Hours passed and Sonic and Amy had long since finished their lunch, but they were so engrossed in their conversation that they lost track of time. Currently they were talking about some of their other friends' relationships.

"To think that Shadow and Rouge's relationship started with an argument that ended with them making out!" Sonic laughed.

Amy laughed also "Not only that but they've been married for about three years now and are still going strong!"

Sonic laughed again "Too bad I couldn't have been there for the wedding. I guess my invitation got lost in the mail."

Amy smirked "Or maybe Shadow just chose not to invite you. You're still not one of his most favorite people after all."

Sonic chuckled "Come on Ames, I would've really livened things up. But hey, from what I've heard it sounds like Rouge got Shadow to lighten up, at least a little."

Amy nodded "Not to mention the fact that Shadow is a better match for Rouge than Knuckles was."

"I have to agree with you there, though I still felt bad for the old Knucklehead, but it's a good thing Tikal came back when she did."

"Yeah, Knuckles deserves someone who understands the importance of guarding the Master Emerald as much as he does."

"And someone who can put up with that explosive temper of his!" Sonic grinned.

Amy giggled "That's true!"

"So, could you remind me how Tikal came back?"

"From what Tikal told me, she said that the Master Emerald brought her back so that she could help Knuckles with guarding it, among other things."

"What sort of 'things'?"

"Tikal wouldn't say but the fact that she was blushing when I asked her that same question told me all I needed to know." Amy said while blushing herself.

Sonic then sported a devilish grin, having understood what she was talking about.

Amy continued "But she did tell me that she wasn't related to Knuckles in any way, due to the fact that she had no siblings or cousins.  Not to mention the fact that she was way too young to have kids at the time she sealed Chaos and herself in the Master Emerald."

"How could anyone think that Knuckles and Tikal are related?" Sonic asked.

"Well, Knuckles told me that he assumed that he and Tikal were related since they were from the same tribe until Tikal told him the truth." Said Amy.

"Well it's good to know that they aren't related because if they were, boy would it be awkward!" Sonic chuckled embarrassedly.

Amy giggled embarrassedly "Very awkward!"

Suddenly, Sonic noticed something.

"Is it just me or does the mall seem less busy than usual lately?" He questioned.

Amy checked her watch and was surprised at what she saw.

"No wonder!  It's almost 6:00 pm!" She exclaimed.

"Wow!  Guess time flies when you're having a good conversation, huh?" Sonic said while scratching the back of his head.

Amy giggled "Yep!  But to be honest, I don't regret it."

Sonic smiled "Me neither to be equally honest."

"So, did you want to call it a day?" Amy asked.

"Actually, I have a better idea." Sonic answered.

"Oh really?  What are you thinking?" Amy asked with a sly grin.

Sonic then scooped her up into his arms, carrying her bridal style.

"You'll see!" He grinned and winked.

Amy gasped in excitement "Is this going to be a surprise?"

"Close your eyes." Sonic answered.

"I'll take that as a yes." Said Amy as she shut her eyes.

And with that, Sonic sped out of the mall with Amy in his arms.  He ran and ran until he eventually arrived at his destination.  He set Amy back on her feet and told her that she could open her eyes.  When she did, what she saw astounded her.

"S-Sonic...is this...is this?"

"Welcome back to Never Lake, Amy!"

That's right, Never Lake, the place where Sonic and Amy first met and right now the hedgehogs were witnessing a magnificent sunset.  The setting sun and the clouds were creating a beautiful panorama of yellows, oranges, reds, blues and pinks while the lake shimmered with gold.

Amy thought it was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.  But Sonic was busy looking at something he thought was even more beautiful, Amy's smile.

Out of all the smiles he had seen from Amy, this one was the most beautiful he had seen yet and with the way the sunset made her eyes glow, he thought she looked absolutely radiant.

'Tails was right, it was definitely worth it.' Sonic thought with a smile of his own.

Amy then turned her attention to Sonic.

"Oh Sonikku, this is incredible!  Thank you so much for bringing us here!" Amy said feeling overjoyed.

"You're welcome Ames.  I thought it would be a good way to end the date." Sonic said feeling pleased with himself.

Amy sniffed and felt a tear roll down her cheek "It was the perfect way to end our date!"

Sonic wiped the tear away with his thumb "Come on Ames, don't cry."

"Can you blame me?  I just had the most wonderful date with the most wonderful guy I know!"

"Really?  Was it better than all the other dates you had?"

"Definitely!" Amy beamed.

Sonic couldn't help but feel a burst of pride when she said that.

'Ha!  Take that Amy's ex-boyfriends!' He thought with a grin.

"There's one question I need to ask though." Amy said bringing Sonic out of his thoughts.

"And what question would that be?" Sonic wondered.

Amy frowned, took a deep breath and then she said it.

"Why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why did you ask me on this date?"

Sonic frowned "Why are you asking me that?"

"It's been on my mind since you first asked me out.  I know that in the past, when I've constantly asked you to go on dates with me, you always turned me down.  But now all of a sudden here we are on an actual date!"

Sonic kept quiet while Amy continued.

"Throughout the date, there were times where I've asked myself questions like 'Does Sonic really like me now or is he just doing this out of pity?' and it's been driving me crazy!"

"Amy..."

"Sonic, I need to know right now and I want you to be completely honest with me.  Why did you take me on this date?" Amy asked anxiously.

Sonic looked down at the ground trying to think of what to say.

"I-Is it possible that maybe...just maybe...you...you might have f-feelings for me?" Amy questioned.

In Sonic's mind, part of him was telling him to make a break for it while the other part was telling him to man up and do the right thing.  Ultimately the latter side won out because Sonic knew Amy would likely never forgive him if he were to run off in the middle of this important moment.

Sonic then raised his head to look at Amy so that he could give her his honest answer.

"Amy, the truth is that I...I..."