I looked at the page, letting out a sigh.
“Thus, another century passes.”
I sat back in my chair, thinking about how far I’d gotten. Nine centuries down, a little less than two to go. It was hard to believe I was getting close to the end of my history book. It had taken ten years so far, but I was confident the more recent history would be the easier portion.
“Daddy! Daddy! I see Mommy coming!”
I turned around from my desk and smiled.
“I think Mommy is coming home tomorrow. Maybe it’s your Aunt Sweetie?”
“No! I’m sure it’s her! I’m positive!”
I watched the young filly stare out the window. She was getting big. Or maybe that was her cutie mark making her look older.
Rarity and I hadn’t wasted time on our honeymoon. Her business was beginning to grow, but she knew that she wanted to be a mother. With me semi-retired it worked out perfectly to be the stay-at-home Dad. Before we knew it, Sapphire Lily was born. She’d been a perfect angel.Well...for the most part. She'd inherited Rarity’s need for dramatics, much to my chagrin. Now I lived with two drama queens.
“Mommy!”
I walked over to Lily and looked out the window. My smile grew at the pleasant surprise. It was Rarity! She waved to both of us and hurried to the door. Lily jumped on her as soon as the door opened.
“Mommy!”
Rarity started laughing.
“Hello sweetheart! I missed you!”
She put her saddlebag down and turned to me.
“Surprised?”
I leaned over and kissed her.
“Of course. We didn’t expect you back until tomorrow.”
“I caught an early train thanks to Capper!”
“How is the old feline?”
“He’s doing very well. He can’t wait to get my shop up and running there in the capital. I’ve been using him as my model down there.”
I chuckled.
“Should I worry about that?”
I turned to Lily.
“Honey, I think your mother wants to leave me for a cat.”
Lily looked curious.
“Is it a fluffy one?”
My smile disappeared as Rarity began laughing. I shook my head in mock anger.
“I have a right mind to ground you.”
I turned back to Rarity.
“The Abyssinians are going to love your work.”
She leaned forward and kissed me.
“Thank you. That’s the hope.”
I glanced past her and smiled.
“I think somepony is curious.”
She turned around to find Lily halfway into her saddlebag.
“Lily! What are you looking for darling?”
Lily emerged with a sad frown.
“Did you bring me anything?”
Rarity sighed, shaking her head.
“I’m sorry dearest. Not this time. But I promise I’ll get you something from Abyssinia when I go next.”
I looked over at a scroll on the kitchen table.
“It seems they want you back soon. That came for you yesterday. I doubt Capper thought it would get here before you.”
Rarity summoned the scroll and read it over.
“He’s convinced them to open three shops! I can’t believe it!”
I smiled and pulled her into a hug.
“Congratulations.”
Her smile slowly disappeared as she kept reading.
“The Abyssinians will need help learning how to reproduce my designs. And they’ll want input on the layout of the shops.”
She looked up from the scroll.
“I’d be away for two or three months.”
My smile disappeared and and we stared at each other for a few seconds. I nodded slowly.
“You have to do it.”
Her eyes widened.
“I couldn’t! I’m already away several days a month as it is! But three whole months?! I don’t think I could be without either of you for that long.”
Lily threw her hooves around Rarity’s neck.
“Don’t go Mommy. You just got home.”
Rarity brushed Lily’s mane with her hoof.
“Shhh. It’s alright. I’m not going anywhere.”
I looked at the scroll and considered the options.
“They probably wouldn’t get your designs exact, would they?”
Rarity shook her head.
“And it was already going to be a hassle opening the one shop. But Capper can try to handle it, I suppose.”
I shook my head.
“You won’t be happy with it unless you’re there.”
“But I can’t!”
She hoisted Lily up, holding her in a hug.
“I couldn’t possibly be away for so long without this little angel.”
I saw Lily’s grip tighten around her mother’s neck. A sigh escaped me as I looked at the two of them. My gaze traveled over to my desk, papers and books covering it.
“You know...my work can wait a few months. I need to spend some time in the present for once.”
Rarity shook her head.
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You don’t have to.”
“But...what about Lily’s schooling?”
I chuckled.
“All this traveling has thrown you off.”
I walked around her until I was in front of Lily.
“Sweetie, can you tell Mommy what started a few days ago?”
She raised her eyes out of Rarity enough to see me.
“Summer vacation.”
Rarity’s face lit up.
“Really? That’s exciting for you!”
Lily nodded, keeping hold of her mother. I brushed her mane out of her face.
“I know Mommy didn’t bring you anything, but what about this? We go with her on a big vacation!”
Her face lit up.
“Really?!”
I looked at Rarity.
“Well...if your mother is up for the adventure.”
Rarity smiled, tears welling up.
“That would be wonderful!”
I pulled them into a hug. Lily separated from Rarity enough to grab on to me. We stood there in that embrace for a minute until Rarity sniffed the air.
“Is something burning?”
I broke out of the hug.
“Son of a- The dinner!”
I ran into the kitchen, opening the oven. Smoke came billowing out, making me hack.
“Damn! I thought I had the timer set!”
I turned around. Rarity was covering Lily’s ears and frowning at me. I flashed a sheepish grin.
“Sorry.”
I set the pan on the counter, looking at the remains of dinner. I looked back at my two girls.
“So, who wants to eat out?”
Lily raised her hoof. Rarity rolled her eyes and smiled.
“One of these days, your father is going to burn the house down.”
Lily looked at me and shook her head.
“Please don’t.”
I smiled.
“I promise I won’t. Now why don’t you wash up so we can go find some food?”
Lily raced off to the bathroom. I walked to Rarity and pulled her close.
“I definitely couldn’t be without you for three months.”
I leaned in and kissed her for several seconds. I heard her sigh as she leaned into it.
“Are you guys going to stop being gross?”
We broke apart and looked at Lily. She was standing by the door, itching to go.
Rarity and I shared a look and started laughing. I waved to Lily.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
I let them walk out first as I looked around our home. We’d lived a comfortable ten years here. A smile crossed my face at the thought of leaving, even if it were only temporary.
“I could go for another adventure.”
My ears perked up as Rarity called me from outside. I stepped out and shut the door, hurrying to catch up to my family.