//------------------------------//
// Bonus: Mother's Delight. 
// Story: Equestrian Eeveelution. 
// by Symphonicdysonince 
//------------------------------//

[Lulu]

I stretched before flowing off my work desk. I left the design I had been working on for Rarity's later approval. I looked over at a pony mannequin (I could never call them by what Rarity does) wearing a partly made dress. With a weary sigh, I leaned against my stool. I was feeling very much overworked. It seems everyone wants a Lulu Belle Original since Rarity opened her Manehatten store.

Or rather, since we came out. I smiled. Good thing Rarity and I made that agreement.

I risked a glance at the clock, and had to take a second look. It seemed that I had worked for an extra hour. Normally, this wouldn't be a bad thing, but this week, I had the pups over.

"Suri!" I called into the hallway. "I'm heading out now. Got an idea for a new design on my desk for review." I could never get used to the buzzing my collar made....

"Okay! Have fun with the pups!"

"That's the plan!" I chuckled. Assuming that there's a den to come home to....

With another sigh, I left through the employee's entrance. Unlike Suri or Rarity, I didn't live at work. Instead, I lived closer to the bay in an apartment complex favored by griffins. I flowed through the streets, stopping off at the fishmongers for tonight's dinner. Once the salmon was paid for, I made my way home as quickly as I could.

Thankfully, everything was still standing when I arrived. Nodding to the front gate guard, I trotted to the elevator. I launched a small bubble to the call button, and was surprised when the door opened right away. An older griffon stepped out before noticing me.

"Heading up, Miss?"

"Yes, floor fifteen."

Hooking a talon around the door, he tapped the button for me. Waving off my thanks, he left the lobby. From there, the trip to my door was uneventful. I unlocked my custom door, and entered my den.

"Sorry I'm late." I called into my home, listening to shuffling paws. "Got caught up at work. I just need a moment to prep dinner, then we can eat." I slid my saddle bags off and pulled the fish out. My collar was hung on a hook by the door.

I had just tossed dinner into the oven, when I heard something that made me mentally cringe.

<<Hey, Mom?>> Sapphire called in a 'please don't be mad at me' tone. <<Could you come here please?>>

What did they do?

I followed my daughter's voice into my living room. Once there, I was struck speechless.

My sons and daughter were propping up a large card. Behind them, I could see an envelope straining to hold its contents in.  The card they were holding, and most of the room, was covered in crude stick figure cutouts, cheap gems, and a school's worth of glitter. They held it up with nervous smiles.

I sat in the doorway, one paw covering my mouth. I held my other front leg out in an invitation for a hug. One my children wasted no time in taking.

Finally, I found my voice. "It's a little big to go on the fridge...." My gaze lingered on the bedazzled words on the card.

'We love you, Mom.'