As I quietly unlock the front door and let myself into my home, I try to restrain my sigh of relief for the chance to get some sleep after long hard day at work. With one gentle hoof after another pressing on the carpet floor, I weave my way round the front door and into the front hall. Making sure I am clear of any furniture, I use my magic to shut the front door behind me, as quietly as I opened it, making sure I lock just as quietly too.
Success. But, it isn't over yet. Now the troubling part comes - the stairs.
Oh by Celestia, I hate it when I have to climb these stairs. Why? Simply, because that one simple heavy hoof step might wake the little one up. Nevertheless, I must get to the top if I want to enjoy the blissful sleep and release this sigh.
Fortunately, many late night returns have given me the experience of traversing these stairs with silent ease. As I begin my stealthy technique up the stairway, I am reminded of the conversation I had with my colleagues earlier this evening.
We were enjoying our evening break. To say the shift was daunting for us all, would a gross understatement. We were all grateful just sit on our flanks in the staff room and enjoy the ten minutes of peace. There were about six of us on call for the night shift, all of us sat round a small table enjoying glasses of cold water. Enjoying the first drink we had for hours, it was a small chance to unwind that we all took advantage of.
I used the chance to plop my head on the table and take a quick nap. Hey, work thirteen hour shifts as a kitchen porter does that to you. Before I had the chance to close my eyes and rest, I was interrupted by one of my friends nudging me with a hard hoof.
"Don't nod off yet, Night Light," my colleague said to me, "we still got three hours to go." I couldn't be bothered to open my eyes but I didn't want to be rude by ignoring him so I just grumbled for a second.
"Let him rest for a minute," another colleague of mine said, "being a young dad is hard an' all, but he's been working to the bone." I was grateful for the defence, that was for sure, but I wanted to rest so I just smiled. The first one who spoke wasn't done talking to me.
"Tell me something though, Night Light," the first one spoke, "as a colt who isn't looking to be in hooves for some time, is it worth it? Being a young dad and all that?"
As he finished the question, I replied with a content nod. This wasn't the first time I have been asked this question, but each time I reply with a content nod. It wasn't something that I gave much thought every time they asked me. I was happy telling them I am a dad, and that's all there is to it.
As I reach the top of the stairs and look down the hall to my left, I can't help but give the same question more thought. At the end of the hall, behind the door with a blue star on it - is my son, sleeping peacefully. I know I should be looking to the right where my room is and head straight to bed and enjoy it some sleep. But I feel at a crossroads.
The one thing stopping me from moving is the thought of that same pestering question - 'Is it worth it?'
For the first time in a long while, I feel stumped, because... I don't have an answer...
It's scary... To be questioning all this...
.....
I am literally at a loss for words...
I can't do anything but stare at the bedroom to my son's door. My son...
Has it really been all worth it? All the long hours I spent getting bits, playing along with the annoying jokes at work, breaking my back just to get the job done because somepony's at work are too lazy to get it done themselves. Then coming home to bills to pay, domestic squabbles over nothing with other half, getting barely any relaxation...
Is it really all worth it?
Without realising it, I am standing outside my son's bedroom door. Taking one last look over my shoulder, I consider heading straight to my own bed and getting some rest for tomorrow mornings shift. But... I feel compelled to open this door...
Now all I want do - is see my son.
Using my magic, I ever so gently turn the handle to the door, using all of my will to be as quiet as I was when I went through the front door. As it opens and I sneak my way into the bedroom like a mouse, I look to the left side of the room where I see the white cot being made visible by the small light the moon seeps into my son's bedroom. Taking small, quiet hoof steps I reach the side of the cot, still being plagued by that question that brought me here.
As I look down, I can feel my heart warm up a little at the sight of the sleeping form of a little white unicorn colt, with blue hair, wrapped up in a nice warm blanket, laying on his side, complete with a smile that could make even the most hardened soul become soft as a feather.
My son - Shining Armour.
You are a little terror, you know that, son. Making us run around all the time, feeding you, changing you, calming you down when you're upset, washing you and spending every day giving us, your mother more so than me, three stinky nappies to clean.
You sure know how to wear a stallion out that's for sure.
But...
The more I look at you, possibly dreaming of what kind of chocolate you will receive next, the warmer I feel inside.
Your mother and I will surely tell you when your older, you drove us nuts.
We will also tell you this as well, watching you crawl, giggle at the silliest of things, learn new things, taking you places and most importantly seeing that lovely little smile of yours when your happy, is enough to make us forget about all that bad stuff. Even just for a moment. Because... seeing you happy, is honestly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I know now, more than ever, it is most definitely-- Hm?
Uh oh, you're stirring. Not good.
You seem to be reaching out for something....
Oh, where is that comfort blanket you love, the bunny one? Ah, there it is. I see it on the other side of the room and I use my magic to levitate over and gently place it in your arms.
I watch as you wrap your hooves around it and bring it closer to you, it seems to calm you down and...
And...
There it is. That smile.
That lovely little smile of yours that makes me feel fuzzy every time I see it. I best leave you to sleep, my little soldier, sorry for disturbing you. Know that your mother and I, will always love you.
I sneak back out into the hallway and gentle close the door. My limbs tell me to head to my own bed now and I couldn't agree more. I see that my bedroom door, on the end of the hall, is open slightly. My Velvet must have gone to the bathroom or something.
As I walk onto the bedroom and stand by my side of the bed, I really feel no point to lift the covers up and climb in, so I just climb onto my side of the double bed and lay on my right side, resting my heavy head on that big fluffy and contently close my eyes.
"Was wondering what took you so long," my wife said to me as I can hear her coming back into the bedroom, "is everything alright?"
"Yeah," I replied without making a move, "I just wanted to see Shining, that's all."
I feel the quilt beneath move as she gets in on her side, "Is he sleeping okay?" she asks with concern, bless her.
"Of course." I tell her happily.
A few moments pass before I reach out and place loving hoof on her hoof, "It's worth it, you know?"
"Yes it is." I hear her reply lovingly before she gives me a soft kiss on the lips before we both drift off to sleep.
THE END
Author's Note
This a small story I really wanted to do, a small tribute to my other half and child. I know that, as a father, it is really trying at times but as I said in the story, when your little one has that smile on their face - it is well and truly one of the most rewarding feelings of joy you will feel as a parent.
I doubt you will ever read this, beautiful, but if you do - know that I love you and our little cherub - always and forever.