Sonic and Sally were sitting in the royal courtyard, enjoying the morning together. A few days have passed since the announcement of Sally's pregnancy and almost immediately afterwards, words of praise and congratulations began to pour in from all over Mobius. It soon became clear that all the denizens of Mobius were just as excited about the pregnancy as Sonic, Sally, their family and friends were.

Sally sighed softly as she felt a soft breeze blow by, going through her hair and cooling her skin in the warm sun. At the same time, Sonic stretched out his body, yawning as he did so and looked up at the sunny sky.

"Talk about a real nice morning," he said.

"That it is," Sally agreed, moving a strand of hair from her face.

Sonic finished his stretch and cracked his neck a few times before continuing to look at the sky, his eyes falling on the clouds. "Feels good to just kick back and relax, especially after the announcement and all."

"Yeah," said Sally as she placed her hand over her stomach. "Still can't wrap my head around it."

"Same here," Sonic replied, seeing that Sally was rubbing her stomach and placed his hand over hers. "Still hard to believe huh?"

Sally nodded her head in response.

"And the amount of praise that came in right after we wrapped it up," Sonic said, chuckling. "I don't think I've been thanked that much since we defeated Robotnik."

Sally couldn't help but chuckle as well.

"It was a bit overwhelming if I'm being real with you," Sonic continued. "But everyone was so happy."

"They were," said Sally. "And I know it was huge for you, being on the podium and speaking as such."

"No kidding," said Sonic, scratching the back of his head with his free hand. "I don't know how you managed to give all the speeches you have over the years."

"I grew up in this little world of royalty," said Sally. "It's something I've had to get used to."

Sonic nodded, grinning a bit. "I guess its something that gets easier the more you do it."

Sally nodded, a smile appearing on her face. "And I can see you're doing well at it."

"Heh, took me a while to get there huh?" Sonic asked, chuckling.

"That it did," said Sally. "But you got there in the end."

Sonic saw the smile still present on her face and returned it with one of his own. "True that."

Sally smiled at her husband before looking back at the palace, a dreamy gaze present on her face. Sonic held her around her waist and looked along with her. "Heck of a sight, isn't it?"

"It is," said Sally. "And I know one of these days I'll have to take it over from mother and father."

"Yeah, there is that," said Sonic. "Think you're ready for that?"

"I've been prepared my whole life," said Sally. "But I'm not sure when the time comes if I'll be ready. I've spent years being the leader of the Freedom Fighters and since the days of war and resistance..." A sigh came from her. "Being a princess again, its taking some getting used to."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," said Sonic. "Kind of like me having to make the switch over to being a prince after being on the front lines fighting for so long."

Sally nodded in agreement. "We were living so simply in the Great Forest. Our little huts, the campfires, fishing and hunting as well as gatherings...and now we're living in the palace, having all the luxuries others would dream of." She chuckled then. "Its been five years and I'm still not used to it."

Sonic grinned with her. "After so long of having to live the way we did, I gotta admit its still a bit strange seeing where we are now."

"Yes, very," said Sally.

"I think its the same for everyone else too," said Sonic before he turned his head and kissed the side of her head. "We'll all get back used to the way things were. It's gonna be okay."

Sally smiled and leaned more against Sonic.

Chuckling, Sonic gently rubbed his wife's stomach. "Not to rush anything but we'd better get used to it quick before Shorty gets here."

Sally chuckled as well. "Yeah we should."

Sonic's grin remained on his face as he heard footsteps. Looking in the direction of them, he saw Antoine and Bunnie walking arm-in-am towards them. "Looks like we've got company."

Sally looked over as well and saw their friends coming. "That we do! Hi, you two!"

"Hey my Sally Girl! And Sugar-Hog!" Bunnie greeted in her usual southern accent.

"So this is where you two have been," said Antoine.

"You guys were looking for us?" Sonic asked. "What's up?"

"We're sorry to bother you lovebirds," said Bunnie. "But Sally Girl, your mother and father wish to see you."

Sally raised an eyebrow. "They do?"

"Indeed, my princess," said Antoine. "They asked us to tell you when we saw you, as well as to ask if you could come as soon as possible."

"Must be something really big, if that's the case," said Sonic.

"I'll head there now," said Sally as she rose to her feet. "Thank you both for letting me know."

"You're very welcome, my princess," said Antoine.

Sonic stood up as well, looking to Sally. "It sounds like they want to speak just with you Sal so I'll kick back and wait for you here."

Sally nodded as she stroked Sonic's cheek. "I'll be back soon okay?"

Sonic nodded and place his hand over hers. "Take your time Sal."

Sally smiled and kissed Sonic softly on his cheek. "Thanks." After nuzzling him and pulling back, she began to walk away from the courtyard.

Antoine watched the cute scene between the couple along with Bunnie before looking to her. "Love, how about you join Sally on her way to see her parents? I'll keep Sonic company."

Bunnie nodded and kissed Antoine's nose. "Okay Sugar-Twan. I'll be back soon okay?"

"Of course Love," Antoine said, lifting her hands to his lips and kissing them. "Take all the time you need."

Bunnie smiled and blushed before going to follow Sally, Antoine smiling as well as he watched her leave.

Sonic, who had watched the entire scene, smirked and crossed his arms. "You two haven't missed a beat since getting married huh?"

"Not at all," Antoine answered. "The same can be said for you and Sally."

"You got that right," said Sonic, smiling. "And with the new edition coming."

Antoine smiled as well, thinking about Sonic and Sally's unborn child. "Certainly was a surprise to us all to find that out." He had a seat down on the bench where Sonic and Sally were seated. "We've all certainly come a long way."

Sonic joined Antoine on the bench. "You can say that again. Sal and I were just talking about that."

"Don't let it bother you Sonic," said Antoine as he placed a hand on Sonic's shoulder. "Whatever may come, you and Sally are going to be great parents to your future child."

Sonic looked to Antoine and smiled. "Thanks Ant. That means a lot."

Antoine returned the smile and nodded to the hedgehog.

"Sally Girl! Wait up!"

Hearing her name, Sally turned around and saw Bunnie approaching her. "Oh, you're coming too? I could do with the company."

"You're my best friend Sally Girl," said Bunnie as she reached her. "And whatever your parents have to say, they can say in front of me, hopefully."

Sally smiled and together with Bunnie continued to walk until the reached the doors that led to the throne room. "I wonder what mother and father wish to speak to me about."

Bunnie shrugged her shoulders. "Beats me Sugar. They didn't say anything to me."

Filled with curiosity, Sally proceeded to open the doors and walk inside with Bunnie. Closing the doors behind them, the two looked ahead to see not just Maximillian and Alicia in conversation with one another, but as well as Elias there with them.

Max looked to the entrance and saw Sally and Bunnie. "Ah Sally. You're here."

Elias acknowledged Sally with a nod of his head. "Welcome sister."

Sally walked up the thrones and bowed slightly before Max. "Father."

Bunnie bowed as well. "Your majesties."

Alicia turned her attention to them. "Bunnie, thank you so much for brining Sally to us."

"You're welcome my queen," said Bunnie. "Do you need me to leave so you can speak to Sally Girl?"

"If you'd like and if Sally wishes it, you may stay," said Max.

Bunnie bowed once again. "Thank you my king."

Sally stood back up straight from her bow. "Mother, father, what is it you wished to speak to me about?"

"It's an important royal matter dear," said Alicia. "One that's been a long time coming."

"Yes," Max agreed. "Your mother and I have discussed this for some time, with some input from Elias. And we feel now is the proper time."

"Time?" Sally repeated.

Bunnie listened in silence, just as curious as Sally as to what the king and queen meant.

"Sally," Alicia began as she rose to her feet. "As you know, the time will come when your father and I will have to pass on our titles of king and queen. We cannot rule forever."

"I understand mother," said Sally. "You've been preparing me for it all my life, in the event that the time would come that I would have to rule in your place. Though there was the long period of time that came and went due to the war against Julian."

Bunnie couldn't help but frown as she heard Robotnik's name.

"And your father and I were missing during that time," Alicia added.

"Thank goodness we were able to return and resume our rule over Mobotropolis during the new age of peace," said Max. "But as your mother said, the time will come when we must look to the future and pass our titles on."

"And when that time arrives," Alicia began. "We would be honored if you and Sonic would rule Mobotropolis and carry on in our place."

Both Sally and Bunnie were surprised and taken aback.

"For real!?" Bunnie exclaimed.

"Me and Sonic?" Sally repeated, in a slightly shaky voice. "Mother, Father, are you both certain?"

"We are dear," Max said with a nod. "More than certain."

Sally was still shocked and slightly surprised she still had a voice. She didn't expect her parents to want her to lead over Elias and with that, she turned and looked to her brother. "Elias, you're older. You're the rightful heir to the throne before myself."

"You speak the truth Sally," said Elias. "But honestly, I feel that you would be better suited to ruling than me. You've already proved your leadership qualities when you helped lead the Freedom Fighters to victory over Robotnik." He walked over to Sally and placed his hands on her shoulders. "And I have full confidence that you would do the same in ruling Mobotroplois. It is for that reason that I declined the throne because I firmly believe that you would be better for the job."

Sally placed her hands over Elias's. "Brother..."

"Sally, your father and I wouldn't force this on you and we value your opinion and how you feel," said Alicia as she walked from her throne and stood beside Sally, placing her hand on her cheek. "Do you feel and believe that you would be up to the task of ruling Mobotropolis as queen?"

Sally was silent for a moment as she thought this over. It was certainly a lot more than she expected but she knew in her heart what she had to do, not just for her family but for her kingdom and people.

"Mother, Daddy..." she began. "I understand and would be honored to do so. Its my duty to do so after all, but not just a duty but an honor as well." A smile appeared on her face. "I'll do all in my power to be a good queen when the time comes."

Smiles appeared on both Alicia and Max's faces as they heard their daughter's words.

"Right on!" said Bunnie as she clapped her hands. "And Sugar-Hog will be a great king right beside you!"

Alicia wrapped her arms around Sally and hugged her. "You've made me proud sweetheart."

Max stood and walked to Sally, hugging her as well. "Both of us, my little Bean."

Sally chuckled and hugged both her parents, under the smiling and approving eyes of Bunnie and Elias.

A little while later, Sally and Bunnie returned to Sonic and Antoine in the courtyard.

"Hey boys!" Sally called out.

"Sugar-Twan! Sugar-Hog!" said Bunnie. "We're back!"

The hedgehog and coyote looked over, seeing their wives walking to them. "The ladies have returned," said Antoine.

"Hey you two," said Sonic, as he stood to greet them. "So how'd it go? Everything okay?"

"Yes, it went well Hun," Sally answered. "Mother and Daddy did speak to me about something important though."

"I kind of figured," said Sonic. "So what's up?"

"I must admit, I'm fairly curious as well," Antoine added.

Sally proceeded to explain to Sonic and Antoine what her parents had told her. "...And we might be having the crowns on our heads sooner than we expected."

Sonic, needless to say, was floored. "Oh man, for real?"

Sally nodded. "I know this is scary Sonic...but it's scary for me too." She held both of his hands in hers. "And I grew up knowing one day I would be queen."

"Who would've thought that day might be right around the corner," Sonic replied as he rubbed his thumbs over Sally's hands.

"Yes," said Sally. "I think they're planning the next step after the baby is born. There's only so much we can do at the same time."

"Yeah, that's true," said Sonic as he placed one of his hands on her stomach. "But you know what?"

Sally raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm?"

Sonic looked her in her eyes and spoke in a serious tone, one that he usually never did. "We've been through tough times before and we've come out on top each and every time. This'll be no different. We got this Sal. Everything'll be okay."

Bunnie smiled as she heard Sonic's words. "Too right Sally Girl!"

Beaming, Sally wrapped her arms around Sonic's neck and hugged him tightly, to which he returned by hugging her around her waist.

Bunnie chuckled as she saw the sight and hugged Antoine's arm with her own. "Aww, how cute."

Antoine grinned and nodded. "Agreed."

"You two will make a great king and queen," said Bunnie. "And you'll have a fine prince or princess to follow you."

"That you will," said Antoine. "And don't forget that you have us and the others to help you and we all will be there for you in any way we can."

Sonic smiled over at the two of them. "Thanks you guys. That really means a lot."

"You're welcome Sugar-Hog!" Bunnie replied with a wink.

Sonic smiled at her and then looked down at Sally, the same warm expression on his face. "We sure have a lot to be thankful and grateful for."

Sally returned his smile and nodded as she placed her hand on her stomach once more, gently rubbing it. "That we do, my love. That we do."