For the Love of Chris.

Ever since that fateful day of his parents’ fatal car accident, the young Chris Thorndyke was left an orphan. Fortunately, though, he still had his grandfather, Chuck Thorndyke, with him along with his own friends such as Sonic, Amy Rose, Tails and so much more. Yet, as Chuck had found himself far too old to care for the young boy, he called for some assistance. So, through working with some kind social workers, the elder Thorndyke had met with Tifa and her love, Cloud.
The pair had been considering adoption for quite some time. Especially after the pair were already raising the beautiful Tea Gardener when her own folks perished in a plane accident. Yet, the new family accepted the youthful Chris due to hearing how thoughtful and king he can be. But once they had met him, Cloud, Tifa and Tea all knew that all this change was going to take a great deal of time. No, Chris didn't act rebellious or violent, but he would be quite shy around his new parents. On the bright side of his life, however, was his loyal friends still standing by him 100% . And that would be proven when a new kid arrived in school.
It all began on a Monday morning in the month of April. In the first period, the teacher was presenting the latest addition to the class. "Class, we have a new student; his name is Damien LaRue and his family had just moved here from Kennsington. Isn't that right, Damien?"
"Yes, ma'am.", the lad answered, "Just me and my parents."
"Well then, ", the teacher started as Damien goes to his assigned seat, "I hope you'll give Damien a friendly welcome."
Chris thoughtfully smiled as he looked at Damien. Don't worry, the Thorndyke boy thought, I'm sure we'll make the best of friends.
...
Once school had finished for the day, Chris along with his friend, Helen, were on their way home where they had quickly spotted Damien walking across the street. Going to him, Chris and Helen cried out, "Damien! Damien!"
At this, the new kid turned to meet up with them.
"Oh hi.", Damien greeted, "Who are you guys?"
"I'm Helen.", the adorable blonde answered as Chris introduced himself, "And I'm Chris, one of your classmates."
"Oh, yeah, I saw you.", Damien spoke, "Glad to meet both of you."
"Same with you.", Helen grinned when Chris inquired the lad, "You wanna come to my place to meet my new friends?"
"Sure.", Damien nodded, "Why not. But have it be later though. Got to ask my mom. Where do you live?"
"At 39 Fantasy Lane."
"I'll try to remember that."
"Ok.", Chris nodded when Damien ran off. Making Chris and Helen bid their latest companion goodbye.
Later that day, Damien could go to the home of the Thorndyke son. Only to meet up with not just him, but with Cloud, Tifa, Sonic and the rest of Chris's companions. And with them, Damien seems to really hit it off with them. Especially where the blue hedgehog is involved.
As weeks passed, the gang had gotten on greatly with their latest addition. So much so that Damien would go straight to Chris's house after school. Yet, while the time went on, Chris had started to notice how little attention Damien was giving him. It was then one day at recesses, he went to the playground to confront to him.
"Hey, Damien,", inquired Chris when his peer took notice at him, "can we talk?"
The lad nodded as he went with the Thorndyke heir to a less crowded tree nearby. It was there, Chris asked him, "Lately, you've been ignoring me; no phone calls, no 'HI’s in the halls, not even a glance. Why? Did I do something wrong?"
Damien paused for a moment. With a second he had let out a sigh. Telling the kid this, "Look. Let’s face facts here; you're friends are more fun to be around than your stupid butt will ever be. Especially Sonic; he's so awesome."
Chris couldn't believe his ears, "Are you saying you don't like me?"
"No! But you're just...not your friends. I mean look at you; you're rich, a goody-two-shoes and not that...well...interesting..."
"So you'd rather have me as a poor jerk?!"
"No, you idiot! I just like your friends more since they're more fun!"
"But, Damien, you had just called me a goody-two-shoes!"
"Because you are! It’s no wonder how that little girl friend would think about hanging out with you."
“She’s just a- “
“Look, just stay away from Sonic and those other animals. With them…you just look like a sorry sack of a loser.”
Chris couldn't believe his own ears. And thus, he did something he had never done before; he narrowed his eyes, clutched his fist and punched Damien right in the face. All while teachers were taking notice.
...
A visit to the principal's office later, Cloud and Tifa had just arrived home with a guilty Chris.
"Chris, I can't believe you.", Cloud scolded, "You know better than to hurt someone."
"Now, Cloud,", Tifa started, "don't be so hard on him; Damien was going off on him so Chris had to defend himself. At least the bullies will back off now."
All Cloud could do was shake his head in frustration while Sonic and his companions came into the scene.
"What's going on?", inquired little Tails as he glances at the commotion. Thus, Cloud sighed, "Chris punched Damien in the face at school."
"Alright, Chris!", Knuckles congratulated, "It's about time you get some guts!"
"Knuckles!", Amy-Rose scolded as Cloud proceeded, "This is serious. Now Chris is suspended for a week."
“That’s terrible!”, Sonic said in concern, “Chris, why did you hit him for anyway?”
“He made me mad; saying that I was ‘uncool’ and a ‘goody-two-shoes.”
The pink female hedgehog jumped in, “That still doesn’t make this ok.”
“I know, I know…”, the boy agreed, “And I’m really sorry.”
“You better be.”, his foster father spoke sternly, “Now go to your room.”
And with that, the young Thorndyke boy left the scene to go to his own room. At this, Tifa was about to say something when, through the front door, young Tea came in with her boyfriend, Yugioh. Quickly seeing how troubled everyone seemed to be, the teen couple looked at each other and back at them.
“Mom, dad, what’s going on?”, Tea inquired, “Is everything alright?”
“It’s about Chris; he punched his friend.”, answered Cloud as Yugioh gave a simple shrug, “So? It could be worse.”
“Yugioh!”, Tea scolded but her beau went on, “Look, we’ve all had our fair share of monsters, wizards and other villains. I don’t see why you all are acting like this is the end all be all.”
“Yugioh, please, it’s bad enough that he’s been so quiet. We don’t need to hear of him lashing out at others.”, Cloud said as Tifa placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I know where you’re coming from, honey. But maybe we should talk to him.”
“What is there to discuss?”
“He’s been through a rough time; his parents’ death, his separation from his own grandfather and is still trying to get to know us. Let’s give him a chance to actually open up to us and have him talk to us.”
“I’m with Tifa on this.”, Sonic joined in, “Try to talk to him.”
The blonde fighter let out a sigh and finally gave in. “Fine. But he’ll still be grounded.”
…..
Moments later and Chris was still in his room contemplating. It wasn’t long until his foster parents came in. As the pair sat beside the lad on his bed, the room was filled with nothing but a dead, awkward silence. Fortunately, Tifa-being the thoughtful go-getter that she is, started the conversation, “Chris, sweetie, Cloud and I are here to talk to you.”
“About what?”, the boy inquired.
“About us in general.”, Tifa said, “Was the reason why you had hurt Damien was because he was mean to you?”
“That and he told me to never see Sonic and the others again. But…I love them all; they’ve been my friends for so long. And I know they love me too. And…when Damien told me that…I felt that…I had already lost my family and-and I never wanted to loose my friends to. Especially because someone told me to. I guess I should’ve told Damien that instead of hitting him, huh?”
“You got that right, mister.”, Cloud knodded with his love giving him a stern look. Once he saw that, he forced his eyebrows to relax and went on, “But-uh…I’m glad you learned your lesson. Even though you’re still grounded for a week.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”, Cloud said as he patted Chris on the back, “Glad we have this talk…son.”
“Me too…dad.”
Chris and Cloud shared some small smiles. Not big smiles but small, warm smiles that made Tifa wanna squeal from it all.
“AAAAAW!!”, and she did, “We’re all starting to open up!”
And she ruined it as both males went into sheer embarrassment. Fortunately, Sonic, Tea and Yugioh ran into the room with happiness.
“Hey, you three!”, Tea cheered, “Amy Rose had just finished making chocolate chips cookies! Come on and have some!”
“We will.”, Tifa laughed, “Just same some for us, sweetheart.”
“I make no promises.”, Sonic announced as he ran out of the room with Yugioh trying to catch up to him. Leaving the four family members alone.
“Well,”, Chris said, “you guys better go before Sonic eats them all.”
“Oh come on, Chris.”, Cloud replied, “You can have some too. You’re just not a loud to watch TV, be on the phone nor on the computer.”
Even though he was saddened by privileges being taken away, Chris was still grateful that he was at least a lot some sweetness. And with that, Cloud and Tifa watched their lovely adopted children race each other to the kitchen. “Families…aren’t they great?”, Tifa asked as she leaned her head upon Cloud’s chest. “Yeah, Tifa…we’re just getting there one day at a time.”
Once the blond fellow had finished those words, he and Tifa embraced with a passionate kiss. And then went to join their friends for some delicious treats.

The End.