And so we've come to the final chapter, I hope you enjoy it

It's been 5 months since Tikal woke up from her coma. Everyone was glad to see her back, especially Knuckles. He tried to hide it, but everyone saw the tear he shed when he saw his cousin. He rushed to hug her, happy that she was alive. Tikal was touched by her cousin's affection. She was touched by everyone's affection. They all threw her a party to celebrate their friend coming back. There, Shadow had explained his plan for Tikal's surprise. They all agreed to help and waited for the awaited day.

That was 4 weeks ago. Today was the day Shadow would reveal his surprise. He had taken her out to dinner and paid. They talked about each other's past, and what their friends were up to. Shadow decided to take Tikal for a stroll through the park, to which Tikal happily obliged.

It was dark when the couple got to the park. They were walking hand in hand when they saw a bench. "C'mon let's sit and enjoy the view." Shadow said, taking Tikal's hand

"I'd love to." Tikal claimed as she sat down. "Isn't this night beautiful? Just look at the light in the sky."

"Yea, it's beautiful, but no where near as beautiful as you"

"You are so sweet" Tikal replied as a red shade appeared over her face

"I just wish that there was some way I could show you how much I love you"

"Shadow, you proved that to me months ago. You were willing to die for me, that's enough for me."

"I know, but still, I want to prove it to you."

At that moment they heard voices coming from the right of them. When they looked, they saw two familiar faces. "I said I don't want them" a female voice yelled.

"But Amy why not? Aren't these the flowers you wanted?" a male voice cried

Sure enough, Sonic and Amy walked out of the bushes. Sonic was carrying a bouquet of froses that were mixed with the colors of red and white. They were walking towards Shadow and Tikal.

"No Sonic! I said I wanted red roses. RED ROSES!"

"So where did I get white from?"

"I have no idea. You're gonna have to take them back to the store and get new ones."

"Uhh, I can't." Sonic said scratching his head. "The store said once a sale is made, there are no refunds."

Amy slapped her forehead. "So what are we going to do with those?"

"Amy, I swear, I'll get you flowers better than these. Ones you deserve."

"Aww, I can't stay mad at you" Amy cooed as she planted a kiss on Sonic's cheek.

They noticed Shadow and ran over to him. "Hey Shadow, want these flowers?" Sonic asked. "You can give them to Tikal. I think this bouquet suits her perfectly"

"Sure" Shadow responded. He took the flowers and waved to Sonic and Amy as they walked away.

"Bye Tikal. Bye Shadow. I hope you two kids have fun" Amy teased.

Tikal looked confused but Shadow kept grinning. "What was that all about?"

"I don't have a clue" Shadow laughed. He gave Tikal the flowers Sonic given him. "Here, Sonic was right. These do suit you" Tikal blushed as she sniffed the flowers.

"They smell nice. How could I have been so lucky as to have someone as sweet as you in my life"

"I don't know, but speaking of sweet…" Shadow looked to his left.

Tikal looked where he was looking and saw two children. It was Tails and Cream. Tails was carrying Cream on his back and a box of chocolates in his hands.

"Are you sure you don't want anymore chocolate Cream?"

"No thank you. My tummy still hurts from the last two boxes we ate" Cream replied

"Ok, but who can we give this box of chocolates to?

They noticed Shadow and Tikal and decided to try them. "Shadow, would you like to have this box of chocolates." Cream asked politely. " It's not open, but I know the treats inside are good."

"Sure, I'll take it Cream" Shadow replied as he took the box from Tails, which happened to be in the shape of a heart. "Thanks you guys."

"No problem Shadow" Tails commented. "C'mon Cream, I'll take you home."

"Thanks Tails. Bye Tikal. Bye Shadow. I hope you don't get a tummy ache like I did"

Shadow and Tikal watched as Tails carried Cream and they disappeared. "That was nice of Tails to carry Cream, knowing she has a tummy ache."

"Yea, Tails is a good person." Shadow confirmed. "Want a chocolate?"

"Sure" Tikal opened the box and took a chocolate out. She put it halfway in her mouth and looked towards Shadow. She leaned in and kissed him, both biting the chocolate in half. "mmm, it tastes so good"

"Yea it does, but I like your taste more"

Tikal giggled. "I could say the same to you"

Shadow smirked. "I love you Tikal"

"I love you too Shadow"

Shadow kissed her forehead. "I know, but I want more than that"

"What do you mean?' Tikal wondered

"I don't know how to get you to understand."

At that exact moment, Rouge and Knuckles came out, walking with Rouge's arms wrapped around Knuckles' They were walking towards Shadow and Tikal. They noticed that Rouge was wearing a beautiful necklace. It had a heart made of diamond with a sapphire gem in the middle. "Knuckie, do you know that I love you so much?"

"Yea I know" Knuckles grinned. "I love you too"

"And I love this necklace you got me. It's beautiful"

"Not as beautiful as you though"

"Aww Knuckie" Rouge planted a kiss on his cheek.

They started walking past Shadow and Tikal. "Hey guys" Rouge called out. "We'll catch you later. I have to take care of something with Knuckles"

As Knuckles walked past Shadow, he gave him something. "Here Shadow. This piece of jewelry is what you need. It will make Tikal love you in no time." With that, Knuckles and Rouge walked off and disappeared.

"What is that?" Tikal asked, pointing to the little square box Knuckles had given to Shadow.

"It's just something that Knuckles thinks will make you love me" Shadow commented

"But a piece of jewelry doesn't matter to me. I love you anyway"

"I know but trust me. This will work" Shadow confirmed. "But first, I need to do me a favor and promise me something.

"Anything" Tikal replied, looking very confused

"Tikal the Echidna" Shadow said, as he stood up and got down on one knee. He opened the box, revealing a ring. The ring's outer layer diamond and onyx. The inner layer had ruby and sapphire. "Will you marry me and promise me that you will always love me no matter what?"

Tikal just stared at Shadow for a while before breaking down into joyful tears.

"Yes Shadow." Tikal cried "I would love to marry you and I promise. I promise I will love you even in the afterlife."

Shadow placed the ring on her finger and kissed his fiancé. Out of nowhere, Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, Rouge, Tails, and Cream all popped out and started clapping. This frightened Tikal.

"What are you all doing here?" Tikal asked

"We're here to congratulate you guys." Amy replied

"Shadow was talking about doing this months ago." Knuckles joined in. "He needed some help so he asked us to join in his proposal."

"It was fun to help out" Cream exclaimed

"C'mon Tikal. Didn't you think it was weird that we all walked past you guys?" Sonic asked

"And that we all had gifts for Shadow to take?" Tails commented

"It was a dead give away" Rouge stated

"You know, now that you mention it" Tikal thought "It is weird that you all showed up. I guess I was too focused on Shadow to really pay attention"

"That's sweet of you" Shadow responded, kissing Tikal on the lips. Everyone awwwed them.

"C'mon guys, party at my house." Tails exclaimed. "We need to celebrate you two getting married"

"Sure, sounds like fun" Tikal replied

The gang started walking towards Tails' house. Tikal was holding Shadow's hand and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I love you so much Shadow"

"I love you too Tikal."

"I'm so happy that we are together. Please stay with me forever."

"I promise."

I hope you enjoyed the story. Please R&R. No Flames. I thank everyone who reviewed this story and pushed me to finish the story.