-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Miles, we’re home.” Melinda called as she stepped into the house.

“Hi, Mom. Hi, Cream,” Miles looked up from his comic book
“Hello, Tails,” Cream hurried over the couch.

“Light reading material for a change?” Melinda teased and she sat down between them.

“I ordered some of the issues of my favorite comic I was missing, remember?” Miles smiled and laid on the end table “they came today.”

“Did my records come yet?” Melinda asked.

“Not yet.” Miles smiled.

“Darn, I was hoping they’d get here soon because A Kind of Magic was the last Queen record I needed,” Melinda sighed.

“It should be here tomorrow,” Miles said before looking past her and smiling at Cream “How are ya doin’, Cream?”

“Fine, I’m glad we all get to spend some time together,” Cream smiled back.

“Yeah, it’s nice we all just get to unwind now.” Miles said.

“I figured we could even camp out here on the floor tonight,” Melinda interjected, motioning to a pile of pillows and blankets neatly stacked on the floor.

“Like a slumber party,” Cream said.

“Exactly,” Melinda smiled and playfully rubbed her head

Cream giggled before eventually looking up at Melinda, “Aunt Mel, you said I could ask you questions about immortals, right?” Cream asked.

“Of course, and Miles can help me answer,” Melinda looked over at him, “Right?”

“I can try,” he said.

“So go ahead, ask away.” Melinda said.

“Well, like I said earlier: Mr. Kai said both of you are really old and tried to explain it, but it was hard to understand,” Cream said.

“You mean why we both look so young?” Melinda asked.

“Yeah, it’s kind of confusing.” Cream said.

Melinda thought for a moment, trying to decide the best choice of words to describe how it worked without upsetting the girl.

“Remember when I first told you, after you found out I was okay?” Melinda asked.

“Yes, I was glad you weren’t really gone” Cream answered.

“Remember how I explained that’s because if I..” Melinda stopped for a moment when she saw the worried look in the Cream’s eyes and gently put an arm around her, “I go to heaven, as it you like to think of it, I come back?”

“Yes,” Cream said, “and you also heal fast if you get hurt, right?”

“That’s right,” Melinda smiled before continuing, “Immortals aren’t really immortal until they come back for the first time, that’s when we get the ability to heal like that.”

“So it’s kind of like when a hero doesn’t discover their superpowers until they really need them?” Cream asked.

“Something like that, but what also happens is that we stop aging so from then on we always look the same.” Melinda gently pulled back one of Cream’s long ears that had slipped over her shoulder

“So that’s why don’t look much older than Miss Rouge even though you’re really old?’ Cream asked.

“That’s right, time was hard to keep track of back then when I think I was 19 or 20 when it happened to me,” Melinda said, “but that was a very long time ago, almost 1,200 years ago.”

“That’s just such a long time that it’s hard to imagine,” Cream leaned on Melinda

“I guess it’s all a bit strange, so it might take a while to get used to all of this,” Melinda gently rubbed her shoulder

“I guess so, I mean I know it doesn’t change who you are but it still feels strange sort of learning about this new part of you,” Cream said.

“You know, Miles was five years old before he knew and it was also weird for him. It might help if he get’s on on this,” Melinda turned to MIles and smiled, “Feel like talking to us about it?”

“Yeah Tails, how did you feel about it?” Cream asked.

“Well, I was upset at first because I thought something bad had happened to her just like you did,” Miles began, “and even after I started to calm down it took me a while to really understand.

“So what happened?” Cream asked.

“Well, once I realized she was telling the truth something clicked and I got to excited to rbe scared because I realized it was actually kind of cool,” Miles smiled.

“You thought I was like some kind of superhero,” Melinda chuckled.

“She did save us from the bad guy,” Cream smiled.

“I guess in the end though, she was my mom no matter what and I knew that was all that mattered,” Miles smiled, “and I love her, ancient or not.”

“Come here,” Melinda quickly hooked an arm around him and pulled him into a hug.
“Mom!” Miles laughed as he hugged her back

Melinda noticed Cream giggling and pulled her close as well, joining them both in laughter and taking the time to enjoy the moment before they all quieted down and caught their breath.

“This is better, right? Just sitting here talking about it?” Melinda smiled

“Yes,” Cream said, “I think I understand a little better now, I guess it is kind of neat because it means I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt”

“I’m just that close to being an actual cartoon,” Melinda laughed.

“That’s a funny way to think about it,” Cream giggled.

“Hey, before we really get the evening started I want to talk to you about tomorrow,” Melinda said.

“Where are we going?” Cream asked.

Melinda thought for a moment, wondering if there even was a right choice of words for something like this.

“First of all, you understand that I’m fine and everything is okay, right? That I’m not going anywhere no matter what?” Melinda asked.

“Yes, you promised and I know you wouldn’t break a promise,” Cream smiled.

“Okay then, I guess I just have to ask then: do you know what a funeral is?” Melinda asked.

“That’s like what happens when someone, well, goes to heaven, isn’t it? Cream asked a worried tone, “Did you lose someone you care about?”

“No, everyone is fine,” Melinda reassured her with a smile, “It’s just that, well: you know how a lot of people think I’m dead and I have to keep it a secret that I’m immortal, right?”

“Is that because more people might come after you, like that bully?” Cream asked.

“Yes, it’s sort of like how superheroes have secret identities to protect the people around them,” Melinda said.

“I understand so far,” Cream nodded.

“Well, in order to keep the secret we have to have sort of a pretend funeral for me, and then I can sort of pretend to be someone else to fool other people,” Melinda said.

“That sounds a little scary,” Cream said, “but you still promise you’re not going away, right?”

“I promise I’m going anywhere, and I’ll be there at the funeral,” Melinda hugged Cream a little tighter

“Won’t someone see you?” Cream asked.

“Remember what I said about pretending to be someone else?” Melinda asked.

Cream nodded.

“Well, y’all’s Auntie Mel can’t come, but ah wouldn’t miss mah dear sister’s last goodbye and ah’m shure she’d want me to help both y’all,” Melinda gave a big smile.

“Oh my,” Cream begin to giggle

“Is mah voice really that-” Melinda suddenly broke down laughing and turned to Miles, “I see what you mean, I sound like a cartoon.”

“So what do I call you when you use that voice?” Cream finally asked after catching her breath again

“Melessa,” she answered.

“That’s what Mr Kai calls you, right?” Cream asked.

“Yes, it’s actually my given name but I haven’t used it in a long time,” Melinda answered.

“It’s a pretty name,” Cream smiled.

“Thank you,” Melinda answered, “So you understand all this, so far?”

“Yes, but it sounds like it might be a little sad, even if we’re just pretending,” Cream snuggled a little closer to Melinda.

“I already planned everything so you and Miles get to sit right next to me, so you just give me a hug if something makes you feel sad, okay?” Melinda said softly.

“Then I’m sure everything will be fine,” Cream said.
“Good,” Melinda turned to Miles, “and that goes for you too, kiddo.”

“Uh, alright,” Miles mumbled and started to blush.

Melinda merely laughed and hugged him a little tighter.