“Mom. I’m bored,” Ruby groaned as she stretched out on her back. I tried to not make a groan of my own.
“Me too,” I admitted. “But wanna know what makes it better?”
“What?” Ruby rolled her head to look at me as I laid on my back and mimicked her.
“Being here with you,” I nuzzled her affectionately. Ruby nuzzled me back with wide eyes.
“Really?” She asked incredulously. “Even though I’m a unicorn?”
“Just because you’re a unicorn doesn’t change the fact that you’re my daughter or make me love you any less. You can’t pick your race,” I smiled at her. It actually hurt she thought I would love her less because of it.
“The other unicorns couldn’t chose their race either,” Ruby retorted.
“I know,” I sighed. “There’s no point in trying to convince the crowd at this point. They’re dead set that the unicorns and pegasi are against us.”
“I hope my friends are okay,” Ruby snuggled up next to me and used my mane as a pillow. Even though I had moved her bed down here for her to use, she still preferred my mane. Why, I have no idea. I kissed her forehead and Ruby let out a content sigh. “I’m kinda scared.”
“It’s natural to feel fear in a situation like this. I’d be more worried if you didn’t feel fear. I’m kinda scared, too. It’s a wild mess out there right now, ponies going crazy messing stuff up and damaging property. Thank Celestia nopony has thrown anything into our house,” I admitted.
“I’d hate to be one of the ponies who returns and finds their house destroyed,” Ruby mumbled.
“If they come back, it can always be rebuilt. It’s expensive and a long process depending on how extensive the damage is,” I said idly. Ruby stared at me in confusion.
“What does extensive mean?”
“It means a lot in easy terms,” I explained. “Wanna play a card game or something?”
“Maybe later. I’m fine with us just talking, I like it. Spending time with you is one of my favorite activities. I’m really lucky, actually.” I raised an eyebrow as I counted the amount of hoofs running past I heard.
“How so, love?”
“Some ponies don’t have parents. Dinky doesn’t know her dad. Amethyst doesn’t know hers, all she knows is Derpy. Kettle Corn was taken from her parents multiple times. I haven’t had any of that. I don’t get abused. If being loved a lot and cuddled a lot is a form of abuse, I’d say I was. I’m really lucky.” I gave her a big hug at that.
“You were the greatest thing to happen to me. Still are, in fact. You really helped me get my stuff together and change my life. You remember how I said I was an alcoholic and lazy before you were born?” Ruby gave a slow nod. “That all changed when I found out I was pregnant with you. I got into AA, searched around town till I got a job, got the house all set up, your room and everything. It sucked to do it alone, but I grew to kinda like being a single mom. It’s kinda nice really, I get to have my daughter all to myself in a way. I never thought I’d have a filly or anything but I’m glad I did. I’m glad I got sole custody of you,” I finished my speech and Ruby stared at me with a smile.
“What was he like?” She suddenly asked.
“Who?” I asked in confusion.
“Dad.” We stared at each other before I let out a slow sigh.
“He was a really nice stallion. We did everything together, went out for dinners and plays. That changed when we found out I was pregnant. He got really mean and physical and I didn’t want you to grow up in that world like I did. I broke up with him, moved to Ponyville because it was far from Baltimare. He got in trouble for some....powders after you were born and took me to court for custody of you and the judge awarded me full custody after she found out he was fighting another court case. He went to jail for the first case and hasn’t contacted us since,” I sighed and stroked my fillys hair. “I know it isn’t what you want to hear but it’s the truth. I promised I’d never lie to you ever unless it was going to harm you, physically or mentally.”
“Do you ever miss him?” I thought about that and sighed.
“I miss the pony he used to be. He used to be a decent pony but something in him changed that I didn’t know was there before. But no, I dont miss him I guess is what I’m trying to say. "
“He got in trouble for baking powder?” Ruby asked me innocently and I chuckled at that. Never change, Ruby.
“I’ll tell you when you’re older.” She gave a satisfied nod at that and yawned. “Tired?”
“Yeah. What time is it? I can’t see the sun.” I did kinda forgot about that in my haste to hid her.
“It’s about nine pm last time I checked the sun before coming down here. I’ll bring a clock down here for you to tell the time in the morning,” I lifted her up and placed her on my back, trotting to her bed. She jumped off and slid under the sheets.
“Can you sleep with me tonight?” Ruby asked and I hesitanted at that. I wanted to say yes but at the same time, if I had any guests drop by, they would ask why I was in the cellar.
“Let me go cover the entrance in our house and I will come sleep with you,” I decided as I worked my way to the secret outside entrance and clambered out, looking around. It was ten thirtyish and no pony was out thankfully. I trotted my way inside the house and groaned at the dust all over. We didn’t have much but I did try to keep what we had clean and in good shape. I quickly cleaned up a bit and covered the entrance to the cellar with the rug and dragged a book case over it. It didn’t look to out of place, especially since the inside entrance was next to a wall. Satisfied, I slipped back outside.
“Ruby!” I hissed. She jumped and looked away. She tossed the rock she was holding down. “Get back inside now. You can’t get caught.” She frowned but did so. I quickly followed her and shut the door quietly, using the inside lock and setting the key down. I spun around and glared at her.
“What were you doing?” I demanded.
“I wanted to go outside. I miss the outside,” she mumbled. I sighed in frustration, mainly fear to be honest. It had been two days since I hid her down here. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
“I know. I’m sorry for yelling at you. You can not go outside just yet, this will blow over soon enough and then we can. I promise you that. Now I need you to promise me you won’t do it again,” I held her face in my hooves and stared at her seriously.
“I promise,” Ruby sighed and I nodded.
“Let’s go to bed,” I suggested and carried her to bed. I wrapped my forelegs around her and smiled.
“Mom?”
“Yeah Ruby?” I asked absentmindly as I pulled out some knots in her mane.
“I love you.”
“Love ya too.”