//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Let's Adopt // by tgb089 //------------------------------// Night Specs returned the next day to the Children’s Services Agency. An agency that focuses on the well-being and protection of minors, whether it was crime-related, home problems, or adoption. While Equestria was a peaceful and friendly place to live, there’s always a shadow where the light shines. Night Specs was standing in front of her superior and going over her investigation. “I have concluded that the married couple, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are appropriate to be parents and be allowed to be adopt a child.” Her superior nodded and said, “I expected nothing less from those two.” “Then why do I have to inspect and interview them? They’re heroes.” “We always have to do the process, no matter who they are. Besides you got to stay in a hero’s home and ate their cooking. That’s a bonus.” “Well, you’re not wrong.” Night Specs smiled. “Now, it’s also your duty to oversee the adoption and consultation. Take a break while the receptionist scheduled the two for the orphanage visit.” “Yes, sir!” *** Applejack and Rainbow Dash were laying down on their bed next to each other. The moon was high in the sky and yet both mares had not yet slumber. “Are you awake?” Applejack asked. “Yeah. Can’t sleep. You?” “Me neither. I can’t believe tomorrow is the day. Or today.” Applejack chuckled. “Are you excited?” Applejack fidgeted and squirmed a bit. “I feel all sorts of feelings in my belly sugar.” Rainbow Dash moved closer to her partner for their bodies to touch. “Let’s get some sleep okay. We don’t want the kids to see two mares with bags under their eyes and bed head.” “You’re right.” Applejack snuggled up close to Rainbow Dash. They both closed their eyes and breathed steadily. … “Are you awake?” “Please go to sleep.” *** Night Spec stood before the wooden gate of The Celestia’s Canterlot Orphanage. Not the most creative name but with the former princess's name tagged on, it holds a certain kind of prestige and protection. It was the only orphanage in all of Equestria. When a child loses their parents, their relatives will take them in. But, in cases where children had no other relatives, the abandoned, with horrible home lives, or even the run-away. Children from all kinds of circumstances and backgrounds were sent here. This orphanage was created for those minors who had nowhere to go, to be taken care of, and hope to be taken in by a loving family. Night Spec looked up the golden signs of that name longingly. “Howdy Night Specs. Sorry that we’re running late.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash had finally shown up, it was almost a half an hour till one. “You’re not late at all.” Night Specs gave her best smile. “The headmare is waiting in her office for us.” The married couple nodded and followed Night Specs inside passed the gates inside. There was a big lawn between the gate and actual building. This whole area belonged to the orphanage surrounded by walls, a little away from residential area. It was like an untouched area, secluded in its own bubble from the rest of Canterlot. “The place looks… How should I say this...” Rainbow Dash looked around the orphanage. It was extravagant. There’s a playground, a small pool, and a fountain. The building was well maintained, the lawn mowed, and nothing seemed out of place. Night Specs nodded and understood what Rainbow Dash was trying to say. “Former Princess Celestia and now Princess Twilight had always set aside enough funding whatever this orphanage might need it. The orphanage tried to make the best environment for the children.“ Once they get inside, they walked down a hallway and it was quiet. Rainbow Dash and Applejack had expected the sounds of children. “Where are the kids Miss Specs?” Applejack asked. “It’s noon, so they should be having lunch in the cafeteria. Which is in another building.” Night Specs continued leading down to the headmare’s office. Night Specs knocked on the double doors and said, “I brought a wonderful couple today, Miss Bush Berry.” “Come in! Come in!” An elderly voice shouted from within. All three visitors came inside and there was a green unicorn mare wearing a wine color scarf around her neck. There were two seats in front of an ordinary wooden desk. Applejack and Rainbow Dash took a seat in front of the headmare and Night Specs standing beside the headmare. The headmare, Bush Berry, smiled and observed the mares in front her for a moment. “Welcome to Celestia’s Canterlot Orphanage. I’m always pleased to have ponies to be new parents looking for adoption.” Bush Berry pulled a sheet a paper and put on glasses. “A few things to note. Not every child in our little corner of Canterlot wants to get adopted.” “Why not?” Rainbow Dash asked. She assumed that any and every orphan would love to have a family. “Some had considered this place as home, other children their siblings, me and other caretaker as surrogate parents. Especially towards who been here longer like Night Specs here.” The married mares looked at Night Specs in surprised. Night Specs turned her away from them and said towards Bush Berry, “Too personal Miss Bush Berry.” Bush Berry chuckled and said, “Don’t be so embarrassed.” She continued, “That’s why we have these files of children who does want to get adopted.” She opened a draw from her desk and pulled 10 folders and placed them in a stack in front of the couple. “We have at least 30 children under our care and these are available to be adopted. Please take a look.” Both Rainbow Dash and Applejack moved closer to the front of the desk. They peered each file one by one. All ponies from all the three pony tribes. “Oh my. There’s a few babies among them,” Applejack noted. “Yes. It’s very sad. Very rare for leaving their infant in front of our doors.” “Wow, I don’t know who to pick.” Rainbow Dash was quite flustered. One of these orphans were going to have parents while the rest stay here. She held a paper about a male pegasus in her left hoof and a female unicorn infant in her other hoof. Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow. Bush Berry noticed both the mares were tensed. “I seen this before. New parents had a hard time picking and it weighs on their mind that others would be left behind. I assure you, you shouldn’t feel guilty.” “I just don’t know who to choose,” Rainbow Dash said. Bush Berry looked at the wall clock and lunch should be over. “I must apologize but I must teach my lessons. Night Specs please looked after these two.” “Ah, yes Miss Bush Berry.” “Ta-ta.” Rainbow Dash and Applejack sighed a relief. Having the headmare in front of them picking someone under her care had gave a certain kind of pressure and anxiety. Night Specs took Bush Berry’s seat and said, “Take your time. If you can’t decide today, we can schedule a future date.” “Its now or never,” Rainbow Dash said. She continued looking through the profiles over and over. A flier, Rainbow Dash had imagined her future child to take her mantle. But… “Applejack, you had wanted a kid in the beginning. Whoever you picked, I support you 100 percent.” “Nah sugar cube. I want to choose together.” Applejack placed each paper side by side on the desk. “Let’s count on 3 and we pick at the same time.” Night Specs raised an eyebrow. “Okay, let’s do it,” Rainbow Dash replied. Applejack starts the countdown, “Three.” “Two.” “One!” Both their hooves reached towards two different profiles. ”Oh,” both mares muttered. Night Specs's eyebrow twitched then smiled and said, “At least we’re down to two.” Rainbow Dash smirked and placed her hoof over Applejack’s. “This one is perfect.” Night Specs sighed and happy it ended with no argument. “Now let’s get through some additional paperwork but first… Congratulations.” *** Today's farm work and chores was done. Big Mac, Sugar Belle, and Apple Bloom was preparing dinner. "Oh Big Mac, do you think they will be okay?" Apple Bloom asked. "Eeyup." "I'm sure they will be okay. They will bring a beautiful son or daughter and we will support them all we can," Sugar Belle added. "Eeyup." The front door creaked and someone shouted, "We're home!" All three of them ran out of the kitchen and towards the front door. They saw Applejack coming inside while a foal in a blanket. Rainbow Dash came in behind with bags of baby goods. Applejack said to foal with a tear in her eye, "Welcome to the family."