Returning father

The train finally stopped and Crimson Bolt could hardly contain himself to collect his small beg and chest. He rushed out of the train almost tripping on the threshold of the train car. He dropped his cases more than once.

"Calm down, calm down, Crimson."

He said to himself picking up his cases for the fifth time, flying now he raced to his house.

Well this looks different... His formerly blue house had been repainted a light yellow. Hmm.. Crimson then knocked on the door. That was then opened by a  pinkish pony with a red mane and a berry cutiemark.

"H-hello? What are you doing here mister guard?"

"Um hello? Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"

"Y-you're house sir? I've lived here for two months. Umm, would you like to come in?"

She moved away from the door letting Crimson in.

"Uh thanks." He walks in and sees that it is indeed his previous house. "You said you got this house two months ago?"

"Yes Sir, I did."

"Excuse my questions Miss.."

"Punch, Berry Punch. And you are?"

"My name is Crimson Bolt, Miss Punch, who did you buy this house from?"

"Why is it so important?"

"It's so important because this was my house six years ago, and my wife stopped mailing me two months ago..."

Crimson almost snapped, but was immediately sorry,

"I'm sorry Miss punch, I haven't exactly been home of my own leave in quite some time. Then seeing it all changed like this.."

He trailed off.

"Oh, Mr. Bolt, the caretaker I bought this house from... He said, he said that the mare that previously owned the house... That she died...."

Crimson took off his helmet and held it to his chest.

"Two months and I never knew, two months I didn't come sooner!"

He was trying to hold his tears back.

"I missed my own wife's funeral!"

At this he just broke down and cried with interjections of "What about Scootaloo?" Berry Punch feeling sorry for the stallion sobbing in her living room, got Crimson Bolt one of her special soothing drinks.

"Here, Mr. Bolt, drink this and you'll calm down."

As soon as he had enough control of himself again he said.

"Thank you Miss Punch, do you have any idea where my Scootaloo is?"

Berry Punch thought for a moment then said,

"I think she still goes to the local school at the end of town. If that's any help. You can call me Berry Punch, calling me 'Miss Punch' all the time hides the sensitive pony hiding under that hard shell."

"Thank you Mis- Berry Punch."

Then he glanced at his little chest and bag.

"Umm... Do you mind keeping these for me? I thought I was going to be coming home to my family...."

"Certainly, Crimson Bolt, I would be honored to have a royal guard as my guest."

She said then pulled the cases inside. Crimson put his helmet back on then made his way to the schoolhouse. He finally found it but as there were no little fillies or colts outside before going to the door.

"-and that concludes our history lesson for today. Now if you'll turn to page one hundred and.... What can I do for you?"

At this all the foals int the classroom look at him curiously a royal guard had never visited their classroom before. Crimson Bolt walked into the schoolhouse scanning the room for a certain orange and purple filly, upon seeing her he burst into tears rushing to her desk and sweeps her into his arms.

Oh Scootaloo, I'm so so sorry about the last two months"

"Dad? Is that really you?"

"Yes darling it's me."

He answered hugging her even tighter and Scootaloo trying to rival the force of the hug. Both of them crying now unabashedly in front of the whole class. The whole class trying not to cry as well.

"Why didn't you come back earlier? Didn't you get the letter?"

"No sweetheart, I haven't gotten a letter for two months!"

Back on the ground the pink and purple earthpony says quietly,

"I think we'll finish this period early today. Recess everypony."

Right above the little stream on fillies and colts filing by below a father and daughter hung close to each other. The feeling of unity between them all they needed.