As Rarity’s alarm sounded, she cursed the stupid noise and wallowed in self pity for a few moments. Oh did she feel horrid! Her body ached, her throat was on fire, and if she never coughed or sneezed again, it would be too soon. But the self pity turned into a bit of gratitude as Rarity saw Opal laying by her on the bed. The sweet thing probably knew her mom wasn’t well and was more patient for breakfast. So while being sick was never fun, things could’ve been worse. Rarity had only been sick a couple times in the year since her boutique opened. And at least work wasn’t too busy and the clients Rarity had to see were understanding. So Rarity slowly rose from her bed, fed Opal, and tried to have a bit of breakfast herself.
After some tea and toast, Rarity put a note outside the front of the boutique to say why she was closed before half-instinctually going to her sewing room to see what was on her agenda for the day. Just because her boutique was closed to the public didn’t mean she couldn’t get some work done, right? But then as if on cue, a couple more annoying sneezes came. Perhaps finishing the garment she was working on before a bath and a nap would be the best thing, Rarity compromised.
The clock chimed marking the top of the hour and also reminded Rarity that she had been working two hours already. Rarity sighed as she should have known that not even being sick could stop her when she was in the creative zone. Though she had to admit, the slightly unstable magic due to her illness was annoying to work with. So perhaps it was for the best that the garment was finished when she was better.
Just as Rarity was about to leave her sewing room to go upstairs, there was a knock on the back door. Rarity had set the other door to the boutique for personal visits. Who could this be? To her surprise, it was her father of all ponies.
“Father! Oh… goodness…”
The exclamation didn’t agree with Rarity’s inflamed vocal cords and airways as she let out a bit of coughing fit.
“Sorry to drop by unannounced, but I was free and in the neighborhood. And for some reason, I had a sense you might need me today. Seems I was right, you poor thing.”
“I’m fine, dad,” Rarity insisted. “It’s just a cold. I’ll manage. We’ll find another time to meet, okay? I don’t want you to get sick, too.”
There was no way Rarity’s dad was going to leave that easily.
“Nonsense. You may be 21 and on your own now, but I’m still your father.”
Rarity certainly couldn’t argue with that. And it was always good to see her dad, even if it wasn’t in the best of circumstances.
“Alright, come in,” she relented.
As Rarity’s dad entered the sewing room, he eyed the unfinished dress she had been working on that morning.
“That’s a nice dress you’ve got going there,” he said. “We’d love to see a picture of it when it’s done.”
Just because Rarity wasn’t well didn't mean she couldn’t beam at compliments.
“Thank you! I worked on it earlier in hopes I could finish it today, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Hearing this was a relief to Rarity’s dad as he remembered Rarity going to sometimes dangerous lengths to please others with her creations when she was younger. But as he looked around more, he noticed something even more surprising.
“And is that your first sewing machine? How did I not know you still had that?”
Rarity was amused by the fact her dad just noticed the machine after a whole year. He had gotten her the sewing machine for Hearth’s Warming when she was 12. It broke years ago and Rarity considered not bringing it when she moved out. But she just couldn’t give up something that meant so much to her.
“I’ve obviously had more sewing machines since, but I haven't had the heart to get rid of the one that started it all. And it’s small enough that I figured there was no harm in keeping it in here. It’s a good motivator every now and then.”
“Well you begged so much for it. I guess I’d be sad if you got rid of it too,” Rarity’s dad said jokingly.
“And mom put her hoof down every single time!” Rarity remembered. “‘What 12 year old has a sewing machine? I’m not going to spend all those bits for you to use it twice and then be bored of it!’”
“There were times I wasn’t 100% on board, either,” Rarity’s dad admitted. “But the second you opened it, I knew I made the right decision.”
Rarity nodded and smiled at the memories.
“So,” Rarity’s dad continued. “Do you need anything? I could go shopping for you.”
“Thank you, that would be lovely. One moment, I’ll write you a list.”
Rarity quickly wrote up a list and levitated it over.
“Alright then,” Rarity’s dad said, glancing at the sheet of paper. “Is there anything else I can do when I get back?”
“Maybe just some basic chores if I missed any. My lack of energy and weak magic have made those difficult.”
“You got it. I’ll be back soon.”
“Thanks a lot, dad.”
Rarity never would’ve thought to ask her parents, or anypony, for help. And yes, she could have managed just fine on her own. But her dad’s kindness today sure warmed her heart.
Rarity’s dad came home to Rarity asleep on the couch. Something about the sight made him a bit emotional. As cliche and dramatic as it was, he couldn't believe how fast his baby had grown up. He still wasn’t used to Rarity being away from home. But at the same time, he was so proud that both his girls were becoming fine young mares. He then found a blanket and placed it on his daughter, making Rarity stir a bit. But she grabbed the blanket and smiled weakly at her father.
“Dad?” she asked in her dazed state.
Rarity’s dad lightly ruffled his daughter’s mane.
“Rest well, sweet pea.”
Author's Note
Happy Father's Day!