Chapter 5

Delivering The Good News

The day went by rather quickly for Tails and Cosmo (too quickly in their opinion), and after another restful night and breakfast, they decided it was finally time to notify their friends of Cosmo's return.

As they sat in the living room, Tails kept pondering the best way to deliver the news, but was hard pressed to figure out how.

"Hmm…I wonder how we should tell them, I mean, should we visit them one by one or have them come here?" Tails wondered aloud, his brow creasing in thought.

"Erm…Tails? Perhaps we should wait…I don't want to frighten them…"

"Wha-?" Tails was pulled from his thoughts after taking notice of his seedrian girlfriends nervous tone. Upon turning to look at her, he saw that she was indeed anxious, even a little fearful.

"Cosmo, you don't need to worry, everyone will be happy to see you! Amy, Cream, I bet even Knuckles will be ecstatic!"

"But..I was de-gone for five months Tails!" Cosmo caught herself, noticing Tails flinching slightly at the mention of her death.

"I'm afraid they'll be scared of me" she said as she lowered her head.

"Cosmo, they won't be scared, shocked, yes but not scared" Tails spoke softly, raising her head to meet his gaze.

"But what if-?"

"They won't be angry either, trust me"

Cosmo sighed, before she suddenly smiled.

"I trust you, I guess I'm just being silly, I'm sorry"

"Don't be. I understand you're nervous, but there's nothing to worry about" Tails chuckled at his girlfriends' adorable modesty. Walking over to his house phone, picked it up and began to dial Sonic's number.

"Who are you calling Tails?"

"Sonic, I'm going to have him bring everyone over so we can tell them."

After a few second Sonic answered. "Yo Tails! How ya been?"

"Great Sonic, everything's wonderful"

"And how's Cosmo?"

"She's fine, we went for a walk through the Mystic Forest yesterday"

"Wanted a romantic spot to kiss?" Tails could practically see Sonic's wide grin as he said this. Cosmo noticed Tails blushing heavily and giggled slightly, guessing Sonic what Sonic had said.

"Not even answering that. Look Sonic I need a favor, could you gather everyone and bring them here? Cosmo and I feel it's about time to let everyone know shes back"

"Sure thing bro, be there as soon as possible what with everyone slowing me down"

"Thanks, see you then" Tails chuckled slightly as he hung up.

"What is it?" Cosmo asked

"Nothing, just imagining to looks on everyone's faces, particularly Knuckles"

"Oh, so by the way, when did Sonic find out I was back?"

"Oh! That's right, I didn't tell you, he was there with me when you returned" Tails said as he walked back to the couch and sat next to her.

"He was? I don't remember him being there when I woke up" Cosmo replied looking thoughtful as she tried to remember if he's been there somewhere.

"Well, he left before you woke up, said he wanted to let us…be alone" Tails' cheeks went red "Still as shy as ever, will I ever get better at this?"

Cosmo blushed as well "Oh, I see…was he visiting when I returned?"

Tails froze. He really didn't want to tell what had been happening when her tree had started to grow, if he did he'd likely have to tell her the full story of just how bad he'd been those five agonizing months. Sure she knew everything relating to when he'd visited her tree, but not when he hadn't been around it. It also seemed that she was unaware of the argument he'd had with Sonic just before she came back, likely due to her being in the process of coming out of the tree.

Glancing over at her, he could see the concern in her eyes. Finally bringing himself to speak, Tails decided to tell her the truth.

"He came to check on me, I wasn't really doing well…."

Cosmo immediately became worried "And…what happened?" She could tell there was more, though she was afraid of the answer.

Tails had hoped she wouldn't press for more, but couldn't bring himself to lie to her. Not about that.

"Like I said, I wasn't doing well and…I got angry at him…and we were arguing when your tree started to glow"

Cosmo sat next to him shocked, just how bad had her death affected him? She began to feel immense guilt, her death had hit him so hard he'd fought with his big brother! Lowering her head Cosmo started to cry softly as tears began to run down her face.

"Cosmo, please don't cry. I was wrong to lash out at Sonic, please don't feel bad because of what I did" Tails said as he wrapped her in a tender embrace, feeling somewhat relieved when she returned it.

"I'm so sorry Tails. I didn't want to hurt you! I never wanted that, but-" Cosmo whimpered softly.

"Hey, it's okay it wasn't your fault, it was never your fault. I shouldn't have been so hard on everyone"

"Everyone?"

Tails mentally slapped himself. Too much information! Here he had just said what had happened between him and Sonic and Cosmo was already in tears blaming herself, and he was letting slip the worse details of the past five months? No, no he had to steer the conversation away from this subject.

"It's okay, it's in the past, I'm fine now" Holding Cosmo close, he gazed into her eyes and said "your here"

Much to the fox's relief, this seemed to satisfy Cosmo for now, as she regained her composure and said "Okay, Tails, if you say your okay now than I trust you, but please, just know that you can tell me anything okay?"

Smiling, Tails replied "I know, I promise if somethings bothering me I'll tell you. Now, let's get ready, everyone should be here soon"

Cosmo's face lit up "I'm still so nervous, but now I'm also very excited! I can't wait to see everyone again!"

Chuckling slightly, Tails held Cosmo as he admired seeing her so full of excitement.

Suddenly the two heard knocking at the front door.

"Sounds like everyone's here, ready?" Tails looked to the seedrian with a reassuring smile.

"Yes, let's got greet everyone together"

Walking to the front door Tails grabbed the doorknob and after he and Cosmo exchanged smiles, he opened to door.

Sonic and the others had just arrived at Tails' doorstep, this included (aside from Sonic) Amy, Knuckles, Cream & Cheese, and Vanilla. Knuckles was, of course, being impatient.

"Sonic, are you sure you don't know why Tails called us here? He must have told you something"

Sighing, Sonic replied "For the twentieth time Knuckles, he didn't tell me anything other than to gather everyone and come here, I'm just as in the dark as you"

Obviously Sonic was lying, but he wasn't about to spoil the surprise.

"Well, we're here now so I guess we're about to find out" Amy said

"I hope everything's okay, I'm really worried about him" muttered Cream worriedly

"I'm sure he's fine dear, he's going through a hard time but he has us to help him" Vanilla assured her daughter, though her voice also contained a hint of worry.

"Well, enough speculation, let's find out" Sonic said while knocking the front door.

Mere moments passed as everyone in the group could feel the anticipation in the air. Finally as the front door opened, everyone had drawn their own conclusions of what was in store for them. Naturally none (save for Sonic) expected to have the door open and and see Tails looking reinvigorated as though he had never been a mess in the first place. They certainly didn't expect to find a girl with green hair adorned with twin rosebuds that had yet to bloom and a flower tipped dress standing beside him.

At this sight their minds briefly shut down.

Tails took a moment to find some humor in the stupefied expressions on every ones faces, before taking note on Cosmo's discomfort and speaking.

"Well guys? Say something" He couldn't help but smirk slightly.

All at once everyone tried to form sentences, and each and every one failed miserably. None of them could even form consonants.

Noticing this, Tails looked over to Cosmo who looked back at him, nodding to her and gesturing for her to say something.

Looking back at her friends, Cosmo bowed politely and offered her usual formal greeting.

"H-hello everyone, it's wonderful to see all of you again" Though her tone had clear signs of uncertainty, truthfully she was feeling somewhat confident due to Tails' encouragement.

This seemed to snap everyone out of their shock fueled stupor, with Amy being the first to speak. "No way, I-I must be seeing things"

Knuckles probably would have said something next, but it seemed all thought processes had ceased in his head. Vanilla couldn't seem to say anything either, though it was due to her struggling to maintain composure as she fought back tears of joy.

Cream on the other hand made no such attempts.

"COSMO!" the young rabbit cried as she rushed to Cosmo and wrapped her in a tight hug, tears of joy running freely down her cheeks.

"Hello Cream, I'm so happy to see you" Cosmo replied while hugging Cream back, her own tears starting to show.

"So it's really you? You're back? I'm not seeing things?" Amy questioned as she walked up to look at Cosmo who looked back at her smiling.

"No Amy, you're not seeing things. I'm really here."

Without another word Amy lunged forward and joined in the hug, now she too was crying with joy (though far louder).

Vanilla had managed to compose herself, though a broad smile was still present, walking to Cosmo she greeted her. "Hello Cosmo, it's wonderful to have you back dear, do you remember me?"

Yes, you're Miss Vanilla, Creams mother"

"How are you dear? We've missed you these past five months"

"I'm feeling wonderful, I've missed all of you, I'm sorry I made you all so sad"

Amy laughing spoke up "Now that's Cosmo"

While this was happening Knuckles had finally snapped out of it and had offered his own greetings, Tails watched things unfold with a huge smile on his face. It then occurred to him that Sonic had been standing back, completely silent.. Walking over to him, Tails spoke to him.

"Sonic? You okay?"

Sonic looked over to him and chuckled "yeah lil bro I'm fine, just enjoying the sight same as you"

"yeah, it's really one of those heartwarming moments huh? Why don't you say hi too?"

"Ah, don't worry, I'll get in there as soon as Amy and Cream ease off"

Looking back, Tails realized Sonic made a good point, as Cosmo was still in a death grip hug from both Amy and Cream.

"Fair enough" The two then watched silently for a moment before Sonic spoke up.

"It's great to have her back huh?"

"Yeah, it is, I've never really believed in miracles before but I can't deny this one"

Tails replied, a dreamy look in his eyes as he watched his love smile and laugh with the others. "It's so wonderful to see her here and so happy"

"I'm glad to see you both happy bro, I…uh"

Tails noticed Sonic's hesitation and turned to him questioningly "What is it?"

"I just wanted to say…sorry for not being there when you needed me bro, when it seemed you were better I just- I guess I wanted to believe you really were"

"Sonic, don't worry about it, I was the one who put on the act, and besides if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have Cosmo back now"

"Yeah, I guess"

Tails then leaned forward and whispered "Also please don't mention how I was in front of Cosmo, she doesn't know and I really don't want her finding out"

"Tails, you know eventually she's gonna find out, I won't tell her but perhaps you should sometime. Y'know, better she hears it from you then someone else"

"I know, I'm…just not ready yet"

Nodding, Sonic leaned back to standing upright and walked over to Cosmo.

"Heya Cosmo! Long time, no see! How are ya?"

"Hello Sonic, its great to see you, I'm wonderful" Cosmo replied enthusiastically

"Good to know, we missed you, especially Tails" Sonic replied, sneaking a glance at Tails who was blushing and had a "Really?" look on his face.

Cosmo blushed slightly as well but nonetheless replied "Yes, I missed all of you to, especially Tails. Thank you for bringing me back"

"No thanks necessary, I'm just glad you're back"

Knuckles then spoke up "So how did you come back Cosmo? When all that came from Chaos Regeneration was a seed I figured you were gone"

"Well, in a sense I was, I was in a white void but I could hear around me. It was kind of like dreaming, I could hear but I couldn't see myself or anyone else."

Tails then proceeded to Tell everyone what had happened with the tree the night of Cosmo's return (omitting his argument with Sonic).

"And when the light dissipated, the tree was gone and Cosmo was there in it's place"

Everyone except for Sonic and looked slightly confused but got the gist of it nonetheless.

"Well…I don't really understand how all that works, but it doesn't matter. What matters is it did work and you're back now Cosmo" Amy spoke smiling.

"Yeah, who care how it happened, your here now and it's good to have you back"

Knuckles spoke with an almost uncharacteristic amount of care.

"Thank you everyone, I..I just can't put into words how grateful I am to be your friend" Cosmo replied with teary eyes.

Amy then decided to tease a bit. "So Tails, have you kissed her yet?"

Tails and Cosmo both went red "Amy! Don't ask that!"

"Aw come on! I've seen the way you two look at each other, surely you've confessed your feelings right?"

"W-well yes Amy we have, but…." Cosmo murmured, thoroughly embarrassed.

"Aw, you two are so cute!" Cream chimed in.

"Cream please, not you too!" Cosmo almost whined

As the friends enjoyed their reunion, they failed to notice a short, stubby figure watching them from the bushes.

"No way! That's Cosmo! How did she get here? I'd better tell Dr. Eggman, he'll wanna know" Bokkun said as he flew from the bush in the opposite direction.

Okay, there we have it, everyone's been reunited with Cosmo. Man this chapter was a pain to write, it also made me aware that I have a much easier time writing interaction between Tails and Cosmo than anyone else. All the same, I think I might hopefully have an easier time with next chapter given the tearful reunions are over.

Until then, hope you enjoyed the chapter! See ya!