Heavy-Set Sally: Chapter 5

Heavy-Set Sally
Chapter 5

It was the last night of the first ever carnival in the Knothole Kingdom. The “Uncle Chuck’s” restaurant was just about empty after a long night. Leaving the managers, a family of hedgehogs,  free to talk to a young half-robotic rabbit sitting at the counter about the matters of a certain princess over an evening coffee.

“So Uncle Chuck, what you’all are saying is that thing that plumped up poor Sally-girl works the same way your  robotizer did.” asked Bunnie.
“Well Bunnie, yes and no.” Started Uncle Chuck as he took off his spectaculars and rubbed his eyes. Rotor, Uncle Chuck and Dr.Quack had been working on a way to reverse Princess Sally’s weight gain and he was a bit tired, but who better to help than the original inventor of the robotizer. It was going to be another long night and Uncle Chuck had come in to restaurant pick up some food for the group at Rotor’s workshop. “Other than the fact that this device works more like a bomb, sending out waves of radiation , My original robotizer altered the cells of the body with a preset frequency, one designed to replace organic cells and with metal alloys and mechanical structure. This works the same way except it appears that this thing can be programmed with any sort of for lack of a better word, attribute.”
“Attribute?” Bernadette, Sonic’s mom, interrupted.
“Yes. You see, my original device worked with most earth metals found in the Mobian body. Zinc, iron, so on. The secret of robotization was to trick the body into thinking it need more of these cells in order to sustain life by altering the base DNA of the subject. The the cells programmed themselves to configure to a certain from. Understand?” Bunnie and Bernie looked at each other and saw the same glazed look in each others eyes. Both then looked over to a robotic hedgehog, Sonic’s father and Bernie’s husband,  who just shrugged.
“Not really ,Bro.” said Jules. “But keep going.”
“Well. I basically came up with a new element that could be created by breaking down and re-sequencing the available molecules in the body. That “attribute” was the basis of my machine.”
“So basically I’m made of some sort of new metal?” asked Jules looking at his hands.
“We all were at one time.” said Uncle Chuck looking at Bernie and Bunnie.
“Well that still doesn’t explain wha happened to Sally-girl.” interjected Bunnie.
“On the contrary, it explains a lot.” said Uncle Chuck. “Although the data Rotor collected from the device was partly corrupted, we could still tell it was organic. Dr. Quack ran it throw his records and we identified it as the original Robotnik’s DNA. It’s my theory that Eggman can’t robotize anybody because he had lost the formula for my new element when Sally programmed that virus in his computers.”
“I still don’t see where your going.” said Bunnie.
“I’m getting to that, Bunnie. I think this second Robotinik was trying to load the “attribute” of someone who was already robotized in the device, but he made a mistake. The “attribute” we found was for a fat producing hormone found in the original Robotnik. It was then transferred to Sally, replacing the genes she was born with. That tricked her body into producing the extra fat. In a way, Sally has three parents right now. Queen Alicia, King Max and well…Robotnik.” Everyone listening to Uncle Chuck’s explanation cringed.
“ I understood that.” said Bunnie as she look way, seeming to be ill.

Just then her eyes caught a glimpse of a coyote in royal guard uniform at the door. He too look tired after a long day. However his senses weren’t so dull that he couldn’t see that something had upset his the love of his life. But the expression Bunnie face went from disgust to surprised. If it had been any other time, Bunnie would have probably ran up, gave him a hug, and planted a big kiss on his cheek. However, his time was less than perfect considering the topic that they had been discussing. Sally asked everyone to keep her little “accident” a secret, however the number of people who were finding out seemed to be growing everyday. “Maybe he didn’t hear anything.” hoped Bunnie. But her fears were quickly realized by the first words out of the newcomer’s mouth.
“ ‘Understood’ what?” asked Antoine. Bunnie just glanced over at Uncle Chuck. It looked like he was waiting for her to take lead.
“Antoine! Hey there. Umm…we weren’t talking anything in particular.” said Bunnie nervously.
“Really. Because et looked like zomething was upsetting you.” Said Antoine, concerned. He then looked around at the faces of the hedgehog family and saw that they also seemed bewildered. “I came in for a cup of coffee, but it seems I am interrupting something.” said Antoine politely.
“No, wait.” said Jules before Antoine started to leave. “You didn’t interrupted anything.” Jules then grabbed a pot of coffee and poured a cup.
“Yeah come on, Sugah.” Said Bunnie in a more upbeat voice. “Tak’a load off.” She patted the seat next to her. “Unless you’d lyked to sit on my lap.” flirted Bunnie in her usual fashion. This put Antoine at ease. Before he sat down he gave Bunnie a quick kiss.
“So, if I am being zo bold…” said Antoine as he started to doctor his drink. “…to assume that you were talking…” Antoine looked around a bit to see if anyone else in the establishment  was listening. “…about Sally.” Everyone stiffened up as Antoine took the first sip of his coffee.  
“What about Sally-girl?” Asked Bunnie in a low voice.
“You know…” said Antoine discretely. “The princess iz now like ze French wine; full-bodied.” Everyone’s jaws dropped. Bunnie loved Antoine dearly but even she had to admit that he could be a little clueless at times.
“How did…” Bunnie started loudly but then composed herself. “How did you know?”
“Mon cerci, I am being a member of ze royal guard.” said Antoine softly but proudly. “It iz my job to know and to know who knows. No?”
“So who else knows about this?” asked Bernie.
“It would be easier to ask ‘who doesn’t know about this?’, Mrs. Hedgehog.” said Bunnie. “That would perty much leave Tails, Amy, Rosie and ,of course, Sugah-Hog…” counted Bunnie.
“No, Rosie knows too.” added Antoine.
“Wha?” exclaimed Bunnie.
“Well it makes sense. Rosie is like a mother to you kids.” said Uncle Chuck as he took a sip of his coffee.
“Wee,  Plus the Princess need her to repair a skirt before her date.” finished Antoine.
“Date.” said Bunnie, both her ears perking up.
“Wee, with Sonic. Didn’t she tell you.” asked Antoine.  Bunnie’s jaw dropped again.
“Yeah, Sonic said he was going to take ‘Roxie’ to the carnival tonight.” jumped in Bernie, making quotations in the air. “He left here about 5 hours ago. Didn’t you know.”
“No! Ah hadn’t talked to Sally since ah left her here with Sonic two days ago. I figured she’d be perty steamed after I pulled a stunt like that.” explained Bunnie as she turn to Bernie. “I don’t even know what happened that night.”
“Oh they had a great time.” said Bernie cheerfully. “They talked for hours and shared a big chilidog dinner.” Antoine nearly spit coffee all over the counter when he heard that.
“Sally-girl! Our Sally.” said Bunnie. Bernie and Jules looked confused at the three.
“Sally always said she would never touch a chilidog let alone eat one.” said Antoine wiping some coffee off his chin.
“Well, she did. A whole bunch of them. It was kinda like having another Sonic around.” said Jules with a chuckle.
“Well, I’d never…” mused Uncle Chuck.
“So they are back together!” Bunnie exclaimed with glee.
“No, Sally was never saying that.” replied Antoine. “In fact, she went out of her way to say that the only reason she would be going was to be polite to Sonic. But I will say she did have a certain look in her eye.”
“What kinda look?” asked Bunnie.
“It cannot being described, really. But I have seen it many times before. In my own reflection. When I am thinking of you.”, Said Antoine to Bunnie.
“Oh Sugah-Twain.” Bunnie said softly. Then she gave him a big kiss. Uncle Chuck looked away for a moment and just smiled to himself. Jules moved a little closer to his wife and put his arm around her hip. Bernie jumped a little at the cold touch of his metal hand through her cotton dress. But after realizing what it was, she placed a tender hand on top of his and gave him a quick peck on his metal cheek. As Bunnie and Antoine finished, he straighten up.
“As for Sally being mad, I would not know. But I wouldn’t want her to be getting mad.” said Antoine.
“How come?” asked Uncle Chuck.
“Mon Dieu! Today was Sally’s first checking up with Dr.Quack and I was escorting the royal family.” said Antoine.
“Sally’s alright isn’t she.” interrupted Bunnie.
“She is more than being alright.” continued Antoine.  “As I was saying, the doctor is saying she is as ‘hefty as a horse’.”
“I sure hope you mean ‘healthy’.” said Jules.
“Wee.” pointed Antoine. “Any way after that she is asking if there is a weight room. So we are all going to the gym and the Princess then lifted 200 pounds over her head.”
“Pardon?” said Uncle Chunk. “For a second there I thought you said 200 pounds.”
“That is what I am saying.” said Antoine. Everyone was silent for minute.
“I’m surprised…” started Jules. “But I would be more surprised if we weren’t talking about someone that gained about 300 pounds over night.” Everyone slowly nodded.
“Well you should have been there.” said Antoine, acting it out. “First she is lifting 200. 300. 400. Finally,  450.”
“Is that all she could lift?” asked Jules.
“No. We just ran out of weights.” Said Antoine nonchalantly.
“How do you explian that, Uncle Chuck.” asked Bunnie who was still a bit stunned. Uncle Chuck rubbed his forehead.
“Well…it could be lots of things. Rotor said her muscle was increasing in desity. It could be her body trying to compensate. It could be a side-effect of the energy released by the device. Or even a freak incident.” said Uncle Chuck. “I’ll have to talk to Dr.Quack about tonight.”

Uncle Chuck was about to go to the kitchen, when he heard a familiar sound.  A sound he had trained himself to listen for while he was still a robotized spy in Robotrpolios. His eyes grew wide as realized the sound was getting closer.
“Sonic’s coming” said Uncle Chuck. “Just act casual.” However everyone sitting there couldn’t help but stiffen up as the blue hedgehog stopped in front of the restaurant, kicking up a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared there stood Sonic with a huge teddy bear in his arms, almost as big as him, with a big pink bow on it’s head. After some difficulty getting throught the door, he managed to walk up to the counter where everyone simple looked at him with a simle on there faces, Bunnies being the biggest. “Hey.” Sonic simply said as he walked to the other bend of the counter. He sat down in one seat and place the teddy bear on the seat next to him. “How is everyone doing” asked Sonic, who seemed tired as well. Everyone chimed in, mumbling and trailing off their replies.
“How are you, sweetheart?” asked Sonic’s mom. “You seem tired.”  
“My stomach is kinda upset.” said Sonic. “Can I have some soda water?”
“Of course you can.” said Bernie as she went to get it. Sonic then began to rub the back of his neck with an  out-of-character look of contemplation on his face.
“What’s the matter son? Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?” joked Sonic’s dad. “She’s quite the looker.”
“Oh this.” said Sonic who was jarred out of his thoughts. “Yeah this… well this…is a teddy bear!” said Sonic, a little bit sarcastic.
“We’all know that, Sugah-hog.” said Bunnie with a wide grin on her face. “Question is why are you holding on to it.” Sonic thought for a second.
“Well umm, funny story. Princess Roxie and I went to the carnival and we went to that ‘ring the bell’ hammer thing and she …kinda…won this…for me.” Hearing that, Bunnie gently put her fingers to her lip to keep from giggling. Antoine also turned away and lifted up his coffee cup to hide his smirk. Uncle Chuck seemed to be the only one not trying to hide his grin. “Hey!” exclaimed Sonic seeing the looks on the faces around him. “I won her a bear too. Just a much, much smaller one. But mine had sunglasses. That was pretty awesome.” said Sonic optimistically.   
“Where is, um, Roxie? Did she have a good time?” asked Bernie as she gave her son a his water.
“Oh she had great time, I think. We mainly played games and watched the attractions. I think she felt bad because she said didn’t want to go on any rides. Motion sickness.” Said Sonic before he took a swig of his drink. In reality, ‘Roxie’ said that she was probably to big to fit in any the rides and Sonic didn’t push the issue.  “I told her that it was ok. I’ve gone a thousand times faster than any of those rides. Anyway I took her home about three minutes ago and ran over. To tell the truth I’m glad all you guys are here. You see I’ve been thinking about a couple things.” said Sonic.
“Hmm. I thought I smelt zomething burning.” joked Antoine under his breath. Bunnie gave him a light shove in his side.
“Hush you.” scolded Bunnie. “What’s on you mind Sugah-hog?”
“Well there is just something about dating Roxie that’s making me a little…uncomfortable.” Everyone glanced at each other as Sonic downed the last of his drink. Then he set his glass down fast and wiped his lips with his thumb. “I figure something out tonight.” said Sonic. Everyone’s eyes widened at that “Well it was just a matter of time.” Thought Bunnie to herself. She looked around the group and had a feeling that they were thinking the same thing. “I mean here me and Sally just broken up and I go and ask her cousin for a date.”
“…What?” said Bernie softly after a long pause. Sonic looked up at her.
“ Mom, isn’t it a little weird. It would be like you going after Uncle Chuck and then turning around and settling for Dad.” said Sonic.
“You mean that’s not what happened?” laughed Uncle Chuck who seemed to recover first. Bernie softly laughed at that as she was thinking of what to say next.
“Never mind your uncle.” said Bernie. “Umm…why don’t you tell us what’s on your mind.” Sonic thought for a second before letting out a big sigh.
“It’s kinda…I always thought Sally and me were going to end up together ever since we were kids, you know. I try my hardest to get back with her. Then I meet Roxie and I can’t stop thinking about her.” It was a good thing Sonic was too preoccupied with his thoughts to see Bunnie had clasped her hand over mouth to keep from breaking out in a giggle fit. “Doesn’t that seem wrong.”
“Oh, Sonic…” said Bunnie with a creak in her voice. After she took a breath to compose herself she started again. “For a second there I thought you were going to say that you were uncomfortable with the fact that Roxie is a ‘bigger’ girl.”
“Know something, that doesn’t really bother me.”, Sonic then quickly smirk. Sonic’s mother saw this and smiled herself.
“Sooooooooooooooooooooo…are you physically attracted to her.” asked Bernie casually.
“Mom!” shouted Sonic as he blushed a little.
“Oh, come now.” said Bernie, swatting the air at her son childish display. “Your more adult than that.” Sonic looked away for the moment. He thought about the date. Roxie wore the same outfit as the day he met her; a blue, long sleeve, low cut shirt and short, black, skirt. She told him it was her favorite outfit and it quickly becoming his too. At one point they sat against a tree on the hill just outside the carnavel and watch the fireworks displace. Sonic couldn’t help but glance at  Roxie’s large, shapely legs that she stretched out and crossed in front of her. Sonic followed the legs up to her ample chest that rested on top of her large, round stomach which he was starting to think, to Sonic’s surprise, was more cute than anything.  From time to time he looked over and watched the light play across her soft face.  And after the fireworks ended, the hedgehog was about to stand up. But Roxie stopped him by reaching around Sonic and pulling him closer to her side. At first Sonic felt ackward. His head was placed right next to the side of her stomach and chest, but then Roxie looked down at him with her deep blue eyes and smiled. Sonic smiled back as he slowly relaxed, resting his head against her side and placing his arm across her soft stomach. In turn, Roxie rested her head on top of the hedgehog’s and placed her hand on top of his. Sonic smiled to himself as he remember that spent the rest of the date on that hill. Sonic then looked over at his friends and family.
“A little.” said Sonic nonchalantly.
“Just a little?” Asked Antoine as he raised his brow. He could tell that the hedgehog was lying or at least bending the truth.
“Well…kinda a lot ‘a little’.”, Said Sonic with a nervous grin.
“Ok. Here is my next question; Is the attaction just physical?”  asked Bernie. Sonic thought again.
“I guess not. She’s really smart and she is a really good person. Like at the carnavial tonight we hear this kid crying. I thought it was just an upset kid but Roxie says she got a funny feeling. We look around and there is this little squirrel girl who lost her daddy. Roxie calms her down and asks her what her dad looks like. Well the kids is like two and she is so upset that she can’t talk straight. I start running around, asking every squirrel in the place if they lost their daughter and I‘m turning up nada.” said Sonic, really getting it the story.  “So Roxie…this is brilliant…Roxie puts the kid on her shoulders…she’s really tall…and tells her to look for her dad. After a while the kid starts yelling ‘Daddy! Daddy!” Well it turns out the reason I didn’t find the dad was because the dad was a beaver.” finished Sonic, throwing his hand up.
“This Roxie sound s like some gal.” said Uncle Chuck. He winked to everyone but Sonic.
“Yeah.” Sonic said, seeming to be in his own world. “Plus there is just some connection. It’s like I’ve known her all my life.” Everyone smirked at that statement, except for Bunnie who was trying desperately not to bust out in laughter.
“Ok, so what I’m getting…” started Bernie trying to ignore the seemingly ‘seizuric’ rabbit. “…is that you feel weird about dating someone who is just like Sally?” Sonic nodded at that.
“But…” Sonic added. “She only seems like Sally only part of the time.”
“What do you mean?” asked Bernie.
“Well it’s like half the time she’s this shy, meek person who just wants to stay under the radar. The other half she acts confidant and decisive, like Sally.”
“Zonic, if I maybe interrupting.” said Antoine. “ It seem to moi that you are very, very much liking this girl, no?” Sonic slowly nodded, part because he was trying to decipher Antoine’s question. “ But you are concerning yourself with the possibility of reuniting with Sally, yes?” Sonic nodded at that too. “Sonic, I give you this advice, from one extremely handsome gentles-man to another not-so-bad-looking one, as one who has experience in the same department store.” said Antoine as he moved closer to Bunnie and put his arms aound her waist. “Do not be zo blinded by one small chance that you miss what could be the best thing in your life.”
“Oh Antoine.” cooed Bunnie as she blushed. Sonic nodded his head softly.
“You got a point there, Ant. If you kept chasing Sally, you and Bunnie would have never hooked up. And Now, I can’t think of anyone better for you to than each other. Do you think it’s the same with me and Roxie? I mean she is the first girl I ever met who likes chilidogs as much as I do.” said Sonic in an upbeat voice.
“You’re a true romantic, Sugah-hog.” said Bunnie sarcastically. Sonic seemed to lighten up but then is expression shank again.
“What’s wrong now?” asked Uncle Chuck.
“Well there is one other thing. You see, I sorta get embarrassed around her.” said Sonic.
“I thought you said it didn’t matter what she looked like.” said Bunnie. Sonic’s eyes widened at that.
“No. No, it’s not that. It’s just that…” Sonic trailed off.
“Yes…” said Sonic’s mom.
“It’s just that she’s taller and…stronger than me. I mean she is really, really strong!” emphasized Sonic, thinking back to the night Roxie had destroyed  two of Robotnik’s robots with her bare hands. Everyone but Sonic glanced over at Antoine, remembering what he said earlier.
“How do you know that?” asked Uncle Chuck. Sonic’s widened. “Oh oh. Almost let the cat out of the bag.” Sonic thought to himself. He had promised Roxie he wouldn’t tell anyone about the robot attack.
“I told you she won me this bear.” said Sonic thinking fast. “ Plus, I’m pretty sure she put a dent in that bell. Then she picks out this huge teddy bear with a bow and hands it to me in front of everyone. “ said Sonic putting his hand on the bear’s head, some embassement in his voice. “So then I try and show that I can win her something and all I can get is this really small bear with sunglasses.”
“And she didn’t like it?” asked Bunnie.
“Worse. She loved it. She loved it so much she pick me up and hugged me like I was a teddy bear.” Every one at the counter laughed at that. “Exactly. That’s what everyone around us did. I know it shouldn’t bug me but I can’t help but feel…intimidated by her sometimes.”
“Oh Sonic.” said Bunnie. “You don’t need to feel that way. Don’t you think little old Antoine here gets intimidated by my super strength. But it doesn’t bother you does it, Sugah?” Bunnie asked Antoine.
“Absolute no.” said Antoine. Sonic raised an eyebrow to that.
“Never?” Sonic asked. Bunnie had a smile on her face as she waited for Antoine’s response. But when it didn’t come, she turned so Antoine was in her view. She saw him looking off to the side with his lips slightly puckered as if he was going to start whistling.
“Antoine?” said Bunnie.
“Well, almost never.” said Antoine. Bunnie just turned back not really knowing how to react.  
“Anyway,…” started Bunnie again. “…don’t you think you may give her the hebee-jebees with your speed? I’ve seen how big she is. I may be wrong but it doesn’t look like she could run very fast.” said Bunnie, glad Sally wasn’t around to hear that. Sonic bucked up.
“I guess your right Bunnie.” said Sonic, remembering how slow he had to go to not catch her in the forset.
“It sounds to me like you to are two side of the same coin, Sugah-hog.” giggled Bunnie. “So when are you going to see her again.” Sonic’s eyes widened.
“I don’t know. We didn‘t talk about it. All we did was say goodnight before we kis…” Sonic stopped himself from finishing, but everyone already knew he was going to say.
“So…” chimed in Sonic’s mom with a wide smile on her face that matched Bunnie’s. “…you two are kissing already.”
“Mom, come on. I’m seriously freaked here. I talk a big game but I’ve only seriously date one other person, and I never had to ask her out. Sally and I were pretty much always ending up in the same place. What do I do.” asked Sonic as he looked around, his eyes falling on Uncle Chuck.
“Don’t look at me, Sonny-Boy. When I was your age and you liked a girl you just walked up to her, clubbed her on the head and dragged her back to the cave. And if she is as strong as you say, I would advise against it.” joked Uncle Chuck as walked to the kitchen and came out with a sack of to-go boxes.
“Thanks a lot, Uncle Chuck.” Sonic said sarcastically, but then he saw the bag in his hand. “Yo, Unk where are you going with grub this late.”
“Oh I’m working late with Rotor again. I missed dinner and don’t think he’s eaten all day.” said Uncle Chuck.
“That must be some project your working on.” said Sonic.
“Oh it’s… it’s big stuff.” said Uncle Chuck. “Any way, I’ll see you later Sonny-boy.”
“See you, Uncle Chuck.” said Sonic
“Oh and by the way I want you tell me then next time Roxie stops by the restaurant. I’d like to meet her and besides you haven’t had a chilidog until old Uncle Chuck makes it.”  With that Uncle Chuck went outside the restaurant and walked up to a small motor bike. He placed the food in a back storage compartment then rode off in the direction of Rotor’s workshop. When Bernie look back at her son see saw that he had an intense look on his face.       
“Relax, Sweetheart.” said Bernie. “Your always going to the palace for one reason or another, so your bound to see her soon. And if not it’s not like you don’t have the number.” Sonic felt realived at that notion, which enabled him to let out a loud yarn.
“Thanks, Mom. And If you guys don’t mind I think I’ll go home and catch some Z’s.” Sonic then got up a and went to the door. “Whoh…” he said as he turned around and grabbed the teddy. “ Can’t forget this.”     
       

As they watched Sonic take off. Bunnie turned to Antoine.
“Sugah, are sure it was a good idea to say that to Sonic. You know about moving on with ‘Roxie‘.” asked Bunnie. Antoine looked at her for a second.
“What iz the problem? The two are one in the same.” said Antoine.
“Yes, but eventually ‘Roxie’ is going to have to go away. With means sooner or later Sonic is going to find out everything. I mean how is this going to end?”
“Bunnie, your asking the right questions…” interrupted Jules. “…but I think the best thing we can do is keep this up until Sally decides to be honesty with my son.” Everyone at the counter seemed to agree with that.
“It is a hoot pulling the wool o’er Sugah-hog’s eyes”, giggled Bunnie. “And isn’t romantic? Your son falling in love with the same girl all over again. If that’s not an argument for “soul mates” I don’t know what is.” finished Bunnie, almost squealing out of excitement.                                                
“All I can say is that it makes me proud that my son can keep physical appearances, and his ego, from getting in the way of a relationship.” said Bernie looking at Bunnie across the counter.
“Yeah. if only I did the same thing when I was his age.” said Jules Hedgehog calmly as he put his arms around his wife, taking care not to hurt her with his mechanical strength. Bernie smiled as she felt her husband but then she started to think about his statement.
“What do you mean?” asked Bernie curiously.
“I mean ‘I which I’d done that same thing when I was his age’. You know, when we were in school…” said Jules. After a second of thinking, Bernie’s eyes widened.
“Oh, Jules you don’t mean…” said Bernie, pleasantly surprised at what her husband was implying.
“Yep, Babe. I fell for you the first minute I saw you.” Said Jules, his robot face turned up into a smile. Bunnie and Antoine glanced at each other and just shrugged.
“If it’s not-one-thing too personal…” said Antoine. “Could you be explaining this to us, ya.”
“Well…let’s just say that the situation Sonic and Sally are in has similarities to the situation Bernie and I had when we were younger.” said Jules.
“Now what does that all mean?” said Bunnie smiling at the prospect of new gossip.  Jules looked at his wife who just nodded. Jules released Bernie from his grip and walked to the backroom as she leaned over to Bunnie and Antoine.
“Let’s just say that the reason I sympathize with Sally so much is because when I was in high school I was a little… stout.” said Bernie quietly.
“She was chubby!” Said Jules a bit too loud for Bernie’s taste as he came out of the backroom with a book in his hand. “And not just a little chubby…” continued Jules with a laugh in his voice. “…I mean really chubby!” Bernie looked mortified at her husband.
“Jules!!!” she shouted as she gave him a shove, which made Jules finally break down in laughter. Then Bernie recognized the book in his hand and her jaw dropped. “Where did you get that?!” she said coldly as she reached for it.
“This is my copy!” said Jules keeping it from Bernie. As Bernie tried to reach around him, Jules tossed the book on the counter in front of Bunnie. “Quick! Page 47!” said Jules. Bernie shrieked as Jules playfully held her back long enough for Bunnie to grab the book. Bunnie saw that the book was older but still in good condition. Bunnie opened it. The heading on the page Jules had told her to go to was “Debate Club”. Bunnie scanned the page. Her eyes widened and a smile broke out across her face. Bernie stopped fighting Jules and stepped back after she saw the look on Bunnie, which told her she was too late. Bunnie than leaned over to Antoine and angled the book towards him and pointed. It was a picture of a young female Hedgehog in the middle of giving a speech. Although she was no where even near as big as Sally, she still was pretty hefty. Even though she wore a loose sweater that tried to hid it, a round stomach was protruding from her figure. Her hips were wide and she had knee high socks rolled over her thick legs. Her chest was moderately ample but her behind was significantly large, which seemed to peek out from the short skirt the hedgehog was wearing.  Her face was round and she looked like she was starting to develop a second chin. More surprising was that fact that the hedgehog in this picture was wearing a pair of large, round glasses. At that moment Bernie gently took the book from Bunnie and sighed after a moment of look at her picture.
“I look like such a nerd back then.  I can’t believe I wore those socks.” said Bernie in a voice that was both reminiscent yet a little depressed. Jules then wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
“Hey, I liked those socks.” said Jules. Bunnie just smiled a little.
“Mrs. Hedgehog, you don’t look that bad. In fact you look really cute in that outfit.” said Bunnie with a little giggle in her voice.
“Wee…” echoed Antoine. “…Put what happened to your glasses?” Bernie responded to that by taking a case out of her pocket. She opened it up and put on a pair of glasses. They were smaller than the ones in the picture and  a little more rectangular in shape.
“I only need them when I read.” said Bernie taking them off.      
“And back then she read all the time. When she wasn’t playing on the volleyball team, or taking art classes that is.” added Jules. Bernie moved out off Jules embrace and  just looked at her husband for a second.
“How did you know all that? The only thing I knew you from in high school was debate.” said Bernie.
“I know. That’s when I first saw you.” said Jules. “And after a couple of weeks in that, I thought you were that cutest, smartest girl in the whole school. Plus you had a backside that…”, Jules stopped as he remembered that Antoine and Bunnie where listening. Antoine was looking away as he sipped his coffee. Bunnie however was intensively listening, her eyes wide with enjoyment.
“Go on.” Bunnie said with a smile.
“Bunnie, I think this is a little personal between the two, yes.” said Antoine discreetly.
“No, Bunnie’s right. Go on Jules Nathaniel Hedgehog…” said Bernie. The fact the she used Jules full name told him that she was mad. “… I would like to hear the rest. Especially sense this the first time I’m hearing it.”
“You’all mean you didn’t start dating after that.” interrupted Bunnie.
“No…” said Bernie turning towards Bunnie. “I didn’t even know he was interested in me. Our relationship really started after the Great War broke out. We were stuck together with some other people when the Overlanders first attacked. We helped fight them back and the I always thought we grew close because of the experience. Of course this was after I had lost the extra weight, so I always thought you were a little shallow.” turning towards Jules at the end of her explanation.  
“ I wasn’t shallow!”, objected Jules.
“Oh yeah. Then why didn’t you ever say anything in high school.” asked Bernie.
“I felt the same way Sonic did. You intimidated  me.” said Jules. Bernie’s eyes widened at that.
“What did I ever do to intimidated you?” she asked sharply with a laugh in her voice.
“You always seemed smarter than me. And the first thing you ever said to me was that my options were misguided and my reasoning was flawed. ” said Jules defensively.
“We were in a debate, of course I said something like that. It didn’t mean I didn’t like you. In fact, I  thought you were kinda cute.” finished Bernie.
“Really?!” perked up Jules.
“Yeah, in a scrawny looking kinda way.” joked Bernie. The two just smiled at each other for a moment.
“So you were pretty much happy with the way you looked?” Bunnie asked Bernie.
“Well… I wasn’t unhappy with the way I looked. Until the big lake party at the end of the year, that is.” said Bernie.
“What was that?” asked Antoine.
“It was tradition. At the end of the year, all the Senior ditched school to go to the big lake outside Mobotroplois.” said Jules.
“And I wished I had never gone.” interrupted Bernie.
“Why do you say that, Babe.” asked Jules, concern in his voice.  
“Well I wouldn’t have gone if all you were going to do is flirt with Debby Foxfur.” said Bernie shrewdly.
“What?!” exclaimed the robotic hedgehog. Bernie just turned away. She saw the confused look on Bunnie’s face and then turned to her.
“Here’s what happened, Bunnie.” said Bernie, placing both her hands on the counter and leaning forward slightly. “ I went to that lake after my friends convinced me to go. I didn’t want to go because frankly I thought it was childish to ditch… and I didn’t look good in a swimsuit.” Bernie quietly add.
“I’d like to rebuttal that.”, said Jules.
“Quiet you” said Bernie as she glared at her husband. Jules quickly took a step back and closed his mouth. “I was walking by Jules, Chuck and a few of his friends when all of a sudden I hear someone whistling. I turned around and saw Jules looking at Debby Foxfur, some skinny, fluffy-tailed fox in a tiny, white string bikini .” said Bernie angrily. Both Bunnie and Antoine just stayed silent, not really knowing how to react. “Of course what did I care. I wasn’t his girlfriend back then.” said Bernie coolly, trying to hide the fact that she had been , and maybe still, jealous. Jules just shook his head.
“Bernie, baby. That’s not what happened at all.” said Jules.
“Oh yeah. Well why don’t you tell us what really happened then, mister.” said Bernie placing her hands on her hips.  Jules tried to take a deep breath, forgetting he was a robot for a split-second.
“Ok. Here’s what happened. We were all at the lake when I saw you coming. It was the fisrt time I saw you in a bathing suit.” said Jules, a smile in his voice. “ I remember it like it was yesterday . You wore this hot pink, backless, one piece swimming suit that look a little tight on you… ” Jules just trailed off. He seemed to be in his own world for a second. However the stern look on Bernie’s face that remained unchanged snapped him back to reality. Jules seeing that his wife was genuanly annoyed decided to get to the point. “Well Chucky knew I was crazy about you, so he started to tease me. He bet me I couldn’t even get your attention. I couldn’t think of anything to say to you as you walked by. Then I just did the first thing that came to mind as you were walking away.” Jules then put his hand to his mouth and made a cat-call whistle. Bunnie and Antoine let out a small laugh as Bernie just rolled her eyes, a frown still on her face. “ Hey I was 18 at the time. Of course it was childish.” said Jules defensively.  “Well, by that time some girl was walking by me and she thought I whistled at her. She turned to me and said ‘Thanks handsome’. I just looked at her because she had surprised me. I looked back at you and saw that you were looking at me so I tried to smile but you just frowned, turned around and walked off. I thought I offended you, so I stayed away from you for the rest of the day. But I want you to know I really wanted to spend it with you” said Jules sincerely.
“Oh that’s so sad.” exclaimed Bunnie.
“Don’t break out the tissue just yet, Bunnie.” said the female hedgehog in a sarcastic voice. “That was a real nice story, Honey.”
“It’s the truth.” said Jules sternly.
“It’s ok. Sweetheart.” said Bernie, her expression finally softening. “ I was just giving you a hard time. All that matters is that you and I are together now.” Then Bernie tried to give him a kiss, but Jules moved his head back.
“You really don’t believe me.” asked Jules, who sounded annoyed. Bernie just had a sweetly-sad expression on her face that told him she didn’t. “Fine!” he said picking the book off the counter and handing it to her. “Look at the inside of the back.” said Jules. Bernie look at the cold expression her husband’s face and opened the back panal. There pasted over some farewell messages was a photo of the same young female hedgehog taken later in the day of the lake party. She was beside the lake on a beach towell, laying on her side. One arm supporting her head, the other holding a book she was reading and her left leg placed behind the right . She was wearing the same swimsuit Jules had described and it indeed look tight on her  large, shapely figure, extenuating her chest and hips. Her face was turned away from the camrea, but two deep blue eyes could be seen peering from a pair of large, round glasses. Her expression was a look of both indifference and just a little bit sad making her resemble some sort of model. Bernie smiled as she saw that Jules had made her look quite attractive in her larger youth. Then her Husband spoke up before she could ask where he got the picture.  “I took it before Chucky and I left that day. I stared at that photo all summer and swore that if I ever meet that girl again I would someday asked her to marry me.” said Jules. Then the robotic hedgehog grimaced. “Wow, that sounded a lot less creepy in my head.” said Jules place his hand on the back of his head. But Bernie just looked up from the book with a big smile and a tear in her eye.
“Yeah, that was kinda creepy.” said Bernie jokingly as she folded the book up, wrapped her arms around Jules and gave him a big kiss, which he gladly received.
Bunnie smiled at the couple as Antoine reached over and gently put his hand over her organic hand and smiled at her. After the kiss, Jules and Bernie glanced back the younger couple and then back at each other
“Anyway the next time I saw you, we where running round the city trying to stop the Overlanders. I guess you lost a lot of weight in those three years.” added Jules.
“I lost a lot of weight in that first summer.” corrected Bernie. “I swore that I would lose enough weight to fit in a bikini like Debby Foxfur‘s.” Said Bernie bitterly. Then she placed her hand on the back of he neck. “Wow. You and I are an incredibly obsessive and creepy couple.” finished Bernie laughing. Everyone laughed at that but then Bunnie spoke up.
“Wow you lost all that weight in one summer.” said Bunnie.
“Hey…” said Bernie defensivly. “…you sound like I was as fat as… well…Sally.” The hedgehog said the last part a low voice.
“I didn’t mean it that way.” said Bunnie apologetically. “I was just wondering how you did it. You know, in case I ever start to get a little soft around the middle.” Antoine chuckled a little at that. Bunnie then looked over at him. “What was tha supposed to mean. Ya trying to tell mah something, buddy.” joked Bunnie, poking Antoine’s shoulder gently.
“Oh I was just t’inking…”, started Antoine with a smirk. “…how you might look with a, how you say, extra wheel?”
“I think you mean ‘spare tire’.” corrected Bunnie. “So what about that did you find amusing?” asked the Rabbit defensivly.
“Oh Bunnie, you could never be anything but beautiful to me. I was just wondering why you would be getting soft around the middle. Perhaps after a few years of my cooking, no.” mused Antoine, knowing that Bunnie was quite fond of the desserts he would sometimes make. Bunnie perked up at that. She leaned over close to Antoine and waited for him to feel her.
“Is that a perposal?” asked Bunnie softly and sweetly. Antoine just stared at her for a moment and then gave her a little peck on her nose.
“May I have another cup?” said Antoine as he held up his coffee cup towards Jules. Bunnie slowly turned in her seat and let out a “humph”. Jules grabed a pot of coffee off the burner, walked up close to Antoine, and leaned over the counter as he started to pour.
“Your going to pay for that later, you know” whispered Jules. Antoine just smirked.
“Anyway, where were we before a certain cy-oat just had to tease me!?” said Bunnie loudly. Antoine smiled down as he stirred his coffee but acknowledged Bunnie by placing a hand on her robotic thigh and sliding it back and forth, apologetically. Bunnie immediately brought her hand down on his, producing a loud slap.
“Sacre Bleu!” said Antoine as he pulled his back. He could help but smile as he wrenched his teeth.
“See. That what happens when you play games with a women.” said Jules confidently. But he was cut short when his wife twisted his nose. After being a robot for awhile, Jules had discovered that although he was immune to most types of injury, he still got an unpleasant sensation when his nose was tweeked. Uncle Chuck explained it as an electric feedback, and it was pretty much harmless. Unfortunately Chuck shared that with his brother’s wife.
“Your one to talk.” said Bernie as she let go of her husband’s nose. “If you had just came up to me like a gentleman I wouldn’t have spent the next summer starving myself to fit into some bimbo bikini.”
“I thought you said you didn’t care back then.” said Jules adjusting his nose. Bernie just turned her head towards Bunnie.
“Doesn’t even an apologize. I should just get fat again” said Bernie with a smile on her face. “It seems to be the only way to get a sensitive guy around here.”

“Yeah. And I might as well forget about any weight loss tips.” said Bunnie “What ’s the use if I don’t have ta fit in a wedding dress any time soon.”  
Bernie looked over at the various desserts that were sitting in the displays on end of the counter. She quickly walked over and grabbed two brownies.
“Here, Bunnie. Have one on me.” said Bernie just before she took a big bite out of hers. Bunnie just smirked as she took the second brownie.  
“Don’t mind if ah do.”