Six years ago
Amy stared at the stick in disbelief.
For the whole week, she felt nauseous and tired, but she attributed it to stress from opening the diner. Now, seeing the two pink lines, she realised it was something much more significant. Her heart raced as a rush of thoughts engulfed her mind. How was this possible? They had been careful, hadn't they?
Her mind traced back to the times they had been together, scrutinising every detail for any lapse in caution. Each moment replayed like a film reel, searching for the missed frame that led to this… unexpected result.
It wasn't that Amy didn't like having the idea of having a child. She did. She always loved the idea.
But she'd just turned twenty-one.
Twenty-one seemed too young to be responsible for another life, to put her plans on hold, to navigate the complexities of parenthood when she still felt like a child herself at times.
Amy swallowed down the nervous lump against her throat as her thoughts drifted to Sonic.
She didn't know how he was going to react. What was he going to say?
Their relationship has been… strained, for some time now. She loved him with all her heart, but with the constant fights, disagreements and him barely making any time for her the last couple of months, Amy didn't know what to think.
If he couldn't make time for her, then how could he possibly make any time for their baby?
Amy took a shaky breath and slid down against the bathroom door before burying her face into her hands.
They barely amended things from their fight from last week, giving each other the silent treatment again until one of them broke it. But because Sonic had been so busy with the company, he hadn't even tried to amend things between them or probably forgot that they had an argument in the first place. It was just so easy for him to forget.
So Amy was always the one to relent and fix the rift because she hated the tension and she hated it when they were like this. They were better than that, she was better than letting their fights get in the way of what really mattered. The two of them loving each other.
And now with someone growing inside her body on the way, the stakes had never been higher. Amy's thoughts swam around the implications of her pregnancy like a storm, the future feeling both incredibly daunting and strangely beautiful. The idea of a new life, a part of both her and Sonic, was overwhelming but also filled with a sense of profound awe.
…But the reality was, their relationship was hanging by a thread. Sonic's preoccupation with his work had created a chasm between them. Amy felt like she was constantly reaching out, only to grasp at empty air. Their arguments had become more frequent, each one chipping away from the strength they had built together.
And… what about her? Amy was so insecure about herself and her body image.
She had always struggled with self-esteem, and the thought of her body changing even more, of the physical demands and the weight of carrying a child, scared her. She wondered if she would still recognise herself and if Sonic would still look at her the same way.
No.
It was such a shallow thought. They'd been together long enough for her to know that he would never think of her any less for changes that came with pregnancy. But in the quiet corners of her mind, the insecurities whispered louder than reason.
She stared at the stick again, as if hoping the result would change with another glance. It didn't. The two pink lines remained.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Amy stood up and doused cold water on her face before looking at herself in the mirror. She touched her cheeks, squishing them and quickly wiping away the lone tear that slid down her face.
After cleaning up, she walked out of the bathroom and was met with the eerie quietness of her and Sonic's room.
The entire penthouse was empty. No maids, no butlers, not a single chef. It was just her.
And the fact upset her more than it usually would've.
She stared at the empty side of their bed.
She was so tired from running the diner last night that she barely heard him come home. She had stirred a little in her sleep when she felt the dip he made in the mattress, but she hadn't fully woken. She felt his lips pressing against her cheek, but she wasn't sure if she had been dreaming just then.
When she woke up in the morning, she tried not to cry when she turned to the other side and he wasn't there.
Again.
Amy pressed her lips together and didn't fight the tears that welled up in her eyes.
She hated this. So much.
She walked over to the window and gazed out at the city below. The Station Square city skyline stretched out before her, a sea of twinkling lights that seemed indifferent to her turmoil. It was a beautiful view, but it felt distant and unreachable in her current state. The world outside went on, but inside her, everything felt frozen and uncertain.
"Well, Miss Rose," The nurse said as she walked out of the room with a few papers, "You are definitely pregnant."
She had hoped, in some small corner of her mind, that it might have been a mistake. But hearing the words spoken out loud made the reality of her situation hit her with an overwhelming force.
The nurse smiled kindly, but Amy's eyes were still filled with fear and confusion. She tried to process the information, but her thoughts were spinning.
"You're only about four weeks along, so it's still early, but we can schedule your first prenatal appointment to ensure everything is progressing well. Would you like me to set that up for you?"
Amy nodded slowly, her mind still reeling. "Y-Yes, please," she managed to say.
As the nurse busied herself with the paperwork, Amy felt a sudden wave of exhaustion. She slumped into a chair in the corner of the room, feeling the weight of the news pressing heavily on her shoulders. Her fingers trembled slightly as she looked down at her hands, imagining the tiny life growing inside her.
She wondered what the baby would look like. Would they be blue or pink? Or a mix of those? Whose eyes would they have? Was she going to have a boy or a girl?
Quickly taking a sip of water from the cup next to her, Amy tried to ground herself, focusing on the present moment to stave off the flood of worries that seemed to be mounting with every second.
She was having a baby. She made a baby together with Sonic.
And he had yet to know.
Her throat felt dry and she gulped down the rest of the water from the cup.
The nurse approached with a smile, lightly patting her on the back when she began a small coughing fit, "I've scheduled your appointment for two weeks from today, Miss Rose. It's important to get started with prenatal care as early as possible."
Amy forced a smile, trying to appear more composed than she felt. "Thank you."
As she left the clinic, the world outside felt sharper, more vivid, as if it was somehow reflecting her inner turmoil. She wandered through the city streets, her steps mechanical as her thoughts tumbled over each other. The sounds and sights of Station Square seemed both vibrant and hollow, a reminder of what she was about to bring into the world.
She looked down at her belly and carefully placed her hands on it, feeling the slight swell of her abdomen that wasn't yet visible but was a tangible sign of the new life growing inside her. The reality of it all made her shiver.
"Amy, are you sure you don't want me to come in with you?" Tikal asked her as the echidna parked right outside the Hedgehog Holdings building, "I can ask Miss Vanilla to take care of the diner for a while."
Amy offered a faint smile and shook her head. "No, Tikal, I think it's something I need to do alone. Thanks for offering, though."
Tikal just nodded and gave Amy an encouraging smile before they shared a hug. "Okay, but remember, I'm just a call away if you need anything."
Amy took a deep breath, appreciating her friend's support more than she could express. She watched as Tikal drove away, leaving her standing alone in the bustling cityscape. The towering glass and steel of Hedgehog Holdings loomed before her.
As she made her way through the lobby, her steps felt heavier with each stride. The polished floors and sleek, modern design of the building seemed almost alien to her right now. She'd been in here plenty of times and each time felt so ridiculously suffocating.
She hated it here.
Home wouldn't be the only place they'd argue. In fact, most of their arguments were in this building, in his office.
She approached the receptionist, her hands feeling clammy and her voice wavering slightly. "Hi."
The receptionist glanced at her with a polite but distant look before picking up the phone and dialling Sonic's office without question. Amy's gaze wandered around the lobby, her anxiety mounting with every passing second.
"I'm sorry, Miss Rose, but he doesn't seem to be answering his phone. ...Would you like me to leave a message?" The receptionist's voice was formal, masking any curiosity she might have felt at Amy's sudden, unscheduled visit.
Amy shook her head, her stomach churning with unease. 'No, that's alright. I-I'll just wait.'
She nodded, her attention already shifting to the next task at hand. Amy took a seat in the plush waiting area. The elegant surroundings, designed to impress, only made her feel more out of place.
"Amy?"
Amy perked up at the sound of a familiar voice and looked up to see Tails approaching her with a concerned expression. His yellow fur was as neat as ever, his signature twin tails twitching slightly behind him. He looked surprised but glad to see her.
It was nice to see a kind face in here for once.
"Tails," she said, managing a small smile. "Hey."
"What are you doing here?" He asked, glancing around as if expecting Sonic to appear any moment. "I didn't know you were coming by today."
Amy hesitated, her mind racing with how much she should tell him. Tails was like a brother to Sonic and a good friend to her, but the news was too big and personal to just blurt out to him right now.
"I- I needed to talk to Sonic about something," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Is he in his office?"
Tails's expression shifted to one of sympathy. "He's actually in a meeting right now." He paused, studying her face. "Are you okay? You look... a bit pale."
Amy forced a smile. "I'm fine, just a little tired. It's been a long week at the diner."
He nodded understandingly. "I get that. Work's been crazy around here too. But hey, why don't I take you up to his office? He should be finishing up with his meeting soon anyway."
Amy appreciated that. The thought of sitting in the lobby any longer made her feel more anxious. "Thanks, Tails."
She followed Tails to the elevator and they rode up in silence, the soft hum of the elevator doing little to soothe her nerves. Tails glanced at her a few times, his worry still evident, but he respected her silence.
The doors opened with a chime and Amy stepped out before quickly turning to the fox. "Would it be alright if I walked from here by myself?"
Tails gave Amy a gentle, reassuring smile, though his eyes had a questioning glint in them. "Sure, Amy. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
Amy smiled after him and watched the fox disappear into the corner before she turned back around in the direction where Sonic's office was located. Taking a deep breath, she began walking down, her steps felt heavier each time she got closer.
When she was just about nearing his door, it opened and at least about five executives walked out, deep in conversation. Amy quickly stepped aside and they all filed past her without a glance, not even seeing or noticing her, their discussions about stock prices and quarterly reports fading as they moved down the hall.
She glanced back at them, holding her gaze before shaking her head and turning back around-
Only to bump into someone.
"I'm so sorry-"
"At the very least watch where you're going."
She flinched at the familiar abrasive tone, blinking up as she was met with a pair of scrutinising eyes.
Mariko stood before her. The tall, impeccably dressed woman adjusted her glasses, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Well, what a surprise. The infamous Amy Rose shows up once again."
Amy didn't know what the other woman was doing here, or what her business was, but she was in no mood to play any of her manipulative and degrading games.
She took a step back, trying to maintain her composure. "I didn't mean to bump into you," she said, keeping her tone neutral.
The other woman's smirk widened a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Of course you didn't. But then again, you always seem to show up unannounced, don't you?"
Not taking the bait, Amy ignored the obvious taunt and fixed her eyes on Sonic's door.
Mariko seemed to have noticed and observed her before saying, "You're not at all very appealing, are you?" It was almost as if she was looming at her, "I'm still having trouble understanding what he sees in you."
While Amy would've retaliated back with a retort and a short turn of her heel, the circumstances made her feel too vulnerable to respond. She swallowed her pride and refused to meet Mariko's gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.
Since the very day she met the grey hedgehog, Amy had been nothing but nice to her. However, when it became very obvious that she had gained an interest in Sonic, Mariko had no intention of being cordial towards her at all. This bitter rivalry between them was something that made Amy feel... inadequate. Mariko was everything Amy wasn't - confident, assertive, and always impeccably put together. Amy couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy mixed with resentment towards her.
Despite the urge to snap back, Amy held her tongue. She knew better than to engage in a confrontation, especially now. Instead, she took a step to the side, trying to skirt around Mariko and reach for the doorknob of Sonic's office.
Mariko, however, had other plans. She casually blocked Amy's path, her demeanour oozing superiority. "I'm sure whatever urgent matter you have with Sonic can wait," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "He's exhausted from the meeting he just had now, and I doubt he'd appreciate any distractions."
Amy's patience was wearing thin, but she knew causing a scene would only make things worse. She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay calm. "I just need a moment with him," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "It won't take long."
Mariko's smile turned into a smirk, and she leaned in closer as if sharing a secret. "Oh, Amy," she cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You always think you're the exception, don't you? But the truth is, Sonic has more important things to attend to than your... personal matters."
Each word felt like a slap in the face.
"You should really watch your mouth, or else that pretty face of yours is gonna regret the consequences."
The both of them turned their heads to find Rouge standing at the end of the hallway, her arms crossed and a look of dangerous amusement in her eyes. She sauntered over, her high heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. "What's the matter, Mariko? Too much time on your hands that you have to resort to bullying?"
Mariko's confident smirk faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Rouge. How nice of you to join us," she said coolly, her eyes narrowing. "I was just reminding Amy that Sonic is a busy man. He doesn't have time for unnecessary distractions."
Rouge stepped between Amy and Mariko, her presence a protective barrier. "Funny, I don't remember the boys appointing you as his gatekeeper. Last I checked, Amy has every right to see her boyfriend. So, why don't you scurry off and find something else to occupy your time, hm?"
Mariko's expression darkened, but she didn't push further. She was at least smart enough not to mess with a skilled G.U.N agent. With a huff and a dirty look towards Amy, she turned on her heel and strode away, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.
Amy let out a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding. "Thank you. You didn't have to do that."
Rouge rolled her eyes. "Honey, please. I had to. It's about time someone puts that chick in her place, don't you think?"
She didn't respond to that and instead asked, "What are you doing here?"
"A handsome red echidna was supposed to meet me at a lunch reservation at noon, sharp. But it seems like Mr. Handsome hasn't left that damn office of his yet. So I'm about to go over there and drag him out myself."
Even though she let out a small laugh, Amy couldn't help but feel slightly envious. She knew how Rouge felt, but her relationship with Knuckles was nothing like hers with Sonic. Yeah, the couple fought, but they seemed to make up much more efficiently than she ever did with Sonic.
"Oooh, and looks like he's finally responded to my texts," Rouge said with a grin as she looked down at her phone, her nails quickly tapping on the screen. She glanced back up at her and asked, "Are you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I will be. Thanks again, Rouge."
Rouge gave her a wink before quickly strutting off to where Knuckles's office was.
Amy turned to Sonic's door again and after a pending moment of silence, she worked up the courage and gave a knock.
She didn't hear his usual "come in" nor did she hear any shuffling or moving about from the other side. After a few more seconds of waiting, she knocked on it again and still no response. Glancing down at the handle, she wrapped her hand around it and pushed the door open.
Amy peeked her head inside, her eyes wandering around the large space until they fell on Sonic at his desk.
He had his head back against his chair, his eyes closed and his mouth hanging slightly ajar. His desk was cluttered with paperwork, half-empty coffee cups, and a stack of files that seemed to have been pushed aside in exhaustion.
She stepped inside, gently closing the door behind her and locking it… to make sure they didn't have any unwanted guests coming in as they pleased.
Amy walked over to his desk, careful not to wake up. She grabbed the front chair and rolled it around the table next to him before she sat down.
For a moment, she just watched him sleep.
He looked so peaceful, a stark contrast to the tense and exhausted man she'd been dealing with lately. The lines of stress on his face seemed to soften in sleep, making him look almost serene. She traced a finger lightly over his arm and then chuckled when he stirred a little, but still didn't wake up.
She scooted her chair closer to him, their knees touching before she stood up halfway and leaned over him as she placed both her hands on his cheeks and gently pressed her lips to his.
Sonic stirred at the touch of her lips and before his eyes even opened, he murmured, "Amy?"
Amy pulled back slightly, meeting his drowsy, half-slit gaze. "Hey, sleepyhead."
The blue hedgehog blinked a few times, gradually becoming more awake. He looked up at her, still groggy but with a smile tugging against his face.
"Hey," he said and slowly sat up against his chair, rubbing his eyes, "How long were you here for?"
"Not long," Amy smiled at him.
He stared at her, holding his gaze and then suddenly leaned in as he caught her lips in a kiss.
And she melted into the kiss.
From the way they were kissing each other, it seemed like their last fight had never happened and all the hurtful words had been forgotten. For a brief moment, Amy allowed herself to believe that everything was okay, that they were okay.
When they finally pulled away, Sonic rested his forehead against hers.
"I missed you, Ames," he murmured, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Sorry. Work has me busy, again."
Again.
Amy shook her head, forcing a look that reassured him that it was fine- even though she hated the fact that she hadn't been waking up beside him in weeks, hated the fact he'd barely come home for dinner, hated that she always felt like a secondary priority in his life. But she couldn't bring herself to say any of that now, not with the news she was about to share.
Just when she was about to get ready to say it, he had pulled away from her and glanced at the things on his table.
"How are things doing in the diner today?" Sonic asked as he began to reorganise the cluttered papers on his desk, "Gotta be packed as usual, huh?"
Amy bit her lip, and back down as she relaxed her shoulders. "Busy as always. Tikal is a big help, though. I don't know what I'd do without her."
Sonic nodded absently, his attention split between her and the documents. "That's good to hear! I'm glad she's there for you."
I wish you were there for me too.
She swallowed harshly as those words played in her mind.
"And how are you, Ames? Feeling good?"
She felt anything but good. As she watched him lifting the lid of his laptop open, his fingers typing fast over the keyboard, she reeled back from saying what she wanted and instead decided to ask, "How about you?"
Sonic's fingers paused over the keyboard and he looked up at her, his eyes furrowing when she didn't answer his question. "Me?" Amy nodded and he continued, "Well, um, I've been better. There's just been a lot of pressure lately, ya know?" His voice trailed off as he glanced at the piles of paperwork on his desk, his eyes betraying the weariness he tried to mask. "But, hopefully when all this stuff takes a rest, I can finally take a break and focus on what's more important."
You always say that.
His gaze went back to his computer screen as he went on, "And when that happens, I can take you out of the city and we can have a nice getaway, yeah? Where were you thinking? I know you wanted to go to the beach, and we can go, I'm just not gonna touch that dang water. But we can rent out my beach house and stay there for a week or two, just us. And we can take really cool night walk around the-"
"I'm pregnant."
The words fell from Amy's lips with a trembling finality that seemed to make the air in the room thicker. Sonic's fingers froze over the keyboard and his head snapped up, his wide startled green eyes meeting hers as he turned his full attention over to her.
Amy's heart raced as she tried to gauge his reaction… Sonic's mouth opened slightly as if to say something, but no words came out. He blinked rapidly, as though trying to process the information and make sense of it.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
She anxiously gripped her dress over her thighs and just nodded, trying to keep the tears that threatened her eyes at bay.
His eyes stayed on her for a second more before they eventually dropped down onto her stomach. He blinked and then blinked again as if the sight of her flat belly would suddenly reveal all the answers.
When he kept quiet and said nothing, Amy's nervousness grew with each passing second. The silence hung heavy in the air between them and she felt like she was suffocating again from all of it. She searched his face desperately, for any sign of what he might be feeling shock, fear, joy, confusion—but his expression remained unreadable, frozen in a mix of emotions she couldn't decipher.
Seconds stretched to what felt like an eternity and Amy couldn't wait anymore. She took his hand into hers and squeezed it. "Please say something."
Sonic didn't squeeze her hand back, but he blinked up from her stomach to her eyes again, the initial shock slowly giving way to a flood of emotions that danced across his face.
He was silent for a few seconds more before finally asking, "H-How…" She saw him swallow harshly, "How far along are you?"
"Six weeks," she replied, meticulously eyeing his face as her voice wavered, "I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning."
"How long have you known?"
His immediate question caught her off guard and she didn't miss the faint edge in his voice. "I found out two weeks ago," Amy admitted.
His face tightened slightly as his jaw clenched. "Two weeks? So you've known for two weeks and didn't tell-"
"You haven't been home for two weeks," she bluntly cut him off.
Sonic's expression quickly shifted, his eye furrowing. "That's not-"
"It's not easy for me to bring this up when you're never around," Amy interjected, her voice cracking slightly. "I've been trying to hold everything together on my own. I didn't wanna add to your stress, but you haven't been here to even notice how overwhelmed I've been."
His shoulders slumped and he rubbed a hand over his face. "Amy, I'm-"
"No," Amy cut him off again, sounding more desperate now. "Don't just apologise. Don't just say you're sorry. I need you to really listen to me and be here with me," She squeezed his hand again and leaned closer, "I'm pregnant. We're having a baby, Sonic."
Silence.
It was unsettling.
The world outside seemed to pause, the noise and bustle of the city beyond the office window becoming distant sounds.
Sonic's gaze dropped to their entwined hands, then back to Amy's face, and it was the first time she'd ever seen him so… vulnerable, a stark contrast to his usual confidence that she was used to seeing… and also a contrast from his tiredness and frustration she'd seen recently from their arguments.
When he finally squeezed her hand back and even went to grab her other one to do the same, she relaxed.
"I thought we were careful," Sonic murmured, seemingly almost to himself, as he tried to make sense of the situation. His voice was low, tinged with a mix of disbelief and concern. When he looked at her and then at their hands, a soft chuckle escaped from him. "But I guess not."
"Well," Amy started meekly and rubbed her thumb over his knuckles, "A lot of arguments that include yelling at each other and then apologetic pent-up sex afterwards can lead to something like this."
He gave her a grim nod, looking guilty as he said, "I know- I know, Ames. I'm sorry. I know it's all my fault and it's just…" He sighed and let out a slow breath, "I hate it when we fight and I know it's not fair on you because I'm so busy all the time, but…" He paused, his words trailing off for a moment, "I-I'll do better, I'll-"
Amy held his face with both her hands and pulled him into a kiss, shutting him up. When she pulled away but still held him close, she let out a soft genuine laugh, breaking away the tension, "You don't need to have all the answers right now," she said, smiling, "We're in this together so just… Just be there for me, okay?"
Sonic stared at her, searching her eyes as his gaze softened. Slowly, he smiled back at her and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll be there. I promise," he said, his smile widening, "I love you."
Her heart fluttered at his words, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she felt a spark of hope.
"I love you too."
Amy locked the back door of the diner and held onto the railing as she carefully went down the steps. Her eyes spotted a familiar sleek blue car parked up next to the curb, the door already opening once she was near it. She stood there, contemplating whether to ignore Sonic and just take a cab back home instead. But it was getting late and she had just hit the nine-month mark of her pregnancy. Being alone with a stranger wouldn't be so smart.
With reluctance, Amy ignored how much her swelled feet hurt against her sandals as she walked up to the car and carefully got inside before the door shut automatically next to her.
She had to fight the urge to roll her eyes and bite back her tongue when she saw that he was talking to someone on the car's speakerphone. About work. Again.
Amy drowned out the noise by closing her eyes as he drove them home. She focused on her breathing, using a technique she had learned in her prenatal classes, to calm herself down. She was angry and upset, but she knew better than to let it out in the car.
As soon as Sonic pulled up in front of the penthouse, she wanted to waste no time and get out of the car. But he'd already gotten out before her and opened her door, lending out his hand for her to take. Amy stared at it with a blank expression, but she refused to look at him as she ignored his hand and got out herself, because he was still talking on the phone.
Thanking the doorman with a polite smile, she rode the elevator by herself and unlocked the front door of the penthouse before stepping inside.
She just wanted to clean up and go to bed.
"Amy?" She heard the door shut and his footsteps behind her, "What's wrong?"
She ignored him again and started to make her way upstairs.
He followed her and grabbed her arm. "C'mon, Ames. Don't shut me out again, what's-"
Amy snatched her arm away from his hold and spun around, glaring at him. "What's wrong? What's wrong?" She repeated incredulously as she took a step towards him, "I'll tell you what's wrong. The father of my child is more interested in his work calls than spending time with his pregnant girlfriend! What's wrong is that you've missed every single appointment that I had for the past six months because you'd be held up in a meeting that you're hosting or you'd be out of town! What's wrong is that I feel like I'm doing this alone, even when you're right here!"
He opened his mouth to respond, but Amy didn't let him. She wasn't finished.
"Do you even realise how hard this is for me?" She continued, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm exhausted, Sonic. My feet hurt, my back hurts, I can barely sleep, and you're always somewhere else, doing something else that's apparently more important than me and our child that's about to be born!"
Sonic ran a hand through his hair, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Amy, it's not like that! You know I'm trying to make sure we have everything we need. I'm doing this for us!"
"Stop saying that!" Amy shouted, tears streaming down her face. "I don't need all the money or the fancy things! I need you, Sonic! I need you here with me, not on the other side of a phone call with your excuses and flowers that you make Tails and Knuckles deliver for me!"
"You think I don't want to be here?" Sonic shot back, his voice rising to match hers. "I hate being away from you, Amy. But someone has to make sure we're taken care of. Someone has to think about our fut-"
"Our future?" She scoffed, shaking her head. "What future? At this rate, there won't be one for us. You're so busy thinking about what's ahead that you're missing what's right in front of you!"
"You think I'm just gonna abandon everything and live in some fantasy where everything magically works out? What do you want me to do, Amy? Quit everything? You know I can't do that!"
Amy's face flushed with anger. "It's not about quitting everything! It's about being present! You're so wrapped up in your work that you've forgotten that I need you right now. I'm doing this alone, Sonic. I'm the one handling all the appointments, all the changes, and all the stress while you're busy making deals and talking on your damn phone!"
And as if on a sick twisted cue, his phone began to ring on the stool.
She stared at him, almost mentally challenging him to take the call so she could prove her point.
But when it rang and rang, it eventually settled on a voice message.
And the owner of the voice floored her.
"Are you still free to continue our meeting tomorrow? Let me know, thanks."
Mariko.
And then the line cut.
The silence that followed the message was deafening. Amy stood there, her breath caught in her throat as she tried to process what she'd just heard.
She wasn't the least bit surprised. Why would she be?
And she hated seeing that guilty look on his face.
"Amy, it's not what you think-"
"I know," she said, blunt and suddenly void of any emotion, "Just don't."
The room felt colder than usual as Amy stared at Sonic, her gaze piercing through the fragile silence that now enveloped them. The voicemail from Mariko hung in the air like an unwelcome spectre, its implications looming over their argument. Sonic's eyes flickered with a mixture of guilt and frustration, but Amy couldn't bring herself to care about the nuances of his explanations at that moment.
She was so sick of it all.
And she was done.
"But-"
"You wouldn't believe how much she tormented me the second she wasn't seen with you," she went on to say, her tone somewhat idle as if she was talking to herself, "She hates me because I'm with you. She hates me even more because I'm carrying our son. She feels entitled to everything you have, and I'm just in her way. You never knew because you were never there to witness it because you were busy. Busy. And honestly, I'm tired of trying to fight for a place in your life when it feels like I'm constantly second to someone who doesn't even care about us. I'm exhausted from being the only one fighting for this relationship."
Her breaths became more and more laboured but she continued on, ignoring how startled his face had gotten, "I've tried to be understanding. I've tried to manage the appointments, the stress and the loneliness. I've even put up with her jealousy and the way she's tried to make me feel like I'm not good enough. But now… I can't do it anymore."
She was sweating so much now.
What was happening to her?
Is the baby-
Sonic took a step forward, but Amy held up a hand to stop him, still breathing hard. "I think we need to break up."
Whatever else he said, she didn't hear. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven bursts, her hand pressed firmly against her stomach. She was fighting to keep her composure, but the strain was evident.
Baby's coming, baby's coming…
The baby was coming.
"Amy? Amy?! Shit!"
Sonic wasted no time picking her up and rushing her to the nearest hospital.
"Stay with me, Ames! Stay with me!"
.
.
.
Now
Stay with me, Ames. Stay with me…
"...Amy?"
Amy's eyelids fluttered open slowly, and she immediately felt a warm, gentle pressure on her hand. Though her vision was still blurry, she could make out a familiar blue figure hovering by her bedside.
She squinted at the light filtering through the window, attempting to focus. Sonic's face gradually came into view, his worried expression melting into a relieved smile when their eyes met.
His hands gently cradled her face as he pressed his lips to hers. "Hey, sleepyhead," His voice was soothing against the backdrops of the hospital beeps and muffled conversations from outside, "You're finally awake."