The Sweetest Thing

Being a father is many things. It is rewarding, incredible, amazing, and one of the best experiences a stallion can have. One thing it is not, however, is easy, and Gold Soul learned that the hard way. He spent a good part of his days at home now, tending to his sweet little baby, but that entailed many things that nopony had told him about. At the present moment, it entailed running to the herb garden with a wailing changeling infant on his back, so he could get one of the special flowers that fed little Sweetheart's voracious appetite. He bent over tiredly as he magically uprooted the plant, levitating it up to the hungry baby's mouth. He sighed as the tiny changeling sucked the magical plant's love out to enjoy. Gold sat down with the little one on his lap as he stroked the baby's hair gently.

"I swear, one of these days you're going to kill me from sheer exhaustion." he said. He flopped down onto the grass, spreading his majestic wings onto the ground. In his countless years living upon this great green world, he had never felt such exhaustion and stress as he had since he became a father. Suddenly, he felt something press against his chest.

"What the?..." Gold said as he looked down. He smiled as he saw his precious little son crawling up his chest, cooing gently.

"Oh, hey little guy. Done with your snack?" he said, stroking his son's back gently. He smiled as his tiny hoof touched his cheek, then gasped as his little boy did the last thing he expected.

"Dada!" he said, smiling as he spoke his first word. Gold smiled wide as he held his tiny, precious little boy close to him.

"Yes, that's right, Sweetie. 'Dada'."