December 20th.

Everything showed that Christmas was approaching the big city of Station Square: Despite the usual nature of the hustle and bustle, it felt that it was different this time. This agitation was less punctuated by the incessant noise of cars than by the crowds of people walking in the wide streets of the commercial district of the city, which had been closed by the city to traffic, to allow the compact mass of latecomers to make their last Christmas purchases: Food, gift, decoration, ... It was a crowd of people in a hurry, but also of cheerful people, who chatted and laughed cheerfully when talking about the past year, what he sewed for Christmas, or what he would do on New Year's Eve. It was a palpable and contaminating joy, which spread a positive aura throughout the city.

Above this crowd were two mobians: a white and cream rabbit, with long ears that served as wings, and a small yellow fox with two tails, which rotated like the blades of a helicopter to move in the air. The two friends were accompanied by a Chao Cheeselet, who was flying next to the little rabbit. And these two mobians were there for the same reasons as the others: to make the last Christmas purchases.

"Okay," Cream said, stopping and starting to fly on the spot, "Mom told us we had to go get a star for the turkey. But where's the store again? ».

Tails and Cream looked around them, trying to spot the store signs through the crowd. Tails eventually find him. He turned to Cream and tapped her shoulder.

"Hey! Cream."

She turned to Tails, who pointed at a shop about a hundred yards away.

"He's over there!" said Tails.

"Yes, that's the one Mom told us about!" Says Cream, cheerfully.

The three friends headed to the store and entered. It was a general grocery store, with many shelves offering anything that could be useful. But it was even more crowded than the street. People were literally on one another. Cream looked at the crowd with a worried air, then turned to Tails.

"But how are we going to find what we are looking for among all this world, Mr. Tails," asked the girl, worried.

Tails seemed to think for a few seconds, then washed the head again, having come up with an idea.

"We're just going to fly over the crowd as we did before, and we're going to spot the smelling rotisserie," Tails exclaimed.

Tails began to fly away, as Cream, who looked at Tails with admiration.

"Great idea Tails!" she replied, "You're a genius!"

Tails then scratched the back of his head and looked away, blushing, as he always did every time he was complimented at this point.

Then the two friends and their Chao set out in search of the rotisserie, flying over the shelves one by one. But they were moving forward, and still nothing. And as they progressed, Tails began to be distracted by the people who occupied this crowd: most of them were families, shopping together, and enjoying a good time. This detail did not attract Cream's attention, but it caught Tails' attention, as in the street, and as every year. Because, unlike Cream, Tails had no family. And seeing all these families having a good time hurt him. Of course, he had his brother Sonic, and his friends. But seeing families like Cream's reminded him that he'd lost his for a long time. And the Christmas period accentuated that impression. It made him feel like a weight on his stomach, and he wanted to cry. But, although this weight had been present in him since the beginning of the day, he was holding back from crying. As he continued to search, his face became sad. Cream, who was still looking, turned in Tails' direction and noticed the sadness that had marked his friend's face. It was not the first time she had seen this face in the day, but she had not so far dared to ask him and was too busy trying to keep in mind the instructions her mother had given her. But now Tails has been in trouble for too long for it to be anything anodyne. She stopped abruptly above the crowd, which had the effect of surprising Tails and removing him from his negative thoughts. He stopped and turned to Cream, who looked at him with a worried and determined look.

"What's Cream?" asked Tails.

"It would be up to me to ask you that question!" said Cream, "You've been sad since the beginning of the day! But what's going on? What's wrong with that? »

Tails again had the face that was decomposing but answered as if not. Cream, who suspected it was a lie, asked Tails:

"No, it's not true, you're still sad there. Don't you want to tell me what's wrong? »

Tails, feeling unmasked, pretended to smile and answered Cream again:

"No, I swear everything is fine."

Cream felt that this smile was forced, but when she wanted to speak again, Tails instantly cut it off:

"Look Cream!" he exclaimed, pointing to a stand a few yards away. "We'll find it! Quick, let's go: your mother will worry."

Cream did not even have time to react that Tails had landed at the back of the queue and turned to Cream, who was always hovering, thoughtful and perplexed.

"Well, are you coming?" seemed impatient Tails.

Cream came out of his thoughts, looking at Tails who looked normal again. She thought she had to get ideas and joined Tails in the queue. Because of the world that was present, they took a good hour before they could leave the mall They now found themselves in the street, Tails holding a bag, and they were flying again over the crowd.

"Okay," says Tails, "your mother is waiting for us in half an hour, we should ... »

But he was interrupted by Cream, who began to panic.

"What?" she yelled, "30 minutes?! I didn't think it would take so long! I still have the gift from mom to buy! »

Cream was about to burst into tears, but Tails put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Cream calmed down and turned to Tails, sniffing.

"Calm down Cream," Tails began, "I'm going to tell Vanilla so she doesn't worry, okay. I'll do it when you're in the store. »

Cream jumped into Tails' arms and thanked him:

"Oh thank you Tails!"

He was a little surprised, but gave him his embrace to please him:

"It's nothing," he says, "it's normal to help each other."

The two friends then headed to the shop where Cream's gift was located. She was away from the main shop and was quieter. They stopped in front.

"I've only got five minutes Tails," Cream says, "You and Cheese, stay there, just sit down a little.

She was pointing at a small bench five yards away. Cream entered the store and Tails, accompanied by Cheese, walked to that bench. He called Vanilla, and then he sat there and began to occupy the mind by looking at what was around him. He noticed that there was a small shop across the street. Looking better, he realized that it was rather a small room. In front of this one, there was a significant amount of family waiting. He then felt his stomach tighten again. He glanced from afar through the door, to find out what attracted them here. He saw that there was a small scene decorated with a Christmas tree, fake snow, and a sled, in which sat a man disguised as Santa Claus. He was holding a child on his lap, who probably dictated to him the list of gifts he wanted for Christmas. After a minute, the child left with his family, another child settled down and the line went on. And seeing that, Tails imagined himself with his family, waiting his turn with the other, laughing and having fun with his parents. But that would never happen because those parents were gone. They were dead, at least that's what he thought. In any case, he had lost track of them after this incident a long time ago and had lived alone afterward, until he met Sonic. Often he hoped that they were not dead, and that they were looking for him, without being able to find him, and that one day he would see them again. He imagined what the children could ask Santa, but he wanted only one thing.

"I just want my parents to come back," he said aloud, not realizing, "Having a family again. My family."

He then began to cry, under the anxious and helpless gaze of Cheese, but also under that of Cream. Because she was just leaving the store when Tails started crying. She then understood what had been bothering him since the beginning of the day, and she did not know what to say to comfort him. She approached him and tried to get his attention, hesitant.

"Tails?"

Tails stopped crying and turned to Cream, embarrassed. He wiped away his tears quickly, even though he knew it was too late.

"Oh, Cream," he began, sniffing, "How long have you been here?"

"I heard what you said about your parents," she replied, embarrassed, "sorry."

"No, it doesn't matter," Tails says, "it's no secret. I just miss him so much. Somewhere in the middle of months, I know they are alive, somewhere. When I lived alone, I didn't realize it because I was too young, but they were able to survive this accident, and if that's the case I hope he's looking for me."

Tails then began to cry again

"But I also tell myself that they may never find me, or they won't be looking for me anymore!"

He was crying, his head resting on Cream's shoulders and wrapping himself in his tails. Cream didn't know what to say, she didn't know what to do. She watched Tails cry and it broke her heart. She imagined the hell it would be to live without her mother, to lose her and she was a moment herself about to cry. Then, all of a sudden, she had an idea. Such a simple idea, but so obvious, an idea that only a child like her could have. She was about to present her idea to Tails, straying a little from him to speak, but she preferred to surprise him. But, Tails had taken this retreat from Cream as a sign of impatience, impatience that he could understand. He singed his tears and got up, ready to go. Cream realized his mistake and tried to apologize, but Tails cut him off:

"Come on, we have to go, your mother will worry."

Tails flew away and Cream followed him without arguing. To the dear, they did not say a word. Arriving at Green Hill, Tails and Cream parted, Tails leaving looking grave and eyes full of grief. Cream entered her home, or her mother was waiting for her.

Vanilla hugged his daughter.

"So how did it go?" she asked.

"All right," she began gravely, "we all have what you asked for."

Cream gave the bag to her mother but looked grave. And that face was very rare in his daughter, Vanilla knew it. She crouched down to match her daughter and affectionately placed her hand on her cheek.

"What's going on with my dear? Did you argue with Tails? »

"No, not at all," Cream replied, "everything went wonderfully."

"So, what is it?" insisted his mother.

"It's Tails who's not well!" says Cream, "he's been thinking about his parents all day seeing the families gather to do their shopping in town, and now he's not well at all!"

To Cream's surprise, Vanilla didn't seem surprised.

"I knew it," she says, "it must be a great touch to see you and I also form such a close-together family, but we can't do anything but comfort her."

"Precisely," Cream began, "I had an idea on this subject."

She exposed her idea to her mother's ears, as if someone was listening to them but as any child does with a secret, and Vanilla's face lit up.

"So that's a good idea! Let's take care of it tomorrow."

December 24:

Tails awoke at dawn. Cream and Vanilla, for some unknown reason, had invited him to join them at 7 a.m. to spend the day with her. He was very intrigued by this situation, so he prepared very quickly so as not to arrive late. He arrived at the scene at 6:50 a.m. He was early but still decided to strike. There's no answer. He did it again but to no avail. He eventually became concerned and tried to open the door, which was open. He then rushed into the living room to see if the rabbits were not in danger. He saw nothing in the living room, but he heard distinct voices in the kitchen.

"Tails is coming soon," Vanilla said, "But be careful, we don't tell him anything. If the announcement we made in the newspaper did not work, it would be too sad. We don't tell him anything, and if his parents were able to read this announcement, they'll come and surprise him."

"Okay, Mommy," Cream replied.

Tails couldn't believe his ears. Cream and Vanilla had just done what he had hesitated to do for years for fear of discovering a sad truth. He was a little angry, but at the same time, hope was rising in him. He might see his parents again before the end of the day if they received this announcement and they were still alive.

The two rabbits approached the kitchen door and entered the living room, but Tails had no time to escape, so much so that he was struck by a torrent of ideas and conflicting feelings. He stood there, embarrassed to have entered without asking.

Vanilla looked at him with surprise but did not get angry. She was rather embarrassed that Tails heard it all.

"Sorry ma'am," said Tails, blushing

"It doesn't matter," Vanilla replied, "we left the door open for you to go straight in. But we didn't wait for you for 10 minutes. »

"Did you hear us?" asked Cream, a little sad that the surprise was spoiled.

"Yes," Tails replied, honestly

Vanilla and Cream looked at each other, uncomfortable and worried. But Tails smiled at their surprise.

"And thank you."

"But if it doesn't work?" asked Cream, "You'll be sad."

Vanilla looked at her daughter harshly after this very delicate question. Tails looked at her and reassured her.

"No, she's right to ask. And I'd be fine. I would be sad, of course, but thanks to you I have hope."

After that, they spent the day preparing for the day and having a good time together, having fun and discussing many hours, like a real family on Christmas Day. Tails was feeling good, but Tails was waiting. He was waiting for his parents, hoping they would come, hoping they would see the announcement. he hoped with all his heart. But the hours passed and they didn't come. The evening came and Tails, Vanilla, and Cream ate together, spending a good time again. But Tails was feeling less and less well. The weight on his stomach was coming back, but more powerful than ever. 9 PM, 10 PM, 11 PM. They didn't arrive, and Vanilla and Cream felt tails would crack soon. They did everything to distract him, to no avail. At the end of the meal, he finally gets up, looking serious.

"Thank you for this day," he says, sad.

He was about to leave, but Cream held him back.

"No Tails, don't go! You can stay here if you want! »

Tails turned to Vanilla, who nodded. But he walked away from Cream and offered his two guests a sincere but sad smile.

"No, it's not worth it. As I said earlier, you offered me hope, and it made me feel good. Also, on that day, I felt like I was in a family for the first time, and I would never forget it. But I have to turn the page and live my life. Thank you and goodbye. »

He walked to the door and went out, followed by Vanilla and Cream, who looked serious. Tails turned one last time to the rabbits, nodded once as a sign of gratitude for that day, and went away.

Cream and Vanilla watched the sad fox fly away into the night, feeling helpless.

"Poor Tails, I hope he's okay," Vanilla told his daughter.

"Yes, he'll probably be fine," Cream said confidently, "he's strong, he can get over it."

Vanilla then looked at a girl and smiled. Her daughter had always been in awe of Tails, and it was no wonder she had such an optimistic reaction. But suddenly she thought of something. She turned to her daughter:

"Cream?" she asked, "What city did you put on the ad?"

"Station Square, why?"

"Oh no, we had to put Green Hill. It was an ad, not a job code. »

Then, seeing her daughter cry, she calmed her down.

"It doesn't matter, we'll fix it. We have to catch up with him."

They then decided to follow him.

Tails was flying now, but not to his workshop, he wandered. For today he had hope, but he also lost all hope: if these parents had not come, when the ad had been posted in Mobius' greatest newspaper, then they were dead. At this thought, and now being alone, he began to cry. He cried as he flew aimlessly like this for long minutes. When he regained his spirits a little, he saw that he was above a garden in Station Square. He then landed on a bench and began to cry again.

But suddenly he heard two voices approaching. It was that of a man and an adult woman. He stopped crying and shook his tears, not to attract attention, while both voices were right behind him now.

"Oh no, it's awful," the woman said, crying, "we searched all day, and we couldn't find the address. We won't see our little boy again! »

"If I held the perpetrators of this hoax, I would make them pay a lot!" said the man's voice, sternly.

A glimmer of hope was lit in Tails. But he did not let it ignite, for fear of being disappointed again. He just hid better, so he wouldn't be discovered.

"It's been four years since he left now! We searched everywhere but to no avail! and now that people in the area claim to know him, all our hopes must be dashed."

"Don't say that Rosemary. Maybe we still have a chance. We'll look better tomorrow, okay."

This name was familiar to Tails: This name was that of the mother. Tails couldn't believe his ears.

"Would it be possible that ...?"

The woman then sniffed and she calmed down.

"Okay Amadeus, we'll be looking again tomorrow."

Once again, the name was familiar to the fox: it was his father's. Tails could not hold back. He jumped up and turned around. He then saw two foxes walking away in the night, holding hands in their hands, both brown and wearing blue uniforms. Tails' memories then came back, and there was no doubt that these two people were his parents. He then began to speak, tears in his eyes and a weak voice so he did not believe it.

"Mom? dad? »

The two foxes turned to see Tails, and their reactions were not long in coming.

"Miles?" asked Rosemary

"is it you my son?" added Amadeus.

Tails then began to fly to his parents, who were also running towards him. They jumped into each other's bars, crying with joy. The Prower family was finally reunited. Tails would never be alone again.

"I missed you so much!" cried Tails, "I thought you were dead!"

"We're here now," Amadeus said.

"And we will never leave you again, I promise. We will never be separated again."

Vanilla and Cream arrived at that time and saw the family hugging each other. Cream was amazed, while Vanilla looked at them tenderly, with a big smile.

"But, would it be ...?" began Cream

"Yes," Vanilla continued, "Tails have found his family. It's that, the Christmas miracle."