*Shadow's POV *
It had been yet another week of being at the castle, 2 weeks had passed since I had woken up and had come back to Sonics life. Nothing had been resolved yet and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that maybe it never would.
"Sir, it's time for your dinner, the kids are waiting for you." I heard a guard say through the door. I sighed and nodded. I hadn't seen Sonic in a week, ever since we arrived at the castle, he meant what he said which I guess was good for him to think about what he wanted. I didn't want to give up on him so I would let him have all the time he wanted but I could tell all this was changing Me.
"Hey Dad!" Noah and Shade greeted me as I reached the dining room, Lea was already eating. I smiled at them and sat down between Lea and Noah.
"Hey kids." I was calmer around the kids and I was grateful they understood the arrangement Sonic and I currently had. I was afraid that none of them would even want to spend time with me and stay with Sonic but they decided to spend one day with me and one with him so it was fair. Even Shade was now happy to see me, he was clinging to me and was just utterly happy to have me in his life but he was just a kid, I wish Sonic would be quick to decide what he wanted.
I hated this the most, not knowing if he wanted me or not. Not knowing where I fit in the family anymore. I wanted him to make up his mind already but it wasn't so easy. I knew I had made things complicated.
"How's your dad doing?" I asked them and they smiled.
"He's doing okay, he has been keeping himself busy with training and grandma says he might be ready to take over soon." My ears perked up at hearing that.
"She said that?" I asked them and they nodded.
"I don't want to stay in the castle forever." Shade whined making me chuckle.
"You're not forced to, look at your uncle and your aunt, they don't live here."
"Yeah but they're adults, we are just kids." Lea said. "Though I don't mind staying here."
"Yeah because you get to dress up, you like being treated like a princess but we dont." Noah rolled his eyes.
"Do you like being here?" Shade asked me and I stayed quiet for a bit then nodded at them after a bit of silence.
"This is where I stayed when I started dating your dad. When I met the twins. I was treated better than at G.U.N., I have a lot of good memories here." I answered calmly.
"What about now?" Lea asked with her ears lowered.
"Hey." Noah elbowed her side.
"It's okay, Noah. It's a valid question." I chuckled. "I guess I can't really complain. I get to be with Shade, spend time with him and help him and I get to be with you two as well. I may not be your real father but I love you just as much."
"I hope you and daddy end up together again." Lea kept her ears dropped. "We don't want to lose you again."
*Sonic's POV *
"I hope you and daddy end up together again." Lea said with a sad tone in her voice. "We don't want to lose you again."
"Baby, you wont." I heard Shadow answer her as he stood up. I was standing right outside the dining room, able to hear everything. I had just been passing by to go to my room when I heard them talking and couldn't help but listen.
"But if daddy ends up not wanting to be with you, you'll leave." Shade sobbed lightly making my ears pin down.
"I won't leave. Whatever Sonic decides, I won't leave you 3. I will always be here for you, okay? I will always be your dad. I love Sonic, that will never change but I messed up when I decided to leave, when I was not able to come back, things are complicated for him."
"But why aren't they for you?" Noah asked. "You were also gone, why don't you feel the same as he does?"
"To me it had only been days since I left you. To all of you it had been over a decade." Shadow explain. "I caused a lot of problems to your dad over the years, this added to the list. I am not surprised he's feeling this way, our relationship started too fast as it is." Unless I heard wrong, I could have sworn I heard his voice break.
"Dad... are you crying...?" My heart broke once I heard Lea ask that.
"But why? Why doesn't daddy just give you another chance?" Shade cried angrily.
"I'm sorry." Shadow chuckled at what Lea said and then answered Shade. "Don't be mad at him, I don't want any of you to be mad at Sonic, his feelings are valid, things are more complicated than you all think. Just be there for him and give him time. Even if he decides he doesn't want me in his life, it doesn't mean I won't be there for you." Hearing him say that made me want to cry. Even though I was the one asking Shadow for space, even though I was the one breaking our family, Shadow stood up for me and made sure the kids won't be mad at me.
"But-" Noah said but Shadow cut him off.
"If you need to be mad at someone it should be me. I was the one that left." He sighed. "I am the reason all of this is happening." I heard a fork being out down. "But don't hate Sonic, don't be mad at him. Just be there for him, okay?"
"Okay..." The kids said at the same time.
I walked off before I could hear anything else. My mind going into loops again as I thought about what I wanted to do.
"Sonic?" I looked up.
"Oh. Hi Jet."
