Sonic became aware of sunlight shining on his eyelids. He shielded his eyes with one arm as he opened them, and was greeted by golden morning light shining through the balcony doors. With some effort, he sat up and swung his legs off the side of the bed, then rubbed his hand across his belly, which held his and Shadow's child.
Nine months ago, the hedgehog couple confessed their feelings for each other and made love, during which Sonic had somehow become pregnant. He and Shadow were completely taken by surprise when they found out-Sonic felt nauseous that entire day, but they didn't expect something like this. However, their surprise and confusion soon gave way to joy as they realized the wonderful news: they were going to be parents.
Of course, they quickly told their friends about the new addition to their lives, but one person found out whom they hoped wouldn't. Realizing the huge advantage it would give him, Dr. Eggman aimed to capture Sonic, knowing he couldn't fight back in his condition. Fortunately, Shadow had already thought ahead of that, and he convinced the soldiers at G.U.N to keep an eye out for Eggman for the duration of the pregnancy, and stop him if he came after Sonic. The blue one's friends were there to help as well.
Eggman tried to take Sonic a few times over the months, but was thwarted each time. Shadow, G.U.N, and Sonic's friends were all determined not to let the evil doctor get anywhere near him or the baby.
Sonic stood and opened the balcony doors, letting in the fresh morning air. The sun was slowly rising higher, its light streaking the sky and bathing the city with beautiful color. Sonic leaned against the balcony and took a moment to appreciate the magnificent view. He felt a pair of hands gently caress his belly from behind, then lips placing soft kisses on his cheek.
"Good morning, Shads." he said.
Shadow nuzzled Sonic's neck as he returned, "Good morning, love."
They were silent for a while, watching the new day begin, then Shadow felt movement in Sonic's belly. The baby was kicking, quite restlessly at that. Sonic giggled as he felt the little one moving around inside him.
"I can't wait until the baby comes." he said.
"Me neither, my love." Shadow returned, and kissed his blue lover.
Later that day, the couple went for a walk along the lake shore. Normally, being surrounded by water made Sonic afraid, but he felt safe with Shadow. Hand-in-hand, they walked slowly along the water's edge, listening to its gentle flowing, enjoying the feeling of the soft breeze through their quills. It was a perfect day, one in which nothing could go wrong.
At least, that was how it seemed.
"Shall we be getting back, love?" Shadow's question was harmless, but beneath it was concern for his partner and their child, and the need to protect them both. Sonic was well aware of his boyfriend's concern, but he appreciated it nonetheless.
"Okay, Shads. Let's go." Sonic complied.
They were walking through the grassy clearing that surrounded the lake when huge blasts shot down around them from above, and giant structures of earth entrapped them.
An evil laugh followed, and a flare of anger surged inside both Sonic and Shadow. They knew that laugh.
"Eggman!" Sonic growled as the evil doctor appeared above them in his Eggmobile.
"Why, hello, Sonic and Shadow." Eggman said with mock kindness. "A lovely day for a stroll, isn't it?"
"Don't fake your innocence." Shadow said. "You're not taking Sonic, not while I'm here."
"Oh, aren't I? Think fast!"
Eggman suddenly shot an electrifying bolt of energy at Shadow. Unfortunately, the black hedgehog didn't think fast enough, and he was hit and thrown to the ground, writhing in pain as electricity rapidly coursed through him.
"Shadow!" Sonic cried out, running to his boyfriend's side. But then a metal claw from the Eggmobile grabbed him and carried him towards Eggman, who laughed evilly.
"Looks like your boyfriend's unable to save you now." he quipped.
"You won't get away with this, Egghead!" Sonic said angrily.
"I already have, blue boy. Next stop, my lair!"
Sonic reached out to Shadow, but he was unconscious now, passed out from the pain of the electric shock. He didn't know what Eggman had planned for him, but it couldn't be good.
Please come save us, Shadow, he thought as he was being taken away.
Shadow groaned as he woke up, sore from the electricity. He stood up and stretched out his back and limbs, then looked at his surroundings with confusion. It was dusk, and he was entrapped in a ring of ragged earth. At first, he questioned how he got there, but then gasped as he remembered.
He was out for a walk with Sonic when Eggman attacked them. He had been hit with an electric shot and rendered useless, and with no one to defend him, Eggman had at last succeeded in capturing Sonic.
Angry determination overtook Shadow. He would save Sonic and their baby from the retched Eggman.
After swiftly informing G.U.N and Sonic's friends about his capture, Shadow arrived at Eggman's lair and began his search for his boyfriend. They had worked out a plan before leaving, and Shadow carried a communicator with him, which he would use to contact the others for help if he needed it. As he searched, he tried not to let his anger get to his head too much. He knew he needed to be stealthy if he was to save Sonic.
Where are you, love? he thought to himself.
Sonic panted raggedly, worn out from the physical torture he'd been put through. He grimaced with disgust as Eggman's evil laughter drowned out his hard breathing. The hedgehog was strapped to the wall by metal cuffs, and Eggman had been torturing him in all kinds of ruthless ways, mocking him all the while for his inability to resist.
Sonic weakly looked up and tried to glare at Eggman with his tired eyes. "You...won't get away with this, Egghead." he tried to say defiantly, but he was too tired. "Shadow will...come and save me."
"Oh, will he now?" Eggman said mockingly. "He'd better not be late. It's only a matter of time before I torture you into an early labor, then I'll take your baby for my own use!"
Sonic's eyes widened with disbelief, but his exclamation of anger and protest was cut off when a painful contraction hit him. Eggman laughed evilly as he gritted his teeth to keep from screaming out loud, moved in to take the baby.
"No! Get away, Eggman!" Sonic cried. "Get away from my baby!"
Just then, the door to the room Sonic was trapped in was blasted down. Shadow rushed to Sonic's side and held him protectively.
"Take one step closer to him, and your death will be imminent." he threatened.
"Shadow! You actually showed up?!" Eggman exclaimed with disbelief. "It doesn't matter. Your child will be mine soon enough!"
"Eggman tortured me into labor-ah!" Sonic was interrupted by another contraction. "He wants to take-hah-the baby for himself."
Shadow glared at Eggman with eyes full of hatred. "Kidnapping the love of my life is one thing, but attempting to take away our child..."
"What are you gonna do, Shadow? Take me on in battle all by yourself?" Eggman asked tauntingly.
"That won't be necessary." Shadow grabbed his communicator and said into it, "Now!"
Through the dimmed-out windows burst Sonic's friends and several G.U.N soldiers, their sights set on Eggman, ready for battle. Knuckles freed Sonic from his restraints.
"Shadow, take Sonic somewhere safe." Tails said. "We'll deal with Eggman."
Shadow picked Sonic up and Chaos Controlled them to their bedroom. He laid him down on the bed and checked on how far he had dilated. He was coming along surprisingly fast, and the contractions weren't far apart at all.
"Just hang on, love." Shadow said encouragingly. "It'll be over soon."
After the torture he'd suffered, Sonic didn't know if he had the strength to deliver his and Shadow's baby, but he couldn't give up now. He had to endure the pain to bring their child into the world. Soon, he was ready to push, and when the next contraction came, he pushed hard, groaning loudly in pain. He could feel himself crowning, the sensation sharp and burning.
The baby's head poked out, only to sink back in when Sonic stopped pushing. Shadow positioned his hands around the head, ready to pull as his boyfriend pushed. Sonic bore down again, harder this time, allowing Shadow to cup his hands around the baby's head and pull.
"The head is almost out, Sonic." the dark hedgehog said. "Just keep going, you're doing great."
Exhausted, but determined to get through this, Sonic pushed hard when the next contraction came, gasping in pain when the head finally emerged. The body slipped out easily, and Sonic laid back on the bed, panting heavily. He managed to smile weakly when he heard the angelic cries of his and Shadow's baby.
"W-What is it, Sh-Shadow?" Sonic asked.
"We have a daughter, Sonic. And she's absolutely beautiful." Shadow turned the baby girl towards his tired but happy boyfriend, who gasped and smiled upon seeing her. She had black fur with blue streaks and green eyes.
"Oh, Shadow, she is beautiful." he said. "She's like our little gem."
"Our precious gem." Shadow agreed.
After being dried off, the newborn hedgehog lay wrapped up in a blanket, contently snoozing, while her parents happily watched her. Their moment was interrupted when Shadow received a message from G.U.N and Sonic's friends. They had successfully stopped Eggman. Shadow congratulated them and let them know that the baby had arrived safely.
"What should we name her, Shads?" Sonic asked.
"Something beautiful, like she is."
They were both quiet as they tried to find the most beautiful name they could think of. Then Shadow settled on, "Serenity."
"Serenity...that's perfect, Shadow. Beautiful, just like her."
Sonic nuzzled Serenity affectionately. "She really is our precious gem."
"Yes, she is. And you're my precious boyfriend." Shadow kissed Sonic, then gently kissed Serenity's forehead.
Sonic yawned. "I'm so tired..." he said weakly.
Shadow took Serenity in his arms. "Get some rest, my love." he said, giving the blue hedgehog a quick kiss. "You've earned it."
He pulled the blanket up around Sonic, and his lover went out straight away. Shadow felt sorry that his boyfriend had been through so much pain in such a short time, but it was all over now, and it paid off beautifully. He looked down at Serenity and lightly tickled her, laughing under his breath at her soft little giggles.
"You have an exciting life ahead of you, sweetheart." he whispered. "We can promise you that."
