The soft glow of sunlight was peeking through the curtains as Shadow stood in the nursery, gazing down at his sleeping daughter. Briar was nestled in her crib, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath, her pink-streaked quills slightly tousled from sleep. Shadow reached down, gently stroking her cheek with his finger, marveling at how something so small could hold his entire world.

A quiet sigh escaped him as he glanced at the clock on the wall. It was time. After weeks of paternity leave, he was due back at G.U.N. in less than an hour.

"I don't want to go," he whispered, more to himself than to the sleeping infant.

"You know," Amy's soft voice came from his left, tinged with amusement, "if you stand there any longer, you might actually fuse to the spot."

Shadow turned to see his wife leaning against the doorframe, a knowing smile on her face as she held his jacket. He gave a noncommittal grunt in response, but his eyes betrayed his emotions as they flicked back to Briar.

Amy crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. "She'll still be here when you get back, you know."

"I know," Shadow replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just don't want to miss anything."

Amy smiled softly, understanding his hesitation. "I promise to call you if she so much as makes a cute noise."

Shadow nodded, but still didn't move.

Amy couldn't help but chuckle. "Shadow the Hedgehog, Ultimate Lifeform, brought to his knees by a twelve-week-old baby girl."

He shot her a half-hearted glare. "This isn't funny, Rose."

"It's a little funny," she countered, her green eyes twinkling with mirth. "And incredibly sweet."

Shadow sighed, turning back to the crib. "I just… I'm going to miss her."

"I know," Amy said, giving him a squeeze. "But it's just for a couple hours."

"Eight hours and twenty-seven minutes," Shadow corrected automatically.

Shadow's precision made Amy smile fondly. "And in those eight hours and twenty-seven minutes, I promise you, she'll be just fine." Amy reached up, gently turning Shadow's face towards her. "And think of how excited she'll be to see you when you get home."

Shadow's expression softened slightly at the thought. "You'll call if anything happens?"

"Of course," Amy assured him. "But nothing's going to happen. We'll be fine."

With a reluctant nod, Shadow leaned down and placed a feather-light kiss on Briar's forehead. "Daddy loves you," he whispered. "I'll be back soon."

As he straightened up, Amy handed him his jacket. "Now go, before G.U.N. sends a search party."

Shadow slipped on the jacket and headed for the door, pausing to give Amy a kiss. "Take care of our rosebud," he said softly. "I love you."

"I love you too," Amy replied with a smile. "Now get going, you big softie."

Shadow rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. As he reached the front door, he heard Amy call out teasingly, "And Shadow? Try not to call every hour to check in, okay?"

The dark hedgehog grumbled something under his breath about "perfectly reasonable concern" as he stepped out into the morning air.