Spike walked through the marketplace of Ponyville, his home for a few years now. It was an early spring day and whilst a little cold, it was sunny, dry and therefore not too bad for the cold bloodied dragon. Winter had been wrapped up a few weeks ago and the weather team had done a good job at getting the sky perfect for today...a special day for many ponies in Ponyville.
And it was going to be an extra special day for Spike as he had plans...plans to tell a special mare how much she meant to him. Yes he knew that she knew. And everypony else in Ponyville knew. But he had never properly convied his feelings to her before, something always seemed to be in the way. But now he was growing up it was time to change that and today seemed the best day to do so.
But first things first, he had to buy what he needed - it was traditional and she was always following traditions. So it wouldn't be right to turn up empty hoofed, or clawed in his case. Walking along with a bit pouch filled from where he had saved up a few weeks of allowance, he headed to the confectionary section of the market for his first gift. Spike had a look around at the various stalls set up, many of which had already sold their wares to others in what was sure to be one of their busiest days of the year. His stomach rumbled as he eyed up the sugary treats and hoped she at least shared some with him.
He spotted a familiar face amongst the sales ponies and walked over to Sweetie Drop’s stall.
“Hello BonBon, hows things?”
“Good Morning Spike” the beige earth pony yawned in reply.
“You okay?” Spike asked back in concern.
“Oh yes. Lyra was up half the night practising for a big event she's been hired for today. I know she had to practise, but we only got a few hours sleep!”
“Well, I guess todays a big deal for many of the restaurants in town.”
“Yeah, she’s got a good paying job for the day, and of course it’s a busy day for me as well!”
“Well, thats why I’m here” Spike half chuckled and pointed to a reasonable sized box of mixed sweets “Can I have that box please?”
Sweetie Picked up the box and looked at the dragon whelp “Wait, is this for who I think it’s for?”
Spike simply noded in response, the faintest of blushes visible on his face, made even redder when Bon Bon d’aww’d in response. The appropriate amount of bits were fished out of his pouch and the dragon quickly left the scene of his embarrassment. With the box of candies stashed in his bag, he made his way over to the flower section, skipping happily as he did.
Lilly, Daisy and Rose were all stood together behind a massive joint display they had put together for one of their key selling days of the year. There were a number of holes in the display where other ponies had brought the fresh flowers, and now it was Spike’s turn.
The dragon didn't know too much about Flowers or the like, but knew her favorite flower was lilies. He gave a good look over the whole display and saw a beautiful bouquet right in the middle. The dragon reached over to pick it up and he heard three giggles from behind the display.
“Awww Spike.” Rose gushed, causing the dragon to blush again, and the trio of ponies giggling increased more so seeing this. Spike looked at the cost of the bouquet he had picked up and winced...it was double the bits he had, even before he had brought the chocolates. Spike’s face fell. It was the perfect gift for his most beloved of ponies, yet he couldn't afford it.
“What's wrong?” Daisy asked, noting the change in Spike’s mood.
“It’s too expensive” the dragon sighed, replacing the flowers carefully from where he had picked them up from. The trio of ponies all looked at each other.
“It’s okay Spike, we’ll let you have them for whatever you can afford.” Lily spoke kindly towards the dragon
“What? Why?” Spike asked in surprise.
“Well, she’s a very special mare to you isn't she?” the pink earth pony replied.
“Yes, but no, I can pay my own way thank you” Spike replied “Afterall, it’ll mean more if it’s my own bits rather than charity.”
“Of course. Well, I think that she'll like a more simple bouquet properly organised anyway, seems her style.”
“But lillies are her favorite!” Spike replied.
“How much do you have?” Rose asked.
Spike showed the trio his bits, and the three of them got to work putting a simple bouquet with a pair of lilies in the middle. The final product was smaller than the first bouquet, but did seemed to be very much more her style. As Spike exchanged his bits for the flowers, the trio giggled again and cooed about how cute he looked holding them.
With virtually no dignity left, Spike made a hasty retreat from the mares of the market. As he did he spotted a few of his friends but managed to keep a low profile. Afterall, him holding flowers would only lead to questions, and probably more teasing, and he was nervous enough as it was.
Before all too soon Spike found himself stood outside her home. He took a deep breath and entered the familiar building. He, along with a select few of her friends, had an open invitation to enter whenever they wanted. Spike took off his bag, took the candies out, and walked along clutching both gifts.
Seeing nopony around, he called out “Hello?”
“Spike, is that you? I’m upstairs.” she called back.
Spike made his way up the stairs and to the room he expected to find her, where she spent most of her time working away. Just a door separated him from the most important pony in his life. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
As he entered, he saw the pony look up from her desk and note the flowers and candy in his claws. Putting down her work, the light faded from her horn, and she turned to face her visitor, giving him her undivided attention.
“Are those for me?” the pony asked with a mix of nerves and a hint of confusion.
Spike nodded and then gulped. This was it, the moment he had worked up towards all day. Time for the words to be said, words well overdue, four words that will have a meaning of thousands of others.
“Happy mothers day Twilight!”
Twilight Sparkle, defeater of Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sunset Shimmer, Sirens and Tirek had seen a lot in her life. But she never thought she would see the day that her little baby dragon would call her mum. She stood up slowly, careful not to let her emotions affect her balance as they threaten to, and made her way over to her whelp.
"Oh Spike, thank you!"
And much maternal cuddling resulted.
