Cream Knows Best - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Vector's P.O.V
My head was doing better after getting some sleep. But... for some reason, my heart wasn't any better than before. I still missed Espio. I mean, of course, I did. After everything that had happened. The only thing I couldn't understand was why. Why did I have these weird feelings in my stomach and in my heart? I had to ignore it for right now. When I sat up, I realized Espio's dragon necklace was no longer in my hands. What! Where is it! I couldn't go on without it! It was the only thing I had of his!
I checked all over the sofa, throwing the pillows all over, and then checked under the coffee table. There! I gave a huge sigh of relief. I held it close to my chest, wishing everything was just a bad dream. Yet, everything wasn't going right. I was starting to stand up when something caught my eye.
A blue envelope.
Huh? How did this get here? I took it out from underneath and looked at it. On the back of it, it had my name on it.
In Vanilla's handwriting...
I can't ever get a break can I? Even though it creeped me out a whole bunch, I knew it must've meant something. I carefully opened it up and took out the letter inside. I was so nervous to open it up. What if this was something I wasn't supposed to open?
You've got nothing to lose.
I took a deep breath and unfolded the letter. It was definitely from her. I decided to read it.
Dear Vector,
I know you probably don't want to receive this letter with everything good that's been happening. But this issue can't wait. It's very important that I tell you this because I'll regret it if I don't. You see, Vector love, I know your heart does not belong to me. This is why I wish to break up with you. We're not meant to be together. Before you protest and come pleading on your knees, I want to explain myself to you. Even though we've known each other for many years now, I feel like you barely know yourself at all sometimes. I've seen how your emotions have changed over time after we started officially started dating. I noticed that you felt somewhat sadder, you were committed but not truly there, and even with me by your side, you always made sure all the children in your life came first. I know you hate being called a softie, but that's what you are! I love that about you though! So sweet and thoughtful about others. Although there's been one friend you've sort of swept under the rug lately. Espio. And this is where my main explanation comes in. You see Vector, with a special necklace, I have the power to see those who are in love and who they are in love with. I know Espio loves you more than anything in this world. You don't have to believe me, but you have to admit that I'm right. You also have to admit that you love him in return. And don't you dare doubt it! Your heart and feelings say it all. I see how you act around him. You're all smiles, relaxed, comfortable, full, giggly, and most importantly... happy. You've been the best fiance and boyfriend to me! I will always cherish our times together. But now you must go to your soulmate and tell him how you feel. I won't be saddened, in fact, I'll feel relieved that you've found someone you can love forever! So now I ask you to get your butt off the couch, chair, or ground that you're sitting on and go to him! For me! I will always have a special place for you in my heart. It's your turn for you to have your happily ever after! I believe in you!
Love,
Vanilla
A teardrop fell down my face as I read the last words of her letter. All I could do was smile. She was forever the compassionate one. Never bitter towards anyone. She must've written this before she passed. I can see why she never gave it to me, her time was already coming by the time she had written this. I loved her since the day I saw her. But... she was never wrong about anything. I thought back to all the times that I had with Espio. I remembered how I felt around him. All my feelings... all my emotions... everything.
She was right... I was in love with Espio... and I ruined everything! Maybe it's not too late! I had to get to that hospital! I raced over to the table where I left my phone and went through my contacts. I found Sonic's number and immediately called him. I waited for him to pick. I only had to wait for three rings. But I was so anxious that it felt like the phone was still ringing when he picked up. "Hello? Vector are you there?" Sonic asked. "S-Sonic! Oh, thank god you picked up! I need to know what hospital Espio's staying in! Please it's urgent!" I begged.
"Uh, okay, um. Oh! He's staying in the hospital closest to the shopping centers! Is everything good?" he replied, I could hear the concern in his voice. "Thank you so much Sonic! I'll be fine!"
I quickly hung up and grabbed some stuff to go and ran out the door. I only hoped I didn't wake anyone up!
After running for more than an hour, I finally made it to the hospital that Sonic said he was staying. I felt more than relieved! I used the last of my energy to run into the hospital and get to the front desk where there was already someone there. "Good morning! How can I help you today?" the lady asked. "G-Good morning!" I was so out of breath that I just starting gasping for air after a long run. "I-I'm trying to find- Espio the ch-chameleon! Oh! I'm so out of breath!" I gasped at last.
She typed some things into her computer, scrolled down, and then turned back to me. "Espio the chameleon is on the third floor, room 3G. Try to let him rest though, he's still asleep from the last time I heard!" she said. I nodded my head and raced for the elevator. When the elevator opened, I didn't was any more time and ran inside and clicked one too many buttons.
I was shaking thinking about everything that was going on. I'm not sure how long I stayed in that stupid machine but when I finally got to the third floor, I burst right through, looking for the room the receptionist said he was staying.
Anyone who was in my way I almost trampled over as I ran down the hall looking for him. I'm praying you're right Vanilla... I hope you're right... I finally got to his hospital room and saw him there, hooked up to machines, his heartbeat was beating at a slow rate, and he was asleep. It brought back so many painful memories.
Most of them seeing Vanilla being the same way when she was in so much pain from the medicine and the treatments going on.
How could I be this cruel to him? Now he was suffering just as much as she did. Everything that had happened up to now was my fault. I pulled up a chair next to his bed and sat next to him. I gave a huge sigh and held his hand to let him know I was there. "Hey! I'm sorry I didn't come the other day. I had to take care of Charmy after everything that had happened. I know you probably hate it here more than anything. I would too if I couldn't do anything about it. But I'm hoping all the doctors have been good to you! It's been lonely without you though. Oh, by the way," I said to him, and I put his necklace in his hands and let him hold it. "I had this after you were taken to get here. I hope your leg is okay... I didn't want any of this to happen. It was my fault you went out into the outdoors in the first place. There's something you have to know..."
This was hard to admit on its own. But how could I confess to the one I had rejected before all of this? "Okay... So I know you're probably going to hate me even more for this... You see Espio... I read a letter from Vanilla. Believe it or not, she wrote before she died. It was never given to me only because her cancer came before she could give me the message. I feel like she did it on purpose... either way it doesn't matter. When I read that letter, she helped me to see I was missing something really important to me..."
Now for the hardest part of all.
"I love you Espio. I mean it from the depths of my heart. Vanilla is never wrong and she isn't wrong about this. I thought I didn't have any feelings for you... but I was only lying to myself! Whenever I look back at all those memories we shared, I realize that my feelings were there all along. They just could never break free until now. Seeing you die right before my eyes really did something to me. Thank goodness I could clear your airways... I was going nuts after you were transported to the hospital. It was because I needed you. I've always needed you. Who knew I had just what I needed right in front of me the entire time."
He was still asleep. Not that I expected anything to change. But I still wanted him to wake up so I could see those beautiful eyes of his. "I still need you Espio... please don't leave me." I begged. I stood up to walk away to head out the door. But something inside me made me turn back around. I didn't want to forget his beautiful face. "I'll be back... I promise..." I replied. I brushed his cheek and then...
I kissed him.
I don't know why I did it... maybe it was to make up for everything. Or maybe because I wanted to be selfish. I wasn't sure. But it felt so right. He deserved something after everything that he had been through. "I'll talk to you soon." I sighed. I began to walk slowly out the door, tears starting to form in my eyes. "Ugh... V-Vector?" It can't be!
When I turned around to his bed, there he was, his eyes slightly opened, and he looked over in my direction. "ESPIO!" I cried, rushing over to hug him tightly. "I'm so sorry!" I gasped, refusing to let go of him. "It's okay Vector. Honestly! I feel better than I ever have before. I'm just glad you're okay after everything." he sighed, putting his hand on my cheek. "Barely, I couldn't sleep after everything that happened to you... I'm very sorry that everything I did came to all of this." I sighed. "I've already forgiven you Vector! Relax! Besides, if anything I knew you were afraid... it was my fault for running out the way I did." "Oh hush! I almost lost you!"
He gave a chuckle and hugged me back tightly. I refused to let him out from my grasp. "Um, about everything that went down the other day... I shouldn't have ever said anything... you deserved to mourn and I had no right to intrude on that. I'm sorry." he said, still holding onto my hand. "Espio," I brought him in closer and locked lips with him again. I could sense him nearly jump back and push away, but after a minute, he settled down and began to kiss me back.
After I broke it, he just seemed dumbfounded at the fact that I did that. "Vector, what's gotten into you?" he asked flustered. I pulled out the letter from my pocket and let him look at it. "I never knew she wrote this letter... and I wish it didn't begin like this but... to me at the same time... I feel like it came at a perfect time. If there's one thing that I know for sure... it's that Vanilla is never wrong. And she's still not wrong. I love you, more than anything... and I hope you still feel the same way..." I said, gently brushing his cheek.
"Oh Vector... of course I do! I was worried about you being mad at me!" he replied. "Heh... same here. But I'm ready now. If you'll be mine, then I'll gladly be yours in return. If you need time, I'll gladly give it to you." I said.
He shook his head and smiled right at me. "Just kiss me you green crocodile!" he teased. I chuckled and locked lips with him. Finally, I could stop worrying about what others would think about me, how they felt about me, or what they truly thought of me. Whatever others thought, I couldn't care less. I had all I needed right here.