Two Years Later

Cadance’s dignity was stalwart, but allowed herself just a trace of a sigh. She really never was going to look quite the same again, even after years of convincing herself that she would be accustomed to it. What part of there could she find that hadn’t been left damaged by sickness or the ravaging of time? Could a single part of herself be seen unblemished as though she were still the beautiful woman of yesteryear? Try as she might, and with a little sucking in of her stomach, the whole mission seemed to be in vain. There was never any going back, try as she might; she had quite truly become rather old.

The lines beneath her eyes were the first thing she’d noticed- well, not quite true. The absence of her breast was what she’d noticed first, but that seemed a little unfair to take note of. No action she’d taken or choice she’d made had brought that about; that was just because. But everything that had come after? The crow’s feet, the extra body fat, the sagging chest, and much more than she was willing to admit… the ignorance of a grey hair was commonplace about five years ago; now product was more or less essential.

Cadance gently applied further makeup beneath her eyes and tried not to sigh as she took in her appearance, mutely bemoaning just how futile the whole act had become; avoiding the wearing of time was something she couldn’t quite achieve any longer. She was old, tired, and definitely not the beauty she had been during the days of her youth.

There was sound outside the bathroom, light footsteps making their way across hardwood floor and eventually finding tile; Twilight stepped into the bathroom from her place once downstairs, a mug of coffee in her hands that was soon set aside on the countertop so she could perform her morning duties. The sight of her bride was more than enough to make her heart melt, Cadance’s morose features softening and turning warm as she soaked in that beautiful visage. Now there was something lovely to behold, that much she knew. Why give herself even a glance when something so elegant and lovely as Twilight was nearby?

Where time had performed its cruelty upon her own form, the passing of days had been extraordinarily kind to her younger spouse. No longer did she possess a youthful form but rather a visage having been transformed into something elegant, a classic beauty made to last and endure even as time continued on. She’d tried bearing contact lenses and Cadance had urged her against it; there was a special loveliness to be found in her spectacles, a special beauty that surpassed normal appearance. By Cadance’s standards, Twilight had left the realm of classic princesshood behind and was now a queen: beautiful, timeless, and overflowing with grace that couldn’t be found in anyone else. Most assuredly, most definitely, the most beautiful woman in the world. Loving Twilight was easy even on a normal day, but knowing that she loved someone this exquisite made it all the more natural.

Twilight must have felt the weight of Cadance’s lovesick gaze, for she slowed in her actions, pausing in her fiddling with a hairband. She turned to look at her bride for a moment, taking the time to look her up and down before giving a soft smile that was accompanied by a sweetened sigh. “Wow,” she whispered, “Just look at you.”

How could she not groan? Cadance had tried to fight this battle more times than either could hope to count, suffering through self-pity and admonishment endlessly for the truth to consistently win out; Twilight at least had the eyes to see that her beautiful spouse still possessed a magnificent loveliness all her own, the passing days taking that sultry sensuality and transforming it into a wonderful sweetness. Cadance’s eyes always shone, always lit with a warmth that spoke to a gentle nature. Her words were kind, her voice soft, and just so much of her radiated that tender spirit. How could she not be seen as beautiful when so much of her was so lovely? Time had only taken fine edges and turned them soft, making her all the more desirable. As far as Twilight was concerned, and that was the only opinion that really mattered, Cadance had somehow become more beautiful than ever before. Perhaps they did not feel the need for passionate lovemaking in every moment as they once had as newlyweds, but ever still did they long for one another. To have and to hold, to love and to cherish; there was happiness that could only be found in the presence of one another, no matter where and what they were doing.

Cadance could only scoff at the remark, laughing as she took in her pitiful appearance. “Oh, please,” she moped, “Look at me. I’m old… and ugly.”

“Not even a chance.”

“Twilight…” Whatever it was that her more youthful bride saw in her aging visage was more than Cadance could figure. “You know flattery isn’t your strong suit, come on now.”

“Flattery? Oh, now that’s just mean,” Twilight replied. “Do you really think I don’t know you’re pretty?”

A more difficult thing to contradict, considering that it was now about one’s honesty than honest appearance. Cadance couldn’t exactly call her spouse a liar and it be all that OK. “I think you’re being really sweet, that’s all,” she said. “I’m getting old and you know it.”

“So am I.”

“But you’re still pretty!”

“And so are you!” Twilight countered, a gentle laughter in her voice even as her exasperation began to reveal itself. “Goodness, what made you wake up so stubborn today?”

“It’s early and I’m old,” Cadance said; her eyes darted to her favorite eyeliner that did a magnificent job covering her crow’s feet. “Why are you so cheerful today?”

“And who says I’m cheerful?” Twilight inquired. “Come on; why’s it so bad that I think you’re still pretty? I love waking up to your face every day.”

“I still think you’re exaggerating. Just so you know.”

“Feel free to; you know I’m right.”

Oh for heaven’s sake. The consistency in belief was sometimes too much for Cadance’s self-pity to take, too intent on looking down upon herself to let the love of her bride take its place in her heart. “I do not know where you get it from, or why,” Cadance began, “But why don’t you look-”

“Hush.” Twilight’s finger came to rest against moving lips and struck Cadance dumb, the younger woman’s eyes retaining their sweetness even as her exasperation turned that smile into a pout. “Can’t I win this one for once?” she asked. “Just for today?”

Cadance fully wished to continue and revel in her misery; it would, after all, likely result in her gaining a few more compliments from Twilight that her subconscious seemed to eagerly chase. But she knew why they had awakened early today- their trip northwards was not for pleasure of any kind. The weight on her mind regarding her own complexion was nothing in comparison to what Twilight was having to endure now. If it was of such importance that this beautiful creature was able to commend her as something lovely, then she would for now relent.

She felt arms sink down beyond her shoulders and come to rest in her lap, Twilight sinking into the presence of her beloved and releasing a long, weighted sigh as the good cheer that had come about at the sight of Cadance disappeared. The fleeting happiness had already faded like mist beneath the sunrise, spectacled visage turning to gloom. “You don’t have to come with me,” Twilight murmured. “It’ll be alright.”

“But you won’t be alright,” Cadance countered, feeling more of Twilight’s presence lean against her for comfort. “That’s reason enough.”

“She’ll be worse than last time.” The words that had been flung were barbed, meant to sting and prick at Cadance’s heart- a presence so dear that they had wounded Twilight also. “She doesn’t really… she can't always remember you as you are anymore.”

She had heard the conversations even over discreet phone calls; what strength of mind that remained had done well to retain the unpleasant. Cadance knew that Twilight’s caution against her presence was one given out of love. “Maybe she will this time. And you shouldn’t be dealing with it alone.”

“You’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure,” Cadance said. “Now let me get finished, I’m almost ready. How far is our ride?”

A pause as Twilight powered on her phone to see the whereabouts of their temporary chauffeur, signaled for long before the new day had formed upon the clock. “About fifteen minutes.”

“Crap, I need to hurry up.” Cadance wasted no time in turning back to her makeup kit, the mirror giving all the information she needed to know that there was still plenty work to be done. “Let me know when he gets here. Can you check my bag to make sure I have my phone charger, please?”

“I can do that.” Twilight turned and left the bathroom to her bride’s devises, keeping to her word and perusing through a small suitcase for one particular set of wires- only pausing to call out, “You’re pretty and you know it!”

“Shuttup,” was the only reply she received. A half-shrug and a sigh as Twilight accepted her words meant nothing for now. There were other things to attend to today.

The winged chariot that held them was somehow more cramped than any had ever been before, Cadance feeling a strangely potent sense of claustrophobia unknown before this morning. She’d flown before- many times, considering that her parents had lived on the west coast for years. In fairness, it had been many years since her last spate of travel had seen her airborne; perhaps that, along with time’s miserable work, had helped her settle into a newfound discomfort. The armrests were too close to her side to be of any use, her legs given little chance of stretching out and relaxing. Even if she managed to find sleep, the awakening would come with a vengeful soreness that would surely linger.

“I got a message from Rain just a bit ago,” Twilight said, fingers tracing across a cellular screen as text flew across her eyes. “Looks like we might be coming up on a good day this time.”

“Oh really?” Cadance remarked, taking note of the small glimmer of hope upon her bride’s face; still wrung dry, but holding onto what comfort could still be found. “What’s she say?”

A quick exchange of hands and Cadance let her gaze dart across the screen in a heartbeat: I told Velvet last night that you and Cadance were coming to visit for a few days, and she was so excited that she set out a whole outfit to wear for when you arrive. And when she woke up this morning, she still remembered that you were showing up! It’s put her in a lovely mood and she wants to spend the day getting the house ready for the both of you.

Were you still planning to donate most of everything in the garage, or were there some things you were wanting to keep? I know it was on your list of places to clean, especially now that we’ve sold the car.

By instinct her expression had softened, a melancholy smile adorning her lovely lips as Cadance took in the words before her. Considering that every visit prior had been one negative after the other, to hear such good news so early into this expedition could only be a good omen. “That’s great,” she murmured. “I know she’ll be so happy to see you.”

“And it sounds like we’ll have a little less to do this time around, too,” Twilight added. “If we can get the entirety of the garage cleaned out, it means that she won’t really have much of any extra stuff just lying around. Everything else she just… needs. For just a bit longer.”

“And we’ll be able to handle that easily,” Cadance said as she placed a kiss on Twilight’s cheek. “Why don’t you try to get some rest? It’ll be a long day once we get there.”

“No promises,” Twilight said even as she stifled a yawn. “I know this isn’t exactly first-class but… does it seem a little cramped to you?”

Cadance was delighted to know someone shared in her misery and immediately expounded upon the subject.

The flight was not so long anymore, yet not long enough to allow a nap to be satisfying. Cadance found herself awoken by the jostle of wheels against tarmac, a sudden snap of the neck as though she’d only just begun to slip away into a quiet dreamworld. Immediately her senses were aware of the world about her, the dip in temperature compared to the land they had left behind a potent thing. Goodness, it was only October; how could it be this cold already? The pullover she’d worn on the flight no longer was enough to keep away winter’s bite and she gave a shiver.

Her own small movements were enough to awaken Twilight resting beside her, the younger woman’s deep slumber slow to leave her wearied mind behind. A flutter of lashes adorning eyes dried and bleary against the weak light of late morning, not quite cognizant of the world about her. “What time is it?” she said in a mumbling croak.

“About eleven,” Cadance answered as she brought phone to her own tired eyes. “Feel any better?”

“Mmf… amazing, actually,” Twilight said. A slow, easy stretch in what little space she was offered as the aircraft slowed and began to wheel its way to the tarmac. “Would you mind if we grabbed a little… alittle –goodness- breakfast on the way there? Nothing big, just some Joe’s Donuts or something.”

“I could do that. Something for Velvet and Rain would be a nice gesture.”

“You read my mind,” Twilight said. “Well… onto the next thing. Guess it’s time to start calling in our next ride.”

The trip from the airport to the aged house that had long been the family homestead went slowly; morning rain had turned to frigid cold, a thin sheet of ice along blackened pavement making what few willing drivers there were wary to move with any sense of haste. As Twilight looked out into the world beyond, she took in the multitude of sights and images that she’d seen so many times in her younger years. So much had changed, yet still beneath the weathering of time and all the turmoil that had transpired in the world she could still see every inch of the familiar. She allowed herself the pleasure of soaking it in and let the intimate details fill in the gaps that memory could simply not prevent; the sun shining over white snow as she spent a happy Christmas when her family had not been so broken. And there had been the entire summer she’d spent up her with Shining, her grandparents taking them to the lakehouse for a whole weekend. The weather had been amazing the entire time, as if the world had offered them a chance to revel in one last good moment together before the divorce became final, and they'd all at last gone their separate ways. It had been so easy, and so much of it good; just the beginning of her life, long before the real world had truly been able to sink its claws in. Twilight swallowed away the melancholy even as she knew this just might be the last time she’d ever see any of it again.

“Twilight, Cadance! Hello, it’s so good to see you!” The welcoming voice of Rain was the first sound to meet their ears as they arrived, the door opened to reveal the gentlehearted caretaker. Older than Twilight yet younger than Cadance, Rain possessed something of a doughy, lumpy form that befitted her soft nature, warmth within her darkened eyes that gleamed when she so often smiled. Difficult to fluster and wielding a seemingly limitless patience, her continued aid in Velvet’s daily life had been a comfort for Twilight in the past few years. “Do you have anything else you need to bring in? You look like you didn’t bring much.”

“No, this is everything,” Cadance answered, meeting Rain for a hug on the top steps of the aged home. “We stopped at a Walgreens on our way in to grab some detergent, we were thinking of cleaning some of the old bedsheets while we were up here.”

“Well come on in, then! I’m sorry you came up at such a horrid time, it’s been so cold the past couple days. Not surprised you had to take your time coming in from the airport…”

Cadance and Rain continued their friendly chatter as they left the cold world behind and entered into the soft warmth of the house, Twilight soaking in the familiar, bittersweet environs. The home that had once been her grandparents was a dated place, still bearing the styles and fashions that her grandmother had always adored. Velvet Gleam had been a tasteful decorator, if perhaps a bit more lavish than what Twilight enjoyed, rich colors on the walls that were occasionally pock-marked by small family photos that hearkened to days long past.

The faces of family long gone before she had ever met them before her eyes, settled beside the dearly departed that she had known and loved; a small pang struck Twilight’s heart at the sight of her grandparents when they were still young, forever preserved in a happy memory untarnished by death. Weekend Warrior had been her favorite family member for all her life, the doting grandfather that everyone dreamed of knowing. Even with him now long gone, she could still feel his presence everywhere she looked. Her grandfather was still here, memory alive in so many things within these walls that if he had walked about the corner to greet her in a backbreaking hug then she wouldn’t have even blinked. But most of all she saw him in his daughter, that last binding legacy that still breathed and held treasured memories of the aged man she’d been so glad to know and love.

“Hey, Mom.”

Twilight Velvet, sitting on the couch and draped beneath a thick blanket, gave a start and ceased in her shredding of a half-used kleenex to raise her head. The listless gaze took in a small glimmer of light as recognition set in, Velvet giving a smile and saying, “Twilight! Oh, it’s lovely to see you!”

Twilight anticipated the issue before it revealed itself, she keeping her own form steady as Velvet struggled to rise to her feet, the hug between mother and child a shaky one despite the warmth. Her last visit had been similar in its beginnings, a struggle for movement that she hadn’t been expecting and had nearly seen the two fall. But the novelty this time around was the frailty; Velvet had lost so much weight! The bones beneath weathered skin were prominent now, much more than her visit a year before. She’d known Velvet was eating less nowadays, but not to this degree. “H- how are you, Mom?” Twilight tried to keep her voice steady and free of alarm, a soothing anchor rather than a worried daughter.

“I’m great! I didn’t know you were coming, thank you for the surprise!” Velvet replied, smiling brightly as she held herself steady on Twilight’s weight. “I would’ve made sure to get dinner ready for you, but this is still fine!”

Twilight’s heart sank; the cheerful words were a stark contrast to what Rain had texted her in the morning, and just further worry that continued to compound. “Oh. Mom, I thought we’d told you we were coming.”

Velvet’s smile began to lessen. “Did you?”

“You’ve just been busy today, Velvet,” Rain answered, tranquil as ever in dealing with the elder woman’s confusion. “That’s why we were working so hard to clean up the guest bedroom. So Cadance and Twilight could have a place to sleep while they were visiting with you!”

The stream of memory was clearly muddled within her mind; Velvet’s expression was clouded, concerned that she could not recall conversation nor action that had preceded this welcome reunion. She’d been able to recall sights and sound and even voices with ease, yet now the morning’s events were a shape within fog. Whether it was because of recollection at last or simple acquiescence, none could tell, but Velvet at last returned to a smile and gave her daughter a renewed embrace. “I’m so glad you had the time to visit. It’s wonderful to see you,” she said.

Twilight didn’t want to focus on this newest hardship, losing herself in the grasp of Velvet’s hug. Whether it was a loveless marriage and the bitter divorce that had followed, the near-lifelong alcoholism that had taken so many years to be cast aside, or these long years of dementia that continued to rob her of reality- none truly mattered to her in the midst of this renewed bond. This was her mother, a woman who had endured more struggle and pain and failure than she could ever really imagine; for what little time Twilight had left by her side, she was happy to know that their old strife was little more than memory.

“I love your dress, Velvet!” Cadance’s voice came through just in time to rescue Twilight from her rising emotions, Velvet paying no heed to the tears upon her daughter’s face as Cadance’s shining visage took precedence. “Where did you get it? It looks great on you!”

The day soon turned to evening, darkened skies falling swiftly as the late year’s grip on warmth and light tightened. When Cadance and Twilight had taken the time to get settled in, Velvet and Rain awaited their presence and the four women spent their time happily recalling their time spent elsewhere. Gentle reminders helped to guide the elderly Velvet through the years and events to which she had not been present as well as those she had, the kind words of her companions doing their best to fill the gaps that the mind could no longer manage. The occasional discomfort came whenever Velvet had to pause and forcibly ponder things, but no sight of frustration or unhappiness seemed to seep out and take hold; the once-harsh mother chose softness, glad to spend her time alongside her daughter.

Cadance did what she could to help the both of them, though she felt akin to wading through a murky bog; Twilight was the one who knew Velvet’s struggles inside and out, recalling every symptom and past struggle immediately. She could only try and be a source of tranquility for them both, and hope that good cheer would help mitigate any issues that could arise. Her heart hurt whenever she saw Velvet become distressed, whether it be with memory or a utensil or even her current reality. She’d known Velvet for almost as many years as Twilight, and what she’d endured certainly didn’t need to be relived again. This continued degradation was heart-wrenching for her to see- Cadance couldn’t imagine how Twilight dealt with it.

It was not long after a late dinner that Rain and Twilight helped Velvet get ready for bed, a consistent schedule one of many means by which they helped soothe her troubled mind. For a task so simple, it took a surprising amount of time: Cadance did what she could to see Velvet’s clothes ready for her while Twilight helped dry her mother off from a bath, slow presses of a soft towel to aging flesh and bone as daughter tended to the one who had once cared for her.

Pausing in her work, Cadance watched in silence as Twilight performed her work, Rain having returned to the kitchen to finish preparing Velvet’s numerous medications that would await her in the morning. The tenderness with which Twilight performed every movement patient, careful so as to best aid her mother- the sorrow within her eyes that remained hidden by her smile, a low and soothing voice as she helped guide Velvet through every motion. Twilight was a marvelous caregiver, as gentle and loving as anyone could hope to be. Though her mother had not always been the ideal parent, still did the beautiful woman act with all manner of grace and warmth. To watch Twilight in such simple acts of affection was, by Cadance’s measure, the most shining example of love that could ever be found.

“We’ll be right in the other room if you need anything, Mom,” Twilight said, ensuring her mother was comfortable upon plush pillows and beneath soft sheets. “So if you wake up and something’s wrong, just call for me or Cadance and we’ll be right there. OK?”

Though barely awake, Velvet’s genial mood continued all the same. “Thanks for coming to visit. It’s been a lovely day with the two of you,” she said. “Don’t stay up for too long.”

“We won’t, I promise.” A kiss on the forehead before departing, Twilight giving her mother one last wave goodbye as she flipped off the overhead light and left the room. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.”

It was cruel that their relationship had become so warm in such awful circumstances, Cadance thought. Velvet had not always been at her best, but Twilight had always loved her mother just the same; now Velvet adored her daughter, and may not remember even the briefest word shared between them. Now out of sight of her mother’s eyes was when Twilight at last allowed herself the opportunity to deal with her emotions, a short gasp as a pair of tears fell down softened cheeks.

No words could really be of any help, so Cadance simply took Twilight from behind and embraced her, allowing this momentary release to run its course until the younger woman could regain some semblance of self-control.

“Sorry,” Twilight said, her voice thick and threatening further tears. “I’m alright, I’m alright…”

“You did an amazing job today,” Cadance murmured. “I’m so proud of you.”

Twilight gave a shudder but said nothing; ever her greatest critic, she had plenty of objections to such a statement and deeply desired to express them. But a moment for another time, she eventually supposed- Rain had yet to depart, and there were still a few remaining things to be done.

The ever-cheerful caretaker sat amidst her things in the kitchen, tactful enough to wait and let the two brides be alone in their distress for a short time. When Twilight entered the room and made for an open chair, she smiled and said, “I’m so glad you came in when she was having such a good day. I haven’t seen her this happy in a very long while.”

“Has she been that bad?” Twilight asked, blunt and still bearing a sorrowful expression.

“I didn’t mean she’s been miserable- I’m sorry if that’s what it sounded like,” Rain replied. “I know you must be worried about her, especially with being so far away!”

“But… she has been having more issues, hasn’t she?” Twilight asked; a quick glance to her side as Cadance took the seat beside her. “I remember when you and I talked last week…”

Rain’s cheerful demeanor could only sustain itself for so long, evaporating and turning to more serious matters that had been the reason behind this long trip northwards. “Well, her… her good days are rarer, and her bad days are- they’re getting worse,” she admitted. “When I came in yesterday morning I found her lying against the side of the bed; she’d fallen and couldn’t get herself back in bed.”

Cadance put a hand over her mouth. “Was she OK? Did she-”

“She was fine, thankfully. This time,” the gentle matron replied, “but she had urinated on herself and had become extremely frustrated. It took me a while to get her to relax again and she was irritable the rest of the day. I was worried she’d still be in a grumpy mood when you arrived, so at least that.”

“How was she when you came in this morning? Was everything OK?”

Rain gave a wry grin. “I stayed on the couch just in case. One scare was bad enough, and she’d only been that way for a short time- I didn’t want to run the risk of her falling again and I not being here for hours.”

“You haven’t been- Rain, go home and get some rest!” Twilight said. “I’m so sorry, if I’d known we would have come yesterday so you could be with your family.”

“It’s alright, I promise. It was only the one day,” Rain said, casting aside what protests that came with a wave of her hand. “But all the same, I’m glad you’re here for the rest of her time here. I always worry she’ll have a real accident whenever I’m away.” The remnants of her good demeanor disappeared at last, whisked away alongside a winded sigh as her expression became dour. “She’s been struggling a lot this month, Twilight. She’s had more issues this year than last and that’s to be expected, but… but entire days can pass and she’ll think she’s a kid living with her parents. Or that she’s still married to your father and…”

Twilight knew what was said even in the silence. She bit her lip to maintain the hold of her emotions before saying, “It really is time, isn’t it?”

Rain’s gaze was sympathetic but she nodded all the same. “You made the right call,” she answered. “She needs full-time care, and that’s something none of us here can reasonably give her. The facility you chose- I worked there myself just before I started looking after your mother, it’s a wonderful place. The staff will look after her every need, she’ll be perfectly safe and they’ll… they’ll make sure she’s alright. Velvet will be just as comfortable there as she could be anywhere, and much safer.”

“Yeah. I know.” Twilight’s voice was tiny, choked as the lump in her throat threatened to block her speech.

“I know it’s hard, but you are absolutely doing what’s best for her,” Rain continued. “Don’t feel like you’re being weak or lazy or throwing her out. You’re making the choice that will be best for her- and best for you, too.”

“I know. I know,” Twilight said. The comfort of Cadance’s hand, gently rubbing the back of her neck, gave her the strength to swallow and find her voice once more. “So you haven’t told her that we’re moving her yet, right?”

Rain shook her head. “I figured that would be something you’d want to tell her yourself.”

“Yeah, it… it is. An intake of breath, then released slowly as she began to mull over the next day’s events. “So we’ll… we’ll have to tell her tomorrow. She’ll be leaving next Monday.”

“Wait until around lunchtime. She struggles in the mornings,” Rain advised her. “And I’ll be right there with you, so don’t feel too much pressure. I’ll help explain some things to her about what she’ll be doing next.”

“Alright, then.”

A quick goodbye and the pleasant woman departed for the night, leaving the two brides alone beneath the pale light of the kitchen. Twilight said nothing and remained a statue, Cadance continuing in her massage as the lateness of the night bore down on them all the more heavily.

“I’m going to go get a shower,” Cadance said at last, slowly rising from her seat and grimacing at the soreness that she endured. “Or would you like to first?”

“You go on ahead,” Twilight replied.

She knew the emptiness of that voice full well, Cadance only halting her departure so as give her bride a kiss before leaving Twilight to a grief that none could hope to alleviate.

The morning came with pale light, Twilight awakening to flickers of sun piercing through holes in the decaying curtains. All around her were the memories of sights and sounds long past, tethers to an old life that had somehow transformed into the waking hour. When she compared the joy of those childhood moments to the gnawing ache she felt now, the contrast was starker than she wished to accept. No matter how her mother took the news, none of their remaining days here could hope to be anything but bittersweet.

The clock read a quarter till eight; she’d have to go and make sure Velvet got up soon. The longer she lay there and felt her senses enter further into the waking world, the greater her dread became. It would have been nice if she could simply get it all over with: spit out the news and go about her day. But with her mother having deteriorated so greatly, it would have to be delivered gently; a fully awoken mind would be a little more capable of dealing with the news in a rational manner.

“I hope,” she whispered; almost a plead.

A sound of motion above her and Twilight turned to see Cadance twisting about on the daybed, bleary eyes peering down at her bride on the trundle below. “You say something?” she mumbled.

“It’s nothing.” Truth be told, Twilight hadn’t even realized that she’d spoken aloud. “Go back to bed, Princess.”

“What about Velvet?”

“I can handle it.”

“Mmf…” Cadance rose slowly from her lying position and took the time to stretch, more than a few grunts following each movement of muscle. “Oh wow, I hate how hard that is- of course I’ll help you with her.”

“It’s alright.”

“I don’t mind, Love,” Cadance countered, suddenly fully awake and conscious of her wife’s growing distress. “It’s OK to not be OK right now.”

“I know.” She did, and meant it; the years had done well to soothe her neurotic patterns, develop a patience and self-control that had one been buried. “I just… I’m gonna have to tell my own Mom that I’m putting her in a nursing home because she’s actually losing her mind and can’t take care of herself, I- I…” It was too early into her waking, emotions still bare and vulnerable; Twilight forced herself to swallow and continue on. “I don’t know how to say any of that right now,” she whispered.

Cadance said nothing, merely gazing at her bride with a softness tinged with sorrow. It hadn’t been too long since she herself had said that last farewell to her own kin, the grief still fully capable of rising from the depths and searing her heart. At least, by her perspective, her parents no longer suffered; Twilight would have to say goodbye to her mother long before Velvet ever truly died.

“Let’s make sure she’s awake,” the gentle woman said, slipping out from beneath the sheets and taking to her feet. “I’ll pick out a couple outfits for her to choose from after we get her in the bath, OK?”

One thing at a time. Cadance was keeping her occupied with the first task rather than fretting about others. “Alright, then. Come on.”

She could smell the odor the moment they opened the door, the first sign that Velvet had done poorly throughout the night. Had she not called out for either of them, or –heaven forbid!- had they not heard her and simply slept through? The pungent reek of urine permeated the air as the two women entered the dimly lit room to find Velvet awake and leaning back against the pillows, completely devoid of expression.

“Mom? Are you alright?” Twilight was making an effort to hide her distress, keep her voice even and relaxed. It was not a fact that today would be one with which Velvet struggled, but it was also not a comforting sign. Perhaps, if she kept herself calm, then this would only be seen as a bump in the road.

Velvet was slow to react, as though rising out of a trance; her eyes fell upon the source of sound and scrutinized her daughter as Twilight came to her side and gingerly inspected the stinking sheets. Not a word to be seen upon her lips, just a continued inspection with a hardened gaze that held so many feelings within them that it was impossible to tell which would win out.

Holding back just a bit was Cadance, reluctant to add her presence to the mix just yet when it seemed Velvet would need a few extra moments to compose herself. Did she not remember that Twilight was her daughter? Or was it lack of recognition that failed her? The iron in her eyes was something she’d felt fall upon her before, and its weight was not something pleasant. A knot in her stomach began to tighten.

“We’ll need to get you a bath before we do anything else,” Twilight remarked, as lightly as though it were little more than a mealtime mess. “Come on, Mom, put your arm across my neck-”

“You’re not my daughter,” Velvet said.

Cadance winced, unwittingly letting a small gasp to escape her lips before recovering. The words were said with suspicion- with venom, Velvet lashing out against her kindred that her sick mind knew was most certainly a deception. Twilight was left somewhat senseless from the unexpected blow, clearly hurt and doing what she could to recompose.

“I- I know I might look a little different,” the younger woman said, returning to moving back Velvet’s bedsheets and revealing the thin form beneath. “I’ve been gone for- for a bit, so it’s OK to not really recognize me. Don’t you want to get out of these wet clothes? I’ll help you to get to the bath and we can get you cleaned up.”

“You’re not my daughter. My Twilight’s still busy at college, she wouldn’t leave unless she was sure she could.” Velvet spoke the words so matter-of-factly, convinced without a doubt that what she stated was truth. What memory that held fast to her now could not see the woman before her eyes as Twilight any longer but instead a dreadful other, with the ‘real’ Twilight so many miles away.

“You weren’t able to be there when I graduated, that’s all, Mom,” Twilight replied. A quick shuffle of hands and Twilight extracted her phone, flipping through an endless number of photographs to find one of her those many years ago in a bright-red graduation gown. “You were helping Grandma and Grandpa because she wasn’t feeling well that day. I know you’ve been busy!”

Twilight was giving a commendable effort by Cadance’s estimation; beyond the initial shock that had dealt its wound, she was reacting with good cheer and calming words that would keep Velvet away from further distress. Though not entirely convinced, Velvet at least seemed more willing to listen than she had been when they’d first entered.

“Here, put your arm across my neck, OK?” Twilight said, leaning down again and offering herself as physical support. “I’ll help you get to the bathroom and you can get cleaned up, I know you might be sore.”

Still suspicious of this 'stranger' even as she relented, Velvet hobbled to the nearby bathroom in a strange stumble as she tried to outpace what her body could give, weakness failing her when the mind asked for more. Once so capable and proud, the sight of her having fallen so low was one that left Cadance rattled. She was hardly older than I am now when she found out, she mused, now look at her. I can’t imagine. With enough space between, Cadance came to Velvet’s drawers and began to extract a few items for the day; this was a pants sort of day, something comfortable-

Out of the corner of her eye, a jerked movement of body grabbing her attentions by instinct. Velvet had caught sight of Cadance flitting through her belongings, and the pall of recognition was evident upon her aged face. The sudden drain of color, however, was incomparable to the fire that now set alight in her gaze; a weakened mind still remembering full well the humiliation that she had been forced to endure at Cadance’s hands, that time of unforgiveness now back in full force. Uh-oh.

The early-morning stumbles were the ill omen that they feared them to be; Velvet remained agitated throughout her bath, constantly trying to depart of her own will and putting herself at risk because of it. Cadance felt her eyes burn her form every time she walked by the bathroom door to perform further work on the stained bed, a hostility that Velvet hadn’t dealt upon her in years. Part of her wondered if it would be best that she just stay out of the way for the rest of the day- her presence was causing unnecessary distress that Twilight would have to deal with. Would it just be better that she remained out of sight, out of mind?

“Be careful! My leg hurts because of you!” Velvet’s voice cracked like a whip, more than audible even in the hallway. The tone put an end to the beautiful woman’s stride and she halted, Cadance waiting just out of the threshold before daring to reveal her presence once more. Am I being a coward here?

“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t notice your bruise,” Twilight replied. Still did her patience continue to bear her mother’s displeasure and show no signs of cracking. “Did you hurt yourself while you were sleeping last night? Like, sleep on your side wrong?”

“I am not your mother, and you’re scrubbing too hard- that’s why I’m hurting!” Velvet shot back. “I have told you a thousand times already, I am not your mother!”

A twist of her heart for her bride; Twilight would come away from the day emotionally bloodied if this sort of harshness continued. She hesitated only for a moment longer, primed to take Twilight’s place and allow her a reprieve-

“And why did you let that bitch in this house? I know I saw her.” Where there had been fire was now something volcanic, a hate so deep that Cadance felt it burn even from a distance.

“Saw who?” Twilight was playing innocent, tone still light in the faint hope that Velvet’s own would follow after.

“Her. Cadance,” Velvet hissed. “Do you know what that piece of shit did to me?”

Oh boy.

Twilight knew what was about to befall them and the memory of that long-ago time was no more pleasant now than it had been then. “I might have-”

“She played me and my sweet Twilight into getting drunk with her, did you know that?” Velvet said, “just when I was wanting to stop drinking! And then she tricked me into sleeping with my own daughter, as well as her! She made me have sex with my own baby girl just because!”

Not the whole story, but the whole story was actually much worse. The memory had dimmed over the many years since, but Cadance felt no pleasure in recalling what flashes of sight and sound and feeling that still lived on. Considering her own role in it was bad enough- for Twilight, who had been a complete victim throughout, the memory had to be humiliating.

“I… I heard about that,” Twilight said. She had likely withdrawn into herself on that one, her next words arriving in a voice so quiet that Cadance couldn’t make out what she had even said.

“I know I saw her here!” Velvet cried. “My poor Twilight was always infatuated with that awful woman, and look at where it got her! Oh, I wish she’d thrown Cadance out with the rest of the trash and let her rot! Disgusting bitch, I bet she was doing all sorts of horrid things to my little girl behind everyone’s backs. If I ever get my hands on her again…

All thoughts of potentially helping were thrown out the window along with what little remained of her dignity. Was this what Velvet had thought of her in those days after, she wondered? The cold chill that coursed through her bones wasn’t unjustified; if she had been any more improper with Twilight than she'd been, some of the accusations might have had merit. Legal though their trysts had been the scandal and shame was bad enough. And she’d done so much to justify this sort of hatred.

The new sound of the front door opening met her ears along with the sound of footsteps; Rain appeared from around the corner, rushing in and placing her tote bag in the kitchen before returning to greet Cadance. “Good mor-”

A frantic shake of her head and a grimace were enough to silence the friendly caretaker, Rain quickly cottoning on that something was not at ease. A quick glance into the bedroom and beyond before coming beside Cadance to be given the news.

“She’s having a rough morning,” Cadance whispered, hoping her voice wouldn’t carry over the sound of water splashing. “And she’s mad at me right now.”

“You didn’t do anything, did you?”

“A long time ago,” Cadance admitted, desperately hoping that Velvet wouldn’t repeat the ordeal aloud once more. “She doesn’t really recognize Twilight, either. Thinks that Twilight’s still in college.”

Rain pulled a face, the long sigh escaping her lips in a quiet stream before she gave herself a small shake. “We can work with that for now,” she murmured. “But… we might have to try another day to tell her if she doesn’t improve.”

“Twilight could use a break.”

Rain nodded and headed towards the bathroom, her solemn visage brightening as she caught sight of Velvet sitting in the tub. “Good morning, Miss Velvet! How are we today?”

“This woman’s doing a terrible job of helping me, and she keeps lying about being my daughter!” Velvet answered, “as if I’d want such a horrid thing to be my child! About as useless as-”

Rain did her best to try and soothe Velvet’s outburst, calming words and professional experience a better match than what Twilight’s wounded spirit could currently contend with. It was of little surprise to Cadance when the spectacled woman headed to the kitchen where she could be out of sight; to her credit, at least she hadn’t run.

“I’m sorry,” Cadance breathed, following after her bride and trying to put her arms about the distressed figure. “You did a wonderful job keeping your cool, you really did. None of that was your fault.”

“You’re sorr- Love, I am…” Twilight was trembling in Cadance’s embrace, each breath a sucking of air as she tried to hold back the tears that begged to be shed. “You know she didn’t mean what she said about you, I know that must have been awful to hear. She just… I remember-”

“Twilight…” Cadance shushed the panicked words into silence. Keeping her own breath in a slow, even rhythm so as to give Twilight something to match, she did what she could to help stop the overflow. “She thought it once. It’s OK, she…” A small gulp to help swallow down the shame. “Velvet had reason to think that back then. I’m sorry. What she said about you wasn’t fair at all.”

Unable to speak and only capable of a shaky nod, Twilight bit hard upon her lip as her features threatened to crumple. It had been easier to focus upon the insult of another than to deal with her own wounds, but Cadance had simply batted that effort away. To look upon your own mother and see no light of recognition in her eyes…

“She’s just having a bad day,” Twilight managed to choke out. “That’s all.”

“I’ll fix breakfast. Give yourself a moment,” Cadance suggested. “Rain’s looking after her, she’s OK right now. Take a quick break.”

A slow, shuddering breath and Twilight assented, staying her departure for only a moment so as to give her beloved an embrace in return.

It would not be the last outburst Velvet had before day’s end, and none were easier for her daughter to endure. Cantankerous at breakfast and struggling with the utensils, denying her medication out of fear that it were poison; continuously voiced discomfort as she sat before the TV, constantly on the lookout for a sight of the one she despised more than any other. Cadance, continuously trying to keep things smooth behind the scenes, could only marvel at Rain’s and Twilight’s patience- poor, sweet, constantly wounded Twilight, given only flashes throughout the day that her mother was still somewhere within that unhappy husk. It seemed that the day would be little more than a marathon of voiced displeasure and unhappiness that drained them all of energy.

When the sun began to at last flash its dying rays somewhere beyond the skyline did Velvet’s ill temper begin to subside; bright blues turned soft, tinged with pink and orange as the fall weather brought forth an early sunset. Perhaps wearied even by her own irritableness, Velvet’s words ceased their continued muttering and a wearied silence fell upon the exhausted group of women.

Daring to peek about the corner of the living room, Cadance found the three women sitting amongst themselves, Rain poring over the numerous work calls that had arrived and gone unanswered throughout her busy day while Twilight sat beside her mother and let the images on the muted TV pass before their eyes. Perhaps sensing this newest presence, Twilight was roused from her own mind and caught sight of her, a nod given so as to answer Cadance’s query; she would not be a source of distress any longer.

“Your bed’s all nice and clean, Velvet,” Cadance said, gentle words arriving in a murmur as she settled herself into an ancient armchair. “And I made sure to make your pillows extra fluffed up, so hopefully you’ll be nice and comfortable when you go to bed this time.”

Not even a glance in her direction. Velvet stared blankly at the TV without regard for anything in her world, lost in the mire of her mind and deaf to whatever else could hope to pull her out of it. Twilight looked at her mother in the hopes that she might see a response, but was granted not even a twitch. With a sigh, she extracted her phone and began to flip through its contents, the soft sounds of music filtering into the room as the notes of a piano’s melody began to play.

For a few moments longer, there was only the calming sound that was a salve to their spirits. But then came unexpected movement; Velvet’s hands rose as though seeking out the keys and allowed her fingers to play along with the song, her head gently swinging left and right with the timing. No note came with ferocity or great feeling, bearing little more than a tranquility that was found in moonlit nights of spring of childhood days. With each new tone came further life from Velvet’s once-empty eyes, her hands still playing along upon a keyboard only she could find; a young girl’s long-forgotten joy that had been burned away in constant tribulation had suddenly returned in the midst of her decaying days, summoning forth a life that was now all but lost save only to one.

She felt the tears sting her eyes long before she felt them stream down her face. Not even when they had first met had Cadance seem Velvet like this. Upon the old woman’s face was a serenity and happiness that had no words to describe it, her dim and melancholy world lost as she was transported by ivory into sweetened memory. If the keys had truly been before her than she would have played wonderfully, not a note to be found absent. A skill never seen in all their days had been brought back to life for one last time, and the joy it so freely gave was not to be denied.

As soon as it had come, the sweet notes of moonlight departed and Velvet’s hands fell back in her lap. The joy that had glowed in her eyes fell away, clouded by sentience that knew only despair. She looked about for a sight or sound that she had once knew and found so little to recognize, all trappings of the safe world she had known as a little girl long passed and never to be found again. And so she broke, tears coming to her eyes and beginning their painful streak across aged cheeks. “This is all wrong,” she gasped.

Twilight failed to keep the hurt from her features, reaching out and giving her mother’s wrist a gentle squeeze. She had only meant to give comfort, not bring about this wretched unhappiness.

“I don’t want to feel like this anymore,” Velvet said. “I miss my Daddy, I miss my Momma… I just want it to stop.” The tears fell in thick droplets now, her grief crashing down in a horrid weight. Crumpling into herself, she could only let her pain flow freely until it chose to subside, a continuous flow of tremors even as her daughter tried to soothe them away.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Twilight whispered. Tear-stained, unable to heal her mother’s hurt, she could only watch as this moment of horrible self-awareness continued on. “You’re just having a bad day, it’s OK…”

“It is not OK!” Velvet hiccupped. “You shouldn’t see me like this, and everything I’ve said- and Cadance!” She suddenly whipped around, looking upon her companion and pleading for forgiveness. “I shouldn’t have, I am- it’s all wrong!”

The two women settled themselves beside her and let Velvet’s sorrow run its course, merely holding her in their arms as she continued to sob. The hurt was a palpable, pulsating thing that Cadance felt crash into her, both mother and daughter struck at their core and unable to find relief. Try as she might to retain some measure of strength, her own tears would simply not cease their flow, shed on behalf of a pain that rain too deep.

“I want…” Velvet tried to regain her self-control, clinging to her sober mind with all her might. “You can’t see me like this ever again.”

Twilight began to turn pale at this sudden, stiffened will. “Mom..?”

“You can’t see me like this. I need to go- somewhere,” Velvet continued. “Away. Just- just put me in a home somewhere and don’t you ever come to visit, do you hear me? Don’t you ever see me because it’s only gonna be worse and worse every single time.”

“Mom- of course not!” Twilight protested. “We’ll come visit as much as we can, of course we would! Like we’d ever just abandon you, don’t even think that!”

Velvet bit her lip as more droplets added their mark. “Sweetheart, I wouldn’t be there to see you,” she managed to say at last. “I’m not… I’m barely here now.”

Cadance had never hurt so much for someone as when she saw Twilight try, and fail, to deny the statement. Unable to prevent the inevitable any longer, the loss of her mother was not to be a singular moment of pain but instead a long, miserable ordeal that would go on until at last even death would be seen as relief from suffering. Velvet was clinging to what little strength of will remained and used it to give this last, desperate plea.

“It’ll be OK for you to go,” Velvet whispered, reaching up to stroke along the contours of her daughter's face with doting tenderness. “I don’t want to hurt you anymore. So you let me go, and then you never look back. You never, ever look back, do you understand me?”

“But you’re my Mom,” Twilight breathed, perhaps needing to give one last protest against this horrific fate that she could not endure nor avoid. “I can’t just leave.”

Velvet gave a watery smile and embraced her daughter one last time, unable to do any more than offer what little strength that still remained in her frail form and let it be passed on, hoping that it would say all the words she no longer knew how to say.

Author's Note

There's few things that hurt worse than seeing one who loved you leave, one memory at a time.
I guess I wrote this because I still remember how it felt.

Enjoy, I guess. Keep reading. Sorry for being gone so long it's been... rough.