You sit in the waiting room of the hospital. You blink, looking from table, to the front desk where the nurse eyes you carefully.

A part of you feels uncomfortable being here. The circumstances are certainly… not normal.

You turn to your marefriend, whose lower torso is in a sort of isolation rig. She can walk on her two front legs, and the wheels in the back roll with her. It’s been… an inconvenient three weeks. But soon she'll be back to normal.

She looks to meet your gaze, and smiles.

You smile back.

A nurse pony walks up to the two of you, you sitting in a chair and Maud… well. Standing there.

“Your father will see you now,” she says.

“Thanks,” she says flatly. She looks to you and nods.

“Are you ready?” you ask.

“Yeah,” she says in her signature tone. But you hear strength behind her words. Determination.

“I’m right behind you,” you say.

“Uhm,” the nurse says, stepping forward. “I’m afraid it’s family only right now…”

Maud blinks, glaring at her.

“He will be,” she says flatly.

Oh. Well, that’s something she just said.

With that, she steps aside and walks down the hall. You give the nurse a near apologetic look, but follow after your marefriend. You’re going to take all of those happy feels that you’ve just garnered and talk about them later.

Maud pauses outside of her father’s recovery room. You stand beside her. You hear the gentle hum of the machines in his room.

“I’m here every step of the way,” you whisper to her. You place a hand near the base of her neck. She takes a deep breath, and then steps inside.

You follow behind her, ensuring you don’t encroach on… their moment.

“Hi Dad,” she says flatly.

“Maud,” the stallion says just as flatly.

“How are you holding up?” she asks, stepping beside his bed. You and her father exchange a quick, silent glance. You nod. His gaze returns to her.

“I have two hooves left,” he spits.

Your eyes wander. Sure enough, one of his front and back hooves are both missing. You try your best to contain your wince. Crushed. Amputated.

“I understand what that feels like,” Maud says quietly. “The timing is uncanny.”

Her father smiles.

“Your humor has always done me wonders, Maud.”

You can’t help but contain a smile as she places a hoof on her father’s free resting front hoof. A small tear trickles down his face.

“What’s wrong, Dad?” Maud asks gently.

“Gah, it’s nothing. I’m fine,” he growls.

Maud blinks.

“You’re not fine. Tell me.”

Maud’s father swallows the saliva in his mouth then looks from you, to her.

“‘I'm afraid I can’t dance with you at your wedding now, dear,” he said. “I’ve really messed up.”

He closes his eyes and looks away from Maud.

“I just hope you can forgive me,” he mumbles.

Then, to your surprise, you look down to your fiancé, and you see a tear run down her cheek.

“Don’t worry, Dad,” she says gently, her flat tone fading. “We still will.”

Author's Note

Relevant

100 stories. Well. I really hope you guys like this one. the 100th story is supposed to be big and important and special, right? Well. I hope that someone enjoys it. Whatever this is. Be sure to let me know what you think. If you liked this, maybe check out "Her Most Faithful Servant" that Pencil and I did. That's -actually healthy- kink. And stuff.