"Mom, who is Blueberry Punch?" Ruby asked me innocently.
"What?" I was a little shocked, put down the gin bottle in my hoof. I never mentioned her this distant relatives, and how did she know?
"Who is Blueberry Punch? She seems very familiar to you." Ruby stared at me curiously, it seems she can read the answer to this question from my face.
"Where did you know that name?" I drank a mouthful of gin, looked at her sternly.
"She sent a letter to you!" She closed her eyes, use her magic effortlessly to put a thick letter on the table from behind. I put the bottle and pushed it to the side, carefully identify the above words.
Blue ......Berry .... Punch
These three words is enough to remind me some memories I didn't want to recall: I was born in a unicorn family in Manehattan. In our home, I was the only ordinary earth pony, no beautiful horn, no magic spells, the only thing I inherited unicorn feature is their weak body. Since childhood, my brothers and sisters often exclude me, to get me to open all kinds of jokes, that I was a disgrace the Punch family, Blueberry Punch is one of them. Although parents took good cares of me, but I still think the heart is very upset. I always want to prove them that I was the same as they are, even greater than any of them, so I ran into the father's secret wine cellar, you want to rely on their own strength lest our family's most famous berry punch. However, without the help of magic, I can not control so much of valves and distiller, cellar exploded, also destroyed all of my father's masterpieces. But this time, whole family did not blame me, even my brothers and sisters are also comforted me, saying that was nothing as long as I was still alive. But I wouldn't didn't listen to them, I think these are for losers mercy. So, when the whole family together in rebuilding the cellar, I left a note and left home. In my wandering time, I gradually developed a drinking habit, that is, at this time, I was pregnant with Ruby. I do not know who her father is, I do not want to know, just a passing bale. On the day that Ruby was about to be born, I went to ponyville, where ponies accepted me friendly, and help me through the most painful period of my life. Ruby's birth and ponies' enthusiasm dispersed my inner haze, I decided to settle here, and trying to forget the dark past. But this letter put all these memories come to me.
"Oh, nothing, it is estimated that she sent the wrong address." I folded up the letter, stuffed the envelope back, "Can you help me take it to the post office? Sure there are other ponies are waiting for this."
" No, mom, it is no mistake! your name on it!" Ruby went to my side, trying to use her magic to put the letter up, made the address side to me, "You see, you see, right there!"
" I said, it sent to the wrong pony!" I patted the table," get it back, return to the pony who sent it, I don't want to see her!"
"But ......"
"Do as I say!" I stared at her sternly.
" OK. Mom." the letter fell to the ground, Ruby picked it up wiht her mouth, slowly walked out of the kitchen.
"Hey, Berry! I saw Ruby was not in a good mod today, did you blame her?"
I met Colgate at Apple Jack stalls. She looked very pretty today, purple wool hat, a pink scarf with curlicue "R" logo, and she also wearing a purple cotton saddle. The Hearth Warming Eve is coming, ponyvile is filled with festive atmosphere, and even Apple Jack's apple pie are tied with a red ribbon.
"Nah, just let her send a wrong letter back to the post office," I smiled.
"Is it? I've never seen Derpy send letters wrong." Colgate smelled a Apple Crisp, "how much is this?"
"Two bits, Miss!" Apple Jack said with a smile.
"Yeah, I find it very strange." I looked at her paid, then lure the horse looked very few apple crisp saddle bag packed with magic inside.
"To be honest, you need to treat her a little better." Colgate put a hoof on my shoulder, "I rarely see her laugh, sometimes I have a little worried for her, and I rarely see her play with other foal. "
"Thank you for your concern, Colgate." I replied, "She is just like other foals, maybe that's because of her magic. When she grew up she will find a friend, just like me."
"You know, Berry?" Colgate smile faded a little, "Actually, I do not want her to repeat your mistakes. I was not particularly aware of the feelings as a mother, but the mother should give their children the best , is not it? "
Her words made me slightly touched. Indeed, because Ruby is a unicorn, but not like I was an ordinary earth pony, so I'm always very strict about her. When I see she tried to use magic instead of hoof and mouth to pick up something for the first time, I am a little bit disappointed. Not because I have any prejudice against the Unicorn, but could not help but think of the past painful memories.
"Yeah ......" I turned my head, not to look at her eyes, "but I sometimes do not know how to do. She rarely honestly do as I say, I have to keep a straight face to ordered her to, then she would listen to me. I do not want this, but she makes me no choice. "
"In fact, there are still many choices." Colgate said, "Do you remember Sweetie Belle and Rarity? They are now just together like a apple pie! You should also learn to give in, think again, when you are about her age, when did you honestly heard the words of your parents? "
"Let's change the subject, okay?" She touched my least favorite part mentioned, "Besides, Rarity and Sweetie Belle are sisters, and they do not like us."
"Well, if you say so." Colgate said to have gone to the front tip of the stalls turnip, "Anyway, I want her to be happy, after all she was just a little filly, right?"
I sighed, "Yeah ......" I whispered.
"Mom, are you sure that letter was sent to the wrong pony?"
In the evening, I prepared dinner as usual. Generally this time, Ruby always in her room quietly practice magic from a thick book of all kind of spells, but today, she bothered me with that letter, again.
"Sure," I put down the spoon, turned to look at her, "I never knew who is Blueberry Punch. Now, why do not you go back to your room and practice the sparkles of your useless magic? Dinner is not ready yet. "
"But, the letter said, she is your sister!" She shocked, "how you do not know your sister? And, the letter said, they would very much like you to come back, come back home and spend the Hearth Warming Eve together! is it true? in other words, I have some......some cousins that I do not know? "
"Enough, Ruby!" I stoped her before more crazy ideas come up, "I said I did not know her, and that the letter was sent to the wrong pony, and I do not want to repeat, do you understand? "
"But, the letter said you will probably act like this, say that you do not know her, and may throw the letter directly into the fire." She took that letter out from behind, "You see, right there , and she said she was sorry. "
I was shocked, "Why is it still here? I do not let you take it back yet?"
"Just ...... I think you need it." Her voice trailed deep down, the whole body is about to lie on the ground, only eyes still looked up my face.
I should ordered her to throw it away, but think of Colgate said to me during the day, I decided not to be so harsh well, "Listen, Ruby. I'm sorry I lied to you, I really know them, but I do not want to see them again, for me, they are like strange ponies. Just throw that letter away, anywhere, I really do not want to see it. "
"So, she is our relatives?" Ruby stretches the body, the tone has become more intense, "But you told me that we do not have relatives!"
I suddenly felt speechless. I told her something about them when she was two, I never thought she would remember. "Ruby, go back to your room, I'll call you when dinner is ready ." I told her gently.
"No, I am not going anywhere!" she directly staring in my eye, "Where is daddy? You have said I do not have father, but now I do not believe this is true!"
"Ruby!" I snapped, "Go to your room, now!"
"No, I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!" She sat down on the floor, "I want to know the truth! Others foals has a complete family, why did not I? You know we have other relatives but why you never let me know? "
"ENOUGH! Tonight you go overboard, Missy!" I quickly walked up to her and picked her up with my mouth, "you are grounded for one week, I hope you able to reflect on your own words and deeds! "
"No! You did not tell me anything yet!" When I went upstairs she continued to struggle, "I want Daddy! I want a family! I do not want to stuck with a drunken mommy any longer!"
This sentence angered me, I opened her door, threw her into her room with all my strength. "Congratulations, Missy, dinner tonight is canceled, I hope you sleep well!" I slammed the door and locked it with key. She seemed to said something, but I did not hear, I slowly walked back to the kitchen, despite the sight blurred little by little.
I was drunk.
The first time, I feel drunk can be very uncomfortable.
I put the empty bottle on the floor. On the table in front of the stalls full of stationery, my nearest one has already been soaked with tears.
...... Do you know why your father called you Berry Punch? He thinks you're special. In fact, you are the most special pony in our family, and the most valuable one. Although you don't have a horn, but you can get things done perfectly, even hard for unicorns. Berry, I am really sorry for the past. We do not intend to bully you, we were just out of ignorance, do not realize that as a family of one, we should give each other love. You know what? Since you left, father has been looking for you everywhere, he tried everything possible, and even closed the distillery, only to find your trail. Mom prayed every day, hoped everything will be fine. When he learned that you were settled in ponyville, and had a beautiful daughter, you don't know how happy we were! Honestly, since my brother married, this is the first time I saw father smile. I know you must still some prejudice against us, so I decided to give you this letter, I hope you can forgive us. Come back home, Berry.
I put my hoof on Blueberry's sign, seemed to be able to contact her through the letter. Ruby dropped the letter in the kitchen, I should have thrown the letter directly into the fire, but I decided to take a look at Blueberry really want to say something to me. In fact, I think, after so many years, they should find me, but I did not expect that, after I got into so much trouble, they still welcomed me, as a member of the family, they still accepted me. I buried my face in double hoof, and let the tears flow through the cheek. I'm sorry, Ruby, because of my wayward, I let you birth orphaned.
But never again.
"Mom, where are we going?"
The Hearth Warming Day, We went on the train to Manehattan. I do not know if they still live there, this letter is not sent over from Manehattan's post office, but at least I can try to find them, as they have been looking for me all these years.
"Soon you will know, Ruby." I tried to gently say to her.
She did not say anything, just quietly looking out the window. Ever since that day her violently locked in her room, I never heard her practice magic, she becomes more obedient, but also more silent. I could not help but feel a bit guilty, I hope all of this can be compensated for my mistakes, my dear.
"Hey, Berry! You're going to Manehattan?"
Colgate came from the compartment door, remove the saddle bag with magic, sitting next to me. To be honest, I did not expect to meet her! I laughed, "Hey, what a coincidence! you do not join Pinkie Pie's Hearth Warming party?"
"No, I heard my sister settled down in Manehattan, she invited me to have The Hearth Warming Eve together," she took off the scarf, "she was married to a very handsome stallion! He's name is ...... anyway, a big family! I think it should be very interesting. "
"Well, you do not know them," I feel a little surprised, "spend The Hearth Warming Eve with some unfamiliar ponies, do not you feel lonely?"
"Nope, we are all ponies. Well, maybe thousands of years ago, we were just under the same tree!" She laughed, "Besides, The Hearth Warming Eve symbolize friendship and solidarity. By the way, what are you going to do ? "
"We ......" I caught a glimpse of Ruby was looking at us, seemed to want to know the purpose of this trip. However, I wanted to give her a surprise, "It's a secret!" I whispered to Colgate.
"Oh, I see," Colgate suddenly face a "I spy with my little eye, I like to play this game!"
"Uh, if you say so ......" I looked Colgate clapped her hooves just like a filly.
I thought we and Colgate separated after got off the train, in fact, we are still together in walked to my home. At least, it used to be my home. I was glad she stayed with us, but I still felt a little strange.
"Where are you sister live?" I asked her curiously.
"Bloomington Street, the biggest one manor." She looked at the corner of the road signs, "very strange names, isn't it?"
Bloomington Street ...... That's where we were going, I thought I understand something, but then Ruby gently touched my foreleg.
"Mom, I'm tired." She leaned on me, "How far is that away from us?"
"Far away, Ruby, far away." My lowered my body to let her to ride on my back, "You'll love that place, there are lots of hot pie, many foals just like you, you can play hide and seek in that big house with them. "
"Wow!" She shouted excitedly, seemed about to regain her strength, "Let's go quickly, I can not wait to make some new friends!"
Colgate laughed, rubbing Ruby's mane with her forehoof, "You said you were tired, right little guy?"
"No! Give me an apple pie, I can play all day!" Ruby's cold forehooves around my neck tightly, she could not help but sneezed.
"I think a good cup of hot milk will help," I laughed, "Hold on tight, Ruby, let's gallopping!" I raised my foreleg, and then start to ran. Colgate seemed to say something, but I already left her far behind.
Finally, I stood in front of my home.
I wanted to open the gates with my hoof, but I hesitated. I left so many years, the house has become larger and more impressive, and for me, it becomes more unfamiliar. Although I saw the inscription on the door of our family surname on the frozen brand, but I'm still not so sure, after so many years, was my family still live in here?
"I said, wait......for......me......" Colgate breathing heavily caught up, "God, I have never seen you run so fast."
"Earth ponies' natural instincts." I just turned to her and smiled, then again focused attention on the front of the house.
"Hey, wait ......" She also saw the sign on the door, "You do not want to come here, right?"
"Yes." I put my hoof on the door again, but still, I did not open it, "It just, I do not know if the ponies I'm looking for is still living in here."
"This is exactly where I want to come!" Colgate said excitedly, "Punch family, how could I forget about this? You're a member of Punch family! This is great!"
Before I could say anything, she stretched out to open the door, and walked into the courtyard in front of the house. "Hey, why do you still standing there? Come on, Ruby is unable to hold herself back."
Indeed, exposed than the two front feet resting on my head craned forward looking. Although I was hesitant, but I was taken by my legs, little by little, directly to the door.
"Ding dong ~ ~"
I was not sure if I was ready to see my parents, or my brothers and sisters. But when the door opened, I felt tears blurred my sight.
That was Blueberry.
She smiled at Colgate, but when she saw me, her smile disappeared, her bright blue eyes slowly filled with tears.
"Hey, Blueberry." I took a step forward.
Did not say anything, she directly threw herself on me, forehooves tightly around my neck. I feel like I could not restrain myself, I hold her snow-white body in the same way, could not stop the tears fall.
"Over so, so many years, we all thought you were dead!" She cried, "When we knew you live in ponyville, we could not believe it was true, Champagne want to go directly to there, but I think this is not good, so I plan to write a letter to you, but ...... "
"I am back." I interrupted her, gently stroking her sea-blue mane, "but, could you let me in first? I need a cup of hot milk for Ruby to warm up. "
"Blueberry? Why do not come back? Crest's sister, right? Get her into the house, the outside is frozen!"
Ruby had already jumped off from my back, ran into the house, Colgate also followed her inside. But I did not move, the familiar voice, though it sounds old, but for me, is still so kind.
"Get inside it, mother will be very happy to see you." Blueberry let go of my neck, wipe the tears with her forehoof.
"Listen, Blueberry. I'm really sorry," I let go of her, too, but still put a forehoof on her shoulder, "I'm too headstrong, which led you find me for so long. To be honest, I ...... "
"You have come back, isn't it?" She put a hoof on my lips, interrupted me, "Go, give them a surprise, as did many years ago when the Hearts and Hooves Day."
"Whose foal is this, why is she running around here? What's your name, little filly?"
"My name is Ruby! Wow, you glasses are soooooo big!"
"Does anyone think she looks like Berry Punch?"
"Of course, Berry Punch is my mommy! Mommy said there have apple pie, and hot milk, where they hide? It's a treasure hunt game?"
"Haha, yes, come with me, they are hidden in the kitchen."
The whole family was rather lively because of Ruby. I took a deep breath, suddenly, the taste of home filled every corner of my body. I laughed, ran into the house just like Ruby.
Because I know that I have already got home.
Today, I was drunk again.
But this time, I was drunk happily.
I knew that later, because in the letter Colgate gave to her sister it has mentioned me, so they can know I am living in ponyvill. Colgate’s sister is my brother Champagne’s bride as well.
But it was not important anymore.(But it doesn’t matter?) Hearth Warming Eve, we happily sat together, eating hearty dinner, drinking dad’s new brewed berry punch, singing Hearth Warming Song. Ruby even danced on the table, using magic lifted three candleholders and rotated them as satellites around her, singing nursery rhyme learned in the school at the same time. Though I saw that Champagne, Blueberry and mom’s horn were shining, we all hoof drumming and cheering for her performance.
Colgate also brought us a surprise. Who would have thought that she would carry a record player it? Soon, ponyville-style party atmosphere filled the whole house. We moved table to the corner, and started dancing happily. Ehh, to be honest, there were all sorts of strange things. Dad took Ruby kept circling , Blueberries and mom danced the old two-step dance, Champagne and Crest danced palace-style waltz , I took Orange, the sister two years older than me, I have danced a quickstep which I learned in Apple Roosa. We sang , danced , seems to have forgotten tired. After all, tonight was Hearth Warming Eve!
I have ever felt so happy, this indescribable feeling of happiness . When you're at home , the happiness will fill your heart inadvertently . Although I cannot live here forever, I have my work in Ponyville, I have no regrets . Because I have given my heart to find a home.
"Ruby, what do you want to eat when we back home? "
"Aunty Blueberry’s pie is delightful, mom can you make it? "
"Of course, but I do want to add some ideas of mine. "
"What is it? What is it? "
"It’s a secret~"
We took the train which back to the ponyville, Colgate still eyes closed, using her magic control two toothpaste that Crest gave her as gifts to dancing, it seems still immersed in the Hearth Warming Eve Party. I was lying on the seat, let ruby combing my mane.
Thank you, Ruby.
Outside the window, pure white snow began falling slowly.
Author's Note
This is my first story on this site. Well, my mother tongue isn't English, maybe my description can be a little bit confused. Please accept my apology.
Hope you can enjoy this!
