Epilogue

Shining Future

It had been only four days since the final battle, Tails and Cosmo's efforts had proved successful, everything had been restored. While they had been unsure at first, they quickly realized it had when they were joyfully reunited with the others, all of whom were both overjoyed they were okay and proud of them for saving everyone. Cosmo had been wrapped in a tight hug by Amy, who was crying tears of joy while Rouge simply stood back and congratulated her. Tails had received congratulations from Sonic and Knuckles, and as for Eggman and his lackeys: Eggman had quickly grumbled out a reluctant bit of praise for his fellow genius and his girlfriend, his pride hurt that once again he had needed saving from something that was his fault. He left left in a huff after Sonic and Amy hurt his pride further by reminding him of this fact, muttering something about wanting a "Cosmic Reset Button". after a much due celebration, the heroes went to their respective homes, each one giving one more bit of praise to Tails and Cosmo before doing so.

Tails and Cosmo returned to their shared home, both still feeling a slight bit of anxiety as the adrenaline from the final battle had not quite worn off yet. Upon walking in, both made their way to the living room and simply stood for a moment, taking in the peace and quiet before sitting down on the sofa, clearly exhausted from the ordeal.

"I know this goes without saying, but I am so glad that's over" Tails sighed as he leaned his head back.

"Me too, I wasn't sure if we were going to win for a bit there." Cosmo replied as she did the same.

Tails chuckled slightly "I think we could stand to not have another adventure for a while, the last two have been a bit too hectic and close for comfort"

Cosmo nodded her head, understanding the other adventure he was referring to was their last one, the metarex war.

"Indeed, I know that saving the world is a rather common occurrence for you, and I'm more than happy to help with that whenever I can, but a period of peace would be nice"

Tails turned to look at her, an apologetic look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Cosmo. I know how much you want to live a peaceful life and I'm sure the last thing you wanted upon your return was to be pulled into another conflict."

Cosmo reached over to stroke Tails' cheek, smiling affectionately.

"Tails, you don't need to apologize. I don't mind helping you save the world so long as we can still be together. Even if the periods of peace in between are short, they're more than worthwhile when I'm sharing it with you"

"Cosmo…" Tails replied, at a loss for words.

The two were then suddenly overcome with a sense of fatigue, the adrenaline having finally worn off.

"I…am suddenly really tired" Tails said as he fought the urge to yawn.

"Me too..what time is it?" Cosmo replied

Tails turned to look at the clock beside him, it reading nearly eight.

"Well, it's almost eight. I think maybe we should turn in early don't you?"

"Yes, I think we need the rest. Oh! What will you do regarding your lab?"

Tails pondered this for a moment before answering. "I'll go check it out tomorrow, see what I can salvage and what I can't. Fortunate it was a secondary lab so nothing in there was too vital."

Cosmo simply nodded, the two then standing up and going upstairs to get ready for bed. Though due the ongoing distraction of Metal Sonic, Tails had yet to prepare a separate bedroom for Cosmo, though neither minded.

As the two crawled into bed, they bid each other good night with tired eyes full of affection.

"Goodnight Cosmo"

"Goodnight Tails"

And the two fell into a peaceful slumber, neither realizing they had wrapped each other in their arms almost immediately.

Though the night was peaceful, several hours later Cosmo awoke from her sleep due to feeling a distinct lack of warmth, her eyes adjusting to find Tails was not present.

"Tails?.." she spoke softly to no response.

"I wonder where he could be?" she thought to herself, her minds still a little paranoid after all that had happened. She knew he was almost certainly safe, but she simply had to be sure. Getting up from the bed, she began to make her way through the house and, after not finding him inside, she checked the backyard. She felt relief when she found him sitting outside just a few feet away from where her tree had been, gazing up at the moon.

"Tails?" she called softly as she approached him.

Tails turned in slight surprise, though his look of such quickly turned apologetic.

"Cosmo. I'm sorry, did I wake you getting out of bed?"

"No, I guess I just felt you weren't there and, with all that's happened, I guess I'm still a little paranoid something might happen."

Tails nodded in understanding "I understand. I kind of felt the same only a little while ago"

Cosmo sat down next to him. "Is that why you came out here?"

"It's part of it, but I was also needing to think."

"About what?"

Tails fell silent at her question, his head lowering as he seemed to be debating with himself on whether or not he should answer.

Cosmo saw this and gently placed her hand on his.

"Tails, please tell me what's bothering you. You can tell me anything"

After another moment of hesitation, Tails looked back at her, his eyes watering slightly.

"It's just…I wanted to give you a peaceful life after all you've been through. I wanted you to never have to fear any evil or have to worry about being taken away again. And I still couldn't! I still couldn't protect you, and I know I told Metal that I accepted that but…"

He took a moment to compose himself.

"but I still worry I might not be able to save you when you really need me…I don't want to lose you again Cosmo."

Cosmo listened to him express his fears silently, though she simply smiled afterward and took both his hands in hers, looking at him affectionately.

"Tails…I know you worry, but no matter who threatens us you've always managed to save me. I trust you with my life because I love you and I know you will always be there when I need you. I'm still here because you came to save me, and you did. And we saved everyone together. I told you before that whatever happens I will stay by your side forever, and I meant it."

Tails smiled back, his tears of guilt being replace by tears of joy. How he had earned the love of someone so wonderful he didn't know, but he was certainly grateful.

"Thanks Cosmo, I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I love you"

"I love you too Tails. You were you, that's what"

They then sat for a moment, holding each other and gazing into each others eyes before they felt the need to ease closer their lips connecting in a tender kiss.

Neither could ever accurately describe the feeling that overcame them when they kissed. The love, the passion, the sheer warmth and affection, they would always cherish it. They parted after several moments, giving each other another longing gaze before they both turned to look at the moon above.

"You know, we save all the other timelines too. And those other timelines had other versions of us in each of them. Do you think we had the same happy outcome there too?" Tails wondered

"I certainly hope so. Regardless of which version of me exists where, I know nothing would make them happier than to have you with them. But no matter how many exist, you're my Tails, my true love, and I will always be happiest when I'm with you."

"I love you too Cosmo. I always will, and no matter how may other Cosmos exist, you'll always be my one and only."

The affection between them was clear, both said nothing afterward and simply gazed into each others eyes, lost in simple adoration for one another.

Eventually however their fatigue returned and they stood up.

"Well, I'm feeling better now, lets go back to bed. Sorry for waking you" Tails said holding his hand out for Cosmo.

"Don't be, I'm always here for you." she replied, taking his hand as they walked back inside.

After that, they returned to bed, both immediately holding each other in their arms as they slipped back into sleep.

"I love you Cosmo" Tails whispered as he began to doze off.

"I love you too Tails, always"

And so the fox and the seedrian slipped into a peaceful sleep, safe in each others arms.

The Fox and the Flower were reunited, their future a shining road of hope and love.

Finished! That was Book 1 of my Taismo series! As always, I hope you enjoyed this story and my thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited this story, it really means a lot to me. This was my first story in quite some time and I really hope I did well. And yes, I just had to reference the shining road in both the title and at the end there. I'll be taking a break from writing this series for a while, but eventually I will return with Book 2. Thanks for reading. See ya!