Chapter 39

I meant to have this one done sooner but again, writers block and life stuff kept me from working any faster on it. Also it doesn't help I found a few emulators and went back and discovered A Link To The Past, Pokemon Red on the GBA and a bunch of other games I missed out on the first time. Anyway, thanks for reading everyone and if I can request it, please leave a review.

Sally leaned against the window of the car, exhausted. It was another bout of false labor; the 3rd in a two week span. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to stop any time soon. "I wish this would just end. I'd give anything right now for that." she said weakly as Shadow drove back to the house. "I'll tell you this, unless we know it's coming, no more going to the hospital." Every time it happened, it took her longer to recover her energy every time and there wasn't any point in putting her through that process until the birth was happening.

"It'll get better. Just gonna take time." he replied. His own reserves were running low as well, although not as bad as hers were. But it had gotten to the point where he finally had to ask Tails and Cream to step in so he could get a short break which he planned to do later that day; he may have been the ultimate life form but even he had limits. "Well tell it to hurry up." she replied with a weak laugh. It was a short drive but by the time the car pulled into the driveway ten minutes later, she had already fallen asleep, head leaning against the glass. Shadow parked it and reached over to wake her, but she just murmured.

"You want me to carry you in?" he asked.

"No... no... I can walk." she replied, her voice low; she barely had the energy to look at him for more than ten seconds and her eyes were barely half open.

"Yeah, no you're not." he replied as he pulled the keys out of the ignition. "I'm taking you in there whether you like it or not. Be right back." he said as he climbed out of the car.

Her head was already leaning against the glass once again before he even got out and shut the car.

"How much more can she take?" he wondered as he walked up to the front door and stuck the key in. Moving quickly so he could get her out of the cold, he rushed over and turned the heat on then went back out to retrieve her. It was just after four that morning, clouds heavy in the sky and a bitter 37 degrees.

Opening her door gently so her head wouldn't snap to the right, he reached in once it was open and undid her seatbelt. "I told you... I can walk." she argued.

"Too bad." he replied as he stuck a hand behind her back and one under her legs. Lifting up, he grunted slightly as he slid her out, kicking the door closed with his leg. Wearing just a thin sweater she happened to throw on just before they left, Sally was shivering by the time he got her inside; fortunately though the heating system in the house was quick to act.

"You hear that?" she asked, looking at him through half-open eyes.

"What?" he replied, listening but hearing nothing but the light hum of the heating system.

"My bed..." she said with a weak smile. "it's calling to me."

*Heh heh* "Well at least you haven't lost your sense of humor."

Carrying her to her room, he set her down gently on the bed in a sitting position; she already seemed to be falling asleep before he even stood up again. "You need anything before I go in?" he asked.

She nodded. "Water." she replied.

Turning around, he went back and shut the front door then to the kitchen to get a glass of water. 'Wouldn't be surprised if she's out before I get back in there.' he thought as he grabbed a glass and ran it under the tap.

"Hope this is enough." he said as he rounded the hall and walked into her room. "I didn't think you'd be up for a- *gasp*"

When he walked in, he saw her laying down on the bed, her head turned away from him; the sweater she had been wearing laying on the opposite side. But to his surprise, she lay there topless and the only article of clothing were a pair of grey sweatpants. Shadow almost dropped the water and shut his eyes. "Wha... you say something?" she murmured. Like he thought, she was already half asleep and had pretty much been ever since the car ride home.

"Ju- just bringing you that water." he blurted out, setting the glass down on the edge of the nightstand.

"Mmm." she moaned lightly, completely unaware of what was happening. Shadow backed out of the room and shut the door. 'Oh God, I hope she doesn't remember this in the morning.' he thought as he headed off to his room for the night.

It was around 7 that morning when he woke up and when he left his room, he stopped just outside of her room and listened. "Zzzzzzz." the sounds of snoring could be heard inside.

He smiled, snoring a good sign that she was out like a light. Tails was supposed to drop by and take her out as they'd been doing the past couple weeks.

He grabbed a cup of coffee and went into the living room to wait until Tails called. Sitting down, he grabbed the remote and took a sip, the hot liquid passing over his lips and waking up his tongue. "Not bad." he said as he set the cup down; he had to admit, his love of coffee was growing larger every day. Leaning back, he flipped the TV on and sifted through the channels, looking for that one show that was the cream floating atop the cesspool that was morning television. He waited for Sally to call him to help her out of bed, but an hour passed, then two, then three. When it reached that mark, he got up and went over to her door and listened, not even risking touching the door for fear it hadn't shut completely and his touch would cause it to swing open and offer him another view of her. But the door was shut and he heard the sounds of snoring could still be heard.

Going back to the living room couch, he sat down and looked over at the clock. 'Eleven and she's still out. Tails was supposed to be here... what time- one. She doesn't wake up soon, gonna need to get her up.' he thought.

Having nothing to do but wait, he picked up the remote and started to make another go through the channels again when a loud *click* came from the hallway. Getting up, Shadow went over to her door and found it open and the room empty. 'She didn't...' "Sally?"

"Yeah?" she replied, her voice coming from inside the bathroom. "Why didn't you call me?" he asked.

"I wanted to try myself; wasn't too hard." she said with a smile and slight shrug. Her voice had dramatically improved from earlier; much more perky and cheerful than it had been. "You sure you're alright?" he asked as she walked out.

"Oh yeah. If I need you I'll holler. Don't worry." Sally replied as she shuffled into the kitchen for a coffee. Grabbing a cup and heading for the table, she sat down or rather plopped down, letting out a quick 'whoo'. Getting up, Shadow walked over to join her and sat down on the other side. Even though she was trying to hide it, she looked exhausted. It annoyed him to no end that she still tried to do everything on her own when she was clearly in a position where she could no longer do so. Pride was just as strong in her as it was in him, and he understood why she refused help as much as she could. If he was in the same boat, he'd be just as adamant, maybe more so.

*heh* "Maybe I should've called you." she said to him with a laugh, her gaze turned out toward the window. The morning was foggy and cold, only able to see about fifty feet in any direction. "I didn't think it would've been so hard."

"You are operating for two now." he replied.

"I know. It's just..." she trailed off, letting out a sigh. "It's just so exhausting even moving around."

Shadow nodded. It seemed to be the millionth time they had this conversation. On one hand going out was a drain which wasn't good but she couldn't stay cooped up like she had been.

"But," Sally said, raising her head. "it's not for much longer like you said, I'll make it through this." Sally took a drink from her mug, the coffee having cooled down enough to take a larger amount. "Anyway, you mind helping me up? I need to get in the shower before he gets here." she said.

"Of course." he said. Helping her to her feet, she went off to get a change of clothes. Fortunately, his presence was no longer needed in the bathroom to help her in and out. She bought a chair which straddled the side of the tub. All she had to do was sit down on the outside and swing her legs over the side. Sitting down to shower was much easier now and reduced the pain in her back and feet as well as saved a lot of energy.

"Mmm." Sally moaned as she undressed, her stomach pulsing with a dull pain. 'Well if I throw up I'll be in the right place.'

As she went off to do her own thing, Shadow went back to his room to finally change out of his night clothes. He didn't have much as he found clothing ridiculous, but it was a necessity if he wanted to be on the planet.

Suddenly, the sound of water rushing through the pipes could be heard. 'Sounds like she got in ok.' he thought as he pulled off his shirt. *ring*

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Tails."

"What's up?"

"Nothing much. How's Sally feeling? She still gonna be able to go out today?"

"I think so. She actually got out of bed by herself today; tired her out a bit but you know her, she'd rather do it herself if she can. Says she's fine so I'm not going to argue. Wouldn't win anyway."

"True." he said with a laugh. "I don't think she's ever lost one. Anyway, I wanted to run something by you."

"Okay." Shadow said, a but confused.

"Well, you know how much she can do and take in a day more than any of us, so I was thinking, later today after she gets back, we could have a small party for her. Nothing too big, just me and Cream and Knuckles if I can get him away from the island."

"Depends on what you have planned." Shadow said.

"Nothing too stressful today. Probably go out and see a movie; least that way she can sit most of the time."

"Yeah. Doesn't sound too bad. I know she wanted to go shopping but I doubt she could make it very far."

"Yeah, don't want to push her. I was thinking the five of us could have dinner and afterward..." he trailed off. "well I'll show you when I get there; I'll see if we can gather up something for dinner. Her stomach still bothering her?"

"No, not for a couple days at least from what I've noticed. As long as it's not too spicy or rich, she can handle it. Maybe get a couple of vegetarian pizzas for her?"

"No problem. You sure you don't want to go with us?"

"I would but Sally made me promise to stay home. Said I needed the break."

"Sounds like one of those no-win arguments. Alright. I'll see you when I get there."

*Ding Dong* "I got it." Shadow said as he went over to the door; standing on the other side was Tails. "Hey. She ready?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just finishing up." Shadow replied.

"She doing ok?"

"As far as I know. Hasn't been sick the last few days. Eating good. She was down a little this morning but she bounced back quick. Just tired of not being able to do much for herself; you know, the usual." Shadow talked in a hushed voice to keep Sally from hearing him.

Tails nodded. "Bout as good as you can ask of her. So how're you holding up."

Shadow smirked. "Can't complain."

"Really though."

"I'm fine." Shadow said a bit firmer.

"Okay." he said, pulling out his phone. "About the party," he said lowering his voice, "I was thinking... we could have some fun with these." he said, showing the picture to Shadow.

"Oh she'll love that." he said.

"Ready."

Shadow and Tails turned around, Sally standing behind them wearing a beautiful red and white trimmed dress and a string of pearls around her neck; Tails shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Looking good." Shadow said, stepping aside so she could pass. The smile on her face was enormous as it always was when she was leaving the house.

"Have fun." she said to Shadow as she walked through the front door; he nodded.

"Same to you. Be careful." he said as he shut the door behind them.

Walking with her to her side of the car, Tails helped her get in, then climbed in on his side. "So how's he doing?" he asked Sally hoping with her he'd get a straight answer.

She let out a breath. "Alright, I think. He won't admit it, but I can tell he's exhausted. I've had so many false labor bouts the past couple months I don't think he sleeps more than three hours a night if that. I don't know how he does it."

Tails started the car. "You know he'd jump into a river of fire if you needed him too."

"I know. I pretty much have to force him to take a break. But, good thing is it won't be too much longer he'll have to do this."

Tails shrugged in agreement as he backed the car out and took off down the road.

Shadow watched as they drove off and once they were out of sight, he went over to the couch and laid down, letting out a long sigh. It had been a while since he had only his thoughts to himself, being around others more often now, this situation was starting to feel foreign to him. But regardless of that, it offered him and Sally a respite from each other. Of course, it wasn't going to get any easier when the baby came, he knew that. But even when the baby came he wasn't about to say "Bye.". But for now, he took the opporotunity to catch up on his sleep.

*THOOM* Shadow's eyes flew open at the sound of a car door slamming shut. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and checked the time. '3:29'. Getting off the couch, he went over to the door and when he walked out, he saw Sally's face lit up with a smile. 'Looks like she had fun.' he thought as he headed over to help Tails get her out of the car.

"Have fun?" he asked when he reached them.

"Yeah." she replied, talking hold of the fox's hand and pulling herself out of the car. *whew* "Never gets easier." Sally grabbed her purse off the seat. "But we had this amazing cheesecake for lunch."

"Good." Shadow said. "Maybe next time I'll come with you." Shadow looked over at Tails and nodded his thanks.

"Thanks you Tails." Sally said to the fox, giving him a peck on the cheek.

"No problem." he replied.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get these shoes off." she said, waddling inside.

She headed inside while Tails went back around to his side, opening the door and leaning on it. "Hate to take off but if we're gonna do this thing by four, I'd better get home."

Shadow nodded. "Alright. See you in a bit."

About thirty minutes later, there was the sound of a cardoor slamming and Shadow got up to check. Peering out the curtain, he saw Tails climbing out of the car, followed by Cream who placed two pizza boxes on the roof and climbed out herself.

Getting up, he walked out the door and greeted them both. "She's in the bathroom." Shadow said as he grabbed the pizza's from Cream.

"Thank you." she said, shutting her door. "She know we're coming?"

"No, I don't think so. Did you get that stuff?" he asked Tails.

"Yeah. Had to look but I found 'em." Tails said. "I'll get them in a bit."

Walking inside, Cream and Tails waited by the door while Shadow went to get her. "What is it?" she asked as he led her toward the living room. "I hope this is good because I need to- hey guys!" she said, a smile on her face when she saw Tails and Cream who responded in kind.

"Hi!" Cream said while Tails waived.

"What're you doing here?" she asked, giving Cream a hug.

"Thought it'd be nice if we did something here."

Sally nodded, smile still on her face. "Y-yeah. Beats another night of TV." she said. "Just let me change real quick." she said; the others nodded and began to set up; as she left, Shadow heard her emit an almost silent 'squee'.

Inside her room, her hands gripped her shirt as her stomach was hit with what could be described as a quick pulse like sensation of pain. It wasn't nothing she couldn't handle but it did make her take notice. They started just after she got up but until now they had been relatively weak and she had gotten pain like this more than a few times the last couple months. Every time it would get more intense but never got horrible and it was only a matter of waiting for it to pass.

Tails walked back inside, holding a small controller in his hand and pulled Shadow aside. "It's ready. Glad we don't have to sit out there. Freezing."

Shadow nodded, setting the last dining room table in front of the large sliding glass door leading to the backyard. "Hey Sally?" he called out; he nodded to Tails who hid the controller in his pocket.

"Yeah?" she called out.

"Can you come in here?"

"Sure." she said. "Just give me a minute." With Cream's hand to steady her, she pushed herself up off the couch with the assistance of the couch arm, letting out an audible moan. "You ok?" Cream asked. "Y-yeah. I'm fine." she said, ignoring the pain, putting on a smile then headed into the dining room. "What's this?" she asked, eying the chairs.

"Just sit down." he said, waiving a hand to the chair in the center.

With a weary look on her face, she obliged him, the others following. While she was already exhausted, she was having too much fun to let something like that spoil the party. With some assistance, she took center seat in front of the window. "What's this?" she asked with a laugh.

"Just watch." Tails said, taking a step behind her and pulling the controller out of his pocket.

"I d- *boom*" Everyone turned their attention outside as a flash of light lit up the backyard, a hissing sound following. And after a few seconds, they saw what it was. In the sky there was a huge explosion of green and blue sparks; it was a firework and Sally's eyes lit up. That was followed by another burst of green and gold, then one that exploded in a shower of red and gold.

"Where did you get fireworks?" she asked.

"Oh, I had some flares I was going to put on the Tornado but I didn't need them. So I modified them into mortars. I did it a few months back and forgot about them."

*boom* Another went off, this one a burst of violet and pink. "It's bea- NNGH!" Sally yelled, doubling over, hands grabbing her clothing and twisting.

"What's wrong? You ok?!" Shadow asked, heart racing a bit.

"N-no. I think my water broke!" she said, panic in her voice. Sally reached down and felt her pants and nodded. "Yeah, it- NNGH!"

Tails turned off the mortars while Cream and Shadow stood by her. "Help me get her into the car." he said. "Can you get up?" he said to Sally; she nodded.

"Shouldn't we call the ambulance?" Tails asked, his heart rate increasing.

Shadow shook his head. "They'll take ten minutes to get here, look her over then another ten minute drive there. Faster taking her there ourselves." Shadow said. "You ready?"

"Mmm hmm- NNGH!" she moaned again, breathing in deep in an attempt to quell the pain.

"Ok on three. One... two... three!" On three, Sally stood up, Cream and Shadow doing most of the lifting. "Tails," Sally said, her breathing rapid. "There's a... blue bag... in my closet... can you get it... NNGH!"

"Yeah." he said, running to get it.

"Can you walk?" Shadow asked. Sally nodded but didn't say anything as she shuffled for the front door. She was obviously in a huge amount of pain but she forced her self to walk; Shadow was ready to carry her in need be.

"This it?" Tails asked, holding the bag up for her to see. She nodded but remained silent, face grimacing. Cream grabbed her coat and tossed it around Sally's shoulders while Tails opened the door. "NNGH! Wait, wait!" she yelled, her body tensing up. *whoo whoo whoo whoo* "NNGH! I can't do it!" she said, shaking her head.

Shadow immediately grabbed her and began carrying her out to the car. Cream locked the house while Tails opened the back door of the car so Shadow could set her inside. Being as gentle as he could, he went to set her in the seat and another wave hit just as she was inside the door. It caused her body to tense and being halfway inside the door, her head banged against the roof; there was a soft rubber strip around the door frame which cushioned the blow thankfully. "NNGH! NNGH! HMMMMMMM! Oh God..." she moaned as her body relaxed, breathing labored.

Cream hopped in the car, Tails took the passenger side and Shadow slid in beside her. Taking Sally's hand, she squeezed it and looked over at him, her eyes half open. "You're gonna be ok." he said to her as she continued to breathe; Shadow noticed his arm was wet where he had cradled her. 'Looks like this is it.' he thought. "Let's go." he said.

Cream nodded and started the engine, shoving it into reverse and backing out of the driveway; the car hit a pothole and it jumped, jostling the passengers inside. "NNGH!" she moaned, hand squeezing Shadow's.

"Sorry!" Cream said as she put it in drive and hit the gas.