//------------------------------//
// 8. Reunion 
// Story: My Little Dashie: Unbreakable Bonds 
// by mcb893 
//------------------------------//

I pulled into my driveway and took my keys out of the ignition. I hopped out and went to the back seat to grab the few bags of groceries I had purchased. Just some food and batteries. There was nothing else I really would need at this point, and I was going to make every penny count. So I was going to cut down how much I ate each day. I was just about to open my door when I noticed a piece of paper with the number one on it. It was taped to my door, and had no holes along it's edges. I picked up the note slowly as I opened the door. It said one single phrase.

"A father's most generous gift to his daughter is his own. For he gives it even when the girl does not deserve it."

I flipped the note to it's back, but it was blank. I was wondering who could have written it when I heard a soft ringing of bells from the kitchen. I set my groceries on a desk and went to investigate. In the center if the kitchen table was a cell phone. It wasn't mine, so I didn't know what it was doing there. I picked it up and observed the front screen. It was a picture of Dashie standing next to some NASCAR driver cutout. Above her were the words "20% Cooler". I sighed in recognition. This was her phone, which vanished when she did. I concluded that this was a dream and pinched myself to wake myself up. I wasn't in the mood to deal with this. I was actually surprised when I still felt pain. I tried again, harder, but I still felt pain. I wondered what was going in. If this wasn't a dream, what was going on? I heard a whistle of wind, and turned my head to the right wall. There was a note with the number two on it. Just like the first, it had no holes along it's edges. With caution, I took the note, unfolded it, and read.

"A father and a daughter aren't always honest with each other, but their love is always true."

As I finished the note, there was another whistling. Again from the kitchen. I looked around and paused when I saw what was on the refrigerator. I dropped the note and stared, as a tear fell down my cheek. It was the drawing she had made when she was seven. In it, she drew herself flying high into the sky above the old park. On what looked like a table, but was supposed to be a bench, was me cheering her on. Above Dashie were the words; "Daddy and me." The drawing was very special to me, and I had almost cried when I learned it was gone. Another rustling of the wind sounded and I turned around. Just like before there was another note, this time with the number three. I took it and read it, this time very calmly.

"A dad can always can always count on his daughter for a laugh, even when they aren't funny."

For a third time, I heard bells. I was about to check around to see what had had changed, but I didn't need to. The portraits of her and I had returned. The ones that had vanished when she went home. I walked into the living room, and those ones had returned as well. I looked at the one above the computer desk and walked toward it. I smiled and gave a short chuckle, it was the picture she took of me when she had pranked me. I had an angry look in the picture, as well as some sort of gooey substance all over me. I laughed at how ridiculous I looked. Another rustling of the wind brought a note with the number four on it. I wiped a few tears and sniffed as I took it and unfolded it.

"Strong relationships are full of kindness, a father and his daughter are no exception."

Once again, there was the ringing of bells. I began to move, but I stopped when I felt something beneath my feet. I lifted my right foot and looked down. It was one of Dashie's things. I picked it up and smiled. It was a book of Indiana Jones. She had always loved to read his adventures. Possibly due to her liking of Daring Do in Equestria. I smiled as I ope Ed the book and saw notes she had written on the pages. Such as "Awesome!" And "Where did this guy come from?". I looked around the room and saw that all if her things had returned. All in the same spot as when she had left. I smiled as I noticed several drawings, race tickets, and other belongings. I tucked away the note and saw another near the stairs. I set the book down and walked over to the stairway. Unsurprisingly, it had the number five written on the front. I undid the tape that bound it and began to read once again.

"The bond shared by a father and a daughter is magical. And can never be broken."

For the fifth time, I heard bells. But they came from upstairs. I looked up and slowly climbed the steps. I took a left and walked to what used to be Dashie's room. I paused and stared at it for a while. I hadn't gone near it ever since she went home. What if this wasn't the source of the sound? I don't think I have the strength to see that dumb office where my daughter spent her time while she was here. It would brung back to many memories. I backed away for a minute, but stopped myself. Where else could the noise have come from? I had to see. I exhaled and took the doorknob. With shaky hands, I slowly turned the knob, and opened the door. I peaked through and gasped at what I saw. An unmade bed, NASCAR posters, a cutout of a driver, and various belongings on the floor. I chuckled and felt tears run down my face. It was back, it was here, but how? I walked onto the room, smiling at the happiness I felt. I kneeled beside her bed and pondered my thoughts. This was incredible, how could this be happening? For a fifth time I heard the whistling of the wind, and looked at the desk the held her lamp. It, of course, was a note, inscribed with the number six. I brought myself to my feet and made my way to it. I took the note from the top of the desk, unfolded it, and began to read.

"A father is always loyal to his daughter. And a daughter is always loyal to her father."

When I finished the letter, I heard another sound. But it wasn't whistling, or bells. A voice. One that made freeze in place. All it said was two words.

"Hi daddy." I turned around slowly, and nearly collapsed. Standing before me, baseball cap on her head, was Dashie. She stood with a smile, tears strolling down her face. I felt my own tears fall and smiled.

"Dashie..." I said. I don't know why, but I guess I wanted to make sure she was really there.

"Hi dad." She said, sniffing. I laughed and slowly walked toward her. She did the same. I knelt down and stared at her for a minute. She was really back... Tears in my eyes, I threw my arms around her and held her. I felt her forelegs wrap around me, returning the embrace.

"I missed you so much..." She said with a shaky voice. Her tears ran down the back of my shirt as I stroked her mane.

"Me too Dashie... Words can't express how happy I am to see you." I said with a shaky voice as I smiled. This moment had finally come, on Christmas of all days. It truly was the best time of the year...