Chapter 22

I wasn't thinking straight. But I guess everyone knew that.

I mean, just a few months ago I was determined to be with Shadow. Now the idea of being more than professional with Scourge was somewhat alluring—like jewelry dangling over my head. But I knew that all that glittered wasn't gold. And I couldn't think of Scourge as a prize. He had abandoned me, after all.

"Can you stop pouting for once? It isn't good for the baby." My eyes widened when my ears registered who said this. I blinked at Rouge, who was thankfully rubbing her stomach. I forgot I was at her baby shower. So naturally I was standing off in space in the hallway. I gulped, tried to hide my previous alarm.

"Force of habit." I forced a smile. "Sorry. I had a random thought about Shadow. Got bummed out."

"Well, stop."

"You're the one who encouraged me to date him!" I said in a loud whisper. I didn't want the whole world to know that I was in the business of being rejected, but half of the party already knew—and the boys went to the park with the kids. I was finally free to wallow in self-pity, and here Rouge was, trying to perk me up.

"And now I'm the one telling you to get over it," she said, her voice as passive as a shrug. "He's not the only man in the universe."

"What if he's the only one I want?" I turned to the living room, where the other girls were setting up Rouge's gifts.

She pursed her lips. "Then you're in for a rude awakening."

"Too late."

She rolled her eyes before they hit mine. "Are you telling me that there's no one else you can see yourself with?"

It took everything not to step back from the intensity of her teal glare. Did she know? Would she even approve of me ever being with Scourge? It was so weird—how attainable yet distant both men were. But I didn't know how I felt anymore. Just that I was feeling. Everything. All at once. And it was driving me insane.

"I don't know."

"Is everything okay?" I should have expected Blaze to pop in. Her random check-ups would have you think I was at risk of exploding. And I guess I was, but still.

"Just telling Rouge that I couldn't imagine being pregnant." Technically, I wasn't lying. It wasn't like I was showing yet, so I had the luxury of being oblivious. At least, when I didn't feel nauseous. Blaze rolled her eyes.

"Being pregnant sucks almost as much as giving birth." Rouge took a sip from her glass, wrinkled her nose. "And I can't even drink after I give birth. Fuck men."

"Amen to that," I said, clicking my glass against hers. Also not wine. Yay.

"Where the hell is everybody?" Cream slurred. Okay, so she wasn't drunk, but she was tipsy with something. "Let's get this show on the road!" She took another swig from her glass before dragging Rouge into the living room. With a sigh, I followed.

Sally was busy setting up some sandwich trays on the coffee table, which was honestly the only perk of being here. Blaze couldn't publicly dictate my diet without making things seem weird. So hello, cheese!

"You can't eat deli meats," Blaze whisper-threatened in my ear. "The doctor said—"

"That I'm going to die unhappy?" I said, my eyes lusting after the sandwich Cream had just taken a bite of. But I could sense Blaze's gaze burning on me.

"Lighten up, would you?" Sally took the words right out of my mouth before plopping next to Blaze. "Stress isn't good for the baby." It really wasn't. Yet for some reason I wasn't avoiding stressful situations.

"What about me?" Rouge shot out, rubbing her beach ball of a stomach. "Kids really suck. If Knux didn't want them, you'd bet I'd be doing something much cooler than attending a baby shower with you losers."

Sally narrowed her eyes. "Didn't you make me plan this? At my house?"

Rouge shrugged. "I didn't force you to agree to anything, Princess," she said, picking up a fancy-looking gift. Not mine. "Besides, at least the guys have the kids today. I can finally swear without any repercussions."

The twisted grin on Rouge's face spread even further as she set aside the gift. "Forget the baby shit. Let's do something interesting."

"Truth or dare?" Cream suggested, mirroring her expression.

"Fuck yeah." I didn't know why I was surprised when Rouge's eyes hit mine. "You go first, Amy."

I groaned. But when my gaze fell to my audience (Blaze finally wasn't objecting for me not to do something for once), I relaxed a little bit. Sure Rouge was a spy, but she was oblivious (at least she chose to act oblivious) to things that weren't special. And I wasn't special. "Fine. Truth."

"Who would you rather fuck? Shadow or Parker?"

Let hell on Mobius begin.

I rolled my eyes, half surprised she didn't consider Scourge for an option. Was the choice that obvious?

"If you are implying that I have sexual feelings for Shadow, then your mistaken," I replied calmly, refusing to let Rouge see me squirm. "I wish I could pick Parker, but I honestly don't want to either." Although my answer sounded truthful, I knew I was lying big time.

"How the hell does Mina put up with Mr. Doomsday?" Cream then considered, taking a bite from the sandwich I was just lusting for. "He must be really good at the good stuff."

Rouge smirked, but her gaze didn't leave mine. "He is."

It would have been laughable, how Blaze's/Cream's/Sally's heads snapped in Rouge's direction, but I was trying not to show emotion.

"YOU HAD SEX WITH SHADOW?!" they said in unison.

"Only a fool wouldn't." Her eyes were still on mine. Unwavering and toying. I gritted my teeth. What was she trying to do? We had talked about it—Shadow didn't want me. I was trying not to want him. She knew how much it hurt me.

And here she was, practically airing out my dirty laundry!

"What the hell, Rouge?" I realized that my comment could have been interpreted many ways—probably not in an I-secretly-want-to-shack-up-with-Shadow-way, but it didn't stop me from going there. "Fine. I'd rather have sex with Shadow. Can we talk about something else now?"

The bat shrugged. "Depends. You're just so much more interesting. You sure you don't have any other secrets to tell?"

"Not unless you kill me."

"Boo." Rouge pursed her lips before turning to Blaze. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," the cat replied.

"You've gotten real chummy with Amy real quick," Rouge began. "Spill. What's Amy hiding?"

Blaze shrugged passively. "She got a new job?"

The sly look on Rouge's face did not disappear. She shook her head. "No. There's something. Something big."

"Maybe you just need to accept that Amy's in a secure place right now," Blaze contended. "She's not a train wreck anymore."

"Gee, thanks," I mumbled, trying not to let irritation consume me. Geez, what was the point of making progress when people were just going to refer back to your glory-less days?

"You're underestimating my intuition," Rouge practically scoffed, before returning her attention to me again. "There's something different about Amy. Do any of you have a suggestion?"

Cream shrugged, and I tried to find relief in the gesture. "IDK. Blaze is right—Amy just looks more put together," she offered, playing with the hem of her frilly tank top. "And I'm not just talking about her dress suit." I nodded. I had to meet with he-who-should-not-be-named-in-this-particular-company later. But I wasn't too sure if I was going to get out of this alive. Leave it to Rouge to turn her baby-shower into my interrogation.

Rouge nodded; but she only looked considerate, not convinced. "What are your thoughts, Sally?"

I sucked in a breath before expelling it. No. Don't look tense—that would only add ammunition to the fire that was Rouge's defiance. I allowed the squirrel-girl to size me up, but after a few moments she sighed.

"She looks healthy," Sally finally decided. "But then again, I'm a fitness nut. It looks like she's eating more, but I can't tell if it's stress-related."

"What do you mean?" I had to stop myself from hissing.

"Sometimes people eat more when they're stressed. They can also eat more if they have more involved lives –like being a lawyer." She tapped her chin. "But maybe something does seem off..."

I turned to Blaze. We could just get this over with. We could just tell them that I was pregnant—it never had to be a secret. I didn't care about Silver's ego, and keeping up with this lie seemed worse than just coming clean about lying to him. Now we were lying to the others. And Rouge was onto us.

"Maybe she's having sex with someone she's not telling us about," Rouge then suggested. It was weird how relaxed I felt by that statement.

"So? I can have sex with whomever I want."

"Wait, how many guys have you had sex with?" Cream said, sobering up with interest. I felt eyes burn on my form, and I immediately wanted to die.

"As many as you have, assuming you're faithful to the twin-tailed wonder." She scoffed.

"So you mean to tell me," she began slowly, blinking eyes that were glossy with bewilderment, "that you haven't had sex in over four years?"

I pursed my lips, contemplating this. But there was nothing to think about; I had only been with Scourge. That had to be why I was all bent out of shape with him being here—he was my first, yet I was still looking for my last. You know, when I wasn't working on his case or being pregnant.

"That must be awful," Sally replied in my place. "To be introduced to love and affection and sex only for it to end abruptly..." She shook her head. "It would turn me off from relationships, too."

"I mean, what would you say to Scourge if you saw him again?" Cream then asked. And there was the million-dollar question.

"I don't know."

"Of course you know," Rouge said, her smirk growing even more devious. "In fact, it's obvious."

"Rouge..." Blaze warned. "What are you getting at?"

The expectant mother shrugged. "Why don't you ask Amy?"

I snorted. "Look, I'm getting really sick of this. Why can't we just enjoy the party?"

"Well, I'm getting really sick of you lying to everyone." Rouge didn't sound or even look particularly angry. But I think that was what troubled me the most. It was like she had the upper hand. And I didn't even know what game we were playing. "Especially with how much I've gone out of my way to help you. And you know I don't like helping people!"

"Sorry if I thought we were friends." I kept my voice even, tried not to be affected by anything. "So just come out with it—what's your hunch, bat girl?" Rouge's eyes narrowed as she rose to her feet, literally pointing the finger at me.

"You come out with it."

So that was it—Rouge didn't actually know anything. She just had a suspicion, which was reasonable considering her profession and a contemplative spirit that could only be gained by the sheer boredom of sitting around and being pregnant. I was theoretically in the clear—but I had to give her something. And that something couldn't be bull, either.

Pregnancy or Scourge. I had to pick one. So I began with a sigh.

"Fine. If you have to know, I'm p—"

A blood curdling scream cut through the air before I could finish.

"Holy shit!" Cream jumped to her feet. "What's wrong?!"

"My water...just broke..." Rouge clenched her stomach, let out another shout/grunt/death scream. "What the fuck?! I'm not due for another week..."

Sally rushed to her side. "Come on, let's drive her to the hospital."

"No..." Rouge shook her head, stumbled toward her phone. "...Call Shadow..."

"Shadow?" the confusion was unanimous.

"TELL HIM TO CHAOS CONTROL HIS ASS OVER HERE!" She looked like she was dying, but somehow she was still standing and breathing fire. "NOW!"

A phone was tossed in my direction. It felt like we were playing a game of hot potato, only I couldn't reject it. I cursed before dialing.

"Hello?" Despite the hellfire surrounding me, my heart started beating faster.

"Um, Rouge is—" There was a flash. Shadow appeared, and in the same instant he swept Rouge in his arms. Then they flashed out.

And the rest of us stood there, baffled and blinking.

"Is it me," Cream contemplated, "Or did Shadow just get hotter?"

The twenty-minute drive to the hospital was filled with conversation about the extent of Shadow's fuckability. Blaze looked like she wanted to kill herself. I think she stole the expression from me.

Once we parked, I practically ran into the building. Blaze chased after me (surprise) but I let the madness of my mind guide me. I mean, Rouge was pregnant. I was pregnant. That meant I would be Rouge. Screaming. Dying.

Birthing.

I thought the screaming was all in my head, until I ran into Parker, who was dawned in medical scrubs.

"I'm going to assume you're here for Mrs. Echidna?" He pointed to the room across from us, which was producing the wailing. My stomach turned.

"Unfortunately," I replied, trying not to freak out. Birth was natural. It was no big deal. It just hurt a lot. And I hated pain in every shape and form.

"To be honest, she's pretty dramatic. I still remember her from the twins. Once the epidural kicks in, she won't feel a thing." His phone started beeping. "I have to go—feel free to wait in the lobby. It should be quick." With a smile he seeped into the depths of the death scream room.

"What did he say?" Blaze said, finally walking up to me. Because sane non-doctors walked inside hospitals. "The others are in the lobby."

"Good. Cause we have to wait." It took a minute, but the screams finally stopped. It should have been peaceful, but it was sort of like waking up from a nightmare. Only I was still living it.

"Are you okay?"

"Just peachy."

"I'm sorry I did this to you." Blaze was trying not to look frustrated, but I knew that look too well. I wore it so much that I was surprised she hadn't called me out on it. "I mean, I thought of all the mechanics of your pregnancy—putting you on a vegan diet so you'd get all the nutrients you need without gaining a significant amount of weight. A late fall due date for when you start showing." She patted her own stomach. "Wearing this stupid pregnancy belly. Having Dr. Merecat tell Silver that we can't have sex in a few months because of previous complications..."

"But what's the point?" I sighed liked I was exhausted—and I was. "All you guys do is jump on me about keeping secrets, yet you insist on keeping something even bigger away from everyone. And it's not even a bad thing. In fact, the guys would be really supportive. You should give them some credit—"

"You're stronger than me, Amy." Blaze's eyes hit mine. "It's not easy for me to express myself personally. Nor am I humble enough to come forth with my pitfalls like you can. I mean, you were about to do that today with Rouge. And even though it would have meant spilling our little secret, at least you were big enough to do it.

"I have never taken my feelings seriously. But at the same time, I'm scared. I don't want Silver to think less of me as a wife and a woman because I can't bare his child. And I don't want pity from the others either." She looked down, inhaled. "And I know that my reasoning is stupid, and that my pride is unnecessary, but my brain...it says that no one else technically has to know. That I don't have to feel anymore uncomfortable or guilty about this than I already do. That I can be selfish." Her eyes were watery when they touched mine again. "Even at your expense. And I am so sorry for that."

I had nothing to say. All I could do was look at Blaze. She was hurt, and here I was, the person finally capable of mending everything. Yet, this wasn't about me despite what she had said. It was about Blaze and the most meaningful gift I could give her.

I took her hand, squeezed it lightly. But I wanted to squeeze away the pain and devastation. Of course, time would tell if I ever could.

"I'm here for you. No matter what."

Naturally, Knuckle's yelling and dashing into the delivery room ruined any sentiment of the moment.

Yeah, so Parker lied.

Seven glorious hours later, baby Ty was a new part of the world. And honestly, I couldn't be more pissed. Between running back and forth from the hospital and office, I still had to deal with life. And life was synonymous with a shit-ton of work.

So here I was, somehow still stuck in a room with Rouge, the baby, Knuckles, Sonic, and Sally, who was carrying one of the twins. It was like one big, unfun party.

"Well that's settled," Rouge began, sipping on some hospital water from her bed. "I'm not having anymore kids."

Knuckle's laughed as he cradled his newborn son in his arms. Who honestly looked like a pale orange ball of fur. "What if Ty wants a little brother?" Rouge narrowed her eyes; it was a good thing glares couldn't kill.

"Then you have him."

Sonic was snickering now. "You've done great," he said, patting her shoulder. "But we should be heading out—visitation ended over an hour ago."

"When did you become a stickler to the rules?" Rouge smirked. "I guess Sally really does wear the pants in your family."

"Try you need to get some rest," Sally replied. "You're the only one I know who can be witty two hours after giving birth." She hugged our bed-ridden friend. "Good night."

"Night," Rouge replied, watching them head out the door. Her smirk then broadened. "Hey, Shads."

Fuck.

"I'll allow you to get away with calling me that considering the circumstances." Shadow crossed his arms, nodded. "But congratulations."

"All I did was pop out a baby." She shrugged. "I can't wait to get back to work…"

I began to drown out their conversation, but to my further dismay, Knuckles left the space to get snacks for the girls. So here I was, stuck with the matchmaker from hell and her best friend. Who didn't love me, by the way.

"Well, I'll let you guys talk," I said, dismissing myself. Although I was surprised I hadn't dismissed myself earlier. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Okay," Rouge agreed. "I still need you to tell me your secret." It took everything to keep my eyes from widening.

"If I had anything substantial, you'd know." I pressed my lips in a line. "Don't tell me that motherhood has reduced your advanced spy skills to half-assed prying."

"Touché," she said, turning her attention to the crib and the sleeping baby. "It's just good to be honest. Well, sometimes."

"It is," Shadow replied. He patted Rouge's shoulder. "But you need rest. Good night."

"Night."

And just like that, he was gone without so much as looking at me. And I should have been gone too.

"You two are so weird," she was laughing now, so much that I was worried she'd wake the kid. "Why can't you guys get over yourselves and fuck each other already?"

"You tell me." I folded my arms, felt tiredness wash over me, despite this being a rather unproductive day. "But it doesn't matter. Maybe he's right—I'd be happier with a man who smiles at things other than someone else's expense."

Rouge pursed her lips. "Shadow doesn't know that I talk to you about him. And because he's Shadow, he doesn't talk about his feelings," she considered. "But I could talk to him on your behalf, at least find out why he picked Mina over you."

"But didn't we have this discussion already?" It felt like we were getting nowhere—Phil was right. I had to find someone else or get used to being alone. "I don't know how much more it will help—"

"Like any other man, Shadow has an Achilles' heel. Find it—find why he is actually resisting you and at least you have a chance of being with him. Or at least you'll finally have a clear conscious." She shook her head. "Your track record with men really sucks. And I understand how annoying it must be to see how easily relationships worked out for me and the others." Her teal eyes, although exhausted, were intense. "And I don't like what Shadow's doing, but I know it's even harder for him. So I'll talk to him—hopefully that can bring this whole ordeal to a close."

My mind surged as I considered her words. Closure. That word was something I had never actualized. It just seemed like nothing would ever be conclusive. But I wanted this to end—it had to.

I nodded at Rouge before sighing. "What do I have to do for you in return?"

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "It's not going to be easy to find a way to make him express himself without him being onto us or shutting me down completely, but it can be done…for the small price of babysitting the kids for me."

I scowled. Knuckles still wasn't back with them, which could only mean that the twin terrors were wreaking havoc in the hospital. And I could barely last a car ride with them. And that wasn't including the newborn.

"Deal?" I said, immediately regretting my decision.

"You fucking bet it's a deal."

Okay, so this was probably one of the last filler-esq set of chapters (although I don't know if you can call Rouge giving birth filler lol). Things should picking up soon, and there should be some twists that will hopefully excite and anger you. I should have another update Saturday/Sunday. Please review and have a great one. ;)

~KB