. There's no point in arguin', we both know how each other feels. I don't know if there's anything more we can say, we keep talking in circles. We don't have much figured out, but we can both agree we love each other. And in a way that's all that matters. Still, I know the most important thing to you is the future - so I think I've come up with a solution that'll work for both of us. I think it's high time we made a final, permanent decision."

And then all the air decided to vacate my lungs at once, as Sonic suddenly got down on one knee in front of me. There was no way this was happening - I couldn't breathe. This wasn't real life. This wasn't what I thought it was, no -

He pulled out a small black box and held it up to me, revealing the most gorgeous ring I'd ever seen.

"Amy Rose, will you marry me?"

This was not happening. It was all so sudden, all so soon! He'd literally just come back three days ago. We weren't even technically dating until a few minutes ago. We hadn't had sex. We hadn't even talked about everything yet! There were so many things we still had to do. He was insane - talk about a whirlwind romance! No way I could - I couldn't. I just couldn't. I couldn't marry this frustrating, erratic, unpredictable hegehog who'd broken my heart more times than I could count. This whole thing was just so Sonic that I wanted to scream. There was no way I could say yes.

But there was no way I could say no. I'd waited and dreamed and hoped for this moment my entire life. It wasn't that I'd spent too long pining for Sonic, it was that I spent too long questioning him and his intentions towards me. This showed me exactly what those motives were - that he wanted to take our love, as unstable as it was, and make it permanent. If I said yes to him now, it meant we were both committed to each other, and there would be no more uncertainty in my heart about where we were going, as I knew we were making a forever promise. As wild as this was, it actually made perfect sense, and was what I wanted more than anything - just like Sonic himself.

Maybe we had nothing figured out, but we could get there if we tried. Maybe there was a lot between us still, lots of awkward talks to be had, but they'd be easier if I knew we were committed to making this work. Maybe he wasn't perfect, but neither was I. Maybe I was complete on my own, a whole person, but he made up for my weaknesses. He was my other half. I needed him in my life, like I needed oxygen, like I needed home. Like I needed a husband.

Sonic was smiling, looking so humble, so vulnerable. He was looking at me eagerly, so impatient, so hopeful. He was just a pure paradox of calm and thrill, selfless yet proud, flawed but perfect. I loved him.

I could tell he was getting worried, and I had to bring a hand to my mouth to cover my giggle.

He rolled his eyes. "You're really milking the moment, aren't you?"

My jaw dropped at his audacity. "Why yes, I will marry you, Sonic. But you already knew my answer, huh?"

He stood up, and gently took my left hand to slide the ring into place. He then brought my hand to his lips to kiss it like a true gentleman. My mouth was aching from smiling.

"I mean, you have proposed to me before. Like, a ton of times. So I was feelin' pretty confident, yeah." He shrugged and nodded. He was playing it cool, but I could tell he was beyond thrilled.

I shook my head, holding back another round of happy tears. "I can't stand you."

His grin was gigantic as he leaned forward and brushed the quills out of my face. "I love you, too."

We kissed. Of course, we kissed. Everything was right with the world, everything was perfect.

"Sonic," I said, pulling from his lips. "Guess what?"

"What?" he demanded, clearly upset at me for breaking the kiss.

I had to squeal. "We're engaged!"

He nodded. "Yep. For real."

I squealed again, louder. "We're gonna get married! I'm gonna get married! To Sonic the Hedgehog."

"Yeah."

What else was there to say? Our chapter was ending, but our lives together were just beginning.

SONIC

I was so happy, beyond ecstatic. This was the perfect compromise. She was getting what she wanted, and so was I. We were going to be together, going to make it work. I was committed now. Without Amy, I wouldn't be here. I owed her my life, my sanity, my love - and I would repay her everyday for the rest of her life. Marrying her only made sense. Maybe all our problems weren't magically solved, but this showed we were both committed to making it work. No matter what.

I was ready to spend the rest of my life with her.

But there was something I had to do first. Something to ensure she could live a somewhat normal life, even if mine would never be. It would still be perfect, as long as Amy was here with me.

"Amy… before we celebrate, or maybe, in the spirit of celebration, I dunno, can I ask you for a huge favor? Like, the biggest, hugest favor ever?"

She giggled. "Anything you want, fiance."

"It won't be easy. And yer gonna need that hammer of yours."

"Sonic, nothing we do is ever easy. But whatever you need, I'm your girl."

"You sure are." I planted a kiss on her forehead. "But, uh, I'm sorry, I wasn't completely honest with you earlier…"

I told her my plan, and hoped that what I was asking was not about to cancel a wedding we haven't even planned yet.

EEEEEEK THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED OMG OMG OMG *fangirl attack* So ro-man-tic~~~~