Vector stood by his front door as the meeting time he and Espio had set days earlier was approaching. Everything about their communications indicated that Espio was meeting with them over something important, especially given the time since they had set this up. Espio had been dating Cream for over a year at this point. Both Vector and Vanilla had dressed formally, expecting to take this as a serious occasion. The only explanation they could figure was that Espio would ask their blessing to marry Cream.
Vanilla continued peering anxiously through her front room curtains. As much as she admired Espio for the man he was, and from Cream's stories about their dates, Vanilla could barely hold herself together. Although Cream was 21 now, it had been almost two decades since her father had passed away.
Vector took notice of her nervousness. He gently grabbed her right forearm, sliding down to hold her hand. "Be strong, honey. You can do this."
She allowed Vector to pull her closer for comfort. "I want to, but I can't." She protested.
He sat with her on the front staircase. "I understand that my role in her life is not as great as yours has always been, but you must see this as one of her life's greatest positive events." He reassured Vanilla. "Cream is getting engaged to the man she loves. You've heard how she has dreamed about this."
Vanilla sighed, lazily slouching back. "You're right. Cream can't be my sweet little girl forever." She leaned forward and covered her face with her hands. Vector held her yet closer as he realized Vanilla was on the verge of tears.
"That's not how it works." Vector told her. "She will always be your precious daughter. Her connections to this family do not end here. As for me, I will always be grateful that I have shared part of my life to raise such a sweet and talented child, especially alongside such a captivating woman."
Vanilla's shaking simmered out. She had to keep reminding herself that she was not losing Cream. The time had come. Vector's last line also worked excellently. "I'm just so happy she still has a father in her life. I couldn't raise her until 18 all on my own. Chocolate was such a… virtuous man, and I'm glad I didn't have to downgrade. And now she'll have a husband in her life. I can't help but be happy for her." She broke a smile that Vector loved.
Vector heard the sound of an engine shutting off. He and his wife stood up quickly and opened the front door. They spotted Espio leaving his luxury polished black sedan, although not as pompous that the government agent turned movie star had been seen in before.
"Cream can afford to be a stay at home mom if she chooses." Vector added.
"I'm not yet old enough to be a grandmother." Vanilla grunted back at him.
Espio, full white tuxedo blazing, strode to the door with unparalleled confidence.
"He's got a sword, just a white one. White scabbard, too. Not sure why." Vector cautioned. Without taking his sense of style as a hazard, he opened the door before Espio could even knock.
"Good afternoon." He greeted casually, not wasting time in entering the house. "I see you have been waiting for me."
"Everything is in place." Vanilla stated. "I knew this was important, so Mint's staying with my niece Bunnie, and I made sure Charmy's at work. You can talk freely."
Past his cool demeanor, Espio had a look of confusion as he turned to Vanilla. "You want me to be gone quickly, Vanilla?" He asked. "Or should I say Madam Rabbit?"
She slightly smiled as Vector showed him into the house. Although Espio was no stranger in their home, Vector wanted to make sure all the formalities were taken care of. He gestured to three chairs set up in their family room around their coffee table. Espio took the left end seat while Vector and Vanilla took the other two.
"Speaking of him, is Charmy doing?" Espio began. "Haven't heard much from or about that kid in a while."
Vanilla was pleasantly surprised that Espio wasn't nervous at all. Vector spoke up. "I'm glad you asked. He's done police training and is now a rookie on the detective force. Really proud of him."
"Humble beginnings, but soon he'll soon be in your place." Espio joked.
"Just remember, even you had to start somewhere. Wait, yeah… you went straight from the Team to MI5. At least he's trying to do something honorable."
Espio shrugged. "To each his own. What's Mint getting up to?"
"She's just started tenth grade." Vanilla said. Vector liked that she smiled again. She was no longer nervous. "That age when they're really into boys. Not every girl can have an excellent quality man like I have Vector, or Cream has you." She continued. Vector flinched.
"So you'll need to be doing some filtration soon." Espio added. He was trying to make the others as comfortable in conversation as possible.
"I suppose it will be a little different for me." Vector stated sadly. "She's the only one who is actually my biological daughter, so maybe I'm more worried than I need to be." He stared off into the distance, seemingly disturbed by this thought.
Vanilla noticed this worried look and tried to switch topics. "Surely our family's not what you came here to talk about. You've arranged this meeting for something of discussion; not proven facts." She said, borrowing the detectives' favorite line when arguing.
"You're absolutely correct, ma'am." Espio conceded, smiling as he sat straight in the chair. "I understand you've got a rather complicated family. Your oldest daughter Cream, your adopted son Charmy, and then Mint, who is your daughter, sir." He gestured to Vector. "Hate to complicate it like this."
Vector got the sense that Espio was waiting to be led on. "Continue." He prompted.
Espio reached into his suit jacket and retrieved a jewelry box. They immediately knew it was a ring box; he had come to ask their blessing. "I too hope to join your family, although not through adoption." He spoke gallantly. Espio stood up, a movement copied by the others. He opened the box and passed it to Vanilla, on his left. She and her husband admired it for a few seconds.
Espio removed his sword and set it on the table in front of Vector. "I mean no harm. I have every intention to marry Cream, sir. Although it's typically the father who is asked this, I figured with the situation Vanilla should be here too. I am here to ask your blessing too, ma'am." He concluded.
Vector and Vanilla had prepared for this question, but they were still taken aback by the moment it happened. "I believe this question lies with the greatest influence in her life." Vector deferred, placing the decision into Vanilla's judgment. "Although if you were to ask me, I would have said yes immediately."
Vanilla had no possible objection, but still she decided to test Espio. "What do you see in Cream? Undoubtedly, I see many qualities in her, but what do you have to say?"
"If you ask me what I see, the first thing is beauty. Perception is done with the spirit. If you ask me what I perceive, it is moral courage, perseverance, gentleness, hardworking, and love for her family." Espio looked primarily to Vanilla, but also glanced to Vector. "None of which are innate, of course; she has been taught well by an exceptional family."
Vanilla looked back at Espio. "Do you really mean that?"
He smiled. "Every word of it. All qualities that can be learned from you. I will leave it to Vector to make the remarks on seeing beauty."
"Don't get bombastic." Vector warned him. "Don't flatter her."
Vanilla sighed. She had lost all her dread of this moment. "My answer is yes." She took his left hand with her right. "You have my blessing to marry Cream, young man. There are not many like you in the world, which is why I don't hesitate. There is only one question left to ask if you can marry her, and that is to my daughter herself." Vanilla concluded. She handed Espio the ring.
"I understand." He finished, setting the ring back into his suit jacket.
Vanilla hugged Espio tightly. It did not seem real to her that he and her daughter were likely to marry one day. She could not believe that she just said what she did. Espio held her in return, knowing the decision Vanilla made could not have been easy for her.
Vector wrapped his huge arms around both of them, and picked them up. Even at his age, and both being tall, it was not a difficult task. "One of these years, you're gonna make her one happy bride." He said, smiling.
The three stayed close until Vector could no longer hold them. "Why don't you stay here a while, kid? It's Sunday afternoon, there's gotta be some good sports on. I'm not picking up Mint until 6." He suggested.
"If you say so, sir." Espio agreed. "You are magnanimous. I hope to replicate that quality someday. Cream would appreciate if I do."
"And you're welcome anytime at our home, Espio." Vanilla cut in.
"Excellent - Thank you. It would be good for you to see your daughter often still. I'm not taking her away from you."
"And my future grandchildren." She added, as a side thought.
"Honey!" Vector scolded. "Don't make the man uncomfortable."