//------------------------------// // The Start of a Journey // Story: On the Inside // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// "That is enough, Limestone Elizabeth Pie!" Pinkie shouted. I blinked. I was shocked that the always bubbly party planner had actually lost her temper. Apparently, Limestone was as well. "Did you just..." she sputtered but was cut off by Pinkie. "I have had enough of you belittling and insulting and looking down on my wife!" Pinkie growled. "I thought you two had made your piece when she proposed. You gave her rock candy!" Limestone looked away. "That was Marble's idea," she protested quietly. "But you still gave it to her!" continued the party planner. "What does she have to do to finally get your approval?" "Pinkie," I interjected. "It's ok, you don't have to..." "It's not ok, Ari," she said. "Just because she feels alone and angry doesn't give her the right to take it out on you." "I don't feel alone," Limestone protested. "Oh, come off it, Limey!" Pinkie said, starting to calm down. "I'm married, Marble and Macintosh have been hitting it off famously, and even Maud has had a few dates that weren't with Boulder. You're afraid we're going to leave you all alone." The abrasive eldest Pie looked out the window, not answering. But I was close enough that I could see the reflection on the glass. From her expression, it looked like my wife had hit the nail on the head. "I just..." she started before ending with a sigh, and an expression I never thought I'd see in the years I had been putting up with her snide remarks. She had a tear in her eye and a dejected look. "I'm afraid I've pushed you away," she whispered. "You're the only sister that isn't interested in the family business, Pinkie. Maud is a certified Ph.D. geologist and while she goes off to study she still takes the time to help us grade the stone. And Marble heads up the books now that Mom and Pop have retired." Pinkie smiled softly, the look much more familiar than the mask of anger she had on moments ago. "Limey, it just isn't in me," she said. "I've got a business of my own to run and a family to look after. But you didn't drive me away, silly. There isn't a force strong enough to separate us. We're family! Sisters!" She pulled her sister into a rib cracking hug. "I just wish you could treat Aria well." I had gotten good at reading the faces of the Pie family over the last few years. They all had their masks: Pinkie's smile, Maud's placidness, Marble's shy smile, and Limestone's angry scowl. But I could see through it now, especially with it melted away for a moment. There was grudging agreement there, quickly hidden away. "I can try," she said gruffly, glancing at me. "For Pinkie?" I nodded, holding out a fist. The grumpy woman bumped my fist with hers. "One thing though," I said. They both looked at me. "Your middle name is Elizabeth?" She flipped me off, and status quo was returned. Pinkie sighed. "It's a start," she said to herself. That night, we lay in bed cuddling. I had never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I did. The first time she had ever held me had been a hug, and I had noticed for the first time that it silenced the feeling of emptiness I still felt even after regaining our song. It had been a trying time. The fight with Acerak had landed Adagio with a pretty serious wound and had appeared to have cost us Sunset as well at the time. I had felt the temptation to silence the pain with the knife again when Pinkie had come across me and simply hugged me. "What are you doing?" I had asked. "You're hurting," she said simply. It was the first time someone other than my sisters had shown me affection if any sort. "Whatcha thinking?" Pinkie's voice slid into my memory, drawing me to the present. "Our first hug," I said. She snuggled a little closer, resting her head in the crook of my neck. "You looked so sad and I couldn't help it," she said. "Remember what I said afterward?" I asked. "How could I forget?" How indeed. I remember the day like it was yesterday. How do you find it so easy to smile all the time?