Cookies N Creme sat by Nightfall's bed, he was laid up with a broken leg because of his being lazy and using a broken ladder after being warned about it.
The school Heart's & Hooves Day father+daughter dance was occurring during the school's normal dance. Earlier that day CiCi had been harassed by her bullies about not having a father figure who wanted her and even tried to kill her off. Unable to at the moment couldn't bring up the fact that her mother's special somepony was filling in the father role quite nicely. For being only twelve, she could tell when a stallion who had been dating her mother was just there for the ride and only wanted her mother for her slim figure. Nightfall was different, he when he first met her had casually swiped a hay fry from her. Snickering at the memory she noticed him stirring, "Heya old pony, mother warned you not to use that ladder!"
"Show some respect for the old injured pony now."
"Sheesh!" she replied before whipping up an air horn and set off in his face. He flipped over the railing of the bed and at the feet of the now entering Red Velvet followed by his family. "Now we're even now old pony."
"Even for what?" Nightfall asked, feigning confusion.
"My birthday wake up call two weeks ago, silly." Nightfall soon got his lecture of "I told you so" from Red Velvet. Nightfall during the short speech was making funny faces and CiCi snickering slid a pillow to her mother who in turn smacked Nightfall. The nurse on shift followed by Redheart rolled their eyes as Nightfall was being pummeled by fluffy clubs.
Week Before the Dance
Red Velvet had been asked to chaperone the dance along with a few other parents. CiCi sat in the living room doing her homework. She felt down when no pony asked her to the dance. Arctic Frost & Morning Dawn were over for a visit and suggested that she should go with that son of Lenova and Flytrap. The lad was the same age and he got named Dell like the computer brand.
A couple of days past and Dell showed up and nervously asked CiCi to be his date. Dell wasn't popular at school, but at least he was known to be a gentle colt like his family had taught him to be. News came that Nightfall was released and was swearing that he'd take CiCi to be at the dance in the place that Crimson should've been in. Based on private conversations CiCi learned that Nightfall had something special planned out………..cast and all. CiCi walked the halls of her school, Dell followed her and at first he only asked because he was told to do so; however, he actually developed a crush on Cookies N Creme. During the lunch period Dell asked a painful question and regretted it.
"So………..CiCi, I'm kinda……….um curious why I hadn't met your dad yet?"
"I'll tell ya, if you end up wanting another date I don't blame you. My father, Crimson Trace had invited a young and naive Red Velvet to a frat party and mom got a bit drunk and a bit stoned with some drug that pervs use and a few months later she learns that she's pregnant and her foggy memory recalls that Crimson had abused her. Crimson backs out of all responsibility and now my mother works and studies and tries her best to raise my stubborn and crazy personality. Funny thing is, at her school she met a great stallion and he's a bat pony. His name is Nightfall and he's been coming to my Buckball games, my Scooter competitions, and he's also doing everything that Crimson should be doing………..I mean this dude is paying child support for a bastard daughter of his own antagonist and he's treating me like his own! Fory birthday, he decided to scare me awake with an air horn! It was kinda cute but I got even when he was in the hospital with a broken leg………..I beat the guy with a pillow while mom lectures him about obeying instructions. The loony guy just made funny faces for five minutes straight."
"Cool dude, he's related to Knuckles who is the older brother of my mom Lenova and his friend Flytrap. Bat ponies age and mature faster than normal poneis. I know we aren't supposed to gamble etc, but let's bet five bits that next week that Nightfall asks your mom to marry him! "
" Make it ten!"
The Dance
Red Velvet was chaperoning and at the same time had to work the kitchen and she was a sweaty mess! Glancing through the kitchen window she saw Dell and her daughter dancing and sneak in a small little kiss on the cheek. Turning her head she saw Nightfall coming in and grinning, and followed by his whole family (even a grumbling Nurse Redheart - the latter saying that Nightfall needed more rest for his leg). Nightfall snuck in behind CiCi and could be heard asking if he could cut in. The families joined up and watched the fathers and daughters have a massive dance off.
"At least Velv" Red hand Red Velvet's dad said at the same time, "at least he can use his wings". Nightfall had inherited a bat pony gene so it gave him an advantage.
SHOWDOWN
Crimson showed up at the interlude and CiCi was being hassled by a couple of bullies and Dell had trotted off to get his date some punch.
"Hey punk! Why the hell did you even show up? Your dad ain't here, we heard he hated your ass."
Meanwhile
"Crimson Trace! You know I got a restraining order against you after you tried to kill CiCi a few months ago! I'm surprised you had the balls to show here, you've done nothing for the daughter you shot into my body!"
"You knew what you were doing, so don't blame me!"
"You drugged my drinks and got me drunk and violated me! Nightfall has been more of a father to our daughter than you!
"Crimson get out of here!"
"Make me Nightfall! You're in no shape to fight."
"You're right, I'm not but they are." Nightfall motioned to the opening door as i9a well known pegasus walked in, followed by her two sisters. Spitfire and Morning Blaze bristled the third sister Hurricane Blitz circled like hawks then Crimson was staring into the eyes of an ancient bat pony general of legends, Knuckles grandfather Almandine.
"Shining Armor, Big Mac drag this piece of dung out of here……….for all I care the girls (Almandine was referring to Snowflake Obsidian, Firebrand and Star Shadow) can beat him up and then you boys throw him into the river." Crimson was dragged out screaming and swearing.
<A few minutes after the fiasco and all eyes turned to the center of the room>
"As I told you Lead-Weight, Crimson may be my dad by blood, but I claim Nightfall as my dad by his actions. I'm sure you heard how Crimson tried to kill me? If any pony asks to meet my dad" Cookies N Creme paused as she looked at Nightfall, "He's right there with my mother, that crazy pony next to my mom. Even though our first few meetings were rough, he still stuck around. Most stallions who dated my mom just wanted something to insert themselves into. If they met me they were gone. Nightfall sticking around has proven that he can't cook, but can still have fun. So dad……….go on ask." CiCi looked expectantly when she saw Redheart and a few others nudge Nightfall.
Proposal
"Red Velvet, I know this time of year is cliché, and also you have bad memories on this holiday as well. I'd like to help you make new memories. Will you marry me?" Nightfall presented an exquisite ring. Red Velvet screamed and tackled him, forgetting about his broken leg until he yelped from pain. Looking toward CiCi who ran up and hugged the both of them, Dell looked at a pony who handed him 20 bits. Nightfall then hoofed CiCi an official looking Manila envelope used for legal documents. Cici screamed and a few small glass punch glasses shattered. In her hooves was a document, a certificate of adoption signed and sealed by Celestia and Luna and officially stamped by Twilight Sparkle.
Nightfall smirked as he leaned into hug his fiancé and adopted daughter, "Remember CiCi……………I expect you to clean up your room occasionally."
CiCi recoiled and stuck out her tongue, Dell was laughing; Red Velvet and Cookies N Creme had no idea that they were becoming members of an insane family.