Chapter Song Inspiration: Let Me Down Slowly — Alec Benjamin

AN: Honestly this story isn't supposed to be super long but I'm slacking on updating because of school so thanks for your patience! Also I love reading your long reviews and theories!

9 — Run

As dawn's gentle light embraced the room, Sonic awoke in confusion to find himself facing his lovely wife. In the hushed stillness of her slumber, he gazed at her face with awe. The rays of sunlight painted a gentle shine on her features, accentuating the delicate lines that told stories of what a wonderful woman she had become. In that moment, he lay captivated, awestruck by the ethereal beauty that only Amy could unveil.

With his heart echoing the soft rhythm of her slumber, Sonic gently wrapped his arms around her, he embraced the serenity of the morning, finding solace in the delicate reality of their intertwined future.

Despite the alcohol, his recollection of the prior night was clear and he regretted nothing. Even though the world around him seemed both familiar and foreign, the comforting presence beside him reminded him that this is where he belonged. Feeling Amy nudge slightly, his gaze met the tender eyes of his awakening lovely wife.

Amy smiled, a mixture of relief and affection evident in her expression. "Hey there, handsome. How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice a soothing melody.

"I slept amazing…" he admitted, a goofy smile plastered on his lips as he caressed her cheek.

Amy giggled, snuggling into his chest almost shyly. "I'm surprised you don't have a hangover."

"Me too!" He admitted, as he hugged her tightly. "Maybe because I had you taking care of me."

"I'll always take care of you." Amy pulled away slightly with a yawn and stretch. "But we slept in for a long time. It's basically the afternoon already. I need to get up now because we need groceries and I also need to run a few errands."

Sonic stood, wrapping her with the blankets as he attempted to make her into a burrito. "You rest. I'll go run the errands and do the grocery shopping!" He insisted with a smirk as he watched her attempt to set herself free.

"Are you sure?" Amy giggled.

"Of course. I need to take care of you too. And our baby…" he said, placing a hand on her belly. "Plus it's my fault you're so tired too…" he said rather embarrassed.

Amy bit her lip but nodded at seeing him be shy around her. It had been so long since she had seen him be so easy going. "Okay, my love…" she smiled.

He returned her smile and got ready to leave when she stopped him.

"Wait, you forgot something!" She insisted, confusing him until she finally freed herself and reached out cutely with her arms spead open. Sonic paused. He leaned over the bed and let her pull him in for a slight peck on the lips. "I love you, my darling." She told him, she told him as she held his face tenderly and looked into his eyes.

Sonic's own eyes widen slightly, registering the weight of her words that now feel more deep than ever before. A warmth spreads across his face, and a genuine, grateful smile emerged. In a silent response to her declaration, he leaned in and gently kissed her forehead, a tender gesture conveying emotions that he struggled to articulate. The unspoken affection hung in the air, leaving room for the emotions between them to unfold at their own pace.

With a lingering glance, he broke the moment and murmured a brief "I'll be back soon." The door closed softly behind him, leaving her with the echo of his kiss and a quiet anticipation for his return from the store.

Once he had finished some errands, Sonic began navigating the aisles of the grocery store with a mix of determination and confusion, he clutched the shopping list as if it were a treasure map. Faced with so many choices, his eyebrows furrowed in contemplation, as he embarked on the adventure of grocery shopping for the first time, armed with newfound responsibility and a shopping cart.

Staring at the shelves, he found himself in a silent debate with various cereal boxes, unsure of which brand would best satisfy his Amy's breakfast desires. The cereal aisle transformed into a battlefield of nutrition labels and marketing claims as he weighed the importance of crunchiness, flavor, and perhaps, a touch of adulthood sophistication in his choice.

After all, he was a full adult now and he couldn't keep getting his favorite Tiger brand.

Amidst his brand contemplation, a familiar voice chimed in, and he turned to see a familiar wolf couple from the parenting class, Lobo and Lupe. Their friendly greetings momentarily distracted him from the cereal dilemma in the midst of the grocery aisle hustle.

"Hey there! Fancy meeting you here," the couple chuckled.

Sonic grinned, "Yeah, I'm doing the grocery shopping today.

Lobo grinned, "Look at you, master of domestic quests. Running errands for the wife, I see."

Lupe added with a playful wink, "A true hero of the grocery aisles. It's nice to see you embracing the domestic side of life."

Sonic chuckled, "Well, someone's got to tackle the cereal crisis, right?" They shared a lighthearted moment, turning the chore into a shared joke among friends.

The couple, catching up with Sonic, inquired, "How's life with you and Amy? It must be exciting being first time parents!"

Sonic's face lit up. "Thanks! Sometimes I still can't believe it. Ames is at home, catching some much-needed rest. Didn't want to disturb her. It's a whole new adventure."

Lupe smiled, "That's wonderful news!" As Sonic began walking the grocery store aisles with Lobo and Lube, he felt a twinge of uncertainty when they asked: "Any crazy cravings for Amy yet?"

Sonic hesitated since he didn't really know much about his pregnant wife, "Uh, I'm not really sure. I think she might…" he admitted.

"Sonic, you better get on top of those cravings. Pregnancy is a wild ride, and cravings are the roller coaster." Lupe playfully hit his shoulder. "Ah, the joys of parenthood! Sleepless nights, diaper changes – the whole package."

Lobo nodded. "But it's all worth it. Just remember, teamwork is key. And don't be shy to accept help when offered. You and Amy are a team now."

Sonic smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot. Any specific advice on surviving the sleepless nights?"

Lupe chuckled, "Coffee becomes your best friend, Sonic. Embrace it. And tag-teaming with Amy for those midnight feedings works wonders. And cherish those little moments. It goes by so fast. Before you know it, you'll be chasing a toddler around."

Sonic's cheeks flushed as he imagined the even farther future. Would their baby look more like him or Amy? Or both! He couldn't wait to see but it still scared him. The weight of impending fatherhood settled on Sonic's shoulders, leaving him with a peculiar sense of unease. The realization that he was going to be a father stirred a mix of emotions – excitement, apprehension, and a tinge of uncertainty.

Feeling the weight of responsibility, Sonic began adding items to the shopping cart, each choice reflecting a newfound determination to be a good dad. He selected baby essentials, books on parenting, and even tossed in a variety of snacks, considering future cravings for both Amy and himself. In the midst of the grocery store hustle, he silently vowed to be more attentive, recognizing the need to step up for the journey ahead.

Lobo and Lupe, noticing Sonic's newfound dedication, couldn't help but tease him. "Look at you, Sonic, stepping up your game. The cute, caring husband act suits you," Lupe remarked with a playful smirk.

Lobo joined in. "Ah, young love. It's so adorable to see them embrace the whole parenting thing together." He teased.

Sonic, blushed slightly, chuckling at their banter, realizing that despite the teasing, their support and guidance might just be what he needed on this journey into parenthood. They exchanged parenting wisdom in the midst of the grocery aisles, turning a routine errand into a shared moment of camaraderie.

Amidst the banter, Lobo and Luna's three young children ran over to them with a ton of junk food and dumped it all into their parent's cart. Lupe, with a firm yet amused expression, declared, "No sweets before dinner, you three."

Lobo was clearly the one playing the easy going parent because he grinned and suggested, "Come on, a little treat won't hurt."

Sonic watched the family dynamics unfold and found amusement in the scene. The contrast between Lupe's authority and Lobo's easygoing approach offered a glimpse into the joys and challenges of parenthood that lay ahead for him and Amy and it made him feel all fluttering inside.

As the three kids continued their persistent pleas for junk food, the grocery store scene became a symphony of youthful enthusiasm and Lupe's unwavering parental guidance.

"Come on, guys, we're almost done here. We'll have a nice dinner when we get home." She said with a patient yet firm tone as she continued to negotiate with her unwavering children. "Alright, fine. One snack each, but that's it. Choose wisely."

The children's faces lit up with excitement as they hurriedly ran to get their snacks which made Sonic chuckle. It left him pondering how he and Amy would navigate similar scenarios in their future together.

Lobo, trying to lighten the mood, whispered to Sonic, "Welcome to the world of negotiation and compromise. Parenthood, my friend."

Sonic chuckled and couldn't help but smile at the lively chaos that family life brought to even the simplest errands as the children ran off again.

Just then Lobo glanced at Sonic, curiosity getting the better of him. "Hey, Sonic, I was wondering how Shadow's doing?"

"Shadow?" Sonic felt caught off guard by the unexpected question. "Uh, I don't know. Why are you asking about him?" He replied with a hint of confusion.

Lobo seemed to realize the potential sensitivity of the topic and quickly explained, "Just curious, you know? Haven't seen him around much lately and well he used to be the one to always show up with Amy so we were wondering if something happened to the guy…"

"Shadow does…?" Sonic's surprise was palpable. The revelation about Shadow's involvement in the parenting classes added more questions about the future, leaving him grappling with the newfound realization that his absence had created space for others in Amy's life. The grocery store trip, initially a simple errand, had now become an undercover of his future.

"Yeah! At first we thought he was the father!" Lobo joked, resulting in Lupe slapping his shoulder for making such a remark.

"Sorry! Please excuse my hubby…" Lupe apologized, looking embarrassed. "He doesn't realize when he's being rude!"

"It's alright…" Sonic wasn't sure how to feel as he tightened his grip on the shopping cart. "We all have our learning curves, right? I'm stepping up now, especially with the baby on the way..."

Lupe, sensing the tension, tried to diffuse the situation, "Every couple navigates things differently. Let's not judge, Lobo."

Lobo seemed to have realized that he may have touched a nerve and nodded apologetically. "You're right. My bad, Sonic. It was just a harmless joke. You're doing a great job."

Sonic still felt uneasy but managed a smile, "Yeah, I get it. I'm figuring it out, one step at a time." The trio continued their shopping, the conversation shifted but Sonic still felt uncomfortable with what had been said earlier.

As Lupe and Lobo bid their farewells and moved on, Sonic was left with a lingering thought. The mention of Shadow attending parenting classes with Amy sparked a seed of doubt in his mind. Questions swirled, and a subtle unease settled in. The possibility of infidelity danced on the edge of his thoughts, casting a shadow over the once straightforward path of impending parenthood.

Brushing off the nagging doubts, Sonic tried to convince himself that such thoughts were baseless. "Nah, Amy wouldn't do that," he muttered to reassure himself, trying to shake the bad thought away. Parenthood was already a daunting journey and he didn't want to think about Amy possibly cheating on him but then again… he never considered Sally with Kahn either.

Sonic paused as he now walked home, yes, walked, because he suddenly felt like gathering his thoughts.

He began reflecting on the dynamics between Amy and Shadow but it seemed even more unlikely. The idea of an affair seemed crazy, given how uncompatible they were. Shadow had always seemed to find Amy annoying, and Amy, in his eyes, had always been crazy over just him.

Shaking off the intrusive thoughts, Sonic groaned. He needed to trust his wife. Determined, he pushed the unwelcome suspicions to the back of his mind, focusing on how to improve his relationship with everyone around him.

Returning home with the groceries, Sonic was greeted by a lively sight – Amy, dressed in cozy clothes and radiant, ready to embrace the day. Her smile instantly lifted his spirits, and the earlier concerns faded away as he embraced the warmth of their shared home.

She greeted him with a cute smile, her beauty seemingly unaffected by any worries. "How was the grocery adventure?" She asked as she helped him with the groceries.

Sonic, still caught between lingering doubts and the comfort of home, replied, "It was alright. Ran into Lobo and Lupe. They were just giving me some parenting advice."

"Oh, that's sweet of them!" Amy smiled gleefully. "I'm sure they have a lot of knowledge on that topic. They're already on their fourth child after all!"

Sonic was silent as he watched her put the groceries away in deep thought. He wanted to ask her but he wasn't sure if he should. It probably wasn't a secret after all.

He gave a sigh. "Here, let me help." He insisted, putting whatever was left away as his wife thanked him.

In their cozy kitchen, Sonic helped his wife, chopping vegetables and cracking eggs, something that oddly came natural to him as if his body was used to it. The sizzling sounds of dinner filled the air as they shared smiles and conversation. Finally, they sat down together to enjoy a delicious homemade food, savoring both the food and the simple joys of having dinner together which Sonic never imagined would be so comforting.

Despite this, the impending question about Shadow kept continued repeating in his mind. He couldn't shake it off but he also wasn't sure how to approach it. Finally, Sonic glanced up at Amy, who was eating her food as she typed something in her cellphone. Something that Sonic didn't realize she had until now. It wasn't a big deal but he hated himself for overthinking so much and noticing little details and making his mind wander even more.

"Hey, Ames… can I ask you something?" Sonic began.

Amy looked up, breaking from whatever she was doing on her phone and smiled at him. "Sure! Of course. What is it, my love?" She wondered.

"So, uh, I've been meaning to ask... what's your relationship with Shadow nowadays?" He looked down at his food, unable to meet her eyes for some reason.

Amy paused slightly. "Oh, Shadow? Same as ever. Why do you ask?"

Sonic smiled bitterly not understanding what that meant but trying to keep it casual. "No reason, just curious because Lobo and Lupe brought up that he was going to parenting classes with you. Pass the salt, please."

The air thickened with unspoken words as Amy passed the salt and they continued eating. The tension in the air grew heavy as a moment of silence grew. Sonic swallowed hard, regretting having asked in the first place.

"… Shaodow has been going to the parenting classes and my appointments. I'm sorry for not telling you."

Sonic felt at a loss of words as his eyes snapped up to her. "Why didn't you tell me that Shadow was going with you?" He had assumed Future Him knew about this arrangement.

"I didn't mean to hide it from you." Amy looked uncomfortable as she began playing around with her fork and food. "Shadow came on his own. I never invited him but he was always there to support me. If it was inappropriate, then I'm sorry. In the moment I saw no reason for me to deny him because he's my friend."

For a brief moment, Sally Acorn and Monkey Kahn suddenly flashed before his eyes.

It sparked an unwanted feeling in his gut as he tried to shake the feeling away.

Sonic held his head, feeling a surge of defensiveness as he let out a bitter laugh. "So, what? He plays the role of husband when I'm not around? Is that what he does?" Fear and hurt lingered in his voice as he recalled when Sally betrayed him.

Amy shook her head. "No, my love, it's nothing like that. It's just his way of being supportive. There really isn't more to it." Despite her attempts to clarify, the underlying tension persisted, and the topic became a delicate tightrope, threatening to unravel the fabric of trust between them.

"You're probably both laughing at me." Sonic bit out bitterly, attempting to shake the image of Sally and Khan away. "After all, how did you and Shadow suddenly become so close that you're going to parenting classes together?" he asked, his tone edged with frustration.

Amy, now defensive, retorted, "What are you talking about? Shadow has been looking out for me for a long time. It's not a secret. Where is this coming from?"

Sonic, still uneasy, persisted, "But why Shadow? Why not someone else? It just seems odd."

Amy, growing more agitated, shot back, "It's odd because you're making it odd! Shadow is just a friend. Can't you trust me on this?"

"How can I when you kept it a secret?" Sonic snapped, able to contain his anger. He couldn't deal this again. He hated being lied to. "Do you know how it feels to be told by others that they thought Shadow was the dad of our child?"

Amy looked surprised at his tone but, instead of explaining herself, she shot him a glare instead. "Seriously? That's the part your concerned with? Now you suddenly care about those things? Aren't you supposed to be grateful for Shadow?"

Sonic felt his anger rise. "Why are you defending him so much?"

"Because he's my friend and you're being a hypocrite!" Amy snapped, anger evident in her eyes.

"Wha—!" Just then an unexpected knock echoed through the room. The sudden interruption hung in the air, momentarily freezing the heated exchange between Sonic and Amy. Uncertainty lingered as they exchanged uneasy glances, wondering who could be at the door at such a tense moment.

Just then Amy checked her phone and frowned. "Ugh, why now?" She growled to herself as she turned to the door with uneasiness.

Amy's discomfort at the unexpected knock heightened Sonic's suspicion. Her shifting expressions fueled his imagination, and a pang of unease settled in.

Sonic, glancing at Amy, asked with a tinge of suspicion, "Who could be knocking at this hour?"

Amy avoided eye contact, massaging her own head. "Sonic, please stop."

With Sonic's suspicion growing, he retorted, "You seem awfully uncomfortable about it. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No, Sonic, it's probably just a coincidence." Amy replied defensively with a tinge of annoyance.

"It's him, isn't it?" As the tension simmered between them, Sonic ran and opened the door to unveil the identity of the unexpected visitor.

As the door swung open, the figure on the other side revealed itself to be Shadow, his expression visibly displeased upon seeing Sonic. There was more coldness in his eyes as he looked at Sonic with utmost disapproval. The air in the room thickened with an unspoken tension, leaving the three of them in a silent standoff that spoke volumes.

Eyebrows furrowed and frustration escalating, Sonic couldn't contain his anger. "What the hell are you doing here? Checking up on us?" he questioned, his tone laden with sarcasm.

Shadow raised a brow at Sonic's reaction but maintained a monotone expression. "I'm here to talk to Rose."

"You can talk to me instead." Sonic snapped unsure why there was so much anger coming from himself.

Amy grabbed Sonic's hand to tug him away. "Sonic, why are you so rude? It's not a big deal."

Frustration bubbled over Sonic. "Not a big deal? You and Shadow going to parenting classes, appointments together, him showing up here – I just want to know what's going on. I'm supposed to be the husband."

Shadow seemed to grow amused by the escalating situation and chuckled. "I see you're trying to play the role of a perfect husband now. Quite the spectacle, Faker."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Doing the bare minimum."

Sonic, now more infuriated, shot back. "This isn't a joke, Shadow. I just want to know what's happening with my wife."

Amy tugged Sonic's hand again. "It's not going to happen again. You're my husband, Sonic. If you don't like it, I'll respect you. Now can we please stop this?" Her eyes were growing teary which made Sonic momentarily pause.

Shadow also sensing Amy's rising distress, attempted to defuse the situation. "Look, Faker, I'm just here to drop off Rose's stuff. Just take it and I'll be on my way." he explained, his tone dismissive as he held a prescription bag.

Sonic, however, only grew more incensed. "Dropping off her stuff? What stuff? What's going on, Amy?"

Amy, caught between the escalating tension, stammered, "Shadow always drops off my prescriptions. Nothing more, Sonic."

"Prescription?" Sonic felt caught off guard, confused, and utterly frustrated as he turned to Shadow.

"You don't know? Why am I not surprised?" Shadow said condescendingly as he handed Amy the prescription bag. "She has gestational diabetes. I've brought her insulin."

"Insulin? Amy, you never mentioned anything about taking insulin," Sonic said, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief.

Amy, avoiding eye contact, reluctantly admitted, "It's a recent thing. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

Sonic didn't know how react.

Hearing these revelations broke his heart but a part of him also felt that this was unfair since he had no knowledge about the topic.

He felt hurt.

The room plunged into an awkward silence, the weight of undisclosed health issues and unspoken grievances hanging heavily in the air.

Sarcasm laced Shadow's words as he looked down at Sonic who had his head dropped forward, "Living together yet not knowing. Real attentive husband. That's why someone has to stand by her side during her pregnancy." He said condescendingly.

Sonic glared at him, taking in a steady breath to prevent himself from getting more angry. "Thank you for the concern but you don't need to worry about that anymore. I'll take care of Amy and our child. You can leave now, Shadow."

Shadow raised a brow. "Hm… it really does look like you lost your mind."

"Isn't it a bit weird to play pretend to a child that's not even yours." Sonic retorted.

Shadow chuckled, glancing back at Sonic with an amused expression. "That's ironic coming from you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"That you're a pathetic husband."

"You…!" Anger filled Sonic again as he stepped forward.

"Sonic, stop!" Amy stepped between them.

"He said I was a pathetic husband!"

"Where is the lie?" Shadow rolled his eyes. "He barely even attends to you."

"Seriously, both of you stop!" Amy snapped at Shadow which seemed to silence him instantly. Instead of feeling impressed, Sonic felt annoyed that the ebony hedgehog was so obedient to his wife. Shadow never listened to anyone after all.

"Amy is my wife." Sonic said, pulling Amy by the hand and wrapping his arm around her protectively.

"Then act like a decent husband for once in your damn life!" Shadow glared as something like a memory passed in his eyes.

"Shadow, I need you to leave." Amy looked at the ebony hedgehog with a pleading yet apologetic look. "Please."

Shadow looked Amy in the eyes with what looked like concern as if searching for something before turning to Sonic in disgust. "For Rose's sake, I'll leave. I apologize. I never came to start a fight." He told Sonic before turning to Amy once more. "Make sure to keep checking yourself daily, Rose. Call me if you need me."

"I will…" Amy nodded with an embarrassed smile.

Shadow's face softened at Amy's before exiting. As the door closed behind him, Sonic couldn't shake the pang of jealousy that surfaced, witnessing the softened interaction between Shadow and Amy amidst the chaos. The room, now silent, carried the remnants of an argument that had left emotions raw and relationships strained.

Sonic felt consumed by a mix of anger and jealousy, lashed out, accusing Amy, "Is this what it's come to? Shadow being super attentive with you– it's all so convenient, isn't it?"

Amy looked completely drained with Sonic as she shot him a glare. "Oh, chaos! Seriously, you're still stuck on that? Shouldn't you be thankful?"

Sonic couldn't control his emotions. "Do you think I wouldn't notice how he looks at you?"

"He's like my brother" Amy was exasperated, letting go of his hand as she held her face in frustration. "I don't understand why you're being like this!"

"You defend him as if he was your husband." Sonic laughed bitterly. "Is that baby even mine?

"How fucking dare you….?" Amy's eyes widened. "After all the shit I deal with you?"

Sonic felt taken aback by her sudden cursing and he broke from his jealousy spell realizing he had made a big mistake. "Ames, I didn't mean that… I—" Amy snapped his hand away when he tried to hold her.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled at him, tears now streaming down her face. "I've never cheated on you. You know that though…" Amy smirked mockingly as she chuckled darkly. "We both know what this is really about, Sonic. Admit it. You still blame me."

"I…" Sonic was at loss of words for a number of reasons. He didn't know what she was referring to but his body seemed to know as he couldn't say a word. But worse of all, he was certain of one thing: Amy was having a breakdown. He could see all the pain he had caused her begin unravel as Amy laughed maniacally with tears staining her face.

It was clear she had been holding a lot inside.

"Why am I always the bad guy? Huh? I've been nothing but patient! I fuck up one time and this is how you treat me? Like a whore?!" Amy's eyes glared at him with so much anger that Sonic had never witnessed from her. "I never wanted to hurt you, but I needed support, and Shadow was there. I didn't think it would turn into all of this or else I would have never done it but why the double standard, huh? Why?!"

Sonic wished he understood, he really did, but his body somehow didn't allow him to speak and he found himself holding back tears.

The room crackled with tension as the accusation lingered, leaving both of them entangled in a web of hurtful words and unspoken doubts. The damage inflicted by the heated exchange caused their trust to being to crumble beneath the weight of unfounded suspicions.

"Why the hell did you marry me if things were going to be this way?!?" She snapped. "I feel so miserable. I've felt it for so long, damnit! Do you seriously think I have no feelings?! I just want us to be like we used to… fuck! I thought we were getting better..."

As Amy poured out her feelings, Sonic's anger had already subsided, replaced by a profound sense of regret. The weight of his own shortcomings as a husband weighed heavily on him, overshadowing the accusations and misunderstandings that had fueled the argument. Feeling the weight of regret, Sonic attempted to apologize, "Ames, I'm sorry. I didn't realize..." he began, forcing himself to speak.

Amy wiped away her tears. "Sonic, I need some time alone right now. Please, just give me space."

Despite Amy's plea for space, Sonic, driven by a desire to mend, insisted on trying to comfort her. "Ames, please, let me—"

Amy, her voice now filled with frustration and hurt, yelled, "Just leave me alone, Sonic! You're so good at that anyway."

The bitterness in her words hung in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of unaddressed pain. The room became a battleground of emotions, leaving both of them with heartache.

The warmth Sonic had felt the night before, as they prepared for parenthood together, now seemed replaced by an unspoken barrier. Despite his efforts to connect, the lingering questions about Shadow had inadvertently created a distance that cast a shadow over the newfound closeness. The air was thick with tension, leaving Sonic grappling with a sense of unease and the realization that some questions might be better left unasked.

The unease lingered, gnawing at him, as he grappled with a mix of insecurity, trust issues, and perhaps an underlying fear of the unknown. The uncertainty only added to the discomfort, leaving him in a state of internal conflict.

And so he did what he always did best:

He ran way.

Thoughts? Theories? Choosing sides? All of the above? XD