AN: Awww…here it is. My final chapter. I can't believe I managed to pull through and get this done. I'm so excited! I hope it is everything that you want it to be. Please read and enjoy.

Btw, thanks to all of the great reviews, everyone! It's been a long time coming, but you guys stuck by and I appreciate that. I dedicate this to all of you!

Disclaimer: I own nothing…except Sam. My super sweet Sam. Can all men be like him?

. . . . . . . . . .

Amy stood quietly in front of the floor length mirror checking herself over one last time. Everything seemed in place- her hair, her make-up, her dress. She felt beautiful. Although she had a small pang of sadness at the fact that Sonic was no longer a part of her life, she had accepted things over the past few weeks for what they were and she felt ready to go out and commit herself to Sam. She knew he would do everything in his power to make her happy and that he would one day make a great father for her children. She smiled. Life was starting to feel normal again.

She closed her eyes to take one final deep breath in when a soft voice interrupted her.

"Don't forget the 'something blue'."

Her eyes shot open and her body tensed. Turning she saw the one person she didn't expect to see again staring at her from the doorway with a sad smile on his face. Seeing him now made her heart ache. "What are you doing here?" She asked, fearing that her newly found resolve would melt away before too long.

He flinched at the look on her face. She looked terrified. But that didn't detract from her beauty. She looked absolutely stunning in that white dress and he was hurt that she wasn't wearing it for him.

"I needed to talk to you."

Not wanting to go through anymore doubts about the decision she was making she did her best to brush him off. "Sonic, I'm about to get married," she said as she gathered up her dress and began walking toward the door he was occupying. "And you're not even supposed to be here."

Before she could leave he threw his hand across the doorway and stared at her very seriously. She looked at him with surprise and suddenly felt uneasy. His look was determined and she took a step away, feeling that she needed to put some distance between the two of them.

Noticing her backing off, he closed the door behind him and stepped into the room. There was an awkward silence as they stared at each other. When she opened her mouth to say something he couldn't help himself. He rushed over and pressed his lips to hers. The moment caught her by surprise and she stiffened in his arms, he noticed, but he didn't care. He reveled in the sweet taste of her mouth and the softness of her lips. Although her arms hung limply at her sides, he embraced her tightly, not wanting the moment to end.

Amy had been taken off guard by his actions. For years she had dreamed of this very moment, but she never expected that it would happen on her wedding day, when she was supposed to be marrying someone else. For a moment she was overwhelmed and couldn't move, but when she regained her composure she shoved at him, causing him to stumble back in surprise.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She yelled while wiping at her mouth. Her lips felt like they were on fire, but she tried to ignore it.

He stared at her, wide-eyed. He wasn't sure what had come over him, exactly. He had come back here to wish her his best, not to kiss the living daylights out of her. But now there was no reason to hide it anymore. He was suddenly very aware of how exhausted he was from holding back and denying his feelings all of this time. "Amy, I love you." He stated simply.

She froze.

Any doubts he had left him and he straightened up, determined to let her know everything. "I love you. I always have, I think. But you know how the saying goes 'you don't know what you have 'til it's gone.'

"You're beautiful and amazing. You're kind and funny. You've put up with my crap, and that says a lot. I know I don't deserve you. I know I've hurt you too many times, but I just can't stand the thought of you not being with me."

Amy put her hand to her head, not really believing what she had just heard. "Sonic, I appreciate you telling me this, but I'm sorry." Although it hurt her to go on, she had made up her mind and there was no turning back. Over her lifetime she had felt like a yo-yo going up and down and she had finally had enough. The life that she had decided on would be stable and predictable. "You're a little too late. I'm about to get-"

"Please don't marry him." He whispered.

"What?"

"Don't marry that guy out there. He isn't right for you. He never was!" He pleaded.

Her eyes grew hard and she became defensive. "What do you know about what's right for me, Sonic?"

What could he say to that? "I don't know. I just know that he could never love you as much as I do."

"You expect me to believe that? After all that you've put me through?" She asked, incredulously.

"Yes, I do." He stated coolly. When she didn't respond he decided to push on. "Listen, this is me we're talking about. Sonic the hedgehog. Runs away from commitment. Doesn't know how to express his feelings. The fact that I'm here, right now, pouring my heart out to you should say a lot. I've changed. Even you said that."

Amy's head swam with images as she recalled the evening in the setting sun when she had said those words. The emotions from their exchange flooded her senses and she had to shake her head to become stable again. "Yes, I said that. But that doesn't mean that I can be with you now. I've moved on…and so should you." She reasoned, trying to calm herself down.

"All I'm asking for is a chance!"

Amy's eyes snapped up to him. "I gave you a chance, Sonic! I gave you millions of chances! And you broke my heart every single time!"

"I know, but-"

"Think about what you're asking me to do. Sam is waiting at the alter for me and you want me to just walk away?"

Knowing how horrible it sounded Sonic could only nod.

"This is unbelievable! There is a good man out there with a heart of gold and you actually think I'm going to leave him…just like that? You are so selfish!"

"I'm not trying to be selfish! I'm miserable, Amy! I'm miserable and lonely without you!" Amy tried to walk past him as her eyes filled up with tears, but he grabbed her arm. "Please don't go!"

She looked at him with anger and he noticed beneath his grip that she was trembling. "I'm sorry that you're so miserable and lonely, Sonic, but what about me? How do you think I've felt?"

He was desperate at this point. "Look, I'm sorry for the way that I acted and all of the terrible things I did before you left from Chris' world. It was childish of me, but I was a kid! I didn't know!"

Amy ripped her arm from his grip. "And after I came back from Chris' world? What about that?"

"I was gone!" He argued.

"Exactly! You were gone. For six long years you were gone!" The tears were starting to stream from her eyes. "I was miserable and lonely, but I moved on! I found someone new! He loves me! He makes me happy! He doesn't break his promises!"

"Amy, please-"

"Get out!" She yelled as she pushed him with all of her might towards the door. "Get the hell out and stay away from me!" He moved, reluctantly, towards the exit, and when she had pushed him far enough out he tried to say something else to get her to calm down, but she just slammed the door in his face.

He could hear her muffled sobs on the other side and decided that he couldn't tear her up anymore. He turned, ready to walk out defeated, when he spotted Sam watching him from across the foyer. The look on Sam's face was evidence that he had over-heard their exchange.

Sonic narrowed his eyes at him and his hands tightened up into fists. An awkward silence fell over the entry-way as Sam watched Sonic warily. And then Sonic let out a deep breath and spoke. "Promise me you'll do everything in your power to make her happy."

Sam's voice caught and all he could do was nod. Seeing the confirmation, Sonic stalked out of the church without another look back. Once outside, his tough façade broke and his eyes became blinded with tears. There was no more he could do. He had lost.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

When Amy heard the soft knock on the door her sobs grew louder. "Just go away, Sonic! I already told you that I don't want to see you again!"

When she heard the knob turn and the door's soft squeak as it opened she turned, a new wave of anger rushing over her. All the anger left quickly, though, when she noticed that it wasn't Sonic at the door.

"Sam!" She tried to brush the tears from her face, but more poured down. "What are you doing here? It's bad luck to see the bride…"

Her breath caught as he silently crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her. Knowing that she was crying over another man while he was embracing her caused her heart to shatter even more and she broke down, the sobs racking her body.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She repeated over and over again. She clutched his tuxedo jacket tightly in her hands while he rubbed his hand soothingly up and down her back as he patiently waited for her to calm down.

It tore him apart see her like this. He knew that she cared for Sonic in a way that she could never care for him and he had accepted that for what it was. But he didn't realize that it had caused her so much heartache. She had done a good job hiding all of these pent up emotions from him.

When her loud sobs had died into soft whimpers he pulled her away and brushed some of the tears from her face.

"Did you know that you're beautiful?"

"Oh Sam." More tears filled her eyes.

"Now, now. Don't do that." He kissed the top of her forehead and then looked into her eyes. His own reflected a hurt that she felt guilty being the cause of. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Her eyes widened. "I- I- It's not what it seems. This, I- well, I just…couldn't." She looked down and began to tremble in defeat. He must hate her right now. But he didn't walk away like she thought he should have. Instead, he placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face so she would look at him again. His eyes were soft with no hatred in them.

"I love you, Amy Rose. When you came into my life nothing was the same. I'm forever changed and I'm grateful to you for that." He cupped his hand over her cheek and she leaned into it, shaking her head.

"No Sam, I'm the one who should be grateful. I was an empty shell when you found me and you brought me back to life." She gave him a half smile. "I don't deserve you." She whispered.

"That's not true. How many times do I need to tell you that you deserve the world? But what I need to know right now is do you even want me?" He looked at her seriously.

"I'm here, right now, in a wedding gown for you. I'm ready to go out there and make a vow to love you and honor you."

He shook his head. "You didn't answer my question. I know that you love me. I know that you would commit yourself to me. What I want to know is whether that's what you really want. Would you truly be happy with me?"

Her eyes were wide and her heart was pounding. She was frozen in place and unable to answer.

Sam sighed and his hand dropped from her face. A tear slid down his cheek but he ignored it. Gathering all of the strength he had he smiled at her. "I made a promise, Amy Rose. I promised someone that I would do everything in my power to make you happy. I would never forgive myself if I held you back from your heart's desire." Amy began to cry. "Please, don't cry."

"I choose you, Sam. I want to marry you." She stated, more trying to convince herself than anything else.

"No, you chose him. Whether you admit it or not, he's the one that you want to be with."

"No!" She yelled and threw herself into his arms. "No." She whispered again.

Gently Sam pulled her out of his arms. Brushing the tears once more from her face he leaned in and softly kissed her. "I love you," he whispered before turning and leaving the room. When the door closed Amy collapsed to her knees. She stared at the door waiting for him to come back in, but he never did.

Several minutes passed and she could hear the footsteps and mumbles as the people inside the church filed out. She prayed that none of them would come in to check on her and luckily enough they didn't. Giving in, she lay down on the ground and cried.

She cried for the love she lost. She cried for hurting a wonderful man. She cried for her own messed up life.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

After what seemed like hours the tears subsided and Amy took a couple of deep breaths to help calm herself down. She didn't want to go outside, but she needed to get out of this place. Standing up she made her way out of the church.

Not being in her right mind, she allowed her feet to determine where she would go. When she noticed which direction she was heading in she did nothing to stop herself. She was being pulled there because of him.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sonic held the bloom of the pink rose in the palm of his hand. He stroked the petals softly before his emotions got the better of him and he crushed it in his grief. When he opened his palm again a soft breeze blew out towards the ocean and carried the petals with it. The stem was empty, now, so Sonic dropped it to the ground.

She must be married now. He thought. I've been here for a while. He took a deep breath. Maybe he would leave this town. Go somewhere and move on. There was nothing holding him back now.

He felt like such an idiot for what he'd done. He'd hurt her in so many ways that he couldn't blame her for turning him away. Well, I'll let her live her life peacefully. I won't bother her anymore.

He turned to leave his spot when he saw her. "Amy!" His breath caught in his throat. Her eyes were puffy from the tears she had obviously been crying and her hair was falling out in places, but he still couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked at that moment. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be…"

"Are you happy?" She yelled without warning.

"What?"

"You ruined everything, Sonic! You ruined my life, you ruined my marriage, and you ruined Sam's happiness."

He stared, speechless, at her. His lack of response frustrated her so much that she stormed up to him and began pounding his chest. "This is all your fault! I'll never forgive you! Never!"

He gradually gained the ability to move again- those few words spoken finally processing in his mind. Suddenly hopeful, he grabbed her hands and asked the question that was burning inside of him. "So, you're not getting married?"

"No!" She yanked her hands away. "He thinks he can't make me happy because of- mmmf!" Her words were cut off when Sonic quickly took her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

When he stepped back he saw the flames in her eyes. "How dare you! You think you can ruin my life and just- mmmf!"

Again Sonic took her mouth to his. He was being greedy, he knew, but his happiness and passion were overwhelming him right now. This time she pushed him away and slapped him.

"I suppose I deserved that." He said as he rubbed his sore cheek.

"You're damn right you do! I've dealt with your crap- stay where you are!" She warned as he stepped towards her. "Oh, what am I even doing here?" She cried as she turned to walk away.

Sonic rushed after her and pulled her arm just hard enough to cause her to fall back against him. He wrapped his arms around her, tightly and refused to let go as she struggled to free herself. "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

He knelt to the ground as she broke down in his arms. She hated the fact that it felt so good to be held by him. She hated the fact that she still loved him despite everything that had happened. But these were things that she refused to admit to him.

"Amy, can I show you something?"

She continued to cry against him as he pulled his arms away. Carefully he untucked his small treasure from underneath his white glove and displayed his wrist for Amy to see.

When her eyes caught sight of the delicate object she gasped. "My bracelet!" Her sobs quieted and she leaned away from him to look into his eyes. He could see the shock there. "But how? It was broken and lost."

"It meant so much to me. You meant- mean- so much to me. That day when you almost drowned, my heart skipped a beat. I was so afraid and nervous and overwhelmed. You were still gripping the broken pieces when I pulled you out of the water. I fixed this so that I could always remember what I almost lost that day."

He placed a hand on her face. "You mean the world to me, Amy. I love you so much. I'll love you until my dying day. If you don't want to be with me, then I'll accept that. I know you have every right to hate me. I just want you to choose what will make you happy." She looked at him in shock but then turned away. He waited patiently for any response, but when the seconds and minutes passed by in pure silence he was afraid.

"I understand." He whispered and got up to leave.

She didn't know what to say. She was frozen in her spot. Her mind took the time to process everything that had just happened. The bracelet. All this time and I never knew...What will make me happy? It wasn't until he shifted away from her that she finally snapped out of it. However, he was no longer beside her. Panicked, she turned and saw him walking away.

"Sonic!" He turned back to her, his eyes hopeful.

The fear was written all over her face. He knew that it would take a lot to earn her trust back, but he was willing to put in the effort, if she'd let him.

She stood up from her spot and hesitated for a moment. Was this the right choice? And then he smiled one of his eyes smiles that caused his eyes to sparkle and she knew right then and there that it was. In a flash she was in his arms, her own wrapping around his neck as she locked her lips to his. His tongue brushed against her lower lip, begging for entrance, which she eagerly allowed. His taste was intoxicating, like coming home. She tightened her grip to pull her self closer and she could feel him do the same. When she finally pulled away she looked into his shining eyes.

"It's you." She whispered softly. "It's always been you."

He looked at her seriously. "I love you, Amy Rose, and I swear, right here and right now, that I will never leave you again."

She smiled, and curled into his chest. "I like the sound of that."

"So," he said as he kissed the top of her head, "how 'bout we go on that first date you always used to beg me for?"

She looked up at him and rolled her eyes. "Don't even get me started with that!" She pulled away and began to walk off.

"What?" He asked as he sped up next to her.

She playfully pushed him. "Well for starters, you never show up on time. In fact, you never show up at all!"

"Yeah, but I've changed!" He argued.

"You know, you've been using that one a lot lately. That doesn't mean I forget easily." She crossed her arms and turned her face away from him.

"What do I have to do to prove myself?"

She stopped and seriously contemplated this. "Well, for starters, you could get on your hands and knees and beg for forgiveness."

"Aw, come on! Give a guy a break!" She tapped her foot impatiently in response. Sonic rolled his eyes and knelt down to the ground. "Please forgive me?" She shook her head and pointed firmly towards the ground. Sighing he leaned forward and placed his hands down in front of him. "Forgive me now?"

"You know," she said disapprovingly, "your groveling isn't very convincing."

"I'm sorry for everything I've ever done to you. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I'm sorry that I missed every single date you set up for us. I'm sorry I ran away all of the time. I'm sorry…" He stopped when she crouched down and looked at him in pure amusement.

"A girl could get used to this." She gave his nose a little kiss and then stood up laughing.

Sonic followed her quickly and brushed his fir off. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it." He began to walk off when he noticed that she wasn't following. He stopped and turned back to her. When he looked back into her eyes he could see all of her love shining for him.

"I love you, Sonikku."

His face lit up and he ran to her. Lifting her above his head he twirled her around. The sound of her laughing was like music to his ears. This moment was perfect and wonderful and all his. He placed her down and kissed her quickly. "I love you, now and forever, Amy Rose."

He grabbed her hand and they walked off together- one thought running through his head: it was so good to finally be home.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

This is where we part ways…at least with this story. I know many of you fell for the very sweet character that I made Sam into. I felt bad causing him so much pain…and I had several people comment on how they didn't want him to be hurt…but I did it for a reason. Sometimes life isn't always fair. Not everyone gets their happy ending, but that's the way it goes. Good people get the short end of the stick. Please forgive my bluntness for the situation, but I wanted the story to be real.

Thanks again for reading, everyone. Believe me when I say I haven't given up on the others. It's taking me some time…I'm finishing my teaching degree plus I'm planning my wedding, so my time is scarce…but I still plan on finishing them. I hope this will tide you over for the time being, though! Until next time!