Back to this one, eh? Honestly, I reread all of the chapters so far and I am pretty proud of it. Reason being: A) No one else has come up with such a scenario and B) This is not written as bad as some of my other stories. I think I have a right to be proud of it. :) So in this chapter some things will be set in motion and just a word of advice, reread the very beginning of this story. This chapter is pretty long; fair warning.
Sonic was walking back to the room, fake roses and card in hand. It wasn't long until he was back at his mother's room, setting down his newly bought items on a side table gently. He had wanted real roses but apparently some hospitals and hospices didn't approve of having live flowers in the building due to some people's allergies. Sonic personally thought that rule was crap but he wouldn't complain, real flowers didn't last as long. Kind of like mother, he thought bitterly.
The reality of that revelation hit him a few moments later. He had no idea how much longer he'd have with his mother but he hoped the time would pass slowly. He cradled his mother's hand carefully, scared of waking her. He was the happiest man alive just to be in her presence, he didn't need her awake for that.
Lillian groaned quietly and shifted in her sleep and Sonic immediately scanned her face for any sign of pain. He found none and calmed slightly; until he noticed just how sickly she looked. Face pale, quills graying and limp, skin clammy. Though her bright and happy spirits were still about her, her body was losing this battle. Sonic shuddered slightly and shook the thought away. It seemed that the only thing that was still as bright as her spirits was her soft smile, ever in place. Sonic loved her smile, it was what had calmed him as a child and what had always helped him overcome obstacles. Now he looked upon it with more fondness, it was the embodiment of his mother's spirit.
He knew someday soon her life would come to an end and he'd be stuck burying his only family. The thought hurt and he didn't even want to imagine it but he knew he had to. It was coming... and fast.
She rolled to her side and faced Sonic, still asleep; as if she had somehow sensed his distress. He studied her face, though her physical state suggested discomfort, her face was peaceful. He smiled and rubbed her cheek ever so gently. "I don't know how you do it," he murmured, "even when any weaker person would wilt at this pain you stand tall and manage to appear peaceful..." His smile vanished, "I only hope it is mostly not an act."
Her eyes opened and revealed soft eyes gazing at him. A twinkle of some unknown emotion was within her beautiful eyes. A kind of mischeviousness that was supressed; and yet there was something more in her eyes, something Sonic had never seen.
He gave her a crooked grin and cocked his head to the side. "For just waking up you are pretty chipper, eh mom?"
Lillian's face broke out into a brilliant smile and she giggled softly. "How can I not be when my son is being as adorable as ever," she asked albeit quietly.
Sonic blushed and looked to the side, scratching his chin nervously. Oh how he had missed that beloved voice of hers... Like a gentle wind making wind chimes tinkle. She was awake and he was actually there to see her. Maybe he could change his mistakes around in these last weeks. He gave up and raised a brow at her 'innocent' face. Then he decided to revoice his question, "How do you do it, staying calm and ignoring the pain? What is you secret?"
Her smile softened and she closed her eyes with a happy sigh. "There's no real trick to it honey," she said with a small laugh, "though I suppose if you want a real answer then I'd have to say..." She paused and thought, "I suppose I'd say family and love."
Sonic felt a stab of guilt at the mention of family, "What do you mean by that?"
She rolled her eyes playfully, "Still a little ignorant I see... Well love always strengthens a person. When one is in love they feel like they can break down the thickest of walls or sail to the farthest seas. It changes when the one you love passes, then all of that energy gets turned into hope and determination for your future." Lillian grasped Sonic's hand softly, "Even though your father is gone I still love him dearly and from the moment he left us, I knew I would see him again. It was just a matter of time is all. Knowing that keeps me going and allows me to ignore the pain." She breathed deep as if relaxing herself.
"What about family?"
Lillian eyed Sonic with a small smirk, "Silly, silly boy you... I'm surprised you don't know.." She began rubbing her thumb across his hand, "You may not visit me as much anymore but even when I called, just the sound of your voice was enough to get my spirits up. Seeing you in person is the best medication I could ask for. Knowing that you are happy and healthy lifts my heart and makes the pain fade away. Family is one of the most important things to a person; they're the ones who will support you when you have fallen and who will help you stand again once you are ready. Plus they will always love you... Even if that love is strained at times because of your choices, they will still love you. Family is the medicine that can heal any illness or pain, because it fills you up with love. No other medication can beat that..."
Sonic listened intently to every word, hanging on to the wisdom thrown inside. He had the urge to hug her and he let it out.
Standing up, he leaned over and hugged his mother tightly, cautious of the wires. "I'm sorry I haven't been a good son... I'm sorry for not being there or listening when I should have been... I'm sorry I disappointed you.. I-I'm sorry..."
Lillian just shook her head and returned the hug. "You could never disappoint me Sonic," she said firmly, "never." She rubbed his quills softly until he pulled away and sat down; his ears hanging slightly. "You're all I could have asked for in a son," she added, "a wonderful reminder of your father and you're my baby.."
She glanced to her bedside and lightened when she saw the fake flowers and card, "Did you get those?"
Sonic looked up and followed her gaze and then nodded sheepishly.
"May I?"
He merely shrugged.
Lillian admired the flowers and nodded her approval and then reached for the card. Pulling it from its envelope she read the cover.
'Hoping you feel better soon!'
A sad smile worked onto her face as she opened the small card. Inside was the message, 'If you don't then I'll just have to hug the hurt out of you!'. Sonic had signed after that and put, 'I know it's hard for you, and I know you hide the pain but know I'm here and will bear it with you if you let me because we're a team'. Lillian's smile brightened and she hugged Sonic, "Thank you Sonic.."
Sonic clutched onto her like a desperate man. Any moment like this could be the last so he had to cherish them and make the most of them.
When they separated, they laughed quietly. The door opening quieted them.
"-and believe me if you guys would have come prepared you wouldn't have gotten lost! God!"
"Look I've apologized how many times now? We just came on a whim!"
Amy seethed silently, glaring at the silver hedgehog next to her.
Sonic and Lillian shared a look, "Amy...?"
Amy and Silver jumped and then broke out into smiles. "Hey you two!"
Lillian laughed and Sonic gave a small wave.
Silver backed up to the door and shouted something down the hallway and waited until there were a bunch of voices outside the door before re-entering the room.
Amy had worked her way over to the bed and was chatting with Lillian.
Sonic relaxed and watched at everyone managed to get into the room and settled. The majority of them were watching Lillian or waiting for their turn to talk with her. Everyone was excited, he could see it in their eyes and faces. This was probably the first time in a long time they had seen his mother. He glanced to her and saw she too was excited and was talking rather animatedly. It warmed his heart to know that she was happy, maybe he could atone for his mistakes from before...
Two hours passed and the sound of a stomach growling interrupted the conversations. Knuckles looked up at the ceiling with a blush on his cheeks.
Lillian smiled, "Well, it has been awhile since you guys ate huh?"
They all gave her sheepish looks, some scratching their heads.
Sonic stretched and leaned forward, resting on his mother's bed, "Go ahead guys, go out into the town and get a good meal, maybe get a hotel somewhere nearby. I'll stay here and keep mom company. I can eat later."
Amy glanced over at him with a concerned look, "You sure? You haven't eaten in quite awhile..."
Sonic shrugged, "I'm fine, go eat with them Ames, you need to eat too."
Silver and Blaze headed the leaving party and gave hugs to Lillian, promising to return in the morning if not later that night. Knuckles and Tails followed, they too giving her hugs. Shadow surprised everyone by giving Lillian a shy hug, he whispered something to her and she laughed. Amy was last she kissed Sonic and then hugged Lillian gently with a promise of being back later.
Lillian sat back in the hospital bed with a happy sigh, "That was refreshing.. the way they reacted to seeing me you'd think I was their mother."
Sonic laughed, pulling up the blinds, "Well in a way you are... you've earned a special place in all of their hearts. You mean a lot to them.." He paused, "Especially me..."
Lillian sat up with a smile and pulled Sonic to the bed with her. She sat him at the edge and leaned on his shoulder. They sat there for quite awhile, enjoying each other's company, watching the sun go down.
The door opened and Lillian's nurse came in. "Oh.. excuse me but we need to do a check up before Lillian goes to bed."
Sonic nodded hesitantly. He turned to his mother and hugged her tight, "I love you mom... always and forever."
Lillian felt her eyes tear up, "Oh honey... I love you too." As they pulled apart she looked him over, "I have had a wonderful life getting to see you grow up and mature. You make me proud to be your mother." She kissed his cheeks and hugged him again, "I love you my wonderful son."
Sonic felt confused by her change of attitude but hugged her back. It was almost like she was saying goodb- no... she was just being sincere again. He pulled back and exited the room, feeling his mother's eyes on his back the entire way. As he closed the door to her room, he couldn't help but notice the sinking feeling in his stomach.
Hours passed, Sonic didn't know how many. He kept anxiously glancing down the hallway to her doorway to see if anything was happening, did checkups usually take this long? He looked at the clock on the wall which read 2:30 am. He froze. It was two in the morning and they still weren't done? Something was wrong.. something had to be wrong. Why was it taking so long?
Suddenly he heard an alarm and he shot up, someone yelled, 'CODE BLUE' down the hallway. Doctors and nurses rushed down the hall leading to Lillian's room.
Sonic felt his heart sink, where were they going? Who was dying? Sonic's world stopped when he realized just where they were going... No... it couldn't be... He dropped the magazine he had been looking at and ran down the hallway, trying to see into the room but a doctor pried him away from the door as a defibulator was rushed in. He escaped from the doctor's grasp and shot in the doorway to hear the long monotone beep. That wasn't right... why wasn't it beeping. He frantically searched the doctor's faces, why had they stopped?
"That's it..." said a doctor beside Lillian's bed, "time of death 2:34 am."
Sonic's heart stopped too... it couldn't be...
Wow... I feel like a terrible person for doing this. :/ Sorry it has been forever since an update, I felt like I should write you all a long chapter to make up for that. Hope you enjoyed.