Wave Skipper yawned, prying his eyes open and lifting his head off his pillow. He blinked against the harsh sunlight trying to beat him into submission. Wave Skipper rolled onto his back, stretching out the night-time stiffness, and glanced up at the ceiling.

Saturday... No work, could have a lie-in.

No, things to do.

With a reluctant grumble, he got up, rising from the bed and gazing back at it. His expression softened as he saw the cream-furred pegasus sleeping next to him. There was no reason she couldn't have a lie-in at least.

Wave trotted quietly toward the bathroom, pushing it open carefully with his head. Wave scooped up his toothbrush and the sound of running water soon filled the room. As he started to scrub he felt a soft kiss press against his cheek.

"Morning, handsome."

Wave Skipper rolled his eyes, hastening his brushing before bowing over the sink and spitting.

"Were you waiting for me to wake up?" he smirked at his beloved wife.

"Of course-" she gave him a playful swat with her tail "-can't start my day without you," she rubbed up against him, worming her way under his chin. Wave Skipper nuzzled her affectionately, nipping at her ear, earning a giggle from the excited mare.

"Come on, you've got a busy day ahead of you."

With a wink and a turn she left the bathroom, leaving Wave Skipper to clean up after himself, he washed off his toothbrush and shut off the tap. He slowly wandered through his home, mentally checking off the list of chores to do whilst following the sound of gentle humming.

As he entered the kitchen he found his wife sitting at the kitchen counter, head rested on a hoof as she waited for him expectantly. Wave Skipper smirked as he moved quickly through the kitchen, grabbing up his saddlebags, a few bits, and his cap.

"You not having breakfast? I'm getting worried about you; I can't remember the last time you had a decent meal," she pouted, Wave Skipper glanced toward her; he sighed quietly, he couldn't stand seeing her like that.

"I'll get something out in the town, okay, Dancer?" she perked up instantly, jumping down from the table and moving over to him, stealing a quick kiss.

"Good, you need to take better care of yourself," she nuzzled him impatiently, pushing him toward the door. "Now get going, the sooner you leave, the sooner you eat."

Wave Skipper chuckled as he pulled open the door, feeling a brush of feathers against his side as he stepped out into the wide world of Trottingham, closing the door behind him. He reached into his saddlebags and took out his to-do list.

Bookshop, florist, post office-

"Breakfast first," Cloud Dancer gave him a pointed look, Wave Skipper glanced sideways at her; he sighed and took a pencil out of his saddlebags, amending his list. He glanced toward Cloud Dancer again to see her smirking at him.

"Alright, time to get going," Wave Skipper trotted quickly down the garden path and turned down the street, Cloud Dancer skipping along beside him. A short way down the street he glanced up to see a large sign bearing the name 'RiverRock's', he spared a quick glance at Cloud Dancer, the pegasus making her displeasure known.

"It's on the way and I'm already here."

Cloud Dancer let out a snort but nodded her acquiescence. Wave Skipper's entry into the store was heralded by a tinkling bell. The clerk behind the counter looked up and waved in greeting.

"Heya Skip, how ya doing?" Weathered Page finished up re-stacking a section of books as Wave Skipper approached the counter. Cloud Dancer went over to a nearby table, scanning over a selection of books on show.

"Same old, same old," Wave Skipper quickly pulled a reservation slip out of his saddlebags, presenting it to the clerk. "Has it come in yet?"

"Yup! Got here this morning, one fresh copy of Daring Do's latest adventure! Honestly thought you'd be here for it sooner," Page took possession of Wave Skipper's bits and hoofed over a wrapped package. Wave Skipper quickly stowed it inside his saddlebags and proffered his thanks.

"Say, Skipper, you look kind of down, that time of the year again?" he frowned as Wave Skipper nodded. "Take it easy, Skip. I'm here if you ever need to talk," Page gave one of his best customers an encouraging smile.

"Thanks, Page, I'll see you later," Wave Skipper raised his hoof in parting and turned to leave the shop, Cloud Dancer trotting after him.

"He's nice, you should hang out more," Cloud Dancer sidled up alongside Wave Skipper, putting a wing over him. "After breakfast, of course."

Wave Skipper couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright. Let's go get breakfast," the happy couple crossed over two more streets and rounded a corner, arriving at their favourite cafe. Wave Skipper pulled up a seat and Cloud Dancer leapt into the one opposite him. Wave Skipper took a moment to unwrap his new book before the waitress came over.

"Good morning! Do you know what you want, or do you need a moment?" the bubbly unicorn levitated a menu in front of Wave Skipper, who quickly glanced over it just to make sure nothing had changed. Cloud Dancer leaned surreptitiously out of her chair, glancing over the mare and smirking approvingly.

"Could I get a daisy salad sandwich, please?"

The waitress nodded and took back the menu, gracing him with a wide smile. "Coming right up!"

"She's cute," Cloud Dancer leaned over the table, Wave Skipper looked up at her with a measured glance.

"Objectively speaking."

"This isn't a test, Wavey," she giggled, watching the ponies of Trottingham walk past. Wave Skipper turned over his book in his hooves, reading the back of it. Just as he had finished reading the inside of the front cover as well, a plate was placed in front of him.

"One daisy salad sandwich, I even managed to convince the cook to put some apple slices on the side," she gave him a wink and hurried off to attend to the other patrons at the cafe.

"Ooooh, extra apple slices," Cloud Dancer teased, watching as Wave Skipper took a flushed bite out of his sandwich. He opted to quickly polish off his meal, but found himself slowing to savour it a little more than he intended; occasionally chomping down a slice of fresh apple.

All too quickly he cleared his plate, Wave Skipper got up and trotted over to the waitress and hoofed over what was owed. Wave Skipper bid the waitress farewell, Cloud Dancer waving as well, however, her eyes couldn't help but drift over the mare's flanks for just a little longer than necessary.

"Will you stop?" Wave Skipper gave a pointed look at his wife, she simply raised a hoof to her chin.

"Mmmmm, no," she smirked as she nuzzled up against him, eliciting a smile from her stallion. The pair stopped beside a carriage stop and sat down to wait. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long as one of Trottingham's experimental carriages came down the street.

"Oooh, I love these things!" Cloud Dancer danced on her hooves, bouncing excitedly as the carriage pulled up to the stop, four ponies pulling a carriage with enough space to seat ten ponies. Wave Skipper stepped up to the stallion at the back of the pack.

"Wiltingshire Heights, please," he hoofed over two bits and the stallion placed them into a pouch around his neck, giving Wave Skipper a ticket in return.

Wave Skipper stepped up onto the carriage and headed past the occupied seats, sliding across onto an empty bench. Cloud Dancer skipped up behind him and plonked herself down onto the seat, snuggling up against him. Wave Skipper smiled as he leaned back in his seat, enjoying the morning sun on his fur.

Two stops further along a pregnant mare got up onto the carriage, as she waddled down the line Cloud Dancer shot up out of her seat.

"Here, take my seat," she beamed at the mare, who sat down next to Wave Skipper with a sigh of relief. Cloud Dancer looked over the mare as the carriage started moving again. "That reminds me, Quick Snap is having his first foal soon, you're going to go and visit, right?"

Wave Skipper nodded in response, the rest of the trip continuing in silence, despite Cloud Dancer rearing up and resting her hooves on the back of the seat; taking in the sights of the city with unrestrained glee.

Wave Skipper excused himself past the mare, allowing her to lay down on the bench; he stepped off of the carriage, thanking the ponies for the trip. Cloud Dancer glided down off of the steps and landed beside him.

"Next stop is the florist's, right?" she leaned over to nip at his neck affectionately. Wave Skipper jumped slightly at the sensation.

The two walked down the street, Cloud Dancer pointing out something that caught her interest every two seconds, sometimes even leaning over Wave Skipper to do so. Soon they cantered up to the florist, Wave Skipper stepping inside.

Immediately Cloud Dancer was darting around the shop, oohing and aahing at the sights and smells of every flower. "Oh, I love these! Daffodils are my favourite!" Wave Skipper smirked as he walked over, snagging up a small bunch of them.

"I'll get these then," he smirked at his wife, who beamed back at him as she clapped her hooves. Wave Skipper headed up to the counter and placed his purchase on the counter.

"Just these, please."

"Would you like them made into a bouquet? Half price today!" the mare behind the counter waved her hoof at a nearby sign.

"Yes, please."

A few moments later, Wave Skipper and Cloud Dancer stepped out of the florist; Wave Skipper with a bouquet of daffodils tucked into the crook of his saddlebags. He stretched out slightly, Cloud Dancer giving him a poke in the barrel.

"Feeling your age already?" she teased, Wave Skipper straightened up and rolled his eyes.

"No, maybe a little," he reached back and pulled out his to-do list, double-checking it. The pair made a beeline for the post office, a brief stop seeing them out once more into the mid-day sun. The warm air and gentle breeze were so soothing on Wave Skipper's hooves that he scarcely noticed where they were going; barely registering the pavement beneath his hooves turning to smooth gravel.

"It's such a beautiful day," Cloud Dancer leaned against him as they walked, taking in the peace and warmth of the moment. She nuzzled up to Wave Skipper, he closed his eyes briefly at her touch.

"It always is," he said quietly.

"I guess we're just lucky that way," Cloud Dancer kissed his cheek as the gravel turned to grass. "Love you."

"Love you too."

The pair walked a short while before coming to a stop. Wave Skipper sat on his haunches; Cloud Dancer slowly moved in front of him, sitting down as well, the pair simply gazing at each other in the warm sun.

"It's always nice when you come to visit."

The soft smile Wave Skipper carried throughout the day crumbled, his eyes closed as a choked sob escaped him.

"I miss you..."

...

...

Cloud Dancer wrapped her hooves gently around him.

"I miss you too."

Wave Skipper wept into her shoulder. Cloud Dancer stroked a hoof down his back as Wave Skipper bore his grief, collapsing into the grass.

The sun sank lower and lower into the sky, coating the world in gentle orange light. Wave Skipper finally found the strength to stand. He reached back and took up the bouquet of daffodils, laying them gently in front of the sun-warmed stone. Wiping his eyes with his hoof, he turned and started to make his way home.

Exiting the graveyard, he walked a short distance to the nearest carriage stop, mutely going through the motions until he sank down into the carriage seat. The pony next to him turned her head and smirked.

"Hey, Daisy salad sandwich. Fancy seeing you here!" she frowned at his empty smile and tear-stained cheeks. "Hey, are you alright?"

Wave Skipper shook his head, glancing back at the place he had spent most of his afternoon.

"Yeah... Just... Rough day."

The waitress followed his gaze, her expression softening as realisation dawned.

"Oh... Hey, do you wanna go get something to eat?" she placed a hoof gently on top of his. "My treat."

Wave gave a small smile and a slow nod. "Sure, that sounds good... I haven't eaten since this morning."

"Moon Crest."

"Wave Skipper."

Author's Note

Make them cry.
Why?
Because Brain says so, do it.
Well you're the boss I guess.

Well I cried writing this, so hopefully I did something write.

The point of this little exercise was "foreshadowing", but it was mostly driven by the fact that my brain wanted to write something sad.
As always, any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated!
Still trying to recover from the previous chapter, or "My Little Behemoth" as I like to refer to it, so please feel free to suggest some scenes you'd like to see!

Hope to have some more for you all soon!