Instant Mom

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Trying To Help A Student In Need
Chapter 2 - Interventional Investigation/Rescue and Comfort
Chapter 3 - Mental Health Day
Chapter 4 - Bad Bloodstained Guilt
Chapter 5 - Quality Time
Chapter 6 - The Confession
Chapter 7 - The Very First Date

Chapter 1 - Trying To Help A Student In Need

One early afternoon on a nice sunny day, with a pen in her hand and a few paperwork on the desk and having a huge amount of emails and outlooks on her computer, Principal Celestia of Canterlot High began signing away her daily round of paperwork and checking her emails and outlooks on her computer.

“Hmph, always with these tasks,” she sighed in boredom. “Hopefully I can get them done.”

As principal, it felt like it wasn’t the same when she enjoyed her days as a school teacher, except there were also times that she wished to go back to her original occupation, but the school board saw her suitably fit to be principal of this school. It also gave her something to do and she didn’t want to be a slouch most of the time while working responsibly.

After finishing up one stack and then another, she quickly checked her computer for something new, until she looked at her outlooks and sent a few back. After she was finished with the computer work, she continued to the next stack, but was stopped by a sudden kick from within her.

Glancing down, she pushed herself back while sitting on her chair, and then rubbed her big round belly, calming the life within her, who was no doubt wanting to meet its mother now.

She began to hum a calming melody while gently rocking back and forth on her chair and rubbing her belly as she took a moment away from her work. It was three months away from its arrival, and Celestia couldn’t be more happier. But suddenly, an unexpected feeling of both underlying sadness and concerning depression crept up on her lips, and changed her smile into a frown.

Celestia sighed depressingly. “Well, chalk it up to a one night stand for a woman to end up like this. But hopefully, it can’t get any worse,” Celestia groaned as she stared out towards the sunlit landscape outside her window, and then looked down at her belly rubbing it with both hands with a motherly smile on her face. “Since that knucklehead just can’t take more responsibility… Soon, sweetie. Soon, it’ll be just you, me, and your Auntie Luna.”

The door then creaked open and through it entered Luna, Celestia’s younger sister and the vice principal of Canterlot High. Noticing her sister’s behavior, she walked over and rested a hand on her shoulder for comfort.

Ever since their parents died years ago, they were inseparable and had no choice but to live with their aunt under one roof in some quiet suburb.

When it was somehow known to her that her eldest sister was pregnant, she didn’t hesitate or complain to offer her assistance to help raising her future niece or nephew.

“Still feeling stressed out, sister?” Luna asked. “You do realize all that stress isn’t good for the baby.”

“I know, Luna. I just wished that guy hadn’t skipped town and took responsibility more,” Celestia sighed, as she looked at her belly again. “I’m probably gonna have to go onto maternity leave before the end of the month, because I think I’m nearly there.”

“Well, some time off for you could help calm your nerves,” Luna said.

“True,” Celestia sighed as she sat on her seat, stressed and tired. “It’s just… When I found out I was pregnant, I contemplated on giving it up when he or she would be born until you stepped in and offered to help. Until after they, I somehow knew I really wouldn’t give it up for the world. I just didn’t know what to do.” Without warning, Luna leaned down on one knee and gave her older sister a hug.

“I know you’ll be a great and proud mother, sister. Because you took the reins when our parents died in that accident years ago, and when we went to live with our auntie.” Gently rubbing her hand on her sister’s belly, Luna felt a kick from the life within, until she smiled it possibly knew who she was. “I can tell that it’s anxiously eager to meet you.”

“Sometimes, I consider you to be wiser than I am, but I’m glad to have you help me find a way to make me feel better,” Celestia said, while she rubbed her belly with Luna. “So, what do you need?”

“Well, apart from that short scuffle between two students and a teacher in one of the hallways, but one student got caught falling asleep in class again,” Luna said.

“You mean Gregory Bryant?” For a while, the principals knew about the junior high school student. About two weeks ago, he had trouble staying awake during classes. It somehow shocked them because they saw him as a great student with nice grades. But even so, he’s been somehow socially withdrawn, socially as a result of his fatigued state. As of this moment, it has somehow become a huge cause of concern for them, while Celestia placed her fingers on her lips. “That poor boy… So, do you think you could bring him here then?”

“No, I’ve already sent a referral to Mr. Cranky Doodle about him. Once the day is over, I’ll check in and then he’ll be sent over here,” Luna replied.

“Good,” Celestia said, laying back in her chair. “Hopefully, we can help him with his personal issues.” Luna nodded and left the room while Celestia continued her work before taking another break.

An hour and several minutes later, the final bell rang throughout the halls. The sounds of all the students chattering filled the air. Soon, the doorknob turned and the door opened. Through it, entered a 17 year old boy with an average build, standing up to five feet tall, brown eyes, and dark brown disheveled hair. He wore a dark sports gray hoodie with blackish blue stripes on the sleeves, a pale powdered bluish gray shirt with blackish blue rings over it, black jeans, and dark gray converse all star slip on sneakers. His face looked really tired and very weary. They knew right away that he was Gregory Bryant.

“Oh, Mr. Bryant, we’ve been expecting you.” Celestia warmly greeted in a motherly tone, gesturing at the couch by the wall. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” Gregory complied as he then sat down. His face was filled with exhaustion from lack of sleep and worry feeling if he did something wrong.

“Am I in trouble?” He softly asked.

“No, dear,” Luna spoke up. “We’re just both concerned that some of your teachers said to us that they’ve somehow seen you unexpectedly napping during class time for the past few weeks.” Immediately, Gregory’s eyes lit up with shock and visible panic, concerning the two principals. They somehow began to suspect something was up with him.

“I-I’m sorry! I swear it won’t happen again!” He stuttered; eyes glancing from side to side, and then he felt more exhausted.

“Don’t fret. We’re not mad at you, even in the slightest.” As the 11th grade student lowered his head in shame with a moaning grumble, Celestia got up and took a seat next to him and began rubbing his back. It felt calm and relaxing but did little to help ease his nerves. He then folded his arms together and crossed them onto his lap. “Look, I’m not lying when I’m saying that you’re a really great student. You really are, and you have some amazing grade marks and to jeopardize that so close to graduating all the way to high school really worries us. So please, allow us to help you. Could it be something going on at home that’s troubling you?”

The last bit made Gregory freeze in place and his heart to suddenly skip another beat. How did they suspect that it was the case so fast? The fear and shock inside made him start to bred a few drops of sweat. He knew that they were right on point about what was bothering him so much, but to get both his parents, especially his little sister, was the last thing he wanted. It was really bad enough that he had to put up with stress on the home front sooner than later.

“N-No, ma’am,” he stuttered nervously. “I swear… it’s really nothing at home, honest.” The two principals took a good look at him and knew that he wasn’t telling the truth. His posture, eyes, body language, and speech patterns all started to betray his words. Having a better future in high school and earning a bachelor’s degree in science, Luna knew that right away. “I swear it’s the truth.”

“Mr. Bryant, my sister and I don’t mean to sound antagonistic when I say you aren’t being honest, but you’re sounding like you’re not truly being honest with us,” Luna said, kneeling in front of him and feeling visibly concerned while stroking his shoulder with her hand. “Look, once again we aren’t mad at you in the slightest. Not at all, to be honest. We’re just concerned about your wellbeing. I know that you’ve been doing your schoolwork well, and study hard for every test, but you somehow get in other situations that trouble you, and I suspect that might be a sign that things at home aren’t going well for you. Please, let us help you so you’ll be able to move on to high school.”

Feeling visibly uncomfortable, Gregory began to fidget around. He felt like he was being pressured by the two principals to answer them truthfully. Even though he recognized their intentions were purely noble, somewhere in the back of his mind felt that they wouldn’t be able to do anything about his problem.

“Ms. Celestia, Ms. Luna,” Gregory said with a sigh. “I know you both mean well and want to help me.” Gregory said, until he continued. “I appreciate your help. I do. It’s just that… I don’t want to put any of you in a position where you all won’t be able to do anything.”

Luna and Celestia were shocked about what he said. “What? Look, trust us when we say that we too have your best interests at heart. We want to do all we can t-”

NO! LOOK! I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO HELP, BUT YOU JUST CAN’T!” The outburst somehow shook both Celestia and Luna. His facial expression spelled frustration, depression and fear. “You can’t… I just can’t… It’s too hard to explain,” Gregory said before feeling broken down in tears, until he hung his head once more before getting up with his backpack in his arm and then both straps around both his shoulders. As much as they tried to stop him, Celestia and Luna knew that aggravatingly instigating him would not be wise, but make it worse even more. “I don’t want you to end up like I am.”

“I understand, but listen. If you ever need us to talk to, we’ll listen, okay?” Celestia said sweetly, with her hand on his shoulder. Gregory nodded and then she smiled warmly at him. “You can go now, Mr. Bryant. Take care.” Gregory nodded and then left the office so he can go home and get some rest for tomorrow.

Without him noticing, neither of them said a word as Gregory walked out, not even a whisper. ’Why would he act so hostile towards others offering to help? What did he have to hide?’ They both thought to themselves, until they realized that they should get going as well, so they packed up their stuff and went to their van to go home.

At the house, they sat in the living room drinking some coffee, but Celestia didn’t mind since she was pregnant. They were still thinking about Gregory’s problem and how to help him.

“I just don’t understand, Tia,” Luna sighed. “For sure, we now know that it’s definitely a home issue with him. But yet, he’s confident and somehow resistant.”

“Yes. I’m afraid so,” Celestia agreed with a worried frown on her lips. “But in him I sensed fear and an apprehensive feeling… like he’s feeling ashamed of something.”

“Well, we might’ve just rendered any different opportunities to confront him directly with our offer to help impossible, so I’d suggest you come up with another idea,” Luna said with her arms crossed.

“Yes, I can see that,” Celestia said. “But still, we’ve got to keep trying.” She then realized something else, “Oh! I almost forgot. We were supposed to have that dinner invite with Dean Cadance at our house tonight. Maybe we can ask her what she’d do.”

Luna nodded in agreement with a soft sigh, “I hope your right, Tia. I humbly don’t enjoy seeing that poor boy’s future crash and burn before it begins soon. He’s got one more year of high school left after this semester, until he finally graduates.” Celestia nodded and they both enjoyed their coffee and then a few hours later, while Celestia was suddenly napping with her bare feet on the couch and a blanket wrapped around her legs, Luna quietly took the van and went to get some groceries for dinner tonight while Celestia stayed behind due to her pregnancy, and decided to nap for a few more minutes so she can rest from working all day.

Later that night…

After Luna came home from the grocery store, she came in with the groceries, consisting an entire roasted chicken so that they can reheat it in the oven and cut it into pieces, and some vegetables for a salad to go with it. While Luna started cooking, there was a knock on the door, which Celestia answered. Opening the door, she was greeted by a warm smile and embrace from Dean Cadance, who was still as young and beautiful as ever.

Ever since the last Friendship Games, both of them got along outside work as they always do until their rivalry ended when both schools won the games. There were many times when she, Luna, and Celestia would find a proper time for a get-together or just to hang out with each other somewhere.

“Celestia,” Cadance said, breaking the hug. “How are you since we’ve last seen each other from the Friendship Games?”

“I’m doing okay,” Celestia replied. “Just ending another busy work week, as usual.” As Celestia rubbed her belly, Cadance took notice and rubbed it as well with her friend’s approval. “I only have two more months left, including my maternity leave, and I’m just so excited.”

“I’m happy for you, Celestia. In fact, with you in this state, you somehow remind me of when I was pregnant with Flurry Heart.” Cadance giggled, retracting her hand from Celestia’s belly. The gesture somehow made Celestia smile, knowing her colleagues support her as well. “So eager yet anxious, I can really tell that I can somehow see in your eyes that you’ll be a great mother soon.”

“Thank you, Cadance. I was also wondering if anything happened at Crystal Prep,” Celestia said.

“Well, ever since we both declared each other winners, Cinch decided to quit her job, and since we’ve moved on from the rivalry, I decided to take over as principal, so it’s now Principal Cadance,” she said.

“True. True. But I’m glad to hear things are working out well at your school,” Celestia said.

“If you two are finished chatting, dinner is now ready to be served,” Luna said, calling from the kitchen. Celestia and Cadance took their seats at the table, while Luna carried a tray full of an entire roasted and baked chicken but cut into pieces, and on the side were buttered rotini noodles and a fresh salad chopped with both green and red cabbages, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, carrots shreds, bread cubes, and red onions, and topped with an Italian vinaigrette dressing.

Since their youth, Luna and Celestia were both taught by their aunt how to cook. The favorite food they like to make was from the internet. Since her sister’s pregnancy, Luna took over the cooking duties. “Well, here we are, roasted and baked chicken pieces with a side of butter noodles and a vinaigrette dressed salad. Help yourselves.”

All throughout dinner, the three principals ate the comforting meal together. Celestia, in her pregnancy, had extra helpings with her plate of food. They shared various topics such as work and family. Many lighthearted and joyful laughs were shared at the table. As much as she wanted to enjoy the fun, Celestia’s talk with the student couldn’t escape her mind. As any principal would, she worried about what was troubling him as did Luna.

“And that’s why Shining Armor refuses to go near a bear while camping ever again!” Cadance laughed as she took a sip of her water. “He just screamed like a little girl as it pummeled him but left him still breathing!”

“Amusing,” Luna replied with a giggle, taking another bite from her plate. “Here, I thought Shining Armor would be normally stoic nowadays.”

“Well, he is but he isn’t completely that way, but I still love my Shining.” As Cadance took a sip of her drink, she noticed Celestia looking down at her plate, twirling the remaining buttered pasta noodle with a frown on her face. She started feeling concerned about her colleague’s mood, “Celestia, why are you upset? Is something bothering you?”

Having been wanting to talk about the issue with her, Celestia let out a sigh and then nudged her plate away.

“Well, Cadance…” she started. “…have you ever dealt with problems from other students who would refuse help, even though they show that they need it?”

Cadance then thought for a moment and then replied, “Well, I’ve dealt with that sort of thing a few times or so. Sometimes, it takes a bit of perseverance, but they’ll eventually relent that offer. Why do you ask?”

“There’s this student in the 11th grade semester. Gregory Bryant. As of late, his teachers have seen him dozing off in class by napping,” Celestia answered.

“I see. Did you try talking to him personally?” Cadance asked.

“We did, Cadance,” Luna stated. “However, he was very adamant on not telling us, because he had a strong heart, but was feeling fear from within. When we asked him if it had something to do with his home life, he somehow snapped at us and left, without saying a word. From there, we knew the root of the issue was at home.”

“Are you going to talk to him again, Celestia?” Cadance asked.

“I think that’s going to be out of the cards, so I’m afraid not. We both agreed that we’ve scared him off from us,” Celestia sighed with exhaustion. “We’ve figured that since you’ve had more experience in that regard, you would give us some advice on how we can help him, so please. Tell us what we can do to help the poor boy.”

While taking a momentary pause to brainstorm some ideas for a solution, Cadance began to carefully think about their situation. Having been the Dean of Crystal Prep Academy for some time before transitioning into Principal, she somehow got familiar with some of the behaviors a student would unexpectedly feel. However, she recognized that one would need to immediately resort to some less than attractive or interesting methods that could help get stuff accomplished successfully. If it’s for the sake of a student in need of help, then so be it, because she wouldn’t fret about drawbacks or back down from a different perspective. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.

“Well, Celestia,” Cadance spoke up. “There’s this one ancient Chinese phrase that my grandparents’ neighbor would often quote whenever something or someone is in need: “Juéwàng de shídài xūyào juéwàng de cuòshī”. It originally means “Desperate times call for desperate measures”.”

“Cadance, what are you talking about?” Celestia asked.

“Well, I’m saying you might have to resort to some…” she made her two fingers with both hands in a quotation gesture, “…‘unconventional’ methods if he’s too afraid or resistant as you say. But since his problem lies at his home front, start from there.” Right away, Luna knew exactly what Cadance implied, and never would she consider such a thing like that before!

“Cadance, are you suggesting we should spy on him?!” Luna gasped in shock. “He’s only 17!”

Cadance sighed and then spoke up, “Yes, Luna, and I know he’s only a boy. But I’m not going to make this superficially attractive or acceptable, if I plan to sugarcoat it either. But if the issue with the student truthfully lies at the home front, you’ll need to start with his parents, but just follow them around for a day, and don’t let them notice you’re far behind. So unless you have a better idea of what to do, I’m all ears.”

“Hmm… Well, be as it may, I honestly just find the idea to be completely wrong and irrelevant. What do you think, sister?” Luna asked, relying on Celestia for guidance.

For things to be dealt with either emotional or occupational issues, she would be there with some words of wisdom backing her up from inside. While her head simply objected to such an idea given by Cadance, her heart was telling her to do the right thing, even if it meant resorting to motherly instinct methods. She was somehow torn and didn’t what to do at all.

“Luna, I think Cadance might have a point,” Celestia said. “Besides, we know that confronting Gregory would be too difficult now when we tried earlier today and until it didn’t go too well. Though it’s morally wrong, I honestly see no other option, so frankly, we have no choice. I just want to see the poor student move on to high school and graduate successfully.”

Luna sighed as her sister said her piece. Like Celestia, she too held the same concern for the student. Even though she’s more orderly then her sister, her heart would sometimes override her judgement and tell her what’s right or wrong. After a moment of inner thought, she concluded her thinking and confirmed that it was the only way they’ll find out what was wrong. For her, the expectations and welfare of a student held greater immediate importance than her morals.

“Okay, Tia. I’ll trust you and Cadance on this one,” Luna said in confirmation, conceding to her sister’s smile. “I would say that starting maybe Monday afternoon would be the most optional and optimal time to start our investigation.”

“Alright, Luna,” Celestia replied with her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “You’ve made the right decision.”

“But the worst part is that I’ve checked his file,” Luna said. “The part of town he lives in is nearby one spot which is not among the nicest places to live in. The town next to it is also a high crime area, but they live next to it. In your condition, I much rather not have you put yourself and your unborn child at such a big grave dangerous risk, so I suggest that you let me handle this one.”

“Don’t worry, sister. Plus, I can take care of myself just fine,” Celestia sighed warmly with a smile of relief while gently rubbing her full belly. “I’ll go to work on Monday while you trail his parents, and what their problem is. I just hope you can handle it without being caught.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Tia. I’ll be just fine,” Luna replied. “Of all the times I was picked on during middle school, high school, and college, I learned how to defend myself without violence. Just go to work and take care of yourself and the baby and I’ll report to you if I find out about anything I see or hear. I can assure you that I can definitely take care of myself, and so can you.”

“Luna… I don’t know what I’d be without you. Thank you so much for your help.” With a sisterly embrace, Luna and Celestia bid Cadance a goodnight as sunset fell upon the town. “Cadance, thank you too for your help,” Celestia said. “It’s always nice to help someone in need, Celestia. I just have high hopes you can do it without getting caught, so good luck. Goodnight, you two,” Cadance said, as she left the house, walked to her car and drove home.

With the weekend about begin, it would definitely be a good time for Celestia and Luna to calm their minds and prepare for their investigation. While Celestia has high hopes for Gregory’s better future in possession, she tried her very best to see that he was given the help he needed.

Chapter 2 - Interventional Investigation/Rescue and Comfort

Author's Note

Warning: This chapter may include mature language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Chapter 2 - Interventional Investigation/Rescue and Comfort

The next day after a relaxing but busy weekend, Celestia walked over to her van and looked at Luna at the front door, “Goodbye, Luna! I’ll see you after work!”

“Same here, Tia! But just remember to be careful and take things nice and easy!” Luna replied. “Noted!” Celestia said. Just like that, Celestia got into her van, which was a 2006 Ford Crown Vic Square, colored greenish bluish gray and the sides covered with wood platings, and drove off to work. As she watched from the windows, Luna took a sigh as she sipped her morning brew coffee. Even though her sister was going to be alone for the day, she was absolutely and certainly sure that Celestia would be in a less stressful situation. For her, it was relief that her sister would somehow be safe from harm.

“Cadance, I hope you’re right about this,” Luna said to herself as she made her way to the bathroom for a shower. “Hopefully, we can help this student with his problem.” As she got cleaned up, she thought of what to wear in order to better blend in with a neighborhood next to a town she feared the most. She then remembered that she had a hoodie that she rarely wore, along with a baseball hat and a pair of sunglasses she favored. After she made her decision, it was a matter of having her things gathered and worn.

Her hoodie was powdered charcoal gray and tie-dyed with both dark grayish blue and darker purple. Her cap was black with a dark blue circle and a white crescent moon, and her sunglasses were blue gradient lenses covered with silver framing.

“Hmmm… I suppose this could work,” she mused as she looked in the mirror. “At least I won’t embarrass myself that much.” After she pocketed both her house and car keys, her wallet, and her phone, she walked out, locked the door, and went downtown before hailing a nearby taxi. The address she gave the driver was a short distance from Gregory’s house and neighborhood.

As they drove into the neighborhood, the atmosphere became a little gloomy but remained in the nice sunny day. There were apartment buildings and houses, small shops with light up signs, and lots of alleyways. Little did Luna know that it wasn’t an ideal place to start and raise a family, especially since this neighborhood was next to the Narrows, a crime based township. No sooner when she got out of the cab, and paid the driver, Luna saw a man walk out of the house. Luna recognized him right away from the times he and his wife came into the school for parent teacher conferences about their son Gregory. As he walked up the street, Luna kept a reasonable and safer distance as she quietly followed him, until she found herself in the Narrows.

Turning a corner, she peeked from behind a building as she observed his movements. With every moment, her heart started pounding over every risk of getting caught. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins with every second passed. But she kept her cool and she had to, or else she’d be in dead meat already. “Alright, Luna. You can do this. Just stay calm, relax, and go through with this,” she said to herself out loud but quietly.

Eventually, without him noticing, the man turned into an alley carrying a bag full of bottles and cans of beer he bought from the store as Luna watched on. With a quick thought, she climbed a ladder to the roof of a nearby abandoned building. From there, she had a bird’s eye view of him as long as he doesn’t see her stalking him. “What is he doing down there?” Luna then turned on her phone and quickly recorded an exchange between him and some shady looking guy in a hoodie, until she saw what happened next made her freeze in place feeling surprisingly shocked. The man put down his bag full of beer and handed the hooded man a small stack of cash in exchange for a sizable black bag, and did she suspect from a glance that some of its contents had a blue color.

Luna gasped internally in terrifying shock, “Oh my gosh! Tha-That’s… That’s illegal!” Soon after the exchange, the man walked off home but Luna remained hidden until she was certain that it was all clear, and then saw a little girl inside her bedroom of the house the man came from playing with her toys in her bedroom, which was pink and cotton candy blue. She also couldn’t believe it yet it all started to make sense to her. His tiredness, his reluctance to talk about his problems; Gregory Bryant has been working to keep his family afloat while his father indulged in his drug and alcohol addiction, and may have suffered child abuse due to some bruises hidden underneath his clothes. As she gathered her thoughts while leaving the Narrows and headed to a safer place in Canterlot City, Luna immediately took out her phone from her pocket called her sister.

“Come on, pick up, pick up, pick up,” she said, as the phone was ringing, until it stopped. “Hello?” Celestia answered.

“Tia, it’s me,” Luna worriedly replied. “I’ve finished my investigation.”

“What did you find?”

“I can’t believe I’m about to be saying this, but his father is a drug and alcohol addict.”

“What?! Are you sure you’re not being paranoid, sister?”

“Absolutely, Tia. I just saw him walk into the Narrows after buying a grocery bag full of bottles and cans of beer, and hand a stack of cash to some hooded person for a bag of meth, marijuana and cocaine!”

“Oh dear!” Celestia said, as Luna then sensed the worry in her voice. “Alright, what else did you find?”

“Well, I did see a little girl, who looked really young and innocent playing in her bedroom,” Luna replied. “And his house was near the Narrows, like nearly a distance away from it.”

“Well, were there two vehicles in the driveway?” Celestia asked.

“No, there was only a white and blue truck. Why?” Luna asked.

“Well, he’s here at the school and it’s already his lunch period. I didn’t see his mother’s car appear by the door. I can only probably assume that he came from either a different carpool or on a bus, and-” For a brief moment, there was silence before and audible gasp was heard. “You don’t think?”

“Could be,” Luna replied. “I can only imagine how much that stack of money would cost and how he got it. What do you think we should do?”

“Come to the school,” Celestia somberly replied. “We’ll inform the authorities about this and perform a wellness check before or after the students leave for home. Fortunately, I’ve got the daily paperwork done. And I’ve looked over the little girl you’ve mentioned. She’s part of the pre-kindergarten district building in the butterfly room. But if we have to, it might be up to us to do something about it, meaning he’ll have to live with us.”

“Very well. Until you come up with an idea about what to do, I’ll wait until I hear what you’ve thought up,” Luna replied as she returned to safer street level. “I’ll see you when I get there. Love you.”

“Love you too, sister. Bye.”

Luna sighed as she hung up the phone call, and started walking over to the school. “This day is going to get even more stressful really quick. I can already feel it.”

After two hours and a few more minutes, the final bell of the day had rung and the students left the school in groups. From her office, Celestia and Luna watched as the students left for home. Deeper among the crowding students either running or walking, they suddenly noticed Gregory Bryant looking exhausted while walking. Turning away, Celestia wore a frown of worryingly concern on her lips as she was now aware of his terrible situation.

“There he is, Luna,” Celestia sighed sadly. “I just can’t believe it even after seeing the evidence from that video.”

“I know, sister,” Luna agreed also with a frown on her face with a pat on her big sister’s shoulder. “Things like this honestly starts to make me wonder why anyone would stoop that low like this.”

“Well, whatever those thoughts are, we have to help him out. Come on, let’s get going,” Celestia said. With a nod from Luna, they got in their van and left the school. As they drove through the downtown suburban area, the sight of the chipped walls on the buildings unsettled the expecting principal but strengthened her resolving solution to remove him from a dangerous situation. When they reached the house from a distance, they could suddenly almost see something about to happen, so they stayed in the car until further notice.

In the kitchen and the living room, Gregory was going through their piled up bills with a plate full of leftover meatloaf with pasta and broccoli, while his dad, Pete was sitting on his chair drinking his beer and his little 5 year old sister, Maisie, who had brushed and curly reddish brown hair and has a hairpiece on one of them, played with her toys in her bedroom. “Hey, I’m starving. What the hell are you doing over there?” Pete asked.

His wife, Karen looked at him angrily while cooking dinner, “I’m curing your problems, including cancer. I’m cooking your stupid fucking steak. What do you think I’m doing, huh?”

“Oh, what do I think you’re doing? I think you’re making me lose my patience, is what I think you’re doing,” Pete said. “And you know what I think?” Gregory asked. “I think what you’re doing is bleeding us out. I mean, Mom, look at this, look at this. $129.00 from 3 months ago, including tax… I mean, what exactly is your problem, Dad?”

“It’s none of your concern, so shut up!” Pete said. “Don’t you talk to him that way!” Karen said angrily. “Yeah, exactly and I'm not... I'm not going out and buying any of you other things that I don’t give a shit about! I'm not going into--”

Karen suddenly interrupted, “Oh, no, no, no, no! And just what happened today, huh? Our son had to walk over to the bus stop to be picked up, because you’re just buying drugs! You’re just buying weed! You’re even wasting money on those things and sitting your lazy ass down on that goddamn chair and chugging beer!”

“Exactly! I mean, come on! You should at least talk once in a while, especially when you couldn’t talk to me, Dad!” Gregory said. “I was talking! I was just talking, just now, until you two interrupted me!” Pete said.

“Well, I had to interrupt you or else I’ll never get to fucking say anything!” Karen said. “Are you two idiots gonna let me finish talking?!” Pete asked repeatedly. “See, that’s your problem and that concerns us! You’re always cutting me and Mom off!” Gregory said.

“What I also don’t like is you making our son work every day like he’s some housekeeper and beating him if he makes a mess, which was an accident!” Karen said. “And it’s important for me to drive all the way to work on time, and to look professional. I’m trying to keep our family together and this is what’s important now, Pete! And you’re missing this! I can’t believe you don’t want to go to your own son’s graduation!”

“People are not…! Oh, well nobody gives a shit about accomplishments or graduations, and nobody’s in there to look at your ass! They’re there to be helpful!” Pete said. “This isn’t about me, Pete! This is about your family,” Karen said. “And I honestly want to know why you did it!” Gregory said.

“No! NO! Don’t you try to spin this to where it’s my fault I sold both your car and your mom’s for money!” Pete said.

“You know what? You’re acting like an asshole!” Karen said.

“Oh, what am I acting like?!”

“You’re acting like a fucking asshole!”

“What am I acting like?!”

“Like an asshole! That’s what you’re acting like.”

“You don’t have to dress like Sapphire Shores or Countess Coloratura to put a yam in a plastic bag,” Pete said.

“I’m not that type of person, Pete! I work as a nurse at a hospital!” Karen said. “Just get off my case, all right?!”

“Listen to you, you’re delusional!” Pete said.

“Oh dear,” Celestia muttered. “I think he’s found out about it.” As they sat in the van, they listened on as the argument got louder and more intense. A few seconds later, Pete’s steak was served, while Gregory’s plate was nearly finished, feeling like he lost his appetite.

“You don’t understand! Mom needed that car to get me and Maisie to school on time and herself to work, and I needed mine to go to work after school and get back home to get my homework done! I DON’T EVEN SLEEP WELL SINCE YOU WORK ME EVERY SINGLE DAY WHILE YOU SMOKE THAT POISONOUS JUNK AND CHUG YOUR STUPID ALCOHOL!” Gregory snapped. “This is exactly why I fall asleep during class and end up exhausted every day!” He then went upstairs to his room, and then stormed inside and slammed his door, and then sat on his bed angrily. Suddenly, he packed up his entire trunk with his posters, clothes, bedsheets, and personal belongings like video games and console, his laptop, his old toy chest, and his entire comic book collection.

Suddenly, his door opened and he saw Maisie with tears in her eyes. “Maisie? What’s wrong, sis?” he asked, before he sat her down on his lap. “Are Mommy and Daddy angry again?” Maisie asked. “Yep. They are,” Gregory said. “Why are you packing?” Maisie asked. “I’m moving out, sis. I can’t live live this,” Gregory said, until he thought of an idea. “Do you wanna go with me?” Maisie nodded and then they went to pack her bags, and then went downstairs with their stuff before the argument continued.

“BULLSHIT, PETE! YOU’RE ONLY WALKING INTO THE NARROWS WHERE IT’S ILLEGAL TO BUY DRUGS FROM STRANGERS! DO YOU WANT TO END UP IN PRISON?! IS THAT IT?!” Karen asked.

“Yeah, well get this: Nearest hospital supports nursing care from a uncharismatic skanky whore!” Pete said, until Karen lost it.

“What the fucking hell did you just call me? What did you just fucking call me…?” Suddenly, Karen picks up the empty beer cans and threw them at Pete. “Jesus Christ?! What the hell?!” Gregory hugged Maisie and covered her ears so that she wouldn’t rot her brain with their language.

“Are you gonna call me a uncharismatic skanky whore?!” Karen slaps him in the face twice. “You wanna throw down and shit?” Pete asked.

“Yeah, I wanna throw down and shit!” Karen replied. “I’ll fucking throw down and shit!” Pete threw a beer bottle at the wall smashing it. “There! See? How do you like that?”

“ENOUGH!!” Gregory snapped, as he breathed heavily while hugging Maisie, who also hugged her unicorn plushie while hugging her brother’s leg. “THIS ONLY PROVES TO ME THAT YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH WE CARE FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, BUT FRANKLY THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE! YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT YOUR STUPID VICES! I’M TIRED OF THIS! IT’S NOT FAIR! AND YOU TREAT ME LIKE A HOUSEKEEPER, WELL I’M NOT GONNA PUT UP WITH IT ANYMORE! I CAN’T LIVE LIKE THIS, AND NEITHER CAN THEY!”

“ALL RIGHT, BUSTER! THAT’S IT! YOU WANNA LIVE OUT ON YOUR OWN, THEN GO AHEAD! I DON’T CARE!”

What happened next was a short period of silence that was broken by a symphony of loud crashes and screams. Shortly afterward, a battered Gregory in his midnight green rain jacket tumbled through the front door with two bags and his trunk in tow. He looked in his trunk and saw Maisie hiding in there. “Are you okay?” he asked, as she nodded while crying, before he helped her out. Immediately, Celestia and Luna had shocked faces of concern as they knew what went on. As he got up, he hugged Maisie, turned to the house and yelled at the man who was originally his father, “Oh yeah?! Well, screw you, you looney!” And then he walked away as Maisie followed him while she held her flower covered umbrella with his hand, and she also wore her rain jacket, which was maroon with green and yellow flowers in different color patterns.

“I’m scared, big brother,” Maisie said. “Don’t worry, Maisie. I’m sure we can find someone who can help. Come on. Let’s get going,” Gregory said, as they continued walking with their bags and trunk.

“Oh, goodness,” Luna gasped. “He just tossed him, and that poor girl out like garbage?”

“Yep,” Celestia replied as she and Luna saw what happened before the rain came, until she gripped the wheel angered. “And now I’ve seen everything.”

With a shift of the gears, Celestia turned the car around and began to follow them. Eventually, they saw the kids on a bench with his sight glued to the grass and sidewalk while Maisie sat closer to him leaning by his side crying. The sisters parked away from the bench so as to not spook him or his poor sister. Now they had them in a vulnerable moment and he would now be more willing to talk.

They suddenly had a look of concern that they noticed Maisie was definitely his little sister.

“Oh, Luna. They look so lonely,” Celestia said, as she rubbed her midsection. “I’m guessing Cadance was right about this, and he looks vulnerable now.”

“As much as I wouldn’t like to admit it as well, it all definitely worked out well enough,” Luna said in agreement. “So, which one of us is going to talk to them?”

“I’ll do it.” Celestia said, as she grabbed her golden yellow trench raincoat, and put it on, before leaving the van. “I think they’ll be more receptive of me. Plus, I think the girl could use some comfort too.”

“Fair enough. Good luck, sister.”

Celestia got out of the van and closed her door, and then walked across the grass towards the bench. Though she suspected that he was aware of her, the way he stood still and Maisie shyly hiding underneath his jacket was a sign that he didn’t care. Gregory sat there silently sobbing as the rain still kept pouring. Taking a seat next to them, Celestia smiled at Maisie, until she saw Gregory’s brows twitch, which was a sign that he was now aware of her. With a sigh and nod, he began to talk.

“I’m guessing by now you probably know everything about it,” he muttered sadly as Celestia rubbed and stroked his back while Maisie decided to lay on her lap as she held her hand. With every stroking rub, he felt his body release its tension. It felt really good, really warm, and full of love. Real love.

“Yes. We do,” Celestia gently replied. “We’ve even heard the argument between you and your parents.” As she put an arm on his shoulders, she felt him shake with every hitch in his voice. “I’m sorry, they treated you like that, and your sister. Maisie, is it?” Maisie nodded.

“Ms. Celestia, I…”

“Before you say anything, Gregory, I won’t allow you to ref-“

“Help us.” His words somehow shocked the principal, they were not the words she expected him to say. As she closely glanced at his face, Celestia registered a few emotions: betrayal, pain, sadness, suffering, fatigue and loneliness. He’d been through to help him mother keep his family afloat while they engaged themselves in unwanted self-destruction, and trying to give his little sister a proper childhood and protect her from fear, and to make her safe and be happy. Now, he was past the breaking point and with nowhere to go, and having to care for his little sister.

“Please, help me.” Gregory said. “I want my Mommy,” Maisie said sadly. Then, as if compelled and guided by her motherly instincts, Celestia sighed warmly and then gave both Gregory and Maisie a quick hug before giving him a warm smile, something that made them feel safe and then gently moved side by side. They sat for a couple of minutes before she released the hug and looked at them.

“Come with me,” Celestia got up with his hand in hers and Maisie looking up at her while holding Gregory’s hand. “You can stay at our place.”

“What? Are… are you sure you can do that?” Gregory asked.

“I can and I will. Even if the school board takes an issue with that, I’ll clear it up with them,” Celestia said sweetly. “Plus, you deserve a better life, and we too wish to help your sister grow up happily, and I’d like to get to know her more.”

“Please, big brother? I don’t want to go back there anymore. I wanna go with you,” Maisie said, hugging her brother. At first feeling hesitant, Gregory reluctantly agreed as he had no other options in hand, until Celestia placed her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’re going to go home and when we get there, we’ll get you both situated until we can figure out what to do with you both, okay? Come on, get in the car.”

Gregory then loaded his trunk and bags, along with Maisie’s into the trunk before they both got in the back seat, and then as Celestia got back in her seat, with Luna in the passenger’s seat, they then departed from the park. As they left the area, Gregory took a mental sigh of relief as he and Maisie left their neighborhood for good. Still, some part of him wished he could’ve done more to help his family. For the rest of the ride, Maisie laid on his lap while Gregory remained silent.

As they pulled up to the driveway, Gregory and Maisie were in awe at how beautiful it looked, much better than their old place. Though smaller than he expected, he knew that it would be comfy enough for him and his sister to stay. “Maisie, wake up. We’re here,” he whispered, as Maisie started to wake up from her nap, and saw herself in the garage of Celestia and Luna’s house. As soon as they walked in, they dropped their bags at the sight of a warm and welcoming interior. If it was the place he’d be staying in to keep himself and Maisie in good hands for the foreseeable future, then he wasn’t going to complain. Home sweet home, he finally escaped his troubles and got a chance to spend time with his sister.

“I’ll go ahead and get two of the spare rooms ready for you,” Luna said as she grabbed their bags one hand at a time. “Why don’t you go relax on the couch for a little while? And Greg? Maybe after a nap, we can all go out and get some dinner.”

“Okay, I guess,” Gregory sighed as he relaxed on the couch. “Maisie, why don’t you go play with your toys?” Luna asked. “Okay!” Maisie said as she ran to the bedroom hall for a place to play with her toys. Celestia joined him as his mind began to be lulled into a near blissful state. She was relieved that he’s now safe and sound, but yet still worried about him. “Ms. Celestia, about the other day, I’m… I’m sorry about how I’ve acted.”

“No need to apologize, Gregory,” Celestia said with a warm motherly smile. “I understood that you were stressed out by your problems.”

“I know, but still, it wasn’t right that I’ve acted that way towards you. I just didn’t want to get you involved or hurt your feelings.” As she placed a hand on his shoulder, Celestia felt the last bits of his resistance melt away. She then hummed a relaxing tune as tears began to well up in his eyes, before he leaned by her left breast and shoulder. All he felt in that moment was motherly love, something he’d been without for some time since his former father’s addiction.

“Gregory,” Celestia said as she tenderly and gingerly stroked his cheek with her cradling hand. “It’s okay. We all know why you’ve been stressed out for these couple weeks. But what matters now is that you’re safe, and you have your sister who loves you so much. Don’t ever feel ashamed about it. Everything is going to be alright, I swear it.” Somehow, the reassurance in her voice, he felt that it was sincere, filled with meaning. Bit by bit, his emotional barriers disintegrated into dust until nothing was left. Nothing was going to stop the big tidal wave of emotions, until he let all that deep feeling out.

Without warning, Gregory suddenly look at her and wrapped his principal in a hug. Caught off guard at first, Celestia smiled warmly and eventually returned it as he began to tear up in her shoulder while his principal gently rocked him side by side and back and forth. From his current position, the side of her warm and soft belly made contact with his as he still laid his head on her breast. It unexpectedly felt relaxing to the touch as its soothing warmth radiated to his medium sized body. He then grew more relaxed as his embrace became more relaxed and a slight soft smile developed, until Celestia gave him a tender kiss on the forehead, and laid her chin on top of his head.

“Mr. Bryant, your bed is ready. Why don’t you go on ahead and take a-” As Luna walked in, she momentarily paused as she saw the scene. A warm smile appeared on her face as she allowed the hug to go on for a few more moments. She could somehow tell that Gregory sorely needed it badly and she would’ve given him one as well. “Come along, you need some rest. Later on, we’ll be going out to eat. And also, don’t worry about school tomorrow. Take a mental health day. You deserve it. And maybe have a chance to set up your posters and electronic equipment.”

“Okay, Ms. Luna. Thanks,” Gregory sighed as he carefully left Celestia’s hug and walked into his new bedroom, letting out a big yawn as he peacefully rested upon his new bed with his bedsheets on it. At last, he caught a break and drifted off to sleep. Both Celestia and Luna smiled as she silently shut the door, letting him have some quiet.

“Tia,” Luna whispered. “You did the right thing with him and little Maisie.”

“I did?” Celestia asked back.

“Of course, sister. What you did further proved to me that you’ll soon be a great and proud mother. I’ve somehow seen it in your eyes recently. I’m proud of you, Tia.”

Deep down, Celestia knew her sister was right about her decision but she never doubted her like ever. Over time as her pregnancy advanced and evolved, her maternal instincts heightened ever so high like a huge thermometer at a high temperature. As it grew, so did it seeped into her personality and traits of being a principal. Already a kind and caring woman, it eventually became more and more pronounced with her impending motherhood.

“Thank you, sister,” she said as they had a short hug before going back into the living room to discuss dinner plans, until Luna had helped Maisie with a quick bath so she can refresh herself from the rain.

Gregory laid in his new bed, comfortably and peacefully. It was now the most comfortable possession he’d been in a long time. Quiet and calmly tranquil, the atmosphere of his new room started to feel like heaven. No longer would he worry about his old life and no longer would he suffer the stress of being treated like a slave, and finally spend more time with his sister and get to play with her. He was finally freed from his troubles.

“Gregory…”

As he kept hearing the motherly voice, he started to awaken. Before his woken eyes was none other than Principal Celestia, as she was sitting next to him upon the bed. He then opened his eyes slowly and then looked up at her beautiful face that was smiling warmly and motherly at him.

“Gregory,” Celestia gently said. “We’re about to go out for dinner.” With a smile, Gregory got up and put both his sneakers and hoodie on.

“Can’t wait,” he said, as he followed her outside his bedroom. After grabbing a bite to eat at the diner, they came back to relax, but due to the nighttime hours, Gregory and Maisie went to bed. Celestia decided to tuck them in one at a time. After tucking Gregory under the blankets, she gently kissed his forehead and left the room. She then tucked Maisie in her new bed as she was adorably sleeping, and then she kissed her forehead and left the room.

For that moment forth, it was about to be the start of something new.

Chapter 3 - Mental Health Day

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4 - Bad Bloodstained Guilt

During the night, Gregory suddenly heard a gunshot in his dream, and then woke up in a cold sweat, “MOM!” He took a deep breath and then tried to calm his rapidly beating heart, until it stopped and he went back to sleep. Celestia then walked into his room to check on him after hearing him scream, but suddenly smiled warmly at him sleeping relaxed and then kissed his cheek and placed his blankets back over him, and went back to bed.

The next morning…

*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BE-Click*

With a yawn and a flexible stretch until he heard some popping from his stiffly aching bones, Gregory woke up as the time on his alarm clock read 6:00 in the morning. The sun was beginning to rise, and started to warm him with its beautiful light. All throughout his body, he finally felt well-rested and was once again ready to take on the day. From the mental health day and some much-needed time off, he was now eager to go back to school and start off with a brand new start, and maybe use a clean slate.

After getting a quick shower, he got dressed into his usual attire, complete with his hoodie jacket and getting his backpack packed up with his school supplies and notebooks. With a relieved sigh, his nose caught the attention of an aroma from something delicious coming from the kitchen. He went over for a look, and then what he found made his eyes gaze in awe and his mouth water, until Maisie came in and saw it as well. Two glasses of orange juice, and plates full of pancakes, 3 pieces of bacon, freshly cut fruit in a smaller serving, and hash browns, it was indeed a freshly cooked breakfast for two hungry kids. All of that, courtesy of Luna herself.

“Good morning, children,” Luna said as she sat with her sister, who was just eating a plate full of eggs and sausage with a cup of coffee, and so did Luna. “I hope you’ve had a good rest, Gregory.”

“It was something I needed, but I’ll be okay,” he yawned as he stretched his back again. “Wow, this looks good.” He and Maisie sat down in front of their plates, staring at their food with hunger. “You really didn’t need to do this, Ms. Luna. It’s really nice of you, really, but still.”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Luna chuckled with her sister while cutting Maisie’s pancakes and hash browns. “We both agreed that this is another perfect way to help you and Maisie start the day.”

“Indeed,” Celestia agreed warmly after sipping her coffee. “Besides, you look rather thin. So we thought a nice hot breakfast should warm you both up for the day, and get your strength back in shape.”

Nodding with a warm smile, Gregory dug into his delicious morning grub, and so did Maisie. The fluffiness of the pancakes, along with the butter and syrup, the salty and crispy hash browns, the sweet and tender crunch of the juicy bacon, the sweet tanginess of the orange juice, Gregory felt like that he was already in heaven. All that food warmed him in the soul, making him feel relaxed. Boy, did he ever have a good home-cooked meal in his life.

“Wow, that was really good,” Gregory said. “That certainly sure hit the spot.”

“Well, I’m pleased to hear it helped, dear,” Luna replied back. “Now, after I get done cleaning up, Tia will take care of lunches and then get cleaned up next and we’ll get going.”

“What about Clifford?” Maisie asked. “He’ll be fine, sweetheart. He’ll see you later,” Celestia replied, as she made Maisie a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and packed some snacks and a box of juice to go with it. And she left a lunch box for Gregory.

After Luna did what she did, Celestia went next to rub some cream around her belly so that she wouldn’t get stretch marks or a itching and burning rash, until Gregory went in afterwards to brush his teeth and comb his hair, and Maisie came in so she can brush her teeth, but Celestia helped brush her hair. Once they were all ready to go and Clifford was asleep in his crate, Gregory and Maisie followed the two principals to their car and drove off towards the school. Neither Gregory or Maisie didn’t say much during the ride. Apart from a strange hidden feeling towards Celestia, he’s been having a great appreciation for her and Luna’s efforts. If it weren’t for both of them, he somehow shivered with a shudder imagining what would’ve happened if they didn’t help them. But above all, he was really happy to have Maisie by his side and to be out of a situation that would’ve ruined his entire future forever. Pulling up towards the parking lot, they got out of the car, ready to start a brand new busy day.

“Ms. Celestia?” Gregory nervously asked, as she turned around to get his attention. “I feel as though I haven’t said this enough before, but… thank you… for everything.” With that said, he gently wrapped Celestia in a warm embrace and gently nuzzled with her, which she returned by stroking his hair and rubbing his shoulders and back. It lasted for a minute before the expecting motherly principal broke it with a smile of her own.

“Gregory,” Celestia said. “we’re just doing our best to look out for you in your situation. The pleasure is all ours. But, you’re welcome.” She then kissed him on the forehead, and then placed her hand on his shoulder. “Now you and Maisie have a good day and then meet up with us at my office so we can go home together.”

With a smile and a nod, all four of them entered the building, going their separate ways until the bell rang for arrival. Gregory went to his locker on the first floor to get his book for his first-hour history class. From what Luna told him, Mrs. Cheerilee was going to cover the Revolutionary War. Placing the book in his backpack, he gave out a relieved sigh before zippering it shut, and then walked over to class.

He suddenly saw a girl he familiarly recognized. It was none other than Sunset Shimmer, due to her red and yellow fiery streaked hair, opal jaded eyes, and her kind hearted smile.

“Hey, you’re Sunset Shimmer, right?” Gregory asked. “Mm-hmm,” she replied. “I’m Gregory Bryant,” he said. “My sister and I are also big fans of your band.”

“Aww… that’s so sweet of you,” Sunset said. “By the way, most of the students and I didn’t see you yesterday. What happened?”

“Nothing much, really. I wasn’t just too tired to come in yesterday,” Gregory replied. “Really?” Sunset asked with an unamused look. “Well, you’re tiredness has been going on for weeks during every history class here, so something must be going on.” Seeing her visible unease, Gregory sighed until Sunset stroked his shoulder. “Listen, I understand if you’re upset about something but you really shouldn’t have to be afraid to talk about it. But don’t worry, I won’t judge you or anything.” Gregory knew she was trying to help him feel better in a new life, so he then spoke up.

“Well, things at home weren’t going so well,” Gregory said. “Between my parents’ money issues, me working like a servant, and now my mom’s car being taken away, I got kicked out, along with my 5 year old sister Maisie. It was somehow luck that Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna found us when they did. Now, it looks like me and Maisie will be staying with them for the foreseeable future and until I graduate high school next year.” Sunset was a bit shocked that the poor kid’s had a hard life, and had so much caring love for his sister. “Oh, Greg. I’m so sorry,” Sunset said, giving him a hug to comfort him. “But at least you have two people that care about you now, who happen to be our principal and vice-principal.”

“Thanks, Sunset,” Gregory said, until their teacher, Mrs. Cheerilee came inside, before Gregory was noticed by his teacher who had a slight smile at him.

“Hello there, Mr. Bryant.” Mrs. Cheerilee greeted as she was looking over stacks of papers, “How are you this morning?”

“Well rested, ma’am.” Gregory replied in a casual tone, “I’m really sorry I didn’t come into school yesterday.”

“It’s alright, dear. The principals filled me in on your present situation and I’m sorry things ended the way they did. I’m just pleased to hear that a resolution was able to be found for you and your sister.”

“No need to worry about that. Just glad that’s over with.” Gregory said as he sat at his desk, next to Sunset since he was assigned to that position, “It’s my job now to care for Maisie and make do with what I’ve got.”

“As a teacher, it’s my responsibility to worry about the welfare of my students, just like all the other teachers. You’re no exception, sweetheart.” Mrs. Cheerilee said sweetly as she neatly sorted her stack of papers, until the class came in, “So, ready to learn about the Revolutionary War?”

“More than you can believe, Mrs. Cheerilee,” Gregory said, as Mrs. Cheerilee smiled warmly at his eagerness and began her lesson. Sunset smiled that Gregory was feeling a lot better than before.

Eventually, lunch hour came and Gregory couldn’t even be anymore happier than he already is. Now, he no longer felt the need to spend that much more time catching some rest and a chance to relax due to mental health. Today, it seemed like a really nice and pleasant sunny day that he decided to spend it outside with Celestia’s permission, which she said yes to. Luna also packed him a special lunch and kept it in a small bag: a small club sandwich with ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato. Eating the sandwich, he breathed in and out of his nose as the cool spring breeze blew against his skin. It was totally an absolutely perfect moment for a good day.

’Wow, this… this is… It is just absolutely perfect.’ Gregory thought to himself, ’Nice skies, lunch outside, finally free from all that abuse, I can finally relax, enjoy myself, and breathe right now.’ Yet, one thought lingered at the back of his mind: Celestia. Ever since Wednesday, between her hug and those kisses she’s been giving him, he had a hard time deciding who she was to him. A guardian or something else, but his heart and mind were torn between the two choices. All in all, her warm and caring personality was what drew him to her, like he thought of her he wanted to ask. ’Celestia, I-I honestly don’t know what to make of her. She’s so beautiful yet she acts so much like a mo-‘

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sight, one he hadn’t seen since Monday, and somehow never wanted to again. Walking up the street with a look of storming anger in front of the school was his father, Pete. His disheveled dark gray hair and beer-filled posture were unmistakable to him. The second their gazes met, they both paused with a stare down, neither moving a muscle.

“Heh. Well, I never expected to find such an ungrateful brat here.” Pete huffed jealously as Gregory stood up. “Still going to this waste of time?”

“I’m still busting myself to get a diploma so I can be independent when I’m finished 12 grade next year.” Gregory growled, “What do you want, so-called father?” Pete got closer and closer to his son, or what he used to be. His eyes looked bloodshot with a noticeable twitch.

“Oh, you already know the answer to that.” Right off the bat, Gregory knew exactly what he was talking about. After kicking him and Maisie out, he often comes to him during school to shake him down for money like a piggy bank. Every time, he would always do as he demanded. Now, he wasn’t going to put up with it ever again, so he stood up and confronted his dad.

“Look, Dad, the answer is no. I’ve moved on when you kicked me and Maisie out, making me forget about you and your addiction problems, and since I now have a chance to keep myself and my sister safe, I’m not giving you any more money so you could put more of that poisonous junk in your body.” Pete’s face changed from a neutral expression to one of anger. He never liked being told no, even by his son. “Didn’t all that meth or cocaine you bought from selling Mom’s car last you that long? Of course not! So you can forget it!”

The next thing Gregory knew was that he was being held against the statue by his father, and being choked by a very firm grip. The back of his head hurt from the impact, and he partially couldn’t breathe due to his father’s tight grip. Seeing his father hold him up against a statue made of marble quartz and concrete shocked him, not as much when he delivered a backhand to his face.

“All right, you shitty little twerp.” Pete growled, “I know you have some money for me! Give it to me right now or you’ll get worse than hurt! Maybe even murdered!” Monday was the moment where Gregory reached his breaking point with him. Coming to his school, a place where he was thought to be safe to shake him down for cash, that was it. No more would a 17 year old boy like him be treated or bullied that way.

“Screw you!” His words were met with a punch to his face, knocking him to the ground, causing his broken nose to bleed. His face hurt and he struggled to get up as Pete hovered over him. He was angry that his father would stoop to such lows to fuel his higher level. He no longer considered him his father, just another abusive thieving junkie from the Narrows. “I’ve had it with you, Pete! You can go to hell for all I care!”

“Oh, I’ll be meeting you there alright. Because you’re coming with me.” Pete raised a foot over Gregory’s face with the intention to stomp his head in. This was it, his former father was going to either hurt him badly or worse even kill him in a more brutal manner. He closed his eyes and braced for the inevitable. Before he could, he was interrupted by an audible voice.

“Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?” From the school came Principal Celestia herself, with an angry scowl on her face. Having watched the beginning of the exchange into beatdown from her office, she knew there was going to be trouble before carefully running over to check it out. “Mr. Bryant, why the hell did you hit your own son?”

“Because this brat needs to know his place, ma’am.” Pete snarled in reply. “He always disobeys me time and time again and never gives me the money when I ask of it.”

“Ask of it? You call assaulting your son for drug money ‘asking’?” Her words caught the tweaked out and drunken adult off guard. How did she know about his drug use unless his son ran his mouth? Gregory blinked and smirked at him, knowing he told her.

“That… is none of your goddamn business, lady.” Pete scoffed, “Now, get lost while I teach my son a lesson.” Celestia would not stand for it, not even one bit. Ever since she became pregnant, her motherly instincts still kicked in. Seeing the student that is living under her roof along with his sister being assaulted by their drug and alcohol addicted father set off her anger. No one hurts a student on her watch while she’s still standing.

“That’s just about it!” Celestia blurted out with anger, “Now I’m warning you! If you don’t leave that student alone and remove yourself from the school premises this instant, I’m going into my office right now and then I am going to call the police!”

In his mind, Pete knew that no one tells him what to do, even some stupid pregnant woman. Turning his attention to her, he knocked her to the grass with a swift backhand, causing her to fall on her side. Though her precious cargo didn’t get hurt or worse, the worst she suddenly suffered was a bloody nose. Suddenly, the students gasped at what happened, and they felt scared. She was honestly surprised that he was motioning to follow it up. However, the sight stirred something inside Gregory, started to cause a storm inside his adrenaline.

His anger bubbled to the surface, mixed with a accelerated dash of disgustingly raging hate. It sickened him to his core that his father would even attempt to attack a pregnant woman, even if it was the principal that saved him and Maisie from the rain. As his vision became tinted with red and boiled with anger, Pete was about to selfishly kick Celestia in the stomach, hurting the life yet to be born as she gasped at the sight with fear. Gregory suddenly saw a gun in his pocket, meaning that in his dream or vision from last night, it was real. Pete shot Karen, his own wife and a loving mother to Gregory and Maisie in cold blood! For Gregory, that was the last straw, no more would he tolerate anyone, including his father abusing anyone else that he ever cared about!

Without a thought, he screamed angrily and then charged at his father and tackled him to the ground before the kick could connect. From there, he wasted no time in punching him with a rock for once, and as Pete could strangle him with his hands, he broke his arm, and then started assaulting his face with a huge flurrying amount of punches, all the while shouting a litany of angry screams. It was like a moment of purging for him as both the adrenaline and anger were being expended in his aggressive assault. Even when his father stopped moving, he still kept on landing blow after blow, bloodying his entire face. He then stopped and exhaled heavily.

“THERE ARE NO WORDS! I HAVE HAD IT! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO THREATEN MY PRINCIPAL LIKE THAT!” Gregory snapped. Pete chuckled at his son, “You stupid fucking idiot… Did you really think that was for her? You’re nothing.”

“YOU KILLED MY MOTHER!” Gregory replied, as he exhaled heavily and threw the gun away from them, as the students gasped at what his father did. “WHY, DAD?! WHY?!”

“Because she was too stupid to believe better. So I took her out of her misery,” Pete replied, as Celestia gasped in shock. “It even sounds even stupider when you say it.”

“Like the kind of stupid that was once the father to me and Maisie, but is now a dangerous criminal who doesn’t deserve to live anymore?” Gregory then grabbed the rock, and then after placing his hand on his neck, he prepared to take his father out of his misery, as he got angry again. “Any last words?”

Pete looked up at him, “You think you’re something?”

Gregory remembered the times he would say that to him and then put his hands on his mouth to shut it, “Who the hell cares?”

“Gregory, stop!” Celestia spoke up, “Calm down, it’s over.” As his mind snapped back to reality, he gave Celestia a blank stare bordering on shock. “It’s going to be alright.” Then, his view snapped to the unconscious body of his father, face bloodied and laying on the grass. Processing what he did, he dropped the rock and then looked to his bloodstained hands as the reality sets in. His head suddenly became light as his stomach began to churn as he moaned in exhaustion. Shortly after, he felt faint as his vision became pitch black, collapsing to the ground.

”Are you going to charge him?”

”No, ma’am. This was a clear case of self-defense and in defense of you. Pete Bryant was the first to attack.”

”Thank you, officer. What’ll happen to his father?”

”Seeing as how he was found with a sizable amount of meth, marijuana and cocaine in this bag, he’ll be charged with possession along with assault and murder once he recovers. As for his wife, she’s been found the night she was murdered by her husband in a crime scene and we buried the body in a cemetery ready for a funeral. But, may I ask about your relations to the suspect’s son and daughter?”

”To make a long story short, they were somehow kicked out after his dad sold his mother’s car for drug money. Maisie wanted to go with him because she was scared. We’ve found them at a park in the rain and took them in to live with us. They had nowhere else to go I’m still figuring out what to do with them since the Narrows are no longer safe for them.”

”The Narrows, huh? I see. Very well, that’s all I need to hear for now. Take care, ma’am. I’ll contact you later about any additional details that are found if needed.”

”You too, officer. Thank you.”

His eyes slowly opened, and his vision was still blurry. While his vision refocused, Gregory woke up and saw that that he wasn’t outside laying on the ground but inside the nurse’s office. He laid on a bed, flanked by curtains. Right next to him was Celestia herself, gently stroking the back of his hand. He then saw Luna holding Maisie and comforting her while she was crying on her shoulder. When she noticed his eyes open, hers lit up as she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Gregory, you’re awake,” Celestia whispered as Nurse Redheart, the school nurse walked in the room holding a clipboard. “How is he?”

“Apart from a minor scrape on the back of his head and a bit of a broken bloody nose,” Redheart spoke as she flipped through her notes, “He’s going to be fine. Though he fainted, I doubt any of that caused it.” She then looked to Gregory, still shaken and silent about what happened earlier. “Mr. Bryant, are you alright?” Still, he said nothing, not even a response. He just sat there only acknowledging their presence in silence. “Oh dear, I’m afraid he’s still shaken from that.”

“He did just beat his father senseless, and broke his arm.” Celestia sighed, “If I had to guess, part of the reason was me and the other was him murdering his wife with a gun.”

Nurse Redheart gasped, “How awful!” Celestia nodded while stroking Gregory’s shoulder. “He did nearly injure your unborn child. I think that was also why, since you’re pregnant. He does live in your house from what Luna told me. When you both get home, talk to him. He’ll feel better with an ear to vent to.”

“I will. Thank you, Nurse Redheart,” Celestia said, and then the nurse left the office.

Just as Gregory sighed worriedly, Celestia put a hand on the student’s shoulder. He didn’t flinch or anything. He just hung his head as he stood up before Celestia pulled him over for a hug to calm him down.

“Come on, Gregory. Let’s go home.” Celestia said motherly as he just walked out without so much as a sigh. Throughout the car ride, he didn’t say anything even when Celestia even tried talking to him. His mind was still in deep space over what he did. On one hand, he did what he had to do for him and Celestia yet the knowledge of beating his father into a broken-armed bloody pulp filled himself with painful sadness and a lot of guilt.

Later that night, after a nice relaxing dinner and some relaxation before it was time to turn in, Maisie was already in bed, but Gregory sat in his room looking out the window towards the moonlit sky. Though it was 10:55 in the evening, he couldn’t bring himself to sleep. Quite a bit happened to him today and his active mind allowed him no rest because too much was already on his mind. As his rattled mind continued to work making him still feel guilty, Celestia silently entered the room, gently opening the door wearing a maternity pajama set, consisting a pink two layered shirt, and both a pink, white and purplish blue plaid pants, and robe to keep herself warm since it was nearly a cold night, and a pair of tan slippers.

“Gregory,” Celestia whispered, “why are you still awake? Are you able to sleep?”

“No.” Gregory replied, breaking his silence, “There’s just… so much on my mind.”

“Well, you can talk to me about anything.” she said as she sat down next to her student, “Now, what is troubling you?” With a sigh, Gregory scooched next to his principal and prepared to vent.

“You saw what happened. I guess you really want to know why I did it, huh?”

“Yes.” Celestia cooed with genuine concern, “Don’t hold back, let your feelings out.”

“Because…” Gregory started with a noticeable pull in his voice as tears started to form from his eyes until he started to break down. “I tried to keep my family afloat, only for my father to indulge in his vices! I worked and worked to exhaustion and yet he didn’t even fucking care! NO! All he does is smoke that poison, and sniff all that crack!” As he began to sob, Celestia began to rub his back. It felt good and loving as he never thought before. With a gulp of air, he continued.

“After he punched me to the ground and seeing him hurt you, something inside me just snapped! I couldn’t stand to see him hurt you, especially since you’re… you know! You were so kind to me, giving me and my sister a place to stay when we had nowhere else to go! I just had to defend you from him! It was my fault he hit you!”

The dam of tears had burst and his emotions were released, before he began to cry while bending over to cry into his lap. He was glad that Celestia was alright but deep down, didn’t wish for his father to be locked up or his mother to be killed. He wanted to have done more for him and his mother. Now, he’ll be spending a decade or more behind bars and his mother will be in heaven watching her children grow up. Most of all, attacking him was something he regretted but was necessary, and he wished he could’ve gone back to save his mom before it was too late.

Her motherly instincts kicking in once again, Celestia pulled Gregory into a hug. The warmth of her embrace had a calming aura to it as he lightly wrapped his arms around her. Though it wasn’t the first time he got a hug from her, the effects were the same nonetheless. It made him feel as if everything was going to be alright. She then wrapped both her arms around him and then gently rocked side by side while rubbing his back and shoulder with one hand and the other stroking his hair tenderly.

“Shhhhhh shhhhhh… calm down.” Celestia whispered in a motherly tone, “What’s done is done. I’m safe, you’re safe, I’m here for you now.” Bit by bit, Gregory relaxed as his tears started to dry up. Yet, he didn’t want to leave her arms and the hug they brought. It felt warm, cozy, and just right. It wasn’t long before Celestia decided to break the hug for a moment. “If there’s something I want you to do, please smile no matter what happens. Be happy for yourself. No matter what happens, I’ll be there for you, and your sister.” She then kissed his forehead.

“Celestia… thank you.” Gregory replied in a quiet, gentle and submissive manner, freed from his sadness. “What are you going to do now?” Celestia sat in silence for a brief moment. Pondering, she decided that it was best to not leave him alone for the night.

After getting Gregory underneath her robe as a spare blanket, Celestia decided to keep on with the hug until she was absolutely sure that Gregory was calmed down and relaxed. Feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat was enough to soothe him into a steadily calmer feeling. Instead of tightening his grip on her, he just laid more closely into her. It simply felt too good for him to leave it. Just a simple gesture can hold a lot of meaning to those who receive it and for Gregory... it was sorely needed for him.

It also had a bit of an effect on Celestia herself as she too felt the pull of slumber beginning to take her, since it was late in the evening. Soon, just as Gregory yawned and shut his eyes, she too let out one of her own and fell back on the bed with Gregory still in her embrace and wrapped the blanket over them both. Just before her own eyes shut, she saw the peaceful smile on Gregory's face, something that stirred something inside of her while she kissed him on the forehead and then went to sleep.

Though she had yet to bring her own child into the world, the way she treated Gregory was related to that of how a mother would. She knew she would already be a great mother and still didn’t know what to do with him and Maisie since she’s still with child. All she could do now was wait.

Chapter 5 - Quality Time

One cloudy and light rainy afternoon, everyone that knew Gregory’s mother was there, and so were some students from Canterlot High and Crystal Prep Academy. Sunset and her friends also came, wearing black funeral dresses, and black high heels and open toe heels. Cadance also came, and holding an umbrella.

“We’re gathered here to commemorate a tragic loss of Karen Bryant, a loving mother to these two neglected children, and a responsibly strong wife to a husband whose mind was twisted with selfish greed. Let us now hear a speech from her oldest son, Gregory Bryant,” a priest said. Gregory, wearing a black and white tuxedo suit, came over to the pedestal and said his words from the cards. Maisie was sitting on Luna’s lap, while wearing a black dress and high heels.

“My mom, Karen Bryant, was really special to me and my sister Maisie. All the times she would give us love and support while keeping our distance from the Narrows, away from all criminal supplements and hoping me and my sister would grow up with brighter futures. But now that she’s no longer with us, and that my father is also in a better place behind bars, me and Maisie can finally live our lives together as siblings, and hoping Ms. Celestia, my principal and Luna, my vice principal, can help us accomplish our goals. Mom, before you go, know that you’ll always hold a special place in our hearts and spirits. I now promise you that I’ll look after Maisie and take good care of her like you once did, and love her as a true big brother.”

“Now, let us lift up our hearts up to Jesus Christ the rightful begotten son of God, and bid her a proper farewell, as she descends off to a better place in heaven above, seated at the right hand of God, the almighty father now and forever. Amen.”

“Amen!”

The funeral then ended with people giving away flowers, and Gregory looked at his mother’s grave with sadness and so did Maisie.

Gregory suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, comforting him. It was Cadance, with a smile of sorrow. “Hey. It’s gonna be okay. As long as she’s with you in your hearts, you’ll never stop loving her,” she said. Gregory nodded and gave her a hug, and Maisie too. “And don’t worry, Celestia and Luna told me all about you two, and I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. But be glad you have your principal and vice principal to look out for you two.” Gregory nodded and then felt Cadance kiss his cheek, and then she kissed Maisie on the forehead before leaving to go home. Gregory and Maisie then gave their flowers to their mother’s grave and stood there.

“Greg? Maisie?” a voice said. It was Sunset Shimmer, in a funeral dress like her friends. “Hey, Sunset. Just saying goodbye one more time,” Gregory replied, before Sunset placed her hand on his arm.

“You’ll be just fine. Principal Celestia’s gonna look out for you both now,” Sunset said. “Yeah, even though your dad deserves to rot in prison but hoping he’ll get over his possession and drug and alcohol addiction,” Rainbow Dash said. Gregory nodded, “Thanks, girls. I know you’re trying to help, but-“

“Shh shh shh… It’s alright now,” Fluttershy said. “She’s correct, darling. Plus, you still have your sister, don’t you?” Rarity asked, placing her hand on Maisie’s shoulder. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Gregory said. “Just keep faith, buddy. You’ll understand soon,” Sunset said, before giving him and Maisie a hug.

After they got a group hug together, the kids went to Celestia and Luna so they can go home and get ready for dinner.

As soon as the warm sunlight rose up in the sky, it peeked through the windows, stirring Gregory from his sleep. His eyelids opened wide as an owl’s eyelids as he then stretched his stiff bones with a soft yawn. Getting on his feet, he inhaled deeply with a smile as he felt cheerful and full of energy on the inside. Just two more weeks, and summer vacation would start, and all he had left to look forward was the 12th grade until he would be ready for his future goals.

“I love the smell of sweet, savory freedom in the morning.” After sliding into his slippers, Gregory walked out of his bedroom and into the living room. In there, sitting on the couch, was Celestia reading from her kindle and drinking her coffee. She also hummed a soft melody that no doubt meant for her unborn child. It was like the sweetest sounding of tunes, truly beautiful. ’Wow, she sings so beautifully like Mom did with Maisie and me,’ Gregory thought to himself.

Clifford suddenly barked and ran over to him, until he started petting him and scratched his ears, “Hey, Clifford! Hey, boy!” Clifford then jumped onto him and received more pets. Maisie then walked over to pet the dog too, but hugged her big brother first.

“Oh! Good morning, Gregory,” Celestia greeted, pausing her reading for a moment. “I assume you’ve slept well.” Clifford then went over to her and sat next to her on the couch but laid there.

“That I did,” Gregory replied as he looked around and noticed something was different. “Where’s Ms. Luna?”

“Oh, she’s out with her boyfriend, Time Turner,” Celestia replied. “You probably recognize him?”

“Whoa, I honestly didn’t know my science teacher was… damn,” Gregory replied.

“I understand your surprise,” Celestia giggled, until she then winced in pain, staring down towards her legs. Gregory somehow noticed that both her ankles might’ve looked to be slightly swollen in a painful way, and the rest of her feet might’ve looked that way too.

“Are you okay, Ms. Tia?” Maisie asked. “I’m fine, sweetie. My feet just hurt,” Celestia replied, until Gregory looked at her with a genuinely sincere concern, then thought of an idea. “I-If it’s okay with you, I can give your ankles a massage, and then do the rest of your feet.”

“Well, if that’s what you want…” Celestia said, as she laid and rested both her legs on the footrest, “go ahead.”

After sitting between both of her legs, and taking one of her feet, Gregory began to gently but firmly rub her aching ankles multiple times and then did her entire foot to make her feel better. Each pressing rub earned a warm sigh of relaxing relief from his principal. From how it sounded, it looked to have been bothering her for quite some time. Being a school’s principal, it would certainly have that effect.

“Mmmmm… Oh, yes. Oh, thank you so kindly, Gregory,” Celestia moaned heavenly. “Can you do the other one now?” With a nod, Gregory focused his attention on the other foot, and once again started with her ankles before her entire foot, earning another satisfied moan. “So, how does it feel… mmmmm… oh, yeah… to be doing the walk next year?”

“Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous or anything,” Gregory answered. “Just the feeling of being so close towards the finish line is an odd one to me, but I’ve still got one more lap to go.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. There’s nothing for you to be nervous about anything. After all, despite what you’ve been through, and Maisie, you’re going to graduate from middle school next year until we decide you’re ready for high school. Just be proud of your future achievements.”

After considering her words of wisdom, Gregory nodded with a smile as he was almost there. He’d been through what one would consider a hellhole and managed to dig himself and Maisie out of it. If it weren’t for Celestia, he and Maisie would’ve been stuck in that nightmare of a household and neighborhood forever. With the worst already put behind him, he felt that he could breathe in an unhindered atmosphere.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Gregory said with a smile. “So, you got anything planned going on today?”

“I’m glad you’ve asked.” Celestia chimed in reply with a motherly tone. “I have a few places to go so I can get things ready for my baby shower next week, and probably some groceries since we’re a little bit low on food. But with Luna out with Time Turner, I’ll be needing an extra set of hands to help me. And I also need to go see my doctor for my ultrasound appointment to see how my baby’s doing. Say, how about that, it’ll be a gorgeously beautiful sunny day in town for just the three of us, and a perfect chance for some quality time. What do you say?”

Spending some quality time with his principal; that was something Gregory never expected to do. Even with his true feelings about her divided, it was probably a chance to get to know her better, especially if his sister was involved. Her current condition would possibly make a simple shopping trip difficult as her body changes with the pregnancy. Still, Gregory liked the thought of hanging out with her, even though she saved them both and gave them a new home.

“Sounds good, Ms. Celestia,” Gregory said as he got to his feet. “Let me go get a shower and we’ll get going.”

“Alright, you do that,” Celestia said, waiting for them to be ready. “Maisie, go get dressed.” She nodded in reply and went to her bedroom to get dressed for the day while Gregory got ready for his shower.

As he stepped into the shower and started cleansing himself with soap and hot water, a big multitude of thoughts raced through his brain, all concerning Celestia. After that one night where she cuddled with him to help calm and cease his rattled state, it put his thoughts further into conflict, especially with the kiss on his forehead, the softness of her chest and rhythmic sound of her heartbeat. His hormones suddenly raged like a roaring inferno, preventing him from drawing any conclusions on what to tell his principal.

‘Principal Celestia, she’s… she’s a good person.’ He thought to himself as he washed his hair. ‘She’s kind and wise among other things. Yet, she’s so beautiful, like some kind of angel goddess. Damn, why can’t I make up my mind about her?! I-I- I love her, I do! But-! Ah, damn it!’ Slowly, his mind fell further downward towards the trail of lust, comfort, and want. With him almost done high school, what else did he have to lose, besides his own sister? ‘Fine, maybe with this chance during our quality time, I can prove my love to her. Who knows, maybe she’ll understand what I mean.’

Drying off, and then rinsing and spitting out the mouthwash and brushing his teeth, Gregory got his day clothes on, quickly looking through the mirror for anything unexpected, but saw that he was perfectly fine. After tying his sneakers on, he walked back into the living room with his hoodie jacket in tow, rejoining a smiling Celestia with her purse in her arm. God, he could never get enough of her smile.

“Hmm, not quite bad looking there, Gregory,” Celestia cooed to her student’s shock. Such a compliment from her made him feel unsettled sometimes, but makes him blush.

“Wow, uhhh… thanks,” he said nervously. “So, are you uhhh… r-ready to go?”

Celestia nodded, “Yes, I am. But, could you both do me a favor and go wait out for me in the car? I have to send a text to a friend of mine from college. He’ll be coming over for dinner tonight.”

“Okay, take your time. Come on, Maisie.” Once they were out of the house, a worried sigh escaped Celestia’s mouth as her smile dropped into a frown of sadness. Picking up her phone from her pocket, she saw one message to reply to.

— So, about the kids, do they know about us?

— I told them that you and I were friends. That’s just about it. They’re not really that worried, not even Gregory. Maisie’s only 5.

— You know they’re going to find out eventually. And when Gregory does, given his and Maisie’s fragile state… I just hope they’re ready for this.

— I’ll try to let them off gently after I get home. I hope they’ll understand, but I fear Gregory might not take it so well.

— Tia, of course they’ll understand. Gregory’s more amenable to reason whenever you talk to him, and Maisie… Maisie’s too precious to be dealt with. Tell you what. I’ll be coming over to the house later tonight after I get off the train. So if they don’t know before then, they will when I walk in.

— Okay. But don’t worry, I’ll handle it. I’ll see you later on tonight. Take care.

— I will. Love you.

“Oh… God, please help me if I can’t manage to find the strength to tell them,” Celestia said with depression as she slowly got up from her seat. “Maybe after lunch, or maybe some relaxing on the couch… I don’t know. I just hope I’m doing the right thing.” Not a moment longer, she put Clifford in his kennel until they would return, and then walked out and got in the car, driving off with the kids in tow, as they were buckled up and safely seated.

While driving, Celestia didn’t say anything, neither did Gregory or Maisie while Gregory played on his Nintendo Switch with headphones on and Maisie played with her unicorn plushie and one of her Barbie dolls.

The first stop was a retail gift store in the downtown area. All around, there were many materials or merchandising to choose from for those seeking to restock their food or remodel their houses stocked up on shelves. For Celestia, Gregory and Maisie, they were there to gather some supplies for the expecting principal’s baby shower.

“Okay, so what we need first are some balloons and streamers,” Celestia said as she grabbed a cart, and then put Maisie on the seat. “Fortunately, those should be easy to find.”

“Well, we better keep our hopes that Pinkie Pie hasn’t taken the whole stock yet,” Gregory dryly said before Celestia giggled. Strolling through the aisles of the entire store, they found the party section where the cards, decorations, and present wrapping materials would be. From there, a few streamers and balloons of varying colors and styles were in stock. “Okay, so what should we go for? Pink, blue or both?”

“Blue,” Celestia answered as Gregory and Maisie turned around. “I’m going to have a boy.”

“A boy?” Gregory scoffed. “For some reason, I thought you wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Well, I got a little bit impatient during my last ultrasound. Nonetheless, I can’t barely wait to see my son.”

“I can imagine how excited you are,” Gregory said.

“More for anything or everything in this world, that’s for sure,” Celestia said. “Is it really gonna be a boy?” Maisie asked. “Yes, sweetheart. And you’ll get to play with him soon.”

Celestia rubbed her belly as she and the kids grabbed what they needed, all colored baby blue. Maisie also pointed at other balloons that might be suitable for the party like baby bottle balloons and some fancy balloons saying “it’s a boy” on them, and Celestia accepted her idea. After that, they picked up some party platters for the cake and the buffet, and some plastic cups for drinks, and then anything else that was extra they needed or wanted to add to the baby shower. All throughout the walk, Gregory found himself captivated by his principal’s figure. Strong and healthy, yet very beautifully graceful, any other man would be lucky to have her as a girlfriend, but in Gregory’s eyes, he thought of her as someone who really likes her students as a principal. With a perfect figure, it had only been refined by her pregnancy.

“Ms. Celestia?” he asked. “Yes?” Celestia replied. “Do you work out while you’re pregnant?,” Gregory said, before he nervously blushed. “Yes. I sometimes work out, but normally do some yoga and lift some lighter weights since the heavy ones might affect my condition, so I try to lose a few pounds and stay fit while I’m pregnant,” Celestia replied.

‘Oh my god! Wow! She’s… she’s gorgeous!’ Gregory thought to himself as his heart pounded. ‘Be still, my heart. I just… I just have to wait… for the right moment.’

“Gregory, is something wrong?” Celestia asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Oh, nothing! Nothing much. Nothing!” Gregory said in a dramatic tone. “I’m just in deep thought, that’s all.”

Celestia smiled warmly at him, and then placed her hand on his shoulder, “Well, whatever it is you want to tell me, we can talk about it at lunch when we’re done here. How does that sound?”

Gregory nodded in reply. But that smile, her warm welcoming smile, it always gets to him as if it could pierce or scorch his soul with graceful happiness. It was like the one gift that only someone as worthy as Celestia could wield, bringing warmth to even the hardest of all hearts that are broken in the world. For Gregory’s view, it seemed almost magical, like he’s forgotten about his rough life in the house near the Narrows. Nonetheless, it was always a pleasant sight he always welcomed.

After another twenty minutes of shopping around for more decorations, they took the cart to a cashier and bought their entire cargo. Due to a big savings sale, Celestia paid less than she thought she would. All the fixings and flair for a baby shower were all accounted for. After allowing her a break, Gregory decided to take over for pushing the cart and walked back to the car, offloading the goods into the trunk. Now, it was time for lunch before Celestia’s ultrasound.

Later on, they stopped at a diner called the Sweet Snacks Café, which is where Celestia thought it’d be a fun place to have lunch. As they arrived at their seats, Gregory helped Celestia into her seat, making sure she was comfortable enough, and then he and Maisie went next.

Suddenly, they saw Pinkie Pie rolling over to their table in her roller skates, and wearing her waitress outfit with her hair tied in a ponytail. “Hi! Welcome to the Sweet Snacks Café! Principal Celestia?!” she asked as she realized her principal was there. “Pinkie? You work here?” Celestia asked. “Yep! Oh, and whoever are these two?” Pinkie replied. “I’m Gregory Bryant, and this is my little sister, Maisie,” he replied. “Wait, the Gregory Bryant?! Who saved Principal Celestia from that drug addict?!” Pinkie Pie asked in excitement. “Yep. That’s me. And that guy was our dad, or was supposed to be,” Gregory said.

“Aww… I’m sorry to hear that. So, what can I get you three?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I’ll just have a nice t-bone steak with a fresh garden salad and cream of spinach on the side, and an iced water please,” Celestia said.

“I’ll have the fish and chips, with some ketchup as a dipping sauce, and a Coke please,” Gregory said.

“I’ll have macaroni and cheese with green peas please, and fruit punch to drink,” Maisie said.

“Wow, nice choices. I’ll be back with your orders in just a jiffy!” Pinkie said in a cheerful tone and then went to the kitchen to get their orders. Gregory then looked out the window towards the sunlit cityscape. People and cars passing by, it was a sight for him, Maisie and Celestia to enjoy. Truly, a 50’s themed diner like this was set in the right spot.

“So, back at the retail store,” Celestia said, loud enough for Gregory to hear. “what was on your mind?”

“Well, a lot of things,” he replied, still feeling slightly embarrassed from staring at her too much. “But, even after a few recent events, I still feel as though it’s all engraved in my memory.” Celestia could tell that he was still troubled by previous events. She somehow never expected him to recover so quickly as Luna told her.

“How about this.” Celestia spoke up before her thoughts were interrupted by the delivery of their drinks, and then continued, “talk to me about your experiences in as much detail as you want, but keep your pressure in cool.” Her motherly tone started to ease his nerves. Apart from his secret about his true affectionate intentions towards her, Gregory had a sense of trust for Celestia. With a sigh, he took a deep breath and then spilled the beans.

“It all started when I was about 12 years old and when Maisie was almost a year old. Our parents usually got into fights with our grandparents because of dad’s alcohol addiction. It somehow got bad to the point where they were disowned by them. After that, a bit after I started my freshman year, that was when the drug and alcohol abuse started. There were times I had to apply for a part-time job in Canterlot City after school… just to help Mom keep the house afloat so that she’d have enough money to pay the bills before Dad removed me from that job and had me do household work and chores like a servant, but most of all, I had to keep Maisie safe because she was another responsibility I destined myself. Dad never batted an eye, and not even one single brow! All he ever did was smoke that meth, sniff that cocaine, absorb that weed, and drink beer while I worked hard for our family. It’s just not fair…”

‘Oh dear…’ Celestia thought to herself as she exhaled and then comforted him with a hand on his shoulder while Maisie leaned against his side for a hug. “I’m… I’m sorry you, your sister and your mother had to go through all of that.”

Gregory then spoke up, “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. In fact, if it wasn’t for you, Maisie and I wouldn’t be here right now. You took us in and gave us shelter. I can’t thank you enough for that. But I can see now why everyone holds you in high regard. You’re the most caring person I know.”

“Why, thank you, my dear student,” Celestia said as she took a sip from her drink. “But really, I just did what I thought was in your best interests. I honestly wanted to ensure that you would be ready to move on after you graduate from 12th grade next year. It’s my job as your principal to keep my students safe and in a comfortable place.”

“And I’m nearly there, thanks to you.” After giving Celestia a quick hug, they were suddenly interrupted but greeted by the arrival of their food.

“Here are your orders!” Pinkie Pie said. “Just like you said!”

“Oh! Well, I’m flattered,” Celestia said, and then gave their meals a 5 star review on her phone. “If you’re wondering why they’re with me, I’m letting them live with us until we decide what to do about their future.”

“Oh! Well, good luck with your decision! And enjoy your meals!” Pinkie Pie said, as she rolled away.

For the next twenty minutes, Celestia and the kids ate their lunch, all the while making friendly conversation. The topics varied from thoughts on whatever subject, stories, either true or humorous in its nature. Spirits were high and much joy was had, even Maisie who had the most cutest little laugh and giggle. As far as Gregory was concerned, it was somehow the most fun he ever had in a good while.

When it came time to leave, and Celestia’s stomach was full after rubbing it, they were handed the check, calculated to about $40.00 total. Walking over to the counter, Celestia reached into her purse for her wallet, but to her surprise, it wasn’t where she’d normally put it.

“Shoot,” she growled. “Where did I put it? Did I leave it in the car again?”

“And take the rest as a tip.” Turning to the counter, Celestia saw Gregory handing the clerk some cash from his wallet.

“Thank you, sir. Have a nice day.”

“Same to you,” Gregory said.

“Gregory, you two didn’t have to do that.” Celestia sighed, “I could’ve gone out quickly to the car for my wallet.”

“Ms. Celestia,” Gregory placed a hand on her upper arm, “after all that you’ve done for me and my sister, I wanted to repay you for your kindness towards us.” Celestia was taken a bit aback by his gesture with a warm blushing smile. Despite having only a couple hundred dollars to his name, he still paid for their meals. She couldn’t help but feel thankful for him, if he was like a son to her.

“Thank you, young man.” She replied with a hug, which Maisie joined. As she left it, her phone buzzed once more as she pulled it from her pocket. “Gregory, can you and Maisie go wait out in the car? I’ll be there in a bit.” With a nod, Gregory and Maisie left the diner as Celestia unlocked her phone. She sighed as she saw the newest message from her friend.

— Do they know about us now?

— Not at the moment. I honestly can’t bring myself to.

— Well, to be frank, there are two ways they’ll find out. In all of them, I can only imagine how they’ll react. Gregory’s been through a lot and Maisie’s almost a big girl. They can probably handle it.

— I know but…

— Listen Tia, I have full confidence that you can. Even if you can’t, it won’t be the end of the world after all. I’ll help out however I can.

— You will?

— Of course. Anything for you. I’ll be coming over at around 6. Can’t wait to meet them.

— Alright, then we’ll be waiting. See you then.

— You too. Love you.

— Love you too.

*Click*

“I don’t know if I can,” Celestia said as she then snapped out of it, forgetting that she had to go check her ultrasound before going to the grocery store.

Later on, Celestia was lying on the chair with her lower buttons unbuttoned, and Gregory and Maisie by her side. Suddenly, the doctor came in and stood by Celestia. “Hello again, Celestia. And how are we this afternoon?” Dr. Hibbert asked. “I’m doing just fine, Dr. Hibbert,” Celestia replied. “I see you’ve noticed Gregory Bryant and his sister Maisie?”

“Oh, yes! I remember!” Dr. Hibbert said. “And I assume they’re living with you now?” Celestia nodded, and then Dr. Hibbert acknowledged their regards, and put on his gloves. “Alright, let’s get started. So, Mrs. Celestia, could you lift up your shirt if you don’t mind?”

Celestia then lifted up her jacket and then her shirt, exposing her round midriff, and then Dr. Hibbert applied the gel on the lower section of her belly as she shuddered about how cold it felt and then placed the ultrasound scanner onto her belly and rubbed it around, until Maisie playfully poked Celestia’s belly button, as Celestia giggled softly and stroked Maisie’s hair before the screen showed her baby fully grown but still needing more time.

“Wow… it’s so peaceful,” Gregory said. “Aww…” Maisie said. Celestia smiled warmly at the screen showing her baby.

“Looks like your boy’s nice and healthy in there,” Dr. Hibbert said. “I can’t wait to meet him. Oh, I’m so anxious,” Celestia said. “Yeah, me too,” Gregory said. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you soon. You should be proud.”

Celestia nodded, and then after the appointment was over and got some copies for herself, they went to the grocery store to pick up some groceries for the house.

After a quick trip to the grocery store, the three returned home and offloaded their cargo into the cabinets, and the others in the fridge and freezer. With the effects of their meals taking hold, they all took brief naps. Throughout his, Gregory dreamt of him and Celestia, sitting by a lakeshore while gazing at the sun. Celestia was wearing a while overflowing shoulder off sarong dress with a spare white linen sarong, over a satiny rose pink bikini, along with gold and corkscrew leg high sandals. The feeling was almost real to him as he cradled her, being extra gentle with her precious cargo. As he looked into her eyes, he found his face growing ever closer as his eyes closed and they both puckered their lips. Before he felt the kiss, he was snapped wide awake with a bit of a cool sweat while taking deep breaths.

“Jeez,” He panted, climbing out of bed. “Talk about a pleasant dream.”

Walking into the living room, he saw Celestia sitting on the couch with both her legs on the footrest and wrapped in a blanket, her bare belly exposed and now wearing a zip up sweatshirt instead of her blazer jacket, watching what appeared to be an old movie from the 80’s. She looked relaxed and peaceful, yet so lonely with her sister being out and about. It was now his chance, his one and only chance to make an opportunity to confess his feelings to her. He then saw Maisie laying on the couch. With a gulp of air, he sat down next to her, surprising the principal with his presence, until he laid Maisie with him.

“Oh! Goodness, you certainly surprised me.” Celestia hummed in reply with her signature smile, “How was your nap?”

“Needed it.” Gregory replied, “Those fish fillets got me good.”

“I bet it did,” Celestia said, until she saw him yawning. “Still tired?”

Gregory nodded, before Celestia motioned her arm near him. “Come on, sit closer to me. I promise I won’t bite.”

Nervously, Gregory complied with her request and leaned by her side with his head laid against her breast and underneath her armpit, and her arm now wrapped around him stroking his shoulder. Even though he was close to her before, it still made him nervous, but somehow safe and warm, and Maisie snuggled against her brother’s torso. All he had to do was keep calm and go slow. Still, the warmth that radiated from her body was nice to the touch.

’It’s okay, Celestia.’ she thought to herself, ’Just keep calm and he’ll understand.’ She then took a deep breath and started to act completely normal, “You know, they really don’t make movies like this anymore.”

“Yeah, I find that to be a real shame. Also, I never knew you were into movies like these,” Gregory said, still snuggled against his principal.

“My mother got me hooked on it after reading some of her books, but I sometimes like to enjoy both of them most of my time. I just keep myself comfortable whenever I feel the need to.” Celestia’s attention was suddenly jolted away, realizing she was being interrupted by a kick within her abdomen. She then stared at her gravid midsection, rubbing it to calm her unborn son, before she looked down at Gregory, before looking back at her stomach, and then looked at Gregory again, but with a soft motherly smile. “Would you like to feel it?”

“Wha- Are you… serious?”

“I am. Don’t be shy about it.” Nervously, he scooted closer and then curled one arm over her back and then placed the other hand over her belly, while laying his head on top of it, listening to the baby’s heartbeat. Gregory couldn’t believe Celestia would allow him to do something of the sort. It wasn’t until one of Celestia’s hands forcing his onto her belly that he fully began to process what it felt really like. Warm, soft, smooth, it was incredible to the touch, as Celestia smiled. “How does it feel?”

“Can’t really describe it other than amazing.” Then, Gregory felt something push back against his hand. Knowing very well it was her son reacting to his touch, he briefly felt him kicking before Gregory felt Celestia’s hand rubbing her belly. “Hmmm, I guess he notices me.”

“I guess he can’t wait to meet you,” Celestia said, before giving him a kiss on the forehead.

Being this close to Celestia, touching her in such a way with her blessings, sent Gregory’s mind in all sorts of directions. He somehow felt safe and warm in her comfort, as he suddenly began to envision something in his mind until he unexpectedly leaned closer before his lips suddenly kissed her belly. Celestia smiled warmly at him giving her unborn baby some love, but while Gregory kept kissing her gravid midsection, he also began to feel as though his heart would uncontrollably jump out of his ribcage like a wild animal. Blood pumping, nerves pulsing, synapses sparking, it was pure madness for him. All or nothing, now was the time for him to act.

Giving himself no visual cue, Gregory carefully grabbed Celestia’s shoulders and then latched his lips onto hers, never breaching her mouth with his tongue. After a few short seconds, it was broken. The air became deathly silent as both parties process of what happened, mostly Celestia. Both faces turned a shade of ruby red as the awkwardness of the situation had set in.

“G-Gregory…” Celestia shuddered, breaking the silence, “what was that?”

“Celestia,” Gregory said while looking her dead in the eyes. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to confess ever since you took me and Maisie in. The truth is… I’ve ha-”

“I know what you’re going to say. I’ve long known about your affectionate feelings towards me and that’s very sweet of you, really. But the truth is…”

Knock
Knock
Knock

’Oh crap,’ Celestia internally panicked. Her friend had arrived sooner than she hoped. “Come in.” After a few shakes, the doorknob turned and the door opened, revealing a confusing sight to Gregory and Maisie.

“What?”

“To be continued…”

Author's Note

I thought they could say goodbye to their deceased mother first before spending some time with the principal for some quality time.

Chapter 6 - The Confession

As the door opened, stepping through the door was a man about the same age as Celestia. Around the same height, and decent build, pale light grayish amber skin, brown to moderate amaranth gradient eyes, his long hair styled as a mullet and a small ponytail and colored blood red, scarlet, and crimson red, along with a trimmed goatee beard and small mustache and buzzed facial hair, and he wore a dark brown leather jacket, a blue flannel shirt with black plaid, and a pair of grayish blue khakis, and dark brown shoes.

He had have been what Celestia was unwilling to tell the kids about. He took off his sunglasses and then eyed Celestia and the kids who were snuggling with her. Their minds were suddenly warped by confusion as Gregory tried to comprehend what was happening because to him, none of it made sense.

“Who’s that?” Maisie asked in a shy tone.

“Children,” Celestia sighed, as she placed her shirt back over her belly and stood up to walk up to the man. “this… is my boyfriend.”

For a few sufficient moments, they were suddenly surprised. Celestia never told them she had a boyfriend. After spending the better part of the day making her feel comfortable and providing both his gratitude and love to her, he somehow felt like she was hiding something from them. While Maisie was nervously whimpering, Gregory was feeling a little confused.

“So, these are the kids you’ve talked about,” the man said with a genuinely warm smile. “Hello. I’m Anton Firestone. It’s nice to meet you two.”

He held out his arm with an open hand. Gregory and Maisie knew what the gesture meant, while Maisie went over to him and gently shook his hand, until Anton playfully pressed his finger on Maisie’s nose, making her giggle with a cute little voice, but Gregory however couldn’t bring himself to it. The feelings of anger, sadness, betrayal and many more emotions that related to them flooded one part of his mind as he felt scared and broken, like she was going to send them away or something worse.

“Is there something wrong?” Anton asked as his face became a slight frown, growing more concerned.

“Ce-Celestia,” Gregory’s voice shuddered with saddened betrayal. “why?”

‘Oh, dear.’ Celestia thought to herself with her fingers on her lips. ‘I knew this was going to happen. Celestia tried putting her hands on Gregory’s shoulders to calm him down. “Gregory, please calm down. Let me explain.”

“Explain what?!” He snapped jerking his body away from her with tears welling in his eyes, shocking her. “You’ve had a boyfriend all along, like the whole time, and you never told me?!” His fists were balled up, filled with anger, sadness and pain. His heart was beyond broken, shattered and disintegrated. “Why did you keep this from us?!”

“Gregory, please listen to me!” Celestia’s pleas fell on him unwilling to listen as he got up, silently sobbing from a broken heart.

“Gregory, if you’d calm down, we can talk this out,” Anton calmly pleaded with Gregory as he threw the door open wide. Like his girlfriend, words had no effect.

“NO!” Gregory screamed, “NO! YOU ALL LIED TO US! EVEN MAISIE!”

“Oh, come on. How dare you?” Anton asked in a calmer stern tone. “HOW DARE I?! HOW DARE YOU?!” Gregory screamed again, until Anton tried to comfort him. “NO! GET AWAY FROM ME! JUST… JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”

As quickly as he screamed in pain, he ran out of the house and down the street like a storm. As much as she wanted to, Celestia somehow thought it’d be best to leave him alone, knowing his mental state. As she and Anton sat on the couch in silence and placed Maisie with them but on Celestia’s lap as she hugged her shoulders and nestled underneath her chest, Luna walked in, confused by what she saw.

“Tia, what happened with Gregory?” she asked. “I just saw him running out crying but wha-” There, she suddenly took notice of Anton’s presence. It didn’t take her long to figure out what triggered the student’s sudden outburst. “I assume he found out.”

“Afraid so,” Celestia somberly said, rubbing Maisie’s back. “I was… too indecisive about telling them, and how they would feel about it.”

“I honestly never expected him to react that way at all,” Anton sighed. “Plus, it wasn’t your fault, Celestia.”

“But, I… I think he hates me now.” Not wanting to see his girlfriend stress out, Anton pulled her into a loving hug, pecking her on the forehead and then stroking her hair. Though some tears formed, Celestia didn’t cry. She was more worried than sad, worried about the well-being and care of her student and his sister, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Are you gonna send us away?” Maisie asked. “No, sweetie. Of course not,” Celestia said motherly.

“Well, Tia,” Luna thought for a moment. “we’ve gotten him back from the very brink before. This time, it shouldn’t be any different than last time.”

“But, we don’t know what’s eating him so much.”

“Let me look through his bedroom so that we might know.”

“Very well.”

Luna walked down the hall and into Gregory’s room. It looked like his old room in the house near the Narrows, a bit less on the messy side and mostly kept orderly as it was meant to be, but inside Celestia and Luna’s house this time. Slowly but carefully, Luna scanned the room, checking anywhere from his closet to his drawers until his nightstand was left, but saw Maisie in front of her. “Maisie? What is it, sweetheart?”

Maisie showed Luna what she found, two pieces of paper, which were very much a drawing by Maisie and a note from Gregory. Unfolding them, Luna skimmed through them until she nodded. “Thank you for telling me, dear. Now let’s go tell my sister and her boyfriend.” Maisie nodded and then followed Luna. Walking back to the living room, she suddenly saw Cadance on the couch. “Oh, Cadance! I didn’t see you there!”

“I’ve heard about what happened so I thought I’d help,” Cadance said, before she saw Maisie hiding behind Luna’s legs. “I guess she knew too?”

Maisie nodded and then nervously walked over to Cadance and then she lifted Maisie up and placed the little girl on her lap.

“What did you find, Luna?” Celestia asked.

“I think it’s best if I read the letter first before you see it, and the drawing,” Straightening the paper with a gulp of air, Luna composed herself as she prepared to read the entire note.

‘Well, me and Maisie are finally free in more ways than one. From school and the worries of our old home life, none of them will be troubling me anymore. For that, me and my sister Maisie all give our gratitude to Principal Celestia. If it weren’t for her, we might not have made it for a brighter future, meaning I may not have made it through school or worse, I could’ve died, and Maisie. On the first day where she brought me and Maisie to live with her and Luna, I had the most vivid dream of her. She looked like an angel, or probably a Greek goddess, so beautiful, gorgeous and serene. Yet, her aura was very motherly. After that, I became split on what to see her as. She’s beautiful and attractive but really motherly and caring towards me and Maisie. Maybe later today, if I’ll confront her about this by asking and tell her the truth, she’ll definitely understand. No matter what, I’ll still love her, and maybe give Maisie a chance as well while Mom still lives in our hearts.’

They were all feeling speechless over the heartfelt note. Despite bringing them to their house, Gregory rarely even talked about his feelings. For Celestia, the note explained much about his thoughts. He cared deeply for her so much, clearly seen when he defended her from his father.

Maisie then shot off Cadance’s lap and walked over to Celestia, and then showed her drawing fro she and Anton could see. It was about Maisie, Gregory and Celestia, including her baby holding hands, but her baby was held in Celestia’s arm. They were in a sunny day in the park. The top said “WE LOVE YOU!” and had hearts on each side.

She then smiled and hugged Maisie, before she began to cry. Even though, she realized Gregory’s thoughts about her were conflicted and twisted with confusion, and Maisie just likes her.

“Goodness,” Celestia sighed as she sat back on the couch, “It’s that bad, isn’t it?”

“It looks that way,” Cadance said as she took Maisie and comforted her with a hug while sitting her on her lap as the little girl laid her head underneath her bosom.

“And that makes the situation more precarious for him,” Anton remarked as he sat up, straightening his jacket. Having a diploma for arts of negotiations, since he was somehow a lawyer, but also doctorate in therapy, and as a professional doctor of psychology, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis, he knew exactly where Gregory would likely end up if his conflict is left unresolved. As a result, he shared the exact same concerns as Celestia. Though he knew that he didn’t know him, but probably hated him for stealing Celestia, Anton realized that only talking to Gregory and making calm negotiations will help him. “I’m going to go find him.”

“Are you sure he’ll respond to you?” Celestia worriedly asked in concern.

“It’s only worth a shot,” he said as he grabbed his keys and wallet. “I’m just concerned about him as you are, Tia. And Maisie too. I want to help them out. Just give me one shot and I’ll bring him back safe and sound. I promise.” Walking over to her, Anton gently embraced Celestia as she placed her hands on his shoulders and he planted a quick kiss on her lips. Breaking it, she placed a hand on his cheek with a smile most warm, but still felt concerned about him.

“Please bring him back.”

“I promise,” Anton said, until he left the house and drove off to find Gregory.

“Maisie? Why don’t you tell me about yourself? Like your favorite things to do?” Cadance asked, until she and Maisie began their chat.

The sun was beginning to set as Anton drove around town inside a red Dodge Caliber. Keeping his head on a swiveling focus, he kept his eyes open for any hints of Gregory’s whereabouts. After being told the story about the kids by Celestia, he shared the same worry as his girlfriend. In his mind, he’s a good kid with issues he needed help with, and who is very protective and caring for his little sister, and loves her so much. After years of studying the human psyche in three ways, he knew how to handle it and he had to in any way possible.

After nearly twenty minutes of driving around, his eyes suddenly caught the sight of some hooded figure sitting on some bench near the lake where his dead mother’s grave was. Right away, he knew that it was indeed Gregory, seeking to be far away from human contact. Parking his car, he took a deep breath as he cleared his mind.

‘Alright, Anton, you can do this.’ he thought to himself. ‘Just keep calm and he’ll come around.’

Exiting his car, Anton carefully walked over to the bench as the gentle spring breeze blew against his face. Though he suspected that Gregory was alerted to his presence, he could tell he was in too much pain and sorrow to care. He really didn’t want to talk to anyone or acknowledge them, but not anymore. He wanted to die, after feeling that he wasn’t loved and that he failed to protect his sister. Gregory then took out a gun he found from his dad, and then pointed it at his forehead. With a gasp, Anton ran up to him and tried to get him to see reason, “Hey, hey, hey! Son! Come on! Now, I know you may feel bad, but I assure you that you don’t want to spill your own blood for no good reason why! Just put the gun down, okay?”

Gregory then pouted more sadly and then put down the gun. With a sigh of relief, Anton sat next to Gregory who was still broken-hearted.

“Hey, uh… Gregory,” Anton sighed as he looked down at him. “It’s- I know I’m the last person that you want to see. But, I just want to talk to you.” His words were met with only silence, just as he anticipated. Yet, he had to press on for his and Celestia’s sake. “Like Luna, I’m trained as a doctor and professional therapist of psychology, except but also psychiatry and psychoanalysis, plus I’ve trained as a lawyer for many years, learning under the arts of negotiations. You don’t have to feel ashamed about your thoughts or have to make wrong choices. I’ll listen to you no matter what.”

Again, not a single sigh or a speck of noise from Gregory was made in response. Apart from soft breathing, the air was mostly silent. Anton didn’t jump into the situation thinking that it was going to be really that easy. He knew that nothing worthwhile in life ever was.

“Gregory, I know you hate me, and probably don’t know me. But I swear I didn’t come here expecting you wouldn’t. But, I came here because Celestia wants you back. She’s worried sick about you. Now, you don’t have to like me. All I want for you to do is only hear me out.”
…
…
…
…
…
…
“Why?” Gregory asked, breaking the silence.

“What?” Anton replied in confusion.
…
…
…
“Why does she still care about me?”

“Well, she does because she still loves you.” Anton stated. “She’s really worried about you and so am I. Your sister is too.”

“No she doesn’t! She never did give a goddamn thing about me! All that time of her being nice to me and Maisie was nothing more than a lie!” With that, Gregory’s emotional walls started to crack even further. Anton had seen things like his case. Talking to him or peacefully negotiating with one another would work but he’d needed to be very persistent about this. As quickly as he let his guard down, Gregory could recover just as easily.

“Gregory, through the four months I’ve gotten to know her, she’s the farthest from a big fat liar,” Anton said as he got closer towards Gregory. “As a therapist and local doctor, I see the truth as being better in the long run than a little white lie. But as a lawyer for public services, I can tell you never had a better parent besides your mother to protect you both. I don’t ever lie when I say you’re a good kid. I really do care about you and your sister as much as Celestia and Luna do.”

“YOU LIE! NOBODY CARED ABOUT ME! HELL, MY DAD NEVER LOVED ME OR MAISIE AT ALL!”

“Gregory, I know how you feel, and I know deep down inside your heart, but not inside your head, I know how it feels.”

“NO, YOU DON’T KNOW HOW IT FEELS! MY DAD NEGLECTED US, AND MY MOM IS DEAD! WE HAVE NO FAMILY!”

“Look, I know that love is an issue for you. We all know that you suffered an inner conflict about Celestia.”

“How did you know?!”

“Well, Luna and Maisie found that note of yours in your bedroom. She read it to us and now we all know why you acted the way you did. You’re torn up about what you see her as, and your sister drew this as well.”

For a moment, as he looked at Maisie’s drawing, Gregory said nothing. His breathing accelerated as he turned further away from the man next to him. They read the note, the entirety of his heart and mind written on a piece of paper explaining how much he and Maisie enjoy her kindness and caring for them. Feeling embarrassed, he struggled to do or say anything until he felt a bit of warmth on his shoulder as Anton placed his hand on his shoulder. Why would he extend such a gesture to him? Anton had him right where he wanted him and was ready to ask him the question.

“Now listen to me. I know your heart is really concerned with love. It’s a concept that affects the heart the most, whether it be familial or romantic. And trust me, I’ve heard many cases from many of my clients about that, and dealt with many trials concerning loved ones with the offended. When my patients or clients have or had that sort of conflict, I would ask them a question and now I ask you this: who are you and what do you really want?”

“I-I-I don’t know!” Gregory snapped gaiety tears in his eyes. His every last bit of resistance was beginning to break down. With his mind racing at an exponential rate, he cupped his forehead as he grunted in pain from his confusion. “I mean I love her but… GAH! I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY!!!”

“And that brings me to my next question. What do you truly see in her: A lover that you want… or maybe a mother that you lack and need? And if you really love her, would she want to send you or Maisie away?”

For a moment, Gregory stared blankly out into space as new thoughts snapped to him. Throughout most of his life, things weren’t well with his parents. Between their relatives disowning them and his father’s resulting addictions and their money problems with bills, he felt isolated, alone, like he never mattered, until Maisie came along. Yet, when Celestia took notice of his plight, going to lengths to help him and to protect Maisie from other dangers, it was like someone else truly cared for him as a true mother would.

”We’re just both concerned that some of your teachers said to us that they’ve somehow seen you unexpectedly napping during class time for the past few weeks.”

”I’m sorry, they treated you like that, and your sister.”

“But what matters now is that you’re safe, and you have your sister who loves you so much. Don’t ever feel ashamed about it. Everything is going to be alright, I swear it.”

“Don’t hold back, let your feelings out.”

“Mother,” Gregory gasped softly. Anton’s gaze drifted back to the young man on the brink of tears. Though it was softly spoken in a broken tone, he understood what it meant. Through all that inner conflict and heartbreak, his mind was able to settle on one view. Celestia, his principal, always had his back, treated him and Maisie, his little sister with love and care when they had nowhere to go. She was like the mother they never had and viewing her as something other than that filled him with complete regret. “Oh, what have I done?!”

Unable to contain himself any longer, Gregory lunged Anton with a hug and began crying on his shoulders. Having gotten him in a moment of weakness, Anton returned the hug, patting him on the back to calm him down. He accomplished what he came over to do but it’s all a matter of how he’s feeling about it. Breaking the hug, Anton smiled upon Gregory as he struggled to compose himself.

“I know that letting go of personal feelings for someone who cares for you is difficult for someone your age. Especially for one in your condition, it’s really a difficult thing to do. But sometimes there always times when you’re offered two choices that really matter to see that person you love and care about being happy. To either let them go, or be there for them. In a relationship, whatever the outcome is, would you rather see the one you love being happy even if it meant letting her go?”

For a moment, Gregory considered Anton’s words. All that time, his romantic interest in Celestia being there for him was purely for his own gratification. Despite all of that, she still showed him, and his sister some love and care. If it meant being there for her, but not romantic, it was still loving nonetheless. As much as he hated too, Gregory then made his decision in order to make her happy, he felt best to let her go, and also be there for her until her baby would arrive, and be there for his sister because she would cry over missing her big brother.

“Okay,” Gregory croaked in a sad tone. “I’ll come home, but, I should also apologize to her for how I’ve acted and treated her.”

“If you want to, it’s your call,” Anton said, as he then reached his phone. “Though, I think she may have already forgiven you.” Pushing a few numbers on the screen of his phone, Anton brought it to his ear.

“Hello?”

…

“Hi, Celestia.”

…

“Yes, I got him. It’s alright now. I’ve also managed to calm him down.”

…

“Well, I did give him a talk and I think he understands how he truly feels about you now.”

…

“But, I think he has something he wants to say to you in person when we return.”

…

“Okay, very well. I’ll see you in a bit.”

…

“Love you too, dear. Bye.”

Gregory rubbed his arm as he and Anton stood up, until he looked at him in the eyes, “Come on, Gregory. Let’s go home.” Gregory nodded and followed him to the car.

After pulling up to the driveway, Anton looked at Gregory feeling nervous. Shifting around in his seat, he nervously looked around. Despite being gone for nearly an hour, he was still unsure about how to approach it.

“Gregory,” Anton sighed, and comforted him with a hand on his shoulder. “I know you feel nervous about this. But what you’re about to do takes a lot of courage, so relax and stay calm.”

“I know,” Gregory answered back. “I wonder if she’s still mad at me.”

“Trust me. I don’t think she is. Sometimes, you just need to take a huge leap of faith. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back and I’ll be watching.”

With a nod and soft smile, Gregory climbed out of the car and approached the front door. Gripping the handle, Gregory took a big gulp of air before he opened it. Walking in, he saw Celestia, Luna, Cadance, with Maisie laying on her lap and Clifford next to Luna on all four legs, sitting on the couch. Upon seeing him enter, Celestia’s eyes opened up with a face of relief. She stood up and walked over to him, before seeing Anton behind him as Gregory had a solemn look. “Go ahead, sport,” Anton said.

“Celestia,” Gregory breathed. “I’ve had some time to think about my little outing from recently today. Ever since you brought me and Maisie in, you’ve not only given us hope and a place to live. You’ve given us the l-l… love that I never had. But I somehow misled myself and saw your gestures in the wrong light. I somehow thought that… that I saw you as a lover, but you didn’t see it that way. For that, I took your kindness for granted and believed you saw me as a lover. But, still, you cared for both of us and I still care for you. I know you must hate me after what happened and you have every right to. But know this, if you’re truly happy with Anton, then so am I. For that, I just want to say… I’m sorry.”

The air was silent as the three principals were left without words. Despite expecting than just a hug or silence, they got a heartfelt apology, with no crying and stuttering at the end. To them, he seemed like a kid who’s heart and spirit once broken was all fixed and healed.

With a gulp of air, Gregory felt a great burden lifted from his shoulders. He said what he wanted to say, and then there was nothing else left for him to say.

“But… if you still want to talk to me. I’ll be in my room.” He then turned around and started to walk towards his room. Before his hand touched the handle, a voice that was as smooth as honey called out to him.

“Gregory.”

As he turned around, Gregory only got a brief glimpse of her before she wrapped him in a tight embrace. As always, it was indeed a loving hug, filled with every bit of warmth in her being and the life she grows within her. As the moment went on, he realized that Anton was right the whole time.

“Celestia,” Gregory stuttered, while his face was smothered within the softness of her breasts. “I… I thought…”

“Oh, Gregory. I was never angry with you, sweetie. And I never hated you and never will,” Celestia whispered in a soft motherly tone, while stroking his hair until he felt the urge to cry and then leaned his head closer, and then he wrapped his arms around her returning the embrace, and felt his skinny body pressed against her round belly. “I was only worried about your well-being. I’ve always known about your infatuation towards me, but it was my indecisiveness that hurt you, not Anton when he entered. I wanted to tell you both about him and surprise you with it, but I didn’t know how to say or how you both would react, but I’m proud your sister took it well. However, I’m so proud that you came to terms with your true feelings and I was really touched by what you said, so thank you.”

“And I’ve meant every single bit of that. If you’re truly happy with him, then I’m happy,” Gregory said, sniffing his tears.

“Gregory, thank you. Now, remember… smile… no matter what happens, if not for me or your sister, but for yourself, too.” As he nodded, they made the hug last a little bit longer until his frown gradually grew into a smile. Celestia then smiled back at him.

“I won’t forget, Ms. Celestia,” Gregory sighed as he nodded, with a few tears left over. “So, are we cool?”

“Yes, dear. We are,” Celestia replied, and then tenderly kissed him on the forehead. They then continued their hug and rocked side by side, since Gregory needed comforting love, but as he suddenly felt better, they broke it so Gregory can relax.

“See, what’d I tell you? I told you she’d understand,” Anton said, placing his hand on his shoulder. “I have to say you’ve handled it pretty well in a mature manner.”

“I did the best I could, Anton,” Gregory said. “I was just scared that you were gonna send me and Maisie away, since you were also a lawyer and stuff.” He sighed as realized something else, “I know that I should put this behind me, but, you have Celestia, and Luna has Time Turner, who’s also my science teacher, Dr. Whooves. Will I ever find that special somebody?”

“Don’t fret over it,” Anton said. “You know, once upon a time, I did have a girlfriend too once. After she dumped me, I too felt the same way you did. But when Celestia came along, she told me that life is sometimes difficult to handle, even when most things aren’t fair. But even though things may seem barren and hopeless, a flower grown from a seed, much like from love, will always bloom.”

“Nice slogan,” Gregory said. “Wait a minute…” He then thought of the slogan for a moment. Flower, Flower, Flower, Flower… Fleur… Fleur De Lis! How could he have forgotten about her? He first met the student from Crystal Prep Academy during the Friendship Games this year. Being paired with her, Gregory formed a close bond with her. At times, she was flirtatiously and seductively attractive, but very beautiful with him, but his tiredness dulled him to her advances.

“Oh, shit! I hope I’m not too late!” Quickly to the couch and to the household telephone, Gregory quickly dialed in her phone number. After a set of ringing, he was answered by a familiar voice.

“Bonjour?” Fleur sang in reply.

“Uhhh… H-Hey, Fleur,” Gregory answered, “H-H-How… uhh… How are you doing?”

“Gregory! Mon ami, how are you?!”

“Doing good. Very good. Uhhh… listen, I’ve been wondering… if you’re not too busy, I was hoping if you wanna, you know, go hang out this weekend? Like maybe, grab some lunch and… maybe a movie?”

Fleur gasped in excitement, “Are you proposing a date?!”

“What?! No! Errr, I mean… yes, it is.” Gregory internally panicked, as he messed up the delivery message. Way to leave a tied up tongue to ruin a chance to go out with a lady frenemy from a rival school he had a crush on.

Fleur suddenly giggled, “I’d thought you’d never ask.”

“Whoa.” Gregory was suprised. “Uhhh… Wait, really?”

“Oui. I was wondering when you would get the hint back in school, since we both won the Friendship Games.”

“Well, it’s kind of a long story, but maybe we can talk about it over lunch. I’ll even pay.”

“Very well. I look forward to our time together, mon amour.”

“Okay, guess I’ll see you then.” He hung up the phone, and then breathed a sigh of relief. Though he only knew a tiny bit of French or the accents, Gregory somehow guessed her last words meant “my love”. He didn’t normally expect to get into a relationship with her so soon since the last time he saw her during the Friendship Games which is how they met, but he eagerly awaited to see where it’ll go from their point of view.

“See?” Anton teasingly said in singsong. “I told you so.”

“Gregory, is that you?” Maisie’s voice asked, and she was in her pajamas. “Yeah, it’s really me,” Gregory replied. Maisie then ran up to him and then he hugged her back and then Clifford came over and he petted him.

“Children, I’ve also been doing some thinking with Luna, and since you’ve been here since last week, me, Luna and Anton have something to tell you,” Celestia said. “Or instead, why don’t we show you?”

Luna then gave Gregory what appeared to be a clasped lid envelope in yellow and have a label in rainbows and shooting stars, with their names on it. Gregory then opened it and took out what appeared to be adoption papers signed by Celestia, Luna and Anton themselves, until they realized what it means. It was really happening. Celestia was really going to take them both in as her son and daughter, and become the mother they now need even though her own wasn’t born yet.

As Gregory began to well up tears of happiness in his eyes, and Maisie felt excited in a cuter way and with tears, Celestia lowered herself down carefully while being careful with her cargo, and then reached out her arms for Maisie, “Why don’t you come over here? Mommy would like her hug.” Maisie then squeaked with glee and ran over to Celestia and felt her new mommy lift her up for a hug against her shoulders as Maisie felt Celestia hold her as she cradled her belly, and then Gregory joined in the hug crying onto her shoulder as she rubbed his back to calm him down while holding Maisie on one arm as she leaned on her shoulder. While Cadance and Luna looked on at the scene with warm motherly smiles, Anton’s prediction was proven true as the kids’s happiness reached new heights.

“How come you never told us about this either?” Gregory sobbed as he buried his face on her blazer’s shoulder.

“Shhhhhh shhhhhh… it’s okay, my son,” Celestia cooed softly. “Luna and I thought about it before Anton would come home and before school would end for the summertime break and I thought today was in your best interest to your welcome you both into my family. After what you’ve both been through, you two shouldn’t and shall not have to feel alone anymore. You are now loved by me and everyone here. Welcome to the family, children.” Having exhausted his tears, Gregory looked at his now mother in the eyes, wiping away all his tears.

“Celestia… Mom… thank you,” Gregory said as he gave her another quick hug. It had more meaning at he, Celestia and Maisie were now mother, son and daughter. Though not bound by blood, it mattered little to them. They were now family and they now had the mother they needed. “We’re going to have to get used to calling you mom from now on.”

Smiling and enjoying their hug, Gregory and Maisie were now living in happiness while he took in the ambient joy of their new familial connections. It was one of those rare moments where they would experience true happiness. No matter what, they now had a family that he and Maisie can turn to for the rest of their lives.

Author's Note

I also made Jeffery Combs (voice actor of many characters, including my favorite which is Autobot Ratchet in Transformers Prime) do the voice of Anton Firestone.

And I made him the shared design of this guy right here:

Chapter 7 - The Very First Date

The next day, Gregory was already in a hurry.

’I can’t leave a single strand of hair out of place!’ Gregory thought as he combed his hair after applying a little bit of gel. ’So many things can go wrong! Ah, shit!’ Scanning through the mirror, he thoroughly checked himself of any and all blemishes or any other types of disturbances. None were there on his face, not even a hair out of place or any zits or pimples anywhere, and his teeth were all white as snow and reflecting like diamonds. Since it was the day of his very first date with Fleur De Lis, the most beautiful and gorgeous girl of his dreams, he didn’t want to leave anything out of ordinary to chance. First impressions have the most impact for most boys or girls on their first dates. Just as he was about to fret or make some self-complaints once more, a set of knocks was heard on his door.

“Hey, Gregory,” Anton called out, “Can I come in?”

“Uh, sure!” Gregory answered as his new mother’s boyfriend walked in. He looked at the junior high school student as he stressed about his appearance like someone gone completely mad or insane.

“Still going at it, aren’t ya?” Anton asked with a smirk, “This date with Fleur, it’s starting to make you nervous.”

“More than you can believe, sir,” Gregory replied. “I just want to be looking at my very best. I combed my hair, brushed my teeth, washed and moisturized my face, and doing anything in between.”

“If you want my advice,” Anton placed a hand on Gregory’s shoulder, “Women are usually, or well, normally attracted to confident men, but also dig those who be themselves, even though if it’s as cheesy as that sounds.”

Gregory chuckled, “Heh, you do have a point. But still, this is something really new to me. What if I somehow screw this up?”

“Gregory, trust me when I say this: You have nothing to fear. When I heard that conversation you’ve had over the phone with her, it seemed to me like she’s been wanting to date you for quite a while since you two met during these “Friendship Games.” Just play it cool, take it nice and slow, by beginning with a few easy baby steps, and you’ll be alright.” With a quick moment of thought, Anton thought of a way to calm him down, “How about this? Just repeat after me, okay? Count to four, and then inhale. Count to four again, and then exhale.”

Doing as Anton recommended, Gregory took the deepest of breaths he could ever take, and started counting to four before he exhaled with a nice soothing deep breath. Bit by bit, during every breath, he felt his anxiety starting to fizzle out of his body like steam. After a few more cycles of deep breathing, Gregory felt completely relieved, but yet a shredded piece of his anxiety somehow remained. All he could really do was bite his lip and give the date his best efforts.

“Better?” Anton asked.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Gregory replied. Just as he was about to walk out the front door, Anton took his hands in his, depositing a set of keys. “Really? You’re letting me drive your ride?”

“Why, yes.” Anton nodded in reply, “When Celestia and I go out later, we’ll be taking her car. I know you know how to drive but-”

“I promise I won’t scratch it or nothing. Besides, pissing someone off is the last thing I wanna do.”

Sharing a chuckle, Anton bid Gregory farewell as the boy got in his car. Though he’d been in it before, driving it was like a brand new experience for him. Automatic shifting, functional AC, and a road map system with a GPS, it was almost like piloting a space shuttle to him. Still, he’d handle the loaned vehicle with the utmost care he can provide. After typing in Fleur’s address, all that was left now was picking up his date.

Pulling up to the driveway, Gregory gave the horn a few honks before he got out, opening the passenger door. It didn’t take long for the Crystal Prep student to walk out, but damn, was she something. A beautiful and gorgeous girl the same age he was, but with semi-long light magentaish gray hair with heliotropeish white streaks and a fleur-de-lis hair clip on one side, and beautiful pale, light grayish violet eyes with a matching eyeshadow. While displaying black double buttoned khaki shorts that hugged her thighs and reached over them, black t-strap high heels over purple striped socks and black nylon pantyhose, a white buttoned blouse tucked underneath her shorts, two gold necklaces and a pearl bracelet on one wrist, a tan trench coat with black buttons and a belt with a silver buckle over a maroon jacket, and packed with her purse, and Gregory felt his jaw go nearly slack.

“Hmmm, nice to see you, Monsieur Bryant.” Fleur softly spoke. “Holding the door open for me? My, my, quite the gentleman you are.”

“H-Hello, Fleur,” Gregory said, with butterflies in his stomach. “You look beautiful today.” She got in the passenger seat, closing the door behind her. When he got in, his nose was beset by a pleasing aroma. Roses, lilacs, and french vanilla, it briefly made his mind wander a fair bit before snapping back to complete focus. “That’s a nice perfume you used.”

“Why, thank you.” Fleur giggled, “I thought it would be nice for our date.”

“That it is,” Gregory said. “So, the showtime is at two-thirty, so we should have time for some lunch, if you’re hungry.”

“Wonderful. Lead the way, Gregory,” Fleur replied.

Pulling out of the driveway, Gregory drove into town with Fleur in tow. The restaurant, Di Lorenzo’s Italian Villa, is a large and wide, but reputable place to catch a quick bite, especially for romantic dates or casual family hangouts, including friends of family. Walking in, the two were quickly seated as they scanned through their menus until they found what they hungered for. Once their menus were taken from them and the orders were made, nothing obstructed their respective gazes while having a few glasses of water and their own drinks with Fleur’s being unsweetened iced tea before adding the sweetener, and Gregory’s being Coke, and a bowl full of breadsticks and another bowl full of mozzarella sticks along with some dipping sauce. Gregory was somehow captivated by her beauty.

“How nice of you to take me to this place.” Fleur said.

“Well, it’s not that far from the theater, so we’ll be making good time sooner than later,” Gregory replied, “Plus, I didn’t really want to shortchange our first lunch together.”

“You didn’t need to worry about that, mon ami. Just spending time with you is enough,” Fleur said.

“Yeah,” Gregory sighed, as he then remembered what he said over the phone earlier in the week, “So, I think you deserve an honest explanation about why I’ve been obliviously absent, due to your advances, or that we don’t go to the same school together.”

“Gregory, you don’t have to if it makes you uneasy. I unders-“

“No, I want to be honest with you on our first date.” Gregory then placed a hand on Fleur’s, “You deserve an answer.”

“If you want, my friend.” Fleur said, while stroking his hand with her polished fingernails colored like her hair but darker. Sighing deeply, Gregory prepared to speak his peace.

“For years, my parents struggled with a drug and alcohol habit my dad’s been having. As time passed, it eventually got worse to where I had to work multiple jobs on the weekends.”

“So, that’s why you looked so tired back then, like the students at your school and my school were saying?” Fleur asked.

Gregory nodded, “I used to have a car to go to and from those jobs, often crashing at my friend’s place afterwards or just to drive on home. Yet, he didn’t snap out of their vices, or even his cocaine or meth. He just kept indulging himself.”

“What exactly happened to your car?” Fleur asked.

“My dad sold it for drug money. After I found out, I got into a fight with them to where he kicked me and my little sister Maisie out. We didn’t have anywhere to go until Principal Celestia brought me in to live with her. I’ve been at her place since then, before he killed our own mother with a gun,” Gregory replied.

“Mon Dieu…” Fleur’s voice shuddered with her fingertips on her lips. “It all makes sense. Mon ami, I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.” She had her hand on her chest.

Like her recently new friend Rarity, Fleur was one to recognize the generosity in people, even in herself, before her campus had a change of heart before Cinch was fired. To hear Celestia give her crush a place to live didn’t come as a big surprise to her. Yet, Gregory’s attitude about his abandonment was unusually calm.

“It’s okay.” Gregory reassured, “After living with her for weeks now, I can breathe more easily now that I’m away from all that, and that Maisie can have a safer childhood. I truly have Celestia to thank for pulling me and Maisie out of the fire.”

“She’s a compassionate lady for sure,” mused Fleur, “Ever since the Friendship Games, we’ve been doing so well before Principal Cadance took over. So, if she brought you in, she must have a level of care for you. I would’ve done the same, but it would be too soon since we’re now dating and such.”

“I know. I can certainly see why she’s earned the respect of so many. Even though she’s already expecting her own, she already treats me like her son. Heh, can’t believe that I consider her, the principal of all people, to be the mother I never had, and so does Maisie.”

Both parties shared a laugh just as their orders came out, briefly interrupted from their conversation. They thanked the waiter and they began eating their lunch, consisting two plates of spaghetti and meatballs for each of them. All throughout their time eating and conversing, Gregory learned new things about his date. As he suspected, she and her family hailed from France, all born in the town of Paris, the city of love. After a new job offer, her father moved them to Canterlot where they stayed ever since. They both shared their dreams of one day being an astronomer and a fashion designer respectively. Both had plans for the future when they graduate their high schools next year.

Once the bill was paid and they were off and away, Gregory kept his eyes focused on the road, keeping his eyes from focusing on her distracting beauty, while she sat on her seat with her gorgeously slender legs crossed over each other. That wasn’t to say that they never talked during the entire ride to the movie theater. Apart from some small talk, they both shot the breeze about their musical tastes. To Gregory’s sudden surprise, Fleur unexpectedly had an affinity for heavy metal, jazz, hip hop, and other musical tastes he enjoys. Surprising for sure, but it was an interesting aspect of hers.

Upholding his promise, as they arrived on time, Gregory paid for the tickets, and snacks, which were a big cup of popcorn to share and two soft drinks once they got to the theater. For the movie, it was one of those James Bond movies made solely for entertainment, where he is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica after leaving active service for many years. It was an hour and a half of the movie, leading to a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist which turned out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain who was armed with a dangerous new weaponry of advanced weapons and technology. Nonetheless, Gregory saw that Fleur was having a good time and was actually hoping for it to have a happy ending.

Yet, all throughout the movie, the thought of Fleur dwelled on his mind ever so persistently. It was not just her naturally radiant beauty that drew him to her or the charm she uses. From within her radiated an aura of kindness with a soul that was loving by nature’s hand. It was there that Gregory thought that perhaps that his unexpected love for Celestia was a different kind, one based on his desire for a family that cared, including Maisie since she was the only one from his original bloodline. Fleur was now his true heart’s desire and his predicament blinded him into it.

“Are you sure this is the right place?” Fleur asked as they drove through a wooded area.

“I assure you that we’re on the right path.” Gregory replied, “I used to come up here when things got bad so I can have some comfort, and a place to do some thinking or maybe use my imagination just to see if things are going well for me, but it’s something I always ask whenever I’m in a bad place.” Making another turn from the path, they found themselves at the head of a huge hill overlooking the local woodland park. The view of the trees and grass going for miles and the rivers was breathtaking, magnified only by the setting sun on the horizon. Fleur was at a loss for words for how beautiful it all looked from her point of view. “So, what do you think?”

“C’est m-magnifique!” She gasped as they both exited the car, “The view is absolutely wonderful!”

“It’s usually a view of nature that’s always unrestrained by the lights of the city over there. Nothing but the absolute peacefulness, the calm and quiet sounds of nature everywhere and the stretches of all this greenery to bask in,” Gregory then noticed Fleur enjoying the view before an idea popped into his head, so he pulled out his phone, pressing a few buttons on the screen, “Since we’ve got nothing else to do, how about if we did this?”

Pressing another button, a tune came from his phone, filling the ambient air with a pleasant melody. Piano, drums, violins, and guitar, a perfect musical combination, all are in perfect harmony. To his amusement, Fleur became enamored with the song, tapping her feet and humming to the tune, before he looked at her gorgeous eyes and asked, “So, what do you say, Fleur? Since we’ve never got a chance during the welcome party during the Friendship Games, how about if I make it up to you?” She knew what Gregory intended with his kind words since the song sealed the deal.

Taking her hands into his, and gently wrapping one around her back after gently grabbing and touching her petite waist, Gregory danced with Fleur to the rhythm of the music. It was a slow dance but it allowed them to enjoy the entire serenity of the beautiful scene around them. For Gregory, he somehow couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Her beauty and feminine charm were like the stuff of legends that only a few other boys like him were gifted. As the music started to die down, the two teens took one seat in the car with them sitting together but with Fleur sitting on Gregory’s lap as they both laid backwards but not all the way on the single seat, taking in the view of a setting sun before the sky began to show a nice view of the starry filled sky as they were also wrapped in a blanket due to the cold weather during the night.

“Incredible,” Fleur said, staring out at the horizon, “I fondly remember the sunsets I’ve watched when I lived in Paris as a little girl. Beautiful and full of life, it naturally lit up the city every night. Every time I see one here, it sometimes reminds me of home.”

“Yeah, It’s always a comforting sight from my personal perspective, if you ask me,” Gregory replied, while stroking her shoulder, “There were also times that I had dinner out here just to see this. It also relieved my stress for a time. But now, I think there’s something that makes this pale in comparison.”

“And what would that be exactly?” Gregory then slowly turned to face Fleur.

“I’m looking at her.”

“Oh, you flatterer. But, I love that you think I’m pretty.” As Fleur got closer and leaned her head on his chest and stroked his shoulder, she noticed Gregory growing increasingly uneasy, “Is there something wrong?”

“Well uhhhh… no. *ahem* It’s nothing.”

“Come now, darling. I can see that look on your face. If you have something say, then say it.” With a sigh, Gregory knew that it was the time to say those three impactful words.

“Fleur, though this was originally our first date, we’ve known each other throughout our junior year before the Friendship Games started. During that time, I’ve begun to enjoy our friendship before we’ve lost contact for sometime, but I’m sorry for leaving you. Yet, there was that one part of me that yearned for more. I-I guess what I’m trying to say that I… *whew* I l- oohhh I can do this. I can do this. I’m trying to say is that… I… I lo-”

Before Gregory could speak his mind, his thoughts were suddenly cast away when a set of soft lips touched his, and a hand gingerly stroking his cheek and the back of his neck. His mind went blank for a few short moments as he processed what happened. Fleur was actually kissing him right on the lips, and pulling him in for an embrace as well. He never expected her to make the first move but the feeling… it was actually beyond exhilarating.

“Woah.” Gregory gasped as the kiss was broken, “Never expected that to happen.”

“I know you didn’t,” Fleur giggled, while crawling her fingers on his chest and laying her enormous soft rack against his chest too, “I honestly knew what you were going to say, but I thought I already made it clear over the phone this week when I called you ‘mon amour’. But I want to hear you say it.” Biting his lip and with a mighty gulp, Gregory was ready.

“Fleur… I love you.” Gregory said, with a hug which Fleur returned, “But I have to ask, can we do that again?” Fleur then wrapped her arms around his neck with her eyes half-lidded.

“Oui.” She then lowered their seat all the way down so that Gregory was laying flat.

Slowly diving in, with their lips locked together once again, they both enjoyed each other’s caress. Lips against lips, tongues wrestling each other, their passion climbed ever so higher than the first quick kiss. Gregory’s heart raced at a rate he never thought possible yet was steady, as he felt her laying but sitting and kneeling on top of him, before it soon became a make out session as Gregory moved both his hands from across her legs to her butt and fondled it, along with her waist, while she caressed his chest, along with hers pressed against him, causing them both to moan. As much as he wanted to press even more further into her, he couldn’t, not on the very first date. He just wanted to enjoy the moment as it lasted. After a whole minute of making out, they broke the kiss.

“Mon amour, huh?” Gregory breathed, “I’m somehow going to get used to that.”

“And that you will, Gregory.” Fleur breathed back. “As much as I enjoyed our moment, my parents would be absolutely furious if I don’t get back home soon on time.”

Nodding, they got back in their original car seats and returned to town. Though they enjoyed their special moment, Gregory and Fleur immediately recognized the family above all else. Yet, it was already a day that they both thoroughly enjoyed together. As for Gregory, it felt like life could only get so much better for him from that point on.

Pulling up to the driveway, and after dropping off Fleur back to her house, Gregory couldn’t hold back the goofiest of all lovestruck smiles he has never had before. Even as he walked through the door, greeted by Celestia and Anton, he still wore it. It was like his facial muscles were frozen.

“So, how did the date go?” Celestia asked as Gregory sat on the couch.

“S-Swimmingly,” he sighed.

“I can already only imagine how well it went for you both.” Anton mused with a sense of pride, “So… did she kiss you or anything?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“How was it?”

“I-I… just can’t describe h-how good it felt. Except… very soft, and… wet… like heaven. That taste… strawberries.”

“Well, there’s no need.” Celestia sang, as she saw Gregory’s face covered in Fleur’s lipstick, which she didn’t mind. “I can actually tell by that smile of yours that both you and her had such a good time. Oh, by the way, I did save you a plate of chicken parmesan in the fridge. Feel free to eat when you get out of that lover’s trance.” Before she and Anton disappeared into the hallway after her giving him a kiss on the cheek, the boyfriend placed a hand on Gregory’s shoulder and nodded.

“You did good, kid. Good job asking her out. Remember: Don’t ever let her go, no matter what. Just hold onto her very tightly, and you’ll both get somewhere very soon. Goodnight.” He and Celestia high fived and left the room.

Still in his trance, Gregory rested in the couch with his eyes glued to the ceiling. All he could think about was the date and how well it went. Most of the holes in his heart have been healed warmly and soothingly and genuine joy and love already filled his heart. Feeling mostly complete for the first time in his life, he could finally rest very easily. There was much of life already ahead of him and right now, he somehow couldn’t wait to embrace it all.

’Yep. Life is definitely good. This is already the start of something new.’

Author's Note

This is what I chose for Fleur’s outfit:

But I added the bracelet, red jacket, and necklaces from Equestria Girls to go with it

Artwork by Racoonkun on Deviantart