Tails' mouth almost hit the floor, eyes wide and filled with tears. His parents wanted him to move the other side of the world, and never even spoke to him first!
"Oh no oh no oh NO!" The fox said in a hurt tone. Tears formed in his eyes and he ran to his room, crying.
"See, I told you this was a bad idea. He's only been with us 2 months!" Gracie announced.
"I thought he would be happy! Who wouldn't want to move to a warmer climate?" Robert replied.
"What are we going to do? We've already paid."
"Tell you what, I'll go and talk to our son, he will be ok." Robert spoke.
"No, I'll go. It will sound better coming from me. You keep an eye on the cooking and listen for the door."
Gracie rose from the sofa, and made her way up the long hallway and up to Tails bedroom, the door was closed. She knocked lightly, and there was no answer... just sobbing noises of her son crying.
"Tails, honey, can I come in?" His Mother questioned.
"GO AWAY!" Tails screamed.
"Sweetheart, I only want to talk. Please."
Gracie stood outside for a good minute or so, not attempting to open the door and then after a long while, the door slowly opened... and Tails had returned to his bed when his Mother entered. She was greeted to a rather tear-stricken fox.
She went to sit on the bed with Tails, whilst he held his head in his hands, crying.
"Tails, darling, we never meant for this to upset you. We thought you would be pleased."
"Pleased? I have only been here 2 MONTHS, I have only just started settling in, and you expect me to move somewhere different again!" Tails spoke, voice choked with tears.
"Tails, everything will be ok, I promise. When you come downstairs I will show you the photographs, you will love it. And just think, a sunnier climate!"
"But... I don't want to move abroad..."
"Honey I know you don't. But just sleep on it, ok?"
"Ok Mum..."
"And you don't have to come downstairs for dinner if you don't want to, I will explain to the family."
"Ok." Tails replied. He had become quiet.
After a long moment of silence, Gracie decided to speak again.
"I'm going to leave you alone for a while. Why don't you try out some of your Christmas presents, have a look through them."
"I guess so."
She kissed her son on the lips, rubbing his back in the process.
"I'll see you later."
And with that, Gracie left the room. Tails didn't respond.
He immediately led down in bed, covering himself up underneath the blankets, head hidden in the pillows. He cried and he cried. This couldn't be happening... he would leave the country he was raised in, the one he had known all his life. And, and he would never see Sonic again... He wondered how he would take it, and when and how he would tell him. Would he see Sonic again before he went?
And then there was his other friends he had made since living here. He would have to leave school and start another, learn a new language... it was almost too much to take in.
He tried to think of the positive side, but right now there didn't seem to be any. The fox sighed. His first Christmas with his new parents. Ruined. Tails decided to try and have a rest. After his big outburst he was feeling tired, and could do with a nap.
...
2 hours later...
Gracie and Robert were sat around the table eating Christmas dinner. Gracie's 2 sister's Jasmine and Zoe had arrived, along with Jasmine's 2 son's Ryan and Jake and Zoe's daughter Chloe. Robert's brother Ben and his wife Christine were also with them. Gracie had explained about Tails' absence.
Suddenly, a two-tailed fox entered the room, smiling.
"Tails! You decide to join us in the end. How are you now?" Robert questioned.
"I'm not hungry. Mum, could I have a word with you a minute. In private?"
"Of course love."
Setting her knife and fork aside, Gracie exited her seat and followed Tails.
"I won't be long!" She told the family.
Tails motioned her Mum back into the living room, which was a fair walk away from the kitchen, considering the largeness of the house. Once they reached the room, they both sat down.
"Mum I've been thinking this whole thing through." Tails admitted.
"You have?"
"Uh huh. I don't mind going. It will be nice to have a new start." Tails said with a smile.
"Oh Tails, that is lovely news!" She said, hugging her son tightly.
"Yeah, it will be good. I asked you to come in here because I didn't know whether you wanted to tell any of the other's yet."
"Oh yes, I have told them. They are all very happy for us." Gracie added.
"That's good!"
"Isn't it just. Just think- we will have a life in the sun! barbecues every night, evenings in the swimming pool, a life outdoors."
"Yeah, it sounds like it's going to be good! But, when should I let Sonic know? I would like to see him before I leave." Tails truthfully admitted.
"Of course you do. Maybe give it a couple of days, you don't want to ruin his Christmas."
"You're right. Come on, let's go and join the family." Tails asked with a smile.
Tails had a huge job on his plate, but it had to be done...