My friends I am back! and I wish to offer you a warm and family oriented piece that I will simply call: Family Dinner.
Enjoy my friends. As always I dont own nor have I profited from anything Sega. Love you guys!

The scent of sizzling meat filled the air, rich and savory as it danced with seasoning in a pool of melted butter. A gentle hiss escaped the pan as the edges of the chops turned a perfect golden brown, their surfaces crisping just right. Standing over the stove, a focused twin-tailed kitsune, Miles Prower, better known as Tails, cracked a small, proud grin. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he monitored the meat with precision, each turn of the chop calculated. "Almost... and... there!"

With a swift, expert motion, Tails lifted the perfectly seared chop and laid it beside its companions on a long baking tray, their glistening surfaces shining under the kitchen lights. "Now, into the oven—just low enough to keep them warm, but not so hot they'll keep cooking." He slid the tray inside and shut the oven door with a click. The tension in his shoulders released as he glanced at his watch.

"3:47," he muttered. "A little time to relax before everyone gets here."

Tails exhaled in contentment, wiping his hands on his apron before tossing it over the back of a chair. The soft scent of the seasoned meat still lingered in the air as he moved toward the oversized armchair that sat just beyond the kitchen, nestled in the corner of the cozy parlor. He sank into its welcoming embrace, his tired body immediately giving in to the comfort. Laying his head back, he let his eyes flutter closed, breathing in the warm, familiar scents that filled the room.

As he took a deep breath, a new aroma reached him—sweeter, intoxicatingly floral. The scent of honey and roses. He smiled before he even opened his eyes, knowing exactly who it was. The subtle weight of someone leaning against him, followed by the gentle press of soft arms wrapping around his torso, made his heart swell. He felt the warmth of her breath on his cheek before her lips met his in a sweet, tender kiss.

"My love," Cosmo whispered, her voice like a soft breeze, "it's 4:10. Our guests will be here soon."

Tails' eyes shot open, panic flashing in his gaze as he met her emerald green eyes. "Oh no, I fell asleep! I still need to set up the—"

But before he could finish, Cosmo cradled his face gently in her hands and silenced him with another soft kiss, her lips warm and reassuring. "Shh," she whispered against him. "Don't worry. I saw you resting, and you've been at the stove all afternoon. I thought I'd let you take a break and finish setting the table myself. Everything is ready… just breathe."

Her words melted his anxiety, leaving only warmth in their wake. He gazed at her, love and gratitude filling his heart. Cosmo's smile was serene, her presence calming him in a way nothing else could. He could feel the depth of her care in every gesture, every word, and he relaxed fully, knowing she had everything under control.

With her arms still wrapped around him, Tails took a deep breath, the lingering scent of roses reminding him just how lucky he was to have her by his side.

As they stood together, Tails gave Cosmo another quick, affectionate peck on the cheek before heading back into the kitchen. "Back to it! I need to prep the topping for dessert," he said with a wink, already focused on his next task. Cosmo watched with a fond smile as he disappeared behind the door, the sounds of pans clinking and ingredients being prepared echoing softly from the kitchen.

"Some things never change," she mused to herself, shaking her head with a chuckle. Her gaze softened as she thought about the secret dessert he was so protective of. "One thing I hope never changes is that banana floof topping recipe of his... it's just too yummy!" She grinned to herself, imagining the sweet, creamy concoction, before turning toward the door. "I'll just go prep the awning."

As she reached for the handle and pulled the door open, she was greeted by the sight of Amanda Rose, standing there with her hand raised mid-knock, a shy smile on her face. Beside her, as stoic as ever, stood Shadow, his signature smirk barely visible beneath his usual serious demeanor. In his hands, he carried a covered basket.

"We brought the bread," he said flatly, his tone as neutral as ever.

For a moment, the three stood there in silence, the air thick with awkwardness. Then, Cosmo let out a soft chuckle, her gentle laughter breaking the stillness. Amanda followed suit, giggling behind her hand. Even Shadow, after a moment's hesitation, closed his eyes and released a small, amused sigh that passed as a laugh for him.

"Come on in," Cosmo said warmly, stepping aside to let them through. She and Amanda took the bread and headed toward the backyard to get everything ready, leaving Shadow to make his way toward the kitchen. But just as he approached the doorway, Tails suddenly burst out, nearly knocking into him as he pulled a curtain behind him with a dramatic sweep.

"Hiya, Shadow!" Tails greeted, his face lighting up with a friendly, but nervous smile. He quickly positioned himself in the doorway, arms stretched wide, blocking the entry. "Sorry, but you can't come in right now... I'm making my banana floof!"

Shadow's smirk widened as he took in his friend's defensive posture. *He's really protective over that recipe* Shadow thought with a hint of amusement.

"Alright, Miles," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I can take a hint."

Tails chuckled awkwardly, still standing firm. He knew how serious Shadow could be about food, and despite their friendship, he wasn't taking any chances.

As Shadow sauntered over to the armchair Tails had recently vacated, he threw a teasing glance back over his shoulder. "You do know, I could just Chaos Control in there and steal your recipe, right?"

Tails froze for a split second, his eyes widening with a brief flicker of panic. But then he noticed the playful glint in Shadow's eyes and let out a nervous laugh. "Heh, heh... Good one, Shadow." He shook his head, relieved it was just a joke—but knowing Shadow, there was always a hint of truth behind the teasing.

Shadow, now sitting comfortably in the chair, crossed his arms with a satisfied smirk, watching Tails scramble back into the kitchen. *He really does think I'm going to steal that recipe* Shadow mused, though he secretly admired his friend's dedication.

As Tails returned to the kitchen, he wiped the beads of sweat from his brow, the intensity of his focus unwavering. His hands moved with precision as he carefully worked through the final steps of his secret dessert recipe, his mind racing with ideas.

"This meringue will be a lighter touch compared to the usual drizzle I like to use," he muttered to himself, brow furrowed in concentration. "But I think the subtle hints of jasmine in the lacing... yeah, that'll really give everyone a thrill!" He grinned proudly as he delicately piped portions of the fluffy mixture into smaller serving dishes, each one perfectly shaped.

"They just need to set for—" he began, but his thought was cut short by the sound of the doorbell ringing and Shadow's voice calling from the front of the house.

"I've got it, Miles!" Shadow's voice carried back into the kitchen, laced with a playful tone. "You just keep guarding that dessert of yours!"

Tails chuckled to himself. *Everyone's so excited about this floof* he thought with a mix of pride and amusement, carefully finishing the last dish. But as he was turning back to the counter, a familiar voice startled him.

"Hey, buddy. Whatcha doin'?"

Tails nearly jumped out of his fur. He spun around, heart racing, to see Sonic casually standing behind him, arms crossed, one foot tapping impatiently.

"Sonic! How did—when did—SONIC, YOU CAN'T BE IN HERE! MY RECIPE IS A SECRET!" Tails flailed in a mild panic, his eyes wide as he scrambled to block Sonic's view of the counter.

Sonic just stood there, smirking, watching his little brother freak out. "You done yet, buddy?" he asked flatly, though there was a familiar warmth in his voice. When Tails finally stopped mid-rant, Sonic cracked a grin. "Did you forget who taught you that recipe?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "I know you've added your own flair to it, but that's no reason to lose your cool."

Tails stood there for a moment, the panic slowly ebbing away as he processed what Sonic had said. Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck, his twin tails swishing awkwardly behind him. "You're right, Sonic... I shouldn't have gone off on you like that. I guess I got a little too protective. Sorry about that."

Sonic's grin softened as he placed a hand on Tails' shoulder. "It's all good, little bro," he said, his tone reassuring. "It's okay to have a secret recipe—everyone's allowed to have their special thing. Just don't let it stress you out so much. Cooking's supposed to be fun, right?"

Tails nodded, feeling the tension in his chest release. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Sonic."

"Anytime," Sonic replied with a wink. "Now, let's make sure the rest of this dinner doesn't turn into a race to the finish. We've got guests waiting, and I've been smelling that dessert for hours."

Tails laughed, feeling lighter as Sonic left him to his work. *Sonic's always been there to keep me grounded* he thought with a smile, turning back to his carefully crafted dessert.

Out in the backyard, a light breeze danced through the air, carrying the sweet scent of fresh flowers and the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun. Amanda and Cosmo stood near the awning, arranging the bread Shadow had brought on the outdoor table. The soft sound of birds chirping added to the peaceful atmosphere, making the yard feel like an idyllic retreat.

"Thanks again for helping set everything up," Cosmo said, her eyes glancing over the setup with satisfaction. "I think Tails would've been a wreck if we hadn't pitched in."

Amanda chuckled softly, her hands moving nimbly as she straightened the cloth. "Of course! Besides, anything to keep him from burning himself out. He's been going non-stop in there."

Cosmo nodded, a warm smile on her face. "He takes his cooking so seriously. It's one of the things I love about him."

Before Amanda could respond, the back door swung open, and Amy stepped out, carrying a large, heart-shaped pie in her hands, its golden crust glistening with sugar. The smell of warm fruit filled the air, drawing the attention of both Cosmo and Amanda.

"Ta-da!" Amy beamed, holding up the pie proudly. "I brought my special heart-shaped berry pie. Thought it'd be perfect for today."

Cosmo's eyes lit up. "That looks amazing, Amy!"

"Seriously, Amy, that smells incredible," Amanda added, leaning in slightly to catch a better whiff of the pie's aroma.

Amy giggled, setting the pie down gently on the table. "Thanks! It's my favorite to make for special occasions. I figured a little extra love wouldn't hurt." She winked playfully, dusting her hands off on her apron.

Just as they were about to start chatting, a muffled voice echoed through the open window of the kitchen.

"WHAT, HOW, WHEN DID—"

The girls froze, sharing a brief, surprised glance. Then, Tails' voice carried again, louder this time, full of panic. "SONIC, YOU CAN'T BE IN HERE! MY RECIPE IS A SECRET!"

An awkward silence fell over the group as they processed what they'd just overheard, followed by a burst of soft laughter. Amy was the first to break, covering her mouth as she chuckled. "Oh, Tails," she said, shaking her head. "He's really going off in there, huh?"

Cosmo giggled, her hand resting gently on her chest as she tried to stifle her amusement. "He's always been a little... protective about that recipe," she said warmly. "But I didn't expect him to freak out like that."

Amanda smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned back. "Well, he's a perfectionist. I get it."

The laughter settled, leaving a comfortable air between the three as they continued to chat, the breeze ruffling the tablecloth lightly. Amy leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, how's everything been with you two lately?" she asked, glancing at Cosmo. "You seem even more connected than usual."

Cosmo's cheeks flushed a little, and she smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "We're doing great. I think it's just... I don't know. After everything we've been through, every moment feels more precious. We're taking the time to really enjoy the little things, you know?"

Amanda nodded in agreement. "That's the way to do it. Sometimes it's the quiet moments that mean the most."

Before they could continue, the back door swung open again, and Sonic strolled out, looking relaxed as he joined the group. His usual confident grin was plastered across his face, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Hey, ladies," he greeted, giving a quick nod to each of them. "Everything good out here?"

Cosmo tilted her head, a curious smile on her lips. "Everything's fine, but... is Tails okay in there?" she asked, her voice gentle with concern. "We, uh... heard him yelling just now."

Sonic let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Oh, that? Yeah, he's fine. He just got a little worked up because I walked in on his big, secret recipe." He shrugged, leaning casually against the table. "He's been at it all day, and he's really excited to show off what he's made. I think he's just nervous about making it perfect."

Cosmo's expression softened, and she nodded. "He always puts so much effort into everything he makes. I'm sure it'll be amazing."

"No doubt about that," Sonic agreed, flashing a grin. "But don't worry—he's in full Tails mode right now. I just told him to relax and not sweat it so much. You know how he gets when he's excited."

Amy chuckled, placing her hands on her hips. "Well, I can't wait to try it. It sounds like he's outdone himself this time."

"Yeah, same here," Amanda added, leaning back with a smile. "He's really been hyping up that dessert."

Sonic laughed. "You'll see soon enough." He shot a playful glance toward the kitchen. "I just hope he doesn't collapse before it's done."

The group shared another round of light laughter as the anticipation for Tails' dessert hung in the air, the warmth of friendship and love filling the space between them.

Tails quietly padded back to the parlor, hearing another knock at the door. He turned to wave Shadow off before realizing the black hedgehog had passed out in the oversized chair. *Told Cosmo it was the chair and not just me* Tails thought, snickering as he stepped over to the door.

As he opened it, Knuckles stood there, cradling a large bowl of dip in one arm, with Rouge beside him carrying a couple of bags of chips. "Hey, the life of the party is here now!" Knuckles boomed with a wide grin.

Tails laughed, shaking his head. "Good to see you, Knuckles. Always humble, as usual."

As they stepped inside, Rouge gave Tails a quick wink. "He's been rehearsing that line all the way here."

"Rouge! You weren't supposed to tell him that!" Knuckles groaned, but his grin remained as Tails chuckled and led them both to the back where everyone was already gathering waking Shadow up on the way.

Sonic and Cosmo were helping Amy and Amanda set the drinks on the table as the aroma of freshly prepared dishes drifted from the kitchen. Amanda noticed Tails and Knuckles arriving, offering him a warm smile. "Looks like we've got the whole crew together now."

Tails returned her smile, his heart full as he helped set the last few trays on the table. Once everything was ready, Tails took his place at the head of the long outdoor table, with Cosmo to his right and Sonic to his left. Knuckles, Rouge, Shadow, Amanda, Amy, and the others filled in around, their voices filling the air with warmth and laughter.

After a moment, Tails cleared his throat. The conversations quieted, and all eyes turned toward him.

"I just want to say," Tails began, his voice soft but strong, "that this—right here—is everything I could ever ask for. Not just the meal or the gathering, but each of you sitting here with me."

He turned first to Cosmo, his smile tender. "Cosmo, you've taught me what true love and patience are. You remind me to slow down, breathe, and enjoy all of life's little moments."

Tails then turned to Knuckles, grinning. "Knuckles, you've shown me how important strength is—not just the kind that can knock down walls, but the strength to protect the things you care about. You never give up, and that's something I've always admired."

He nodded at Rouge next. "And Rouge… You've taught me the value of cleverness and knowing when to take risks. I've learned that sometimes it's the smartest plan, not the safest one, that gets us through."

Tails then glanced at Amanda, his eyes shining with respect. "Amanda, you're like the big sister I never had. You've shown me what it means to love deeply and to believe in something greater. Your knowledge of flying challenges me every day, but it's your faith and your love for everyone here that truly inspire me."

Amanda smiled warmly, her hand resting in Shadow's. The black and red hedgehog met Tails's gaze with a rare nod of approval.

He paused for a moment, turning his gaze toward Shadow. "And Shadow… You've taught me the importance of control. You're calm, collected, and always have this way of reminding us that even in chaos, we can find balance."

Tails continued, now addressing Amy. "Amy, you've taught me that passion is a gift. You never hesitate to show how much you care, whether it's in battle or in friendship, and that's something we all need more of."

Finally, he looked at Sonic, his expression full of brotherly love. "Sonic, you've taught me how to be brave. You've always had my back, from the first day we met, and I've learned from you what it means to face anything head-on, no matter how fast or how tough. I am so lucky to be able to call you my brother."

His voice grew thick with emotion as he looked around the table. "Every single one of you has taught me something that's helped shape who I am today. You're more than friends to me; you're family. And I love all of you."

He raised his glass, his heart swelling with gratitude. "To friendship, to family, and to everything we've learned from each other along the way."

Everyone followed his lead, their glasses clinking in unison as warmth and love filled the air.

Later:

Cosmo sat behind Tails in the cockpit of the Tornado, her arms gently cradling a covered tray resting on her lap as the plane glided through the sky. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the world below, and the hum of the engine provided a soothing background rhythm.

"Are you sure about this?" Cosmo asked, her voice soft and full of concern.

Tails nodded without hesitation, keeping his eyes on the horizon. "Yeah, I am. This is something I have to do."

She rested her head against the back of his seat, sensing his determination. "Okay, my love… I trust you."

A few minutes later, the Tornado touched down near a sprawling metal compound, its sharp edges and towering walls making it stand out against the peaceful landscape. Tails shut off the engine and hopped out, pausing only to give Cosmo's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll be right back."

Cosmo smiled gently. "I know you will."

Tails approached the heavy metal door of the familiar base, his heart steady. He raised a hand and knocked firmly. For a few moments, there was nothing but the faint whirring of the facility's mechanics. Then, with a low hiss, the door slid open a crack, revealing the round, spectacled face of none other than Dr. Eggman.

The doctor peered out, scanning for who had dared to knock on his door. When his eyes landed on Tails, he arched an eyebrow, the corner of his mustache twitching in surprise. "Well, well, well… If it isn't the fox boy himself. You're either very brave or very foolish to pay me a visit without your little team to protect you."

Tails let out a lighthearted laugh, not phased by the doctor's words. "Oh, come on, Doctor. We've been through enough for you to know I don't need backup every time we meet."

Eggman crossed his arms, still standing halfway behind the door. "So, what's this about then? Come to challenge me alone, or are you here to offer terms of surrender?"

Tails smiled, shaking his head as he extended a covered tray toward Eggman. "Neither. I'm here to thank you."

The doctor blinked in confusion, his posture stiffening slightly. "Thank me? What for?"

Tails shifted the tray slightly, making sure Eggman could see it without reaching for it yet. "Everyone in my life has played a role in shaping who I am today. Even you. As much as we've clashed, I've learned a lot from you, Doctor. Your intelligence, your drive… they've pushed me to be better, to think faster, to be stronger. I am who I am because of the role you've played."

Eggman stared at him, clearly caught off guard by the fox's words. Cautiously, he took the tray from Tails, lifting the cover just a little to peek inside.

"It's a plate I set aside just for you," Tails continued, his tone warm and sincere. "Happy Summer Solstice, Doctor."

For a moment, Eggman stood frozen, his eyes flicking from the tray back to Tails. Then, slowly, his expression softened—not quite a smile, but something close. "You've got some nerve, kid. Offering me food like this…"

Tails just grinned. "I thought you'd appreciate it."

The doctor looked down again, then back up, his tone much more subdued now. "I'll admit… I wasn't expecting this. But…" He paused, then nodded once, almost imperceptibly. "Thank you."

Tails gave a quick salute, turning on his heel to head back to the Tornado. "Take care, Doctor."

As the metal door began to slide shut, Eggman peeked under the tray cover, his eyes widening in delight. "Oh my word, its a full course meal, and the dessert is his special banana floof!"

The door closed with a soft hiss, leaving the doctor standing in his dimly lit lab, holding the plate of carefully prepared dessert. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he set the tray down on a nearby table and pulled up a chair, ready to enjoy the treat he never would have expected from an old rival.

"Happy Solstice Mr. Prower"