//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 - Mental Health Day // Story: Instant Mom // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// The next day, Gregory woke up in his new bedroom, and feeling a little bit better, but still exhausted. As he went to the kitchen, he saw a note on the table and read it. “Dear Gregory, I’m sorry for leaving you here by yourself, but Tia and I thought you could a mental health day like I mentioned before, and probably get you some time to recover from your abuse. We left you $210.00 in cash on the counter for you if you need something to help yourself. In the meantime, why don’t you make yourself at home and we’ll see you soon after we go out for a nice stroll and lunch? - Vice-Principal Luna PS: We’ve left Maisie with a babysitter so we’ll pick her up before we come home.” Gregory then decided to make himself at home like the letter said, and made himself a bowl of cereal for breakfast. When he was done, Gregory went upstairs to get a shower so he can get cleaned up, and refresh himself from last night. He then got dressed into a clean pair of clothes and then saw how worn out his clothes were, including the dirtiness and small torn holes on his pants and shirts, so he decided to see if he can find a boutique or a dry cleaners in town, and maybe do something special for Celestia and Luna for their gratitude on giving him and Maisie shelter rather than leaving them with their abusive father, but he and Maisie miss their mother, even if she can take care of herself or not. After he was ready, Gregory took the money from that table, which were $210.00 in cash, and then went downtown to get some fresh air. While walking downtown, he suddenly saw one familiar place he recognized a few months ago. It was the Carousel Boutique, where people ask for new clothes or just need a repair on their clothes. He then went inside the building and looked around to see a few mannequins with dresses, suits and casual clothes on display, and a few choices. “Uhh… hello? Anyone home?” he asked. “I’m coming!” a voice sang in reply. Suddenly, appearing in front of him was a beautiful girl with moderate indigo hair done up in elegantly beautiful curls, light blue eyeshadows, and beautiful blue eyes. Her outfit was a light blue shirt sleeve dress bejeweled with purple gems that opened up like a flower's petal at the bottom, a purple slim fit skirt that hugged her thighs, a purple belt on her waist with three blue gems decorated at the front of a larger gem, gold bracelets on her wrists, and a pair of purple high-heels encrusted with sapphire blue gems. “Hey… I know you. You’re Rarity, from CHS!” Gregory replied. “Yes! I can’t believe you recognized me! And you must be Gregory Bryant,” Rarity replied, before holding her hands against her chest. “It’s such an acquaintance to meet you, darling.” “Thanks. By the way, are you busy today?” Gregory asked. “No, why? Whatever do you need?” Rarity asked with her hands on her hips. “I was wondering if you could fix these holes and probably do something about the stains? Every time I wash them, which I do, they uhh… don’t come off,” Gregory replied, showing Rarity his clothes, until she went around him and took his measurements. “How about if I also make you some new ones also, after I deal with the poor outfits?” Gregory nodded, and then thought of something, “Is it okay if I come back later to get them, while I go and get some lunch?” “Yes, you may, darling,” Rarity said elegantly, and then Gregory left the boutique to get some lunch as Rarity then took care of his clothes and got started on his new ones as his measurements were written down, and then went through her choices of fabrics, and got started. After he had lunch, Gregory went back to the boutique to pick up his clothes. “Oh, hello there again, darling. Are you here to pick up your outfits?” Rarity asked. “I sure am. So, how did it go?” Gregory replied before asking. “Well, I took some time on my hands and managed to make sure they were all cleaned and fixed, so that they’d look just like new brands of clothing for teenage boys! And I also thought about giving you a wardrobe upgrade, so here, have a look!” Rarity replied, showing Gregory his new clothes, and some new jackets, including the ones he had since he and Maisie moved with Celestia and Luna. “Oh, by the way. Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna dropped these off as well, because they’ve also told me about a little girl you might know.” Rarity then showed him Maisie’s clothes, as they also looked brand new, but were clean and fixed, along with extra new ones. “You mean my little sister, Maisie?” Gregory asked. “SHE’S YOUR SISTER?! HOW OLD IS SHE?!” Rarity asked excitedly. “She’s 5,” Gregory replied. “Aww… how adorable!” Rarity cooed remembering seeing Maisie with the two principals. “And there are the clothes for her baby in that bag.” “Cool. Thanks again, Rarity,” Gregory said, as he shook her hand and then he received a shake back from her. “You’re very welcome, darling. Now take care,” Rarity replied, before he left the boutique. “And I also did this for free, darling. It’s on the house for anyone living with our beloved principal.” Gregory nodded and then left the boutique to move on with his day. “Wow, she seemed really generous,” he said to himself out loud but quietly. An idea suddenly came into his head, and since he had enough cash, he went somewhere he never been to before. Later on, he arrived at the Canterlot Animal Shelter, as it was shaped like a house that belonged to someone. As he walked towards the front door, he knocked on the door, and waited for someone to answer it. Until suddenly, what answered the door was a girl with creamy yellow skin, overflowing pale rose pink hair with a butterfly hair clip, and what she wore was her outfit for the shelter when she volunteers. Her name was Fluttershy. “Fluttershy? Oh, right! You own this place, and you care for the animals so much! I can’t believe I forgot about how much this means to you! I am so sorry!” Gregory said. Fluttershy giggled, “Don’t worry. It’s alright that you forgot, but that was very sweet of you about what you said. So, what brings you here, Gregory Bryant?” “Well, I was wondering if you could help me find a pet I could get for Principal Celestia and her baby to play with since she’s still pregnant,” Gregory said. “And possibly me since me and my sister Maisie are now living with her and Vice-Principal Luna.” “Oh dear,” Fluttershy said. “Well, I’m sure we’ve got plenty of options. Why don’t you follow me and I’ll show you?” Gregory nodded and followed Fluttershy to the rooms where all the pets were. Inside, there were hamsters, guinea pigs, lizards, fish, birds, cats and dogs. Most of the birds flew around the room, the cats were staring or just being themselves, and some of the dogs were barking. “Go ahead and take your pick,” Fluttershy said, and then Gregory walked around the dog kennels to pick out a breed, but he suddenly saw one that interested him, a male Bernese Mountain dog. “Wow… he looks really special, huh?” Fluttershy giggled, and then she decided to let the dog out, so he can meet his new owner, until it started licking Gregory’s face. “Aww… you’re a frisky big fella, huh?” “His name is Clifford,” Fluttershy said. “Well, don’t worry. You’re about to be in a whole new future waiting for you,” Gregory said, and then looked at Fluttershy. “I’ll take him, and some supplies as well.” He then took out the cash and showed it to her, until she accepted the offer. After paying for the dog and supplies, including dog bowls, toys, and a bed and crate, Gregory then saw Clifford with a red leash around his new collar, and then he looked at Fluttershy one more time before leaving. “Thanks again, Fluttershy. I promise I’ll give Clifford a better life,” he said, until she hugged him. “You’re welcome, Gregory. I know you will. Have a good day now,” she replied, and then Gregory left with his bags and dog supplies in tow, along with Clifford. Later on, Celestia and Luna, along with Maisie being held in Luna’s arms and against her hip walked inside the house, and saw it clean as a whistle. “Gregory! We’re back!” Celestia called out. “Oh! Hey there!” Gregory said. “GREGGY!” Maisie said running over to him for a hug, and then he held her up against his hip and then hugged her. “How was the babysitter?” he asked. “She’s so much fun, and we played games together!” Maisie said. “Awesome!” Gregory said. “Oh, by the way. Ms. Celestia?” “Yes, dear?” Celestia asked. “I have a little surprise for you and your sister. Consider it a token of our gratitude,” Gregory said. “Go ahead, sweetheart,” Celestia said, and then Gregory looked back and whistled with his fingers, until they saw Clifford come into the room barking. “Ms. Celestia, Ms. Luna, meet Clifford, your new household dog!” Celestia then lowered herself down and carefully spread her knees down and then gave the dog some pets, “Aww… you’re such an sweet dog! Yes you are! Yes you are!” She then kissed Clifford on the forehead, and then stood back up. “Thank you so much, Gregory. But how did you get him?” Luna asked. “After I got lunch downtown and stopped at Rarity’s boutique, which I did but to meet her and ask her for some repairs on Maisie’s clothes and mine, I went to Fluttershy’s animal shelter to surprise you both with a dog so that we can play with him, and maybe train him, but also get a chance to meet the baby,” Gregory said. “Aww, you’re so sweet,” Celestia said, until she gave him a warm hug, and Gregory felt the warmth of her body soothe him. “Thank you for this. I promise we’ll all take good care of Clifford.” She then kissed Gregory on the top of his head and then went to the living room, so Luna can get dinner started, which was spaghetti and meatballs. Clifford then went to Celestia and laid on her lap and next to her belly to comfort her unborn son, until she felt a kick and rubbed it. Clifford then saw Maisie next to her and then she petted him. “I guess he likes you too,” Gregory said, as he saw Clifford on Celestia’s lap. “It looks like he does,” she replied, comforting the dog and rubbing her belly. She then knew things were still going to be okay.