The sun shined through Cream's window, the rays touching the rabbit's face and awakening her from a deep sleep. Sitting up in her bed, she yawned and stretched out her body before looking over to the window, a smile appearing on her face. "Another beautiful day." Turning her gaze to the other pillow beside the one she was sleeping on, she saw Cream laid out on it, his mouth slightly agape as he snored. Giggling at her Chao companion, Cream gently stroked his head before swinging her legs over the edge of her bed and stretching out her body again before her eyes widened in realization.

"Oh, that's right," she said aloud to herself. "Amy said she would be coming this morning. I'd better let Mother know and get ready."

Standing up from her bed, Cream made her way to her bathroom to take a shower and prepare for the day.

Sometime later, Cream was preparing tea alongside Vanilla in the kitchen along with a cake and a couple sandwiches. Both of them were wearing matching sundresses with floral designs and after being informed by Cream that Amy would be coming over to see them, Vanilla was ecstatic and wanted to prepare a warm welcome for her daughter's closest friend.

"So, what time did Amy say she would be here Sweetie?" Vanilla asked as she poured the warm tea into a teapot.

"She said she'd be here sometime in the morning," Cream answered before grinning. "If I know her, she may already be on her way and will be here any second."

Vanilla smiled as well. "Well, the tea's hot so when she arrives it'll be ready."

"Great!" Cream said excitedly before she began to look around the kitchen. "Oh, where's Gemerl and Chocola?"

"They're both outside in the backyard garden Honey," Vanilla answered.

Cream walked over to one of the nearest windows that gave view to the large backyard and a smile came to her face as she saw the robot and Chao playing tag with each other amongst the flowers. "Ah, there they are." Her smile remained on her face as she saw Gemerl impressively dodging and avoiding Chocola from tagging it. "I truly am happy to have Gemerl be apart of our family. Even after all the time that's gone by since he agreed to stay with us."

Vanilla smiled as well as she walked over and stood beside her daughter, looking out the window at Gemerl and Chocola as well. "I feel the same Sweetheart."

Cheese flew over to the rabbits, landed on Cream's head and chirped happily as he looked at Gemerl and his twin brother playing with each other, earning giggles from Cream and Vanilla.

"I thought we'd lost him after the battle with Robotnik," Cream continued. "But he survived."

"That he did," said Vanilla. "And he's grateful to have a home, just as we are to have him here with us."

Cream smiled and nodded. A few seconds later, she and Vanilla heard the doorbell ring.

"Oh, that must be Amy!" said Cream in an excited tone before she began to walk to the living room. "I'll go get the door Mother! Be right back!"

Vanilla watched Cream leave the kitchen, a warm smile on her face.

Reaching the front door, Cream opened it and a huge smile appeared on her face as she saw Amy on the other side., dressed in a white sundress and white sandals.

"Hey Cream!" the pink hedgehog beamed, ecstatic to see her best friend.

"Amy!" Cream said, her smile growing bigger. "Hello!"

"How's it going?" Amy asked. "Everything okay?"

Cream nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. And you?"

"I'm fine," Amy answered, still smiling. "It's such a beautiful morning and I can't think of any better way to spend it than with my best friend!"

Cream grinned a bit. "Yes, it truly is. I said the same thing when I woke up this morning. Great minds think alike."

"They sure do!" Amy said with a laugh.

It was then that Cream realized that Amy was still standing outside and she smiled sheepishly. "Oh, I'm so sorry Amy!" She opened the door all the way and stepped to the side. "Please, come in!"

Chuckling, Amy walked into the house. "No need to apologize Sweetheart."

"You're just in time," said Cream as she closed and looked the door. "Mother and I just finished making tea."

"Sounds great!" said Amy as she and Cream walked to the kitchen and she saw the elder rabbit. "Hi Vanilla!"

Looking over, Vanilla smiled warmly as she saw Amy and her daughter. "Amy! Hello dear!"

"Heya!" Amy said as she went to Vanilla and hugged her. "How're things?"

"Things are going great Hun," Vanilla responded, returning the hug. "Its good to see you, as always."

Amy grinned as she and Vanilla pulled back from their hug. "Aww, thanks! Same here!"

"Cream and I were just about to have a cup of tea together," said Vanilla. "Would you like to join us?"

"Oh, for sure!" said Amy excitedly. "Thanks! It's been a while since we've enjoyed some tea together!"

Vanilla nodded her head in agreement. As Cream saw how ecstatic her mother and best friend were about their time together, a thought came to her. "Perhaps would could have our tea in the garden. How does that sound?"

Looks of approval appeared on both Vanilla and Amy's faces. "That's a splendid idea Sweetheart," said the elder rabbit.

"Yeah, its perfect!" Amy added.

Chirping happily, Cheese rose up off Cream's head and flew over to the door that led to the backyard, opening it and floating to the side so that the three females could go outside first, earning a giggle from Amy.

"Aww, how cute!" said the hedgehog.

"Isn't he though?" Cream responded, smiling as she walked to the table and began to gather the tea and food.

Amy followed the rabbit to the table and began to help here. "Here, I'll give you a hand."

Cream looked to her friend, nodding her head in gratitude. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Hey, don't mention it!" Amy replied, winking at her.

The three Mobians, along with Gemerl, Cheese and Chocola were sitting at a table set up in the garden, laughing amongst themselves as they enjoyed the cake, sandwiches and tea together. As she took a bite into one of the sandwiches, a low moan of pleasure came from Amy as she relished in the taste.

"Mmm, this is lovely Vanilla!" said she hedgehog. "Thanks"

"My pleasure Dear," Vanilla replied, grinning as she watched Amy enjoying the treats while taking a sip of her tea.

Amy continued to gorge, downing half her cup of tea and after finishing her sandwich. "This is so good!"

"Yes, it really is," said Cream, taking a bite of a sandwich before giggling. "Not to toot our own horns but I'd say Mother and I outdid ourselves this time."

Amy agreed as she fervently continued to indulge in the food along with Cream and Vanilla. From its seat beside Cream, Gemerl eyed the food spread out on the table in front of it, its eyes shifting from side to side.

"Hmm, you know something?" the robot began. "Part of me has always wondered what its like to consume this as well as the need for it. But being what I am..." It tapped his midsection a few times. "...having my stomach growl is something I'll never experience."

Vanilla chuckled softly. "Aww, I'm sorry Gemerl."

"Oh, its not a problem at all Ms. Vanilla," Gemerl replied, sitting back in the seat.

While watching and listening to Cream and Vanilla talk with Gemerl, Amy stopped eating for a brief second, biting her lip as a thought came to her. It didn't go unnoticed as Cream looked to her friend and saw her do so.

"What's wrong Amy?" Cream asked.

Vanilla piped in as well. "Amy? Is there something on your mind?" Vanilla asked.

Snapping out of her thoughts as she heard the rabbits' voices, Amy brushed off her thoughts and shook her head. "Oh, its nothing. Just some thoughts, is all."

That got everyone's attention. "Like what?" Vanilla asked. "If you don't mind me asking."

"Sonic and I had a little heart to heart."

"Did you really?" Vanilla asked, taking a bite of her sandwich. "How did that go?"

"Pretty good," Amy said, a small smile appearing on her face. "I got a lot off my chest."

Cream smiled as well. "That's great Amy. What did you two talk about?"

"About the years we were at war with Robotnik and how things are now," Amy answered.

"I'm sure that must've been quite the conversation," said Vanilla.

Amy nodded. "Yeah, and we had some drinks together at our favorite coffee shop."

"Sounds like you both had a great time," said Cream.

"We sure did," said Amy as she remembered the time she and Sonic spent together at the shop.

Vanilla reached over and treated herself to a slice of cake. "You two certainly caught up on a lot of things."

"You said it," said Amy.

"That's really amazing Amy," said Cream, smiling as she moved a strand of her hair from her face. "I'm so glad you both had a great time with one another."

"We did and I'm glad we did too," said Amy before grinning. "Sonic even said I could be an auntie."

A warm smile appeared on Vanilla's face. "Aww, to his and Sally's little one?"

"Yep yep!" Amy said excitedly. "Hope its a girl!"

"I do wonder if it'll be a girl," said Cream with a thoughtful expression. "Or perhaps a boy."

"Same here," said Amy. "All I know is that I'll be happy regardless."

Vanilla nodded, smiling at the thought of Sonic and Sally's future child. "We all will be. I do look forward to seeing if it'll be a boy or girl."

"Yeah and I plan on being the best auntie I can be," said Amy proudly.

"I'm sure you will be Dear," said Vanilla.

Cream nodded in agreement with her mother while Amy winked at them both.

Gemerl turned its head in Amy's direction. "You'll be a great auntie to their baby Amy." After finishing speaking, the robot slowly lowered its head.

"Gemerl?" Cream asked in a concerned voice. "Is something wrong?"

"Yeah, your whole demeanor just changed," said Amy. "You okay?"

Cheese and Chocola chirped softly as they floated over to Gemerl, looking up at it with worried expressions.

"Huh?" said the robot as it lifted its head back up, noticing everyone looking towards itself. "Oh yeah, I was just thinking."

"About what?" Cream asked.

"Just about the time I spent as apart of Robotnik's army during the war," Gemerl replied.

Vanilla's expression softened. "I see."

A similar look appeared on Cream's face as she gently placed her hand on Gemerl's shoulder while Amy sighed, memories of those days coming back to her.

"It still weighs heavily on your mind?" the hedgehog asked.

"I can't lie," Gemerl began. "Yes, it does."

Cream, Vanilla and Amy all looked at the robot sadly, feeling sorry for it. Cheese and Chocola floated up, chirping in an attempt to cheer Gemerl up and it watched them, its eyes lightning up as Cheese landed on its head and Chocola on its other shoulder.

"I still remember lots of the things I did while I was in his service," said Gemerl. "And even then, a lot of it didn't sit well with me despite him being my creator." It turned its head to look at Cream. "And it took a lot of convincing to help me turn over a new leaf and pledge myself to a new cause."

Cream smiled softly in response.

"Cream was your angel that day," said Amy.

"She really was," said Gemerl. "I don't know what I would've done had it not been for her."

Cream turned to Gemerl and gave it her undivided attention. "It was only the right thing to do. You did what you did because you felt you had to out of loyalty to Robotnik. But he only saw his creations as tools to be used. Deep down you knew that and when you were trapped underneath all that rubble after our fight...I could've just as easily left you there, but...I couldn't find it in my heart to do that and I had to help you."

Cheese and Chocola chirped in agreement while Amy and Vanilla looked at Cream proudly.

"I truly am proud of you Sweetheart," said Vanilla.

"Same here!" said Amy. "She was a real heroine, for sure!"

Cream blushed softly as she heard the words of praise.

Gemerl continued to look at Cream, placing one of its hands on hers on its shoulder. "I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me Cream. Not only you, but your mother as well for offering me a place to stay after the war."

Cream smiled at the robot and gave its hand a gentle squeeze.

"It was a pleasure Dear," said Vanilla. "You did so much to help us win the war against Robotnik and changed your ways for the better. And you protected my daughter during many dire and dangerous times."

"Which I should thank you for Gemerl," said Cream. "You saved not only my life, but Cheese and the rest of my friends as well."

Gemerl reached behind its head and scratched it in a bashful fashion. "It was nothing."

The females and Chao all giggled in response.

A short while later, Amy and Cream walked through the garden together while Vanilla and Gemerl played with Cheese and Chocola.

"The flowers are all in full bloom," said Cream, placing her hands behind her back as she admired the flowers. "Beautiful, aren't they?"

Amy nodded, smiling at the large assortment of flowers and plants she and Cream walked by. "Yeah, so pretty."

"Mother put a lot of time and effort into our garden," said Cream, smiling as well. "Its her pride and joy."

"I love it," said Amy as she reached out and gently touched the petals of a rose.

"As do I," said Cream, kneeling down and looking at tulips. "Many times I've come out here to just enjoy the scenery and surroundings."

Looking at the rose a bit longer, Amy's attention turned to the rest of the flowers. "Its beautiful."

"Yes. I love it here," said Cream before a sigh escaped her lips.

Hearing the sigh, Amy looked down at the rabbit. "You okay Cream?"

"Yes, I'm okay Amy," said Cream, standing back up. "I was just thinking."

Amy couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems there's a lot of that going on today. What were you thinking about?"

"The time I spent with Tails and his family."

Her best friend's comment got Amy's attention. "Really?"

Cream nodded and a small blush appeared on her face.

Amy saw the blush and grinned. "Aww, you're blushing."

Realizing she was blushing, Cream held her cheeks and blushed harder. "Um, well I, uh..."

"It's okay Cream," Amy said softly, still grinning at how cute her best friend looked and how flustered she was. "You know you can talk to me."

Cream was silent for a few seconds before finding her voice. "Well um, its about Tails..."

"Yeah?"

"Well, we've known each other for a really long time and I...I think I may..."

Amy smiled, knowing where Cream was going with her words. "You think you're in love."

If possible, the blush on Cream's face deepened. "I...I believe I may be..."

Amy couldn't help but let out a small squeal of happiness. "Aww, that's so cute! You guys would make a great couple!"

"A couple?" Cream repeated.

"Yeah, why not?"

"It's just..." Cream began before sighing. "I don't know how he feels about me, if he even remotely has feelings for me as I do him..."

"Too cute for words," Amy chuckled. "I think he does have feelings for you."

Cream looked up at the hedgehog. "You...really think he does?"

Amy nodded her head. "Uh-huh."

Cream, needless to say, was flustered at the mere thought of Tails having feelings for her. "Wow..."

"In fact," Amy continued. "He may actually love you."

Cream's eyes widened and she stammered on her words. "L-Love...?"

Amy nodded again and smirked. "We could try and find out, you know?"

"Love...That's a huge step above just liking someone..." said Cream. "To think its possible that we both feel that way about one another..."

Amy could hear the apprehension in Cream's voice. "Well, there's no rush."

"Yes, I agree..." said Cream before a thought came to her. "Amy, may I ask you something?"

"Of course," said Amy. "You can ask me anything, you know that."

Cream took a couple seconds to make sure she chose her words carefully before speaking. "After all this time...do you still have feelings for Sonic?"

Amy's eyes widened and it was her turn now to blush. She wasn't expecting that question and cleared her throat before answering. "You know Cream...I kinda do."

"You do?"

"Yeah, but I know he's happy with Sally," said Amy, crossing her arms under her chest. "They were meant for each other."

"As long as he's happy, it makes you happy?" Cream asked.

Amy nodded, smiling. "Yes, exactly."

Cream blinked a few times before smiling at the hedgehog. "You really have grown and matured Amy. I don't think you would've ever said that five years ago."

"Yeah, good point," Amy chuckled.

Cream giggled along with her best friend before finally regaining her composure. "I really am proud of the Mobian you've become Amy."

"Thanks Cream," said Amy. "That means a lot to me coming from you. And I want to tell you something."

Cream raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Yes? What is it?"

Amy reached out and gently took both of Cream's hands into her own. "Thanks for confiding in me something so important as your feelings for Tails, as well as hearing me out when it comes to how I feel about Sonic."

Cream smiled and grasped Amy's hands. "Of course Amy. As you said, you can always tell me anything. You're my best friend, so much so I consider you to be my sister."

Smiling warmly at the rabbit, Amy took her hands back from her before stepping to her and wrapping her arms around her in a hug. "The same's true for me. That's something that will be forever."

Cream returned the hug. "Forever and always. Nothing will ever come between us nor the friendship we share."

The two held each other for a bit longer before the two of them pulled back, smiling at one another. Cream then looked over Amy's shoulder and saw Vanilla and Gemerl playing tag with Cheese and Chocola and giggled. "They look like they're having such a great time. Shall we join them?"

Amy followed Cream's gaze and chuckled at the sight. "Oh, definitely! Come on, let's go Little Sis!"

Holding each others' hands, the two best friends walked back through the garden to join in the fun being had by the others.