Chapter Three

Family Christmas

Meanwhile in a large apartment in Mobotropolis, a white bat stood at the window looking out across the snowy city, cradled in her arms was a small black hedgehog with small bat wings and icy blue eyes.

Rouge smiled as she watched the falling snow, "looks like we'll have a white Christmas Angel" she whispered to the baby, "and it'll be your first Christmas!" she leaned down to nuzzle the baby's nose as baby Angel cooed. "You excited eh?" she whispered.

As she watched Angel coo at her she smiled as tears invaded her eyes, she looked up and stared out of the window, even though it was almost pitch black she could just make out the Women's Prison in the distance, she couldn't help wondering if Shadow hadn't saved her and helped her win her appeal, she would probably still be in the prison, awaiting her fate.

She was also wondering how the prisoners in there were, especially the Deadly Six, Ellen and Jenny and Julie. "They were so kind to me when I was there" she thought, "when I first arrived there….I was so lonely….so scared….but they looked after me, gave me friendship and even protection when Buxton was giving me a hard time"

As she was day-dreaming the door opened behind her, she turned to see her lover Shadow walk through the door carrying bags of shopping. "Hey babe" said Shadow lovingly as he placed the heavy bags on the floor. Angel saw his father and gurgled excitedly.

Rouge smiled at him, he was half covered in snow and his leather coat was soaked, he looked pretty tired and exausted carrying all those heavy bags, he picked a couple up that were filled with wrapped presents and carried them over to their glittering Christmas tree near the window. Rouge walked up and kissed him and Angel reached his tiny hands to his father excitedly.

"Hey champ" smiled Shadow reaching out to tickle his son under the chin making the baby hedgehog giggle happily. "What you got there Shad?" asked Rouge looking at the bags on the floor, Shadow picked up a few and began to show her, "I bought us some food for Christmas dinner and some presents for Angel"

He grinned at Angel who again gurgled excitedly, Rouge smiled "you're amazing Shadow" she whispered leaning towards him and nuzzling his nose. Shadow gave her a quick kiss on the lips and stood up straight, "here" said Rouge handing Angel to him "why don't you rest your feet with Angel? I'll get the shopping unpacked"

Shadow kissed her cheek "thanks baby" he said then smiled down at his son as the baby hedgehog snuggled against his chest. "Come on champ" he said "lets go sit by the fire" Rouge smiled at them both as she picked up the bags and began to sort what was frozen and what was fresh.

She then smiled when she pulled out a large fresh goose, "you got a goose for Christmas dinner" she exclaimed happily as she placed it in the fridge, after she had put everything away she walked over to join Shadow and Angel. She sat with them on the large leather sofa in front of a blazing fire.

"What was it like in town today?" she asked "Busy" Shadow said "I had to really fight my way through the crowds to get all the food and gifts" Rouge smiled "well" she said "you're home now" "Yeah" said Shadow "thank God" he leaned back and rested his head on Rouge's lap.

Rouge giggled and began to stroke her lover's head feeling his soft black fur, Angel pulled himself further onto Shadow's chest and rested his little head on his father's white chest fur. "You sure are exhausted huh?" laughed Rouge as she nuzzled Shadow's nose and planted little butterfly kisses over his face and muzzle.

"You bet" said Shadow stroking her white hair, "I saw you standing by the window earlier, what were you doing there?" "Thinking" said Rouge looking up at the window at the falling snow that flew past. "What of?" asked Shadow "about when I was in prison" replied Rouge "from the window I could make out the prison"

"Really?" asked Shadow "I'm just wondering how the Murderesses, Jenny, Julie and Ellen are getting on" said Rouge "it's been five months since I was released, thanks to you" Shadow blushed at that comment. "I can't help wondering what would have happened if you hadn't saved me"

"You know I'd do anything to save you" said Shadow "I have in the past" Rouge remembered all the times they had fought in battles and how Shadow had saved her many times, "I'll never forget the day you saved me from Prison Island" she said "Hey!" said Shadow "That doesn't count! I only went for the emeralds!"

"Oh really?" laughed Rouge mockingly "yes!" said Shadow trying hard not to giggle, "you saved me!" laughed Rouge "you had a soft spot!" she poked Shadow in the ribs making him squeak and laugh. "Ok, ok you win!" said Shadow chocking with giggles.

"Anyway" said Rouge "I'm wondering, should we visit the prison before Christmas? I'd love to see them again" "Yeah" said Shadow "as it means a lot to you babe, we'll arrange a visit and take Angel with us" As Shadow said that Angel giggled and gurgled, "I think somebody likes that idea!" said Rouge.

Shadow smirked and stroked his son's head "well lets do that" he said "but first…" he looked at Rouge with a seductive glint, Rouge knew what he meant right away and she couldn't agree more, "lets put Angel to sleep and we'll get busy" said Shadow sitting up and walking towards Angel's room.

As they walked out of the living room Angel gurgled at the brightly coloured tree with the presents under it near the window, "not till Christmas Day Champ" said Shadow tickling his son who giggled. They then went into a small decorated room filled with toys and a small cot.

Shadow placed his son in the cot and kissed his forehead "time for sleep Angel" he said, Rouge then kissed Angel's forehead and pulled a baby blue blanket over him. Angel looked up at her as she began to sing a little lullaby to him. As she sang, Angel yawned, then curled up under the blanket then began to suck on his hand.

Shadow and Rouge stood there for a while looking at him before finally turning the light off and walking out the room, as they did Shadow switched on the baby monitor and closed the door quietly. "Awww, such a beautiful child" Rouge whispered "yeah" said Shadow

"So…where were we?" Rouge looked at him seductively "you want it baby?" she asked. "Hell yeah!" said Shadow he scooped Rouge up in his arms and carried her bridal style to their bedroom, Rouge held him close and nuzzled him as he opened the door to the bedroom and carried her in, smirking seductively.

I think we can guess what happened then eh? lol!

Well looks like Rouge is happy, yet she still thinks of her friends still behind bars.

Hope you like!