//------------------------------// // 12 Visiting Home // Story: Aria // by SprocketProductions //------------------------------// We had finally reached February 17, my birthday and I was just waking up early in the morning, lounging in the passenger seat of Flare's sedan. My stomach appeared to be larger than it normally would due to the foal, and I was more excited than on any of my other birthdays due to the context. I looked at the scenery as it quickly whizzed by, only giving me a fleeting view. Though that was all I needed. I knew where we were. I was intimately familiar with the woods outside Canterlot. Especially the one tree that used to be my prince in my old back yard. Flare glanced at me, "Morning, princess." He had begun to affectionately refer to me with that nickname after I had mused of my imaginary adventures in the woods. I liked it, he made me feel pretty in a way upon using it. I silently looked ahead to see my old home growing ever closer. Out front was a party obviously set up. There were various decorations and a table stacked high with what appeared to be gifts. High meaning just above head level, but still, it was a sizeable stack of presents. I smiled at Flare for a moment, returning my eyes to the house. I saw Aurora, Shining Waterfall, my mom, and my dad all chatting, and I was anxious to join in. I watched the circle of thicker forest envelope us as we pulled into the driveway, directing the attention of the four smiling faces. Once we were parked, I got out and eagerly approached them, hugging each loved one. "Careful about moving too much, you're pregnant!" Flare called out at me. I smiled, "Sorry, I'm just so happy to see these ponies!" "Is it a colt or a filly?" Asked Aurora. I looked at her, "We don't know yet. But I do know they'll be adorable." "Very true. Is this the special somepony?" She gestured at Flare. I nodded as I went and pulled him along by his hoof to meet my friends and family, "Flare, this is Aurora, Shining Waterfall, my mom, and my dad. Guys, this is my special somepony, Flare." "Hey, how are you?" He asked, somewhat casually. My father looked surprised, "Aria, you picked a rather handsome one." "Dad, we talked about this." I lightly scolded. He chuckled, "I know, I know. But I might have to try and step up my game." "Sir, you are 66 years old." Shining comedicaly pointed out. He pointed at her, "You make a good point." I went to the car to unload my dresses for Aurora and Shining, hearing my dad and Flare talking with each other. "You're taking good care of Aria, right?" He asked. Flare responded, "Yes sir, she's become my princess." "Yeah, I know. I'm still surprised she didn't want to be a prince. You know, physically male she was a mare-killer." He remarked. Flare laughed a bit, "Yeah, but she's the most beautiful mare I've ever laid eyes on physically female." "Well, I guess I can't deny that. But I'm gonna reiterate something for you. You hurt her, and you are unwelcome to so much as look at her ever again. Got it?" My dad said. Flare placed a hoof on my dad's shoulder, "I promise, I will never hurt her. She's the most important pony to me and I wouldn't be able to live with myself having hurt her." I began to tear up. Hearing that made me rather emotional. I wiped the tears that had formed in my eyes and proceeded to take the two dresses to Aurora and Shining. They were white with lace designs around the trim. They were stunning, but they were also very obviously bridesmaids dresses. "Wait are you...?" Shining trailed off. I nodded my head, smiling as the two squealed and enveloped me in a big hug. I hugged them back, sighing in happiness. This is what I had hoped family felt like for my whole life. I wished this moment could last forever. I wished the three of us had been able to be in this feeling of soft warmth forever. It would be the best eternity ever. Though, sadly, like all good things, it came to an end. We all backed away a bit and exchanged smiles. They went off to rejoin the group. The five of them were all talking and enjoying each other's company, so I took the time to revisit the shed. The tin was far more rusted than it had been before, and it clearly hadn't been maintained while I was gone. "You've aged a lot, old friend." I spoke softly, walking inside. I looked at the frayed rope where the noose was before I had cut it down and smirked. If it were still there today, I wouldn't have seen it as such a temptation. The tractor in the shed was even more rusty than before. Before, there was no way anypony could get it running. Now, there was certainly no way any pony could get it running. I softly brushed a hoof on the main support pillar of the shed and heard a loud creak. I flinched, as I became paranoid of the structure, but nothing happened. I began to start out, and that's when the shed fell. I got trapped under some of the fallen structure, miraculously uninsured. I was simply close to the ground. "Help!!!" I called. Soon, Flare and my dad rounded the corner and came to my aid, working together to free me from the destruction. Flare looked at me concerned, "Aria, are you okay? Did you get hurt." "Surprisingly, I'm fine. But thank you." I said. He wrapped his front legs around me in a hug, "Oh, thank Celestial. And Luna. They're looking out for my princess." "You need to be more careful, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" My dad proclaimed in a worried tone. I returned Flare's hug, "I love you too." My father sighed, "I'm glad you're okay." We embraced each other tightly as my father walked back out front. We let go and walked with each other back to the others. I was more than grateful that he and my dad came to help. "Don't you ever do that to me again." He said. I replied, "I won't, I promise." We made our way back to the front of the house. My mom brought out grilled cheese sandwiches as our meal. While it doesn't sound like such an amazing meal, my parents used nice bread and cheese for it, which made it so good. "Mom, you haven't really talked much today, is something wrong?" I asked in between bites. She looked at me, "I'm sorry, sweetie. It's just hard to process that you're... you know..." "Yeah, I know." I sighed. When we finished eating, Aurora brought me one of the wrapped boxes for me to open. I peeled off the paper and lifted the top off to find something I loved. It was my all time favorite beverage, which I hadn't been able to find for years. There were four of the cardboard four packs. I grabbed a rose lemonade from the package and quickly opened it, taking a swig the light, sweet drink. I smiled, "It's just as amazing as I remember it! Thank you, Aurora!" She smiled as Shining went to grab one of her gifts to me. It was in a bag with neatly placed tissue paper in the top. I carefully removed it and looked inside, seeing a makeup kit. It was the same variety Aurora gave to us. I smiled at the thoughtful gift and exchanged grateful expressions with Shining. My dad brought me a small package without wrapping. I looked confused for a moment as it didn't look much like a present. I opened it anyway to see car keys. I looked at the symbol stamped into it and my jaw dropped. A McClarintosh. My dad got me a McClarintosh. He pressed his button on his garage door opener, revealing the beautiful vehicle. "You wanna drive it yet?" He asked. I quickly answered, "Yes, yes I do." "Heh, open the rest of your gifts first." He laughed. My mom set a box in front of me. I opened it quickly. It was a brand new gaming laptop. My eyes widened, "Thank you so much, but how are you guys getting gifts like this for me?" My mom shrugged, smirking a bit but not letting me in on whatever their secret was. I smiled and rolled my eyes as the next gift came from Aurora. It was a pastel pink dress that looked simple at a glance, but had intricate bead designs on it. I was slightly disappointed with the fact that I couldn't wear it yet, but I would soon. Shining brought me another bag with a friendship bracelet in it. I smiled brightly and immediately put it on. I hugged her as Flare grabbed my last gift. It was a small decorative box, and I was pretty sure I knew what it was. Opening it, I found a golden horn ring, my engagement ring. I squealed as I hugged Flare tightly. We had already planned to get married, but I was still mesmerized by the amazing gesture. I put the ring on as we approached my new car. I opened the door and got in as he sat in the passenger seat. The vehicle roared to life when I got to pressing the gas. I pulled out of the driveway onto the surprisingly clean road. I accelerated to a very high speed, ignoring the speedometer in favor of the road. I made the quick circuit of speed and centrifugal force before pulling back into the driveway. I wasn't concerned with a cop catching me as they tended to not enforce around these roads. "That was awesome!" I exclaimed as I got out. Flare chuckled as he stepped out as well. My dad had grabbed a chocolate cake out of the house which looked extremely appetizing. It wasn't big, but I so wanted to try it. He cut it and dealt out slices. I took a bite of the flavorful piece. Then I took another one, and another. Soon we had eaten the whole cake, as it was so good. I looked at the others, "Okay, that being delicious wasn't just because of my pregnancy, was it?" They laughed and confirmed that the cake was indeed amazing. We all said our goodbyes, I loaded up my gifts and we headed out. I followed Flare in my McClarintosh, a bit disappointed we couldn't stay longer, but it was a long enough drive home that if we wanted to get back before the next day, we would have to leave before the evening.