"Sshhhhh Mei it's okay, I know you're not used to here because of living in grandpa's lab but you'll get used to living here with me and Maria." Shadow said in a gentle tone rocking an infant brown-furred hedgehog female in his arms. It was late night into early morning and both Maria and Shadow had been sleeping until they'd heard crying seeing it was Mei so Shadow had decided to get up since Maria had middle-school in the morning so was tending to Mei so Maria wouldn't be woken along with being tired not being able to focus during class which he couldn't allow to happen so had gotten up seeing her look at him with her eyes.
A few days earlier they'd visited Gerald's lab much to Shadow's reluctance but he and Maria were surprised when Gerald had revealed Mei explaining he'd made her to be his lil sister and she needed help to grow and was worried about GUN finding out about her which made Shadow nervous feeling Maria hug him saying she'd help him with Mei relieving him along with Mei not needinbottles but she still was in diapers making Shadow nod. But right now, he was wrapping his wings around Mei which felt like a blanket to her which was calming her down into sleep putting her back in her crib making him feel good lying back down in bed beside Maria smiling falling asleep only that next morning, Sonic and the others saw he was tiredly feeding Mei which was sweet to them, knowing he'd explained to them about Mei when he and Maria had returned to the house but Tom and Maddie were impressed along with Sonic, Knuckles and Tails so right now, they wondered where Maria was making Shadow sigh making him get it as he got like this when Maria went to school knowing she'd be back at the end of the day so would distract her like how he distracted himself.
"Maria went to school early and Mei woke up. She's my sister and my responsibility Sonic." Shadow told him yawning making them exchange a look knowing Shadow was tired and cranky seeing Shadow yawning after changing Mei'sdisper seeing her sleepy like him and were going to his and Maria's room putting her in her crib but lying on his and Maria's bed feeling Maria's aura which was relaxing him into sleep not hearing the door open, as it was Maddie checking on him before taking Sonic and Tails to school leaving him be. She knew both Maria and Shadow were doing a good job of taking care of Mei only they should realise they weren't alone in this, they were part of the family knowing that might surprise Shadow if he heard this as Maria had exlained to Maddie about their past.
"Is he okay Maddie, as he's quiet which is weird." she heard Sonic ask..
"Yeah but he's determined to take good care of Mei when he should know he, Mei and Maria are part of our family." Maddie said which he agreed with hoping Shadow would listen to that as they left the house. "You think Shadow's gonna be okay with Mei until we get home." Sonic heard Tails asking nodding as he was looking out the window.
"Atta girl, as you slept good so you got hungry which I can relate to, plus mommy will be home from school soon but she has to do some work, we can have some fun until she's done." Shadow said to Mei as he was feeding her lunch after they'd both woken up seeing Mei giggle eating messily making Shadow chuckle cleaning up but made his wings reveal themselves making her excited as he scooped her up into a papoose wearing it like a bag leaving the house having fun seeing Mei enjoyed this making Shadow chuckle as feeling the wind through his fur was waking him up seeing the bus from the middle-school making him realise Maria was coming home flying home before she did or worried taking a deep-breath after being in his and Maria's room lying on his and Maria's bed as Mei crawled out of the papoose lying beside him.
"Mei, Shadow you okay." Shadow heard Maria saying softly in case Mei was sleeping opening the door smiling seeing them cuddling sensing her boy had been flying besides being up all night with Mei knowing Gerald had thrown him in the deep end with Mei but he was rising to this challenge with her help doing homework hearing Sonic and Tails home from school but ignored them hoping they wouldn't wake Mei or Shadow going to get an afternoon snack seeibg Sonic playing video games relieving her pouring herself milk and eating a cookie.
"I should bring Shadow a snack as he needs it, after taking care of Mei." Maria told herself leaving the kitchen going to her and Shadow's room leaving the room. Shadow then stirred a bit later after the others had eaten dinner along with Mei going downstairs relieving Maria as he was feeding the infant seeing him nod as being a big brother, especially the ultimate brother wasn't so bad making Maria smirk at himseeing Mei calm stunning Sonic at this.