The life and times of Lafayette Ryder

“Thanks again Spike,” I say to the baby, excuse me, adolescent dragon as I pack Starbright and Thaddeus into their seats in the truck.

“We really appreciate it.” Twilight finishes my sentence for me.

“No prob guys,” Spike replies in a voice that has very recently turned gruff and smoky sounding. “Have fun visiting family, I’ll keep a good eye on the library for ya.” He waves with one hand and with the other scratches his shoulder blades and the new wings that lay just under his scales. His motion causes me to scratch my own shoulders with my free hand. Ever since I turned into a tank in the gardens I’ve had these annoying lumps on my back, I figure my demon wings are folded up under my skin but honestly I’d rather not check. I help Twi into the passenger seat and climb in behind the wheel; we wave to Spike one last time, the boys wave too, and head out for Twilight’s parent’s place in Canterlot commons.

Forty five minutes later, I could have made it in thirty but Twi told me to drive slower since we have the boys in the backseat, we reach Canterlot, another twenty minutes and we find Dazzle and Orion’s house. Twilight runs in to greet her parents while I undo the straps holding Thaddeus and Starbright to their seats. Starbright is able to walk so I let him make his own way up to the front porch where Twi and my In-laws await him, I just carry Thaddeus over. Dazzle nuzzles Starbright and offers him a small salt lick (The shit is like catnip for ponies, they will do anything, and I mean anything for it. I keep a few dozen hidden in our bedroom and use them on Twilight as positive reinforcement.), he takes it and tries to eat it whole. Orion guffaws and tells him to slow down and lick it, ‘There’s a reason it’s called a saltlick.’ He says jokingly. I’ll admit it; he’s much better with kids than I am, patient, calm, not screaming. I frown for a moment as I think about Dulcie, I probably would have been a horrible father for her, the only way of parenting I knew was my father’s way: yell, swear, hit, belt, or lock the kid in a closet for misbehaving. Not a great teacher. I push this unhappy thought out of my mind, I’m not my father, I’m much calmer than I was back on earth, I haven’t yelled at the boys once or even lost my temper with them. I’m a decent father, yeah, yeah I am, just keep saying it and it must be true.

“Son, are you alright?”

Orion’s voice snaps me back to reality.

“Uh, yeah, just fine…dad.” I hesitate at the last word but Orion seems happy to hear me call him that. He pats the seat next to him on the porch.

“Well then come on over her and bring little Thaddeus with you, son.”

I walk over and sit next to him; Twilight takes hold of Thaddeus and walks inside with her mother and Starbright to see Shining and Cadance inside. I look over at Orion nervously. He levitates a pack of smokes and takes one. “Want one?” he offers and I shake my head, as he lights it with his magic the rest of my body shakes too and thoughts of cigarette burns from my childhood make me flinch.

“While I’m thinking of it, why did you name him that? I’m sure it’s a human name but is there any specific reason for it?”

“N…No reason.” I stutter. “Just a name I liked.” He looks at me suspiciously.

“Odd reason to name a child; just because you like the name, is there any reason you like the name so?”

“Well,” I mutter.”It was…*murmur murmur*.”

“What was that, son?” he asks. “I couldn’t quite make it out. Are you sure you’re OK son? You’re sweating something awful but it’s not even very warm out today, mid one twenties I’d say.”

“My father’s,” I choke out the word. “Name was Thaddeus Storm Ryder, I just felt like I should keep some memory of my old man alive even if al it was is his name.”

“You don’t have any other memories of your father?” Orion asks astonished.

“Not any good ones, and sure as hell no happy ones.” I say as I fight back tears.

“Oh.” Says Orion like it’s all he can say. “I’m sorry son, if it means anything to you I don’t think your boys will ever share that problem.” He smiles a warm, fatherly smile.

“Thanks…dad.” I hesitate again but he pats my arm and looks at me.

“Don’t worry Lafe, you can call me dad whenever you want, there’s plenty of room in my heart for another son.” I tear up and catch him in a big bear hug.

“Thanks dad.” I say, this time instead of hesitation or fear I say it with love and happiness.

“Son?” he says.

“Yeah?’ I reply

“I can’t breathe!” he gasps.

“Sorry!” I say and I release him. I’m terrified he’ll be mad at me now or won’t like me anymore because of that, but instead of yelling at me he just chuckles.

“Come on now, supper’s almost finished and the others are surely waiting for us.”

I head into the house and to the kitchen with Orion. No, with my new father, who has in five minutes done more for me than my real father did in twenty eight years.

I shed another tear; I’ve been doing that a lot lately, as we walk in to find our family at the table waiting for us. The tear falls before anyone can see it but the emotions that brought it into existence stay the forefront of my mind as we eat and talk; joy at this new, seemingly perfect family, sorrow at the loss of my old, flawed one. Which one is better?

At the moment I just don’t know.