8:00 A.M.
December 14th, 1932
Dresden Infantry Academy

Erwin Rommel woke up surprisingly later than he usually would. From what Lucie could tell, it was if he was finally relaxed to a certain degree. Nearly 2 weeks after the incident, the ponies of the nation that they landed in were surprisingly helpful and already it seemed like the humans and ponies would get along rather nicely. All around the Infantry School grounds, buildings were being constructed by both man and pony engineers so that the civilian and military population could be properly housed. Other than that noise, life was quiet for the Rommel household. Gertrude took little Manfred out nearly everyday to play in the snow with him while Lucie and Erwin took time to settle from Erwin's usual lifestyle and of course, convert their German currency to the pony currency. What surprised Lucie even more was that Erwin began to speak with his native Swabian accent more often now... which to it's own degree was amusing and confusing. It was like nobody could ever understand that German dialect.

The morning was going rather smoothly until Lucie opened up the pantry to see that food was once again beginning to run low. Immediately she called out to Erwin "Erwin! Could you go into town today and get some food!"

Almost immediately a response came "Sure... you know what... I will take Manfred with me... I will be downstairs in a bit!"

"Oh, and one more thing honey!"

"Yes, Lu?"

"Please, try not to be cheap again... its not like this is Germany anymore!"

It took a second for the rather dry "Yes Dear" to come from upstairs. If Lucie made one mistake in her life, it was not learning the habits of Swabians. Swabians were rather down to earth but at the same time very cheap and careful with their money. Erwin's cheapness did have its benefits though, especially when the global stock market crashed and once again, hyperinflation hit. But then again, his cheapness even before that led to a somewhat bare house.

It took no more than five minutes for Erwin to come downstairs dressed in one of the suits he rarely ever used anymore unless he was hunting or when he and Lucie would go out while he was a Captain in Stuttgart and a large overcoat and one of his homberg hats. Making sure that he had all his money in his wallet, he walked over and kissed Lucie on the forehead saying "Don't worry, I will be back soon."

"You said that in 1914 and you sure took your time."

"At least I came back." With that, both had a good laugh and waved at each other while Erwin walked out to collect Manfred from Gertrude. With that, Lucie walked back in and began to clean up the house from the snow that came in through the door.

*** *** ***

8:30 A.M.
December 14th, 1932
Dresden Infantry School Train Station

When the two Rommels arrived at the train station, they were both nearly ran down by the crowds of men and ponies offloading materials and the amount of passengers disembarking. Making their way over to the ticket counter, Rommel saw that it was manned by a pony clerk and pulled out his wallet with the bits in it.

"Two tickets to Ponyville please." He said in his more official voice.

"May I get a name Sir?"

"My name is Erwin Rommel, my young one's name is Manfred."

Within a minute the tickets were out and given to Rommel.

"Nice to meet you and your little one Mr Rommel. Have a safe trip... oh, if we ever meet again by any chance, the name is Silver Booth."

"The pleasure is mine Mr Booth. You have a good day as well."

With that, the two Rommels made their way to the train and immidiately, Manfred began to ask questions.

"Papa, is this the train?"

"Yes, Manfred, this is the train."

"Are all trains like this Papa?"

"There are different ones in Germany Manfred... when we ever get back, the first thing I will show you are the trains in Germany."

"Taking their seats in one of the cars, Rommel settled in and took his hat off while Manfred was still a bit restless.

"Save your energy Manfred, it won't be long until we get into town."

"Alright papa" came a slightly grumpy reply.

After a few minutes, the last all aboard was called out and before long, they were on their way to Ponyville. The train ride into the town passed through the valley Rommel marched through. In his previous endevor, he never took the time to take in the beauty... but now, as he looked closely, it reminded him of his own young days in Swabia. The hills, the nature (even though it was snow covered)... everything looked so much like home.

Taken away by the beauty, he failed to notice the train stop when it reached Ponyville station and only woke up from his trance when Manfred began to tug his father's coat.

"Papa.... Papa, we are here."

"Oh... uh... sorry Manfred, I guess for once I was staring out into space. Come on, lets hurry up and go before your mother yells are us."

"Alright Papa!"

Immediately, Manfred began to run through the train to the exit and when Rommel came out of the train, he lost Manfred in the croud.

"Manfred! Manfred, where did you go now?"

No response came from Manfred or if there was one, it was lost in the crowd of ponies and a few humans. Wandering around the area, Erwin searched everywhere yet to no avail. "Lucie is going to truly kill me" he thought as he searched the area around the station.

When he came back around to the front steps leading up to the station, Rommel was about to sit down on a bench and contemplate what to do next when a snowball hit him square in the back of the head. Immediately, Rommel turned around to find the culprit but behind him was nothing but the streets and ponies of Ponyville. About to turn back around, another snowball hit him square in the face sending him falling down onto the snow. Suddenly out of nowhere, Manfred pounced down on Rommel laughing. Just as he was about to either laugh or berate his son, Rommel heard another more feminine high pitched voice laughing. Looking around, he saw a pink pony in winter gear running towards both Rommels in a laughing fit.

"What was that about." Rommel said in his sternest voice.

"Silly! We were only trying to mess with you!"

"Papa, you should had seen yourself" Manfred said, still laughing like he was going to die.

"Manfred, you know better than to run away especially in a crowd like this."

"Oh c'mon, you don't need to be serious all the time Mr Rommel!"

Turning to face the pony speaking to him, he asked "And who might you be, conspiring with my own son to take me down with snowballs. Wait..... have I..."

"Its me! Pinkie Pie!" the pony said with a giggle.

"Yes, yes, I remember you... from the negotiations... how did you even meet my so...."

Another snowball hit Rommel back in the head. For a moment, it looked like he was about to explode but Rommel decided that now, he would have some fun. Putting on a mischievous grin, Rommel slowly turned around and said "Well, if it is a snowball fight you wish to have... so be it."

Immediately, Rommel bent over to pick up a large amount of snow, made it into a ball... and threw it into Pinkie Pie's face. He was about to through another one when he saw the look of shock on her face as he thought he nearly hurt her... little did he know, he just let his guard down.

"I am very sorry Ma'am, are you..."

His nearly complete question was answered by a snowball to the face. Pinkie Pie had acted so quickly that the old soldier could not even see her make a snowball and throw it into his face.

"SNOWBALL FIGHT!" She yelled.

For the next 10 minutes, the area was filled with laughter and and snowballs being thrown in the air. At one point, some of the younger ponies joined in and ganged up with Pinkie and Manfred against Rommel. It only ended when they nearly drowned Rommel in a mound of snow. For Pinkie, it was especially strange to see the human that she thought was so stern and almost like a rock laugh so hard that he looked like he had a heart attack.

"Ah... I have not hada good laugh like this in years!" Rommel exclaimed. By now, he decided to switch into his native accent (which translated into English/Equestrian sounded like Applejack's accent.) Manfred looked at his father with joy and for the first time saw his father show joy without his usual seriousness. It looked like he was truly a child again.

"Thank you for that laugh, but I am afraid we really must get going. I must go get groceries before my wife k.... gets angry with me."

"Aw, could we play a bit just one more time Papa?"

Looking into his son's face, Erwin Rommel saw himself in it. It reminded him of when his father moved the family to the city of Aalen. For Erwin, it was a massive change from his home town of Herrlingen. There was no nature in Aalen, his father was a became more strict and Erwin hated schooling. It was not until the very end where he surprised everyone by passing. But now, he had Lucie... And as he has learned over the nearly two decades of Marriage, a happy wife leads to a happy life.

"I am sorry Manfred but we really must go..."

"I can look over Manfred if you want!" Pinkie interjected. "I have tons of experience babysitting for the Cakes! He can stay with me while you go shop!"

For a moment, Rommel thought over it. Would he leave his only chi... only son with this pony he hardly knew of just so he could run errands without a restless child with him. He looked at Pinkie who had a toothy smile on here face and then he looked over at Manfred, smiling playfully at his father.

"Oh blast it... What harm could it do... Pinkie Pie, I am entrusting you with the care of Manfred while I am gone... Tell me though, where may I find you when I am done?"

"I work/live at Sugarcube Corner! That's where you can find me!"

Rommel have her the eyebrow of "Where the heck is that?"

"Oh, uh... follow me and I will show you. It's not too far from the grocery store so you probably won't have to walk far."

"Lead the way then."

"After about 10 minutes walking through the streets of Ponyville (and encountering a few looks from it's citizens), they made it to SugarCube Corner. The building itself surprised Rommel as it looked like it was made of... Gingerbread. When he walked inside, his sense of smell kicked into smells he had never smelled before. Right before was a beautiful arrangement of sweets and cakes. It had been so long since he had tasted one of those that he started to salivate. Biting his lip to get back into his senses, he looked back at Pinkie and Manfred.

"I trust to come back to see my son and not some... some cake replica of him."

"Silly, I only do that for birthdays!"

With that, Rommel chuckled. "Ironic, Manfred's birthday is in 10 days on Christmas Eve."

"Christmas Eve, what's that? In 10 days we celebrate Heartswarming Eve."

"Okay, I am getting the picture now.... Alright, think of Christmas Eve as your Heartswarming Eve."

"Thats... so... COOL! CAN I BAKE MANFRED A CAKE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?"

After being attacked by more pleases he could count, Rommel gave in.

"Alright, you may."

"YAY! OH JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE IT IT WILL BE..."

"Sorry but I really must get going. Tell you what, you and anyone you would like to invite may come over to my home to celebrate that day."

"Okiie Dokey Lokie!"

With that, Rommel respectfully bid farewell to the two and walked out towards the grocery store. After what he just endured, he would need some quiet and made a mental note to ask Pinkie's friends about her.... mental state. But right now, his wife needed groceries and he was to deliver on that order.

10:00 A.M.
December 14th, 1932
Golden Oaks Library

Twilight had just finished her morning's work in the library. Finally after an oddly hectic morning of people (namely humans) coming to check out books, the entire catalog needed to be updated and that took quite a while. Most of the humans came in their military uniforms and overcoats (minus the helmets) and when Rarity came into the Library to speak with Twilight on the matter of Sweety Bell's history education, she was so shocked to see the humans without clothes that she nearly forced a few humans to come with her to be fitted for clothes so they did not have to wear their military uniforms all the time. It was rather amusing but it increased the time it took for the humans to check out their books. Finally done, Twilight decided to take a trip to Pinkie Pie's to see how she was dealing with the chaos of the holiday season. Putting on her winter gear and telling Spike she was heading out, Twilight stepped out into the streets of Ponyville.

The Heartswarming Holiday Season was in full swing. All around, the streets were alive with joy. Walking through the streets, she could hear joyous Heartswarming music being played from some record players and saw ponies getting their gift shopping done in mass. She even saw some of the humans walking about enjoying themselves. Even though they were speaking their native language, the conversation was obviously joyful as they began laughing everytime one of them seemed to crack a joke. Carolers were sinking in the town square and it seemed like a few even joined them. Somehow, even though these creatures nearly invaded the town, it seemed like everything seemed to be going well.

When Twilight got to Sugarcube corner, there surprisingly was no line, compared to what she experienced at the library. When she walked in, the shop seemed to be all quiet.

"Pinkie? It's me, Twilight! Are you in here?"

Almost immediately, her response came in the form of two voices laughing from the kitchen. When she walked in, what she saw surprised her.

Pinkie was there doing one of her silly tricks... But what she was entertaining... It was what looked like a human child, sitting on the floor, laughing with his mouth full of frosting.

"Pinkie... mind explaining this?"

Pinkie turned around startled at her friend. "Twilight, didn't see you there. Well, remember that serious looking officer we met when we were almost nearly invaded and whiped off the face of Equis?"

"Don't tell me..."

"Well.... Meet his little son, Manfred!"

The young child smiled back at Twilight, frosting still full in his mouth.

"This may be a long day..." Twilight thought to herself in her head.

10:30 A.M.
December 14th, 1932
Ponyville Grocery Store

Erwin Rommel looked at the shelf and at his shopping cart. He nearly had everything he needed... veggie wise. Though he found a bit of seafood, there was still no meat in the grocery store and he made a mental note to take a trip to Canterlot after he dropped Manfred off at home or if he got permission from Lucie to take him with him. Looking back at his groceries, he realized he was being cheap again. It was not like he bought the cheapest things but rather he was being minimalistic. One trait you get from being Swabian. Immediately turning back, Erwin looked in his wallet and decided spending a big more would not hurt a bit. After stocking up on more food, he went to the register and checked out all of his items. "I can spare spending more this time, especially after how much I saved through the years." He thought to himself as he walked with out with the groceries in hand.

Outside, the air was brisk and cold. All around him the town was alive with joy. He was about to turn back to Sugarcube Corner when he remembered what Pinkie Pie said about Heartswarming Eve. His mind drifted back to both Lucie and Gertrude and he decided to go get their gifts.

Walking through the streets, he asked a nearby pony, "Pardon me but uh... Where might I find a dress shop or boutique?"

Looking at Erwin for a good five seconds, the pony answered "I believe you would want the Carousel Boutique Sir, I could show you where it is if you'd like."

"That would be much appreciated, thank you very much."

"No problem, it's always nice to help newcomers."

After a few more minutes traversing the streets of Ponyville, Erwin and his guide stopped.

"Here you are sir, Carousel Boutique. Hope you find what you are looking for?"

"Th... Thank you."

Infront of Rommel stood an odd looking building. It surely looked like a carousel but if looked like it was inspired by French design. Then again, Rommel thought back to the Gingerbread house he saw earlier and decided to think nothing of it. What he did see when he walked inside did surprised him very much.

What Rommel saw was too good to be true in his mind. Right before his eyes were five soldiers, each being fitted for what looked like a casual suit and tie. Immediately, one of them yelled, "Achtung, the Major is present!"

Immediately all of the men saluted and one of them ripped the seems of the suit he was being tailored for while the other knocked over the pony that was working on his suit.

Normally, Rommel would conceal his amusement but after what he had been through today, he let it all out. As he was laughing, the men looked down at themselves in embarrassment while being berated by the pony working on them. Before long, the pony's attention came towards Rommel and she looks like she was about to give him hell.

"Pardon me but LOOK AT WHAT YOU MADE ME DO! ALL MY WORK WITH THOSE SUITS ARE NOW TURNED INTO A TRAVESTY, A TRAVESTY I TELL YOU!"

As Rommel's composure came back go him, he would be in for one of the best treats of today, Rarity's anger.

1:00 P.M.
December 14th, 1932
Ponyville Town Square

It took nearly 3 hours for Rommel to get out of the mess at Rarity's boutique. He was lucky that she was generous enough to forgive him and take an appointment with his wife and daughter to be measured out. Carrying the groceries in his now tired arms, he made his way back to Sugarcube Corner. He had never felt this tired before... but come to think of it, he had never dealt with this much crazy before... And he went through the Weltkrieg. Before long, he finally made his way back to Sugarcube Corner. As he opened the door, he heard laughter and then suddenly "LOOK OUT!" Lifting his tired face up, he saw his son in the air coming towards his face... He was not being thrown.... He was.... Flying? As soon as he was about to say something, Manfred Rommel collided with his father's face and Erwin Rommel, for the first time in decades, finally was knocks out cold.

Author's Note

Fun fact, Manfred Rommel was born on Christmas Eve 1928. I originally intended on posting this before Christmas of 2019 but uh... Yeah... Chapter 6.... That pissed me off and drove me to write my other, more successful story. Can't say how much your support means to me guys. I hope you all like the happier tone of this chapter. It should be a welcome change from the seriousness of the previous chapters.

(P.S. I actually did this chapter in one day so expect the next update to be on my Titanic story.)