It was near closing time for Amy's diner. Business was as usual. The day had been bustling with locals and new customers coming in at every hour. Every corner had been occupied with people talkative among their friends, families and partners.
Station Square had been a small town when she was growing up and Amy always dreamed of opening her own diner because of her passion for cooking and baking. During that time, the city expanded quickly which made way for new businesses to take advantage of that and open. It was a struggle at first, but after countless of sleepless nights with filing documents and getting help from the bank, her very first day had been a success.
Amy felt like she accomplished a lot at the young age of twenty six.
"We'll get that done right away, ma'am. Thank you for your order!"
She set the phone down and immediately got to work. "Tikal, can you get two slices of the lemon cheesecake boxed for a pick-up please?"
"Sure thing!" Tikal called from the kitchen, "Anything else?"
"No, that's all. Thank you!" Amy started to bring out two paper cups and filled them with the right amount of coffee brew, before foaming it up with some milk. She also got out a few stickers and placed them into the carrier bag. It wasn't necessary, but Amy did like to make sure her customers felt loved whenever they bought something from her successful and still growing business. It was always nice recognising names from the same people as well. For her, it meant she was doing everything right.
"Busy evening, huh?" Tikal came out with a box with the cakes inside as she began tying it with a white ribbon.
"Gotta make the profits somehow though! I'm really happy our new cheesecake is doing so well- I had a few doubts."
"Good thing nobody here doubts your baking, Amy," Tikal said with a smile, "I mean, you could make anything and it'd be a hit!"
"Aw shucks, Tikal! You're an amazing an partner in all of this as usual."
They laughed together as they prepared the day's final order. Amy went to the front and flipped the sign to 'closed' once it was picked up by their delivery driver. "Do you want me to drive you home?"
"Oh, it's all right! Shadow should be picking me up in a minute."
"Guess he's been worried about you?" Amy eyed down at her stomach with a smile, "How does it feel?"
"I-I'm adjusting," Tikal blushed as she gazed down at her slightly swollen stomach, "Becoming a mother still makes me a little anxious, but Shadow has made it lot easier for me to not think about it too much."
"Tikal, you're a natural at this. I have no doubts that you'll be completely fine!"
"I really appreciate that! At least you know what I'm talking about, huh?"
Amy struggled to smile just then. "Well, thank goodness you're having a girl. Dash was a monster during the last few months..."
While her pregnancy with Dash had been difficult, Amy knew most of it was due to her... complicated relationship with Sonic at the time. While they were on better terms with each other now despite not being together anymore, she couldn't say the same for back then.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking about that. "So, have you picked out a name for her?"
"Nothing's official yet but..." Tikal stopped, looking her for a moment as she knew something was wrong from the way the pink hedgehog suddenly tensed. Amy couldn't fault her. The orange echidna had been there for her through it all. "We were thinking of settling with the name 'Hope'? It was the first thing that came to mind."
"Oh, that's a wonderful name!" Amy exclaimed excitedly, "I know I've said this so many times, but I'm really happy for the both of you."
Tikal gave her a smile. "Thank you, Amy. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Shadow arrived soon after and Amy made sure to wrap up some food for them to take home. She shared a hug with Tikal and waved goodbye as they left. Amy went back to her office and grabbed her keys and coat, before turning the lights off around the diner, making sure it was cleaned and sorted. Satisfied, she locked up for the night and headed for her car. She checked her phone and noticed that there was a missed call from Sonic a few minutes ago. Amy raised her eye but didn't question it further as she went ahead and called him back.
"Hey Ames," Sonic spoke calmly through the phone, even though she could detect the obvious falter in his voice.
As Amy put on her coat, she warily responded, "Hey..." before asking, "What happened?" Because she could already sense something was wrong.
After clearing his throat, she overheard a nervous laugh running past him. "Well, Dash and I just returned from the hospital-"
Her stomach dropped. "What?"
"Amy, he's fine!" Sonic quickly said, "He just sprained his arm-"
"How did he sprain his arm?" At that point, Amy lost control of her temper and yelled, "Why weren't you watching him like you were supposed to?!"
"Amy… Ames," he lowered his voice, the way he normally would have done in the past to calm her down, "Breathe, please."
"Sonic-!"
"Breathe," Sonic stopped her gently as he let out a sigh, "Everything's fine, Dash is fine. He thinks the cast makes him look cool anyway!"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting out a light unexpected laugh. Even after all that, Dash was still her brave little boy…
"Just come over and I'll tell you what happened, okay?" His reassurance was as smooth and soft as ever and damn it, she would've been lying if she said it wasn't working. It was doing its natural charm.
"Right, okay," Amy said before biting the corner of her lip in guilt as she added, "I-I'm sorry for yelling at you."
It had taken a while… and a bit of therapy, but she was trying to be much more civil towards her ex these days.
"Nah it's all right, Ames. I get it," Sonic told her as a moment of silence emitted from both of them. Amy blinked and pulled her phone away, thinking that he disconnected the line but hadn't. However after a few more seconds, Sonic's voice returned to its usual upbeat tone as he said, "I'll see you soon!"
The call ended and Amy ran a hand down her face whilst she pocketed her phone. She then idly stared at her car.
Awkward silences with Sonic weren't unknown to the both of them. Even though it had been five years since their break up, the tensions were still there. Amy tried her best to ignore that feeling of sudden guilt in her whenever she'd think about it but…
She looked up, her gaze slowly sweeping the evening city before she shook her head. There was no time dwelling on it.
Her baby boy needed her.
.
.
.
"Moooom," Dash whined, "I'm okay!"
Her baby boy did not need her.
Regardless, Amy rushed inside and gathered her son into her arms. Despite the cast around his arm, he looked perfectly healthy and fine. Thank goodness.
Sonic's laugh sounded from behind her. "See?"
Amy stood and turned around to take a good look at her ex. His emerald green eyes practically gleamed with amusement as he placed both his arms behind his head. Ignoring the newly annoying heat rising against her cheeks, she placed her hands on her hips with a dignified glare, mentally thinking and hoping that the gesture could act like a cold physical barrier from his annoyingly handsome visage.
"I cannot believe you're so level-headed about this," she stated in the most sharpest tone she could muster. She was embarrassed… that after all this time, she still found found Sonic so exceedingly attractive. He was terrible for her heart. "And wipe that grin off your face and explain."
"It's my fault, mom," Dash said immediately. His green eyes were nervously bouncing between his parents. The five year old had alarm and fear in his voice and expression. She knew he'd wrongfully blame himself for his parents' separation if he could, when that was far from the case. Dash was just like that and Amy still questioned where he got the trait from. "It's not dad's fault. Please don't be mad at him."
Amy crouched down at her son's level and nodded, leaving a kiss against his forehead. "All right, baby. Let me just speak to your dad in the other room, okay?"
If her talk with Sonic was going to turn into a full blown argument, she didn't want Dash to be in the middle of it. That had always been off limits.
"But mom, it's really my fault," Dash repeated as Amy only nodded again.
Sonic came over and leaned down to ruffle Dash's head. "Don't worry, buddy. We'll be right back!"
Once they were inside another room, Sonic closed the door behind them as Amy rubbed her temples with her hand. "Chaos. I'm almost afraid to hear it."
"Listen, it was just an accident," Sonic explained, running a hand down his quills. He looked exhausted and a little disheveled. She knew it must've been a worrisome to get Dash into the hospital since Sonic didn't particularly like hospitals himself. All of it happened whilst she was working and having a good day at the diner. It frustrated her even more that her ex didn't call her sooner. Sonic was a genius masking his feelings around his work colleagues and Dash, only ever dropping the facade when he was with her.
She appreciated the fact that Sonic could still be so real with her after all this time.
"So, what happened?"
"Well…" Sonic didn't exactly look comfortable telling her but she sent him a pointed look to continue, "We kinda had a race around the house…"
Exhaling from her nose as she already knew where this was going, Amy just nodded and silently urged him to go on.
"When we were racing up the stairs, Dash was trying to catch up with me, but he ran too fast and lost his balance, and," he scratched the back of his head, a sweat drop falling, "I guess you know how it went from there..."
Amy closed her eyes briefly before opening them again to meet Sonic's, almost clenching her teeth inwardly as she forced herself to nod once more.
"It was a freak accident. He wasn't crying all that much. But I knew something was wrong right away and took him to the emergency room," Sonic shook his head, "I'm just... I'm so sorry, Ames."
Before letting her arms fall to her sides, she thinned her lips. "It's…" As she looked at him this time, the pink hedgehog found herself trailing off. Perhaps it was the guilt in his eyes that made her swallow her rage, those eyes telling her that there was nothing to worry about because he had taken care of everything. Amy felt a pang of guilt in her own feelings and bit the inside of her cheek to keep from dwelling on it any longer. "It's all right, Sonic," she said softly. "You shouldn't feel bad."
"But I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner. I knew you were busy," he clarified.
"No job is worth prioritising over the important people I surround myself with, Sonic," Amy told him, "Especially when it's my own son-"
Amy abruptly stopped herself when she saw Sonic look as if she had struck him across the face. It took a second for her to realise just how loaded her statement had been- and how it inevitably lead to their break up all those years ago.
She clenched her hands. Their break up was five years ago.
Why did it still feel so awkward between them?
Amidst the heavy pause, Amy blinked rapidly and solemnly averted her gaze to the side. "I'm… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay," Sonic cut in, his voice quiet before he smiled at her as he changed the subject, "Dash's doctor said it was just a tiny fracture. He just needs to not do anything that might strain it and go to his appointments. I've booked a bunch already and texted you the dates so we can go to them."
She looked at her phone and reviewed the dates. "Mm, okay. Those days sound good. I might have to move around some things but that shouldn't be a problem."
"Those days won't affect the time I have Dash for the weekends, right?"
"No, no," Amy quickly reassured him, somewhat surprised by his question, "Don't worry. That won't change anything."
He flashed her a dazzling smile, and her brain short-circuited and her heart began racing at breakneck speed. She hated the fact that no matter how things were between them, he would always find a way to make her doubt whether their breakup was for the better.
No. Don't start thinking like that, Amy. You'll break down again.
But, damn it! He was making it impossible!
Amy blushed and broke off eye contact with him. "A-Alright then," she said and cleared her throat, "Do you need me to stay behind and make you both dinner?"
Sonic's eyes briefly widened. "Er, sure… that would be nice. Aren't you going to eat?"
"…I'll just grab something on my way back."
"Aw, come on, Ames. Don't be like that," Sonic said, almost pleadingly, "Just stay for dinner."
Amy felt her shell begin to soften again, and she forced herself to concentrate on what he had just said, rather than the fact that he was leaning in close to her. "I don't know, Sonic," she whispered, "Dash might get the wrong idea."
"You've stayed before and Dash never speculated anything about it."
She considered it for a moment, until she noticed that the blue hedgehog's gaze was practically begging for her to stay.
Why was she always so weak against him?
Amy pressed her lips together and sighed, sending him a small smile. "…Fine. But I want you to make sure he has his bath tonight."
Sonic grinned at her and took her hand. "Whatever the pretty lady wants," he teased and left a chaste kiss between her knuckles. "Thanks, Ames!"
Startled by the sudden intimate contact, Amy's eyes flew up to him as she blushed at least another three shades of red. She was going to say something but Sonic was already making his way back to Dash. "C'mon, buddy. Let's get you ready for your bath!"
Amy only gaped mutely at the doorway.
She stared at her hand, still feeling his lips on it.
Force of habit, probably. No big deal.
No big deal at all...
.
.
.
Amy parked outside of her house before she turned the car's engine off. Instead of going straight inside, the pink hedgehog found herself leaning back against her seat and idly staring at nothing in particular.
Even after she made dinner, she purposely had less on her plate so she could eat faster and leave Sonic's penthouse as soon as possible. The way they were sat at the kitchen table… like a real family, made her go through another set of emotions she didn't want to put up with.
Sonic noticed her silence and the shuttered look on her face, knowing exactly why she had become so distant for a second. However, he masked it with a cheery smile as he listened to Dash talk animatedly to the both of them about his day. Amy listened to their son but she would accidentally make eye contact with Sonic from time to time- which made the situation unbearably uncomfortable than it already was.
Once she was done, she made sure Dash was dressed and ready for bed before kissing him goodbye. He wanted her to stay for the night, but Amy made up the excuse that she had some things to sort out at home. She hated lying to Dash but… the last time she stayed over, which was only a few months ago, she ended up having an argument with Sonic which resulted in silently crying herself to sleep in the guest bedroom.
Sonic didn't make a fuss about her not staying over- which, good riddance, because he knew better than to suggest that. He looked reluctant to let her leave, but Amy brushed it off thinking he did it out of pity.
…That's what she wanted to think.
Amy turned the key into her house and went inside. She left her belongings in the living room before going upstairs to take a shower.
Once she was done cleaning up, she began blow drying her hair in her bedroom until her phone began ringing. Amy blinked and turned to see that it was Sonic calling her.
She briefly wondered why he was calling this late. Dash should've been in bed… unless there was a problem?
Her motherly instincts suddenly awoken as she rushed to her phone and answered it.
"Hey, Am- oh, whoa," Sonic's voice and expression went from joy to bemusement.
"What? What is it?" Amy hastily asked him but for a moment, she didn't quite understand why she could see him on her screen. However, as she flickered her eyes over to the corner of her phone, it then dawned on her that they were doing a video call and she didn't have any clothes on.
Mortified, she screamed and tossed her phone to the bed as she heard Sonic burst out laughing. "Sonic, you idiot! Why couldn't you call normally?!"
"Sorry! I must've hit video call by accident," he said, before snorting out another laugh, "Do you want me to call you back?"
Amy was still recovering from the fact that she just flashed him.
And she could just hear the smirk in his voice.
"N-No," she stammered, a blush profusely appearing on her cheeks, "Just give me a minute."
Once Amy calmed down, she slipped into a black night dress and combed her hair before settling into her bed with her phone. "All right, you dolt. What is it?" She asked with a light huff. From what she could tell in the background, Sonic was in his home office with his blue t-shirt and sweats on.
"Jeez, Amy. Are you really that mad?"
"Yes!" She exclaimed, embarrassed, "That was so uncalled for!"
"You're being dramatic," Sonic grinned at her, his eyes becoming half lidded as he teased, "Besides… It's nothing I haven't seen before."
If Amy thought she couldn't have become redder, then she was wrong. She tried her best to glare at him despite it all. "Sonic!"
This hedgehog was so infuriating!
He laughed, giving her a wink before shaking his head. "Sorry for calling you all of a sudden. Dash is asleep if you're wondering."
"Yeah, I was going to ask you that," Amy settled back against her pillows, "So, what is it?"
Sonic smiled at her. "Just wanted to let you know I'm going to be a little busy next week setting up for a company conference. I can still make it for Dash's appointment on Wednesday though! But I kinda figured to ask you if it's okay for me to take him out of the city next weekend?"
"For the conference?"
"Yeah! Don't worry, I got stuff for him to be kept occupied with so it won't strain his arm. And I have Tails and Knuckles coming along with me."
"Oh," Amy blinked, "…Then I guess that should be fine since it's on the week of school break," she said before smiling a little, "Mr. CEO of Hedgehog Holdings looks like he's stressed for the first time in a long while."
"You could say that," he chuckled and scratched the back of his head, "There's a lot of things to get done before we make a deal with this company we've been having conversations with. Kinda want it over with by then."
"Deals like that aren't done over night, you know that," Amy remarked with a grin of her own when he groaned, "But… I'm glad it's going well over there. Thanks for letting me know."
"It's no problem, Ames," Sonic said and cleared his throat, "I know you weren't comfortable with dinner today so I didn't bring it up then."
Being in a video call was different than being in a normal call, so Amy had to refrain herself from looking uneasy to him. She didn't want him seeing that the dinner did take a lot out of her more than she wanted it to. Though, irritatingly, nothing escaped past Sonic's eyes as he peered into his phone to get a better look at her.
It made her want to smile. Years ago, he would struggle to notice. She wanted to think that was how Dash gained the perceptiveness he has now.
"No… It's fine, Sonic," Amy finally said, the tension releasing from her shoulders, "Dash kept asking us to have a dinner together and I-"
He shook his head, his gaze softening. "Hey, you don't gotta explain yourself. You know I get it."
She swallowed and fidgeted her legs. "Right…"
Unlike earlier, there was a comfortable silence between them this time and Amy even giggled when he kept making funny faces at her.
"Well, anyway," The blue hedgehog stretched out his arms and yawned, "I'm gonna hit the hay. Promised Dash I'd wake up early so I can help him with his homework."
Amy ignored the twinge of disappointment building against her chest at him going, but hid it with a smile. "All right then," she waved at him, "Sleep well!"
"G'night, Ames," Sonic said, waving back. However, in typical Sonic fashion, he didn't leave just yet. Instead, he was suddenly grinning at her before saying, "By the way, you look beautiful tonight."
Then the call ended.
Amy sat there completely dumbfounded.
What did he just say?
Then, a deep shade of red burned her cheeks as her hands flew to cover her flushed face.
Just... What in the world was that supposed to be?!
…And did he mean it?
Amy vigorously shook her head, snapping out of her dilemma. She wasn't interested in a reconciliation with Sonic! She made that clear the first time when they broke up. They shared custody of Dash and that was what mattered. Their son came first before anything that had to do with their relationship. No matter what compliments he threw at her. No matter the kisses he would sometimes give her as if they were still together… she would never succumb to them!
A few minutes later, her phone pinged and she saw that Sonic sent her something.
He had taken a photo with Dash dead asleep beside him. Her poor boy must've been exhausted with everything that had happened today. Amy smiled when she finally saw him sleeping safe and sound. Her eyes then slowly shifted to Sonic. He had one eye closed into a wink, a finger against his grinning lips as if he was saying, "Shhh."
How did he always manage to do that? Making her feel flustered and nervous, even when he wasn't physically there with her? Sonic always had this charm... this aura. It was so hard to ignore it when he'd flaunt it to her every time they'd see each other.
Amy groaned. Maybe she was just feeling melancholy and emotional. That was normal. It was normal to feel this way, right?
In a subconscious effort, her finger hovered over the heart emoji as she sent it to Sonic.
After she hit send, she immediately panicked. It was harmless, right? Sending a heart emoji to a really cute picture of her ex and son. Nothing was behind it. Sonic wouldn't think anything more of it, right...?
The three dots showed up, indicating that he was typing. It disappeared for a second before it showed that he sent her a blue heart back.
Amy stared at her phone, swallowing down the lump that fought against her throat and the tears that brimmed in her eyes.
She was not going to cry... She was not going to cry.
She was strong, she was going to be strong in all of this.
Amy shoved her phone underneath the pillow, cursing at her own stupidity. She wasn't a teenager with a stupid little crush anymore. She was a grown woman, a mother with her own business for crying out loud!
Closing her eyes, she drifted into a peaceful slumber.
