Author's Note: Happy...umm...belated birthday America. Yeah so...I'm super sorry this was five days late. I tried to type it on time but it just wasn't possible. Sorry again but, I hope this makes up for it. Just a warning, I'm sorry the ending seems kind of rushed. Thank you.

Disclaimer: Sonic and anyone related to him belong to SEGA. Chelsea and Drew belong to me.

Chapter 12: Happy Independence Day

"Mommy can we go see fireworks today?"

"Of course we can. Everyone gets to see the fireworks today."

"Why mommy?"

"Because it's the fourth of July sweetie."

A furry, uncolored, ear twitched forward. It listened carefully at the conversation taking place outside of the house. Silver pressed his ear on the glass barrier, which separated him from the woman and her child, trying to listen to their conversation. The mention of fireworks caught the young hedgehog's attention.

"Where will we go to see the fireworks?"

"We'll have to decide later Ryland. Now come along, we have to get to the house before your father starts to worry."

"Yes mommy."

There were a few more phrases exchanged between the two but Silver couldn't decipher it because of the volume. He closed the curtains and fell back into his bed. What was so special about today? He didn't feel any different and nothing was happening outside so why was there a need for fireworks? Did everyone see fireworks today? His thoughts pondered off into infinity and beyond. He wondered as to what the fireworks would be like in person. He knew what they were but he only saw them on T.V. nothing more. Silver turned on his side and hugged a white stuffed rabbit he 'borrowed' from Chelsea. He sighed and started to play with the long, floppy, ears. He knew he could never see them in person anyway. He couldn't go outside because of who he was. And even if he asked Chelsea would say no. It didn't help that a certain blue hedgehog blew up at her about going outside either.

A lugubrious smile found its way to his features. Silver knew she meant well and she didn't allow them outside just because she didn't want anything happening to them but, he couldn't help but feel miserable. There were times where he wished he could be human, just for a day, so he could see whatever was out there. He didn't want to spend his whole life learning stuff from just his mom or T.V. he wanted to go to school, he wanted to go out to the mall, he'd even be happy with being limited to just walking around in the neighborhood.

It just wasn't fair.

Silver groaned. Know he had the sudden urge to bug his mother to go out and see the fireworks. He hated this feeling. The gray furry tended to get a bit of an attitude when he was denied something; which he knew was going to happen anyway. He didn't know if it was just teenage hormones or just plain puberty but he hated it. Personally, he loathed being callous towards others. It made him feel…dirty? He didn't know. All he knew was Chelsea was running an errand he and his brothers were locked inside the house doing nothing, as usual. And the thing was, something miraculous happened to him today.

Who did he think he was talking to like that? It wasn't her fault they were, flipping, anime characters!

Chelsea pushed the gas pedal when the light turned green. She gripped the steering wheel tightly as she fumed. Her eyes were narrowed and she leaned forward as if she were in a race. At the next stoplight she leaned back huffing out the anger that threatened to boil over.

Today was just not her day. First her brother called saying he couldn't make it over to see the fireworks because his girlfriend wanted to go to a party, with him, at her friend's house. Although she was glad she didn't have to worry about him seeing Sonic, Shadow and Silver it still hurt a little. Then on top of that Sonic, out of blue, got upset with her about not being able to go outside. He just screamed at her and she, like the good person she was, decided not to ground him until he was 30. Instead she just kept her cool until she couldn't take it anymore and made up the excuse to get out of the house. That wasn't the best thing to do either because that just caused the middle hedgehog to get angrier. And to sum it up she couldn't even see the fireworks today.

The light turned green and she continued her drive to nowhere. "What did I even do," she grumbled to herself, "It's not like I want them to stay in the house all the time. I really do feel bad that I do that to them but it's not by choice. If it were up to me I would take them everywhere with me but I can't. I don't want anything happening to them." Chelsea drove on until she parked her car in front of a building of condos.

How did she get here?

She found her hands open the car door and her legs carry her to an elevator. Her finger pushed the number 4 and the platform went up. Once the doors opened she walked in the beige hallway and stopped in front of door D12. Chelsea knocked on the door politely wondering, to herself, why she was here. She was startled when the door opened and Drew appeared before her.

"Oh, hey Cee-Cee. Happy Independence Day" he cheerfully exclaimed.

"H-happy Independence Day Drew." Her voice was small and soft. She glued her eyes on his shoes. Her eyes widened a bit and she raised her head, "Did I come here at a bad time? I can leave if you have somewhere to be."

Drew chuckled and smiled at her nervous behavior which was oddly peculiar but nonetheless funny. "No it's alright. I was just going to the store but it can wait. Would like to come inside already and start talking. We're wasting precious time," he teased. Chelsea rolled her eyes and pushed him out of the way. She muttered, "Jerk," while passing by him. He smirked and closed the door behind them.

Chelsea walked in not taking the time to really look around. She gruffly sat on the first sofa she saw and played around with a string that came loose from her shorts. She felt Drew sit by her. He crossed his leg put his arms behind his head.

"So Cee-Cee what brings you to my humble abode?"

Chelsea had the urge to roll here eyes again at his cockiness but settled for a sigh. She let her head fall back and crossed her arms.

"I- I just needed to get away."

Her tired and helpless tone brought Drew's full attention on here. He turned his head to her and asked, "What do you mean?"

Chelsea's eyes made patterns on the ceiling. All of frustration threatened to send her over the edge. "Get away from the house. One of my children blew up at me-"she stopped midway with here irises wide. Did she just say what she thought she said? Chelsea eyes slowly made their way to her left. She cursed mentally at Drew's expression. His eyes were the size dinner plates, his mouth was ajar and he looked slightly pale.

"D-Drew I didn't mean-"

"You have children?" he shouted. His face was in hers and he looked in her eyes praying for any signs this was a joke.

"They're not-"

"When were you going to tell me you were married Chelsea?"

Chelsea raised an eyebrow at him. The way he said husband was like he was forcefully trying to spit it out. And he said her name. She thought she heard anger but all she saw was confusion and a bit of melancholy.

"I never was married," she retorted. For some reason this statement made her embarrassed and she felt blood rush to her cheeks.

Drew moved his head back and blinked. He sat and stared at her with the weirdest face she ever saw. Chelsea's brows scrunched up in a cautious expression as a smirk grew on his face. What the heck was wrong with him? She gasped in complete disbelief at Drew's next statement.

"I know it hurts at first but, you'll get over it. Some guys are like that unfortunately. They get you pregnant and then they leave. you have to try to pick the ones that take you out first."

All Chelsea heard from that was, 'I didn't know you were a whore.' Her body flushed with embarrassment and anger. She stared at him hurt by his teasing smirk and taunting words.

Though, she failed to see the straining behind the smirk.

"T-that's not-"she tried to get out but found herself interrupted.

"Don't worry Cee-Cee, your secrets safe with me." Drew stood up, turned his back to her, put a hand on his hip and a finger in the air. "Although I always thought you were one of those really religious people."

Chelsea's knees and hands were on the seat of the couch and her eyes glittered with denial as she stuttered, "B-but Drew I-"

Drew's dark hair swayed as he looked over his shoulder and smirked. His hazelnut eyes darkened and glinted with a mixture of emotions. "I guess you proved me wrong. I didn't know you were so dirty."

She had enough. She was not like that. She never was and never will be. With a handful of new profound courage she shouted, "I was never married, I was never pregnant and I'm sure as hell a virgin you idiot!" Chelsea puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms. Drew turned to look at her with regret flowing in his system. He looked at her stunned from her outburst.

Drew rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and went to apologize but he stopped when Chelsea screamed into the pillow. She started telling him off and that was when he sighed and sat by her.

"Ughh I hate you, you stupid good for nothing…UGHHH! Why-how could you think that Drew! I'm not a prostitute! Never have been and never will be. They're not even related to me-"

"Look," he raised his palms up and sheepishly chuckled, "I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions it's just that you said 'your children' and I kind of freaked. You can't really blame me though, I am your best friend."

"Some friend you are," the young woman grumbled while hugging the same pillow.

"Hey, I said I was sorry," he cried crossing his arms and displayed a mock pout. His hazelnut irises stared at her with amusement and his pout mutated into a smile when he was playfully punched in the shoulder. Drew rubbed the sore spot and laughed, "Ouch Cee-Cee, Ouch."

"Serves you right you big jerk. I would slap you right now if I didn't like you."

"I know, I'm an ass but at least you still love me." Drew blinked multiple times fluttering his eyelashes. He made a kissy face and pushed his lips in her face making kissy sounds. The dark-skinned lady rolled her eyes and put a hand on his face pushing it away. She scoffed in disgust but a small smile made its way onto her features. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't stay mad at Drew. He just had this thing about him that made her smile.

It was annoying.

"Now that you've stopped cussing me out,- "

"I have done no such-"

"what do you have on your mind?"

Chelsea blinked. What in the name of volleyballs was that understatement of a gentlemen talking about? She cocked her head to the side staring at him as if he produced two heads. For a moment the two stared at each other; one confused and one nervous by the other's stare before a light bulb appeared over the 22 year olds head. Her face brightened and then darkened with the memories of the morning.

"Is everything alright Cee-Cee?" Drew asked noticing the saddened look.

Chelsea shook her head. She wasn't going to lie to anyone, including herself. "No not exactly. I'm taking care of three children for awhile and I've never let them outside the house." She needed to choose her words before she accidentally revealed something.

"Why not? That's unhealthy Cee-Cee. Kids need to be outside and play and do other stuff kids do."

"I know," Chelsea looked at her lap thinking of something to say, "I-It's just that they're…" she looked in his eyes with a sad smile, "Let's just say they're 'different' and if they were to go outside and somebody saw them they might get hurt. I hate that I keep them inside, I really do but I don't want to let them go and come back regretting ever stepping foot outside." Chelsea's eyes glittered. "I don't want them coming back with broken spirits. Drew, I can't handle that. I can barely handle the guilt right now." Her voice cracked towards the end.

Drew scowled at her troubled expression. He hated seeing her like this. It wasn't one of the many faces he liked to see. He tried to put himself in her place, striving to find a way to respond.

"Have you tried talking to them about it? I mean they should, probably, understand that you're just trying to protect them."

"I have, a countless number of times and they understand but sometimes, I think, it just doesn't- I don't know. One of them-"she chuckled dully with no amusement, "one of them hates me now. He screamed at me just before I left the house. And you know what Drew," Chelsea stared at a wall, her lip trembling, "I'm starting to think I deserved it."

He was speechless. He didn't know what to say. What could you say? When he was a bit younger he remembered getting in fights with his parents but this was a different situation. The variables of this 'equation' were different, if that made sense. Drew was normal-well as normal as he could be-he was healthy but, Chelsea stated these kids were…different. What did that exactly mean, he didn't know. He assumed they had some type of birth defect. But that was only an assumption.

"No you don't Chelsea."

Where did that come from?

Drew's voice hardened to a more firm state. "I don't think he meant to hurt you in any way. Believe me, when I got in a tussle with my parents we all said stuff we didn't mean but you get angry and things just slip out." He chuckled at the memories that flowed through his mind.

"I just didn't think it would hurt so much."

Her whisper was low but it seemed to be enough to silence everything. Chelsea put her head in between her index finger and thumb. She sighed and saw her vision blur with unshed tears. She rapidly blinked ridding the salty water away. There was no time for crying today, she cried too much anyway.

The look and aurora Chelsea gave off seemed to dampen the atmosphere. Drew couldn't stand to see her this way any longer but, he didn't have any ideas on how to brighten her attitude. He gave a dull pat to his forehead, racking his brain for solutions. There had to be something he could do to help. His killer best friend answers-as he would say-had to activate now. He couldn't let her down.

Nothing.

"I wish I could take them outside though. At least until I find a way to-"

Hazelnut irises lit up with excitement. He gasped when a brilliant plan-he deemed-found its way to his brain. Chelsea lifted her head to him and gave a weird expression.

"What's up with you?" she asked a little irritated at his joyful expression. It was mean but, if she wasn't happy she didn't feel like anyone else should be either.

"After this, you wouldn't be able to do anything but kiss me." Drew displayed an ear-splitting grin and held his arms in front of him, chuckling, when a pillow was thrown at him.

"I seriously doubt it. Now tell me, your happiness is annoying me." Chelsea rolled her shoulders back in a disgusted way. She gave him a funny, weird, mutated- the look someone has when they drink cherry medicine- look. "I can already feel it invading and taking over my feelings. I hate it."

A dead pan stare met her chocolate eyes.

"You're a big emo when you're sad, Cee-Cee."

"I still don't understand why we can't go out of the house." An azure hedgehog crossed his arms, putting his, entire, weight on his right leg. A scowl replaced his usual cheerful look.

"Honey, we've been over this. You know why you can't go out." A dark-skinned woman stood, staring, directly at forest green that were looking coldly at her.

"No, I don't mom." Sonic said this as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He felt his foot tap at a rapid pace.

A dark eyebrow raised in a slightly warning manner. "Watch your attitude Sonic. And what do you mean you don't know? I've told you a thousand times." Chelsea's eyes widened halfway when the cerulean male rolled his eyes and grunted in annoyance.

"Telling me I'm a freakin' cartoon character doesn't satisfy me mom. That's not enough. Why can't you just, oh, I don't know, take us in the car? I'm almost positive no one would see us." Sonic's voice hardened and his quills pricked his back from his anger. He didn't understand why they were always trapped inside. It sickened him that the only way he could feel the sun was to go to the backyard. For some reason all his life he always felt the urge to run, just run. He couldn't do that if he was stuck here.

The young woman's lips straightened. Her black brows furrowed together. She felt a pang run through her chest. Has she been getting those often lately? Sonic's tone irked her to no end but what bothered her was; where was this anger was coming from? First she was reading and the next thing she knows he's glaring at her.

"Speedy, you know I can't risk that." Chelsea went to softly grab his forearms. When she did she was taken back when the famous blue hedgehog snatched them away from her.

"Don't call me that mom," he said firmly. Sonic glared at her with all the anger he could conjure up. He didn't care about her hurt look at all.

"Every day I'm stuck in here doing nothing but watching the stupid T.V." he dropped his arms to his side and clenched his fists. "I am literally shaking, sometimes, because all this energy is inside my body but I can't do anything but run around in circles in the damn backyard." He angrily gestured towards the back.

"Sonic!" Chelsea shouted, with concern and worry sketching her features. What was wrong with him? Why was he, out of the blue, talking about this? She felt her anger lessen for some unknown reason. "Watch your language." Her voice went high.

"Is that all you care about? My word- what kind of mother keeps her children inside 24/7, huh!?" his voice rose dangerously. "I bet you like to do this. I think you do this on purpose."

"Wha- Sonic, no. I'm not doing this to you purposely. I wouldn't keep you from outside by choice, "the 22 year old cried out stunned at his accusation. She reached a hand out for him and flinched when he hastily stepped back.

"Shut up. Stop lying!" Sonic clenched his teeth and growled.

He didn't understand anything anymore.

"You're keeping us in here because we're animals. Just because you're a human and we're not doesn't make us any different. You say you're a Christian and you follow the Bible but yet you treat us like we're so different and so abnormal. I-I can't…" Sonic's words avoided him as the anger in his chest erupted like a volcano. He couldn't take it anymore. His mind always bothered about him about this subject and to confront her about it but he always pushed it to the back of his mind. But today was the day where he couldn't push it back. It instead tore through the bonds and seemed to take over the navy furry.

Sonic watched as his mom looked at him stunned. Her eyes were wide and her mouth agape. Chelsea's silence angered him but, he didn't know why?

"Well? Say something." His head jerked forward as if being closer would prompt her answer.

"I-I…" her strained voice hung in the air. Chelsea stared. That was the only thing she could do. Surprisingly, there were no tears, she wasn't trembling in fear, nothing. All she could do, was stare. His glare didn't intimidate her in the least bit and his tensed stance didn't scare her either.

From the bottom of their hearts they both knew Sonic wouldn't dare to touch Chelsea. It would never come to that. Ever. Period.

Her breathing suddenly became pants from the tension of the room. Her emotions were jumbled up until she couldn't tell the difference between them.

"I need to run an errand."

It was the first thing her absent mind came up with. Get out of the house and, what better way than to run an errand.

Apparently that was the wrong answer.

Sonic scoffed in disbelief. He crossed his arms and gave a wicked smirk that had not a single trace mirth. "Oh so now you're mocking. Thank you mom. Wait, should I even call you that?" The anger that erupted before now overflowed his body. Sonic came up to her face and looked at her with sadness and anger combined.

She would never get that look to stop haunting her memories.

Sonic shook his head and clenched his eyes shut before opening them. Chelsea gasped and leaned away from him.

"I hate you so much. I wish you weren't my mother."

And with that, he turned on his heels and angrily stomped up the stairs quickly. Quickly than he could remember. Sonic abruptly stopped when golden and ruby eyes looked at him impassively but he disregarded it and rudely pushed the two hedgehogs out of his way.

The rest of the story was simple and short.

Sonic slammed his door shut. Shadow and Silver looked at their mother worriedly but she was already halfway through the door. Before she fully closed it she dully said, "I'll be back soon, bye you two and tell Sonic I said bye." Chelsea's voice lowered and they had to strain their ears to hear. "I love you three." She them shut the door, not giving them the chance to reply.

He didn't care what they said. He didn't care what they did. And he certainly didn't care about how thought of him.

Sonic sat on his bed still infuriated. He was very displeased with his mother but as soon as she left his other look-alikes started pummeling him with, 'That was a stupid thing to say', or 'Sonic you know she loves us. You hurt her feelings a lot' and 'That was disrespectful faker' and even 'We know you didn't mean to say that but you need to apologize'.

Who gave them the right to tell him how he felt, or what to say, or what he thought? Sonic knew he hurt her feelings, so what? She hurt his every day. Just because he didn't say anything doesn't about it doesn't mean it was right for her to do so, right? And he definitely wasn't going to apologize. He meant what he said and said what he meant.

The azure furry fell back and stared at the ceiling. A hesitant, small, smile creped onto his muzzle.

He, secretly, always loved Horton Hears a Who.

The sound of wood rubbing wood caused his ear to flicker. Sonic sighed and turned on his side. Chelsea was back. Was it wrong that he winced when he said her real name in his mind? It felt…foreign. How did Shadow say it so freely?

"Sonic, Shadow, Silver could do come down here please?"

Why would she want him near her after everything he said to her? Sonic rolled his eyes when a vision of him getting scolded played in his mind. Of course, he was going to get a tongue lashing the minute he was in her eyesight. Reluctantly, he rolled off the bed and made his way to the origin of the voice. As he sluggishly strolled down the carpeted steps he ignored the warning glare the ebony hedgehog gave him and the worried glance the silver furry gifted. He rolled his eyes again and pushed past them.

All three hedgehogs stood before Chelsea who was at the dining table playing a game on her phone. When Silver said, "You called mom?"

She looked up and then quickly back down at her phone pausing the game and clicking it off. Chelsea stood up a bit too hastily.

"We have to go."

Three pairs of eyes blinked. What did she just say?

The dark-skinned woman felt the odd stared on her as she moved her eyes and head around pretending to look for something. It suddenly dawned her that she forgot where she placed her keys. With a irritated sigh she began looking for them before saying, "Hurry get in the car. We're going to be late. Oh, where in the world did I put my keys I just had them?"

Silver's heart skipped a beat. A full wave of confusion hit him in an instant. Did she say 'get in the car'? His brain kept telling him to calm down and that this must be some kind of lesson she planned out for Sonic but, he couldn't keep the organ in his chest from pumping rapidly. "W-wait, what?" he stuttered.

"Oh, honey, I said if you guys don't get in the car we're going to be-where are they…" Chelsea trailed off busily searching for the keys. She was oblivious to the huge grin the almost ripped Silver's face in half.

A feeling of giddiness washed over the youngest hedgehog. His mouth was open in a smile and his golden hue eyes sparkled with so much joy, it seemed like they were replaced with diamonds. Silver started hyperventilating only for a second before pinching himself. When he winced he jumped straight up into the air fist pumping. This wasn't a dream. This was real. This was really real. His prayers were answered! His quills swayed side to side as he looked for his iPod Touch. He needed to capture every bit of the outside world.

"This is the best day of my entire life!"

As Silver dashed off someplace two hedgehogs were left. An azure hedgehog that had a completely blank look on his face and an ebony one who narrowed his eyes at Chelsea.

Was this some kind of joke? When someone has been enclosed from the outdoors all their life you don't just stroll in and say get in the car we're going somewhere. That defies every logical explanation there is. Shadow scoffed at how trusting Silver was. You don't just give into something like this.

Shadow sent invisible daggers, through his eyes, at his mother who still searched for the metal keys. The only thing he felt was suspicion. If Chelsea was playing them he would make sure she would pay. Not anything drastic but something she would remember. This was not something to be joked about and he wanted the real answers.

"Mother, what are you implying?" His deep voice held made the question sound more of a demand. Shadow crossed his arms.

Chelsea picked out all the flowers in the vase and looked through them. Absent mindedly she said, "I'm not implying anything. I just want you guys to get in the car." She threw her arms in the air and whined when she couldn't find the blasted things. "Oh come on, I just had them. Where could they be!?"

A dark brow raised and the crimson striped male let his arms drop. She said that sentence as if it were second nature. His brain suddenly buzzed with endless questions which he couldn't keep shut. "But what about us? You said we couldn't be seen. This doesn't make sense. What if we are seen? What if our appearance gets you into trouble? Why are you so happy? Weren't you just upset with Sonic? Wait, why are we even going anywhere? Where are we going? Are you alright? Did you take your pills today? Aren't you mad? You can't just say get in the car. Th-that's not right. Wait, I'm confused. But how did you-, I don't- but…WHY?" Shadow's rambling caused him a massive headache and he rubbed his temples in agony. It just didn't make sense. And if it didn't make sense it usually caused him to think about it until he could barely lift his own head.

His headache must've been powerful and contagious because Chelsea found herself rubbing her forehead. She giggled at his expression. It was quite comical and not to mention cute when Shadow got confused. He was different person, he wasn't the dark, brooding hedgehog anymore who always kept his cool. When he thought too hard it sent him way off and he always made this cross-eyed look. She shook her head and continued looking for her keys.

"Shadow, baby, just stop talking and sit in the car. If you think too much your eyes are going to get stuck like that."

Shadow blinked and found himself looking at his nose. Before he was able to conjure up a million and one questions on what she meant he stopped it. With a, dreadfully confused, sigh he trudged his way to the garage. He mumbled incoherent phrases, talking to himself.

Now there was only one hedgehog left. One, very, blue hedgehog.

Words avoided him, thoughts avoided him. Sonic's body went numb. He couldn't feel anything but his heart which thumped and thumped. His eyes showed no emotion but they were wide. His mouth said was ajar but no words came out. He just stood there gawking at Chelsea.

To be honest, his reaction kind of scared Chelsea. He just looked at her with no emotion and silence. The kind of silence there is just before someone leaps out of the shadows with a knife. This was the thing he wanted from her so, why was he so…blank. Chelsea's full attention landed upon the cerulean male. She went up to him, cautiously, not wanting to alarm him. When she was in front of she whispered, "Do you think you could sit in the car for me."

His emerald eyes studied her chocolate ones. Sonic nodded and he almost didn't realize his feet were moving.

Why wasn't he mad at her? Why wasn't she mad at him? Why did he feel like breaking down?

"Mother, what happens if I open the door?"

"What do you mean Shady?"

"Will something happen if I open the car door?"

"Oh my gosh Shady, just open the door."

Sonic looked up to see he was standing beside Shadow and Silver. The silver one was jumping in his spot waiting impatiently for the older on to open the door to the backseat but, he seemed hesitant to.

"What the hay Shadow, open the door!" Silver flung his arms frantically

"You don't know what will happen. Have you seen what these things can do? One touch and you blow up. It might sound ridiculous but that's what happens in all the shows!"

A laugh was heard from the dark-skinned woman. The look on Shadow's was almost as if he was scared of the car. "Are you serious?"

He nodded with alarmed eyes. "I'm not opening the door," he snapped his, crimson, eyes shut and grunted in defiance. "I don't feel like cutting my life short right now."

"Oh, you big cry baby-just open the flipping door Shadow!" Silver earned a glare from the ebony hedgehog.

"Watch it faker. I am no such thing."

"And I'm not a faker!"

"Someone, just, open the door," Chelsea shouted already tired with the situation.

Sonic opened the silver door and easily sat down without a word. He felt everybody's eyes on him while he found the seat belt and clicked it in the lock. His eyes stayed on his hands as he played with them.

He still didn't understand.

The three pairs of eyes outside of the car glanced at each other with concern sparked in them. A soft smile came from the human and the two hedgehogs, wordlessly, got into the car.

It wasn't anything they expected at all. It was small inside but roomy enough to sit and move. The cotton seats were firm but soft against the skin under their fur. The roof above them was also soft, when they touched it, but something hard was behind it. Sonic shut the door, making a loud bang, causing Shadow to jump and hit his head. Silver snickered and a, barely noticeable, smirk came upon the azure hedgehog's, coral pink, muzzle. Shadow caught the smirk and, despite the humiliation, he was satisfied that the second oldest wasn't completely…gone.

After a quick seat belt check Chelsea put the keys, which were in her pocket the whole time, in the ignition. The sound of the engine running startled them. Sonic, Shadow and Silver all tried to look at her, hitting their heads together in the process.

"W-what's t-that s-s-sound mom?" Silver asked shaking in slight fear. He didn't realize he was hugging Sonic, who was very uncomfortable by this.

Chelsea rolled her eyes and looked back and put the car in reverse. "It's just the engine. I need the engine to start in order to make the car move. Don't worry, sweetie, nothing is going to happen," she chuckled as the car started backing out. She stared at the back window making sure nothing was in her way. When the car was fully out of the garage the orange sunlight hit the three hedgehogs from the windows. They took no time in scrambling to the window. Shadow had his own while Sonic and Silver shared one. Their faces and hands were pressed against the car window. The mother of the three giggled in amusement as their eyes widened in awe. They haven't even gone past their front yard.

The car soon arrived on the road, parallel to the house. This was the first time the three hedgehogs ever saw their house. They knew it was big but the size of it, in their own eyes, was overwhelming. It made them feel like ants. When they looked around they gasped when they saw all the other houses. The houses were similar in size. Their house was made of bricks but it was covered in white paint. There were traces of purple but they didn't get a chance to actually take in the picture.

As the car glided along the hardened tar Sonic couldn't help but feel a burst of excitement run through him. The trees weren't anything he imagined. From what he saw on T.V. trees were always green and huge but, he could saw otherwise. Some of these trees were in fact enormous in size but some of them were their height. There weren't only green leaves; there were red, yellow and brown. There weren't many of these colors but he still saw them. Sonic silently gasped. The nature outside was breath taking. All his thoughts of the outside world came to life and they were much more realistic. His eyes sparkled as he observed the grass, the flowers and the many other plants he didn't recognize. The cerulean hedgehog suddenly felt the urge to stick his just touch the outside air. It might've sounded weird but, something in him craved to feel everything that was outside. To breathe the crisp air that everyone on T.V. did. He wanted to ask but he dint want to ruin this. If his mom was still mad at him, one bad move and he would ruin everything. So unwillingly, he kept quiet and let Mother Nature stun him from behind the window.

There were many buildings. Many, many, buildings. There were also hundreds of cars surrounding them and endless amounts of road to drive on. The feeling of giddiness, mixed with mirth, joy, happiness, awe, cheer, merriment, and any other word, you can think of, that has to do with happiness crashed into Silver. The immense, teeth showing, smile would never be overcome by any other. His golden eyes shined with curiosity and childlike innocence as he watched the activity take place on the other side of the window. His seat belt couldn't keep him contained in his seat. All the people out there were doing activities he could only dream of. Some of them skate boarded, others road their bikes, people walked, drove cars ate burgers and fries outside, and under trees. People watered plants, walked their dogs, carried bags, and jogged. Silver was amazed at all the possible things you could do. What caught his attention were two children, they had to be at least six, which were running about one chasing the other. Once in awhile, when someone touched another they would say, "Tag! You're it," and then they would run. It looked so weird yet he wanted to play too. A slight feeling of jealousy touched him. He never remembered ever having that much fun with anybody. Silver shook his head and smiled, painfully pushing the jealousy into the darkest corner of his mind. Now was not the time to think negatively. To take his mind off of it further he continued staring at the amazing colors on all the buildings.

Shadow never thought the sky was this big. I mean he knew it was big but, this was big. In the backyard he would look up and see the massive blue ocean in the sky and wouldn't think anything of it. But now, he stared at the same cloud for what seemed like a million years and the car barely moved past it. Because it was in the evening the sky was a mixture of blue and light orange but it was still breathe taking. The vastness of it calmed him yet made him nervous. Where did it end? All things ended so where was this ending of the sky? Ruby eyes liquefied in confusion. The outside world seemed go against everything he thought. It was very different. Nothing he could ever think of. He observed the human activities but, it didn't interest him. He tried focusing on the nature that surrounded him, which he found intriguing at first but he found his attention back on the sky. Just looking at it brought him an eerie type of peace he wasn't use to. It also allowed him to think for some reason. He felt like he could think more freely. It was weird yet comforting.

It was funny how you could turn from, know it all, teenagers to, always curious, toddlers in five seconds flat. Chelsea kept her eyes on the road and smiled at the gasps she heard once in awhile. When she stopped at a red light she took the time to glance at them. She giggled. Their faces were smushed against the glass and they were barely sitting in their seats. These were one of those times where she thanked the tinted windows. As the light turned green and she drove she said, "Are you enjoying yourselves?"

When she received absent minded 'mmhm's she chuckled lightly once more. If they were amazed now, wait till they got to their destination. She would admit. Drew's plan was simply genius.

The white car stopped at a beach? Sonic jerked his head back and almost laughed at the mist and clouded mirror that he made from his face. He looked around and saw multitudes of sand. He looked over his shoulder and met Shadow and Silver's eyes that also held question. The three jerked their heads towards the sound of the car door closing.

Chelsea held her sandals in her hand and shook them before throwing them a under a nearby tree. Sonic opened the car door but couldn't get out. The air outside hit him like a ton of bricks. It was crisp and had the smell of salt. (Hence the beach) He felt the cool ocean breeze caress his face and an overwhelming feeling of freedom enveloped his body. The blue male wasted no time unbuckling his seat belt and standing on the concrete which was a mere few feet away from the sand. He stepped towards it.

"Wait Speedy. You have to take off your socks and shoes before going on the sand. I don't want sand in the car."

She called him Speedy. Why wasn't she mad at him?

Sonic nodded and, obeying her orders, started taking them off.

Silver followed his older brother out of the car and laughed when the wind smoothed over his body. His skinny arms straightened out to the sides of him. He didn't care how silly he looked it felt refreshing to him. When he let his arms drop to his sides he copied Sonic's movements, trying to get on the sand as soon as possible.

The air was nice. It was less heavy than the air inside the house. It smelt nice also. The crimson hedgehog had no difficulty getting out of the car. He took in the scenery around him. A beach outstretched the horizon and just a few feet away was the parking lot they stood on. His ruby eyes watched as two hedgehogs taking their shoes and socks off. His eyes almost popped out of their eye sockets.

Shadow wasn't ready just yet. He got out of the car alright but he wasn't going to take off his shoes. The feeling of being naked wasn't one he was going to get accustomed to any time soon. It bothered him and he felt dirty. And besides, he was uncomfortable with his feet anyway. He felt embarrassed to show them to anybody then himself. He crossed his arms and turned his back on the three beings. He would be just fine with his shoes on.

"Hey Shady, do you mind taking your shoes and socks off?" Chelsea asked softly, noticing he wasn't mimicking Sonic and Silver.

"I am not exposing my feet in public," Shadow grunted.

The young woman dropped her shoulders and gave him a dead pan stare. "Don't tell me we're going to start with this naked business again." She sighed when he didn't respond. "If it makes you feel any better, no one else is going to be around here. Only us. I promise." She made sure of that.

Shadow looked over his shoulder and caught her eyes. He humphed and looked down at his feet and blushed. "It's not only that." He gingerly played with his feet.

She cocked her head to the side and raised a brow. "What do you mean." A hand was placed on her hip. And here she thought Sonic was the stubborn one.

The onyx male's blush turned a deeper shade of red. He watched as Chelsea traveled to his side. As she stood next to her he observed her feet with envy before glaring at his. Without looking at her he murmured, "Our feet aren't exactly, like yours."

Confusion hit Chelsea. "What do you mean-"

"Hey mom, where should we put our shoes?"

She looked back and at Sonic and Silver. They held out there shoes with their socks stuffed in them. Before she said anything she glanced at their feet. Chelsea's eyes widened a bit. They were particularly big. Let's just say they made her feet look like sticks. But the thing was she didn't see anything wrong with them. She actually expected it from all the pictures she's seen.

"Put them under that tree." She pointed to the same tree she put her sandals under.

Shadow watched her face closely. Her widened eyes were all needed to set his mind. He wasn't going to take off his shoes no matter what. "See what I mean. Not only are our feet like that my feet are…it's just embarrassing. I'm not taking my shoes off."

"Aww come on Shady. Take them off. Please? I don't care how they are. I mean don't you want to feel the sand? It's really soft."

He gritted his teeth and looked away from his mother. He didn't understand why she had this kind of power over him. If she told him to do something he would always do it in the end. If he didn't follow her orders in the beginning something inside him would nag him till he obeyed.

"Fine but, if you laugh-"

"I won't."

Reluctantly Shadow bent over and slid his socks off. He handed them to her but didn't let them go. Chelsea pulled and pulled until he finally snatched it away from him. She gave him a weird before signaling him for the socks. He sighed and glared at her and hesitantly took them off.

…

…

…

A loud laugh erupted from the small beach. Chelsea fell over clutching her stomach. The ache was ignored as tears ran down her cheeks. She rolled in laughter when she took another look at the black hedgehog's feet.

"Why-why are they s-so fat!? BAHAHAHAHAHA."

Shadow's head was flushed in red from embarrassment and anger. He clenched his fists, and stomped his bare foot on the ground. "Stop laughing Chelsea! You said you wouldn't laugh! STOP LAUGHING!" he shouted. He bared his fangs at her.

Chelsea looked up at him panting from the lack of air. She took a huge gasp filling her aching lungs with the substance. She smiled as she got up from the ground and smiled at him. She stifled another laugh when she caught another look of his feet. Once she was in front of him she bowed in mockingly. "I am so sorry your highness." She looked down and saw his crimson striped feet and laughed once again.

"Y-your feet…pfft…there…pfft… so…HAAHAHA. I-I'm sorry Shady they're just so big." She quickly put a hand on her mouth once Shadow started walking away. Chelsea raced after him, grabbing his arm. He snatched it away angrily and glared at her, red drowning his muzzle.

"Leave me alone. I'm going back in the car." Shadow puffed his cheeks before turning away from her.

The 22 year old, once again, locked her hands around his arm. When he tried to free his arm she gripped it tighter. "Sh-shady," she giggled, "I'm sorry. I really am. Please come back. I promise I won't laugh." Chelsea gave him her best puppy dog face. "You wouldn't want to sadden your dear mother would you?"

"It would give me the greatest pleasure."

"Oh come on Shadow."

Shadow eyed her. "Do you promise you won't laugh anymore?"

"Cross my heart." Chelsea made an 'X' on her chest.

After another look over he sighed. "Fine." He already wanted to go back home.

A squeal came from her and she dragged him to the sandy beach, where Sonic and Silver were already running around on. As soon as Shadow stepped foot on the sand he felt it massage his feet. The grains ran between his feet and it slightly tickled him.

"Mom, look at what I found!" Silver screamed from 20 feet away. He held a white shell high in the air. "It's so pretty."

"Good job Silvy. Do you think you can find a bigger one for me?"

"Sure!"

Shadow looked at the water with curiosity. He jumped a bit when someone pushed him causing him to almost fall in it.

"Tag, you're it."

Sonic went running past him. The ebony hedgehog blinked at the direction he went in before chasing after him. "Come back here faker," he shouted.

Chelsea watched as they
ran after each other. She giggled when poor Silver was tagged and face planted in the sand. She sat on her hind looking out towards the sea. She picked up multiple, broken, shells surrounding her. The dark-skinned woman gasped when she felt a poke on her shoulder.

"Tag, you're it."

She turned her head to see Silver flash a piece sign before dashing off. Chelsea grinned and immediately stood up and ran.

"I'm gonna get you Silvy." Her arms were stretched in front of her.

Throughout the rest of evening the four chased each other, tackling and tumbling on the sandy beach. Laughter filled the air and joy was set in the atmosphere. The sun set on the sea casting out orange, red and purple rays making it the perfect setting. The sea glittered and the waves crashed distributing calming sounds. The sea gulls flew in the air screaming whatever annoying sound they made.

In the night sky panting was all that was heard. There were gasps for breathe wheezes. Four beings, three hedgehogs and one human particularly, were covered in sand from head to toe. The human rubbed her arms and legs in attempt to get rid of the, yellow, grains.

"You know, you guys didn't have to tackle me to the ground. When you're playing tag you normally just poke people."

The three hedgehogs shook their quills and also rubbed their limbs trying to get rid of the sand. "You did it too," they said in perfect harmonization. Chocolate eyes rolled and a scoff came from dark lips. "You did it first," Chelsea retorted quietly, crossing her arms. She pouted playfully.

A steady smile came upon all of their faces and hearty laughter filled the air. The four sat on the sand facing each other. All of their sandy feet touched. Silver suddenly brightened.

"Ooh I just remembered a game we could play."

"I hope it doesn't have anything to do with running. I'm getting too old for that. Next thing you know I break a hip," Chelsea semi-joked.

"Your 22 mother and, let's face it, you just don't have good stamina," Shadow smirked as he was playfully kicked in his shin.

"Kudos to that," Sonic agreed laughing. Chelsea also smacked his arm. She puffed out her cheeks and murmured, "You two are so cruel. Forget you, I liked Silver more anyway."

"I always knew I was he was your favorite."

"Actually, Shadow, I always thought she liked you more."

"As if. She's harder on me than you guys. But I did always think she always liked you a little more also. You get away with everything."

"That's not true. I get in trouble 20 times a day."

"Be quiet you two. I was just joking. I love you all the same. I have no favorites."

Silver stared at them irritated. When he finally had it he said, "Umm excuse me, but I was saying that we could play a game before you guys INTERRUPTED me." The three looked his way and sheepishly apologized. When Silver was just about to say something a loud banging sound erupted from the sky. The metallic furry yelled out in fright and jumped into Chelsea's arms. Sonic, also startled moved closer towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist colliding with Silver's. He looked around and growled lowly. Shadow, thinking it was a gun, stood up and put an arm out protectively but, he inched closer to Chelsea.

Chelsea just laughed and earned stare filled with disbelief.

"Why are you laughing? Somebody has a gun and-"Shadow started but she interrupted.

"Sit down Shadow and every one look at the sky." She nodded her head upwards. The three hedgehogs cautiously obeyed and their jaws dropped in amazement.

The black sky was filled with exploding flames that were purple. It spread out like a water geyser and then sprinkled down burning out. Soon two took its place, one green and one red and when the color were distributed the same sound split through the air.

"Happy Independence day guys."

Sonic, Shadow and Silver gazed at her while she kept her eyes on the sky. The light from the fireworks made her appear the same colors. They looked at each other and then back at her. Chelsea met their eyes and smiled a heart-warming smile.

"I'm sorry," Chelsea whispered, "I'm so sorry."

Their eyes widened. They knew what she was talking about. They huddled up against her and wrapped their arms around her. She also did that to them and kissed the top of their heads.

Another firework exploded in the dark sky.

"You have nothing to be sorry about mother," Shadow said nuzzling into her side.

"He's right mom. We understand that you only want to protect us." Silver sighed calmly, absorbing the loving embrace he was in.

Chelsea's smile grew wider. She hugged them closer and fixed her gaze back on the fireworks. It slightly worried her that Sonic didn't say anything but she knew it would take time and she would keep on loving him every step of the way. She soon pushed away that thought when she felt someone poke her. Chelsea looked down and Sonic met her gaze. He rested his chin on the left side of her chest. Unshed tears brimmed his bottom eye lid but it was too dark for her to see.

He wanted to say something to her. He longed to thank her for taking them outside. He wanted to say he was sorry but he couldn't. The words would not come out. Sonic couldn't bear to look at her anymore. She smiled at him yet he never said anything. It was as though she could see right through him and she knew what he wanted to say. His quills swayed as he buried his head back in her chest, squeezing her. He rapidly blinked back the tears. He didn't care about the fireworks anymore. He just wanted to go back home.

"Speedy please look at the fireworks. I really don't want you to miss them."

But he couldn't ignore her pleas.

"Goodnight Shady. I love you."

"I love you too mother. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Silvy. I love you."

"Goodnight mom. Love you too. And thank you for today."

"No problem. Remember, both of you pray before you go to bed."

"Yeah, yeah. Go to sleep."

"Ha-ha. Sweet dreams."

And azure ear flickered as it picked up the conversations. Sonic quickly jumped in his bed pulling the heavy sheets on his body when footsteps approached his door. He laid his head on the pillow. The door opened as expected and Sonic watched as his mom walked towards the bed. Her small hand touched his cheek and her thumb caressed it. She whispered, "Goodnight speedy. I love you," and headed towards the door.

That was all it took.

Sonic grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. Chelsea fell on the bed, in a tight embrace. She sat up surprised. She suddenly felt her shirt become wet.

"S-speedy?"

Chelsea gasped when a violent sob ripped through the air. She felt the vibration on her stomach. She instantly brought her hands on his back and rubbed it.

Sonic's shoulders shook as he cried, "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." He looked up with red eyes a hot tears strolling down his cheeks. He shook his head slowly. "I-I never hated you. I was just mad. I never meant to hurt you-" Chelsea put a finger on his lips and shushed him. She pushed his head back into her chest.

"It's alright. I know."

"Please forgive me. Please don't hate me." He clung on to her shirt.

"I already have sweetie. I never did hate you."

"I'm sorry mommy. I love you."

"I love you to baby."

And for the rest of the night Sonic cried till he fell asleep.

He fell asleep with a light heart that night.

Thank you for reading. R&R

~God Bless You~