I paused and looked at the shop’s clock with trepidation.
Coco walked into the workroom from the storefront. Following my gaze, she looked up at the clock and smiled. “Yes, it’s getting close to time for you to go get them.”
“I keep reminding myself that the last couple of times they’ve been here we had a good time.” I took my eyes from the clock’s face and looked to Coco’s. “That’s not helping much.”
“Something about this has gotten under your coat.” Coco sat beside me at my worktable. “You haven’t been this wound up since I first got here.”
“They always come with expectations and worries. Mom will inspect me, inspect the shop, inspect everything to make sure it’s all going okay on one level. While she’s poking and prodding in her way, Dad will analyze everything on a different level.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever told me what your parents do in the company,” Coco said, “now I think about it.”
“Beyond being an owner, Dad is the head contract negotiator and unofficial pony services representative. Mom is also an owner and is the information gather and main accountant for the company. With Satin taking over most of the management and public relations, they have been able to focus on their areas of strength and the three of them have got the company running well.”
She leaned against me and put her head on my shoulder comfortingly. “I hear a ‘but’ in there somewhere.”
“I think the pressure is getting to Satin, from what few hints they’ve given me in the last couple of letters. That’s causing Mom and Dad to worry. When they worry, they check in on everything.”
“Including you.”
“Including me.” Without thinking, I gave a nod along with my verbal response which rubbed my cheek against her ear.
After a second, Coco gave me a nudge. “That was a promising start,” she told me.
“I didn’t mean to start anything, but I think I’ll enjoy the opportunity.” I caught her ear with my mouth and gave it a feathery nibble.
She gave a contented hum. “I’ll get you trained yet.”
With reluctance, I let her ear go. “It will be a sad day, if I ever complete my training.”
She looked up at me, her expression surprised. “What do you mean?”
“I enjoy being coached by you. It allows us to have moments like this.”
“I like these moments too.” She bumped her nose to mine. “I’ll make sure you have refreshers and tests to see if you keep what you learn.”
“I look forward to it.”
She gave me a caring smile. “You’re still worrying about something.”
“You’re a new and special part of my life, which means they’re going to focus on you. Dad can be just as forward as Mom, in his own way. I’m afraid they will irritate the Tartarus out of you.”
She gave a snort. “I worked with Suri for years; I can take whatever your folks dish out.”
“I don’t want you to look at them and then look and me and see so many similarities you conclude I’m just as nuts and bolt for it.”
“They aren’t going to run me off I promise. We’re both quirky, but I think it brings us together more than anything else. I understand, though. I’m worried about you meeting my parents too.”
“I’m not concerned about them at all. Your brother, on the other hoof, worries me a bit.”
She folded an ear and tilted her head in confusion. I thought I caught a hint of a smile on her face, as my eyes lingered on her upturned ear.
“What do you mean?” Coco asked. “My brother’s a sweetheart.”
“Satin and I don’t get along and I’m still protective of her. As wonderful as you are, your brother is going to be watching out for me, and I couldn’t blame him. You’re too wonderful a mare not to be treasured.”
She leaned up as if to nuzzle or kiss me, and there was a knock on the back door.
“Oh come on,” I complained to the universe. “Just a couple more seconds.”
Coco giggled and gave me a quick peck of a kiss on the nose. “I bet that’s Rarity. She promised to take me out to lunch to give you some time with your folks.”
Coco and I went to the door. I opened it and smiled at Coco when I saw who had knocked. “You were right.”
Rarity gave me a look. “I take it my arrival was expected?”
“Coco was just telling me you were planning to take her out to lunch.”
“There has been a slight change of plans. Thunderlane offered to treat Coco and I both to lunch. I came by to pick her up and head there straight away as our reservation is tight.” Rarity scrutinized Coco. “Darling, would you be a dear and step just a smidgen closer?”
Coco did as she was asked. “Is something wrong?”
Rarity raised her chin and made a show of looking over Coco’s ears. “I’m checking on something for you.” Rarity cut her eyes to me. “It wouldn’t do to go out in public without touching up, if somepony had been too amorous and left a mark.”
“I’m always as tender as I can be,” I told her.
Rarity looked to Coco for confirmation.
“He is,” Coco assured. “He gave me a nibble not five minutes ago.”
Rarity’s eyebrow rose.
“I asked him to,” Coco said.
“Seems that things are rather one sided.” Rarity looked at me. “If she were to ask, would you allow her to do the same to you?”
I could feel the beginnings of a blush as I answered, “I think so, but she hasn’t asked.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Coco giving me a wink and a conspirator’s smile.
“Let’s find out if he will or not,” Coco said to Rarity. “Pin, drop your head for me, please.”
I lowered my head so it would be an easy reach for her. I expected what was coming and tilted my head to allow her easy access to my ear.
Coco gave my ear a nibble.
It surprised me how much I enjoyed the contact. “That tickles, but it feels good too,” I reported. I fought down a laugh, trying to still appear somewhat serious. “Now I know why you like it.”
Rarity stood there with her mouth agape. After she gathered herself, she protested, “Coco!”
Coco released my ear. “Yes, Rarity?”
“I was not intending for you to try!”
A shadow passed over us, drawing our attention upwards.
“I thought this is where you would be,” Thunderlane said as he landed at Rarity’s side. “Having trouble prying Coco from Pin?”
“She nibbled his ear in sight of everypony!” Rarity told him.
Thunderlane looked around. “There’s nopony here. It’s just the back of the shops.” He stretched taller and added, “I think there’s a calico cat by those bins, but she doesn’t seem too traumatized.”
“That’s not the point,” Rarity huffed. “Any pony could have seen.”
“You provoked the incident,” I pointed out.
Thunderlane acted pitiful, slumping and letting his ears fall. “You mean I can’t give you displays of affection in public?”
Rarity gave Thunderlane an amused, suffering look. “No, darling, that’s not what I meant. There are appropriate displays of affection and those that are too risqué.”
“Nibbling is one of the risqué ones?” Thunderlane asked, seeming to play along.
“It is in my book,” Rarity said and put her chin in the air. “Such a thing should be undertaken in the privacy of one’s home or, if a thorough nibbling is to be done, in the bedroom.”
“So you’re not against nibbling on the whole,” Coco said.
Rarity gave Coco a wicked smile. “Everything has its proper time and place, but a lady must be mindful of her public image.”
“What about kissing of hooves?” Thunderlane asked Rarity.
“That is both proper and welcome,” Rarity said and extended a hoof to him.
Thunderlane took Rarity’s offered hoof, bowed over it, and gave it a kiss. “Would the gorgeous lady and her lovely companion do me the honor of join me for lunch?”
“It would thrill me to,” Rarity said.
“Sounds great,” Coco said.
“Good luck with your parents,” Thunderlane said.
“Thanks, I’m going to need it,” I responded.
“I’ll see you this evening,” Coco said.
“I’m looking forward to it.” I sighed and gave her a less than confident grin. “It could be an interesting evening, though.”
Coco smiled. “I’ll be ready.”
I leaned towards her, paused, and glanced over to Rarity. “I would give you a send off, but Miss Proper over there might critique me.”
Coco grinned. “We’re back to you having to choose the right spot.”
I kissed Coco on the forehead and then touched my nose to hers. “See you soon.”
“That was the right spot,” Rarity complimented.
*****
I scanned the rush of ponies coming off the train, looking for my parents. I dodged two squealing foals who seemed more than happy to be off the train and able to run free again.
“You rascals, we still have to get our luggage before we can go home!” a mare shouted. She nodded in apology as she went past me and after the young colts. “Excuse them, please. They’re just a little too wound up from the trip.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I told her. “Good luck catching them.”
“Thank you!” she called back, still pursuing her colts.
“That was kind of you,” a voice said from the crowd.
I turned toward the speaker. “Thanks Dad.” I glanced around. “Where’s Mom?”
“I thought she was right with me.” Dad did a cursory scan for Mom and then shrugged. “She’ll show up in a moment or two, I’m sure. How have you been?”
“Things are calming down. I almost feel like I can take a relaxed breath when I look at my work orders.”
“You found him, good.” Mom appeared out of the last of the throng of ponies from the train. Her eyes worked their way from my hooves to my mane. “You seem in good health.” She gave a disapproving click of her tongue. “You’ve lost more weight.”
“The Running of the Leaves is coming up. I’ve been doing more training to make up for the busy period.”
Dad gave me a roguish smirk. “I’ll go collect our luggage. I’m sure you and your mother have much to talk about.”
I could not help but give Dad’s back a glare, as he walked away.
“You should not look at your father so,” Mom said, with a slight smile of her own. “For our sakes, I will not ask the questions he is interested in getting answers to till he gets back. No sense in having to go through them twice.” Mom gave me a hug and nuzzled my mane as if I were a foal. “I am glad to see you and glad you are looking less frazzled than last time.”
I returned the hug. “It’s good to see you too.”
She pulled back and, using her magic, moved my mane away from my face. “You’re getting more sleep. That is good. You have been eating, right?”
“I have, I promise.”
Her eyes lingered on my bow tie. She adjusted it with her magic and seemed about to say something, but Dad spoke first.
“Dear, don’t fuss over him yet. He is a grown stallion. Wait till we get to Father’s, then you can arrange, inspect, and interrogate him all you like.”
“I’ll take those,” I told Dad and took the three bags they had brought in my magic. I took a step back, knowing a verbal fencing match between them was about to begin.
“I am not ‘interrogating’ him. I asked him a question.”
“How many more questions did you plan on asking?”
“I am uncertain. It depends on the answers he gives me.”
“That sounds like an interrogation. Also, please consider his feelings on the matter of having to answer personal questions in a public place.”
I sighed as their debate drew attention from the ponies around us. “Mom, Dad, please.” My words were unheard or unheeded.
“I am only asking basic questions as to his well-being, not asking him about personal matters.” Mom pressed on, “There is no need for concern as to embarrassment for rudimentary questions.”
Dad shook his head. “He may not feel that such questions are rudimentary.”
“Let us agree that you are both looking after my health, and head to the shop,” I interjected. “You two are drawing a crowd.”
Mom and Dad glanced around, seeming to notice the ponies around us for the first time.
Dad took off his hat and gave the watching ponies a bow. “Sorry for the disturbance. Be assured this was a debate between concerned parents and not an argument.”
As if assured by Dad’s words, the gathering of ponies broke apart.
Dad put his hat back on with a flourish. “Such a lovely town, they seemed to have true concern we were not getting along.”
“This is the town of the Princess of Friendship,” I reminded him.
“It is at that.” Dad smiled and gave me a wink. “There is a certain ‘friend’ that you have made that your mother and I are curious about.”
I gave him a shaky grin and glanced around. “Could we save that particular topic for when we get to the shop?”
*****
“Here we go.” I unlocked the door and led Mom and Dad into the storefront.
Mom stalked around the shop, taking in minute details. Dad watched her and my reactions to what she was doing with a grin.
“Things seem to be clean and in order,” Mom said. As she moved about the she, she would pause at certain displays as if trying to figure something out.
“I noticed something was different too, Dear.” Dad reached out and felt of a vest on display. “This seems like one of Father’s patterns, but there is something different about the cut.”
“There are now two bow tie displays, with two new styles,” Mom remarked. “What inspired this?” she asked me.
“Coco made adjustments to the patterns,” I informed them. “We wanted to display the old and new styles so if customers had a preference they could pick.”
Both of my parents looked to at me with surprise.
“You’re displaying her work?” Dad asked.
“Yes, in a way.”
Mom searched me with her gaze. “Are you paying her commission?”
“I tried to, but she insisted that the new items were ‘our’ product and wouldn’t accept any.”
Mom glanced to Dad, who had a look of intrigue on his face.
“Let’s head upstairs so we can put away our things,” Dad said. “If we linger in the shop, we might give the impression it’s open, despite the sign saying otherwise.”
I led them into the apartment.
Dad hung up his hat on the hat rack and took their luggage to the guest room.
“I’ll get some tea going,” I said.
Mom followed me into the kitchen and surveyed everything while I filled the kettle. She paused for a moment and looked at something at the counter.
“Is everything okay?” I asked her.
“There are two cups out,” Mom pointed out. “You used to only have one by the coffee press.”
“I make coffee and tea for Coco often enough I leave two out now,” I explained.
She seemed to note what I said and continued to scan the kitchen.
“How goes the inspection?” Dad asked as he joined us.
“I’m not sure,” I told him. “She hasn’t given much feedback so far. She hasn’t gone through the rest of the apartment yet either.”
Mom paused and looked at Dad and me. “I’m concerned about my boy. I want to make sure he is keeping care of himself.”
“We understand that Dear, but you could just ask him how he’s doing.” Dad got out another cup. “I know he will always be our little colt in some ways, but he’s a grown stallion who can share with us what is going on in his life.”
“He might miss something he’s not aware of that could be a symptom of a larger problem,” Mom countered. “It is prudent to have another set of eyes look things over every now and again.” She asked Dad, “Could you get another cup out?”
Dad looked at the one he was holding in his magic and then at the two on the counter. “I will, but why? We have three here.”
“One of the one’s on the counter is reserved for Miss Coco,” Mom said. “It would be impolite for me to drink from somepony’s cup without permission.”
Dad’s eyebrows rose. “I'll get that cup for you, Dear.”
Mom went back to inspecting the kitchen. “Thank you, Love. I am concerned about him losing weight again.”
I smiled and shook my head, as Mom opened the refrigerator and looked over its contents. “It’s been busy and I’ve been training is all, I promise.”
“When was the last time you had a physical?”
“A little over a year ago,” I admitted.
Mom gave me a mother’s disapproving look.
“I’ll set up an appointment for one, I promise.” I told her, “If you would like witnesses as to my eating habits, you can ask Berry and Coco if I have been behaving or not.”
“I will do that,” Mom assured and moved into the den.
“How is Miss Berry doing?” asked Dad.
“At the moment, she’s feeling berry good. She and Barrel got a good sized contract for an upcoming event.”
“It seems her pun habit has rubbed off on you.” Mom paused her inspection of the den and looked through the kitchen door. “Is her shop open today? If so, I would like to go there. I would enjoy another bottle of the wine she suggested last time.”
“It should be open,” I told her.
“We can go after you finish your inspection,” Dad teased.
Mom gave him a withering look, but returned to looking around the den.
“How are her little ones?” Dad coughed into a hoof. “Sorry, how are her little one and her sister doing?”
“They are doing fine and growing up fast.” I watched as Mom stepped into the bathroom. “She’s wound up,” I whispered to Dad.
“We both are, to tell the truth,” he answered just as quiet.
The tea kettle whistled and I took it off the stove. “Is something wrong?”
“We’re not sure.” He gave me a serious look. “Something is troubling Satin.”
Mom stepped out of the bathroom.
“Did you find anything incriminating?” Dad asked. “Strands of mane that do not belong to him or anything of the sort?”
“Everything is clean. He is using the same shampoo and coat soap. There are no products I would associate with a mare staying for a long duration nor extra toothbrushes.”
To my surprise, her voice held a touch of disappointment.
“You could ask him his marefriend had been staying over,” Dad pointed out.
“That was not the intent of me looking. Now I know I need to provide him with a list of products that a mare would find welcome in a bathroom.” Mom looked at me. “You need to replace your hooftowel. It is all but threadbare.”
“I have another in reserve,” I assured her. “This cycle of use would be its last hurrah.”
As Mom moved into the guest bedroom, she told Dad and me, “Whatever you two are whispering about, it can wait till I am done making sure my colt is taking care of himself.”
“Yes, Dear,” Dad responded as I said, “Yes, Mom.”
I prepared the three cups of tea, as Dad asked, “Where has the young mare been staying?”
“She’s been staying at Rarity’s. Rarity was the one that invited Coco to Ponyville to help with the boutique while she was on a trip as a temporary job.”
Mom moved from the guest bedroom to the main bedroom.
I could feel Dad watching me. I put the tea kettle back on the stove and asked him, “How’s the analysis going?”
Dad flinched and looked away. “I’m sorry, Son.”
“Dad, it was a joke,” I assured him. “I know it’s in your nature and you don’t mean anything by it.” For the first time I could remember, Dad seemed small.
Dad waved my concern away. “I know you meant nothing by what you said. But I upset Satin the other day by trying to analyze her. It would seem I am still dealing with that.”
“What happened?”
A touch of guilt came to Dad’s face. “She asked that I stop, but I pressed on and went too far. I tried to act as ‘father’ in the workplace. Words were exchanged, and she asked me to leave her office. When I refused, she reminded me that while my skills and record with the company was excellent that nopony was irreplaceable.”
For a second, I did not believe what I was hearing. “You can’t be serious. She doesn’t have the authority to do that.”
“Since she holds most of the company’s shares now, she could have ordered it.” Dad took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead with a hoof. “As mad as she was, and what I could tell by her tone, she might have followed through had I pressed the matter.”
I sat down and tried to process what Dad had said. “She owns the majority of the stock now? When did that happen?”
Mom walked back into the kitchen, glanced at Dad and me, and then walked over and gave Dad a hug. “I take it you told him about what happened with Satin.”
Dad nodded and hugged her back. “I did.” His answer sounded hollow.
“When we planned this trip, beyond making sure you were doing well we wanted to ask your help with Satin.” Mom gave me an intense look. “Her daily patterns and routines have been off for weeks now. She is defensive and sharp with us and she has withdrawn to her office during work days.”
“That’s not her at all,” I agreed.
Dad kissed Mom’s temple. “Thank you, dear.” He turned his attention to me. “Satin will be forced to take time off soon, due to the company policy ensuring the use of vacation time. We want you to come see her, during that time, if possible.”
I shook my head. “I would try to help, but my breathing room is about to vanish again. There is a big event coming up that hasn’t been officially announced, but the word got out about it and I’ve gotten several orders for suits and requests for alterations already. As things go on, I’m sure it will only get worse.”
“What if we could convince her to come here?” Mom asked.
I flinched at the thought.
“I know you two are not on the best of terms right now.” Mom insisted: “She needs somepony to talk to who is away from and not connected to the company and who are not us. You are about the only pony who fits that description she might talk to.”
“The last time we saw each other, Satin and I yelled we didn’t talk.” I levitated Mom’s tea to her. “I’m not sure if she would come here or not, after what we said to each other.”
“If we can convince her to come, would you let her stay for a few days?” Dad asked. When I paused, he added, “We’re not sure what is going on, but we know she needs somepony to talk to.”
“She needs you,” Mom stated. “She will open up to you, when she won’t with us.”
I levitated Dad’s tea to him. After he took it in his magic, I closed my eyes and took a breath. “If you can get her to come, I’ll welcome her so long as she behaves. If she acts like she did last time, I’ll buy her a ticket on the next train to Canterlot.”
“Thank you, Son,” Dad said. “You will be helping her and us more than you know.”
“I’m glad I am, but I’m being not being altruistic. I have a selfish reason for agreeing to let her come.”
“What do you mean?” Mom asked.
“Despite the fight and the nastiness that built up between us, I still want my older sister back.” I gave them a hopeful smile. “Maybe this will help me do that.”
*****
Dad smirked as he watched me.
While still preparing the salad, Mom cut her eyes over to him. “Dear, behave. You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on the rolls and getting the silverware.”
“I am. I’m also keeping an eye on our son, who is getting antsier by the minute.”
“Dad, you’re enjoying this too much,” I commented, rinsing my hooves clean.
Dad moved to stand beside Mom and leaned his head against hers. “I knew your mother was special, when I felt butterflies before asking her out and before she met Father.”
Mom smiled and leaned against Dad. “Let us hope this goes as well.” She gave him a nudge. “You will behave for his and my sake.”
“Of course I will.” Dad glanced at Mom. “You’re sake?”
Mom nodded. “The possibility of being able to cuddle grandfoals increases with the amount of time they are together.”
Before I could respond, the guest bell rang.
“That would be her,” Dad said. He glanced at the kitchen’s clock. “She is a touch early.”
“She usually is,” I said. “I’ll let her in.”
The oven’s timer chimed. “I’ve got the rolls,” Dad said. “We’ll be right here.”
I left the kitchen, went down the stairs, and to the backdoor. I opened the door and smiled. “Good evening.”
Coco smiled back. “Good evening to you too.” Her eyes went to my bow tie. “Is that the one I made?”
“I thought since this was a special occasion for us I would wear it again as a luck charm.”
“I don’t think we will need luck,” Coco said.
“I don’t think so either.” I touched the bow tie with a hoof. “But just in case we need it, it’s right here.”
Coco took a breath and nodded. “I like that thought. Now that this is about to happen, I’m kind of nervous.”
“You shouldn’t be.” I gave her a kiss on the nose and a hug. “They will adore you, like I do.”
Coco gave me a return hug. After we held each other for few seconds, she patted my back. “Let’s go see them, before they think we ran off.”
“That’s still an option.”
Coco tapped my nose with a hoof. “Behave.”
I led Coco into the shop, up the stairs, and into the apartment. Before we entered the kitchen, I poked my head around the door frame and announced, “Mom, Dad, this is Miss Coco Pommel, my special somepony.”
Coco stepped into the kitchen and gave my parents a nervous wave. “Hello.”
“You were right, she is precious,” Mom said.
Coco blushed. “Thank you.”
“Coco, this is my Mom, Intense Study, and my Dad, Useful Insight.”
“Nice to meet you,” Coco said to them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” Dad said. “Please sit down; the lasagna will be out of the oven in a moment.” He gave Mom a kiss on the check. “You too. Pin and I will handle the rest.”
Coco sat down in front of Mom, while Dad and I prepared to serve the rolls and salads.
“Thank you for helping Pin,” Mom said to Coco. “He has a tendency to overwork himself. If you had not helped him with his backlog, we might have gotten a letter telling us he had passed out from pushing too hard.”
“You’re welcome, but I should be the one thanking Pin. He offered me a job when I needed one.”
Mom poured Coco a glass of wine. “I hope he has been a pleasant boss and pony to work with.”
While I continued to toss the salad, one of my ears swiveled towards their conversation.
Coco giggled. “He’s been wonderful. He’s never acted like my boss, to tell the truth.”
Mom, after selecting another wine, filled her own glass. “What do you mean?”
“Before he even hired me, he gave me a raise and he has either made lunch for us or bought me lunch pretty much every day.”
I could feel both Mom and Dad looking at me. I paused in my work and glanced at them. “What are you looking at me like that for?”
“So that’s what Berry meant when she said you had been treating Coco well,” Dad said.
“The initial contact draft had her pay too low,” I explained. “I couldn’t take advantage of her.”
The oven’s bell chimed.
“I’ve got it,” Dad said and took the lasagna out of the oven and placed it on a rack to cool.
“Providing lunches was part of the contract too?” Mom asked with a look that told she knew it did not.
“No, we came to that agreement later. I still felt I wasn’t compensating her enough for her work.” I moved the salad from the counter to the kitchen table. “To be honest, I still don’t feel like I’m doing right by her.”
Coco motioned for me get closer to her. When I did, she touched her nose to mine. “You’re doing right by me, I promise.”
“Dear, if you smile any more you’re going to strain something,” Dad teased Mom.
“I’m glad he appreciates her, and I am glad to see what Berry said is true. Her training is sinking in with him.”
Coco turned her head and gave Mom a concerned smile. “You talked to Berry today?”
Mom lifted her wine glass and nodded in a small salute. “Her insights and recommendations have never been wrong.”
“It was good to see her and Barrel,” Dad said, as he sat down beside Mom. “I’m glad we got to see the girls too.”
“Has our son been giving you any issues that your training could not improve?” Mom asked Coco. “We could give advice on how to correct his behavior.”
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise at her words. Without looking at her, I could sense that Coco was having a similar reaction.
“Dear, you’re making them both uncomfortable,” Dad said.
“I promised Berry that I would do what I could to make sure they were not having troubles.” While I do not think Pin would give her any serious issues, it is best to address such things now. It would break my heart if something were to come up later that tears them apart we could have discussed and headed off now.”
“It’s okay Dad,” I assured. “I like being ‘trained’ by Coco.” I glanced at Coco out of the corner of my eye and caught her blushing. “It brings us closer together. I agree with Mom that I’m more likely to give our relationship troubles.”
Coco snorted. “The only thing wrong with Pin is that he is too cautious and reserved.” Coco gave me a look. “He’s been much more affectionate and free with his words, but sometimes getting details about what he does and likes outside running the store is like trying to catch smoke with my hooves.”
“I would suggest a tit for tat,” Dad said. “Study and I have always tried to make even swaps with each other, when discussing things such as this.” Dad looked to me. “What would you like from her in return, for you to open up about your interests outside the shop?”
I did not have to think long about my answer. “I want her to teach me more about the theater,” I said. “She lights up when she talks about it. I want to learn about the aspects of costuming and the stories she likes best so I can enjoy them with her.”
“I would be glad to!” Coco said. She poked me in the shoulder with a hoof. “Since we're going tit for tat, and you’ve agreed to the training, is there is anything you would like me to improve?”
While I shook my head, one of my ears betrayed me by folding sideways. “You’re wonderful as you are.”
Coco looked to my ear and raised an eyebrow. “There is a part of you that doesn’t agree.”
I flicked the offending ear, trying to get it to behave. I scolded it, “Traitorous thing, get back where you’re supposed to be.”
“Pin.”
Coco’s tone, when she said my name, made me stop my joking and look at her.
“Please, if there is something wrong, tell me,” she said, looking me in the eye. “I’ll do my best to work with you the way you have worked with me.”
“There is nothing ‘wrong’, but I would like you to value yourself as much I value you,” I told her. “You’re a talented professional, and a wonderful pony. I know Suri didn’t treat you well and didn’t pay you near what you deserve. I don’t want to do anything like she did to you and I don’t want you to ever let anypony else to do that to you either.”
Coco’s ears folded back, and she blushed and ducked her head. “This is about me not taking commission for the new designs isn’t it?”
“In part it is, but it’s more than that too.” I smiled at Coco. “When you slip into your noble lady persona, you radiate confidence and surety. I would like to see that part of you surface a little more, when you are negotiating business contracts and judging yourself.”
“If you’ll help,” Coco said, “I’ll do my best.”
“I know you can do it.” I gave Coco’s cheek a soft nuzzle. “That alluring and powerful mare is part of you. All we have to do is figure out how to coax her to come out for you when you need her.”
“Hot items incoming,” Dad warned as he levitated the lasagna and the rack it was on, along with the rolls, over to the table.
“No, dear,” Mom said to him. “The hot items are across the table.”
“We’re warming up, but we’re not ‘hot’ yet,” I told her.
Coco gave Mom a suffering smile. “We’ve only gone on four ‘official’ dates, where our friends weren’t involved. They seem to have a sense for when we’re planning things.”
“A pity,” Mom said. “That means that my wait for grandfoals will be longer than I had hoped.”
“Dear, it’s too early to be talking about such a thing,” Dad chided. “They have not faced a challenge to their relationship, that would test its durability either. We do not want their first challenge to be having a foal and all that entails for their sakes and the foal’s.”
“Satin could be their first challenge,” Mom said.
“She was ours, so it’s fitting,” Dad said.
While I tried to keep my face impassive, Dad must have caught an emotional tell.
“We love your sister, as we did then, but parenting and rearing a foal is a demanding process.” He sighed. “Your mother and I spent hours debating what was ‘best’ for Satin. Which school she would attend, what we would teacher ourselves, what foods she would eat, anything and everything concerning Satin became points of contention.”
“I can see that,” I said. “You two have such different approaches to things.”
“We tried to be the best parents we could. We did all we could for Satin.” Mom looked towards the table top, seeming reflective and regretful. “We did too much and pushed too hard, I am afraid.”
Dad put a foreleg around Mom’s shoulder. “Satin is a strong, driven mare, who is quite successful.”
“She is also under constant stress, tense, and has little, if any, life or joy outside the company.” Mom pointed a hoof at me. “He wasn’t around us near as much, and I can still see some of the negative impacts my influence had on him.”
“You’re giving yourself too much credit,” Dad told her, gaining him an irritated look from Mom. “We both had a hoof in their growing up, including giving them perfectionist tendencies in their genes. We did our best with Satin, learned, and then tried a different approach with Pin. That’s all we could have done.”
I got up from my seat, went around the table, and wrapped Mom and Dad in a hug. Mom accepted the hug and leaned into me. Dad stiffened, and I could tell the contact bothered him.
“You were both wonderful parents. I never doubted I was loved and you had my best interests at heart.”
“You are Nana’s and your Grandfather’s child more than mine,” Mom said, sounding like she would cry.
I let go of Dad and gave Mom a full hug. “How much did you see Satin day to day, Mom?”
Mom sniffed. “Truth be told, after she got out of the foal stage, not that many hours during most days with her school, our work, and life keeping us apart so much.”
“It’s the same for most ponies,” Coco said. “I lived with my parents, but, once we were older, between school and them having to travel for work, my brother and I didn’t get to see them that much.”
Mom gave me a loving squeeze. “We tried to do what was right. I hope you know that.”
“I do, and you did. I had two loving homes and got to learn from you and Dad and from Grandfather and Nana. There aren’t that many colts who are as lucky as I was.”
Coco fidgeted as if she wanted to say something.
Dad gave her a supportive look. “Please, say what you would like.”
“Pin has always described you both as good parents and said you always put his well-being first,” Coco told Mom. “Pin is a disciplined, intelligent stallion who has a huge heart. If you had not been good parents, he wouldn’t have turned out to be the pony he is.”
Mom sniffed again, and tears ran down her face. “I am sorry. My worrying about Satin has had me reflecting on all kinds of things and asking what ifs.”
Coco looked to me and then to Dad as if to ask permission for something.
Dad gave her a measuring look, while I smiled and motioned for her to come closer.
Coco, with timid steps, moved to the other side of the table.
I realized what Coco’s aim was, released Mom, and gave them space.
Coco reached out, and Mom accepted the offered hug. “Thank you.” Mom sniffed again. “I am sorry for the waterworks. This is not the first meeting I had envisioned.”
“It’s fine.” Coco said, and let Mom tuck her closer. “I hate you’re feeling this worried. I’m sure whatever is happening with Satin can be worked through.”
Dad sighed. “I believe so, but she can be headstrong and shut others out when she feels threatened. Whatever has her bothered, it must have touched something deep for her to shut us out and act as she has. That’s one reason we made the trip, to ask for Pin’s help.”
“They asked me if I would help Satin,” I explained to Coco. “I’ve agreed that if they can get her to come, I would do what I could to help her and them.”
Coco game me a worried look. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but wouldn’t her coming here make it worse? You two aren’t even speaking.”
“That is a recent development,” Dad said. “Pin was Satin’s ‘bigger brother’ and everything he accomplished she took pride in.” Dad looked to the lasagna. “Before we dive into that topic, let’s dive into dinner, while it’s still warm. Getting something in Study’s stomach will help her feel better too.”
Coco let go of Mom. “That sounds good.”
“First though...” Dad moved over and hugged Mom. “Dear, you were an excellent mother and have been the best partner in business and life I could have ever dreamed of. Don’t let anypony, including that doubtful voice in your head, make you think than you are anything less than one of the best mares Equestria has ever seen.”
Mom gave Dad a tender smile. “Thank you, Love.”
Dad gave Mom a kiss with enough behind it she blushed.
Dad broke the kiss and gave Mom a lecherous smile. “Remember, I am always available to make that doubtful little voice disappear.”
“Behave yourself,” Mom half scolded him.
“I’ll serve,” I offered, trying to draw attention back to our dinner.
I cut the lasagna into equal portions. I paused, trying to remember the proper protocol.
“Serve Miss Coco first,” Mom instructed. “We may be long distance guests and your parents, but special someponies come first.”
“It gives us a moment to enjoy the smell too,” Dad said and took in a breath through his nose.
I put Coco’s serving on her plate.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome.”
“Speaking of wonderful smells, what brand of shampoo do you use?” Mom asked Coco. “That mint fragrance is wonderful.”
As I put Mom’s portion on her plate, I did my best to keep a straight face and maintain control of the spatula.
Dad chuckled. “Be careful, young lady. Mint is one of Pin’s favorites. He might try to take a nibble or two, if you don’t watch him.”
I blushed as Coco let out a half restrained giggle and blushed herself.
Mother’s eyebrow rose and Dad gave a deep belly laugh.
“I take it he has tried already,” Mom deadpanned.
“There has been nibbling, after I was encouraged to,” I admitted. “I haven’t left any marks, I promise. Rarity can vouch for that.”
Mom put her hoof to her forehead. “Nibbling afflicts yet another generation of this family’s stallions,” she bemoaned.
“I’ve nibbled Pin too,” Coco confessed.
Mom looked to Coco in surprise.
“She didn’t leave any marks I know of.” I gave Coco a smile. “I don’t think I would have minded, though, had she.”
Dad’s laughter got louder as Coco’s blush went to her ears.
Mom sighed. “At least it improves the chances of grandfoals.”