“In the Hooves of an Angel”

Part 1 - "An Eventful Friday"

Written by
JaydexTheShadowKnight

You continue resting peacefully with Nurse Redheart nestled at your side. The bedroom is silent, aside from the soothing sound of your collective breathing. You briefly awaken. Taking a deep breath in through your nose, you softly exhale. Your mare moves ever so slightly, causing you to readjust your arms around her. Slowly, your head slides on your pillow, moving just a little closer to her.

The pull of slumber quickly draws you back to sleep. Then, the serenity is shattered by the shrill incessant tone of your alarm clock. You groan faintly, flailing an arm over to your nightstand, hoping to come in contact with the snooze bar. Your hand is successful at hushing the blaring alarm.

Studying the time, you see it is once again 5:30AM. Letting out a sigh, you switch off the alarm and turn back to Redheart. For a moment, you consider going back to sleep, but you remind yourself that it’s Friday. The weekend is just around the corner.

Your mood is quickly enhanced, when you hear Redheart gently sigh. Normally, she is out of bed before you, on most Fridays. Looking at her, she opens her eyes and greets you with a warm smile.

“Good morning,” she says, brushing her hoof along your cheek.

You smile warmly at her, sweeping your hand across her soft mane. “Good morning,” you reply. “I’m glad you’re still in bed.”

She giggles softly. “Yeah, I know on Friday, I’m usually up before you. Even though it’s been pretty warm for autumn, the room felt a little chilly, and well…I figured it wouldn’t hurt to stay with you, for a little longer. Besides, you’re so warm,” Redheart muses, snuggling against you.

You surround her with your arms and gently squeeze her. A chuckle escapes your mouth as you cuddle with her some more. “I’m glad I can share my warmth with you…my very special somepony,” you utter. Your words touch her deeply and she lightly coos in response. Then you say, “I guess we should get up, unless you want to stay under the covers for a few more minutes.”

She reaches back and tugs the covers up closer to your necks. “I think we can spare another minute or two,” Redheart notes with a soft giggle. “I can hardly wait for tonight,” she adds nuzzling her cheek to yours.

“Yeah, the weekend will be here, and it’ll be just the two of us, all alone,” you grin, sighing as you savor the texture of her fur along your cheek.

Redheart giggles playfully for a moment, then lets out a dreamy sigh as she slowly pulls back. Her hoof brushes against your hair, while her eyes gaze at your face. “Just…the two of…us,” she whispers. “I want to make love to you so badly…Mmm, tonight can’t come soon enough.”

You reach your hand out and push a stray lock of her hair out of her face. “I know my love. Well, why don’t we get up, the sooner we get this day over with…the sooner it’ll be just you…and me,” you whisper seductively.

“Could I get a little preview, please?” she asks giving you a winsome look.

You snicker softly, how can you refuse? The two of you sit up, with the covers still draped over you. Placing your arms around her, you draw her close. Redheart places her hooves around you as you both share a loving gaze. Your lips lock into a tender kiss of blissful passion. You gingerly caress her mane with your right hand, enfolding her tightly with the other. She lets out a faint whimpering moan as her hooves pull you closer. You sigh softly, savoring your heavenly lip embrace.

A few moments pass, and the kiss ends. Redheart stares at you with her eyes half-lidded. “That was…delightful. I’m so looking forward to tonight,” she speaks fondly.

“Me too. Well, we should get up and prepare for work, and eat breakfast,” you suggest.

“Yeah,” she agrees, still sounding half-dreamy.

You give her one finally squeeze, before turning back the covers. Rising to your feet, you gather your clothes, preparing for one last day of work.

She saunters past you, making sure to brush against you as she walks by. You seize Redheart, and give her an affectionate look. She looks back at you and smiles. “I love you,” you profess.

Her cheeks softly redden as her smile grows. “I love you,” she replies kissing you briefly on the lips. She then continues over to the vanity and proceeds to brush her mane, before putting it up in a bun.

A smile remains on your lips as you finish getting dressed. Then, after finishing your morning rituals, together, you both head to the kitchen.

* * * *

Friday morning is going by like so many before it, slowly. You are at least grateful that two hours have gone by. Thankfully, working at the mayor’s office, in Ponyville Town Hall, isn’t the worse job you’ve ever done. True, it may not be your ideal career, but it does pay the bills, and the hours are also good.

Your morning routine has been completed, and it’s almost time for your morning meeting with the mayor and her advisor. To you, this just means more paperwork, filing and probably errands to run throughout the building. Thankfully the mayor’s advisor, your boss, is a reasonable stallion, and given your job history on Earth, you could do a lot worse here in Equestria.

There are just a few minutes till your morning meeting, giving you a little time to sit and daydream. Thoughts of Redheart fill your mind. You are just imagining all the wonderful things you both will do tonight. You let out a dreamy sigh, thankful to be with her.

“FIRE!” you hear a pony yell fearfully, from somewhere in the building!

Your pleasant thoughts are promptly dashed as you scramble to your feet. “Fire” is the one word you didn’t want to hear. The first thing to cross your mind is to remain calm, though you aren’t sure how well that’s going to work.

You slowly emerge from your cubical, trying to ward of that dreadful feeling of panic, looming in the back of your mind. Carefully, you scan the surrounding area, trying to determine if the fire is nearby. Several of your pony co-workers have just emerged form their desks as well.

There doesn’t appear to be any signs of the fire, but there is a strong stench of burning debris in the air. You recognize the smell of…burning wood, and there is another familiar burning smell…but what is it? Burning carpet…that’s what you smell. Back on Earth, your neighborhood had a fire break out, at a local carpet retailer, and this smell matches what you remember form that fire.

Shaking your head, you realize this is hardly the time to be reminiscing. The ponies are still roaming around half in shock. The heavy smell of the fire’s smoke continues to filter into your work area. You know that you are on the second floor, and since the fire doesn’t appear to be nearby, then it must be burning below.

Your first order of business is to get yourself and your fellow workers out of the building, so you can escape. Frantically, you wave your arm and call out, “Everypony over here!”

Four mares quickly trot over to you, each one wearing an expression filled with panic. You check with them to make sure that there is no one else in the immediate area. Then you promptly lead them to the nearest stairway. Arriving at a door, you remember your fire safety. First you place the back of your hand along the door, just in case the fires has breached the stairs. Your feel no trace of warmth, let alone heat. Cautiously, you clutch the doorknob. Thankfully, it’s safe to open. The knob clicks as you still carefully open the door. Slowly you lead the others down the flight of stairs.

Holding up a hand, you signal them to stop, as you near the bottom. “Wait here, I’m going to make sure the other door is safe. If the fire is too close, we’ll have to try another set of stairs,” you briefly explain. Your co-workers nod in agreement with you, still sounding a little shaky, but you can’t blame them – this is a big deal!

Reaching the bottom, you examine the door with care. Like the one above, it too is safe to open, for now anyway. Looking back up at the ponies still waiting on the stairs, you motion to them and say, “It’s all right, come on down.”

Slowly you lead them out into the ground floor. The smell of smoke has really intensified – the fire must be burning nearby.

Once everypony is accounted for, you slowly make your way for the nearest exit, which is coincidentally the main entrance. It’s a good thing you’ve grown quite familiar with the layout of Ponyville Town Hall, but then you’ve been working here since about a month before you met Nurse Redheart.

The farther along you and your co-workers progress, the thicker the smoke becomes. The air is gradually filling with noxious fumes, teeming with carbon monoxide and various other harmful agents. Visibility rapidly degrades as a blinding slate gray fog hangs in the air. You hear a few of the mares start to cough, now that the smoke has grown even heavier. “Everyone, stay low, and try not to breath too deeply!” you call out, remembering more of your fire safety.

The ponies join you crawling low to the ground. “Stay close. I’ll try to get us out,” you speak.

Your eyes begin to feel dry and irritated, another side effect of the smoke, and even you begin to cough a little, form the poisonous vapors now drifting in the air. Despite the added complications, you try to remain calm. Your thoughts dwell on getting your fellow co-workers out of the building, and of surviving to see Redheart.

It’s hard to get your bearings from the floor, but as you crawl along on your hands and knees, you begin recognizing the subtlest of details. From the months you’ve spent roaming the halls of this building, you’ve learned to recognize simple details. As you continue along, you recall paint chips in the walls, the location of various decorative furnishings the mayor has to dress up the place. As you pass a group of potted plants, you realize you are nearing the lobby. To your delight, the smoke seems to be clearing, and visibility is beginning to improve. At last, you can see the lobby, as the smoke clears. You and the others are able to stand and make your way to the exit.

One of the mayor’s aids is standing by the door, motioning for you all to leave. Carefully, you check to make sure that everypony following you is accounted for. “Is everyone still here?” you ask.

As each one passes they nod affirmatively. You left the second floor with four ponies and you’ve reached the exit with four ponies. Quickly, you make for the door, wiping a nervous bead of sweat from your brow. Then you hear another pony yell, “HELP ME!” Followed swiftly by, “SOMEPONY!! I’m trapped…and the FIRE is getting closer!!”

To your horror, you recognize that voice. It’s Daisy! You’ve come to know her quite well. You often stop by her flower shop and buy flowers for your beloved nurse. Some might think that flowers aren’t much of a gift, but you know better. Every time you bring Redheart a bouquet of a dozen long-stem red or pink roses, her eyes always seem to sparkle.

You aren’t sure why Daisy would be here, unless perhaps to make a delivery for the mayor. Come to think of it, the town leader does like to dress Town Hall up with all manner of colorful flowers.

Glancing over your shoulder, you’re surprised to see that no pony else has followed you. Shaking your head, you pull your shirt over your nose and head toward Daisy’s panic-stricken voice.

Risking smoke inhalation, you lower your shirt and call out, “Where are you?” Hoping to get a better idea where she is. You cough and quickly redraw your shirt, hoping to shield your nose.

“I’m over here!” you hear Daisy shout.

Of course, she’s trapped in the far corner of the waiting area, just behind the lobby. Arriving on the scene, your surprised that the smoke isn’t too heavy, but the fire has finally made its presence known.

There, you find Daisy, hunkering in the corner. Her retreat is cut-off by a fallen piece of burning ceiling wood. It must have recently fallen, seeing as flames are slowly engulfing the piece of timber.

Frantically, you search around the room, trying to think of an idea or find something to remove the obstacle from her path. It’s then that you notice you’re standing on a large throw rug. A thought comes to your mind…it’s a long shot, but you could try using the rug to smother the fire. With time quickly elapsing, you figure you have nothing to lose.

Stepping back, you firmly grasp the rug and lift it off the marble tiled floor. Grunting lightly from its weight, you cast it across the burning beam. The rug plops across the wood, and snuffs the fire out. Quickly, you examine the beam. The fire doesn’t appear to have burned through the rug, and small trails of smoke are billowing up from the ends of the rug

Cautiously, you step over the former impediment, making your way to the frightened Daisy. “Are you okay?” you inquire.

Daisy looks up at you, blinking her green eyes. She glances around sheepishly. “I…I’m…f-f-fine,” she quivers in a shaky voice.

“Come on then, let’s get out of here,” you urge motioning the pale magenta pony to follow you.

She nods her head and rises to her hooves. The two of you make your way out of the waiting room, cautiously moving across the lobby. Looking over at the main doorway, you see the mayor’s aid has returned, and she motions for you both to hurry toward the door. Flames continue to spread out behind you. Daisy makes it past the archway leading to the front entrance. You are just about to pass, when ash and debris rain down over you and suddenly, a large object strikes you in the shoulder, knocking you forcefully to the floor. You attempt to get up, but the excruciating pain, followed by a sudden coughing fit, induced by inhaling too much smoke, prevents you from standing. A feeling of lightheadedness envelops you, and you feel your body fall back to the floor. The panicked shouts of ponies meet your ears, but before you can even think, everything goes dark. The noise fades and is replaced by an eerie silence.

* * * *

Everything is still dark. Then you notice a steady beep resounding in your ears. You know that sound, it’s the tone of a heart monitor. Since you started seeing Nurse Redheart, you’ve heard plenty of them from the days you visited her at the hospital. Though, why are you hearing one now?

Another sound meets your ears. It’s a familiar angelic voice, softly speaking your name several times. You know that voice…Redheart?

“Sweetheart, please wake up,” you hear the melodic voice plead. Yes, it’s definitely her.

You gradually open your eyes. At first everything is blurry, and you feel extremely groggy. As your vision focuses, you look to your left. There you see her, Nurse Redheart, standing by your side, lightly hanging her head. Her beautiful sapphire eyes are glistening in the soft light of the room.

“Redheart,” you mutter weakly.

She turns, focusing her eyes on you. “You’re awake!” she gasps. A rush of excitement spreads across her face as she gently throws her hooves around you, tenderly hugging you. “I was so worried,” she says, squeezing you ever so gently.

Her embrace nears your right shoulder, causing a sharp pain to shoot across your body. “Agh,” you grunt, wincing from the pain.

Redheart pulls back. “Oh, I’m so sorry, are you okay?” she asks. Glancing at her face, you can see it teeming with solicitude for your well-being. She is always such a caring mare.

You manage a smile as you look up at her. She smiles sweetly at you, softly placing a hoof on your left shoulder.

Shifting your eyes, you survey the room, and notice you appear to be in what looks like a hospital room. “I’m okay, but where am I? Is this…the hospital?” you ask, still feeling rather out of it.

Redheart runs her hoof across your hair affectionately. “Yes, you’re in Ponyville Heart. You were injured during the fire,” she replies.

“FIRE!” you say, with a start, shifting around in response to that word.

“Easy,” you hear another voice speak. Looking next to Redheart, you see another nurse, a light blue one, with mint green hair and purple eyes. You immediately recognize her – it’s Nurse Tenderheart. You know her rather well, from all the time you’ve spent in the hospital, visiting Redheart.

“I’m fine,” you speak reassuringly, sounding a little more awake.

Tenderheart smiles, then she looks to her fellow nurse. “The doctor should be making his final rounds. I’ll go let him know your patient is awake. It should be a little bit till he checks in. For now, I’ll let you two have a moment alone,” she speaks politely.

“Thank you Tenderheart,” Redheart responds with a nod.

“Of course,” she utters, heading for the door, off to your left. She partially closes it, offering you and your mare some privacy.

Your eyes return to Redheart. There are still plenty of questions swirling about your mind, but for now, you are just happy to still be breathing, and have her at your side.

Speaking of breathing…your nose feels a little funny. You try to move your left arm, but its movement is somewhat limited, due to an I.V. hooked up to it. Carefully you bend your right arm, and go to touch your nose, feeling a plastic tube along it.

“You must have quite a few questions,” Redheart begins. “Do you remember what happened?” she asks.

Turning your eyes toward the ceiling, you do your best to recall. Looking back to her, you answer, “Well, last thing I remember…I was at work, somepony yelled, “Fire!” and then I tried to get out. I seem to remember other ponies, a lot of whimpering and screaming, then I was coughing and everything went dark…I think.”

Redheart leans close to you and pats your head. “So you don’t remember,” she says.

“Remember what?” you ask curiously.

“You helped lead several of your co-workers to safety. Though as you went to leave, you heard another pony call for help. It turned out to be Daisy. You managed to help her get out, but as you went to exit the building, the ceiling above you gave way and you were partially struck by a large wooden beam. That’s why you’re favoring your shoulder,” she explains, pointing a hoof at your injury.

Glancing over at your shoulder, you see the unmistakable white bandages, sticking out from the turned-up sleeve of your hospital gown, covering the wound. You lay your head back against the soft bed pillows, and let out a sharp sigh. “So that’s what happened,” you remark.

“Yes, but don’t worry, you’re going to be fine,” she assures you.

“Then why are there tubes in my nose?” you ask.

“Oh, that was the doctor’s idea. He wants to make sure the oxygen level in your blood is stabilized. You inhaled a lot of smoke,” she explains, once again throwing you a look teeming with concern.

From the look in her eyes, you can tell she’s both upset and worried. Redheart has always been strong, but you learned to know when something is bothering her. Cautiously, you try to reach your left hand over to clasp her hoof. You still feel weak, but you hold her hoof as tight as you can.

Her eyes widen for a moment as she feels your hand touch her. Redheart’s smile grows, as her eyes continue to glisten. She almost looks like she’s about to cry.

“Are you okay?” you ask, showing more concern for her than for yourself.

Redheart’s lower lip quivers a bit. Even banged up and bruised, you’re still showing concern about her well-being. You see tears welling up in her eyes. She leans down and deftly buries her head into your chest. Sobs flee from her mouth as she begins to cry.

“I’m sorry,” she mutters in between sobs.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” you ask, still sounding a little weary.

“I’ve tried to be s-strong and not worry…but I was just so frightened…w-when I saw them wheel you i-into the ER,” Redheart wails as she continues to cry. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”

You feel a tight pull in your chest as your heart begins to feel very heavy. Slowly, your right arm moves to comfort her. “Oh, Redheart,” you mutter, fighting the tears trying to well up in your own eyes. “It’s going to be all right, I’m here. You’ve always been such a loving mare, with a big heart! Your tears are proof of that,” you speak in a caring voice. Gently, you caress her velvety back, offering her your support.

She giggles softly, pulling away from your bosom. “It’s ironic…you’re the one injured, and here you are…comforting me,” she muses.

“You are reasonably upset. Whenever I’m able, I’ll be there for you. We’ve always been there for each other…in the good times and the bad. I think that’s why we get along so well,” you note, feeling even more awake, but still a little out of it.

Redheart remains close, and she lightly brushes a stray piece of hair from your forehead. “Yeah…you’re right,” she agrees, smiling warmly at you, wiping a few lingering tears form her eyes.

“So how’s my patient?” you hear the doctor call out. The door is vigorously thrust open as he enters the room, accompanied by Nurse Tenderheart. You recognize the physician. It’s Dr. Ray, a caramel-coated stallion with slick gray hair and an X-ray picture as his cutie mark, which sticks out from under his typical white lab coat. He adjusts his stethoscope as he makes his way over to you.

Your mare moves away from you, and stands by the head end of the bed, still remaining close by. The doctor sees you both, focusing his eyes on you.

Nurse Tenderheart picks up your chart. “Here you are doctor, the patient’s chart,” she announces.

“Thank you Tenderheart. Now let’s see here…” he murmurs, reading over your file. “Ah yes, our local hero,” he muses.

You give him a perplexed look. “What do you mean, “local hero”?” you inquire.

“Come now, don’t be so modest. Thanks to your quick thinking, four of your co-workers were led safely out of a burning building. Not to mention, you also saved Daisy, one of Ponyville’s most beloved florists,” Dr. Ray explains.

“That’s true, but don’t heroes usually make it out of rough scrapes, safely?” you question, giving your physician a quizzical expression.

He chuckles softly, but not in a mocking manner. “Not always my friend. You are one lucky human. It’s a good thing the Mayor’s aid and one of your co-workers went back for you. Had they acted much later, you might have been crushed by a filing cabinet, which I’m told fell moments after they got you out,” he explains thoroughly.

“It feels like I had a filing cabinet dropped on me,” you reply. Now that you are more awake, the pain in your injured shoulder is becoming quite prominent.

The doctor chuckles at your exaggerated assessment of your pain. “Your injury wasn’t quite that bad. You are just feeling the pain, now that the painkillers and anesthesia are both wearing off. By the way, how is your shoulder feeling? Is there any excessive pain?” Dr. Ray asks, placing an inquisitive hoof to his chin.

You shake your head. “The pain isn’t too bad, but it’s certainly noticeable. What exactly happened to my shoulder?” you ask.

“Well, you were struck by a burning wooden beam. Thank Celestia the burning end missed you. But the other end hit your shoulder quite forcefully. It left you with a minor fracture and punched a significant hole on your upper shoulder,” he stated, pausing a moment to let you take that all in. Then, blinking his pale green eyes at you, Dr. Ray clears his throat. “Thanks to my skilled staff, we managed to irrigate and clean the debris from your wound. There was also no serious injury to your shoulder muscles…but we did need to give you six stitches to patch that laceration, caused by the beam. The fracture in your shoulder bone seems to be nothing too serious…at least from what we saw on your X-rays. However, I’m going to keep you in here for at least a week or two. I want to make sure your injuries heal, and I am most likely going to recommend you get some physical therapy, just in case there is any minor damage to your muscles,” he says on at length.

You just blink your eyes at Dr. Ray. His words make perfect sense, but maybe the ill effects of the anesthesia are muddying up your mind. Nodding your head, you smile, because the prognosis doesn’t sound too bad. Then one thought does spring to mind. “Um, Dr. Ray?” you mutter.

“Yes, my friend? You know, I’d normally shake your hoof…err hand, but I wouldn’t want to cause you more pain, seeing as you are laid up at the moment. Now what was it you were going to say?” he asks.

“Yeah, how long am I going to have this I.V. in my arm and tubes up my nose?” you reply.

“Oh, right. I’m keeping you on oxygen overnight. I want to keep your blood healthy, so there’s no chance of monoxide poisoning. As for the I.V., we should be able to take that out in the morning as well. You can have solid food at breakfast. Though I want you eating light foods for the first few days,” Dr. Ray explains. He consults your chart some more and makes some notes. His rapid writing reminds you of doctors from back on Earth. He passes your chart back to Nurse Tenderheart. “Okay, I’ve made my recommendations for your treatment and have prescribed some pain killers and muscle relaxants to help with your recovery. Don’t worry, none of them are habit-forming. You can also ice your shoulder, if need be. I’ll be back in three days to check on your sutures, and make sure you’re healing properly. Now, should you experience any complications or sudden onsets of pain, just let one of the nurses know, and I’ll be in to see you. Okay?” The doctor takes a deep breath following his in-depth explanation.

You smile and nod. “Thank you, doctor,” you respond graciously.

“You’re welcome,” he says, patting his hoof on the side of your knee. “Well, I’ll see you in three days. Till then,” he trails off, noticing the devoted look Redheart is giving you. “I can see you are in good hooves. Take care.” He and Tenderheart depart the room, leaving you and Redheart alone.

Your mare returns to your side, still giving you a look teeming with devotion. She moves close to you and runs her hoof along your cheek. “That’s certainly good news,” she declares softly.

“Yeah, though I’m not thrilled with having to stay in the hospital for two weeks,” you grouse.

She giggles at you. “It won’t be so bad,” she replies. “Besides, he said for up to two weeks…plus you forget, I’m going to be your nurse.” Redheart strokes your cheek again, giving you a loving gaze.

“Yeah, about that. I know you’re going to be my nurse, but shouldn’t you go check on your other patients?” you ask, even though part of you hates that you asked.

Redheart moves closer to you and lightly butts her forehead along yours. “Not right now. My shift ended more than four hours ago. I’ve been by your side since I finished, oh and grabbed a bite for dinner…not that I was very hungry,” she explains.

You lay there staring into her sapphire orbs, reaching your right hand up to caress her furry cheek. “Make sure to take care of yourself, my love. I don’t want anything to happen to you,” you speak from the heart.

She smiles affectionately at you, nuzzling against your hand. “Don’t fret my darling. I’ll be fine, besides, it’s you I’m worried about,” she remarks, casting out a soothing sigh.

“What time is it?” you ask, unable to make out the clock on the wall.

“It’s nearly ten, and you should get some more sleep. You’ll need your rest,” she speaks in a stern yet gentle tone.

“I know, but I don’t feel sleepy. This bed is pretty comfortable, especially compared to hospital beds from my world, but…I don’t know,” you ramble.

“Then we can talk for a bit, if you want. Do you need anything? Perhaps a sip of water from your cup?” she asks attentively.

You sit up, carefully. “My mouth is a little dry. Some water would be nice,” you answer.

“Of course,” she responds.

Redheart walks to the small-wheeled tray, near your bed and brings your covered hospital cup over to you. She holds the flexing straw close to your lips. You lean close and take several sips, moistening your dry mouth. “Okay, that’s enough,” you speak. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

You let your head sink into the pillows and sigh. “I’m sorry, Redheart. Looks like our weekend plans have been ruined,” you note, feeling bad for disappointing her.

Setting down your cup, she shakes her head. “It’s okay. You didn’t plan this. In fact they are still investigating what caused the fire at Town Hall. Just focus on getting well. I’ve waited for you before…I can wait for you a little longer,” she muses, batting her eyes playfully at you.

“Redheart,” you sigh, looking at her lovingly.

She smiles and lightly chuckles. Moving closer to your side, she asks, “Are you feeling sleepy yet?”

“I don’t know…a little,” you answer, feeling more like you’re in a haze than tired.

Redheart blinks her eyes at you and smiles. “What if I were to join you? There should be enough room form me to lay down beside you,” she suggests.

Looking around at the bed, you nod. “Yeah, I was just noticing how large this bed is. So, if you don’t mind, I’d enjoy your company,” you tell her, a notable excitement in your somewhat weary voice.

“Hang on a sec,” she speaks. Redheart walks over to the door, and closes it, to help drown out the sounds of the hospital halls. She slowly walks over to the bed and dims the light, all but darkening the room under the shroud of night.

A smile remains on her lips as she sets her hat on your tray. You turn down the covers and she crawls into the bed, beside you. Redheart reaches back her right hoof, letting her hair spill out of its bun, falling along her shoulders. She slowly slips her hind legs under the covers, staying close to your side. Then, she partially drapes herself along your chest, minding the I.V. in your left arm and continuing to look at you fondly. Her sapphire eyes appear almost purple in the dim light. “How’s this?” Redheart asks.

Minding your shoulder, you reach your right hand up and softly run your fingers through her silky mane. “Wonderful,” you whisper. Despite the pain in your arm, your heart is teaming with joy. Having her so close always puts you at ease, now if only you felt sleepy.

Carefully, you place your arms around her as best you can. There is some pain from your shoulder, but it would hurt you more if you couldn’t hold her, now that she’s so near.

“Feeling any sleepier?” she asks quietly.

You shake your head. “No. I feel calm, but still not all that sleepy,” you answer.

Redheart caresses your cheek softly. “I have an idea,” she replies.

“Oh?” you utter.

“Mm-hmm.” She begins to hum a soothing melody, and then she starts to delicately sing, “Hold us in your arms, as the night reigns on. May angels watch over us, till the morning dawns.” Redheart pauses and resumes humming, while gingerly running her hoof through your hair. She leans in close to you and continues singing softly, “Be still, rest your weary mind. The day…has past and I’m still here with you. And the breeze, whispers soothing melodies. That will calm, so ease your tired eyes closed.”

Your mare’s eyes glisten in the faint glow residing in the room, while she continues brushing her hoof along your hair. The beauty of her voice both touches and soothes you deeply, causing you to affectionately tighten her in your embrace.

She sighs, bringing her forehead to rest against yours, still humming the calming melody. “Hold us in your arms, as the night reigns on. May angels watch over us, till the morning dawns.” You gaze at her, speaking to her with nothing more than your eyes. She knows what you’re feeling, because it’s reflected in her beautiful smile. Redheart moves to nuzzle your cheek. A portion of her glossy mane brushes your skin along with her soft fur, filling you with a calming sense of serenity. Then, as she continues to cuddle against you, she sings, “Slip into slumber, I will stay by your side. Before too long, you will dream the sweetest dreams.”

Redheart slowly pulls away from your cheek, gazing deep into your expressive eyes, while hers begin to glisten even more. You place your right hand on her smooth chin. “A beautiful dream already has come true…I’m with you,” you speak softly, feeling tears try to force their way from the back of your eyes.

She fondly speaks your name and wraps her hooves around your waist, holding you tightly. “My love,” she whispers, choking back a few sobs.

You sigh contently, feeling a wily tear stroll down your cheek as you reach to caress her delicate mane. “Redheart,” you speak affectionately, feeling a second tear join the first.

She pulls back, and looks at you, smiling through her tears. Thoughtfully, you reach up and wipe her tears away, playing ignorant to the ones falling form your own eyes. Your devoted nurse continues to smile as more tears trail down her white cheeks. She sniffles and in a calming voice, she asks, “I know you’re still out of it, but do you think…you’d be up to sharing a kiss?” Her hoof deftly removes the tears from your face, all while she continues smiling.

Staring back at her, there is no way you could deny her, even if you did lack the strength. Sharing her smile, you reply, “Of course.” You place your arms around her neck, and she does the same with her hooves. You both linger a moment, sharing another glance into each other’s eyes, then your lips meet for a tender exchange of passion. A quiet moan muffles past your lips, and you hear her moan softly in response.

Several seconds pass, and you break apart. Redheart moves back to your side, resting along your bosom. “Wondrous as always, sweetheart,” she chimes.

You chuckle warmly at her. “Yeah,” you reply, letting out a yawn. “Mmm, I’m feeling sleepy. That song was beautiful, and really helped.”

Redheart sighs happily. “I’m glad. I learned it from a human patient a while back. His marefriend sang it to comfort him. They were kind enough to share the lyrics with me. I’ve never forgotten it,” she expresses thoughtfully.

“That’s great. Thank you for singing it.”

“You’re welcome,” she speaks, patting her hoof along your side.

You let your head sink deeper into the pillows, feeling tired at long last. “I feel relaxed and like I could sleep,” you tell her, letting out another yawn.

Redheart sits up and moves close to you. “Then sleep…I’ll stay by your side, all through the night…go ahead and rest,” she speaks in a soothing voice.

“Yeah…” you mutter, feeling your eyelids grow heavy. “I love you…” you profess, closing your eyes and smiling.

She sighs. “I love you,” Redheart whispers, kissing you softly on the lips. Your mare resumes her place by your side, as you cover the two of you. In moments, you fall asleep, resting soundly. Once she’s sure you’re sleeping comfortably, she joins you in slumber as well. The eventful Friday, finally comes to an end.

Author's Note

For those of you that have read or re-read this, I just wanted to note that I changed the lyrics of Redheart's Lullaby. They are what I came up with to deliver a similar message without violating any copyrighted lyrics. These might not be as good, but hopefully they are still enjoyable lyrics.