First and foremost, I'd like to apologize if I offended anyone for making it seem like I was using mental illness merely as a plot device, especially to those that have suffered from it. I've never formally been diagnosed with depression but there was a time in my life right after entering high school that I was incredibly depressed. I had moved to a new school and I felt incredibly isolated and angry. But around this period I began to explore fan fiction and writing, and when I found people who really cared about me and had a loved one broke down my situation, it occurred to me that I had a lot to be thankful for. I think that's what I meant with Amy not having any problems at face-value. It's like, if she didn't care about relationships, everything in her life ideally should be fine. She still has a nice job, friends, her youth, her health - but Amy's really been abused mentally and emotionally by life and those around her. And I think it is interesting how sneaky this abuse is; it's so sneaky that most of her friends may not really realize they're doing it (except that jack-hole President Ferret lol). In the other stories, I think her friends respected her a little bit more about being depressed, but now they sort of undermine her due to having their own lives/families to take care of. They are also more sympathetic (feeling for Amy) rather than empathetic (putting themselves in her shoes), which doesn't help the problem. But hopefully you can see how important it is to stop and evaluate the one's you love, and I hope this story can help in bringing awareness.

As a writer, I'm always looking to make my work seem more interesting (although I may abuse cliff hangers...) and realistic. Still, I apologize if I've been making things too terrible for Amy. But maybe I shouldn't be so defensive of my work. I'm just so tempted to be like "I did that on purpose!" or "Don't worry! You'll get your answer in the next chapter!" However, I think this is a good sign that I really did try to be as purposeful as possible (for example, certain scenes that may seem rushed were only because I couldn't justify making them longer). However, I honestly appreciate you taking the time to express your thoughts/concerns, and I want to address them the best way I can without giving too much away. But I'll try to make the next author's note shorter. ;)

Thanks again to Cozy Shadow, Guest(s), Raquel the writer, Nouveau3, LadyMiioh, Fairlyoddz, MistyVoid48, and xXAmberAddilynRoseXx for your reviews.

So yeah, things aren't going to be easy for Amy. But I'm excited to see her growth in this final part.

Please enjoy!

Part II: THE BEGINNING

Chapter 17

Life doesn't change very noticeably. Even when you're pregnant.

Not to say that I was. The doctor said that I had to wait a couple of weeks to take another test. Then I'd have true confirmation of my poor choices. But unlike choosing to be artificially inseminated, I didn't have any choice in the matter with my new job assignment. Or whether I'd keep this one either.

I parked my car in the lot next to the office, and naturally it paled in comparison to the firm. It was basically a house, a humble office probably filled with humble attorneys. I know that's what I always strived for—to be an honest person, to make an honest difference in the realm of legal matters—but I couldn't help but feel bummed out. I blamed the hormones.

"Let's get this over with," I finally said with a sigh, pulling my keys out of the ignition. But who was I kidding? I was starting something that had no end. With a few graceless steps, I made it to the front door, which was stained a deep dark-brown. I thought to knock, until I realized that this was an office building, not some grandma's house.

But when I pushed the door open and saw balloons, I immediately became confused. Bubble letters bobbled in the air, and were arranged to spell my name above a table that housed a small cake.

Good-luck on your first day!

~Sonic

I pursed my lips. Not because the gesture wasn't perfect, or that I expected the greeting from Clarissa or even Blaze. But because it was almost ridiculous how supportive he was being now. Where was his affection five years ago?

"Why couldn't you have just loved me?" I sighed, flicking one of the balloons.

"That would be problematic," a voice said from behind me. I spun around, saw a slightly older woman of authority. My boss?

"Why?" But when I turned to her completely, I knew I should have kept my stupid mouth shut. I saw the orange eyes first, and then I realized she looked like the female version of President Ferret. Did I just snap at his sister? His aunt? My eyes widened. His mother?

When she smiled, I didn't know if it was wise to mirror her expression. I gulped. She scoffed lightly, before folding her arms.

"Something tells me that your misfortune with men brought you here. Hell, it brought me here too." She stretched out her arm. "Fran the Ferret, president of F.F. Family Law," she smirked. "Try saying that six times."

I took her hand. "Amy Rose. Sorry for all of the fluff. I didn't think Sonic—"

She shook her head. "Nonsense. He's my younger brother's biggest client. We have to accept that we just live in his world," she laughed, picking up the cake. In a swift movement the strawberry confection was in the trash. My mouth widened.

After dusting off her hands like she took out the trash, she motioned to her office as if she didn't just stomp all over my sugar-coated dreams. "Come along now. There's nothing more depressing then getting fat."

If only she knew.

To my excitement, my new job was basically a small-scale replica of my old one. There were four full time attorneys (including myself), a receptionist, and a secretary. But I was pretty sure the receptionist and the secretary were the same person...

"And here is your office," Fran said, motioning to a room divided by a glass door. It was the size of a walk-in closet and it even had a window. Something that was probably excitement flustered inside me, but I couldn't make the emotions surface. Wasn't I demoted?

"You'll be looking over the divorce case I'm on to provide permanent alimony for Ms. Bernadette Bunny. Please tell me if you see any holes in the case within the next few days. I'll have you meet with the client tomorrow," she said. "Feel free to ask any questions."

"Okay."

I strolled inside the impersonal office where a thick stack of files was waiting for me on a dark desk. I took a seat, sizing up the space, the situation. This was what I wanted right? The only reason I went into law was to help the little guy, not to ensure that some rich guy's patents were in check. I took a breath. This was what I wanted.

Time to get to work.

The case was a real kicker. Normally, there were clear red flags on either side of the case. A cheating husband. Abuse. But these people were normal—no adultery allegations (for now), no noticeable strains financially on both sides. Bernadette Bunny was a reasonably successful realtor. Sure, her husband was a psychiatrist, but that didn't explain it. Both shared custody of their teenage daughter and younger son. Married for twenty years. Separated for three of them. Fault in marital break down? I guess that's why I was here.

Hours had passed when I realized I was going nowhere. I scratched my head—it just didn't make sense! Why would she be requesting permanent alimony? Child support was one thing. But—

"Who are you?" My bloodshot eyes shot up. The person who asked this was not one of the other employees. For one, he wasn't female like everyone else. He was a red fox, young enough, dressed in suit and stiff with impatience. My mouth opened to respond when the other President Ferret burst in .

"I can't say it's a pleasure seeing you, Erickson." She folded her arms. "Where's your client? I'm sure you didn't barge in here just to interrogate my intern."

My brow rose. Intern?

"Have Ms. Bunny resubmit her medical reports," the fox said. "If she continues to withhold information, I'm afraid she'll lose her grounds for alimony."

"Why don't you keep better track of your files?"

"Why don't you drop the case?"

"Because I've never lost one." The woman was smirking now. "You'll see next week when this case is over."

The man scoffed. "Whatever."

Without so much as another word, the man disappeared as abruptly as he came. I could only blink at my boss.

She blinked back at me mockingly. "Aren't you going to get back to work?"

I clicked my tongue before shrugging. "That depends. I am only an intern."

The woman rolled her eyes. "I only said that because Erickson doesn't know I hired you yet. He works with the Fox & Associates firm up the street. If he doesn't think you're associated with the case he won't care if I have you work on it." Her eyes fell on my desk. "And as you can see, it is a bit of a doosey."

"Then why'd you take it?" I said, trying not to shy. It was already 5pm. My eyes widened at the realization. I had to eat something. Otherwise Blaze would kill me.

"Because men suck." She shrugged like this was common knowledge. "He's filing the divorce. It can't be for no reason."

"What if it is?" I said. "Isn't it possible for some divorcing couples to be civil?"

She only laughed. "Okay, it's time for you to take a break."

I guess she was right. I mean, I wasn't even with Shadow and I was torn up about us not being together. Imagine if we had lived a life together only for our union to be torn apart, for no reason?

I sighed before opening my apartment door. Didn't that happen? Even if the scale didn't involve matrimony? I couldn't remember not knowing Shadow. He was as much of my life as I was to his, even if he couldn't admit it—

"Hey, Amy." I turned to the voice that definitely didn't belong to Clarissa, before taking a seat next to him at the dining table.

"Hey, Parker." Apparently him being here was a thing now. But when Clarissa set a plate of food on the table (which was also becoming a thing) I honestly couldn't complain.

"So how was the big day? Meet anyone sexy?" Clarissa prodded.

"Okay and no," I said before stuffing my face with pasta. She rolled her eyes.

"You know you can't eat it all, right?" Clarissa moved the bread from my grip. "You could fool me for a pregnant woman."

"Clarissa," Parker warned.

But I didn't feel any offense. Just shock.

How could I have not told Clarissa what I had done? My mind began to fold at the crippling weight of this situation. It exploded when an even pressing question occurred to me. Could I even tell her?

I could tell Clarissa was feeling a little bad by the slight pout on her lips, but I knew I couldn't reassure her subconscious instincts. So I rose from my seat and started for the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" she called. "I wasn't trying to offend you!"

"Yes you were!" I replied, pulling my purse over my shoulder. "But thanks again! Enjoy your date!"

"Wait, where are you—" I shut the door before things could get weird. Well, weirder. Why was everyone on to me? I didn't even know if I was the p-word yet. So why did everyone suddenly think I was a fatty?

When I reached Blaze's house, I was only certain of one thing—that I had made a mistake. Not in agreeing to be a surrogate, but in not realizing everything and everyone that would surround it. Things were beginning to get back to normal—the guys were treating me normal. How would they act if they found out?

I got my first test subject when Silver opened the door. Okay, I wouldn't technically call him a test subject. For one, he wasn't my friend. Secondly, I was carrying his and Blaze's kid. My face spoiled. Nope, I definitely didn't think this decision through.

"Nice to see you too," he said, mirroring my expression. His eyes then narrowed. "But in all seriousness, why the hell are you here?"

"I'm here to see Blaze," I said with a sigh. My eyes narrowed as well. Wait, why didn't he know? Didn't he know? My mouth opened again, but no words could come out.

"I don't think that's for the best," he said. It was weird, how quickly all malice and irritation disappeared from his tone. "Blaze has been pretty stressed with the pregnancy. And your relationship has been strained, if not nonexistent, for years now."

"But—"

"Sorry. Good night." But before he could close the door, I saw Blaze in the hallway.

"BLAZE."

Her head snapped in our direction. And for a "pregnant" woman, she moved pretty fast.

"AMY," she said with wide eyes. She turned to Silver. "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing," Silver said, glaring at me. "She was just leaving."

"Actually, I forgot to tell you that we had a bit of a peace offering when you were away," Blaze said. "She returned my scarf and drove me to my appointment."

"Really?" He didn't look completely convinced, but he didn't look like he wanted to bite my head off anymore either.

"Yes." I nodded. "We're still making up, but I am fully aware that Blaze is pregnant, and I'm not trying to stress her out." Nope, I was pretty sure I was the only one in distress. And pregnant.

"Then I guess I can't stand in the way," Silver said. He kissed Blaze's temple. "Don't stay out to long."

"Okay, Dad," I said. We exchanged I-still-hate-you and go-fuck-yourself glances before he disappeared into the home. Then it was just the two of us and the moonless sky.

I thwacked Blaze in the shoulder. She shot me a dirty look.

"What?"

"What do you mean, 'What'?" I practically shouted. "How have you not told him?"

She scoffed. "Because all expectant fathers are dying to know that their wives are faking their pregnancy."

I glared at her.

She sighed. "I don't have the heart to break the news to him. He said he had a great feeling about this one. He hasn't been this happy in years." She hissed. "And we don't even know if you're pregnant yet. There have been so many false positives…I don't want to take away the little joy he has."

"But you wouldn't be taking away anything!" I said in a loud whisper. "I'm having this kid. Isn't that what matters?"

"But you two hate each other." She shook her head. "Can't we just wait a little longer?"

"Everyone knows that waiting just makes things worse," I replied. "I came here because I didn't know if I could tell Clarissa—"

"And did you?"

"No..."

"Then you know what we have to do," Blaze decided. "No one needs to know until they have to."

I scratched my head. "With that logic, this whole thing might as well be a secret."

Just then, a cruel smile found its way on Blaze's lips.

"I'm glad we're on the same page."