Author's Note

Suuuuper short chapter today. But it came pretty easy as these things go.

I know I said there would likely be more Crusader shenanigans this chapter, but this little chapter had a mind of it's own and went in a completely different direction than I expected, and it didn't happen. DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER! Be patient with me and you will have your reward.

I really enjoyed writing this little bit. I hope you guys enjoy it too!

Healing

Rarity was sat in a highchair as was Everypony else. She and Dashie, Pinkie and Twilight seemed particularly happy, While Applejack just looked hungry and Fluttershy content. One by one, the mothers entered, carrying a feast. This time however, all the dishes were for everypony to share instead of being specially made for just one. They decided to end the day with a family style dinner to reinforce the fact that they were a family. Though it was an unconventional one, they were happy. They ate mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, peas, broccoli, corn, and some kale. They were still fed, of course, but somehow it didn’t seem to matter. They jabbered and chatted to one another, very voluble. They were filled with laughter and smiles. When their children were finished, the mothers ate, then cleaned out the high chairs and replaced them with rocking chairs. They each sat down with their foals in their lap and fed them some milk. It was peaceful and quiet in the nursery, and each of the girls drank eagerly.

As she fed, Pinkie felt a strange sensation in her lower half. She finished suckling and looked down to see her Diaper yellowed. She was burped, then blushed. “Oopsie!” She said. Cloudy Quartz knew exactly what had happened. Though Pinkie probably didn’t remember it, she used to say that in the same tone she used now when she had an accident as a little girl. A smile graced her usually stern features as she picked her daughter up and carried her to the changing table.

Living on the Rock Farm had made being a parent extremely difficult. Not because her girls were difficult. No, that wasn’t the case at all. Well, except for Limestone on occasion. But the problem with Rock Farming was that it didn’t generate a lot of money. Most of their money went to buying supplies for the farm, and there was very little left for luxuries. That had included diapers when her daughters were growing up. They had only had enough money to buy diapers for those first six weeks of life for each foal. They went through the disposables like crazy in those days. After six weeks the money always ran dry and they would be put on the farm. Not to work, but to wander. They didn’t have any toys, so going around the farm and looking at rocks were really the only entertainment they had. Plus the lands were mostly flat, so there was no way for them to be out of sightline. Fences were up so that they couldn’t get off the farm, and the caves nearby (Which Igneous usually worked at the time until Maud took over later on) were always heavily guarded to make sure nopony got down there. Whenever a new foal was on the farm after six weeks of age, there were no diapers left, so they just “went” in the fields. Luckily for them, their foals tended to stay in one place for most of the time, so it was easy to avoid those spots. Of course, Pinkie had been different- such a hyper thing she was, always crawling and toddling around the farm. With her they had had to be extra careful where they stepped, but their little pink ball of energy was so worth it.

Just thinking of Pinkie made Cloudy happy. Her little bundle of happiness was worth all the bits in Equestria to her. She had initially been skeptical of this day. She knew her daughter may enjoy it, but she wasn’t all too sure what she personally would feel about it. But now, she saw the truth, clear as day. This experience had healed parts of her that she didn’t even know were broken. This had allowed her to give her daughter the experiences she hadn’t been able to give her the first time around. Joy radiated from inside of her, warming her from the top of her head to the tips of her hooves. She couldn’t help smiling as she put her daughter in a fresh diaper. Her grin widened as Pinkie giggled when the foal powder was put on her. She gave the cutest sneeze Cloudy had ever seen or heard when the powder wafted to her nose, and inadvertently sneezed out some confetti and streamers. She chuckled.

“Oh Pinkie. That was sweet.” She cooed.

Pinkie looked up at her, eyes wide. “Mommy, did you… Did you just call me Pinkie?”

“Yes.”

Pinkie cocked her head to one side. “You always use my full name. Why…?” She trailed off.

Cloudy Quartz smiled at her. “Did you know that I came up with your nickname, Pinkie?”

“You did?”

The rock farmer nodded. “I named you Pinkemena to honor the old ways. But when you were born, You just looked like Pinkie to me. I used to call you that all the time when you were a foal, you know.”

“So what changed?”

“As time went on, I wanted you to have a good work ethic. Being a rock farmer is a lot of hard work. I got it in my head that your nickname was just encouraging you to play too much.”

Pinkie giggled. “Silly Mommy! You can never play too much!”

“I know that now, thanks to you. But back then, I had a lot of pressure to make sure you worked hard and took care of the farm. So I started using your full name to try and help you get the idea. And it worked. It just so happened to stick. But inside, you were always Pinkie to me. You always will be.” She kissed her on the forehead and Pinkie giggled. “Getting to do all of these things with you today brought back those memories, and I realized that with you,” She booped her on the nose, “The fun never has to end. I love you, Pinkie.”

Pinkie reached up and hugged her. Cloudy hugged her back happily.

“I love you, Mommy.”

Cloudy felt her heart burst with happiness.

“I love you, Pinkie. Always.”