To Love a Muffin

by Quick_Silver

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Dinky Hooves, Derpy Hooves
Length: 19646

Dinky's growing up and Derpy's finding it hard to make ends meet on a mail mare's wages.

Dinky's growing up and she's starting to ask some questions that Derpy would rather not answer. Meanwhile Derpy is starting to run out of money and must swallow her pride for her little muffin's sake if she's going to stop them from taking her away.

Published 2014-04-13 15:40:04 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-19 05:18:15 UTC

Chapter 1

It was a long and boring school day in Ponyville and a grey filly with a silver mane thought of a way to entertain herself and her purple and white maned pink friend.

"So what do you think her cutie mark is for?" Silver Spoon sort of whispered, gesturing behind herself.

"Who, Dinky? Bubbles from a wand, probably shows how effective her magic is" replied Diamond Tiara at the same not so quite volume.

The two fillies giggled while the pale purple unicorn filly named Dinky Doo with a soft yellow mane and amber eyes sat behind them and tried desperately to focus on what Ms Cheerilee was saying. It was pretty hard for Dinky to ignore the two bullies seeing as Cheerilee was going on about political reforms in the late renaissance era and it was bo~oring.

"I've seen babies with more magical ability than her, the only pony in all of ponyville with worse magic is Sweetie Belle" jeered Diamond Tiara

Deciding she'd heard enough Dinky leaned forward and said "That's pretty rich coming from a couple of earth ponies who can't even pull a cart"

"You got something to say to me Dink" spat Diamond Tiara

"Girls! What is going on here?" interrupted Cheerilee

"Nothing Ms Cheerilee" started Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon before Dinky continued their conversation

"All I got to say is that I've seen earth worms lift more than you" said Dinky bitterly

"Oh yeah? well I've seen pegasi that can fly straight" said Diamond, smirking as she saw Dinky's reaction and knew she'd struck a cord

Before Cheerilee could do anything more Dinky had bucked Diamond halfway across the class room.

"DINKY, MY OFFICE, NOW!" screamed a shocked Cheerilee

"But, But she" stammered Dinky

"NOW!" repeated Cheerilee

***
"Now Dinky" started Cheerilee

"She started it!" shouted Dinky

"I was there, I heard what happened and I know it's not your fault but I think it would be better if you went home for the rest of the day" said Cheerilee before quickly adding "to calm down of course"

In response Dinky merely harrumphed and sat down.

"Is your mother home?" asked Cheerilee

"No she's working 'till the afternoon" replied Dinky

Cheerilee nodded before telling Dinky to stay there and leaving her office. Outside Cheerilee looked around hoping to see someone she could trust. She was in luck as she saw Golden Harvest walking by. She called to her and asked her to fetch Derpy from the post office. After Golden had agreed Cheerilee went back inside and brought Dinky out. The next twenty minutes passed fairly uneventfully; Cheerilee checked in on the class a few times and Dinky claimed she was fine to walk home alone several times.

At the end of the twenty minutes the two ponies were greeted by a grey pegasus with a dull yellow mane and beautiful misaligned amber eyes wearing a blue mail mare's cap. Derpy's eyes moved, each in their own way, from Cheerilee to Dinky and back again with a concerned look on her face. Cheerilee led Derpy into her office and Dinky ran to the door to listen, it was a bit hard to hear through the door but she managed to make out pieces of the story of what happened. The story was followed by some yelling from Derpy that Dinky only caught part of: "I HAD TO BE DRAGGED FROM MY WORK... SOME PRISSY LITTLE... NO MANNERS!" but Dinky got the gist of it. Next came Cheerilee saying something about someone being hard to reach and emergencies then something about social something. Then it was Derpy's turn; "HOW DARE YOU... NOT LETTING... TAKING HER AWAY". Seconds later Derpy burst out Cheerilee’s office to find Dinky sitting innocently on a bench a few meters away.

"Dinky we're going home" said Derpy sternly

"Miss Doo I meant no disrespect" pleaded Cheerilee

However Derpy simply walked away with Dinky by her side and all she received in response was a dirty look.

***
The two walked in silence for a while until Dinky started trying to apologize but when she did Derpy just shushed her and pulled her in close with her wing.

"It's all right muffin, it wasn't your fault" Derpy said softly

"I know but you had to leave work to look after me and..." Dinky trailed off

"I had to leave my work reorganizing the package storage system to take my little muffin home so we can drink hot cocoa and play board games and maybe some arts and crafts" said Derpy with a smile

Dinky giggled a bit and smiled up at her mom "We should bake some muffins, we haven't had any in a while" cheered Dinky

"Maybe" said Derpy with a little less cheer

The two kept walking and chatting until they reached the building which they called home, or at least they called part of the building home. Dinky and Derpy walked in to the lobby of the building and up the stairs to their apartment. In the apartment there was a frayed old couch against one wall in the living room, a kitchen separated from the rest of the room by a breakfast bar and a hallway with three doors; a bathroom, a bedroom and a broom closet.

Once they were inside Dinky ran over and sat on the couch smiling and waiting patiently for her mom to bring her drink. Derpy went to the kitchen and opened the fridge and grabbed the milk carton, as she closed the door she tried not to think about how little else there was in the fridge. In a few minutes Derpy was back in the living room and on the couch with Dinky and two steaming cups of hot cocoa.

"Make sure not to drink it to fast" said Derpy partially to make sure she didn't burn her tongue and partially because they were now out of cocoa

"I know mom" whined Dinky but sure enough a few moments later she'd burnt her tongue which resulted in her sticking it out and trying to check the damage i.e. the cutest thing ever

When they had finished their cocoa Derpy got up and took the arts and crafts tub out of the closet and opened it in the living room.

"We're running out of stuff" observed Dinky

"Well, what do think you can make from what we have?" asked Derpy

Dinky put her hoof to her chin and seemed deep in thought for a few moments while Derpy assumed an excited and expectant position. After a few moments Dinky raised her hoof and called "EUREKA!"

"What have you thought of o' great and wise Dinky Doo" said Derpy who was gripped with the suspense

"You know how were different because you're a pegasus and I'm a unicorn" said Dinky as she started pulling stuff out of the tub

"Eeyup" said Derpy curiously

"Well" Dinky said as she continued to fiddle with the feathers and tape

When she finished Dinky tied a rope around her middle that had two large feathers taped to it then levitated a paper cone and taped it to Derpy's forehead then proclaimed "Now we're not so different because now we're both ALICORNS"

"Yaaaaaay" cheered Derpy while clapping her hooves together "That means we're both Princesses"

"Then we're going to need crowns" said Dinky "We should make each other's"

"Yeah" agreed Derpy

They both grabbed what they could from the tub and began working on the others crown. At the end of ten minutes they both turned to each other with their work behind their backs. On the count of three the both pulled out their creations; Derpy's was a crude recreation of Celestia's crown (as good as you can get with hooves) and Dinky's was a crown/muffin hybrid, crown enough to sit on your head and look regal, muffin enough to be perfect for her mom. The two swapped crowns and said simultaneously proclaimed "It's perfect!". After a brief fit of giggles from both of them Derpy stood up on four hooves and set herself in an imposing stance (the effect was kind of broken by her crown being a muffin, her eyes and the grin fighting to break free on her lips).

"As my first royal decree I, Princess Derpy Doo, hereby declare free muffins for everypony" regally stated Princess Derpy her muffinness to be greeted by the thunderous applause of the assembled ponies of equestria

"And as my first royal decree I, Princess Dinky Doo, hereby declare free warm milk to wash down the muffins" regally stated Princess Dinky her cuteness to yet more applause from the adoring crowd

The two ponies looked at each other before collapsing into laughter. When Derpy opened her eyes after a few moments laughing she stopped and instead just smiled as she saw her little filly laughing too hard to stand up. This was one of those moments the really made Derpy regret selling her camera, she already had a few pictures of Dinky but every time she saw her laugh giggle or even smile she thought it was a picture perfect moment that she wanted to remember forever.

When Dinky finally recovered from her laughter she asked if they could play monopony so Derpy got it out from the closet and they played for hours, if only real money came so easily. Eventually Dinky won and Derpy was shocked to see that it was half an hour till Dinky's bedtime. Derpy ran to the bathroom and begun drawing a bath, meanwhile Dinky took a quick peek in the kitchen.

"Mom!" Dinky called

"What is it muffin" Derpy called back

"You left the stove on" Dinky called back

"Oh sweet Celestia no" Derpy gasped

Derpy ran to the kitchen and to turned the stove off, not able to stop thinking about how she'd turned it on to make hot cocoa five hours ago and about what their next bill was going to look like. With that settled she led Dinky off to the bathroom were the bath was almost half full perfect for a filly Dinky's size.

"MOM, WAIT!" screamed Dinky as her Derpy lifted her to put her in the bath

"What is it muffin?" asked Derpy putting her back down

Dinky panted a bit, her heart was racing after that scare. How had her mom not noticed the massive cloud of steam rising from the bath? Dinky didn't know what to say so instead she just looked at her mom and Derpy, a bit worried by how scared her little muffin was, looked in the bath, immediately getting a face full of steam. Derpy could have face hoofed, in fact she did. Derpy reached her hoof to the water to pull out the plugged but was stopped by a protest from Dinky who stood up, just peaking over the edge, levitated the plug out of the bath. Derpy face hoofed again; she had just been about to put her hoof into scolding hot water to pull put a plug that she could never pick up first time and as the water drained she could only think of how much half a bathtub of hot water costs.

Derpy turned the taps back on and told Dinky to stay still while she started preparing dinner. Dinky looked at how the taps were now and saw that her mom had gotten the taps confused again. Dinky adjusted the taps to how she had seen her mom do them properly before and waited. Just as the tub was getting half full Derpy re-entered the bathroom and, checking the water first, lifted Dinky in before stepping in herself and turning the taps off. Dinky always enjoyed bath times with her mom and she expected this one to be better than the others considering it was after a day of laughing and playing games however when Dinky looked up at her mom who had begun to clean her she noticed Derpy looked a bit sad.

"What's wrong mom?" asked Dinky

"Nothing muffin" lied Derpy

"Is it about the stove or the bath because you shouldn't worry about those, everypony makes mistakes" Dinky said trying to comfort her mom

Derpy smiled a bit at that statement; how innocent a young filly's views could be, unburdened by the thoughts of financial limitations. In a perfect example of Derpy's thoughts: Dinky took her mom's smile as her accepting her message and smiled. The smile growing on Dinky's face was soon helped along by a generous watering courtesy of a splash from Derpy however Dinky wasn't going to take this assault lying down and quickly returned fire (or rather in this case water). The two giants raged and battled in the ocean, summoning tidal waves with flicks of their hooves to send at the other. When the larger giant decided enough time had passed she lifted the smaller giant out of the writhing seas and set her down on land before draining the water, dooming the small boat that had weathered the storm to a land-locked fate.

The two mares walked back to the living room where Derpy finished preparing a small salad for the two of them. When they had finished Derpy went around the apartment checking everything was secured and Dinky followed her double checking everything i.e. the front door, the stove and the taps in the bathroom. Then they went to their bedroom and got into bed (a mattress on the floor with a thick blanket).

"Hey mom" Dinky said as the got comfortable in their bed

"Yes muffin" replied Derpy

"Why are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon so mean to me all the time?" asked Dinky

"I guess some ponies are just like that but for their sake I hope they grow out of it" answered Derpy "Wait, what do you mean 'all the time'?"

"Nothing" said Dinky suddenly regretting bringing it up

Derpy simply looked at Dinky with a concerned face.

"Night mom" Dinky said before quickly burying her face in her mother's fur

Derpy wrapped her forelegs around Dinky and sang her a lullaby:

Don't be so sad

Don't let them get you down

Whenever you feel bad

Remember not to frown

Just come to me little one

We'll have so much fun

We'll dance and sing and eat and cheer

So don't have any fear

If you ever feel like letting no one in

Know that that will never do

Because you're my little muffin

And I love you

"Thanks mom" said Dinky softly

Derpy said goodnight as she kissed Dinky's forehead and hugged her close before they both drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 2

Sunlight streamed in from the window and fell gently upon one little purple filly who was just starting to wake up. As Dinky's eyes fluttered open they fell upon her mom whom she was holding; the amber buttons she had for eyes, the grey cotton she had for fur, the darker grey stitching that held her together.
Wait, what?

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" screamed Dinky as she looked at the one foot tall ragdoll that was all that was left of her mother

"What's wrong muffin" called Derpy in a distant and muffled voice.

Was Dinky's mom talking to her from beyond the grave? At least that was what Dinky thought until she heard a crash and looked up to find her mom standing in the doorway, eyes darting around the room to what could have scared Dinky. Dinky looked again at the doll in her hooves and began to giggle; it was the doll her grandmother had made for her the Hearth's warming before last. Brave Sir Derpy was still unsure of from where the danger had come but the damsel in distress was no longer distressed so Brave Sir Derpy must have vanquished the thing.

"All right that's enough giggling, silly filly, it's time for breakfast" said Derpy

Dinky got up rubbed her eyes and trotted out to the kitchen with rag doll Derpy in her mouth. The two ponies sat on the chairs at the breakfast bar and (at the risk of stating the obvious) ate their breakfast. Looking up at the clock Derpy was happy to find that everything was going smoothly and they were on time.

"Time for school muffin" said Derpy

"Aaaaw, do I have to?" whined Dinky

"Yes Dinky" said Derpy giggling a bit at how foalish Dinky could be sometime

"But what if Diamond is there?" asked Dinky

"That reminds me" said Derpy biting her lip a little "I'm going to be working late today so I want you to see if you can sleep over with a friend tonight"

"Okay" said Dinky still a bit worried about how Diamond was going to be acting today

With that settled Derpy grabbed her mail mare's cap and herded Dinky out the door. The two ponies made their way across ponyville to
the (unnamed) school where Derpy kissed Dinky good bye and promised to be there after school to check on her.

***
With her mom gone Dinky walked into the school yard and quickly hid behind a bush. Two amber eyes darted from side to side, scanning the school yard for any sign of Diamond Tiara. Dinky started to feel that something was wrong when after five minutes there was still no sign of Diamond however her thoughts were interrupted by the school bell sounding. Hesitantly Dinky left the bush before breaking into a full gallop till she was in the school where she quickly rushed to her desk and sat down. Over the next few minutes the
rest of the class entered the room followed by Cheerilee, the rest of the class with the exception of one mean spirited pink pony.

"Hey Dinky" said Scootaloo as she sat down next to her friend

"Hey Scoot" replied Dinky still looking around

"What's wrong Dinky?" asked Scootaloo noticing her friend's worried movements

"Have you seen Diamond Tiara?" answered Dinky with a question

"Dude didn't you here? She had to go to the Hospital after yesterday" said Scootaloo

"What?!" said a shocked Dinky

"Yeah" started Scootaloo before being interrupted

"Girls, quiet" Ms Cheerilee called over the class

As Dinky looked forward to pay attention to the math lesson she noticed Silver Spoon glaring at her. She looked away once she knew Dinky had seen her but Dinky had gotten the message and was starting to feel really bad about bucking Diamond.

***
Derpy landed in front of the post office right on time to start the first of three shifts today. She entered the main room where there was already a line of ponies with packages too big to fit in the average mail collection bin awaiting postage and the tall brown stallion Post Haste standing behind the main desk. He tipped his cap as Derpy walked towards Mr Mailard's office with a friendly hello ditzy. She waved back while she remembered how she got that nick name; Mr Zippy had misheard her when she introduced herself and it just kind of stuck. Except with Mr Mailard, he still insisted on calling her Ms Doo.

"Ah, Ms Doo, you’re on time, good" said Mr Mailard as Derpy walked into his office. He was a rather short and round green earth stallion who often wore a black coat with a red scarf

"Hello Mr Mailard" returned Derpy

"Now, I noticed that put yourself down for the morning, midday and afternoon shifts today" Mr Mailard said as he looked down at the sheet of paper on his desk

"Yes sir" said Derpy throwing a mock salute

"Just making sure. um, Ms Doo is... is everything alright at home" asked Mr Mailard being uncharacteristically concerned

"Yes sir everything's fine sir" said Derpy with not much confidence

"It's just; with you leaving early yesterday and signing up for three shifts" Mr Mailard seemed very uneasy and was obvious he was really not used to comforting anyone "I just want you to know that the Ponyville Post Office is here for you"

As if Mr Mailard wasn't out of his depth already Derpy did something that he really wasn't ready for; she broke down and started crying right there in his office. Not being able to think of anything else to do Mr Mailard trotted around his desk to Derpy's side and put his foreleg around her.

"It's alright Ditzy, everything will be fine" said Mr Mailard before freezing. Did he just call an employee by her first name, no that wasn't her first name it was the nickname Mr Zippy gave her. This was a very strange morning.

"No it's not, the months over at the end of this weak and I left the stove on and the bath tub on hot so my bills are going to be really big this month and then I've got a backlog of rent on top of that and my wages aren't going to cover it and I don't have any food at home or any money to buy any" sobbed Derpy

"Well I think I can help with your wages, you see Mr Zippy called in sick today and I was going to give his route to Mr Haste but if you can do his and yours in one shift then I can pay you double this time" offered Mr Mailard

"Thanks Mr Mailard" said Derpy as she tried to wipe a few tears away "I guess I should get started if I'm going to fit in two routes in one shift"

"That's the attitude; work hard and you can do anything" said Mr Mailard glad that he seemed to have coped with the situation

Derpy got up and trotted out of Mr Mailard's office, heading to the mail room. She felt a little bit better for Mr Mailard's offer, she knew one shift of double pay wasn't going to pay for two month's rent and the enormous bills she was expecting but it was a nice gesture
which was unusual coming from Mr Mailard.

Derpy arrived at the mail room and picked up hers and Mr Zippy's mail bags and began filling each from the respective mail bin's which contained all the letters and small packages that were to be delivered on their respective mail routes. Burdened by two bags full of mail Derpy made her way to the front door of the Post Office but stopped when she heard her name.

"Yes, I'm looking for a Ms Derpy Doo" said a white pegasus mare with a soft pink main that was tied back in a ponytail and a love heart cutie mark who was at the front of the line for the main desk.

"That's her there" said Post Haste pointing a hoof in Derpy's direction

The white mare walked over to Derpy and introduced herself.

"Hello Ms Doo I am Autumn Snow form Equestrian Social Services" said Autumn Snow

"Oh sweet Celestia no" gasped Derpy while simultaneously thinking about how the next time she sees Cheerilee she's going to buck her through a wall

"I would like to set up an apointment to talk to you and see your home and living conditions" said Autumn Snow in a tone that told Derpy that she had had to say that to a lot of mothers and she knew none of them ever took it well and instead of becoming imune to their outrage she was still sympathetic

"I should be home at five" Derpy said in a monotone voice before flying out the door as fast as she could

***
The school bell rang to signal recess and all the students began to file out into the school yard however on grey filly with a silver mane seemed especially happy to get out of their as fast as she could.

"What's up with Silver" Dinky asked Scootaloo

"I think she's avoiding you" suggested Scootaloo

"Why?" asked dinky

"Because you just put her best friend in hospital for a conversation that she started" said Scootaloo as if she was stateing the obvious

"Oh yeah" said Dinky looking down at her hooves "I should probably talk to her"

"NO, are you crazy" said Scootaloo in surprise

"I'm going to go talk to her" said Dinky more sternly before walking to where Silver Spoon was sitting

"You're funeral" muttered Scootaloo before following

"Hey Silver" said Dinky nervously when she got near enough

"Just leave me alone" grumbled Silver Spoon

"Hey you started it" retorted Dinky

"Yeah but we didn't hurt anypony. Why did you have to put my only friend in the hospital, now I have to eat my lunch alone like a loser!"
half screamed Silver Spoon as tears of rage (and a bit of loneliness) began to fill her eyes

"I just... I" stuttered a rather flustered Dinky who had not expected a sudden display of emotions from Silver

"Just leave me alone" said Silver before turning her head towards her recess

Dinky and Scootaloo left her alone and walked to their usual spot, much to the relief of Cheerilee who had been watching the whole thing and been getting ready to intervene. Dinky and Scootaloo sat down and Scootaloo took out her recess, the moment she did however Dinky's stomach began rumbling. Scootaloo looked at Dinky who was studying an apparently very interesting blade of grass and seemed oblivious to the sounds being emitted by her tummy.

"Ugh fine" Scootaloo groaned moving her lunchbox closer to Dinky who took a portion from it (probably more than was polite) "Why don't you bring your own recess?"

Dinky merely shrugged her shoulders and continued to eat her new recess "Hey Scoot"

"Yeah?" replied Scootaloo

"Would it be alright if we had a sleep over tonight?" asked Dinky

"Yeah that'd be awesome, you ever been to a sleepover before?" asked Scootaloo

"Nope" answered Dinky

"Well then this is going to be extra awesome for you" cheered Scootaloo

As the two fillies began discussing everything they were going to do that night (a list that would soon reach the point where it would take several weeks of sleep overs to complete) the school bell rang and they went back to class.

***
Derpy landed outside the Post office and stepped inside; as she looked up at the clock in the main room she saw that it was two minutes till the end of the morning shift. She proudly carried the two empty mail bags the mail room then punched her time card and walked into Mr Mailard's office head held high.

"Ah, you made it" smiled Mr Mailard as Derpy walked into his office

"Yes Sir" said Derpy

"Well then for the midday shift I'd like you to take the desk" said Mr Mailard

"Yes Sir" repeated Derpy before heading to the main room and relieving Post Haste of his position and taking his place

In a stark contrast to how it was this morning the post office was now empty. It was going to be a long shift.

***
The school bells rang again this time signaling the end of school and a horde of small ponies prisoners escaped their day long imprisonment and fled to various hideouts scattered around the village, many plotted and schemed new ways to prevent their larger goalers from sending them back. Two small fillies, one pale purple and one orange, instead walked toward a cute grey mare in a blue cap who was lugging one very large bag on her back.

"Hi mom" Dinky called as she rushed to her mom's side

"Hi Ms Doo" greeted Scootaloo

"Hi muffin, hi Scootaloo" returned Derpy "Dinky did you sort everything out?"

"Yeah me and Scootaloo are really excited for our sleepover" said Dinky who was practically exploding from excitement just thinking about it.

With that Derpy said goodbye to Dinky and Scootaloo and returned to her afternoon shift of collecting all the mail but in the mail collection bins around ponyville before taking them back to the Post Office and sorting them by mail route for tomorrow’s delivery. While her mom flew off Dinky went with Scootaloo in the other direction towards Scoot's house.

"So, you ready for a night of extreme awesomeness, muffin?" teased Scootaloo

"Ugh" groaned Dinky

"Wow calm down bruiser" Scootaloo continued to tease but was silenced by a stern look from Dinky

The two fillies walked for a while, talking and laughing, until they finally reached Scootaloo's house. Scootaloo knocked on the door and soon it was opened by Scootaloo's mom.

"Hi sweetie, hello Dinky Doo" welcomed Scootaloo's mom

"Hey mom is it ok if Dinky sleeps over tonight?" asked Scootaloo

"What does her mother say" Scoot's mom asked with a suspicious look

"She suggested it" chirped Dinky

"Well all right then" said Scoot's mom as she led the two fillies in the house

"Yes, we're going to have the MOST EXTREMELY AWSOME SLEEP OVER EVER" Scootaloo cheered loudly

"I hope that by 'extremely awesome' you mean it will involve board games, cocoa and actually sleeping" said Scoot's mom

"AAAAAAAAWWWW MOOOOOOOOOOM!" Scootaloo whined loudly

Dinky meanwhile thought that that was a lot more realistic than what she and Scoot had planned, after all where were they going to get a hang glider? The two went up to Scootaloo's room eagerly awaiting the newly promised cookies and cocoa. When they got there Dinky was shocked by exactly how much Rainbow Dash memorabilia Scootaloo had, especially seeing as nopony makes any. Next Dinky was shocked by how small the bed was.

"How do you and your mom fit onto that bed?" asked Dinky interrupting a long winded exposé on the awesomeness of Rainbow Dash

"What? I don't sleep in the same bad as my mom, that's weird" said Scootaloo

"Oh right" said Dinky

Scootaloo returned to her description of THE AWSOME AND RADICAL RAINBOW DASH. Dinky didn't mind; she too thought that Rainbow Dash was pretty awesome after all she spread rainbows wherever she went and rainbows are really pretty.

***
Derpy picked up the last letter of the day.

"Ok letter, TALK" Inspector Doo yelled at the perp

The letter seemed disinclined to respond

"Don't feel like talking huh?" asked Inspector Doo

The letter maintained its silence

"Vell ve 'ave vays of making you talk vezer zou vant to or not!" proclaimed Inspector Doo

The Inspector then executed the most tried and true interrogation method ever devised for extracting the address from a letter; she t
urned the letter over and read it. Derpy could have face hoofed however evidently her hoof missed the 'could have' bit. The address on the letter was the same as the return to sender address.

"Some ponies" muttered Derpy as she put the letter on the postage stack that it's 'address' claimed it should go.

With her work done Derpy got up and headed to the main room to clock out. Derpy put in her card and briefly thought about going home to her little filly, then she remembered that Dinky was at Scootaloo's house and she had no food at home AND that social services mare was waiting for her. Derpy hung her head as she walked to Mr Mailard's office however once she was inside she was surprised to see both Post Hast and Mr Mailard waiting for her, smiling.

"Uh, what's going on" asked a very confused Derpy

"Well we know you're going through some tough times right now so" began Post Haste

"We pooled what we could" finished Mr Mailard as he placed a bag on the desk, a bag that jingled when it moved

Derpy looked in the bag; there must have been fifty bits in there!

"Thanks" Derpy said before leaping on Post and giving him a huge hug, then she turned to give Mr Mailard the same but instead offered her hoof and he shook it "Thanks a lot guys"

"No problem Ditzy" said Post

Feeling a bit better Derpy left the Post Office and headed towards the market. For the first minute of the journey Derpy was sure she was being followed but it turns out she just wasn't used to the sound of bits jangling in her pocket. At first Derpy felt the urge to just run to Applejack's cart and buy as many apples as possible but thought better of it. Instead she began looking from stall to stall for the cheapest food she could get. While she was staring at the prices she didn’t watch where she was going and ended up walking straight into a brown stallion.

"Sorry Mister" Derpy began

"Oh no it was completely my fault, oh my" the chestnut stallion with a brown mane and a time turner cutie mark started before he saw
Derpy's eyes

'Here it comes' thought Derpy

"You do have the most beautiful eyes" said the mysterious Stallion

Derpy just sat dumbstruck for a minute; she had heard a lot about her eyes over the years but never that they were beautiful.

"Well I'm sorry for knocking you over but I really do have to go" said the still unidentified stallion

"Wait, what's your name" Derpy called after the moving stallion

"It's Doctor Hooves" the stallion called back

Derpy continued to sit there for a bit before she began to the ink that sitting in the middle of a busy market place wasn't the best idea and she continued with her shopping. In the end she just bought enough to have an apple for dinner and make herself and Dinky a salad tomorrow. Although she felt less happy having only bought so little, it did feel nice to walk away with a few bits left.

As Derpy was nearing her home she flew up a bit to see the town clock; 5:09. Derpy hung her head again as she walked the last few hundred meters, it felt like she was walking to her doom. Derpy arrived at the building that she lived in and to her surprise there was nopony standing outside. Her hope was short lived as she found Autumn Snow standing inside the building talking her land lord.

"Ah Ms Doo you're here, we can get started" said Autumn in a tone full of false cheer that again told Derpy that this mare was definitely not desensitized to the pain of those she had to investigate

"I guess" said Derpy, still unsure if she should trust her

"I'll start by asking where is Dinky?" asked Autumn

"She's staying at a friend's" explained Derpy as she went up the stairs

"I see" said Autumn as she followed Derpy up to her apartment "I was talking with your land lord and is says you're behind on your rent"

"I'm working extra shifts; I'll have paid at the end of the month" said Derpy

"You're working extra shifts, is that why Dinky is staying at a friend's?" asked Autumn

"Yes" answered Derpy, she could have lied but she didn't feel like she should for some reason

The two pegasi stepped into the bare apartment and the first thought through Autumn's head was; it’s not that bad. Derpy walked to the kitchen and put her groceries in the fridge while Autumn peered over her shoulder at the empty fridge.

"How long have you and Dinky lived here" asked Autumn as Derpy stepped out from the kitchen

"Four years" replied Derpy

"And before that?" queried Autumn

"An apartment in western ponyville" answered Derpy

"That was before you and your husband separated isn't it?" asked Autumn is a very apologetic tone

Derpy stiffened before giving an answer that seemed to not want to leave her throat "Yes"

"And what are the sleeping arrangements?" asked Autumn seeming to be trying to move on as quickly as possible

Derpy led her to their bedroom and watched as Autumn looked around the room.

"So you both sleep in this bed" asked Autumn

The white mare waited a moment for an answer but when it became clear that none was forthcoming she looked over at Derpy who was staring wide-eyed at a ragdoll on the bed.

"Ms Doo?" asked a concerned Autumn Snow

"Dinky" breathed Derpy

"What was that?" asked Autumn having not caught what Derpy said

Before Autumn could press for an answer any further Derpy had darted out of the room. The social worker stood bemused for a moment before Derpy ran back in carrying a foals saddle bags that were emblazoned with bubble wand cutie marks. Derpy sprung onto the bed and put a couple of objects into the saddle bags before bolting out the room. This time Autumn Snow followed her out the bedroom and out the apartment, although she was courteous enough to close the door behind herself, and outside. Once outside Autumn tried to call out and ask Derpy what she was doing but before she could Derpy had taken wing so Autumn did the same and followed her over ponyville. The two eventually set down outside a house on the other side of ponyville and Derpy trotted up to the door and knocked several times. After a few moments Scootaloo's mom opened the door.

"Oh, hello Ms Doo" greeted Scoot's mom

"Hello" panted Derpy

"What brings you here?" asked Scoot's mom politely

Derpy dropped the foal's saddle bags on the ground and exchanged knowing looks. She could have said 'I'm so sorry for disturbing you but this is my daughter's first sleepover and I was worrying about her so I packed her a little something something' but they were both moms and moms know, they just know.

"Mom!" exclaimed Dinky as she caught sight of her mom from the living room and ran towards her

"Hi muffin, are you having fun?" asked Derpy

"Yeah we're having loads of fun!" exclaimed an ecstatic Dinky

"Hope you're not getting into any trouble" smiled Derpy

"Oh no, she's been quite the little angel" said Scoot's mom

"Well I just wanted to drop this off, I'll get out of your mane now" said Derpy as she began to leave

"Who's that?" asked Dinky pointing at the newly revealed white pegasus

"Uuuuuh" stammered Derpy who hadn't noticed that Autumn had followed her

"I'm Autumn Snow" provided Autumn Snow

"It doesn't snow in Autumn" piped up Scootaloo who had come to see what all the fuss was about

"It did the day I was born and my parents thought it was so special the named Autumn Snow" explained Autumn

"Anyway we should get going" said Derpy

"Bye mom" called Dinky

"Bye muffin" Derpy called back

The two pegasi flew back to Derpy's apartment, a little slower this time. When they were back in the apartment Derpy sat on the floor while Autumn stood unsure of what to do. Then for the second time that day Derpy broke down and started crying. Autumn was about to try and comfort Derpy but before she could Derpy threw herself at Autumn's hooves.

"PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY LITTLE MUFFIN AWAY!!" cried Derpy, her tears starting to soak Autumn's fur

"Ms Doo" said Autumn as she tried to gather herself

"PLEASE!!" sobbed Derpy "please, I know I'm probably the most pathetic excuse for a mother you've ever seen but, please don't"

"Ms Doo you are far from the worst excuse for a mother I've ever seen" said Autumn sternly

"I... I am" sniffled Derpy

"Once in Canterlot I investigated a mare who was looking after three foals. When I asked where she lived she claimed that they lived in
Canterlot Castle" said Autumn

Derpy giggled a bit at that but stopped when she saw that Autumn did not look very jovial.

"She was still convinced she lived there when the Royal Guards dragged her off for attempted illegal entrance of the Princess' personal
quarters" said Autumn

Derpy sat up and just looked at Autumn.

"It turns out that two of the foals weren't even hers and that they had all been starving on the street for over a week" said Autumn

Derpy had no idea what to make of that so she just waited for Autumn to continue.

"Ms Doo you've shown me tonight that you are a very dedicated mother but your living conditions cannot be ignored" said Autumn,
Derpy just continued to watch her maybe with a glimmer of hope in her eyes "You have until the end of the week and thus the month to secure a stable source of sufficient income, to pay your all of your rent and bills and to find somepony who can ensure that between the two of you Dinky can have around the clock supervision"

When Autumn had finished Derpy still just sat there. She had four days to do all that.

"Do you think you can do that Ms Doo?" asked Autumn in a slightly concerned tone

"Yes" said Derpy surprising even herself that it wasn't a lie

***
Dinky and Scootaloo sat down at the dinner table where Scootaloo's mom had laid out what to Dinky was practically a feast. Scootaloo simply said something about her mom not even making too much of an effort for guests to which her mom replied that it was short notice. They were all digging into the meal in silence when Scoot's mom decided to try and start some conversation.

"So Dinky I know your mother works at the Postal Office but what does your father do?" asked Scoot's mom

"I don't know" answered Dinky

"What do you mean you don't know? Surely you pay some attention to your father?" asked Scoot's mom

"How can I, I've never met him" replied Dinky

"Oh... Oh, I'm so sorry I shouldn't have pressed" apologized Scootaloo's mom

The table once again descended into silence, save for the scraping of cutlery and munching of vegies, except now the silence was more awkward.

"My dad is a manager at the weather factory in Cloudsdale" put in Scootaloo

"So he's in charge of the ponies who make rainbows?" asked Dinky

"Yeah but for some reason he won't tell me how they make them and whenever I bring it up he just looks really sad and tells me to improve my flying" said Scootaloo

The two fillies started talking about rainbows and 'somehow' the conversation turned into on about Rainbow Dash and it lasted until the end of dinner. Once they had finished Scoot's mom began clearing the table and told Scoot to take Dinky and go take a bath and get ready for bed. The two fillies went upstairs and into the bathroom where Scootaloo jumped (with the help of her wings) into the tub and turned on the water. Dinky stood back from the tub and bit her lip a bit.

"What's wrong Dinky?" asked Scootaloo

"I've never taken a bath without my mom before" muttered Dinky

Scootaloo wanted to say 'really, that's weird' but something in how Dinky was pawing at the floor made her instead say "Don't worry I'm here" instead.

Dinky smiled a bit before climbing (with the help of Scootaloo) into the tub. While Dinky was still nervous at first, with the help of some playful splashing from Scootaloo this bath time was nearly as fun as all the others.

After spending what was unanimously deemed enough time in the tub Dinky and Scootaloo pulled the plug and climbed out. once they were out Scootaloo went to the basin and pulled the step ladder out so she and Dinky could reach the top. once the had scaled the small mountain Scootaloo the intrepid explorer reached into the cabinet of mystery and pulled from it two artifacts knows as Scootaloo's toothbrush and the emergency guest toothbrush. The Explorer handed the later artifact to her companion.

"What's this?" asked Dinky

"What!?" exclaimed an utterly shocked Scootaloo

"What?" asked a now confused Dinky

"Haven't you ever brushed your teeth before?" asked Scootaloo in disbelief

"I guess not" answered Dinky

"MOOOOOOOM!!" yelled Scootaloo

"What is it dear?" asked Scoot's mom a few moments later when she arrived at the doorway

"How come I've always had to brush my teeth and Dinky's never had to?" whined Scootaloo

"You have never brushed your teeth Dinky?" asked a slightly shocked Scootaloo's mom

"No" answered Dinky

"Well then, Scootaloo show Dinky how to brush her teeth" said Scoot's mom

"But moooooooom" whined Scootaloo

"No buts young filly, I am going to come back up to kiss you good night and if your breath is not minty fresh by the time I do then you will be grounded for a weak" threatened Scootaloo's mom

Scootaloo groaned and the two fillies brushed their teeth. Dinky didn't like it very much the toothpaste tasted horrible but Scootaloo said she wasn't supposed to eat it. When they finished they spat into the basin (that was both their favorite parts) and went to Scoot's room. After a few minutes of the two girls talking Scootaloo's mom reappeared and kissed Scootaloo goodnight and then checked her breath. She then said goodnight to Dinky who was sleeping on an inflatable mattress (Scootaloo thought it was unfair that she didn't check her breath) before leaving them alone. Scootaloo and Dinky exchanged their goodnights before laying down and trying to get to sleep. It was at that moment that Dinky was suddenly gripped with fear; she'd left them at home. Dinky started panicking before she remembered that her mom had dropped off her saddle bags earlier. Dinky ran to the saddle bags which she'd left in the corner of the room and took out the contents. Dinky sighed in relief and went back to her temporary bed holding her ragdoll Derpy. When she laid back down she put the framed photo of herself, Derpy and her sister Amy next to her pillow. Then she looked at the note she'd found in the bags and read it by the light from Scootaloo's night light.

I love you muffin

-Mom XOXO
Dinky held the note and her doll close to her and drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.

Chapter 3

Derpy bit her lip nervously as she approached the apartment; she didn't know how to ask what she was going to ask. She took a deep breath and opened the door; sitting on a recliner chair in the middle of the living room was a pink unicorn stallion with a violet and lavender mane.

"Honey, I'm home" Derpy called as she entered

"Hi sweetie, back from work already?" Blunder Strike called back

"Yep" said Derpy who hadn't really moved from the door

"Anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about?" asked Blunder

"Actually there is" said Derpy sheepishly

Blunder looked up from his newspaper "What?"

"I was thinking, when the summer's over, of going back to high school" Derpy said as more of a question than a statement

"You silly filly, you already know how cook and clean and that's everything a mare like you needs to know" Blunder said as he rolled up his newspaper and used his magic to gently bop it on Derpy's snout

"I know but what if the government finds out I'm working and stops sending your unemployment benefits and I don't want to work at the
Post office forever and what if we have foals, we don't have the money to support them" explained Derpy

Blunder smacked Derpy up the back of the head "We're not having any damn foals and you're not going back to high school. Now get back in the kitchen and make dinner" he hit her again for good measure

Derpy trotted off to the kitchen in the next part of the apartment and began making them a salad.

***
Derpy woke up sweating all over, when she didn't immediately see Dinky she looked around gripped with fear for her little muffin but she quickly remembered that she was still as Scootaloo's. Derpy got up and went to the kitchen where she got out the apple she bought yesterday and had her meager breakfast. Morning didn't feel the same without Dinky there. Derpy looked up at the clock and decided she'd head to work early and try catch the early morning shift. Derpy landed in front of the Post Office and, ignoring the closed sign, trotted in and up to Mr Mailard's office.

"Ms Doo, you're early, you aren't thinking of pulling four shifts today are you?" asked Mr Mailard

"That depends sir, can I get back on the large package delivery roster?" asked Derpy hopefully; the large package deliveries always took place after hours on the weekend so you got paid double time and it always took forever

"I'm sorry Ms Doo, I know you're going through some hard times and that you've been working really well but after what happened last time, well we'll see but definitely not this week" said Mr Mailard

"I understand" said Derpy; a little crestfallen "Then I'll just do the one shift"

Mr Mailard looked at Derpy incredulously "Just the early morning shift?"

"Yep, I have to go see someone Sir" said Derpy

"All right then you can do your mail route and then I guess I'll see you tomorrow" said Mr Mailard still a bit surprised

"Bye" said Derpy before trotting of the mail room

Once there she picked up her mail bag and filled it with the mail she had sorted for herself yesterday. With her cap adjusted and mail bag strapped on tight Derpy took off to deliver the morning mail.

It was a beautiful day in ponyville; the sun was shining the skies were clear or almost clear. Rainbow Dash was still kicking the last few clouds which surprised Derpy because usually Dash wouldn't be up for another two hours. Given that it was so early Derpy just left pony's mail on their doorsteps instead of giving it directly to them as she usually did. Although she made an exception when she landed in front of a house she recognized all too well.

She walked up to the door and knocked; there was some muffled voices, a loud thump and then the sound of hooves on stairs and then Derpy was nose to nose with a beige earth mare who had a pink and purple curled mane which was at this moment not so curled.

"Hi Bon Bon" said Derpy

"Hi Ditzy" said Bon Bon "What brings you here"

Derpy looked down at the letter in her hoof then back at Bon Bon "This is the fourth time this month"

"What do you mean" asked Bon Bon before face hoofing when she saw that she had put her address twice "Sorry Ditzy I've just been a
bit distracted lately"

"Oh really?" said Derpy raising an eye brow and smirking

"What? no, I mean" Bon Bon's meager attempt at defending her statement was interrupted by a voice from within the house

"Bonnieeeeeeee come back to beeeeeeed" called a mysterious voice that both Bon Bon and Derpy recognized and which caused Bon Bon to blush

"This must be the best hotel ever; not only do they leave a mint on your bed but a mint that can talk and provide... services, eh Bonnie" teased Derpy

Bon Bon's face continued to turn a deeper shade of scarlet as she said "Shushers" before closing the door

Derpy snickered as she trotted away while Bon Bon mounted the stairs back to her room muttering "Lyra you're in for it now"

When her mail route was done Derpy dropped off her mail bag at the post office then dropped off her cap at home before flying to the edge of town.

"It's for Dinky" whispered Derpy before taking off

***
Blunder Strike barged in through the door with a call of "DEEEEEEEERPYYYYY I'M HOME"

It was two in the morning and even though Derpy new that Blunder was way more violent when he was drunk, which by the slurring in his speech barely covered his current state of intoxication, she knew that it would be worse if she wasn't up when he got home. Blunder looked around for the grey mare that was right in front of him. When he eventually found Derpy he leaned in and smothered her in a drunken kiss, forcing his tongue down her throat. Derpy tried to push him off but Blunder just smacked her and returned to what he was doing. After a few moments Blunder released Derpy from the sorry excuse for a kiss and picked her up. He walked over to his chair and dropped Derpy in it before climbing on top of her. This time Derpy did manage to push him off, quickly she got up and ran to the bedroom. Once inside she tried to shut the door but before she could he barged in.

"So you prefer the bed eh?" asked Blunder

He picked her up again, with his magic this time, and Derpy suddenly found it very hard to breathe until she fell on the bed gasping for air. Then he was on top of her again. Derpy tried to push him off again but he hit her twice so she just lay still quietly sobbing.
Then it started and Derpy couldn't stop herself from screaming, screaming for him to stop and just screaming from the pain.

***
Derpy landed in front of Star Jewels; the main store of a chain of jewelries of the same name. It had been a long flight to Canterlot but Derpy knew she'd be back in ponyville in time to pick up Dinky. She walked inside and up to the help desk.

"Excuse me; I would like to talk to the manager" Derpy said trying to sound as professional as possible

"The manager is right up stairs ma’am" said the green mare at the desk

As Derpy ascended the stair case she could have sworn she heard the mare say "Nice eyes weirdo"

Derpy ignored the mare's comment and continued up the stairs until she found herself in front of a pink door with the words 'Manager's
office' written on a golden plaque set on the door. Derpy bit her lip nervously as she approached the door; she didn't know how to ask
what she was going to ask. She took a deep breath and opened the door; sitting on a chair behind a desk was a pink unicorn with a violet and lavender mane.

"Now there's a surprise" said the pink pony as Derpy stepped in to the office

***
Dinky sat at her desk doing her best to concentrate on the work sheet in front of her. Everypony in the class room could feel the tension in the air; Diamond Tiara was back from the hospital. Everypony in the class room include Cheerilee and she was practically freaking out; she'd had foals who fought before but she'd never seen any pull such a low blow as what Diamond said the day before last.
Luckily everypony had made it through the day without any outbursts and as the school bell rang to signal the end of the day Cheerilee could have breathed a sigh of relief. However that sigh would have been premature as she saw out the window Dinky was moving to talk to Diamond Tiara.

"Um, hey Diamond" said Dinky awkwardly while Scootaloo stood a bit behind her

"What do you want Dink" spat Diamond

"I just..." said Dinky before she realized she didn't know what she wanted to talk to Diamond about

"What did you want me to apologize?" said Diamond in an overly sarcastic tone

"That would be nice" replied Dinky

"Well you've got a fat chance of that happening" said Diamond

Dinky didn't really know why but she was really starting to get angry "Is my chance of that happening as fat as you, I mean I know earth ponies are meant to be muscular but what's your excuse?"

Everypony, including Dinky, was shocked at this outburst. Diamond mouth was hanging open as if she was going to reply but instead
she closed her mouth turned her nose up at trotted of accompanied by Silver Spoon.

"Dinky!" said a shocked Cheerilee

Dinky and Scootaloo spun around to find their teacher standing behind them with her eyes wide; staring at Dinky. Cheerilee was about to tell Dinky off for being so rude when she caught sight of a grey pegasus glaring at her, when the pegasus saw that she had been noticed she flared her wing and pawed the ground.

"Uh... please excuse me girls I think I have some paper work to do" said Cheerilee before almost galloping back inside the school.

Dinky turned back around, slightly confused by her teacher's sudden departure, to see her mom waiting for. With a rushed goodbye to Scootaloo, Dinky was galloping towards her mom.

"Hi mom!" Dinky almost yelled, she hadn't realized how much she'd missed her mom

"Hi muffin" Derpy said as she caught her galloping filly in a hug "I've got a surprise for you"

Dinky looked up at her mom with a huge grin on her face "What is it?"

Derpy looked behind her and a pink pony took its que to step out from behind the bush it had been hiding behind. Dinky squealed in excitement; there stood Amethyst Star; Dinky's older sister.

"AMY!!!" squealed Dinky as she ran to give Amethyst a hug

***
Derpy screamed at the pain, she wished it would all just stop.

"Come on Ditzy breathe" said nurse Redheart

Derpy tried to breath but when another contraction came she yelled out in pain again.

"Ok, now push" said the nurse

After what felt like hours of labor the nurses finally told Derpy that she'd given birth to a healthy little filly. They gave her a bundle of pink towels and when Derpy moved some of the folds she saw a little pink unicorn with a few purple hairs.

"What are you going to call her?" asked Nurse Redheart

Derpy hadn't had much time to think of a name between cooking, cleaning, delivering mail and being blamed for being pregnant. However now that the moment was here Derpy had the perfect name.

"Amethyst Star" said Derpy as she looked down lovingly at the little bundle of joy she held in her forelegs and the little star looked back in to the two amber eyes above her, both locked on her, and she giggled.

***
The three members of the Doo family walked down the streets of ponyville towards the Derpy's apartment, or two of them walked and the on little filly hopped along in front with a beaming grin plastered on her face.

"So mom, we didn't really get a chance to talk; how are things" said Amethyst before quickly adding "Not financially, I meant..."

"Things are fine; Dinky's grades are good and the Post Office is really nice" said Derpy

"Good... Good" sighed Amethyst

The three continued the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the apartment Amethyst went to talk to the land lord while Derpy took Dinky upstairs.

"Where's Amy going?" asked Dinky

"She's just going to talk to the land lord" said Derpy before leaning in and whispering "were moving tomorrow"

Dinky just looked at her mom; unsure of how to react.

"It'll be fun" said Derpy trying to put on her biggest smile

"But I don't want to move" said Dinky

"I don't really want to either, but sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, if it’s for the best" said Derpy

"Okay" said Dinky in a sad tone

The next thing Dinky knew she was pinned to the floor and her mom stood over her as she blew raspberries on Dinky's belly. Dinky's giggling filled the apartment and Derpy knew that it didn't matter where they went as long as she was with Dinky nothing else mattered.
Although she was down the mighty Dinkasaurus was not to be defeated, she pushed off the larger Derpodactyl before leaping on top of it and crushing it in a mighty bear hug. Dinky nuzzled her mom's neck as she hugged her.

"Everything will be fine; tomorrow after school we'll go out for muffins!" said Derpy

"YAAAAAY!!" hollered Dinky "I want to eat a whole basket"

"You can't eat muffins!" said a shocked Derpy

"WHAT!" squealed Dinky

"You are a muffin; if you ate a muffin that would make you a cannibal" explained Derpy

Dinky used her magic to fetch the crown her mom had made for her from the cabinet and proclaimed "Then call me DINKY DOO PRINCESS OF THE CANNON BALLS, RAAAAAAR!" she then leaned down and pretend bit Derpy

"OH NO, I have been infected by the Cannibal's curse" called out the now doomed Derpy

"BWAHAHAHA, now I shall rule all of Equestria with my cannon ball army!" proclaimed the soon to be ruler of Equestria

Dinky and Derpy were too busy laughing and rolling on the floor to notice Amethyst standing in the door way with her jaw fighting to
reach the floor.

"You lived like this for four years" Amethyst eventually said as she gazed around the near empty apartment

"Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't afford a fancy five star Canterlot Hotel but I am only a mail mare" said Derpy

"I didn't mean, Ugh. I'll make dinner" Amethyst groaned

Derpy took Dinky to the breakfast bar and sat her down on one of the stools.

"Is this all you have?" asked Amethyst looking in the fridge

"Yes it is but you could always call room service, O wait we can't we're not in a Canterlot hotel" said Derpy sarcastically

Amethyst sighed and began making a salad for the three of them.

"So Dinky how was Scootaloo's house" asked Amethyst

"It was really fun" said Dinky smiling "Hey mom why don't I brush my teeth?"

There was a crash from the kitchen and Amethyst turned with a shocked look on her face, she was about to say something along the lines of 'YOU DON'T BRUSH YOUR TEETH' but she was silenced by Derpy staring daggers at her.

"Don't think about it muffin" said Derpy

"And how come I never see dad" asked Dinky

Both Derpy and Amethyst froze, then Derpy said "Don't think about that either"

"But Scootaloo said her dad is really cool and I want to see dad" explained Dinky

"No" said Derpy

"I want to see dad!" whined Dinky

"NO YOU DON'T" screamed Amethyst

Dinky was taken aback by her sister's sudden outburst; the few times she'd seen her sister she had never heard her raise her voice, or seen her cry.

"DO YOU WANT TO KNOW, WHAT, THE ONLY THING OUR DAD LEFT US WITH" yelled Amethyst in between sobs

"Stop Amy" said Derpy

"NO, SHE SHOULD KNOW" yelled Amethyst before taking a moment to collect herself "Dinky, look at our mom, do you see her eyes? do you know how our mom has... moments where she forgets things, little things?"

Dinky nodded slowly while she started to tear up.

"That is all dad left us with" sobbed Amethyst

Dinky was really starting to cry now so Derpy picked her up, of course it didn't help that Derpy was crying too.

"So you're lucky that you got to grow up not knowing him, all you knew growing up knowing was how wonderful our mom is" said Amethyst before putting three plates on the bar

The three ponies ate their salads in a heavy silence.

***
Derpy walked down the streets of ponyville with her daughter in tow. The grey mare was trotting along with a tired look on her face and the pink filly hopped along beaming and looking at everything she could. The two walked past a jewelers and it took the grey mare a few moments to realize that her pink partner in crime had not walked past the store.

"Come on Amy" Derpy called back

"Can we go in mommy" Amethyst called back

"We don't have the money to buy anything" said Derpy

"Pleeeeeeeease" begged Amethyst

Derpy couldn't say no twice to her little filly so the two walked into the store. Immediately Amethyst ran to the counter and looked at the jewelry.

"Well hello there little one" greeted the stallion at the desk

"That's a ruby" said Amethyst as she pointed at a big red jewel set into a necklace

"It is" said the stallion

"And that's an opal, and that's a sapphire, and that's an emerald, and that's an amethyst" said Amethyst pointing to several gems in turn "and that is plastic made to look like a diamond"

The stallion behind the counter was shocked; he'd never seen anypony who could tell the difference between that lump of plastic and a real diamond without a loupe. This miracle was explained by the sudden appearance of three perfectly cut diamonds in a flash of light on the flank of the filly.

"It appears we have a budding jeweler in our midst" said the stallion nodding towards Amethyst's side

Amethyst look down and when she saw her cutie mark she started jumping around in a circle exclaiming "I got my cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!" repeatedly

The other patrons of the store turned to see what the commotion was about but when they saw a little pink filly jumping for joy because she just got her cutie mark all they could say was 'D'aaaaaw'

Derpy and Amethyst left the store shortly after and headed home. When they got home Amethyst burst in and ran to her father.

"Daddy, I got my cutie mark!" cheered Amethyst

"Is it in getting your daddy another beer?" asked Blunder

"No" said Amethyst as her joy began to ebb

"I didn't think so, because if it was I would probably already have it. Now go get me one" said Blunder

Amethyst went off to the kitchen and Derpy walked further into the apartment.

"What took you so long, I was sitting here for, like, half an hour without a beer" scolded Blunder

"You could've got it yourself" said Derpy but the remark got her cuffed over the head

"Don't get smart with me, now go make lunch" said blunder

Derpy shuffled off to the kitchen and began preparing lunch.

***
It was early evening but everyone had agreed it was time for bed; Amethyst was lying on the couch thinking about how things used to be while Dinky and Derpy were curled up under the sheet in their usual bed.

"Mom?" asked Dinky

"What is it muffin?" asked Derpy

"Was daddy mean to you?" asked Dinky sheepishly

Derpy sighed "Yes dear"

"Why?" asked Dinky

"I don't know" answered Derpy

Dinky seemed confused "but..."

"Don't think about it; it’s in the past, you should think about the future; like how we're going to get muffins after school tomorrow" suggested Derpy

"How many can I have?" asked Dinky

"Not too many" said Derpy "Hush now and go to sleep"

"Night mom" said Dinky for the second time that night

"Goodnight muffin" replied Derpy, adding a little while latter "I love you"

But Dinky was already asleep.

Chapter 4

Amethyst Star sat curled up on her bed. She could hear the muffled screams and squeaking springs coming from the room next to her. Amethyst folded down her ears but she could still hear it and her sheets were starting to get stained from her tears. Eventually the sounds stopped however instead of being replaced by silence like they normally were Amethyst heard hoof steps coming from outside her door. Amethyst went to her door and opened it slightly; she saw her mom walking down the hall to the living room, then her dad following her.

"Come back here; I'm not done with you yet!" yelled Blunder Strike

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Derpy yelled back

Blunder didn't like that so he levitated a chair from the table and smashed it over Derpy's head. She hit the floor so hard that Amethyst saw blood spurt from her mom's snout.

"Let that be a lesson to you" spat Blunder as he went back to bed

Once Blunder was safely back in his room Amethyst left hers and trotted over to her mom who was lying unmoving on the floor. Amethyst called out to her mom but she didn't respond so she started shaking her.

"Mom, mom wake up, MOM" Amethyst started to yell desperately

Derpy's eyes fluttered open and Amethyst took a step back "Mom what's wrong with your eyes?"

"What do you mean dear?" asked Derpy, still feeling light headed

Amethyst ran to the bathroom and grabbed a mirror before running back and putting in front of her mom's face "Look"

Derpy's mouth fell open in a silent scream and tears began to run down her cheeks as she saw her that each of her eyes was looking in a different direction. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't get them to focus in one direction. Amethyst was really starting to worry about her mom now; not only was there still blood running down her snout but her tears were speckled red.

"Mom I think you should go to the hospital" suggested Amethyst

"No" Derpy said firmly which surprised Amethyst

"But mom" started Amethyst

"No and that's final" said Derpy

Derpy took a few more moments before finally standing up although she had to flair her wings to steady herself. Derpy walked for a few stumbling steps before looking at the door the her bedroom, their bedroom.

"You can sleep in my bed tonight" offered Amethyst

Derpy nodded and the two of them climbed in to her bed. Soon enough they were asleep with Derpy's head being cradled by her daughter.

***
The first thing Amethyst Star noticed when she woke up was that she was crying so she quickly wiped her eyes and went to the bathroom to clean up. The second thing Amethyst noticed was that she was alone in the apartment. Amethyst searched the apartment for any clue as to where Dinky and Derpy might have been and after searching for ten minutes in their bedroom she came out to find a note on the fridge.

I had to work and Dinky had to go to school. Make sure everything is set up in the new place by this afternoon

PS I promised her we'd go out for muffins

-Derpy

Amethyst looked at the clock only to find that the clock was gone, in fact now that she thought about it everything but the couch she had been sleeping on had been moved from the apartment.

"I guess they've already moved" muttered Amethyst to herself before leaving the apartment

Amethyst stepped out into another bright sunny day in ponyville and so Amethyst set off across the village with her eyes firmly fixed on the ground immediately in front of her. She was about half way across ponyville when she was stopped for the strangest conversation she would ever have.

"Excuse me are you Twilight Sparkle?" asked a pink earth mare who had suddenly appeared in front of Amethyst from a cloud of confetti

"Uh..." said Amethyst who more than a little taken aback "No, I'm Amethyst Star"

"Shoot, Gummy told me I need to through a party for a unicorn name Twilight Sparkle; the fate of Equestria depends on it!" said the VERY strange pink earth pony in front of Amethyst

"Who, Who's Gummy?" asked Amethyst still rather flustered

"Gummy; The Dark One, Supreme Overlord of the Universe, The Supreme Being, duh" said the pink pony "My little pet toothless alligator"

"Uh..." said Amethyst with no idea what to say to that

"Do you know any Twilight Sparkles?" asked the pink pony who Amethyst decided to just call Pinkie

"Uh, yeah, I do; she lives in Canterlot" said Amethyst

"CANTERLOT!" gasped Pinkie "but Gummy said she'd be here"

Pinkie seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before she pulled a rip cord that suddenly seemed to be poking out of her mane and then she exploded in a shower of confetti.

Amethyst stood for a moment with absolutely no idea what had just happened, eventually she decided it wasn't worth thinking about and continued on her way. Eventually she reached a two story house in northern ponyville. Amethyst walked up to the door to test the key she'd gotten yesterday and it worked but before Amethyst could go inside...

"HI NEIGHBOUR!" came a call from the front yard of the next house

Amethyst turned to see a mint green unicorn mare smiling and waving at her.

"Oh no I don't live here; I bought it for my mom and sister" explained Amethyst

"We'd love to meet them sometime" said a beige earth mare who had popped up from behind the fence and, judging by the trowel in her hoof, had been gardening

"Sure they'll be here this afternoon" said Amethyst before stepping inside the house and closing the door "This town is weird"

***
Dinky and Scootaloo trotted out of the class room for lunch.

"Wow Dinky, that's heavy" said Scootaloo still shocked at what Dinky had told her

Dinky was about to say something to Scootaloo but stopped when she saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking towards them.

"What do you want Diamond" said Dinky

"I overheard you and Scootaloo talking, about your mom and dad, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry I made fun of your mom, I didn't know and... and I'm sorry, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you just tell me" said Diamond Tiara

Dinky simply sat completely still for a moment; she had no idea how to react, had Diamond Tiara just apologized?

"It's okay Diamond" managed Dinky eventually

"So, we're cool?" asked Diamond as she offered her hoof

"We're cool" replied Dinky as she bumped the outstretched hoof

Diamond Tiara smiled at Dinky (a genuine smile) before she and Silver turned and walked off. Dinky turned back to Scootaloo who seemed to be paralyzed.

"Hey Scoot, SCOOT!" yelled Dinky as she tried to shake Scootaloo back into reality

"Wow" said Scootaloo when she finally came back down to Equestria "I guess deep down even bullies have hearts"

Cheerilee stood a few meters away; pretending to be on supervising all the foals but really she had just been wary of what Diamond might have been up to. Now, having heard Diamond's apology she thought that there might finally be some peace in her classroom.

***
Derpy landed in front of the school, she was a bit early but that didn't matter. She was going to pick up Dinky and then go get their favorite snack; muffins. This afternoon was going to be full of Dinky and muffins; the two best things in the world, nothing could go wrong.

"Mom, I'm taking Dinky and you to the Dentist after muffins" said Amethyst as she came up behind Derpy

'I just don't know what went wrong' thought Derpy

"Mom, did you hear me?" asked Amethyst

"Yes; Muffins then Dentist" said Derpy

"Great" said Amethyst

The two waited for a few minutes in silence until the school bell rang and a small pale-purple filly stepped out. The moment Dinky saw her mom and sister she made a beeline for them.

Once she reached Derpy she began hopping in a circle around Derpy repeating "Muffins, muffins, muffins, muffins, muffins, muffins"

"All right you little muffin monster, that's enough" said Derpy as she pulled Dinky close to her with her wing

The three headed off to Sugarcube Corner, they passed by many ponies and stores, some of which sold muffins, but they didn't waver in the face of temptation, they stayed true to their quest; to get muffins from Sugarcube Corner. It didn't take them too long but with all the bouncing Dinky had done she had really worked up and appetite. The three ponies walked in and Dinky immediately glued herself to the display glass that shielded the muffins from her hunger. The blue earth mare with a red and pink mane at the counter giggled slightly at the filly's antics before asking Amethyst and Derpy what they would like. After some disagreement it was eventually decided that Dinky and Derpy could have two muffins each while Amethyst claimed she wasn't hungry. Derpy was about to leave the store when Amethyst called for her to stop.

"If we're going to fit in a dentist trip then we have to hurry" said Derpy

"But before we do we have to pay for the muffins" said Amethyst

Derpy looked down at her hooves and murmured "I forgot"

Once the muffins were paid for the ponies left the store and found a table at which the two pale-furred gods hungrily consumed their chosen sacrifices.

Once Dinky had finished her treats she asked "What next!"

"Now we go to the Dentist's" said Amethyst

"What's a Dentist" whined Dinky

"It's a doctor for your teeth" said Derpy

Dinky furrowed her brow and seemed to consider her options for a moment, but upon realizing she hadn't been given any she simply said "Okay"

The Doo family left their table and began heading to the dentist's office.

***
Derpy sat in the nursery and cradled her little muffin in her forelegs, rocking her back and forth as she watched her sleep. Derpy remembered the last time she'd cradled Amethyst all those years ago in the hospital bed. She'd looked into the innocent eyes of that new born filly and thought silly thoughts like; Amethyst would change things, Blunder would soften up when he saw her, thing would be better. As Derpy looked at the sleeping filly in her arms she had only one thought in her mind.

"I won't make the same mistake twice, I promise I'll never let anything bad happen to you, Dinky" Derpy whispered as she kissed the little ball of fur on the forehead "Things are going to get better, I'll make them better"

Derpy placed Dinky into her cradle gently before picking it up and walking out of the apartment. She stopped at the door and looked back in, she all she saw was an alcohol soaked dump; the perfect embodiment of her soon to be ex-husband who was unconscious on their bed. Derpy held up a box of matches, took one out and struck it before letting it fall to the floor. The apartment was consumed in flames in seconds but Derpy had already taken off, carrying Dinky and a few other things she'd needed.

She didn't look back.

***
Derpy walked up to the main desk at the Dentist's office and asked the mare sitting there if Minuette was in.

"I'm sorry Ditzy but Minuette is away on business, however we have a new dentist starting today so you can still hold your appointment" said the admin mare

"That's okay I guess" said Derpy before they all went into the Dentist's room

"Well if it isn't the mare with the fantastic eyes" said Doctor Hooves the dentist as the Doo family filed into the office

"Oh, hey, It's you" said Derpy, a little surprised by this chance meeting

"You two know each other?" asked Amethyst

"You could say we... bumped into each other the other day, although I didn't catch your name" said Doctor Hooves looking at Derpy

"Bumped into each other? you knocked me off my hooves!" said Derpy in a tone that suggested there was a second way the Doctor could interpret it

"You did seem a touch speechless the last time we met" returned Doctor Hooves

Amethyst could not believe what she was seeing; was her mom flirting with the dentist? And was the dentist flirting back?

"So who's first" asked the Doctor

"I think Dinky should go first" said Amethyst

Everyone agreed and so Dinky hopped on to the chair and Doctor Hooves began his work. Amethyst was surprised at how well he could use the tools being an earth pony.

"So, I still haven't got that name" said the Doctor as he worked

"I'm Dinky Doo!" cheered Dinky from her seat

"I'm Derpy Doo although most ponies just call me Ditzy and this is my other daughter Amethyst Star" introduced Derpy

"Nice to finally meet you" said Doctor Hooves

The rest of Dinky's turn passed quickly with light jokes and small talk and when Dinky was finished the Doctor proclaimed

"A healthy set of chompers hidden by all that plaque, just make sure you brush after your muffins" said Doctor Hooves with a wink

Dinky hopped down and bounced onto a seat next to Amethyst. Derpy slid off her chair and got up on the dentist chair.

"So I've gathered that you haven't been in ponyville for a while Amethyst, how have you been finding it?" asked Doctor Hooves

"It's been weird, earlier I had a very strange encounter with a pink mare that went on about some toothless alligator" said Amethyst

The Doctor froze 'They're here' he thought in the back of his mind

"Hey Doctor, I've been meaning to ask Minuette, but I guess you'll do, what does a time turner have to do with dentistry?" asked Derpy

"Oh um... I'm not entirely sure" the Doctor said a bit thrown by the whole conversation

After the Doctor had regained his composure and returned to his work the rest of Derpy's turn passed with small jokes awkward eye contact and no small amount of blushing between Derpy and the Doctor.

Eventually the Doo family departed the dentist's office and made their way to their new home, but not before Derpy had secured another... more personal appointment with the Doctor for tea and muffins another day.

***
The three Doo's arrived at their new home as Celestia's light was just starting to disappear bellow the horizon.

"DITZY!" squealed Bon Bon as she noticed who her new neighbors were

"Hey Bon Bon, I knew that there was something familiar about this address" said Derpy as she saw Bon Bon and Lyra stepping out of their home to great their new neighbors

"How could I have not recognized little Amy" said Bon Bon as she looked over at Amethyst

"Naughty Bon Bon" Derpy pretended to scold

"Well I am glad that you are my, our new neighbor now you can help me with my mail" said Bon Bon

"Yeah I suppose Lyra has other things she'd like to like besides stamps" said Derpy, very glad that Amethyst had taken Dinky inside "Like her own ever-lasting bon bon"

Bon Bon's beige face very quickly turned a vibrant shade of red as Lyra burst in to a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Derpy said goodbye and trotted off into her new house leaving Bon Bon to deal with the giggle fit once known as Lyra Heartstrings. Once Derpy was inside she found Amethyst glaring at her with pursed lips and a very sleepy Dinky.

"Dinky, why don't you go up to your room? You can sleep in your very own bed!" said Derpy

"I want to sleep with you" said Dinky determinedly

"Okay muffin, now go upstairs" said Derpy still being glared at by Amethyst

"Night mom" said Dinky as she went upstairs

"What is it Amy?" asked Derpy once Dinky was safely away

"What's wrong with you?" spat Amethyst

"What in Equestria are you talking about!" said and outraged Derpy

"Flirting with that dentist, didn't you learn you're lesson with dad" said Amethyst

"What the lesson that I can never be happy!" yelled Derpy "WHAT RIGHT DO YOU TO TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE!"

"I just don't want to see you ruin Dinky's life with another abusive drunk" said Amethyst

"Oh yeah you seemed so concerned when you decided to just pack up and move to Canterlot after she was born!" Derpy yelled back

"YOU COULD HAVE COME WITH ME!" Amethyst yelled

"AND JUST LEAVE ALL THE FRIENDS THAT HAD BEEN HELPING THROUGH EVERYTHING, thanks for the support guys but I got a better offer" said Derpy "I dealt with him and I can take care of Dinky!"

"That's not what you said in my office in Canterlot" spat Amethyst

Derpy was about to yell something back when her snout put a thought in her head. She left the living room and went to the kitchen while Amethyst followed her. Once Derpy got to the kitchen her worst fears were confirmed; on the counter was an empty bottle of Apple Jack Daniels.

"You've been drinking" Derpy said to Amethyst "You're just like your father"

Amethyst smacked Derpy across the face "HOW DARE YOU SAY I'M LIKE THAT MONSTER"

"Get out" growled Derpy

"I PAID FOR THIS HOUSE, I AM NOT LEAVING" screamed Amethyst

"GET OUT" Derpy screamed back, flaring her wings

Amethyst stood her ground for a moment before turning and leaving the house. Derpy stayed still for a few moments to calm down before switching off the lights and going up stairs. She went door to door looking for her room and, on the third try, found the room with the largest bed that was already occupied by a sleeping ball of pale-purple fuzz. Derpy clambered onto the bed and pulled Dinky close to herself.

"I'll never let anything bad happen to you" Derpy whispered to Dinky as sleep began to claim her "I promise"

Chapter 5

Derpy sat in the kitchen sipping a glass of orange juice and eating her cereal, Dinky sat opposite her doing the same. The two ate in silence. Yesterday, when Derpy had gone to the bank to deposit her pay which she had gotten in advance she had been surprised to find that there was already a large amount of money in her account. Apparently Amethyst had put enough money in her account to purchase the house in her name and leave enough for two weeks’ worth of shopping.

"When is Amethyst coming back?" asked Dinky as if reading Derpy's mind

Amethyst had been gone for more than a day and Derpy was starting to worry. "I don't know muffin, but you had better start getting ready for school"

"Okay" said Dinky before sliding off her chair and going to brush her teeth

Dinky was having a hard time getting used to brushing her teeth and sleeping alone, but after that sleepover at Scootaloo's she was determined to get used to it. When Dinky came back out Derpy gave her her recess, kissed her goodbye and sent her on her way. Derpy felt weird not going with her on her way to work but she had other things to do today. Derpy went back inside and was about to head upstairs when there was a knock at the door. Derpy opened the door and there stood Amethyst Star.

"Hi mom" said Amethyst nervously

"Hey Amy" said Derpy unsure how to react

"Mom, I've been thinking and... you were right I shouldn't have left you" said Amethyst

"Amy, no" began Derpy

"NO, I shouldn't have left you and Dinky with him, remember that night there was that fire, you and Dinky could have died!" sobbed Amethyst

"Amy, there's... something you should know about that night" said Derpy "I started that fire"

"What..." Amethyst was shocked "But you told the police that he came home drunk, he threw a bunch of bottles around and then he used his magic to attack you and it ignited the alcohol and..."

"When he came home I told him I was leaving; that I'd found another apartment and I was taking Dinky. He got really angry and started throwing bottles around, he said that if I tried to leave... he would find me and he would do... horrible things to Dinky" managed Derpy between sobs "It was then that I realized that I realized that he would never change and he would never let us go, so I told him what he wanted, he went to bed and I started that fire"

Amethyst gasped and covered mouth with her hoof, her mother had just confessed to arson and murder.

"So when I say that I can take care of myself and Dinky, you should believe me" stated Derpy

"I guess I should" said Amethyst before leaning in to hold her mom whose intermittent sobs had turned into a full stream of tears "And I'm sure that that Doctor guy will be different"

The two stood there in the doorway for a while until Derpy managed to collect herself.

"And I'll always be here for you; I bought a house in ponyville so if you ever need anything I'll be here" said Amethyst

The two exchanged smiles and Amethyst said "So when are you going to see him"

"Later today" said Derpy

"Oh, I should let you get ready" said Amethyst before turning and walking "Bye"

"Bye Amy" said Derpy to her daughter as she waved goodbye

Once Amethyst was out of sight Derpy closed the door, galloped across her yard, leapt over the fence separating her yard from the next and was at her friend's door in a matter of seconds. Derpy knocked on the door and a few moments later Bon Bon appeared wearing a pink apron with darker pink love hearts and a lot of frills.

"Hey Bon Bon, I have a date in a few hours and I need cheering/dressing up" said Derpy

"Do you need it bad enough to apologize for making me blush in front of Lyra" said Bon Bon narrowing her eyes

"I'm sure she enjoyed it, so are you going to let me in or am I going to have to say something about how that apron has more frills than is practice for anything but" Derpy was interrupted by a hoof in her mouth which was attached to a blushing Bon Bon

Derpy snickered under Bon Bon's hoof and eventually Bon Bon stepped aside "Well it seems that the cheering up part has already begun so you might as well come inside"

Bon Bon led Derpy her house and upstairs to her bedroom where they found a sleeping Lyra. Bon Bon promptly pushed Lyra of the bed.

"What was that for?" whined Lyra as she got to her hooves

"It's time to give Ditzy a MAKEOVER!" cheered Bon Bon

Both Derpy and Lyra giggled a bit at Bon Bon's excitement. The three mares went to Bon Bon's dressing table which had a large mirror and a lot of make up on it.

"How come I never see you wearing any of this stuff?" Derpy asked Bon Bon

"Because she's more than beautiful enough without it" said Lyra which caused Bon Bon to giggle

Derpy sat down in a chair that Lyra provided and Bon Bon began combing her hair.

"I'm glad you’re finally getting back out there Ditzy" said Lyra

"Yeah, after you dropped out of high school for Blunder I was so worried you would never find someone you deserve" said Bon Bon

"If what I've seen is to be believe then you're definitely dating someone who's worthy of you, I mean you are dating the hot new dentist in ponyville" said Lyra

"Given your... preference Lyra I wouldn't set too much in store by your taste in stallion" said Derpy which caused Lyra to roll her eyes "And Bon Bon you're meant to be cheering me up"

"Well, seeing as your favorite jokes seems to be the ones that are at my expense; do you remember who... I went to junior prom with" said Bon Bon hesitantly

Derpy burst out laughing as she remembered "I still can't believe you went with Thunderlane"

"I was trying to prove to my parents that I wasn't gay, although I think it had the opposite effect" said Bon Bon

"Everypony, including your parents I think, has heard the stories about Thunderlane" said Derpy

The three mares laughed for a while, even though Lyra wasn't sure exactly who Thunderlane was. They spent the next few hours doing everything they could think of to Derpy's mane, eyes and hooves and telling stories and jokes and laughing until it hurt. When Bon Bon and Lyra were finished they put a golden flower in Derpy's newly brushed and curled man and borrowed one of Lyra's yellow saddles. Once she was dressed Derpy stood in front of Bon Bon's full length mirror.

"You look beautiful" said Bon Bon

"A real knockout and you can trust my judgment when it comes to mares" said Lyra before giving Bon Bon a peck on the cheek

Derpy pulled them both in to a hug "Thanks guys"

"No problem Ditzy, but you had better not cry or your make up will run" said Bon Bon as Derpy let go of them "That's and order"

"Yes Ma'am General Bon Bon" said Derpy and Lyra in perfect harmony both pulling a mock salute at the same time before simultaneously bursting into laughter

"The mares in my life" muttered Bon Bon as she face hooved

Derpy said her goodbyes and left her friend's home, heading for the cafe she'd agreed to meet the Doctor at. She felt confident, pretty and completely ready for her date.

***
Doctor Hooves sat at the cafe sipping his tea.

'I hop she hasn't stood me up' thought the Doctor not really taking into account the fact that he arrived fairly early

"Is this seat taken?" asked a gorgeous grey mare in a yellow saddle that the Doctor had definitely never seen before

"Yes it is..." the Doctor trailed off as he realized that the incredible mare in front of him was his date

"Wow, I know Lyra said I was a knock out but I didn’t think she was being literal" said Derpy

"Ditzy, you look amazing" Doctor Hooves managed to stammer

"Thank you, have you ordered yet?" asked Derpy

As if on que a waiter appeared "May I take your orders"

Doctor Hooves waited politely for Derpy to order first (the truth is he was still trying to get his mouth to open without drooling) so she ordered a blueberry muffin and some earl grey (the only tea she'd heard of) and eventually he ordered some english muffins with marmite.

"So I hear from Minuette that you work at the Post Office" said Doctor Hooves

"Yeah, how do you know Minuette? I've known her since high school" asked Derpy

"We met while she was on vacation in..." said the Doctor before being interrupted

"You're the mysterious stallion from Trottingham Minuette told me about" gasped Derpy

"I... I suppose so" said Doctor Hooves wondering exactly how much Minuette might have told her "But enough about me I want to hear about you, what’s it like at the post office?"

"Wow, you are mysterious, the post office huh? It's fine, you meet a lot of ponies" said Derpy

"Sounds fun, how's Dinky doing?" asked the Doctor

"Dinky’s fine, she's really starting to grow up and I'm having to get used to..." Derpy suddenly stopped

"Ditzy are you okay?" asked Doctor Hooves suddenly concerned

"Dinky" gasped Derpy before she buried her head in her hooves "I forgot"

"You forgot what?" asked the Doctor now starting to get really worried

"The social worker is coming this afternoon" said Derpy fighting to hold back tears

"What are they going to do?" asked the Doctor

"I was meant to get a new house and twenty four hour care for Dinky and I got a new home and it's next to some old friends who could look after Dinky but... things didn't go as planned with Amethyst" said Derpy "I still haven't found a source of 'steady and sufficient income' so they're going to take Dinky away"

Derpy began to break down at the table.

"I have a stead and more than sufficient income" suggested Doctor Hooves

"What..." Derpy looked up, her make up beginning to run "No, I couldn't ask you to do that"

"I want to though" said the Doctor "I know we haven't know each other for very long but I've heard nothing but wonderful things about you and I know that you’re the most beautiful mare I've ever met, so if you would give me the chance I would love take care of you and your daughter"

Derpy gasped and covered her mouth with her hooves; that was the most romantic thing she had ever heard and it had been directed at her! She nodded and the two left the table and headed off to Derpy's new house (Not before the Doctor left some bits at the table).

***
Just as Derpy and the Doctor arrived at her home they saw Autumn Snow walking down the street towards their house. The two rushed into the house and Derpy cleaned the running make up from her face. Derpy had just finished cleaning up when there was a knock on the door. She rushed down stairs and to the door where she hesitated and fixed up her perfectly done hair and adjusted her perfectly positioned saddle before opening the door.

"Hello Ms Doo" said Autumn Snow "Were you going somewhere?"

"No I just got back" said Derpy as she let Autumn into her house

"Doctor what are you doing here!" said Autumn as she entered before her mind connected the dots "Oh"

"Hello Autumn" greeted the Doctor

"You two know each other?" asked Derpy

"Yes I knew her cousin very well" said the Doctor

"Nurse Redheart" said Derpy

"Yes, how did you know" asked Autumn

"She delivered my first born and you look exactly like her, except for your wings and cutie mark" said Derpy

"Yes, many ponies are surprised that we are only cousins and not twins" said Autumn

"So Autumn I believe you had work to do" said the Doctor

"Yes well Ms Doo I can see that you have improved your living conditions, I talked to your land lord and everything has been paid so what have got in the ways of supervision and income?" asked Autumn

"Two of my friends live next door and they are rarely out of their house for more than an hour and as for the income" trailed off Derpy

"I shall be sharing my income with her" said Doctor Hooves

"Amongst other things" suggested Autumn "Well Ms Doo I can see you're in capable Hooves"

Derpy laughed a bit at the pun "So you mean I can keep Dinky"

"Yes" said Autumn before she was wrapped in a crushing hug by the ecstatic grey mare

The three ponies sat and talked for hours sipping cocoa until Autumn had to go, leaving Doctor Hooves and Derpy alone.

***
The two thought that they may finally get a moment together but just as Derpy was about to ask if the Doctor would like more cocoa she saw the clock.

"I'm a terrible mother" said Derpy

"What do you mean?" asked Doctor Hooves

"You see the time?" asked Derpy

"Yes" replied the Doctor

"School ended twenty minutes ago" stated Derpy

"Oh" said the Doctor

Derpy galloped to the door and pulled it open to find a small pale-purple filly standing on the other side with her hoof raised.

"Dinky! how did you get home?" spluttered Derpy

"I walked, how else?" said Dinky

"Alone!" gasped Derpy

Dinky walked into the house "I'm old enough to walk home myself, mom. Why's the dentist here?" asked Dinky pointing at the Doctor

"He... he is" stuttered Derpy

"Is he your coltfriend?" asked Dinky

"Dinky!" gasped Derpy shocked that she had grasped that so easily

"What I'm old enough to know about coltfriends and special some ponies" said Dinky

"Well aren't you the oldest and wisest pony in all the land" joked the Doctor

"But are you too old to play with your mom" said Derpy before she picked up Dinky and put her on her head

"HA HA you silly pony you have made a fatal mistake" cackled the crazed scientist Dinkelstien For now I have control of your BRAIN"

"NOOOOOO MY BRAIN" called the unfortunate victim of Dinkelstien's experiments

"Halt evil doer" called the Doctor

"HA HA why should I there is nothing you can do to stop me!" pronounced Dinkelstien

"I can release my secret weapon" threatened the Doctor before he swooped in and poached Dinkelstien from the head of her victim

"You fool once the connection is made it can be maintained remotely" gloated Dinkelstien

"But now you are vulnerable" said the Doctor before he unleashed his secret weapon; a wave of tickles!

Dinky squealed and laughed for a few minutes as the Doctor tickled her silly until finally he stopped and Dinkelstien proclaimed "I hath been vanquished"

No realized from her enslavement the unfortunate victim ran to her savior and embraced crying "Thank you brave doctor for saving me"

The two ponies hugged each other for a few moments before the felt a third body pressing against them. They both dropped a foreleg and pulled her in tight. Dinky smiled as she was pressed into the grey and brown fur. She'd got her wish.

She had her dad.

Chapter 6

Many months later
Dinky opened her eyes and looked up at the window in her room to see a thick pile of snow and the window sill. Today was the day. Dinky burst from her bed and ran down the hall. She opened the door to her mom and dad's room and leapt onto their bed.

"IT'S HEARTH'S WARMING! IT'S HEARTH'S WARMING" cheered Dinky loudly as she bounced up and down on her parent's bed
Derpy and the Doctor awoke with a start to find the most adorable filly in Equestria bouncing on their bed wearing the biggest smile she could manage and with sparkles in her eyes.

"Yes I suppose it is" said the Doctor as he crawled out of bed

"And why does that make you so happy, do you think you’re getting presents?" asked Derpy with a sly grin

"I'm excited because I get to spend the whole day with my family" said Dinky before she realized exactly what her mom had just said and she stopped bouncing "I am getting presents aren't I"

Dinky pouted and put on the largest pair of puppy eyes she could.

"Oh no, not the stare" gasped Derpy before grasping at her heart with her hooves "HHNNNNNNNNNNNG"

"Now show me the presents" said Dinky

"That's enough" said the Doctor as he picked Dinky up "You shall receive an as yet unspecified number of presents later"

"Hey unspecified number includes zero" whined Dinky

"Really" pretend gasped the Doctor

The Doctor took Dinky down stairs and after a few minutes Derpy followed them down. Wreathes of holly and reals of tinsel hung from the walls and seasonal pillows and blankets on the couch and chairs.

Derpy smiled as she saw Dinky hopping in circles around the Doctor repeating "Tell me, tell me, tell me" while the Doctor rubbed his eyes and yawned

Derpy walked toward the door and picked her winter mail mare's cap with ear flaps and her scarf which was grey and yellow with poufy muffin shaped poms on the end. Derpy suddenly felt a weight on her leg and looked down to find Dinky holding on to her and the Doctor standing next to her.

"Why do you have to go?" asked Dinky

As it turns out the wages of one of two dentists in a small village didn't go too far in a family of three so Derpy still needed to do some extra work at the post office every now and then and working the Hearth's warming shift was a one hour job that paid triple time.
Derpy didn't want to tell Dinky all that so instead she just said "I have to"

"Can I come" begged Dinky "Pleeeeeeeeeeeease"

"Fine, but put some warm clothes on" said Derpy after getting a shrug from the Doctor

"Yaaaaaay" cheered Dinky before running to her room to get dressed

"Well I guess I'll see you in an hour" said Doctor Hooves "Mrs Hooves"

Derpy let out a small giggle; they had been married two months but Derpy still got all tingly inside whenever someone called her Mrs Derpy Hooves "You'll be alright for an hour?"

"Besides the fact that the world is that much less wonderful when I'm not with you I think I'll live" said the Doctor

The Doctor leaned in and kissed his wife. A few moment later Dinky came galloping down the stairs with purple boots and a purple snow cape on, a purple and grey scarf with yellow poms on the end and a beanie of the same colors.

"Ready" pronounced Dinky

"You be good now" said the Doctor as he kissed Dinky on the forehead

Derpy kneeled down to let Dinky onto her back and once she was in place they stepped out into the world. Ponyville was beautiful in the winter in the winter; the snow on the houses made them look like sugar coated gingerbread houses and the glimmering snow falling from the sky gave it a dream like quality.

"Are you ready Muffin?" asked Derpy

"Yeah" answered Dinky

Dinky wrapped her forelegs around her mom's neck and nestled her head into her mom's mane. Derpy raised her wings and brought them down as she leapt into the air and took flight. Dinky loved flying with her mom; she saw the world from high up in the air, she could feel the wind rushing through her hair, she could smell the scent of muffins in her mom's hair and feel her mom’s heart beating beneath her. Derpy circled ponyville for a few minutes, enjoying the calm serenity of an empty sky and the comforting warmth of Dinky on her back.

Derpy eventually set down in front of the Post Office and produced a key from under her cap. Once they were inside Derpy picked up the mail bag that had been packed for her and went back outside. Derpy looked at the first letter inside to see where she was going and was surprised to find it was addressed to her, It read:

Dear Ditzy

Happy Hearth's Warming and many happy returns

-Post Haste, Mr Zippy, Mr Mailard

Derpy smiled and tucked the letter under her cap, it was soon joined by the key once Derpy had locked up. Derpy checked the address of the next letter and once Dinky was safely on her back they set off.

***
Golden Harvest was disturbed from her sleep by a knock on the door. She walked to the door and opened it to find Derpy Hooves the mail mare standing in front of her and lying on top of her cap was the little filly Dinky Hooves in her beanie and boots.

"HAPPY HEARTH'S WARMING!" cheered Dinky

"D’aaaaaw" said Golden before taking the offered letter "Thanks Ditzy and congratulations on the new husband"

The two Hooves’ waved goodbye and set off again. The rest of the mail route went very similarly until eventually they were done.

"Hey mom, can I ride in the mailbag?" asked Dinky

"Sure little muffin" said Derpy so Dinky promptly dropped from Derpy's back into the open mailbag

Dinky landed with a small squeak that caused Derpy to giggle and the two set off for home.

***
"MAIL CALL" came a call from the door

Doctor Hooves ran from his prone position on the couch and opened the door.

"Mail call sir, one adorable muffin" said Derpy as she scooped Dinky out of her bag.

"I'm a muffin, RAAAAR" roared the pony eating muffin Dinky Hooves

The three ponies began to laugh as they went inside.

"So, What do you want to do now?" Derpy asked Dinky

"MUFFIN TIME" cheered Dinky

Dinky took off her cape, boots and her beanie and put them upstairs before joining her parents in the kitchen. The Doctor began greasing the pan while Dinky fetched ingredients and Derpy began putting them together to make the batter. Soon enough they had a baker's dozen muffins in the oven. With the muffins baking the three of them went back into the lounge.

"Hey mom, what's your favorite kind of muffin?" asked Dinky as she settled on the couch

"You" said Derpy as she booped Dinky on the nose, which caused her to giggle, and tucked her under her wing.

Any further conversation was interrupted by a knock from the door. The Doctor went and answered the door.

"Amethyst it's good to see you" greeted the Doctor

"It's nice to see you too" replied Amethyst

Amethyst walked in hovering a presents behind her.

"PRESENTS!" screamed Dinky as a huge smile broke out on her face

"Well it looks like someone remembered" said Derpy

Derpy and the Doctor disappeared up the stairs for a few minutes leaving Amethyst alone with Dinky.

"Hi Amy" greeted Dinky

"Hey Dinky" returned Amethyst pulling Dinky into a hug "How have you been?"

"I'm great" cheered Dinky "Look what I can do"

Dinky turned to the couch and began to focus as hard as she could and after a few seconds the couch was enveloped in an amber field and lifted a few hooves of the floor. It only lasted for a few moments though.

"Did you see? Did you see?" asked Dinky

"Yeah that was amazing!" cheered Amethyst as she clapped her hooves together

Derpy and the Doctor returned each laden with a few presents.

"So who wants to open theirs first?" asked the Doctor

"I DO, I DO" called Dinky

"Now Dinky, I think we should let Amethyst go first, she is our guest" said Derpy

Dinky pouted while Derpy and the Doctor each pushed a present towards Amethyst. She picked up Derpy's one first and found inside picture of Derpy with Amethyst when she was just a filly as the came to the finish of a roller coaster at a fair they'd gone to for Amy's sixth birthday. Next she picked up the one from the Doctor; it was a scrap book with pictures from locations all over Equestria.

"I heard you like to travel and I've been to a few places" said the Doctor

"Thanks... Dad" said Amethyst

There was a moment of total silence which was broken by Dinky asking "Can I open mine now"

"Sure" sighed Derpy

Three presents were pushed towards Dinky and she opened them to find:

From the Doctor: A new set of saddle bags

From Derpy: a hoof knitted scarf

From Amethyst: a crystal version of Dinky's cutie mark

Dinky immediately swapped her scarf for her new one and began staring and her crystal statue. She held it up in front of her face so she could see the fire in the hearth through it.

"Cool" whispered Dinky

Then Mr and Mrs Hooves exchanged their gifts. He got her a set of fluffy yellow socks and she got him coat with his cutie mark on the hem. As the happy couple was about to kiss they were interrupted by a ringing from the kitchen.

"THE MUFFINS" cheered Dinky

Derpy got up and in a few moments returned with a bowl full of muffins and a monopony box and there was much rejoicing. The Hooves family played for hours eventually Amethyst won.

"I am the richest pony in all of Equestria" proclaimed Amethyst

"Dad why did you sell her Canterlot Castle?" whined Dinky

"I needed the money" said Doctor Hooves

"At least you came second" said Derpy who had been the bank

"I barely made it ten trips around the board" said the Doctor

"Well since you won here's the last muffin" said Derpy holding the last muffin

Amethyst picked it up with her magic and split it in half "You want some Dinky?"

The question had barely left Amethyst's lips when one part of the muffin had disappeared into the black hole that was Dinky's mouth.

"All right Dinky it's getting late, time for bed" said Derpy

"Aaaaw" whined Dinky

"No argument" said Derpy as she picked up Dinky

They went upstairs and entered Dinky's room where Derpy set Dinky down on her bed and tucked her in.

"Hey mom" said Dinky

"Yes muffin" said Derpy

"You know how dad used to hit you" said Dinky

Derpy was completely thrown by the question and couldn't muster any kind of response.

"Why didn't you ever hit him back?" asked Dinky

Derpy took a moment to think about the question before responding with "Sometimes ponies just... don't do what other ponies think it would be natural for them to do, I just never thought about it"

"That night that Amethyst hit you, you said she was just like dad" said Dinky "Were you worried that I was like dad when it hit Diamond at school?"

"No, no I didn't" assured Derpy

"How?" asked Dinky

"You're cutie mark; it's just like mine except with a bubble wand as well to show that you're magic" said Derpy as she hugged Dinky "You are going to grow up to be a wonderful, kind and considerate mare and you're going to do great things"

"How do you know?" said Dinky

"Because you're my little muffin and I will always be here for you to make sure you turn out alright" said Derpy

Dinky's eyes began to close, she said "I don't want to grow up if it means I'll end up hurting you"

Derpy just cradled Dinky's head and said "Hush now, time for sleep" as she stroked her mane and began to tear up

"I love you mom" said Dinky

"I love you too Dinky" said Derpy

Dinky drifted off to sleep so Derpy picked up her doll from the dresser and even in her sleep Dinky grabbed it and held it tight. No matter how much she would grow up she would always be Derpy's little muffin.

***
"So, dad, how have things been?" asked Amethyst as Derpy took Dinky up to bed

"Things have been... wonderful" said the Doctor as he stroked the edge of his new coat

"Mom seems really happy" said Amethyst

"Yeah, that photo must have meant a lot to your mother, what's it about?" asked the Doctor

"That day wasn't really important, she was just reminding me that once upon a time we could just be together and things would feel better" said Amethyst "She's just saying that she still loves me"

"That's good, so why do you seem so glum?" asked the Doctor

"It's just... never mind" said Amethyst

"You can talk to me Amethyst, like it or not I am your father now, I want to be able to talk to you" pleaded the Doctor

"It's just, why does Dinky get the nice home, happy mom and caring dad, what did I do to not deserve it?" sobbed Amethyst

"Sometimes life just deals you a bad hoof, but I want you to know I meant it when I said that I was your father now, if you ever need me I'll be here for you and I know for a fact that part of the reason that your mother is so happy is because you've been around" said the Doctor

"Really?" said Amethyst

"You're her daughter too and no matter what you'll always be welcome here and we'll always be your family" said the Doctor

Amethyst walked over to were the Doctor was sitting and gave him a hug "Thanks dad"

***
Derpy walked down the stairs to find her husband and her daughter in a tearful hug.

"Now this is the best Hearth's Warming present I've ever gotten" said Derpy

Amethyst and the Doctor looked up and smiled at Derpy.

"All right time for bed" said Derpy

"Where am I sleeping?" asked Amethyst

"Well you could either sleep in the guest bedroom or you could sleep in the bed I set up in Dinky's room" offered Derpy

"Dinky's room" said Amethyst

Derpy smiled and the two of the went into to Dinky's room. They both stopped to watch Dinky sleep for a moment, captivated by the adorableness of a sleeping smiling filly holding on to her doll like her life depended on it.

Amethyst climbed into the collapsible bed but before she went to sleep she asked her mom with a sheepish grin "Could you, ummm" as she looked over at Dinky

Derpy was confused for a moment but then the understanding dawned on her and she smiled. She stood beside the bed and tucked Amethyst in before giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"I love you Amy" said Derpy

Derpy was about to stand up when she was pulled back into a crushing hug "I love you too mom" said Amethyst

Derpy smiled and hugged her daughter back. When the two finally let go and said their goodnights Derpy left the room, closing the door quietly. As Derpy turned around she found the Doctor standing by her smiling warmly.

"That was sweet" said the Doctor

"I guess Hearth's Warming brings out the foals in us all" said Derpy as she pecked the Doctor on the cheek

The couple walked to their room and got into bed.

"So you and Amethyst sorted everything out?" asked Derpy as she lay back in bed

"Yep, now we're one big happy family" said the Doctor as he turned to look into his wife's eyes "You're the most beautiful mare in Equestria, you know that?"

Derpy giggled before giving her husband a long kiss "Happy Hearth's Warming Mr Doctor Hooves"

"Happy Hearth's Warming Mrs Derpy Hooves" said the Doctor

Derpy and the Doctor held each other close as they looked into each other's eyes and slowly fell asleep.

The End