King Max sat in the main Royal Council Chamber at the large table playing with a glass chess set as he waited for Sonic. On the table next to the chess set were papers consisting of Royal Duties as well as a few photographs of Mobotropolis and the other areas of the planet such as Angel Island, Central City and many more.
As he pushed the white queen piece on the board to capture a pawn, he heard a knocking at the door. The king smiled pleasantly as he guessed Sonic had arrived, and on time too as he glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Enter!" he called, and he saw Sonic appear.
"Hey Pops!" the blue hedgehog replied as he entered.
"Ah Sonic!" Max smiled. "Good of you to come! Thank you for coming so quickly, so to speak. How is my little bean and the babies?"
"They're doing good!" Sonic answered as he approached the table and gave a small bow to his father-in-law "Though she had another of her dizzy spells this morning. But it was only for a second, she's alright," he added quickly. "Bunnie's actually with her while I came here."
Max sighed. Even though Sally was an adult and given the fact she had led an entire team of Freedom Fighters whilst he was trapped in the void all those years ago, he still couldn't help but worry about her, as any father would for their children.
"My darling child," he breathed. "She might be an adult, soon to be a mother, but I still get concerns for her welfare, but I take comfort in the knowledge that she is well looked after." He eyed Sonic a little before adding, "And I'm glad Bunnie is with her at this moment."
"Same here," Sonic agreed. "She's in good hands."
Max nodded and stood up, yet as he did, he knocked the table and the White King on his chess set fell over. "Oh Balderdash!" he groaned then winced a little as he felt pain in his hands from leaning on the table.
Sonic walked over concerned and held out his white gloved paws. "Need some help?" he asked.
"Thank you, Sonic," Max said gratefully then sighed. "My rheumatism is giving me grief again! But at least I'm not turning to crystal."
"Maybe you should take it easy?" Sonic suggested as he looked at the papers on the table ."I'll take care of this in a flash!"
"You're too kind Sonic," Max replied. "You really have come a long way. You have matured so much in these five years."
Sonic chuckled. "Well, I think it was able time I did," he said. "I mean, I do still have some of my 'tude, but I had to…" he paused as he thought for a moment. "What was it Sal called it? Oh yeah!" He then puffed out his chest, cleared his throat, and took a breath as he imitated his wife's voice. "Straighten up and fly right!"
Max laughed hard. "That's my daughter!" he said then cleared his throat as he stopped laughing and looked serious. "Sonic, I know you and I have clashed before, especially at the start."
Sonic also stopped laughing and looked solemn. "Ain't that the truth," he said. "I remember those days."
Max sighed and shook his head as he began to remember the days after he was freed from the void and life started to get back to normal after Robotnik's defeat. During his recovery from being in the void as well as getting back to being King of Mobius, he also had to deal with the fact his daughter had grown up and had chosen to marry Sonic which at first didn't sit well with Max.
"As much as you showed your bravery and courage during the war against Julian thus why I knighted you..."
As he spoke, he looked at the paintings on the wall in the Royal Chamber, most consisted of the past Kings and Queens of Acorn, as well as major events in their history, and his eyes fell on a painting of him standing before Sonic who was kneeling before him and he was tapping his shoulders with the Sword of Acorn knighting him while Alicia, Sally and Elias stood beside him and watched.
"…I never saw you being able to handle the duties of the throne when Sally choose you as her consort, your reckless behavior always got to me!"
He sighed again and looked at the next painting which was a portrait of Sally in her full princess attire, very different from the Freedom Fighter leader she had been so long ago.
"I'll never forget that day you asked for my blessing." Max said as looked back at the painting of him knighting Sonic.
~Flashback - Five Years Ago~
Max stood in front of his throne with Alicia, Elias, and Sally alongside him, and looked down at Sonic at the bottom of the small staircase. Three months had passed since Sonic and Sally had destroyed the Doomsday Project and defeated Robotnik for good. since then, he had been saved from his prison in the Void and he and Alicia and returned to rule again. Now he was honoring the Freedom Fighters for their services and bravery throughout the war and for regaining their home. Many of the Freedom fighters had been honored with knighthoods and special titles for their services, and now he was bestowing the same honor to Sonic who had been the leader alongside his daughter Sally in defeating Robotnik altogether.
Max looked to Elias who held out the famous sword of Acorn and he lifted it. "Kneel, Sonic Hedgehog." He said grandly and Sonic knelt nervously.
Behind Sonic was Jules, Bernadette, and Sir Charles. They stood at the front row with the other Freedom Fighters and their families and looked on proudly.
"Our little baby hog is all grown up, saved Mobius and is to be knighted!" Bernadette sobbed happily.
Jules hugged his wife as he smiled at his son.
"I'm so proud of our Sonny Boy!" Sir Charles chuckled as he wiped his own eyes and handed Bernadette a tissue which she took gratefully and wiped her eyes.
Max lifted the sword of Acorn and tapped Sonic's shoulders lightly. "I, King Maxmillion Acorn, dub thee Sir Sonic Hedgehog the Valiant, for your bravery, courage, compassion, your devotion to the Freedom Fighters, and your fearless services during the Robotnik War! May your courage and devotion be a shining example to the people of the Kingdom and of the planet! Arise!"
At once Sonic stood, and the whole room burst into wild applause. He could hear the Freedom Fighters cheering the loudest of all and he saw his mother bawling loudly and clapping her hands.
"That's my baby hog!" she shouted, and Jules and Sir Charles just clapped and cheered as well as gave Sonic a thumbs up.
"Atta Boy son!" Jules yelled "Way to go!"
"Well done, Sonny!" Sir Charles cheered.
"Go Sonic!" shouted Tails, twirling his two tails and rising in the air as he cheered.
"Hooray for Sonic!" squealed Amy clapping her hands.
Max smiled and clapped then he raised his hands and at once everyone settled down. "Thank you for everything Sonic," Max said. "Because of you, Sally and all those who served with you both, Mobius is once again free!"
"Thanks Pops…" Sonic coughed and blushed before correcting himself to address the King formally. "I mean, thank you sir. We only did what was right."
"And we are grateful," Max nodded at Sonic. Then he then saw Sally run from his side and go to embrace Sonic.
"Oh Sonic!" Sally cried. "I'm so proud of you! You deserve this so much!"
Sonic grinned and hugged her back before lifting her up and swinging her around causing the crowd to cheer as well as the Freedom Fighters to gush and look at them cutely. Max frowned and was about to reprimand his daughter for being unprofessional and not exhibiting royal behavior, but he felt Alicia's hand on his arm.
"It's fine Hun," She said gently.
"I'm so proud of that boy!" Jules clapped his hands as he looked at his son and Sally embracing.
"Me too hun!" Bernadette agreed still crying tears of pride.
"As am I!" Sir Charles agreed with a nod.
Max raised his hands again to quieten everyone down then looked at Sonic who released Sally and they were smiling at each other. "So Sonic," the king asked bringing Sonic's attention to him. "How do you feel now? Do you wish to say a few words?"
Sonic's eyes widened and he gulped. "A speech?" he squeaked. "Kinda putting me on the spot huh?"
"You can do it son!" Jules called over, then the other Freedom Fighters joined in words of encouragement followed by the chant of "Speech! Speech! Speech!"
Sally kissed Sonic's cheek. "I believe in you Blue," she whispered. "Soak up the praise. Whatever you want to say, if you wish to say it, say it loud and proud."
Sonic grinned as he felt a new sense of confidence welling up within. "Alright," he announced. "I'll give it a go."
Sally winked at him. "Go for it!"
Bernadette wiped her eyes again and Jules wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"Awww, my baby Hog!" she smiled.
"Come on Sonny Boy!" Sir Charles encouraged. "Say what you want to say!"
Sonic looked out at the crowd and cleared his throat to which everyone watched quietly. "Everyone," Sonic began. "I can't even put into words how I'm feeling right now." He then chuckled. "And for those of you that know me, it's usually not a problem for me to say anything because I always have something to say!"
The crowd chuckled and many of the Freedom Fighters along with Sir Charles, Jules and Bernadette nodded in agreement.
"But in all seriousness," Sonic continued. "I'm honored to have received such a title, and I'll do my best to not only represent the royal family but also all of you as well!"
As he finished his speech, the crowd cheered again loudly.
"Well said Son!" Jules praised, clapping his hands.
Sally turned to Sonic and kissed his cheek. "Well done Sonic!" she whispered. "I'm so proud of you! I love you so much!"
"I love you too babe!" Sonic chuckled nuzzling Sally's nose playfully then his emerald eyes caught those of Max who was looking down on him with a thoughtful look and at once the hedgehog turned to Sally. "I think now we should tell him."
Sally bit her lip and placed her left hand in her right and stroked her fourth finger on the left hand that was covered by silken champagne-colored gloves. "You sure Sonic?"
"As sure as anything!" Sonic replied. "Now's a good time as any."
"Okay," Sally said as her stomach gave a jolt knowing what Sonic was going to ask her father.
"Wish me luck," Sonic said chewing his lip to which Sally replied by kissing his cheek and the hedgehog kissed the ground squirrels' hands, then puffed up his chest and looked to Max and Alicia.
"Sir, Ma'am," he said, bowing to the King and Queen. "If I may, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Yes, young man?" Max asked.
Sonic took a breath. "Well, you know how much I care about and love Sally right?"
Max frowned a little and cocked his head on one side. "Yes, I do," he replied.
"With that being said sir…" Sonic gulped as he gathered his courage. "I… I would like to ask for your permission to…" he paused.
"What Sonic?" Max asked, impatience in his voice yet Alicia spoke gently to the nervous hedgehog.
"What is it dear?" she asked. "Please, say what is on your mind."
"I would like to ask your permission to..." Sonic said standing up straight. "…to marry Sally."
As those words left the hedgehog's mouth, the crowd gasped and Max and Alicia's eyes widened.
"WHAT!?" Max roared to which those nearest to him almost jumped out of their skins.
"Oh my gosh!" Bernadette cried at her son's boldness.
"What did he say!?" Jules blinked as well as put one of his fingers to his ear just to check he heard right.
"He wishes to marry the princess!?" Sir Charles exclaimed.
Elias stared speechless at Sonic and Sally and Alicia, once she had gotten over the surprise looked at her daughter and Sonic.
"Oh my…" she breathed finding her voice, then turned to Max.
Max too was rather speechless, and he blinked then finally forced himself to speak. "You wish to marry my daughter?" he spluttered to which Sonic nodded fervently.
A small smile crept onto Elias's face, and he winked at Sonic silently giving his approval then gave a thumbs up to follow.
"Yes sir, I do," Sonic confirmed.
Max then looked to Sally who lifted her left hand and took off the glove that covered it, and the crowd gasped, and Max's jaw dropped as he saw on Sally's left fourth finger was a tiny, modified power ring that glowed softly.
"Oh my gosh!" Alicia gasped. "It's beautiful!"
"He proposed already!?" Bernadette said in surprise.
"Wow!" Sir Charles added. "I knew he and Sally were in love, but marriage…wow…"
"That's such a huge step!" Jules agreed.
"Little Bean?" Max stared at Sally. "How…how long?"
"It was in Knothole," Sally answered as she held one of Sonic's hands. "By the Ring Pool. It was two weeks after Sonic and I destroyed the Doomsday Project."
Sonic nodded in agreement and squeezes Sally's hands.
Alicia looked at Max who was still staring in shock, still processing what he was seeing and what he had heard.
"Max, dear?" Alicia asked.
"Dad?" Elias stepped over to his father. "Are you alright?"
Max didn't answer and everyone was silent with worry.
"Oh man," Jules said lowly, he was ready to step in if things escalated and support his son, yet he held back. "I wonder what Max has to say regarding this?"
"Oh dear…" Bernadette whimpered.
"He's processing the information," Sir Charles breathed.
"He did just find out all this," Jules added. "No wonder he's speechless."
Sally then decided to break the silence. "Father?" She said to which Max jumped slightly then shook his head.
"Sally? My Little Bean…" Max said quietly. "You have chosen Sonic? As your suitor? Your consort?"
"Yes, I have daddy," Sally replied. "I love him."
"And I love her," Sonic spoke up firmly and truthfully as he continued to hold Sally's hand. "And…I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
As he said that, a few "Aww's" were heard in the crowd, especially from the Freedom Fighters.
Max was silent again, but Alicia stepped forward and stood before them.
"Mother?" Sally asked.
"Sonic? Sally?" the queen asked seriously. "You're both sure about this? This is a huge step for you both."
"We are ma'am," Sonic said quickly. "Absolutely sure."
"Yes Mother," Sally added. "We've been through so much and hav endured a lot to get to where we are now. And we'd love nothing more than to be able to call each other husband and wife."
Alicia then smiled and placed her hands on Sonic and Sally's hands. "Then you both have my blessing."
As the queen said those words, the crowd cheered and clapped, and Bunnie did a victory punch and Jules and Bernadette looked pleased.
"So, the queen approves at least," Sir Charles mused as he watched. "Now over to Max…"
"This is a big thing for him," Bernadette agreed. "But he has to approve of our Sonic."
"Dear?" Alicia then turned to her husband. "If I may?" she held his hands and Max looked at his wife.
"Alicia…" he croaked as his eyes shone wet. "Our…our little bean?"
"I know this has come out of nowhere for you, it did for me as well," Alicia said gently. "But you and I both know Sonic would never allow anything to happen to our daughter, and that he truly means what he says. Now yes, he can be a bit…. difficult at times." She looked to Sonic apologetically. "No offense dear."
"None taken Mama…I mean, ma'am!" Sonic quipped.
Alicia grinned at the hedgehog then looked back at Max. "But despite that, we both know him to be loyal to a fault, not only to our daughter but to our entire Kingdom and the planet as a whole. I truly do believe him when he says he loves Sally and wants to be with her. That's something that has never been in doubt. And I have given them my blessing. Would you be willing to do the same?"
Max blinked again as he took in his wife's words, he then turned to Sonic. "I am fully aware of Sonic's ways," he said in a low voice. "But…he has proven himself, as a fighter, a protector and a loyal Knight, thus why I have bestowed him the honor."
He then eyed Sonic who swallowed hard.
"And if he speaks the truth...which I hope he does, that he loves our daughter as much as he says he does and will honor his word and life to her, and any future children they have as well as the Kingdom and the planet..." He took a deep breath as he held Alicia's hands. "They too, have my blessing."
Sally gasped in happiness as she looked up at her father. "Daddy? You mean it?!"
Sonic was also floored. "R...Really sir?" he asked.
Max swallowed hard as he tried to hold back tears. "Yes Sonic," he said fervently yet forcefully. "Yes, you have my blessing to marry my daughter."
At once, the crowd cheered again, and Sonic pulled Sally towards him in a passionate embrace, kissing her then nuzzling her nose more than overjoyed he had gotten the King's blessing to marry the woman he loved.
Bernadette clapped her hands. "Oh my Gosh! Our Baby Hog is a knight and he's gonna marry the princess!"
"First Sir Sonic the Valiant! And soon to be Prince Sonic!" Sir Charles cheered. "Wow! What a lad!"
Jules dabbed his eyes. "Sonic my boy!" he wept happily. "I'm so proud of you!"
"We all are brother!" Sir Charles patted Jules's shoulder. "We better start planning his bachelor party!" he added with a chuckle.
Bunnie, Amy, and Mina hugged each other happily as they looked at Sonic and Sally holding each other lovingly.
"Ooooohhhh-Wheee!" Bunnie cheered. "Looks like we got ourselves ah wedding to plan! Not to mention Sally-Girl's bachelorette party!" to which the other girls agreed and laughed.
End Flashback
"My daughter has always trusted you and she told me many times, 'You don't know him like I do,'" Max mused.
"That sure does sound like her," Sonic agreed.
"Yes," Max continued. "And I saw how she looked at you. She's never looked at anyone the way she does you."
Sonic grinned. "Well, there's nobody quite like me!" he announced and then saw Max was still looking serious to which he cleared his throat. "Opps, my bad," He looked sheepish and Max chuckled a little.
"Indeed yes, I wasn't too happy at the start, but I could see how happy Sally was, and thus I gave you my blessing, and gave her away at the wedding."
The King let out a sigh as he remembered that day and he looked to another painting, this one was of Sonic and Sally at their wedding.
It showed them under a gazebo decorated with flowers and ribbons as well as twinkling candles, Sonic was in a smart black tuxedo with a blue shirt and blue flower in his lapel and Sally was wearing a white backless, sleeveless, Greek Goddess style dress with silver detail that trailed on the floor, as well as white flowers adorning her auburn hair that was styled behind her hair with a couple of braids holding it off her face.
Sonic smiled warmly as he looked at the painting which had been taken from one of the photos taken on that wonderful day.
"I wouldn't admit it that day but…" Max breathed. "Wow…"
"Best day of my life," Sonic mused. "Without a doubt. We were just talking about it this morning."
Max felt a tear emerge from his eyes, but he quickly wiped it away before Sonic noticed. "You were huh?" he asked. "But yes, I stood there and watched you say your vows, and then the first dance…oh…there wasn't a dry eye. Again, I wouldn't admit it at the time, but I shed a few tears."
He chuckled again to hide the fact he was trying to hold back some sobs, then looked to the next painting which showed Sonic and Sally after they were crowned Prince and Princess of Acorn after Mobotropolis was fully restored. "Since that day," Max admitted. "I have been watching you, observing you, thinking I would be right in that you couldn't handle the pressure, even though from that day you were ready to take on anything that was thrown at you, especially after all you and Sally fought for during the time I wasn't there."
He then thought about his time in the void and how he spent many days wishing he could return whilst his children and their friends were fighting a dangerous man.
"We had to grow up really quick and do what we had to do," Sonic said as he too thought back on the memories of himself and the Freedom Fighters in Knothole.
"Yes," Max agreed. "I watched you, observed you, waited to see if you would slip up, but you never did, despite the stress, you took everything in your stride, you learnt the ways of royalty, you proved yourself, and I'm glad I was wrong in my assumptions about you at the start."
He then turned to Sonic and placed his hands on Sonic's shoulders. "You are Mobius's hero and will forever be remembered as such. And now a Prince of Mobius, and one day you will be King. And I never said it before, but now, knowing what I know, and seeing you about to be the father to my twin grandchildren, I want to tell you something."
Sonic looked up at the King and Max looked him in the eyes before patting his shoulder.
"I am proud to call you, my son-in-law," Max said in a serious tone. "And I can only apologize for being wrong about you."
Sonic's eyes lit up and he grinned. After five years he had wanted to hear those words and finally he had.
"Thanks Pop!" Sonic smiled "That means a lot to me!"
Max smiled warmly. "I'm glad we spoke son. Now, onto business," He sat at the table and Sonic sat next to him.
"I'm listening," Sonic said looking at Max as he nodded his head.
Max took out some papers then placed them before Sonic, it showed a report as well as a couple of photographs of Rotor and Sir Charles.
"Your friend and fellow Freedom Fighter, Rotor Walrus, and your Uncle Sir Charles, have requested our presence as well as the Royal Court to observe a demonstration of a new device that could be beneficial to the future of Mobius," Max explained. "Especially after the destruction of the Doomsday Device and the disappearance of Julian Robotnik and his Assistant Snivley Kintobor."
Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Oh, have they? I wonder what they've cooked up this time."
"It'll be interesting to find out," Max agreed. "But I have accepted their request and they will hold the demonstration a week today. If the demonstration goes well, I will be putting in a good word to the President so they can perform the same demonstration at GUN."
"I see. Sounds great!" Sonic replied. "And I'm curious to see what they've come up with!"
"Me too," Max smiled. "And knowing your friend Rotor, he has invented many things that have helped during the war. He was indeed an important key role within the Freedom Fighters."
"He sure was!" Sonic said as he remembered during the days in Knothole when Rotor came up with every invention, gadget and machinery that would help them towards winning the war against Robotnik. "Much of what we accomplished we wouldn't have been able to do without him."
"Each and every one of you played a key role, you all had your talents and strengths!" Max stated.
"Thanks a lot, Pops!" Sonic winked and grinned and Max just smiled back at him. "I look forward to seeing what he and Unc have come up with!"
Back in Sonic and Sally's quarters, Bunnie and Sally sat on the large sofa in the living area sharing some tea as well as looking at some photo albums.
"I do declare Sally-Girl!" Bunnie said as she looked upon the ground squirrel. "You're shining and glowing more than I've ever seen you!"
Sally chuckled as she stroked her bump. "I've never felt so happy and excited Bunnie. Just like the day Sonic and I married, and now I'm expecting his children. I can't wait to meet them."
"Same here!" Bunnie agreed as she placed her flesh hand on Sally's belly. "Well, howdy there, little ones!" she called excitedly. "It's your Aunt Bunnie!"
Sally grinned and looked at her stomach. "Say hello little ones!" she said then putting on a high voice she spoke again "'Hello Aunt Bunnie!'"
"I can't wait for them to be here!" Bunnie gushed.
"Sonic and I are planning a gender reveal party," Sally grinned. "Rosie's taking care of it now that Dr Quack's found out the genders and is planning the party in two weeks so Sonic and I can have a surprise too!"
Bunnie squealed in excitement and clapped her hands.
"And I'm already thinking of how to decorate the babies' room," Sally added as she looked towards a door next to the one that lead to hers and Sonic's bedroom.
"Is that right?" Bunnie asked. "Sounds amazing!"
Sally nodded. "Oh, I can't wait to find out the genders, as well as feel them move around."
"I know right?" Bunnie agreed. "My bets on two girls!"
"Both girls, eh?" Sally asked. "Amy's bet the same thing. Don't know about the others though."
She looked back at the table where there was a folder with papers regarding her royal duties were. Since she was progressing further in her pregnancy, Dr Quack had suggested she perform her royal duties from her and Sonic's quarters so she didn't have to move around so much. Sally had thought that was a little too much, but she knew Dr Quack was thinking of her and the welfare of the babies with it being her first pregnancy. But right now, she didn't want to worry about the duties for a while and she looked back at the photo albums with Bunnie.
"Wow!" Bunnie exclaimed as she stroked some of the photos with her flesh hand. "Sure does bring back memories, don't it?"
"Yeah," Sally agreed. "Best day of my life."
"Awww! Look at us!" Bunnie gushed as she saw a photo of her, Sally Sonic and Antoine standing against the background of the Great Forest under a wooden gazebo which was covered in ribbons and flowers.
"So happy," Sally breathed dreamily. "Knothole looked so beautiful. Perfect place to have the wedding, in the very place we lived in for so long during the war."
"We sure have come a long way together haven't we Sally-Girl?" Bunnie asked.
"Indeed, yes my dear Bunnie," Sally agreed. "Such a long way, after the way we lived, not knowing if we'd see our home again or our families. And now, all our dreams came true, we fought hard and we finally got our freedom and everything we ever wanted."
As she spoke she looked at another album which showed life after Mobotropolis was restored, which also included some newspaper cuttings of the Freedom Fighters being honored and thanked and cheered by the freed people.
"That and so much more!" Bunnie cheered then looked back at the wedding albums. "Look at us! Two married women to two knuckleheads we've known since we were kids!"
Sally nodded laughing. "If anyone said that would be us in a few years when we were kids, I never would have believed them." She laughed again as she looked at a photo of Sonic and Antoine posing for the camera with a glass of champagne in each hand. "Knuckleheads, they are. But they're our knuckleheads."
"They sure are!" Bunnie agreed.
Sally then laughed again. "I remember at the wedding, before you and I walked down the aisle, Jules told me Sonic started acting his usual impatient self as he and Antoine waited for us the whole…" she paused and took a breath before doing her best Sonic impression. "I'm Waiting!" to which Bunnie collapsed into giggles.
"And Antoine looked like he was going to wet himself!" Sally added laughing with Bunnie.
"Mah Stars!" The D'Coolette exclaimed. "You sounded just like Sugar-Hog! It's official you've been with him way too long! And yeah! Poor Sugar-twan was so nervous before the wedding!"
"Thanks Bunnie," Sally laughed. "Yeah, it's true. I've been with him way too long. But I'm so happy."
She thought back to Antoine. "I never saw Antoine that nervous than when we would go scouting or spying in Robotropolis. That always terrified him!"
"Bless his heart!" Bunnie giggled as she remembered Antoine during those days, he could be a coward, but he never ran away from a mission when he was needed. "That's mah Sugar-Twan! I wouldn't trade him for the world!"
"Such as I wouldn't trade Sonic for the world," Sally agreed then sighed. "I have to say, he brings out the fun side of me. He showed me in my earlier days I didn't have to be so uptight and commanding. He always knew I had a fun side underneath my leader role and he always knew how to light up the days when I felt so low."
"Ain't that the truth," Bunnie confirmed. "You certainly were quite the drill sergeant back in the day!"
Sally chuckled. "A right royal pain, I'm sure."
"Yep!" Bunnie agreed. "Well, someone had to keep us in line."
"That is true," Sally said. "But at least I hope I wasn't a real nightmare. Sonic teases me about it sometimes." She looked down at her bump. "Oh the stories we'll have for these little munchkins."
"I know right?" Bunnie said. "We've got enough for multiple lifetimes!"
Sally nodded then she saw another photo in the album. This one showed herself and Sonic in royal robes kneeling in the throne room before a grey owl and a black and white badger in bishops' robes crowing them as Prince and Princess of Mobius.
"I remember this one!" Sally exclaimed. "Sonic was so nervous that day!"
Bunnie looked at the photo and nodded. "Mah stars, he was!" she said. "It's not every day you see Sugar-Hog get that way."
"Yeah," Sally agreed. "When it came to Robotnik, Swatbots, any enemy, you name it, he was ready to fight, no fear for his life whatsoever. But this…I thought his legs were gonna buckle and I kept holding his hand. He even told me when we walked down that aisle that fighting on the front lines was nothing compared to this…."
~Flashback - Five Years Ago~
Sonic and Sally stood before the large doors of the throne room waiting to go inside. It had been three weeks since their wedding in Knothole and a week after they had returned from their fortnight honeymoon at a private Island Beach Resort in South Mobius.
Sally was dressed in a cream dress and a matching robe with gold edgings, and Sonic was wearing a blue suit that was a lighter blue to his fur along with a red cape and gold edgings, yet he looked very nervous.
"Are you okay Sonic?" Sally asked as she held his arm.
"What…uh…yeah…." Sonic croaked as he pulled on his collar. "Peachy!"
Sally sighed and lifted a handkerchief to Sonic's forehead to wipe away the sweat. "I know you're scared hun."
"You don't know the half of it…" Sonic replied swallowing hard. "Running into battle and saving the planet, no sweat! But here…oh boy…I feel like jelly…What if I screw up?"
"You won't hun!, Sally said firmly. "I'm right here. It's going to be okay."
Sonic forced a smile at his wife then nuzzled her nose. "I'm a lucky hedgehog," he chuckled then he yelped as the doors opened and a guard appeared.
"They're ready for you now," he said.
Sonic stiffened and looked to Sally who gave him a warm smile.
"Just follow my lead," she said to which Sonic nodded and looked ahead before taking a breath. They began to walk into the throne room and up the long red carpet to where the King and Queen were waiting.
As they did so, a choir began to sing in Latin and everyone gathered in the throne room turned to look at them. Sonic tried to keep a straight face as he looked at the many older Mobians, obviously members of the Royal Court, but then he saw the Freedom Fighters as well as residents of Knothole. They smiled proudly at him as well as slightly bowed their heads, seeing him now as their prince and not just their dear friend and co-leader of the Freedom Fighters.
Sonic gripped Sally's hand that was on his arm, and Sally gently squeezed it back as well as stroked it with her thumb. They soon made it to the front where a male grey owl and a male black and white badger stood. To one side Max, Alicia and Elias stood, and Sir Charles, Jules, and Bernadette on the other.
Max was watching the couple intently which didn't make Sonic feel any more relaxed.
He then knelt in front of the owl and Sally before the badger. As they did, the owl spoke loudly as he held up a large golden crown.
"To the North!" He shouted. "I present unto you, Sonic! Your undoubted Prince of Mobius!" He placed the crown on Sonic's head to which the hedgehog swallowed hard as he processed everything.
The Badger then spoke out as he held up a small golden tiara. "To the South! I present unto you, Sally! Your undoubted Princess of Mobius!" He placed the crown on Sally's head and the ground squirrel felt a couple of tears form in her eyes.
The owl and Badger then cued them both to stand up and turn to face everyone.
"May we be proud to announce..." the Owl and Badger called out to the crowd. "Prince Sonic and Princess Sally of Mobius!"
The trumpets sounded and before long the crowd erupted into wild applause as cheers. Sonic and Sally held each other's hands tightly as they looked out to see everyone cheering for them.
"Long live Prince Sonic! Long live Princess Sally!" the cheers rang out.
The Freedom Fighters as usual shouted loudest of all and jumped up and down.
Sonic turned to his parents and Uncle Chuck who clapped proudly, and the young hedgehog beamed, a grin so huge you could see every tooth in his mouth. Sally laughed heartily and wiped a tear from her eye then she looked out to the crowd and to the people she and her husband had fought hard to save from Robotnik's iron fist, and she looked at Sonic who smiled back at her, relaxed now the hard part was over and they had a new chapter in life to look forward to.
End Flashback
Bunnie giggled. "Sugar-hog can handle saving the whole planet with no problem, but when it came to marrying you and then being crowned Prince, nervous out of his mind!"
Sally laughed "Yes, but he wanted to do it and once the ceremony was over, both the wedding and the coronation, he looked so relieved afterwards. I think during the coronation, he was nervous he'd make an idiot of himself by falling over or saying something silly, especially with Daddy watching him like a hawk."
"Not to mention his parents too!" Bunnie added.
"I was nervous too though," Sally admitted. "But then again, not as nervous as Sonic. I was always used to such things, but Sonic took the plunge and I was so proud of him."
"We all were!" Bunnie agreed.
Sally laughed then she looked at the photos of the afterparty after the coronation. "I remember this too. The big bash afterwards."
She and Bunnie chuckled at the many photos which included Sonic and Tails pulling faces at the camera, Amy looking cute, Antoine enjoying the champagne a little too much, and many more.
"What a day that was!" Bunnie remised. "We sure were a rowdy bunch that night!"
"And why not eh?" Sally asked. "We had a lot to celebrate. I don't think I've ever been so wild in my life. After all we went through and achieved, we deserved it."
"We sure as sugar did!" Bunnie said fervently.
"Almost compares to the night we celebrated Robotnik's defeat in Knothole after the Doomsday Project was destroyed," Sally smiled.
"Sure does!" Bunnie agreed. "I'm so glad those days are behind us now!"
Sally nodded, yet the smile on her face faded as she started to remember the dreams she had had recently, especially the ones involving seeing that evil face, and when she saw Mobotropolis burning, very much like when she was young when she was forced to flee after Robotnik's takeover.
Bunnie noticed her best friend's sudden change in demeaner and cocked her head on one side. "Sally-Girl? What's wrong?"
Sally blinked then sighed, but she felt comfortable to tell Bunnie her worries, as she always did, especially during her dark days in Knothole during the war. "I haven't told Sonic...but I have had some nightmares. I guess it's PTSD."
"Nightmares?" Bunnie asked placing her hands on Sally's. "Like what?"
"It might be my hormones too," Sally explained. "But I sometimes dream Robotnik has returned, that he and Snively survived and everything was lost again…all we fought for, all we recovered…replaced with blood and tears and cities on fire..."
Bunnie sighed and squeezed Sally's hands, yet careful not to hurt Sally with her left metal hand. "Sally-Girl, listen here," she said firmly. "It's just a dream, that's all. That piece of garbage is long gone and he's not coming back."
Sally looked back at Bunnie and squeezed her hands back in gratitude to her best friend listening to her. "I keep telling myself that. He's gone. Sonic and I obliterated him."
"That ya'll both did!" Bunnie smirked. "Wiped off the face of the planet!"
"I'll try and not let the dreams scare me," Sally said. "But Bunnie? Should I tell Sonic?"
Bunnie thought for a moment then looked at Sally. "I think you should."
"You sure?" Sally asked biting her lip with worry.
"It's not good to keep something like that a secret you know," Bunnie said in an honest tone.
"I guess you're right," Sally sighed. "I'll talk to him, I promise. I just, I didn't want to worry him. He's been through a lot, switching over from a knight on the front lines to being a prince and learning he's going to be King sooner than he thought. Just the mention of Robotnik...I was worried it would stress him out more."
"I'm sure he'll understand and be there for you," Bunnie reassured her friend. "Support you instead of stressing or worrying. That Sugar-Hog has come a long way from that young and immature hedgehog we knew."
"True that," Sally smiled. "He might have matured, but his personality is still the same and that's what I love about him."
"Atta Girl!" Bunnie praised. "Everything's gonna be alright! Don't let this get to you!"
"Thanks Bunnie," Sally replied, but before she could say anything else, she felt movement in her stomach. At first, she thought it was gas, but it felt a lot harder and frequent. She sat still for a moment checking she wasn't imagining things.
"Sally girl?" Bunnie asked.
Sally didn't answer, but rather she took Bunnie's flesh hand and placed it on her belly as she felt the movement again. "Do you feel that?"
Bunnie held her hand on Sally's stomach and her eyes widened as she felt the same movement. "Oh my Gosh! I do!"
"They're moving!" Sally cried with joy. "The babies are moving!" She held her stomach and squealed with happiness. "Oh, my little beans! My precious ones!"
Bunnie felt her eyes fill with tears seeing her best friend so happy as well as excited she was the first to feel the babies starting to kick. "Heh! Already some rowdy little ones!"
"Just like their father!" Sally sobbed with happiness. "Oh if only Sonic were here now!"
"Oh, I can bet you the farm that they'll move as soon as they knew their daddy is back!" Bunnie grinned.
Both girls laughed and cried with happiness until they both heard the front door open and Sally quickly turned to look over. "I think Sonic's back!" she said excitedly.
"Sounds like it!" Bunnie agreed as they both stood up.
"Sonic?" Sally called. "Honey is that you?"
At once Sonic appeared grinning his signature smirk. "Hey there ladies!" he clicked his tongue. "I'm back!"
"There's Sugar-Hog!" Bunnie cheered.
"Oh Hun!" Sally ran over and embraced her husband almost like she hadn't seen him in years even though it had only been a couple of hours since he left to speak with Max.
Sonic was surprised but he hugged his wife back. "Wow! Looks like I was missed!"
Sally pulled away and kissed his nose. "I always miss you, sweetheart!" She grinned. "And two others did too!" She took Sonic's hand and placed it on her belly just as she felt her babies moving again.
No sooner did Sally place her husband's hand on her belly than Sonic felt the movement under his fingers, and he gasped.
"Oh…oh wow…." Sonic breathed, kneeling to Sally's stomach and placing his other hand on his wife's belly as he felt the babies move. "Oh wow!" tears of happiness streamed from his eyes in happiness.
"They're moving honey!" Sally said with a choked sob and laugh. "They're moving and they know you're close!" Sally wrapped her arms around Sonic's head and stroked his quills. "They know who their daddy is! They're moving! I only just felt it!"
Sonic nuzzled Sally's stomach and kissed it gently. "This is crazy!" he sobbed happily. "They're really moving!"
"They sure are!" Bunnie grinned then took out a small camera she had on herself and took the opportunity to take photos of this happy moment between the hedgehog and ground squirrel.
"They love their daddy..." Sally whispered as she continued to stroke Sonic's quills.
"I love the little guys too..." Sonic whispered as he continued to kiss and nuzzle his wife's belly. "And I love you too Babe, so much..."
Bunnie wiped a few tears at the sight and took a few more pictures. Whatever Sonic had to say about what happened with Max could wait. This was such a happy and precious moment, and she didn't want to break her two friends out of their bubble. Taking a couple more pictures, the Bunnie grinned. She couldn't wait to tell Antoine when she got back to their quarters.