//------------------------------// // The Perfect Gift // Story: Derpy Vignettes // by Kaylee //------------------------------// What if she’s disappointed? Derpy watched her daughter pick up the box wrapped in bright red paper and topped with a big silver bow. Dinky had a huge grin on her face and was radiating excitement as she shook the box, listening for any noise that might give a clue about what was inside. I know she really wanted that doll, but it just cost too much. “Mommy! This one has my name on it!” Celestia knows I tried to make as many extra bits as I could, but it wasn’t quite enough. “See, Dinky, I told you that Santa Hooves wouldn’t forget to bring you a present.” Derpy’s stomach twisted. I know some of her friends are getting that doll for Hearth’s Warming. I don’t want her to feel left out. “Can I open it now? Please?” Dinky was bouncing in place, tightly holding on to the wrapped box. I know we don’t have much, but I try my best to make her happy. “Bring it over here so I can watch you open it.” Dinky grabbed the bow with her teeth and carried the gift over to her mom. Derpy wrapped her wing around Dinky, hugging her as the filly began to tug at the wrapping paper. Please don’t let her be too upset that she didn’t get what she wanted. Dinky tore the last of the colored paper off the box, throwing the torn remnants off to the side, and then lifted the lid. She reached into the box and lifted out a soft bundle of blue fabric. Once removed from the box, it was easy to see that the bundle was pony-shaped. It wasn’t the best looking doll. The body was all dark blue with mismatched purple buttons for eyes and light blue yarn for the mane and tail. One leg was a bit shorter than the other three and the ears were more than a little lopsided. “Mommy…” Dinky trailed off, the confusion on her face obvious. Oh no. Derpy’s heart dropped. “This…this looks like your blanket, Mommy.” What should I do? She’s going to think that she’s not as important as the other foals. That Santa Hooves likes them better. I don’t want her to think that she’s somehow less deserving than her friends. “I--” Derpy began. “Mommy, did you make this from your blanket?” “No, of course not. Santa Hooves brought it--” “Mommy!" Dinky interrupted. "I’m six years old. I know Santa Hooves isn’t real.” “Umm...yes…I made it...” Derpy whispered, hanging her head. “I’m sorry.” “Oh, Mommy!” Dinky threw herself at Derpy, wrapping her hooves around her mother's neck. “You love your special blanket. Why did you cut it up? Grandma made that blanket.” Derpy hugged her daughter close. “I did love that blanket. It was very special to me. It became even more special once I had you and we would sleep under it together on cold nights. It made me sad when it started to wear out and I had to put it away to keep it safe.” “Me too.” Dinky said. “Sometimes, while you were at work, I’d take it out of its special box and wrap up in it.” Derpy laughed softly. “I know. I caught you a few times. A few weeks ago I found you wrapped up in it, taking a nap. I knew we couldn’t use it as a blanket anymore, but there were parts of it that were still in good shape. I know you wanted that doll that all the other fillies are getting. I’m sorry I couldn’t get that for you.” Derpy’s ears drooped. “I know I’m not very good at sewing and it’s not a very pretty doll. I just thought that making it out of that blanket would mean you could still sleep with it at night again. I’m sorry.” Derpy’s heart felt like it was breaking. She’d failed her daughter. Dinky had looked forward to Hearth’s Warming all year, and Derpy had just let her down. “Mommy, this is the best present ever.” Derpy froze, then pulled her head back to look at her daughter. “But you wanted that doll, and I couldn’t get it for you.” “Well yeah, I did.” Dinky rolled her eyes. “But everybody is going to have that doll. Nobody else’s mommy made theirs. Mine’s special. It’s from my grandma and my mommy.” Dinky’s voice lowered to a whisper. “Besides, that doll is kind of ugly. This one is much prettier.” Derpy chuckled, pulling her daughter closer. “I love you, Dinky. Happy Hearth’s Warming.” “I love you too, Mommy.”