“So, you’ve got everything? Some snacks, your bathing suit, sunscreen… all of it?” Derpy asked one more time as she flew through the air, glancing down at Dinky.

“Yep! I got everything all packed up!” Dinky nodded with a wide and happy smile, before giggling. “That’s, like, the hundredth time you asked, Mommy!”

Derpy blushed, looking away. “I just like to make sure, okay? C’mon, you little ragamuffin, let’s go have some fun!” She said, coming in for a soft landing and setting Dinky down. Looking around, Derpy didn’t notice Sweetie or Rarity anywhere yet- she must be a little early.

“Yay! I can’t wait to play with Sweetie for the rest of the day!” Dinky giggled happily as she looked around. “Where are they, mommy?” She asked, looking back at Derpy.

Derpy hummed, about to say something before her eyes widened and she smiled again, waving out behind Dinky. “Seems like they just got here- hey Rarity, Sweetie!” She called out the last bit.

Sweetie ran up in front of Rarity before almost tackling Dinky in a tight hug. “Hey Dinky! Big Sis almost made us late because she said, like, ‘ladies must double and triple check that they are ade- a-adequo- um, well prepared’!” She said, doing an intentionally-poor imitation of Rarity before laughing.

Rarity huffed at that, “I do not sound like that!” She bit back a smile. “Now… I just wanted to make sure you had everything for today, Sweetie! Where’d be the fun if Dinky had a swimming suit but you didn’t?”

Sweetie groaned. “Okaaay, I guess… but I still don’t think you had to do your makeup like you always do! We’re just at the park, not in Manehattan.” She said, teasing Rarity.

Rarity just rolled her eyes.

“I think she looks pretty with it!” Dinky smiled before she giggled.

“Thank you Dinky. And I think you look pretty too.” Rarity smiled a bit more.

“You do look really good, Rarity. Though I agree with Sweetie a little bit- it’s not like you really need all that makeup, you’re prettier than most mares regardless” Derpy said.

Rarity blushed a bit. “Thank you, Derpy… I just feel a bit, well… naked without it.” She sighed.

“That’s fair. I’d feel weird if I went a day without wearing my mailmare uniform, after all.” The pegasus nodded.

“Mommy, can we go play?” Dinky asked, hopping up and down with Sweetie.

“Of course! Just stay in view and let us know if you want any snacks or toys, or when you wanna go swimming.” Derpy said, leaning down to give Dinky a loving kiss before ruffling her mane. “Have fun!”

The two fillies ran off to go play together, leaving Derpy and Rarity alone.

“Oh my… they’re so adorable together.” Rarity sighed with a smile, “Truly, they’re going to be best friends forever, aren’t they?.”

Derpy laughed, before pulling two small but sturdy foldable chairs from the duffle bag she’d brought, passing one to Rarity. “I definitely think so. Seems like only yesterday we were separating two crying infants from each other at this same park, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, goodness… yes, it does seem just like yesterday.” Rarity nodded with a nostalgic sigh. “Now we really can’t separate them. I’m incredibly surprised they don’t try to con us into sleepovers more often, in fact.” She laughed, taking the chair and folding it out to sit down.

Sitting next to her, Derpy pulled out a drink for Rarity- a fancy sparkling water she knew the mare liked- before getting a soda out for herself. “I think they’re afraid that if they tried, we might stop them.” She replied, smiling as she watched the foals play.

“Oh… most days I wouldn’t mind, darling. They’re far too sweet together! I’d never say no- unless of course, we had other plans for that night… or they had school the next day.” Rarity took the water from Derpy, “You’re so thoughtful, you know that?” She giggled, “Thank you, Derpy.”

“Hey, it’s only fair. You’d do the same if you brought all the food and drinks, I know that.” Derpy said, shrugging a little and pausing for a sip. “Mmm… so, what all’s new with you?”

“Oh, nothing much today. I just stated that large order for Mr. Greymane. With all that he asked for, I’m definitely going to be attracting a lot of attention…”

“Oh? I know he asked for a whole new wardrobe, but is there something he does that’d put your clothes in the spotlight?” Derpy asked.

“Yes! He’s an amazing chef, he works with a lot of prominent ponies. If they found out I did his entire wardrobe, my store would be booming!” Rarity smiled even more, “I’m just giddy thinking of all the new customers it would bring in!”

Derpy tilted her head. “Well, where does he work? Sounds like he’s gotta be somewhere- and someone- important, to be able to put your work in the forefront like that.”

“The Golden Horseshoe!” Rarity exclaimed. “He’s their head chef now!”

Derpy’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped for a few moments before she gained her voice again. “Th-the… the Golden Horseshoe? R-really? I’ve… I’ve never even been in there, but I hear that it’s easily the best restaurant in Ponyville. And he’s their new head chef?”

“Yes, he is! Apparently, Mr. Greymane a most wonderful cook from Canterlot, born and raised in Equestria!” Rarity nodded quickly. “It’s so amazing that he wanted me of all ponies to make his entire wardrobe!” She said, eyes shining.

“Gosh… that really is something, Rarity.” Derpy murmured, pausing for another drink. “Seems you really hit the jackpot there.”

“Ooh, he’s so sweet, too! I wonder if he’s married… somepony like him? He has to be… any mare that didn’t take him up on an offer to go out must be just… excuse my language, darling, stupid.” Rarity sighed dreamily for a few moments. “Ooh… what a lucky mare…”

“He seems pretty nice, yeah! I’ve only met him once so far, but… he was very polite.” Derpy agreed. “It’s also good to see that the rest of Ponyville isn’t, ah… reacting to him the same way they did Zecora when she first came to town.”

“Yes, I do believe we all learned a lesson from that.” Rarity shook her head. “I’m sure with how polite he is to everypony that he’s made plenty of friends already. Other than possibly a few stray ponies… I think we’ve been more accepting of other species as of late.”

“That’s always good!” Derpy said her smile wide. “Of course some ponies will always be kinda grumpy on their own, but… as long as most of us have our hearts in the right place, they don’t matter. Mmm… maybe I’ll bring him some muffins soon, as a ‘welcome to Ponyville’ present.” She continued, before stopping and turning to Rarity. “Er… has he had his Pinkie Pie Party yet?”

“I don’t know, actually. He just moved here I think two days ago! Just started his actual job yesterday so, I assume not.” Rarity shook her head. “I… dread telling Pinkie though. It might startle him if there’s suddenly a party in his home.”

“I’ll go ahead and warn him when I next see him, then,” Derpy said. “It’ll still be a surprise when it happens, but… this way he won’t think there’s someone invading his house or anything like that.”

“I’ll also warn him a bit more about Pinkie when he comes to drop off his first payment.” Rarity nodded, “As long as it doesn’t happen tonight… and knowing Pinkie…”

:...You think she will, just based on how nopony else would do it like that?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already at his house.” Rarity groaned.

Derpy frowned. “Maybe I’ll, ah… make a quick stop over there when those two are all tuckered out, then.” She said, pointing to Dinky and Sweetie.

“Yeah, I think that’d be best.” Rarity nodded with a sigh, “If only Pinkie would respect privacy a bit more sometimes…” She shook her head and looked to the two foals playing happily together.

Derpy giggled, shaking her head- but in amusement. “If she would have ever learned, it’s too late by now. Best to just make sure Rush knows what he’s in for.”

Rarity smiled even more now, “Oh, for all we know he’s used to parties or one of the other chefs already warned him, and he’s going to cook for the entire party.”

Before Derpy could reply, a purple blur tackled her, almost knocking the pegasus and her chair over. “Mommy, Sweetie and I wanna go swimming now!” Dinky said, bouncing in Derpy’s lap.

“Ooof! Eurgh, D-Dinky… you’re too big now for just tackling into me, jeez…” Derpy said, chuckling regardless. “And alright! D’you need my help to change, or have you got it?” She asked.

“I got it, Mommy! I’m a big filly now.”

“Hah! Yeah, you’re getting there honey.” Derpy ruffled Dinky’s mane. “Come back for sunscreen and then we’ll all move to the lake.”

Sweetie ran over too and Rarity already had her swimming suit pulled out. “There you go, Sweetie.” Rarity smiled happily at her little sister. “And just like Dinky… please come back so you can get some sunscreen on before you go trying to swim, dear. I don’t want you getting sunburnt.”

“Okay! I’m gonna go change with Dinky, we’ll be back soon!” Sweetie giggled as she and Dinky ran off to the bathroom nearby.

Derpy watches them run off, smiling a little bit. “Have… you ever wanted to have a foal yourself, Rarity?” She suddenly asked, turning to her friend.

Rarity sipped from her water. “I think about it occasionally… yes, but I’m getting far, far too old now… most stallions would be looking for a pretty and younger mare now.” She sighed wistfully.

“Whaaat? Rarity, you’ve gotta be kidding me, right?” Derpy asked, her eyes going wide. “You’re, like… easily the most beautiful mare in Ponyville. And you’d probably knock Canterlot’s mares outta the park, too!”

Rarity giggled a little and blushed, “Oh, thank you, Derpy. I’m closing in on thirty-one, though! I’m growing far too old to be dating, and it seems some stallions are scared of a successful mare.” She giggled. “I’m also just… far too busy, especially right now with such a large order I need to fill… to try dating and finding a stallion I’d want to marry so we could have foals? It’d take up too much of my time… and I can’t let the life I want for Sweetie fall apart just because I want to date some… hunk.” She blushed a bit more.

Derpy’s eyes widened a little more before narrowing, and she leaned a little closer, a grin on her face. “I bet you’re thinking of someone you’d wanna go out with right now, aren’t you?” She teased, unfolding a wing to poke one of Rarity’s shoulders. “Huh? Huuuuh? Tell me~!”

“No one, darling, I swear it!” Rarity huffed. “I am not thinking about going out with some… rich and studly hunk.” She blushed brightly. “Don’t think such uncouth things about me! It’s the stallion’s duty to come court a lady like myself!” She turned her nose up jokingly before giggling a little.

“Yeah, and I bet you’d just melt into a little puddle if a rich and studly hunk came up to you and begged to go out on a date with a gorgeous mare like yourself, wouldn’t you?” Derpy kept teasing, giggling herself. “You’d get all flustered and start stammering and then faint onto you convenient little couch in front of him!”

“J-just because I have that couch on standby… hmph!” Rarity huffed, “You’re counting yourself out far too much! You’d be more likely to have a rich hunk come to you… beg you to allow him to take you out to have the privilege of being in your company! Derpy, I’m more surprised that there aren’t more stallions clambering to go out with you!” She blushed fiercely.

Derpy’s face got very red, very quickly, and she looked away. “N-not true… It’s not l-like I’m anyone special, not like you are! I’m just a mailpony, you’re… you’re an Element of Harmony! A-and, like a hugely successful business owner!”

“Derpy! You are exceedingly beautiful, dare I say… most days when I see you so early, looking so bright and pretty it makes me jealous of you!” Rarity pressed on, smiling a bit more as she got up and went over, hugging Derpy. “You’re a beautiful mare… you just have to trust that.”

Derpy calmed down a little, still blushing hard but much less nervous now. “Mmm… w-well, when it comes from somepony like you, I know you really mean it.” She said, leaning her head over to lightly nuzzle Rarity. “Thanks… I appreciate it.”

“Sometimes… we all need to hear just how beautiful we are.” Rarity returned the light nuzzle as she hugged Derpy for a few more seconds. “But… do tell me something Derpy…”

“Y-yeah?”

“Have you tried dating again?” Rarity asked, “I… know it might be hard, but you have plenty of time, you’re still so young…”

“It’s not like you’re that much older than me, Rarity!” Derpy giggled, glancing away.

“Derpy, I will not let you get away from answering my question! Have you tried dating?” Rarity huffed, blushing a bit at the compliment.

Derpy squirmed a little bit, looking out to see- “O-Oh! Look! Dinky and Sweetie have finished changing let's go to the lake now if you could take the stuff I’d be happy!” She blurted, wriggling free and taking off towards the foals, gathering one in each arm as she flew over toward Ponyville Park’s close by lake.

Rarity huffed and followed Derpy, not giving up on finding out the answer. As she saw Derpy again she said loudly, “Derpy Hooves, you will answer me!”

Dinky and Sweetie flinched, not used to hearing Rarity raise her voice in… anger, it sounded like.

“S-sis? What’s wrong? I-Is everything alright?” Sweetie asked, looking from Derpy’s downcase face to Rarity’s slight glare.

“I don’t like that you keep dodging my question! I’m worried about you!” Rarity hugged Derpy warmly.

“Question? What question? Mommy, what’s going on?” Dinky asked, frowning as she stared up at Derpy. “Are you okay?”

“I’m… I’m fine, Dinky. Rarity, just… let me tell you after th-the foals are away?” Derpy said, looking over at her helplessly.

“No, Derpy… you will tell me this instant.” Rarity said firmly, though there wasn’t any anger in her voice this time.

Derpy deflated, and her eyes grew a little unfocused. “I… no. I haven’t, okay? I’ve never tried dating again since…” She shook her head and glanced at Dinky, before looking away. “Since you-know-what.”

Rarity’s face fell and her ears drooped. “Oh… oh, I’m so sorry for pushing…” She apologized quietly, looking away.

“Dinky… w-what’s sis and your mommy talking about?” Sweetie asked in a whisper.

“I-I don’t… well… I might know. Um, when we’re swimming I’ll tell you, okay?” Dinky whispered back.

“It’s okay. I know why you did it… I just didn’t want to make you sad by telling you the truth.” Derpy said, sighing a little.

Rarity nuzzled Derpy. “I… don’t want to risk making it any worse… but perhaps, now is the time?” She suggested. “If you do ever have a date, I’ll watch Dinky while you’re out.” She offered with a smile. “It’d give Sweetie and Dinky more time to play with each other.”

Derpy nodded at the suggestion and gave a weak smile in return. “I’ll… I’ll keep that in mind, Rarity. Thanks. We should, um, get some sunscreen on these two rascals while we have them here, though.” She said, half-heartedly ruffling Dinky’s hair.

“Right… we should.” Rarity nodded. “Come on you two… time to make sure neither of you gets burnt in the sun.” She somewhat forced a smile, pulling out a bottle of sunscreen from her bag.

Sweetie was in the water first, waiting with a small, confused look for Dinky to come in with her.

Paddling over, Dinky stopped a few feet away from Sweetie, held up by her floaties. “So, um… what do you think that was?”

“I dunno… I was hoping you’d know.” Sweetie shrugged, floating beside Dinky in her own floaties. “They looked like they were about to fight too…”

Dinky glanced back over to her momma and Rarity- the two were talking still, but much quieter and more reserved than before. “I… I think it might have to do with, um, how Mommy is sad a lot of the time…”

“Your mommy’s sad a lot? She always looks so happy around you, though… or whenever I’m over.” Sweetie watched her sister and Derpy for a few moments, before looking back to Dinky. “Huh… do you know why your mommy’s sad?”

“Uh… well, I think it might be ‘cuz of Daddy… or how I don’t have one? I-I’m not sure…” Dinky frowned. “Sometimes I’m awake when she thinks I’m asleep, an’ I can hear her talking to Granny Ditzy about him.”

Sweetie sighed, “Huh…” She mumbled quietly, “Why don’t you talk to her about it at all?” She asked curiously.

“Well, Mommy gets all sad when she talks about it! And… And I don’t wanna make her any sadder.” Dinky said.

“Oh…” Sweetie let out a small sigh. “Huh, is there… anything we could do then? I… don’t think they’ll want us to try…”

Dinky hummed for a few moments, thinking hard, before saying, “I… I wanna help Mommy get a special somepony. Someone that’ll make her happy!”

“I’ll help you then! Why don’t we find a pony that makes your mommy happy?” Sweetie suggested, “We should… watch her some day, see where she goes and who she talks to!” She smiled happily at her own idea.

Dinky gasped, waving her arms. “That’s a great idea! I’ll try and, um, get her to bring me with her on more stuff… and see who she’s around. Maybe… um, do you know when the next school holiday is?” She asked.

“I think it’s next month.” Sweetie said, “I dunno, but we could ask tomorrow at school!” She smiled widely, “We’re gonna find your mommy a special somepony!” She giggled happily as she splashed around.

“Yeah! And I’ll keep a notebook of who it should be! We’re gonna make Mommy happy, yay!” She cheered, before swimming forwards and hug-tackling Sweetie.

Derpy giggled as she saw Dinky dunk herself and Sweetie, happy the foals were having fun with whatever they were talking about. She turned to Rarity, deflating a little at the worried look on her face and looking back at the lake. “Look, you… you don’t have to worry, okay? I’m fine… I’m just… not looking right now.” She said.

“Alright, I’ll… try not to worry.” Rarity let out a long sigh, “But… th-” She cut herself off, “No… No… it’s not my place.” She shook her head and forced another smile. “Look at them, while we’re back here talking about something that makes the two of us sad they’re out there having fun…”

Derpy nodded, giving a small grin herself despite being sad that Rarity had to fake a smile just to cheer her up. “Yeah… that’s just foals for you. To tell the truth, I wouldn’t be surprised if they already forgot about our little, um… spat.” She said, rubbing the back of her neck. “S-sorry, by the way, about all that.”

“No-no, I shouldn’t have pressed like I did. I should’ve realized… when the time is right, you’ll get back into dating.” Rarity assured, hugging Derpy and giving her a genuine smile.

Derpy sighed, leaning her head over to gently nuzzle Rarity. “I hope so. I… I wanna find someone nice and caring, that’ll be okay with me already having a foal. I don’t really care if they’re, uh… rich and hunky. That’s just a plus.”

“Heh… It’ll always be a plus.” Rarity giggled, nuzzling Derpy back. “Do let me know when you find someone though… I want to make sure you look your best for every date, darling~” She smiled wider as she hugged Derpy for a few more moments.

“Pfft… maybe I’ll just end up with you as my special somepony, and then you’ll always be able to make sure.” Derpy joked. “I bet Sweetie and Dinky would love that, hah!”

Rarity blushed a little, “Um… yes, they’d love that.” She nodded slowly, before smiling once again.

Having turned back to the lake, Derpy didn’t notice Rarity’s blush. “Mmm… still, though, I can’t even really think of anyone I’m particularly interested in… I mean, I don’t know that many ponies on a personal level anyway.”

“That’s what dating is for! Don’t even treat the first as a date, go out for coffee, or for something light and just… talk. Don’t worry about anything beyond just becoming friends, if you do, then you’ll start to second guess yourself and worry far, far too much.” Rarity said, looking out at the lake as well. “And… finding someone you’re interested in, that’s the easiest part of it all, darling, you just have to find someone who’ll treat Dinky like a daughter, and be a good father figure for her.”

Derpy frowned. “But… what if I’m wrong? If, well… if I find someone I think will be good and a father figure, but… they’re not? I don’t want to put her through that… or… or myself.” She admitted. “I don’t wanna be wrong, not again.”

“Then take it all slow. Don’t rush into it, introduce them to Dinky early on… not when you start dating. See how whomever you want to date reacts to her, treats her, and then if you don’t like the way he treats Dinky? Don’t go any further.” Rarity frowned a bit too. “It’ll be hard at first… it always is. But, until you know that they’ll treat Dinky right… don’t invest yourself in more than just a friendship.”

Derpy gave a small laugh. “Sounds like the same advice my mom gave me last night… I guess if multiple ponies are saying it, I should really listen, huh?”

“Maybe. In the end, though… It’s all up to you.” Rarity patted her shoulder. “Should we get them out of the lake and get ready to head home?”

Derpy nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I’ll go ahead and stop by Rush’s house on the way home to let him know about the Pinkie Pie party… and if it’s already happening, maybe join in for a little bit.”

“Alright!” Rarity smiled as she walked to the lakeshore to get the attention of the two fillies, waving out to them. “Come on, dears! It’s time to get you all clean and dry, Sweetie, we’re heading home!”

“You remember the plan, right?” Dinky whispered as they swam towards the shore.

“Yep! I won’t forget it.” Sweetie whispered back with a small giggle as she paddled to her sister. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dinky!” She waved with a happy smile.

“Bye-bye!”

Derpy came over with a towel and a change of dry clothes, pointing over to the nearby showers. “Mommy’s gonna help you get all clean, and then we just have one stop before we head back home.” She said, before turning to Rarity. “This was fun… and, well, enlightening. I’ll see you again soon, Rarity!”

“Of course! I can’t wait, Derpy!” Rarity smiled widely as she guided Sweetie to do the same.

Rush was actually having a peaceful night, though he had a gut feeling something was going to happen… but he passed it off as what he ate for lunch. “That chicken was undercooked…” He muttered, chastising himself for trying to cook the food just enough and not staying in the normal safe range.

Outside, Derpy fluttered to the ground, Dinky in her arms. As she landed, her foal squirmed up so she was sitting on Derpy’s shoulders, looking around from her new vantage point. The pegasus laughed as she walked towards the door, softly knocking.

Rush’s ears perked and he walked out of his living room and to the front door, opening it and peeking you. “Hello?” He asked with a smile, he saw the grey pegasus and smiled a bit more. “Hi, Miss Derpy! How can I help you?” He opened the door the rest of the way and smiled, he had just gotten out of his uniform and was in some green PJ’s.

“Hi, Rush! Er, Mr. Rush. However it is you like it. Um, I just wanted to ask and make sure first- have you met Pinkie Pie, by any chance? Earth pony, pink mane, tail, and coat, loves to surprise people and do impossible things…” Derpy asked.

“Hiii! I’m Dinky!” Said foal added, leaning over Derpy’s head to wave at Rush.

“Yes… yes, I have. She planned my new job party… and destroyed the restaurant in the process, then the next morning? The entire thing… tables wrecked, kitchen utterly trashed… it was all clean. Everything, spotless… I just ignored it and carried on.” He laughed a little, “Why? Is she p-planning something else?” He sounded a bit worried as he looked around a bit.

“W-well, um… Pinkie Pie has a tradition, okay? She… she throws parties for the new arrivals in town. And she never forgets anyone. So… I guess this is a warning or a reminder… or something. Just be on your toes, I guess? She’ll get you soon, and more than likely at your house.” Derpy explained.

“Thanks for the warning.” Rush smiled, “So… who’s this little filly?” He asked curiously, waving at Dinky. “It’s nice to meet you, Dinky, I’m Rush.”

“Oh! She’s my daughter, Dinky Hooves. We just got back from playing in the park with Rarity and Sweetie, and I wanted to make this stop really quick to give you a heads up on Pinkie’s whole… party thing.” Derpy said. She scooted Dinky down to let her shake Rush’s hand.

“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Rush! You seem like a nice zebra!” She said, smiling widely up at him.

Rush looked Derpy over for a moment, “You… have a daughter?” He asked curiously, tilting his head a bit. “That’s surprising to say the very least… you look so young!” He smiled, “And, Dinky, you already seem like a very sweet filly! Especially if how nice your mother’s been to me is anything to go by.” He laughed a bit.

Dinky looked down at Derpy and then back up at Rush, thinking for a second… “You should take Mommy out on a date, Mr. Rush!” She said, her smile wider than ever.

Derpy’s eyes widened dramatically, and her face turned very red. “D-D-Dinky! Th-that’s not appropriate!” She sputtered, looking anywhere but at Rush.

Rush nearly choked at those words, just out of sheer surprise. His face turned a tomato red and he looked away. “I um… I…” He stammered, trying to think of words, but the embarrassment was strong in him now as he lost all ability to speak in any known language besides stuttered vowels.

The pegasus looked down, scuffing a hoof on the ground. “M-Maybe I should, ah… just go now. I-It was nice seeing you again, Rush. I hope you have a good d-ahh!” She squeaked, jumping back in shock as she turned to see Pinkie Pie standing right behind her. “P-Pinkie!”

Rush’s attention snapped up and his eyes widened as he looked right at Pinkie. “Whaa…” He trailed off. He was scared to turn around now. His eyes had been off of Derpy for one second and Pinkie was there. “The party’s here isn’t it?” He mumbled, knowing he’d have to turn around eventually, but still wondering how she managed to do all of this.

“Mmmmhmmmm.” Pinkie’s trademark grin™ was only growing wider by the second as her eyes lit up.

“Everything’s already in my house… isn’t it?”

“Yep.” Pinkie nodded.

“I should… turn aroun- AND SHE’S TURNING ME AROUND!” The zebra gave an exacerbated cry of submission as Pinkie turned him around to see all of his coworkers were already in his home, along with more ponies he didn’t know yet.

Derpy was also inexplicably in the house, a party hat on both her and Dinky’s heads. “Ah… H-Happy ‘Welcome To Ponyville’ Party, Rush!” She said, still blushing a little.

Rush let out a long sigh. He had a party hat on now too, and a blower in his mouth. “Thanks.” He gave Derpy a small smile.

“Don’t worry about your house, Mr. Rush! It’s all gonna be okie-dokie-lokie in the morning!” Pinkie said, bouncing up and down in front of him. “So, are ya surprised? Huh? Are ya are ya are ya?”

“Surprised? I would never have expected this Pinkie… not in all of my life.” Rush laughed a bit, “Ooh… you definitely know how to throw a surprise party.” He grinned once again. “Let’s get this party started then!”

“Hooray!” Dinky cheered. “Can we stay, Mommy? Please please pleaaaase? Just for a little bit?”

Derpy hummed for a moment, before slowly nodding. “Only because you don’t have school tomorrow… but the instant I see you getting tired, we’re heading home. Rush, is it okay if I leave this in a closet or something?” She asked him, holding up the duffle bag.

“Yeah! Here, there’s one just over here.” Rush nodded and lead her to a closet just up the stairs. “Just put it in here.” He smiled, opening up the empty storage closet for her.

She set it down inside, and also let Dinky down to the ground. “Now, you need to stay near me, okay honey? Mommy wants to keep an eye on you since we’re in somepony- er, someone else’s home, and I don’t want you to accidentally break anything.” She said.

Dinky nodded but looked up at Rush afterward. “Does this count as a date with Mommy?” She asked.

Rush blushed brightly. “I uuh… will… um, I… Guess? Dating doesn’t happen when two ponies meet for the first time… usually… It usually happens when they know enough about each other to know they like one another.” He tried to explain. He looked to Derpy, silently pleading for help.

“J-Just because Rush is nice to be around doesn’t mean I automatically want to date him, Dinky… maybe, uh, if we got to know each other better that could happen, but… this is the second time we’ve ever seen each other, so…” Derpy trailed off.

“R-right! If we do start dating, you asking us to date constantly won’t help…” He nodded slowly in agreement. “It’s up to Derpy though… you can’t push it to happen.” He said, still blushing a bit. “L-like Derpy said we’ve only ever spoken twice… g-given some more time it may happen. I’m n-not going to count it out.” He blushed brighter, “I’m going to be down at the party…” He made like his namesake, rushing downstairs.

“Dinky…” Derpy sighed, squatting down so she was on eye level with the foal. “Can you listen to Mommy for a moment before we go back to the party?”

“Yep!” Dinky smiled happily up at her mom.

“You… you can’t do that anymore, okay? It’s… well, It’s kind of embarrassing. Wh-why are you trying to get me and Rush to date, anyway?” She asked.

Dinky pouted, “Because… you get really sad when you talk about me having a daddy to Grandma…” She looked away, “And I don’t like it when mommy’s sad…”

Derpy frowned, pulling Dinky in for a tight hug. “Honey, I appreciate you trying to help, but… this is something Mommy’s gotta do on her own, okay? It’s… grown-up stuff. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

“Okay, Mommy… I won’t talk about it anymore.” Dinky nodded a little before she hugged Derpy back.

After nuzzling her daughter for a few moments, Derpy stood back up. “Alright… so, then- are you ready to party, Dinky?” She asked, smiling again.

“I am!” Dinky nodded with a wide smile.

About an hour later, the party had started to calm down a little. There was still dancing and games and such, but some ponies had left, citing a need to work the next day. Derpy sat on one of the couches in Rush’s living room, watching Dinky as she played with Pinkie Pie.

Rush walked over and sat down beside her, “Hey Derpy.” He smiled, “I… wanted to chat with you a bit about what happened earlier.”

“O-oh! Um, don’t worry… I talked to Dinky, and… she won’t do that again. Sorry.” She said, assuming that Rush was weirded out by it.

“No-no! It’s fine, really… I was startled by it. Heh, she sounded almost like my parents, demanding I date every mare I’ve ever talked to.” Rush joked, smiling a bit more.

Derpy laughed a little, calming down some. “Yours too, huh?”

“Yeah, I never hear the end of it.” He laughed a bit, “Every letter they send me, they usually start with, ‘Do you have a marefriend yet?’, or some variation of that.”

Nodding, Derpy continued, “My parents live here in Ponyville… and every time I go over, or they come for a little while, they always end up asking if I’ve found a stallion or mare. I know exactly the feeling.”

“Mine still live in Canterlot… I’m pretty sure all they want are grandfoals.” He smiled, “So, I um… wanted to ask you something.” He began quietly.

“Oh! S-sure, Rush, what is it?” Derpy asked.

“Um, maybe we could... go out for coffee sometime?” Rush offered with a small smile.

Derpy’s eyes widened, and a massive blush lit up her face. “Oh! Um, I… w-well…” She stammered, trying to think of an excuse… but then Ditzy’s words echoed in her mind, strengthened by her friend, Rarity… and even the insistence of her daughter wanting her to be happy. Gulping, Derpy gave a tiny nod. “I-I… I’d be happy to, R-Rush! M-Maybe, ah… Saturday? We could meet at S-Sugarcube Corner?”

“S-sure! Saturday it is.” He smiled widely, blushing a bit too now. “Um, you and D-Dinky are staying for a while longer yet, aren’t you?” He asked as his blush grew brighter. “N-no need to stop talking now just because we have a date later, right?”

“R-Right, yeah! I’ll be here for… as long as she’s awake.” Derpy said, peeking over at DInky- still in the midst of a sugar high- before looking back to Rush… noticing now how close he sat to her, just a few inches away at most.

Rush took notice too, “Um… she’s a really nice foal… heh, must be hard… raising her all alone.” He sounded a bit saddened. “Look… It may seem strange and all but… it’s how I’ve been raised. If a friend of mine needs anything… just come and ask.” He smiled at Derpy, shakily taking her hand. He was sweating a little bit, clearly a bit awkward when he was dealing with a mare one on one.

Derpy’s blush grew, but even with Rush taking her hand, she calmed down a little. “I… th-thanks, Rush. I appreciate the offer.” She said, surprising herself by letting his hand stay.

“Thank you for, um… agreeing to go out… you’ve gotta be a busy mare.” Rush let out a small sigh as he squeezed her hand a bit. “And… um, leave your money at home, alright? I feel like, I should be paying for the date. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.” He teased a bit, glancing towards Dinky and Pinkie. “I won’t let you pay. And that’s final,” He turned his smile back at Derpy.

Derpy looked down, smiling uncontrollably for a few moments. “Th-that’s… really nice of you, Rush. I-I appreciate it.” She said, interlocking her fingers with his. Despite her nervousness, she looked back, her own grin turning a bit mischievous. “S-so… it’s a date now, huh?”

He raised an eyebrow and smirked, “I mean… what would you call asking a mare out for coffee?” He joked, “If it isn’t a date, well… I see no reason we can’t split the check.” He stuck his tongue out in a playful manner. “I don’t mind it just being two friends going out… doesn’t have to be anything more, right?”

“If, well… If it’s okay with you, c-could it… could it be just two friends going out for coffee? You’re really nice, Rush… but I don’t want to, e-er… rush into anything.” Derpy said, taking her hand back to rub the back of her head in slight embarrassment.

“It’s still a date, though.” He teased. “Next Saturday…” He laughed a bit, his smile not fading at all. “I’d… honestly like it if we didn’t get ahead of ourselves… let’s just become friends first. So… coffee with my new friend sounds like a perfect way to learn more about each other.”

“It really does. And… I’ll bring muffins! So we don’t have to spend too much money or anything.” Derpy offered. “What kind do you like?”

“Blueberry.” Rush sighed, “Just… don’t bring too many, eh? I don’t want to overeat on muffins… no matter how good they are.” His smile grew a bit.

“Well, they’re gonna be the best dang blueberry muffins you’ll ever have, so I’ll do my best to keep the number of them down.” She replied, giving him a cheeky wink.

Rush smirked, “I can’t wait! Though you’d better keep your word… I don’t wanna be eating a whole lot of them! It’d be so bad… but taste soooo good!” He chuckled.

Pinkie bounced up from nowhere, saying, “OH MY GOSH! Rush, Derpy makes the beeeeeestestest muffins ever! Even better than me, and that’s weird because I’m paid to bake and stuff!”

Derpy blushed again, turning away. “I-I mean… thanks, Pinkie… they’re just muffins, though, nothing special.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Rush teased, putting a hand on Derpy’s shoulder. “You just do what you normally do to make them, alright? If Pinkie thinks they’re impressive, then I know I’ll love them to death.”

“You toooootally will! I asked her for her recipe once and she gave me it and I made them but they were bleh so I asked what her _secrety secret_ was, but she said they’re just normal muffins! She must have, like, a second cutie mark for muffin-making!” Pinkie continued, hopping in place. Before either of them could respond, she added. “Oh and Derpy, Dinky’s about to fall asleep! You should get her home now~!”

Dinky, hearing that, turned and pouted. “N-no I’m not! I’m completely awake!” She said, before guiltily letting out a massive yawn.

Giggling, Derpy stood up. “Thanks, Pinkie… and, um, no. My cutie mark is only one, and it’s still bubbles.” She said, patting Pinkie’s poofy mane before making her way over to Dinky and picking up the sugar-crashing filly. “A-alright, Rush- I’m gonna head home and put Dinky to bed. S-see you, um… well, tomorrow morning, but also Saturday.”

“Alright! I’ll see you soon, Derpy! Have a wonderful night.” He smiled as he got up from the couch and went to go let them out.

Following Rush to the door, Derpy couldn’t help but really look him over for once… eyes taking in every detail they could see about the zebra.

He was a tall stallion, to say the least, about a foot taller than she was. He still hadn’t changed out of his pj’s which made him look a bit cute, though, beyond the very surface, he wasn’t showing very much. Just… a normal handsome zebra...

….

Okay, he shockingly had some visible muscles for a chef- they weren’t completely visible, but just looking at his arms made it clear that he tried really hard to take care of himself. Then his eyes, the vibrant bright green irises just seemed to ooze care and a general warmth. His face had a rugged handsome dash to it like someone was mixing up what made a stallion look good, and then slapped on a nice icing of charm to it all. Beyond that, without him going shirtless, she’d be seeing nothing of the rest of Rush’s body.

Rush meanwhile looked down at her with a smile, taking in every detail of her body as well.

Derpy wasn’t short, but she was perhaps a little below the average height for pegasi. Her gray fur looked silky-smooth, and if anything, her wings were a little bit bigger than most pegasi her size, full of soft-looking gray feathers that covered her wing, all carefully preened and almost shining with how much care she put into them. Her blonde mane and tail seemed to brighten up the room just by being there and nearly matched with her soft golden eyes- of which, he’d noticed, one would always be looking in a different direction from the other.

Beyond that, though, Derpy was… well, attractive. Her assets were all nicely sized, and she had a slightly plush look about her while also seeming quite solid, almost to an earth-pony level. Probably a combination of her sweets intake and all the exercise being a pegasus mailpony would give one. Her breasts looked about D-cup range, from Rush’s brief glance there, but what was Derpy’s most obvious feature was, well… her plot. Even in her pants, it was obvious that the bubbles on her butt went on to describe more than just her special talent, with how large and eye-catching her rump was.

Drawing his eyes back to her face was Derpy’s light blush, which precluded what she said. “Rush? A-are you gonna open the door?” She asked, looking past him to the still-closed door, which he’d been standing at for almost ten seconds, not opening.

Rush blushed brightly, “S-sorry!” He opened the door for her. “I uuh… heh, h-have a great night, D-Derpy!” He gulped a little and pushed out a smile to pretend like he hadn’t clearly been ogling her, like the attractive mare he thought she was.

Thankfully, Derpy didn’t seem to notice, stepping past him into his yard. She spread her wings and glanced back, giving him one last, “Goodnight, Rush! Thanks for letting me join the party!” Before she took off, her wings blasting a fairly strong wind against Rush as Derpy left.

“A-anytime!” He waves as she left.

“You were ogling her… you naught-“ Pinkie was cut off as Rush put a finger to her lips.

“Please… just not now.” He sighed before shutting the door. “And I was not!” He huffed defensively, trying to cover the obvious lie up.

Pinkie just giggled like mad and bounced away. Something in his gut told him it’s all be cleaned up when he entered the living room, and much to his non-surprise it was. He was left alone for the bedtime he’d missed hours ago. “Ooh… my parents will not let me hear the end of this…” he groaned as he flopped down onto the couch.

Author's Note

Another chapter! Longer, this time. And... the beginnings of romance?!?!!!?!?!
Maybe.
As always, many thanks go to my co-writer and, in Pinkie Pie's words, beeeeeeeestestest friend, Patric.
Toodles!
~TOOWC