#willxval

[lubedoo]

SonAmy Week 2025: Epilogue

TGIF!

SonAmy Week at the Woodchuck Homestead wraps up with another visit to the campfire pit... and a surprise for Amy from Sonic.

I hope you all have enjoyed these little tales (pun intended) for SonAmy Week 2025... feedback is always welcome. Please stay tuned for the latest chapter in the LoveBytes Fanfic 'What Has Been Brought Together' starring CC and Tails... set to post Monday 8/4!

Epilogue

The Hedgehogs and Woodchucks all enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Coffee Shop, Will and Val telling stories of the times they spent at the shop and how much their relationship grew (and reconnected) over the years at this place.  Amy looked on dreamily, holding Sonic’s hand and recalling their adventures together in her mind.  After lunch they headed back to the Homestead to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and light dinner cooked expertly by Valerie, and once night fell they wandered over to the firepit for one last evening under the stars.

As they sat around the crackling campfire reflecting on the week, Sonic looked gratefully at Will and Val:  “We’ve had an awesome time, you guys!  Thanks so much for having us up here!”  They smiled back at Sonic and Amy, Val giving Will a tight side-hug:  “It’s been our pleasure.  We love having guests at the Homestead.  Maybe next time we can get more of the Group to join us!”  The Couples cuddled and watched the warm glow from the gentle flames licking at the logs in front of them, then a look of realization crossed Sonic’s face:  “Y’know… it was awesome having your buds give us an impromptu jazz concert when we first arrived… but now it doesn’t seem right to sit here without some music…”  Amy looked at him quizzically as he reached behind his chair and pulled out a well worn guitar, strumming some chords absently.

Will looked amazed:  “Sonic!  I didn’t know you played!”  “Eh, I dabble somewhat,” shrugged Sonic.  “But I heard this song that I had to play for Amy… especially knowing our past and how well this week has… followed.”

He picked a few notes of a familiar melody, then broke into song:

“Stay with me… My Love, I hope you'll always be Right here by my side if ever I need you… oh, My Love In your arms… I feel so safe, and so secure… And every day is such a perfect day to spend Alone with you

I will Follow You, will you Follow Me All the days and nights that we know will be I will stay with you, will you stay with me Just one single tear in each passing year…”

True to the lyrics of the song, a single tear rolled down Amy’s cheek as her heart swelled with love for her husband, and the words of his song.  How well it fit them, she marveled, and all the adventures they’ve had since they were kids.  Sonic smiled back at her as he continued to sing:

“With the dark… oh, I see so very clearly now All my fears are drifting by me so slowly now… fading away I can say… the night is long but you are here Close at hand, oh, I'm better for the smile you give And while I live I will…

Follow You, will you Follow Me All the days and nights that we know will be I will stay with you, will you stay with me Just one single tear in each passing year…”

The blue hedgehog smiled as he strummed a closing chord and placed the guitar aside of his chair… just in time for Amy to tackle-hug him and kiss him deeply.  Will and Val focused their attention on each other as well, giving their friends (and themselves) the moment that the music had provided.  After a few minutes, they all returned their attention to the waning campfire and each other again, smiling warmly.  “Wow, Sonic… that was an amazing song… “ reflected Will.  “Yeah, you better be careful singing like that around here,” added Valerie.  “Coy may recruit you for his band…”  They all laughed heartily as Will rose from his chair to douse the dying embers of the fire so they could retire for a good night’s rest.

As they walked to the house, Amy whispered into Sonic’s ear:  “That was the BEST ending to a wonderful week… I love you so much, Sonic.”  He smiled back at her:  “I love you too, Ames.  I’m so happy we could make this time for us.  Let’s be sure to do this more often.”  “It’s a date.  For sure…” she replied.  “And forever,” he finished, as they entered the Woodchuck house, hand in hand.

Sonic’s Song:  “Follow You, Follow Me”  Genesis, And Then There Were Three, 1978

SonAmy Week 2025: Prelude | Adventure | Workout | Rain | Stargazing | Sleepover | Cooking | Race | Epilogue

[lubedoo]

SonAmy Week 2025: Race

So Happy It's Thursday...

Today's SonAmy Week story finds our couples taking a float down the Chase Brook River... which of course turns into a competition! Stay tuned tomorrow for a quick wrap-up of our couples' time together... enjoy!

Chapter/Day 7: Race

The Chase Brook River sparkled and shone in the early morning sun, as Will, Val, Sonic and Amy stood on the launch dock.  All were toting large black inner tubes, and wearing swimwear as well as sunglasses, the girls accessorizing with floppy sun hats.  Sonic was additionally dressed in a life vest, and looked apprehensive at today’s activity:  “So, you just toss the tube in the water and… jump in?”  Will nodded:  “That’s the long and short of it, yep.  That’s why it’s called ‘tubing.’  Gives us a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery while we float down the river, ending up at the Township.”  Sonic gave him a side-eye:  “And you’re sure this is safe?”  Val shrugged:  “The river current is gentle and it’s not at all deep…” Amy laughed, giving her blue Beau a tight squeeze:  “AND you’re wearing your life jacket… AND we will all be with you in case anything happens.”  

Sonic looked at the water warily, dipping a toe in:  “Doesn’t seem too cold either…”  "So let's get going!" Val grinned widely, shoving Will into the water and tossing her tube in.  She then handed her hat and sunglasses to Amy and dove expertly through the middle of the ring. She surfaced at the edge of the tube and hoisted herself in as Will clambered into his float as well.  Amy put Sonic’s tube into the water and helped him sit inside, then jumped in herself as they paddled to catch up with their Woodchuck friends.

“Hey, this is… kinda fun!”  Sonic’s initial apprehension quickly dissolved as he caught the vibe of the quietly babbling river flowing in the midst of lush trees and foliage.  He relaxed a bit as they caught up to Will and Val, stretching out in his tube as he joined hands with Amy.  Amy smiled back at Sonic, enjoying both the slow current of the river and the close contact with her hubby.  

After a couple hours of relaxation and conversation, Sonic lifted his sunglasses, looking at Amy and his friends with a mischievous grin:  “Hey Will… about how far out are we from the landing dock at the Township?”  Will looked back at him, a bit curious:  “Uh, I’d say about half a mile… maybe another 10 minutes or so as the current flows.  Why do you ask?”  Sonic broke his grip with Amy and started paddling furiously, shooting back a toothy grin:  “Race ya!  Last one there buys lunch!”  Amy rolled her eyes, sighing:  “Oh Sonic… not everything has to be a competition…”  Will’s grin matched his hedgehog friend’s:  “I’ll take him up on that, actually… I might stand a chance against him on the water…”  The woodchuck flipped out of his tube and started kicking in the water behind it, rapidly gaining on Sonic:  “Plus I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve…”  Sonic saw Will’s cleverness and objected: “Hey!  That’s cheating!  You need to stay in your tube!”  Will grinned as they drew even with each other:  “You didn’t mention any rules… see ya at the dock!”

Amy paddled up to Valerie, shaking her head:  “Boys.  We going to try to catch them?”  Val looked over her sunglasses discerningly:  “You do you.  I’m happy to float.”  “Y’know… I’m with you.  Let Sonic and William get out their nervous energy.”

Sure enough, a few minutes later the landing area in Chase Township came into view.  Both Sonic and Will were on the dock, squabbling about who arrived first.  The girls climbed up the steps from the underwater platform, shaking their heads:  “Let’s call it even,” offered Val.  “I was planning on buying lunch at The Township Coffee Shop and Restaurant anyway.”  Will’s face lit up:  “Our favorite place!”  He turned to Sonic and Amy:  “We’ve been going there forever… it’s where we had our first date, actually.  You all will love it.”  Amy took Sonic’s hand and kissed him gently:  “Sounds appropriately romantic!  Let’s get changed and head over there!”

SonAmy Week 2025: Prelude | Adventure | Workout | Rain | Stargazing | Sleepover | Cooking | Race | Epilogue

[lubedoo]

SonAmy Week 2025: Sleepover

Back at it on a Tuesday...

The next day in SonAmy Week at the Homestead finds our couples on a shopping trip... and afterwards a bit of a nap is in order. Enjoy!

Chapter/Day 5: Sleepover

“Ugh… how many stores are there in this downtown?”  Sonic whined as he strained under the load of several shopping bags.  William was similarly loaded down as the two followed their ladies through store after store in the downtown shopping area of Chase Township.  “But everything is so CUTE here!” squealed Amy, squeezing Sonic’s arm appreciatively.  “I want to check out EVERY little shop to be sure we don’t miss anything.”  Valerie smiled knowingly:  “Challenge accepted!  We’ve actually only got a few more to go…”

“Good thing,” said William aside to his blue hedgehog friend.  “Cos I’ve only got a few credits left in our account for the week…” “I heard that, smarty…” snarked Val over her shoulder.  “After what you spent on that gaming system a couple weeks back I’d say we’re just about even.”  “Gaming system?”  Sonic looked at Will questioningly.  The woodchuck nodded:  “I’ll show you when we get back to the house.  It’s big time tricked out… sharpest graphics and fastest processor I could find…”  Amy looked back at Sonic, pouting:  “You’d better make time for me as well when we get back to Will and Val’s place…”  Sonic smiled warmly:  “Of course, Ames… but I think me and Will have earned some ‘guy time’ after our little excursion this morning…” “I’ll take it into consideration,” replied the pink hedgehog, skipping after Valerie into yet another boutique.

After a few more purchases the ladies decided they’d put the guys through enough for the day, and all piled into Val’s SUV to head back to the Homestead.  It took several trips from the car to the house to fully unload all the ladies’ purchases, and as the last bag was placed in the kitchen, Sonic looked especially weary.  “I dunno about you all,” he exhaled, “but I think I’m up for a nap right about now…”  Will chuckled at that notion:  “The Fastest Thing Alive worn down by a shopping trip?”  “More mental than physical,” snickered Sonic.  “Plus I need to be sharp if we’re going to put your new gaming system through its paces…”  Amy rolled her eyes, yawning:  “Actually I could use a little rest myself, if you all don’t mind…”  Val smiled, nodding:  “Relaxing is what the Homestead is all about… for our guests anyway.”  She gave William a sly side-eye as she motioned to Sonic and Amy: “You all have a good nap… I’ll put Will to work out here.”  Will mouthed ‘help me’ to Sonic, but the hedgehog couple was already making their way to the guest room.

Sonic drew the blinds to darken the room as Amy climbed into the soft guest bed under the fluffy handmade quilt that had kept them so warm all week.  Her hubby soon joined her, and they cuddled gently together as they relaxed.  Amy looked up at Sonic:  “This week has been so relaxing… it was very nice of Will and Val to invite us up here.  The area is so beautiful.”  Sonic nodded, looking lovingly at his wiffy:  “Definitely.  I’m so glad we got to know them… even if our first meeting was rather unusual.”  Amy laughed as she squeezed Sonic tightly:  “It seems like we met most of our friends in an action-packed situation… in one way or the other.”  

The Blue Blur smiled back at her:  “Glad we didn’t scare them off then… they really are great folks.”  He sighed, enjoying their togetherness: “This reminds me of the sleepovers we would do back when we were dating.  Just find a quiet place to be together… and let the rest of the world wonder where we went…” Amy returned his sigh sleepily, snuggling into him:  “Mmmm.  Let’s hold that memory… and each other… and just… rest… for now.”

They both drifted off to sleep together, a gentle breeze blowing into the window as the sound of chirping Flickies outside lulled them into deeper relaxation.

SonAmy Week 2025: Prelude | Adventure | Workout | Rain | Stargazing | Sleepover | Cooking

[lubedoo]

SonAmy Week 2025: Workout

Happy Weekend!

Today's SonAmy Week 2025 tale has an unexpected 'delivery' arriving at the Homestead... and of course Amy devises a way to help the Woodchuck couple and get herself (and Sonic) a Workout in the process. Enjoy!

Chapter/Day 2: Workout

Sonic and Amy greatly enjoyed Valerie’s home-cooked country dinner, and the gathering with Will’s friends stretched well into the night, with the Farmhouse Trio breaking out their instruments and treating the Hedgehog and Woodchuck couples to a romantic jazz concert at the firepit across the gravel driveway from Will and Val’s house.  All were exhausted when Barthol, Coy, and Royyer said their goodbyes and headed back for Coy’s farm.  Will and Val showed Sonic and Amy to the guest room and they all retired for a well-deserved rest.

The sun shone brightly through the gingham curtains in the Homestead guest room when Sonic was startled awake by the sounds of a large truck unloading behind the house.  Amy was still sound asleep, but the Blue Blur realized it was already mid-morning so he decided to get up and investigate the noise outside.

He ventured through the kitchen where the smell of fresh ground and brewed coffee tempted him to make a brief detour, but the sound of the big diesel firing up and motoring out of the driveway piqued Sonic’s curiosity more strongly.  He exited into the garage workshop and out the oversized doors to see William standing in front of a pile of landscape boulders, shaking his head as he sipped on his coffee.

“Oh… hey, Sonic… sorry about all the racket…” Will looked a bit embarrassed as he clapped the still-groggy hedgehog on the back.  “Bob said he’d be having these boulders dropped off for the garden… just didn’t realize it would be TODAY.”  Sonic marveled at the mound in front of them:  “Yeah, Will… that’s enough for a rock concert for sure!”  The woodchuck laughed at Sonic’s pun and explained:  “Since the garden is a bit of an attraction around here we try to change things up from time to time.”  Sonic nodded:  “The boulders are a nice idea… definitely adds some texture.”

Valerie walked up behind Will and Sonic, wearing her bathrobe and carrying two steaming cups of coffee… one of which she handed to the bleary-eyed Hedgehog.  Val looked at the ‘delivery’ disapprovingly:  “Ugh… they could have dropped these a bit… closer… to where we needed them.”  Will shook his head:  “The driver was concerned he’d tear up the asphalt trying to get up the hill… so he unloaded here.  I already talked to Bob, he’ll be out later in the week to place these bad boys where he wants them to go.”  Val looked irritated:  “So until then we have to look at this… rock pile?”  She turned to see Amy venturing out of the garage, wearing a worn T-shirt and gym shorts, carrying her own cup of coffee.  The pink hedgehog gave her blue husband a side hug and kiss, surveying the stone mini-mountain in front of them:  “Well… I need to get in my workout this morning.  Hauling a few rocks sounds like a good lifting set to me!”

Val looked at her guest aghast:  “Amy!  I wouldn’t think of imposing on you that way!”  Amy laughed, “No imposition at all!  Sonic will tell you… I love doing this kind of stuff!”  The Blue Blur gave her the side-eye:  “Yeah, but I’m not letting you get in all the fun…”  He smirked confidently, grabbing a decent-sized rock at the edge of the pile, then realizing:  “Oof.  These things are heavier than they look.”  Amy grabbed a larger rock next to Sonic, sizing it up:  “Yeah, they’ve got some heft to ‘em… but not too bad.”  Will stepped over to help Sonic with his mini-boulder while Amy easily toted hers up the hill… and Val shook her head, still sipping on her coffee:  “You all have fun.  I’ll go make brunch…”

After several trips the rock pile was diminished, but Will and Sonic’s energy seemed to have waned with it.  Sonic leaned against the remaining rocks to catch his breath:  “Hey, Will… don’t you have a tractor or wheelbarrow or something?”  Will looked similarly fatigued:  “I can check the side barn.  Bob said our old equipment was worn out and he was taking it to get repaired or replaced, though.”  Amy skipped by, toting another big rock and shaking her head:  “C’mon boys… try to keep up…”  Sonic shook his head:  “I’m built more for speed, you know!”  Amy smiled mischievously:  “Then hurry up and grab another rock, slowpoke!”

The wonderful warm aromas of Valerie’s cooking wafted towards the tired trio just as they ventured down the hill from delivering the final rocks in the pile.  “Whew!” exclaimed Amy, wiping the sweat from her brow.  “That was a GREAT workout!  Maybe Will can ask Bob to drop off more rocks tomorrow!”  Sonic rolled his eyes:  “Or maybe we can take a run up to Coy’s farm and back for our exercise…”  Will smiled at his hedgehog friends as Valerie opened the garage door and motioned them inside:  “At least we’ve worked up an appetite… let’s grab some grub!”

Author’s Note:

That’s a smaller ‘landscape boulder’ with a sandal for reference. Not huge, but like Amy said… they got some heft to ‘em…

SonAmy Week 2025: Prelude | Adventure | Workout | Rain

[lubedoo]

SonAmy Week 2025: Adventure

TGIF!

In keeping with the themes of SonAmy Week 2025, our favorite Hedgehog couple experiences a little 'adventure' on the way to visit Will and Val at the Woodchuck Homestead. Enjoy!

Chapter/Day 1: Adventure

“Are you sure this is the right road, Ames?”  Sonic looked at the pink convertible’s GPS questioningly as they drove further and further from Chase Township.  Amy’s brow furrowed as she looked back and forth from the road to the digital map, which wound them deeper into the countryside than either of them expected.  “I could swear this is the address Valerie sent to me,” replied Amy.  “But you’re right… from what CC and Tails have described we should have arrived at the Homestead by now.”  They continued to look on both sides of the road for the cute little farmhouse where their Woodchuck friends resided on the weekends and their off-time, but all they saw were stretches of farmland separated by small plots of forests and stands of unspoiled old-growth trees.

“Maybe we should ask directions?”  offered Amy.  Sonic swept his hand across the expansive hills:  “From who?  There’s no one out here!”  As they crested the next hill, Amy spotted a farmhouse a few hundred feet from the road.  “Here we go.  Maybe these folks can get us pointed in the right direction,” she commented as she pulled onto the dirt driveway.  As they approached the residence, they immediately noticed something was a bit off.  The yard was significantly overgrown with vines and weeds.  There was also a lot of debris strewn around, from broken farm equipment to discarded household items.  The house itself also looked unkempt, with missing shingles, peeling paint, and cracked windows, the shutters dangling from rusted screws… but warm lighting against the gathering dusk appeared to provide at least some welcoming signs.  Amy parked next to a beat-up pickup truck hitched to a rusted trailer, and the hedgehog couple cautiously ventured out of their car towards the ramshackle front porch.

Suddenly, they were startled by a rustle and growling in the underbrush nearby.  Amy’s eyes went wide as a hulking figure ambled through the brambles in their general direction.  Sonic’s usual confidence was also clearly shaken:  “Uh, Ames… getting the feeling this may NOT have been your best idea recently…”  Another snarl from the far side of the porch made them reconsider that pathway, as a thin and rangy looking coyote slinked around the structure.

Sonic scooped up Amy and darted around the back side of the house, recognizing that the larger figure was likely a grizzly bear… and feared they were now being stalked.  They hid among the overgrown shrubs on the back side of the house, hoping the two figures would find something different to catch their interest.  Sonic and Amy huddled together, as they could feel their two pursuers closing in, and the branches of the thorny bushes were suddenly parted…

… to reveal a beret-wearing raccoon, who gave the terrified hedgehogs a surprisingly toothy and welcoming grin:  “There y’all are!  Y’se ran off before we could give ya a proper welcome!”  The Hedgehog couple looked surprised, both at who greeted them and that he wasn’t the large, threatening Mobians they saw out front.  “Barthol!  Coy!  They’re over here in the bushes!  Imagine that… hedgehogs in the hedges!”  The raccoon offered them a paw, helping Sonic and Amy out into the open where they were greeted by the Grizzly and Coyote, also smiling pleasantly.  “I’m Royyer Raccoon, and this here is Barthol Grizzly and Coy Coyote… it’s Coy’s farm y’all ’re at!”  Amy and Sonic looked at each other, then at the unlikely trio:  “H-Hello… I’m Amy Rose and this is my husband Sonic,” said the pink hedgehog nervously. 

The country Mobians looked at once surprised and humbled:  “Wow!” marveled Coy.  “We gots CELEBRITIES at my house!”  “What brings you all out this way?” rumbled Barthol.  “We got lost looking for the Woodchuck Homestead,” replied Sonic, gaining back some of his trademark confidence.  “Do you all happen to know William and Valerie?”  Royyer slapped Sonic on the back heartily:  “Know them?  We’ve been buds since way long ago!” “Yep!  Ever since Will’s Uncle built that factory on the hill,” added Coy.  “C’mon, let me grab mah truck an’ I’ll take ya there!”  Barthol looked at Coy skeptically:  “Your truck won’t make it down the hill,” quipped the huge grizzly, motioning towards an equally massive dualie parked near a barn further back on the property. “I’ll fire up ol’ Bruiser and we’ll all head down there!”

Amy beamed back at the trio: “Thank you so much!  We’ll get in our car and follow you then…”  “Sounds like a party!”  laughed the raccoon.  “It always is at Will’s place!”  The hedgehogs darted around the house and had just got Amy’s convertible started when the huge black pickup raced by them on the driveway, stopping short at the intersection to the main road while Barthol motioned out the window for them to hurry up.

It seemed like a much shorter drive than they expected, whether for the brief distance or Barthol’s lead foot, but soon enough they were pulling into the gravel driveway of the Woodchuck Homestead.  William and Valerie came out of the doorway near the oversized garage and workshop, smiling at all their friends: “Well, I didn’t expect the whole neighborhood to show up, but I guess word gets around!” exclaimed Will, giving bro-hugs to all his country friends as well as Sonic and Amy.  Val also greeted all their guests warmly:  “Good thing I made some extra dinner… but there’s always enough here to share!”  Coy and Royyer explained how Sonic and Amy got lost and happened upon Coy’s farm, and what a great pleasure it was to meet the Famous Couple.  “Just wish they hadn’t scared us half to death first,” Amy said quietly aside to Valerie, who chuckled knowingly.  “They can be a bit much, especially on their home turf… but these boys are the best.  Helped us through a really rough patch when the original Fabratory was destroyed.”

Sonic looked at their Woodchuck hosts as well as their new friends and smiled:  “I don’t know about everyone else, but this adventure has me starving!”  Will returned his smile:  “Then let’s head inside and fill up!  Welcome to Chase Meadows!”  Amy embraced Sonic as they followed the Group into the house:  “It’s always an adventure when we’re together, huh?” “You know it, Ames… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

SonAmy Week 2025: Prelude | Adventure | Workout

[lubedoo]

William and Valerie: Take Another Road, Ch. 6

Back at it on a Tuesday...

Our Woodchuck friends William and Valerie have settled in well to their roles at Yellow Sky... but the road not taken is always beckoning. How do they respond?

Story Teaser: Back at the Homestead... Will and Val get an unexpected guest... leading to more discussions as well as a momentous question... and response...

Chapter 6:  The Woodchuck Proposal:

The following weekend, Will and Val were back up at The Homestead, poring over their options.  There was a firm but friendly knock on the front door of the Woodchuck house.  Val and Will looked at each other, puzzled.  Neither was expecting a guest.  Will walked to the door and opened it, revealing a handyman badger grinning widely. "Bob!" exclaimed William, returning his grin and exchanging a hearty handshake with his friend: "What a great surprise! Please, come in... join us!"

“I t’ought I’d find y’all here,” piped Bob, stepping through the door and into the kitchen, accepting a welcoming hug from Valerie.  “Bossman Tails sez y’all was t’inkin’ ‘bout goin’ a diff’rnt direction, and I’d been t’inkin’ about makin’ a change too.  Any chance you needs someone of my skills onboard?”

Will looked surprised.  “We haven’t made any definite plans yet… I hope you haven’t resigned from Yellow Sky.  Regardless of what we decide, we certainly couldn’t offer you what they do in terms of pay and benefits.”

Bob shook his head:  “Naw, just t’inkin’ out loud.  I’m not as young as I used ta be and havin’ more time outside da walls sounds good about now.”  He clapped Will on the shoulder.  “Plus y’all is good people and I hates to lose touch wid folks like y’all.”

After coffee and a friendly chat with Will and Val, Bob headed up to the Garden to plot out some seasonal plantings, leaving the Woodchuck couple to continue discussing their immediate future.  

Valerie looked at Will critically:  “If we’re going to do this we both need to be in it for the long haul.  Together.”  Will smiled:  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”  He dropped to one knee and pulled a jewelry box out of his pocket, opening it to reveal a dazzling diamond ring.  “And either way I’m certainly not letting you fly away from me again.  Valerie Braun, will you marry me?”  The female woodchuck’s smile lit up the room as she stretched out her left hand:  “Took you long enough.  Of course I’ll marry you, Will.  I would have married you years ago had you asked.”  It was Will’s turn to grin as he gently slid the ring onto her finger and they embraced, kissing deeply.

Valerie broke their embrace enough to look into Will’s eyes dreamily, then at the ring.  “Will, it’s… absolutely gorgeous.  I think I have an idea where you may have found this…”  

“Tails has a… contact,”  returned Will sheepishly. 

Val’s look became more stern:  “Oh, don’t be coy with me.  I know it’s Rouge…” Will gave a ‘you caught me’ look:  “She had the same reaction you did when I asked her to help pick a stone for you:  ‘what took you so long?’”  He looked at the ring sparkling on her finger:  “I’m really impressed with what Rouge was able to find, but then again she is a well-known jewelry expert…” started Will.

“And former infamous jewel THIEF,” finished Valerie with a smug grin.  Will looked shocked:  “I… I did pay her for the ring…”  Valerie chuckled, “Let’s hope she did as well.”  She looked at the ring again.  “But it’s too beautiful.  I’m not asking any more questions…” Val leaned in for another deep kiss which Will gladly returned.

They walked across the room to the couch and sat together, Val leaning on Will’s chest.  “So how are we going to work this name thing?”  asked Val.  “What do you mean?” returned William.  “Well, I’ve always been known professionally as ‘Valerie Braun.’  Changing my last name to ‘Woodchuck’ might cause some confusion.”  “You could always hyphenate,” suggested Will.  “Yeah, you know that ‘Braun’ means ‘brown’ in another language, right,” replied Valerie, giving Will the side-eye.  “‘Brown-Woodchuck’ seems a bit… obvious, doesn’t it?”  Will smiled, stroking her long fur:  “I don’t care what you call yourself, as long as I can always call you mine.”  She smiled warmly and turned over to face her beau.  “Definitely.  And forever,” Val whispered as they kissed again.  She pulled the quilt off the back of the couch onto them, and they cuddled in its warmth.

Author's note: CC the Robian, 'Tall Tails' concept character, and Yellow Sky Industries courtesy of @e-vay

Take Another Road Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 (current) | Ch. 7

[lubedoo]

SonAmyTober: Apples

Happy Weekend!

Was reading through the SonAmyTober prompts and this particular one inspired a story... to fit into my previous SonAmy Week writings as well as some future tales. But for now, please enjoy this little glimpse of our favorite Hedgehogs and my OC Woodchuck couple on a beautiful Fall weekend at the Homestead. Enjoy!

SonAmyTober:  Apples

It was a crisp fall day in Chase Meadows.  Sonic and Amy had driven up to the Woodchuck Homestead for a quick weekend getaway with their friends William Woodchuck and Valerie Braun.  The chilly autumn air was a noticeable contrast to the warm summer breezes they experienced on their last Retreat to the Thickering Forest area, and they enjoyed many of the treats of this season, including Pumpkin Spice lattes at The Township Coffee Shop and Restaurant, and a hayride through the fields at Coy Coyote’s farm.

On this morning, however, Bob the Handyman Badger had invited all of them up to the Memorial Garden at Fabratory Hill to unveil his latest seasonal plantings and decorations.  As the four friends walked up the leaf-strewn pathway, Amy looked awestruck at the Fall beauty of the area.  She grasped Sonic’s hand tightly as she took in the scenery:  “Oh, Sonic… the forest up here is completely different in the Fall!  Look at all the leaves and how the colors just POP!”

Valerie couldn’t help but overhear Amy’s admiration of the area’s foliage:  “Yeah, you all picked a great week to come up here.  Mid-October is peak color… and we couldn’t ask for nicer weather this year!”

Sonic nodded:  “For sure, Val… we really appreciate you letting us come up here spur-of-the moment!”  “You know you’re welcome any time,” smiled Will.  “Just let us know you’re on your way and we’ll have a warm fire in the wood stove and mulled cider in the kettle…”

“Speaking of apples… LOOK!” squealed Amy, pointing to the edge of the clearing surrounding the Garden.  Several apple trees stood around the perimeter, their branches hanging low with perfectly ripe fruit in colors ranging from green to yellow to bright red.  Sonic smiled at his wife’s fascination with the line of trees and their bountiful yield waiting to be harvested:  “Yeah, Ames… those look amazing!  Bet you could make some awesome apple fritters and pies from those choices!”

“Unc and I planted those trees when he was building the original Fabratory,” commented Will.  “He always loved apples, and the trees were already bearing fruit a few years afterwards.  All the warm weather and rain this summer has made for a bumper crop for sure.”  

Their admiration for the mini-orchard was interrupted by a sharp whistle behind them:  “Hey youse guys!”  yelled an eager Badger, waving at the foursome.  “Da main attraction is over here, ya know!”  Val rolled her eyes:  “Bob hates to be upstaged, evidently…”  “He has been up here quite a bit,” chuckled Will.  “It’s only fair that we check out his work first.  The apples will be here… we can grab some bushel baskets from the side barn and come back this afternoon to do some pickin’...”

As they approached the entry to the garden, Bob swung his arms like a game-show host displaying a fabulous array of prizes to his contestants:  “Allows me to’s present:  Da Fall Garden En-sammble!”  His outstretched arms led their gaze to breathtaking arrays of mums, dahlia, and cornflowers… interspersed with pumpkins and cornstalks adorning the Garden in brilliant arrays of auburn, yellow, orange, and soft brown hues.  Sonic drew Amy into a warm side-hug as they navigated the Garden paths, lost in each other’s embrace and Bob’s landscape artistry.   Bob even placed small apple trees in cutoff wooden barrel pots along the pathways, already bearing fruit that mirrored their larger counterparts in the distance.  

Sonic picked a bright red apple from one of the branches and offered it to Amy.  She took a big bite from the fruit, savoring the tart but sweet flavor and juicy pulp under the crisp peel.  “Delicious!”  she commented, “and so sweet!”  She offered the apple back to Sonic… who took a similar bite and nodded in agreement, gently kissing her on the lips:  “Uh-huh… but not as sweet as you!”  Amy blushed at his compliment, and they shared a warm hug as they finished their shared snack.

Later that afternoon, the Foursome trekked back up the hill with the bushel baskets from the side barn and set to work harvesting the bountiful apple crop from the burdened trees.  “These Granny Smiths will make great pies,” commented Amy.  “And the Macintosh will be perfect for your apple fritters, Sonic!”  The Blue Blur nodded:  “Yeah, Ames… and these Golden Delicious ones will make great applesauce!”  Will laughed and chomped on a bright red fruit:  “Don’t forget these Redfields… they’ll make some GREAT apple cider… it’s a Woodchuck tradition!”  Val gave her beau a side-eye, snarking aside to Amy:  “Don’t let him kid you… he prefers the hard cider… last year’s batch should be just about ready by now…”  Amy giggled at her Woodchuck friend’s revelation:  “Oooh, that sounds good actually… we’ll have to try that too!”

As the sun started to sink into the hills to the West, Will and Val hefted their baskets to head down the hill.  Amy turned to do the same, then suddenly realized that Sonic was nowhere to be seen.  “Sonic?” she called out curiously. “Where did you go?”  She searched around the trees and finally found him reclining under a Honeycrisp tree, chomping away at a huge fruit contentedly.  Amy put her hands on her hips disapprovingly:  “Sonic. The. Hedgehog.  We’ve all been working so hard and here you are lazing around.”  Sonic looked up at his wife slyly:  “Nah, just taking a break.  I’ve been working hard at a project of my own.”  He pointed up at the trunk of the tree, gazing upon his beloved with a knowing grin.

Carved into the bark of the tree was a large heart, with the inscription ‘S + A’ in the middle.  Amy gasped and put her hands to her mouth as Sonic rose to embrace her from behind:  “Just a little something for you… and for us to remember this weekend here.”  Amy turned to face her beau, looking dreamily into his eyes:  “Oh, Sonic… you’re so romantic…”  They shared a tender kiss as dusk began to fall across the clearing.  A cool breeze prompted them to tighten their embrace, and made Amy shiver just a bit.  “We’d better get back to the House,” commented Sonic, concerned.  “Don’t want you catching a chill.  You’re a bear when you get sick…”  Amy slapped his shoulder playfully:  “Like you’re any better.  C’mon… help me with these baskets…” “Like you need help, Ms. Heavy Lifter…”  The hedgehog couple laughed and snarked back and forth as they carried their baskets down the hill… the evening mist gathering around the orchard in the failing sunlight and gathering evening chill.

They were nearly out of sight when a soft teal glow illuminated the tree where they were standing.  A ghostly apparition of a female hedgehog stood there, sadly watching the Couple disappear into the Woodchuck House.  “If only you would have stayed… a few minutes longer…” she opined.  Her hand traced over the carving in the tree, smiling at the inscription:  “At least you left a part of you for me to treasure…”  Domino’s ghost faded slowly into the evening air as sounds of laughter wafted up the hill from her son and his friends’ evening revelry.

Author's Note: OC Domino the Hedgehog courtesy of @e-vay

[lubedoo]

SonAmy Week Day 6: Cooking

Hump DAYYYY!!!

As our Hedgehog couple continues to enjoy their week at the Homestead, Amy decides to give Val a day off from meal preparation... and of course Sonic is there to help. Enjoy!

Chapter/Day 6: Cooking

After a refreshing nap, the ladies modeled their purchases for Sonic and Will, then the boys repaired to the Woodchuck House game room to test out Will’s most recent acquisition, as Amy helped Valerie prepare the kitchen for dinner.  “I have to say, Val… I absolutely LOVE your kitchen here!”  Amy admired the old-style country stove and oven, cooktop, and extensive counter space for food preparation:  “It’s so homey, functional, and fits the House so well!”  Val beamed:  “Thank you, Amy!  We tried to keep the old Country feel while adding a few modern touches.”  She patted an integrated microwave and digital stand mixer as examples of updated gadgetry.  “Plus when we have Gary and Pedro up here we need to be sure things are accessible for them to work their magic…”

The pink hedgehog smiled:  “It’s so amazing that Will’s Fab robots have taken so well to cooking.  It certainly shows their flexibility and even creativity in their AI.”  Val nodded:  “Yeah, they are something else for sure… but for this week they wanted to stay at the Fabs.  Deedee too… said she needed everyone’s help with a few production issues.”  Amy looked concerned:  “But that leaves you to do all the food prep and cooking!”  Val shrugged:  “I really like keeping my culinary skills sharp… especially when we have guests.  Plus Will and I have a deal… whoever cooks doesn’t have to clean up afterwards!”  The ladies laughed at that sentiment, as Amy helped Val select and prep the food for tonight’s dinner.

The next day, Sonic and Amy were puttering in the guest room as Will and Val met Bob up at the garden to place the landscape boulders and take care of some additional chores.  Amy looked at Sonic critically:  “I feel so bad for Val… she’s been working so hard on meal planning that I don’t feel like she’s getting a chance to relax for this week. Sonic smiled, patting his belly:  “But Val sure is a GREAT cook!  Gonna have to run a few extra miles when we get back to trim down a bit…” Amy gave her hubby the side-eye and Sonic quickly added:  “... but your cooking is always the BEST, Ames!”  She gave him a ‘oh, please’ look while kissing him on the cheek:  “Not the greatest save you’ve ever done… but I’ll take it…”

“Still,” Amy continued. “I’d like to give Val an evening off and cook for her tonight.”  “I’m in,” replied Sonic.  “We can go down to the Farm-to-Table store in the Township and pick up ingredients so you can whip up an Amy Rose feast for tonight!”  Amy grabbed her car keys off the dresser and they rushed out the door to get the makings for one of her signature meals, to surprise their hosts and allow them to relax for the evening.

As they were returning an hour or two later, Sonic’s phone chirped with a message from Will: “Looks like we’ll be a bit longer.  Bob wants us to check out some updated yard equipment he found over in West Laurel.  Might need to grab take-out tonight.”

Sonic smiled as he texted back:  “No worries, bud.  You take care of the Garden.  We’re taking care of dinner.”  He turned to Amy:  “Good timing on your dinner suggestion.  Will and Val have some errands to run.  It’ll be great for them to come home and not have to worry about cooking.”  Amy seemed pleased as she arranged the ingredients for their evening meal:  “That’s awesome, Sonic!  I’m so glad we can help them out!”

The pink hedgehog looked over her ingredients thoughtfully:  “Let’s start out with dessert… I have a cake recipe that I know they will love!”  She put together the ingredients in a bowl and started mixing… but of course Sonic saw the open bag of flour on the counter and couldn’t resist tossing a pinch of it into Amy’s quills.  She squealed, giggling as the tossed a pinch back at Sonic, then pasting a small amount of cake batter on his nose.  He laughed as well, wiping the batter off with his finger and sampling it:  “Mmmm!  Great stuff Ames!  Can’t wait to taste it when it’s done!”  

Sonic helped Amy finish pouring the batter into a cake pan and placed it in the oven, while Amy cleaned up their little flour mess and started cutting up vegetables for side dishes.  Soon enough, every burner on the stove was simmering with happily clattering pots as the room filled with delicious aromas from Amy’s masterful cooking.  The Blue Blur proved to be an able soux chef, taking direction from his wiffey to keep the food cooking as designed… and stealing a taste or two when he thought he could get away with it.

He hugged Amy around the waist and gave her a kiss over her shoulder as she leaned back into his embrace:  “You’re so awesome, Ames.  This is gonna be the best meal ever.”  She turned around to look deeply into Sonic’s emerald eyes:  “Thank you, Sonic… I couldn’t have done it without your help.”  They kissed deeply, enjoying their closeness.  As they broke their embrace they heard car tires crunching on the gravel outside.  “Perfect timing!” exclaimed Amy. “Everything is ready!”  

William and Valerie entered the kitchen from the garage workshop area and were immediately impressed with the delicious scents that permeated their home:  “Wow, guys!” remarked Will.  “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble!”  Sonic smiled, clapping his woodchuck pal on the back:  “It’s the least we could do for you two being such gracious hosts!”  Amy handed dinner plates to Will and Val:  “Help yourselves, everything is ready!”  Just then, Bob poked his head in the door to the garage: “Wow, smells amazin’ in here!  Y’se gots room for one more?”  Amy handed the badger a plate as well:  “Of course!  I always make extra!”

The Group enjoyed pleasant conversation while feasting on Amy’s expertly prepared meal.  When everyone was done, the pink hedgehog served out generous slices of her cake for dessert.  As Sonic cleared the dishes, Will patted his belly:  “Amy, that was incredible!  Thank you so much for cooking tonight!”  Amy beamed at her woodchuck and badger friends: “It was my pleasure… so glad you enjoyed it!”

SonAmy Week 2025: Prelude | Adventure | Workout | Rain | Stargazing | Sleepover | Cooking | Race