Star-crossed Lovers
Chapter 12 – Orderly Childhood
Espio went into Vector's office and noticed that he was on the phone with someone. Based on what Vector was saying, Espio could tell that he was talking someone named Pike. Espio didn't quite recognize the name from any of the clients that they've had before.
Espio listened into the conversation and noticed Vector's attempt to be mature on the phone call, using larger words than he normally would and he didn't seem quite as ambitious as he normally does. Though, Espio could tell that Vector was struggling with this since at times, he stuttered. Espio thought it was kind of cute to see Vector acting a different than he normally did. It reminded Espio of himself since he was so serious and mature all of the time.
Though, the phone call didn't last so long and it unfortunately ended with Vector apologizing to Pike, which Espio just assumed that yet another client ignored them. Upon putting down the phone and ending the phone call, Vector noticed Espio at the door and frowned.
"Pike had a little bit of trouble figuring out who we were. You would think that finding and saving his son from a nearby cave would be enough to be remembered by the guy forever, but I guess that isn't how things work."
"It isn't really something to get worked up about. He's just one client. And besides, I don't even remember who he is, nor do I remember finding someone's son in some cave."
"How can you not remember something like that? It was one of our biggest adven-…" Vector then about the past mission again and then came to a realization. "Oh yeah, you weren't on that mission because you were sick!"
"Really? I remember that time. I never get sick, and the minute I do because of some horrible cooking, I miss three missions in one week. It was an all-time record for us."
"Yeah, I remember that. And… wait. I'm the one who cooks for you if you don't cook for us, and we didn't go out to eat much before today. Are you saying that you got sick because of my cooking?"
Espio chuckled. "Vector, the doctor said food poisoning and a bad case of it. I had some meat that you cooked up the night before. Obviously that was what did it because it was cold and there was a lot of fat on it."
"Oh yeah… and that's when you forced Charmy and I to go on a healthier diet to lose weight, so we didn't have any. Maybe I was trying to get back at you." Vector laughed briskly to himself.
Espio rolled his eyes. "Oh… you're going to get a nice surprise in your dinner tonight, Vector. It's going to be special, I guarantee it."
Vector gave Espio a smug face and said, "I can't wait."
Espio laughed and was about to say something when someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind. Espio turned around and noticed that Charmy was all geared up and ready for the park. "Come on, Espio. The day is only so long and I want to go to the park for a really long time."
Espio smiled and nodded. "Just wait over by the door and I'll be out in a minute."
Charmy quickly nodded and flew over to the door where he waited patiently for Espio to accompany him.
"What's Charmy talking about, Espio," Vector asked.
Espio reverted his attention to Vector and responded, "I promised him that I would go to the park with him so that he can play and have a good time. I was going to leave you alone to make more phone calls to other clients, but you seem like you hate it a lot. Why don't you come with us?"
Vector smiled and said, "Anything is better than what I'm doing right now. Believe it or not, I actually don't like being yelled at and rejected all that much."
Espio smirked, "Alright, that's good. It seems that Charmy is getting impatient at the door, so let's get going."
Vector got up from his chair and left the side of the phone. He and Espio went out of the office and approached Charmy while he waited patiently at the door.
Espio kneeled down to be at Charmy's level and asked, "Ready to go?"
"Of course, Espio. I've only been standing here for a thousand minutes," Charmy exaggerated.
"Alright. We're going to stop by Miss Vanilla's home to see if they would like to join us at the park. Doesn't that sound like fun?"
"Yeah! Cream and I haven't played much recently, and she's the only one who is my age who wants to play with me."
Espio smiled and replied, "Then we're all set to go." Espio opened the door and Charmy briskly flew out.
Upon Charmy's exit, Vector put a hand on Espio's shoulder, causing him to turn around so that they would face each other. "Have I told you how cute you are when you talk to Charmy like that?"
Espio blushed heavily, despite his fair attempt to keep that from happening. "No, but I wouldn't mind it if you do."
Vector chuckled. "Let's go, Espy. We have a park playdate to go to."
Espio and Vector left the home, closing the door behind them. The three of them then began walking the short distance between their home and Vanilla's home. Espio and Vector stayed together as they walked casually, admiring the scenery as the sun shined brightly on it, while Charmy flew ahead, clearly eager to get to the park to have a good time with Cream.
After a good 15 minutes of walking (or flying in Charmy's case), the three of them finally arrived at Vanilla's home. Espio was going to knock kindly on their door, but Charmy managed to stay ahead of them and decided to knock 5 times at a quick pace.
"Charmy, please don't be fast when knocking at someone's door. It is a rude disturbance."
"Sorry, Espio. I just want to go to the park and play."
"I understand. Just know that knocking on the door faster isn't going to get them to open it any faster."
After the brief lecture from Espio to Charmy, the door opened slowly, revealing Vanilla on the other side.
"Oh, Espio and Vector. It's nice to see you again. Is there something else that you need?"
Espio smiled and responded, "No, Miss Vanilla. We promised Charmy that we would take him to the park to play, and we were all wondering if you and Cream would like to come along with us."
Vanilla thought about it only for a brief of moment before calling Cream to come see her at the door. Without any hesitation, Cream went over to her mother and noticed the visitors at the door.
"Oh hello Mister Vector and Espio. Hi Charmy. What are you doing here?"
Charmy smiled and laughed before responding, "Vector and Espio are taking me to the park, and we wanted to invite you to come with us. It's going to be so much fun since we haven't done anything like this in a really, really long time."
Cream smiled, and was happy to hear about Charmy's desire to go to the park. "That does sound like fun, Charmy. Can we go, Mama?"
Vanilla smiled and her young child and responded, "I don't see why not. After the experience we had last night, I think we should take the opportunity to spend more time with Team Chaotix."
Cream giggled in agreement before exiting the door and going to talk to Charmy about recent events since they haven't talked in-depth in a while. Soon after Cream ran out, Vanilla followed her and closed the door behind her.
Vanilla smiled and said, "Lead the way. We have plenty to talk about."
Espio and Vector nodded and began walking in the direction of the local park with Cream and Charmy trailing closely behind them.
The local park was actually pretty large even though there aren't a lot of people living in the direct area that have children to bring there anymore. It was somewhat special for Charmy, because it was the only place where he can find a pure sense of sanctuary, much like how Vector finds sanctuary in his office and how Espio finds it while meditating in his room.
Whenever he goes with Cream, it gives him a chance to talk to and socialize with someone who is actually his age. He's only a young child and he does missions for a detective agency. Both Espio and Vector have learned over the years that Charmy needs to actually know what it's like to be a kid before he loses his youth when he grows older. 'Once it passes, it's gone forever,' Espio likes to think. He especially understands this concept, since his parents didn't quite provide him with a proper childhood either.
10 minutes after leaving Vanilla's house, they all finally arrive at the playground, which was empty as expected. Cream and Charmy were eager to get onto the large platform where they could run around, go down the several slides, and swing on the swing set. It was an experience that they rarely get to have since Vector and Espio rarely give Charmy the chance to go. Vanilla simply took Espio and Vector under a nearby tree with her so that they could talk while their 'children' played amongst themselves.
"I'm glad you invited me and Cream to come to the park with all of you. She doesn't get to play with people her age all that much."
Vector nodded his head and said, "We feel the same way about Charmy."
Vanilla continued to smile when she said, "I'm also glad to see how much has changed in such a short amount of time."
Espio looked over to Vanilla and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Vanilla responded, "We haven't spoken much since last night, Espio. We don't get very many visits from people in Green Hill Zone. Amy's visits have been dwindling as well as everyone else's. Now that you and Vector are in a relationship, though, something tells me that that's going to change."
Espio nodded his head and looked over to Vector, who was smiling. "Yeah, I think you're right. I don't think I truly understood what part of life I have been missing out on until the day that I told Vector that I liked him. Now, I feel connected to friendship and love and everything in between. It feels… completely new to me."
"I'm sure you'll learn that it is one of the greatest emotions to have in any situation. Something I have learned after caring for Cream for so many years is that happiness is only real if it is shared with somebody else."
Vector stepped into the conversation and said, "I can agree with that. I remember when I used to just lock myself in my office to watch something on my TV, and I guess I didn't realize that I was missing something in my life."
Espio chuckled. "Yeah, you were too busy realizing what channels were missing on your TV and trying to figure out how you could get them."
Vector blushed and Vanilla giggled softly to herself. "I wasn't all that bad. Some of the channels I left alone. I have some sense of self-control."
"If you say so, Vector."
Vector smiled and said, "Oh come on, Espio. As if you didn't busy yourself with stupid things."
Espio smirked and said, "Oh yeah? I bet you can't name one."
"A month ago, you were in your room for three hours just to shine your shurikens and even after you left your room, you still told me that they weren't clean enough."
Espio frowned. "What can I say? A shiny shuriken makes for a sharper edge."
Vanilla smiled and said, "Alright that's enough boys. Aren't we supposed to be talking about the future than the past?"
Espio laughed and said, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
The three of them continued to enjoy each other's company, watching as their children enjoyed their time at the playground. It was definitely a nice afternoon to remember.
