"Now, remember, Cream. You too, Cheese. Stay inside while I'm gone, okay?" Chris asked, smiling down at Cream and Cheese.
"Okay." Cream said sweetly.
"Don't worry, Chris." Penny said happily, walking up and putting two hands on Cream's shoulders. "I'll make sure to keep an eye out on them."
"Thanks, Penny!" Chris said. He turned heal, waving as he walked to the door. "I'll see you later!"
Cream kept her smile on her face until Chris walked out the door. Noticing Cream's downcast expression, Penny kneeled in front of her. "What's wrong, Cream?"
Cream looked at Penny, looking like she was gonna cry. "I don't wanna stay inside, I wanna go outside and play!"
"I know, Cream." Penny said gently. "But Chris strongly said not to go anywhere. Ella and Tanaka are still home and we can't risk them seeing us...who knows what they would do if they see walking talking giant animals!"
"But Penny..." Cream whined. She sighed, ears drooping as she walked away from the female hedgehog, sliding the door to the balcony open. She walked over to the balcony fence and clenched the bars, looking down at the scenery.
Her eyes widened with happiness.
"What do you see?" Penny asked, walking outside.
Cream turned to her, eyes full of pleading. "Please, Penny, can't we go outside just for a little bit?!"
Penny winced, feeling guilt rush through her. She hated making Cream feel disappointed... but Chris strongly did say to stay hidden. She thought things through until letting out a sigh.
"Okay, fine, we can get out for a little bit. But we can't stay out for long." Penny said. Her thoughts drifted over to Chris, and she muttered him a small apology.
Cream happily hugged Penny's legs. "Thank you, Penny!"
Cheese chirped happily, nuzzling on Penny's head. "Chao chao!"
While that was happening, Sonic, Tails, and Amy wee relaxing with each other, waiting for Chuck and Chris to return. Hearing giggling, Tails curiously walked up to the window, and his eyes widened to see Cream, Cheese, and Penny.
"That sounds like Cream, Cheese, and Penny outside." Amy hummed, joining him at the window. "I thought Chris warned them about staying hidden! Why is Penny out there with her anyway?!"
"She possibly didn't want Cream to feel down." Sonic shrugged from his spot. "Can't blame her. Cream is like a little sister to her."
"Yeah, but..." Tails glanced at Sonic and then back down at the girls, who were picking flowers together. "I wonder what they're doing out there, guys..."
Amy hummed as she studied the scenery, and turned to Tails. "I bet Penny's helping Cream gather some flowers."
Sonic opened his eyes, his ears twitching at the word "flowers."
Tails glanced at Amy, confusion written on his face. "What's so important about going outside to pick flowers?"
As soon as he said it, his eyes widened as he recalled a memory of seeing Cream pick flowers. He had walked up to the little bunny, asking her what she was doing. And the ever so sweet Cream turned to him, showing her bouquet of flowers. He remembered exactly what she said to him: "I'm gonna surprise my mom by making her a crown out of flowers!"
Tails winced, his ears drooping. "I bet she misses her mom..."
Amy nodded, feeling bad herself. "Of course she does. I just wish... I just wish we could help Penny to cheer her up,"
Sonic glanced at them, and then at a poster on the wall. The hedgehog grinned and snagged the poster from the wall and hurried out of the attic as fast as he could.
Hearing the door slam, Tails and Amy turned to the noise.
"Sonic?" Amy asked curiously.
"Okay, Cream. We should head in." Penny said. "We don't wanna get caught."
"Okay. I think I have enough flowers." The little bunny said happily, reaching out and grabbing the hedgehog's extended hand. Penny smiled and grinned at Cheese. "You ready?"
"Chao chao!"
"Alright." Penny giggled. "Let's head in!"
The two walked through the front door as stealthily as possible, and walked towards Chris's room. The two paused when they heard a conversation coming from the kitchen.
"What's that?" Cream whispered.
"Shh." Penny whispered, placing a finger to her lips. The little girl nodded, and the two girls including Cheese quietly listened to the conversation.
"That sounds like Chris's mom..." Penny thought.
"...Let's have a big party!" She was saying.
"Party?" Penny heard Chris ask.
"Yes, a dinner party, tonight. We can dress up! I'm sure Ella can prepare something absolutely scrumptious."
"A party's a great idea!" Chris's voice echoed into the hall. "And do you think we can invite your brother Sam over since he's my favorite uncle?!"
"Of course darling, you can have anything you want. Anything at all for my adorable baby boy." Chris's mom said.
Penny chuckled. Poor Chris must feel so embarrassed by now...
"If we're having a party tonight, this calls for some heavy-duty cleaning! Time to clear some clutter! Hee hee hee!" Ella giggled, and the Mobian girls could hear feet pattering out the kitchen.
"A party, huh?" Penny hummed.
"Wow, a party!" Cheese happily exclaimed. She turned to Penny and Cheese, her eyes wide with excitement. "This is great! I love parties!"
...
"What's wrong, Cream?" Penny asked the little bunny, watching her face fall as she made her flower crown. Cream's ears drooped as she gazed at the crown. "This crown doesn't have enough flowers. I'd better pick more!"
"Chao!"
"Wait, Cream, Cheese..." Penny yelped. She tried running after them, but yelped when she tripped over a book on the floor. "Ow..." She moaned. She glanced at the book, shaking her head. "I thought I told Cream to pick this up a while ago..." She shook her head and looked up, and her eyes widened.
Where were Cream and Cheese?!
"Shoot, I need to find them!" Penny grunted, getting to her feet and running out of the room.