One Last Ride

***Cold Hooves***

"Bbbthhbbt!"

That was the closest Summerset could get to forming complete words. The little colt was only six months old, after all, but he was already up and about, walking in circles on his four little hooves.

"Come here, you..." Sunshine said as she walked after her baby. "Come back to mommy..."

Today was the big day, one Sunshine had been looking forward to ever since she first entered Equestria, over a year ago. Summerset was now big enough to travle through the portal with her and transform into a human infant on the other side.

At last, Sunshine caught up to her son, and she lifted him up into her arms. Still in a playful mood, Summerset nuzzled his mother's chin and hit his free hoof against her breasts.

Sunshine beamed at him and placed a loving kiss on the tip of his snout.

Summerset let out a series of delighted giggles and unaudible baby babble.

"Thbbbbbt!"

Sunshine laughed and playfuly poked the little unicorn's tummy.

"Very good, Summer... Who's Momma's clever boy?"

In response, Summerset squealed with delight.

Sunshine was having such a fun time playing wth her son that she did not notice the pony approaching her from behind.

"Ehem!" Twilight cleared her throat subtlety. "How's the little guy doing?"

"He's having the time of his life." Sunshine assured the princess. "Do you want to join us?"

Twilight smiled, but she shook her head.

"I'm afraid I cannot. The final preparations for your return to the human world needs all of my attention. I just came by to make sure you are... ready to leave."

Sunshine smiled sadly, and she looked down at the colt on her arms.

"It's what you've wanted since you arrived, right?" Twilight asked.

Sunshine nodded her head slowly. In truth, Sunshine had grown quite fond of Equestria in the past year she had been there. Celebrated, revered, adored, Sunshine walked around Ponyville like a celebrity. She liked the positive attention, but she especially liked the normality of magic. In the human world, Sunshine was the outcast, the freak, as some used to call her... But in Equestria, Sunshine was as normal as every other unicorn, with the exception of her having two legs and no hooves. Now, when Sunshine could finally return to the human world, her home, she wasn't entirely sure it was what she really wanted.

"Yes..." She said softly. "But... Is it really safe? I mean, is Summerset really strong enough to handle a transformation? What if something bad happens to him?"

Twilight chuckled and shook her head.

"Sunshine, I can promise you that Summerset will be perfectly fine. In the human world, he will be a healthy, six month-old boy."

"But... The... The portal hurt him before... What if the effects are different this time?"

Twilight frowned.

"What is this about Sunshine?" She asked her. "Before, leaving was all you wanted. Why are you so afraid of leaving, now?"

Sunshine remained silent, looking at the baby in her arms.

Summerset cooed softly and batted at his mother's hair.

Twilight smiled softly and placed a gentle hoof on Sunshine's shoulder.

"Sunshine... If you want to stay in Equestria, you only have to say so..."

Sunshine finally met Twilight's gaze, and her eyes flooded with tears.

"I... I do..." Sunshine admitted at last. "I want to raise Summerset here... as a pony... And... And Dennis... I want to marry him here too. I want to start my family here..."

Twilight Sparkle beamed, her smile stretching wide across her face.

"That's... That's wonderful, Sunshine." The princess said, almost speechless. "I'm sure your mother will approve, as well. I'll write to her immediately."

Twilight then galloped away. The sound of her hooves clopping against the hard floors of the Crystal Palace echoed through the corridor.

Sunshine let out a sigh of relief as she looked little colt in the eyes.

"Well... It's looks like your going to stay a little pony, my little pony..."

"Thbbububttt."

Sunshine laughed.

"Hmmm... Is that so? That's one crazy story, little guy... I can't wait for daddy to hear it..."

Dennis, her fiancé, was on the other side of the portal, waiting for her. Sunshine hoped he would get the news that she wanted to stay, and that he would agree to join her.

Sunshine wasn't worried. Of course, he would join her. She knew that little stud would leap through the portal to be with her and Summerset without giving it a second thought.

*Mmm... I love him so much...* She thought to herself.

Sunshine carefully set her little colt on the ground and let him walk on his own. Summerset was eager to get moving, but he stayed close to his mother's feet.

*Our wedding plans would have to change...* Her mind wandered on. *The location... The dress... The cake... Guests... Flowers...*

The list continued to stack until Sunshine got a terrible headache.

"M-Mmmma! Mmmma!" Summerset squealed, hitting her shoes with his hooves. "Mmmaaama!"

Sunshine's eyes widened, and she let out a sharp breath. She quickly descended to her knees and lifted the little colt into her lap.

"Did you just..." She gasped. "Say that again!"

"Mmmma!" The colt shouted proudly.

Sunshine's heart exploded out of her chest.

"Yes!" She shouted before kissing Summerset on his little lips. "He said 'Mama'! Or... He got close, at least... But that still counts!"

"Maama! Maama!" Summerset continued to shout, obviously pleased with his new word. "Maaaaaaama!"

Sunshine laughed hysterically until tears streamed down her cheeks.

"That's right, cleaver boy! That's right! I'm your mama!"

Sunshine quickly got to her feet. With Summerset in her arms, she took off down the corridor.

*I gotta show Twilight!*

***