“Daddy!” Derpy dropped her plate and galloped to the door, nearly knocking her father off his hooves. “You made it!”
“I would ha been ‘ere sooner but t’engine broke in Canterlot an there wasn’t owt ta do but fly t’rest of t’way. These auld wings aren’t as strong as they used ta be.”
“Oh, you should have sent a telegram, I could have flown out to meet you or sent a cab to get you.”
“Nay, I’ll be aright. Day I ride a cab to ma daughter’s house is t’day they send me offn a cloud.” He nuzzled up against her head. “Fillies and colts, they allus want good snow for Hearth’s Warming and we’re reight busy, but it allus fills my heart with joy ta see them playin’ outside, I couldn’t be disappointin’ them.”
“You gotta relax, your wings must be so tired. Eat a cookie, that’ll get your strength up. And have some wine, it’s elderflower, Berry made it. It’ll warm you up inside.”
He picked up a cookie and started nibbling on it, then set it down on the counter. “Are your tykes ‘ome?”
“Of course, everypony’s here, we hosted at my house this year because I was hoping you’d come.” The two of them started walking out of the kitchen; the two of them both saw Dinky kiss Lily; the two of them both stopped in their tracks.
“So I was right,” Derpy muttered. “Good for her.”
“Who’s ‘er fillyfriend?”
“Lily Longsocks, they go to school together.” Derpy giggled. “She’s afraid of what I might think, so she’s been trying to pretend they’re just classmates. Her and Sparkler spent the night on the couch, I think she’s afraid of how I might feel about them.”
“What you done already, and she’s got doubts? Nobbut a fool would think owt.”
“I’ve never told her.” Derpy pressed a hoof against her father’s lips. “And I never will. There’s no need to burden her with that, not today, not ever. She’s happy and that’s all I care about, that’s all I’ve ever cared about.”
“Aye, t’would be rude t’interrupt them. Mayhap I’ll ‘ave a glass of elderflower wine after all.”