Author's Note

Yeeeaaaaaah. Another chapter. Just a ton of fluff.

Enjoy!

Family

When the mothers returned to the nursery, their foals were still asleep. But as they went over to them, Windy Whistles heard a familiar whine, and flew over to the crib to see her daughter twitching and whimpering in her sleep. She was quick to pick her up and settle into the rocking chair. Windy hushed her gently and rubbed her back. Within a few minutes, Rainbow’s eyes snapped open. She looked around, panicked, before her eyes landed on her mother. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she started to cry. Windy held her close, kissing her and rocking her.

“Mama.” She squeaked.

“Mama’s right here, Dashie. It’s okay. Everything is okay.” She said.

Dashie sniffled, and sucked her pacifier a little faster. She snuggled into her mother more.

Windy spoke to her gently. “Do you want to talk about it, sweetie?”

Dashie looked up at her, eyes big. Those eyes swallowed Windy whole, and she was drowning in their sadness and fear.

“You nevew weave me, wight?” She asked.

Windy gasped slightly and held her close. “Never, sweetheart. You are my whole world. I love you so much, and I will always be here for you, no matter what you need.”

Dashie snuggled into her mother, hardly noticing that her friends were waking up near her. A faint hissing sound drew her attention away from the snuggle, and she looked down to see her diaper yellowed. She hadn’t even known she’d had to go. But it didn’t bother her. She just stayed in her mother’s lap.

Windy Whistles too heard the noise, and smiled, kissing her daughter’s nose. “Ohp! I think somepony needs a diapee change!” She cooed.

Dashie giggled. “Uh huh, I peepee, Mommy.”

“Well, let Mommy change that wet diapee then.” She crooned.

Rainbow nodded, and her mother took her to the changing table, quickly removing the sodden diaper and replacing it with a fresh one. Rainbow moved around, listening to the crinkling sound.

“It noisy.” She said.

“Oh yes, very noisy. But you can play with it later, honey. It’s time for lunch now.” Said Windy. She carried her daughter to her high chair, sandwiched between Pinkie and Twilight.

“Okay, girls. Time for some yummies!” Cooed Velvet.

Each mother revealed their daughter’s lunch. For Applejack it was a zap apple jam sandwich. For Rarity it was cucumber sandwiches with no crusts. For Fluttershy it was a salad similar to the ones she made Angel. Pinkie’s was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some chocolate spread added to it. Twilight had a daffodil sandwich, and that left Rainbow with a bowl full of mashed glazed carrots. They all ate their lunches with no fuss, and let their mothers clean them. While their mothers cleaned up, and everypony else became otherwise occupied, Rainbow went over to the toy chest. She found a stuffed dragon that looked a lot like Spike.

“Mama?” She called. Windy went over to her.

“Yes Dashie?”

“Who dis?”

“That’s Puff. He’s a new dragon I got for you.”

"You got Puffy today?" She asked. Windy nodded.

"It his birfday then?"

"I guess so.” She smiled.

"We gotsa make him cake!" She declared. Windy raised an eyebrow, grinning, amused.

"Do we now?" Rainbow nodded vigorously.

"Can't we have someone else make the cake?” Windy asked, eyeing Pinkie.

"No!" Said Rainbow firmly. "It not the same."

Windy stifled a sigh. "Alright. Let's go make Puff a birthday cake."

"Yay!" Rainbow cheered, then grabbed Puff and ran to the kitchen. Windy shook her head slightly. The things she did for her daughter.

When she got there Rainbow was already trying to reach the counter but was too short. Windy pulled over one of the dining room chairs so that she could stand on that and help make the cake. Windy got everything they would need down from the high parts of the kitchen that she knew Rainbow couldn't reach. Once she got everything out, she started on the cake. She measured things out, and let Rainbow pour and stir things. She even let Rainbow crack the eggs (although she insisted that Rainbow do it in a measuring cup in case any pieces of shell got in there- that way it would be easy to get out.). She sprayed the pan with baking spray to make sure the cake wouldn't stick, then helped Rainbow pour the batter into a pan and put it in the oven. She had to do most of the clean up (which she had anticipated) but she didn't really mind. If her daughter was happy, that was all that mattered. When the cake came out half an hour later, she put it on the rack to cool, and told Rainbow that they would have cake after it cooled.

It was done cooling an hour later. Rainbow was giddy with excitement as she watched her mommy frost the cake. When she brought it to the table in the nursery, Rainbow stared up at her sweetly.

"Candwe?" She asked. Windy brought back a single birthday candle and lit it. Rainbow started to sing "Happy Birthday" when she stopped and frowned.

"Mommy, you'we 'apposed to sing too!" She chastised. Windy smiled.

"Okay. I'm sorry.” The ponies and their mothers all gathered around them. They all sang happy birthday to Puff, who Rainbow sat right in front of the cake. Once they finished singing, Windy piped up again.

"You know sweetie, I think Puff needs your help to blow out the candle."

"Yeah! 'Cause if he bwew it would onwy wight it mowe!"

"That's right."

Rainbow blew out the candle with Spike, as Windy and everypony else applauded them, and then cut the cake.

Windy gave Rainbow and Puff each a small piece (knowing that Rainbow would insist on eating them both) and gave herself a piece after serving everypony else. It turned out better than she thought it would. When she was done and Rainbow was too, she helped clean the frosting off of her face. She couldn't help but think how miraculous life was. If someone had told her six months ago that this is what she would have been doing with her life, she would have laughed in their face and said they were nuts, and yet here she stood, completely happy with her lot in life. She wouldn't have had it any other way.

Pinkie bounced around the room happily after finishing her cake. “That was super duper awesome-mazing!” She cheered. “You did a super job, Dashie!”

“Tanks, Pinkie!” She said, giggling.

“I hear giggling from my favorite little trotter!” Called another voice. Dashie turned around with a squeal. There stood her Daddy and her friend’s Daddies there as well. She ran up to him and had his hooves outstretched to her. She ran into them.

“Dada!” She squealed happily.

“Hey there, baby girl! I heard you and Mommy having some fun in here. You think your old dad could join in?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” She squeaked. “Dada pway!”

“Well alright then! What should we play?” He asked.

“Dada take me fwying?” She asked. He grinned.

“You bet. Hop up, little one.” He said. She squealed, and leapt up. “The Wonderbolts are taking off!” He called, and began soaring around the room. From her birds eye view, she could see the other Daddies beginning to play with their little ones too.

Igneous Rock Pie was giving pinkie a ride on his back as she cheered. Twilight and Night Light were solving a puzzle. Bright Mac was giving Applejack roping tips as she tried to lasso some toy cows. Mr. Shy was having some “tea” with his daughter, and Hondo Flanks was busy letting Rarity dress him in a tuxedo costume from the closet.

Rainbow smiled at them. It was perfection.