Anon is sitting on the couch with his daughter, playing with her. She’s giggling uncontrollably as he does the tried and true peekaboo trick. Each time he does it, it causes Faith to go into a laughing fit. Anon finds himself enraptured by Faith. She finds joy in so many things that he takes for granted. Apparently, it’s because she’s a baby, and is experiencing so many new things she’s never seen before. But it still warms his heart, seeing her happy about everything around her.
Anon picks her up into his arms and starts to rock her slowly.
“I have no idea what type of mare you’ll be when you grow up, but I swear that I’ll always love you,” he whispers to her.
“Ba bu bmmm.” Faith babbles in response.
That makes Anon chuckle as he lays her in her basket, gets up, and takes her into the kitchen. He sets her on the table, facing the stove, as he leans down to meet her.
“Daddy has to cook dinner,” Anon speaks softly. “Applejack’s going to be here soon, and I don’t want to send her away without at least paying back her kindness.” Anon walks over to the fridge and pulls out some fish and various vegetables to make something for AJ. “It’s going to be hard for me to teach you that ponies aren’t weird,” Anon speaks as he works on chopping the salad. “That’s because daddy is weird and comes from a different place.”
Anon stops as he looks back at Faith. “I’m happy we’re here, though. Ponies are odd, but they care about their friends. I’m sure you’ll have lots of friends. If ponies can learn to like me, then they’ll learn to like you too.”
Anon turns on the stove and gets a pan ready. Hmmm, a salad is too simple, perhaps a stirfry? He nods as he goes back to the vegetables and starts to cut them down more as the pan heats up.
“Ponies will be skittish, but that’s in their nature. Will you be like that? I’m not sure, but we’ll figure it out together.”
“Nmmm.” Anon looks back to see Faith is chewing on her raddle.
He shakes his head with a smile as he walks over, removes the rattle and instead places the pacifier into her mouth. She starts to suck on it as she returns to shaking her rattle. He returns to the stove, where he tosses in all the vegetables he sliced.
“I know you’ll love my friends when you grow up. Twilight is very smart, and she’ll teach you anything you want to know. Then there’s Rainbow, she’s loyal and will protect you without a second thought. Pinkie knows all about baking and having fun; I’m sure she’s already thinking about throwing you a birthday party.” That causes Anon to stop as he shakes his thoughts away. “Well, we’ll figure out when you were born later.”
He gets a spatula and starts to stir everything around.
“Where was I? Oh, then we have Fluttershy. She’s delightful and has lots of animals she takes care of. She’ll be a big help when you start growing older because I want to make sure you’re provided for.” Then Anon thinks about Rarity. “Your clothes are from Rarity. The white unicorn. You’ve spent time with her. She’s talented and dependable, too. If you’re ever in need of clothes, then she’ll make them in no time.”
Anon puts fish into his stirfry as he lets it slowly cook.
“Then there’s AJ. Man, I can’t even put into words how much I appreciate what she’s doing for us. She’s alright with feeding you and even gave you the crib you slept in last night. She’s honest and hard working. Nothing like me. At least, not who I was.” Anon turns to look at Faith. “I’m trying, for you.” He then turns back to the stove. “She cares about family, works hard and doesn’t complain. She’s everything I want to be, for you Faith. I don’t know how she does it, but she’s amazing.”
Anon plates his food and the food made for Applejack as he turns around to set them on the table.
“Strong, dedicated and easy on the ey-” Anon stops as he notices AJ standing at the entrance to the kitchen.
Her face is red as the two of them stand there looking at one another.
“I...um... Let myself in,” AJ states.
Anon can feel his throat become dry. There’s no doubt she heard that last part but how long has she been standing there?
“N-no problem.” Anon sets the two plates onto the table. “I, um... made you dinner, you know, as thanks for helping me with Faith.”
AJ’s face is red. She had been standing there while Anon talked about his friends and she would’ve said something if it wasn’t for the fact that he started talking about her. She was interested in what he had to say, and that last line positively set the mood. Add the fact that he also made dinner; it’s enough to make AJ want to hide in her hat.
“You didn’t need to do that,” AJ responds.
This entire situation is awkward, but Anon might as well face it.
“So, yeah. You’re easy on the eyes,” he decides to finish.
AJ can feel her blush creeping down her neck. She thought he would ignore what he said, or try and move on, but instead, he decided to take it head-on.
“T-Thank you,” AJ says as she walks over to the open seat where the plate is. “I guess it’d be wasteful not to eat.”
Anon gives a nod as he walks over to his seat.
“Yeah, I hope I did well. I’ve only cooked for Rainbow, and I’m not sure she has many standards when it comes to free food.”
“Should I feed Faith now?” AJ asks before taking her seat.
“I think she’s fi-”
Just like that, there’s a quiet whine that comes from the basket. AJ walks in front of it and smiles as she looks at Faith.
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” She picks Faith up and brings her over to her seat, and sits down with Faith on her lap. “Or maybe you just want some attention.”
Faith calms down as AJ nuzzles her, keeping her gaze on her the entire time.
“I think she likes you,” Anon mentions as he takes his seat.
“The feeling is mutual,” AJ states as she uses a free hoof to grab a nearby fork and eat the food Anon made. When she takes her first bite, she’s surprised how well it tastes. “This is good!” she compliments. “I didn’t know you knew how to cook.”
Anon scratches the back of his head. “Well, I try. It’s nothing compared to what you can make.”
AJ almost replies until she notices Faith’s new additions. Notably the rattle in her hand and the pacifier in her mouth.
“You went shopping?”
“Yeah. After work I had Pinkie help pick out some baby stuff. I’m set for the most part.”
“Good to hear.” AJ chuckles nervously. “I may have also bought a few things before coming here. You know, just in case you forgot. I know taking care of a child can make you a might forgetful.”
“Oh?” Anon raises a brow.
“I left it in the living room. A few diapers and things, nothing fancy.”
“Well, thank you, AJ. Should I pay you back?”
AJ shakes her head. “No, it’s on me. I should’ve asked first, and I think this dinner is fine enough.”
“Alright.”
Anon goes back to eating as AJ takes her time and talks to Faith about random things. This is nice, just sitting here and enjoying a meal without a hangover. Anon gazes at AJ as she giggles some when Faith pokes her snout and leans in to nuzzle her. Even Faith giggles at this as she holds onto her face. It’s heartwarming to see how well Applejack is with Faith.
“You’d make a great mother,” Anon comments offhandedly.
Applejack pulls from Faith with a nervous smile and deep blush. “I had a lot of practice with AB.”
“It’s hard to shake the fact that ponies do things so differently when it comes to raising the young, but I’m glad you’re all who you are. Having good friends around to help makes me feel less alone.”
“I know how you feel. When I first started taking care of Applebloom, I was sure that I’d do something wrong, but with Mac and Gran there, I knew we all did our part to help her grow into the filly she is.”
“She’s a good kid.” Anon looks to his empty plate, then over to see that AJ’s is empty too. He gets up and takes her plate and sets it into the sink. “I’m sure she’ll be a fine mare when she’s all grown up.”
“I still worry.” Applejack looks down at Faith. “You never really stop taking care of them, even when they’re all grown up. Gran is proof of that. Why, if we didn’t have the farm, I’m not sure where’d we be.” Faith’s face starts to morph into a look of discomfort. “Looks like you’re hungry now.”
As AJ gets up from the seat and looks to lay on the floor, Anon speaks. “You can use the couch. The floor is clean, but you might as well be comfortable, right? I’ll just be in here cleaning up.”
AJ gives a nod as she takes Faith into the living room. Anon stays back and makes sure the table is all cleaned up. There’s a warmth in his heart that burns at how nice this is. Having something to care for and others to visit, not just for a drink like Dash. He’s sure that with time, things will become more comfortable for him, but what about Faith? Well, worry can come later. For now, he’ll enjoy the moment.