It had been only a couple of days since Lasso lost his parents to Opaline's callous ways. All in all, he did feel at home, since he was now living with Izzy who had now become his legal guardian. However, he had one secret he did not want to reveal to her: him calling her his mom. The reason for that was because even though she was only his guardian, to him, she was a second mother to him. Even better for Lasso, he had already made new friends to be around, all thanks to Izzy. However, he could feel that his new friends were already feeling like a family to him.
He saw something in them that made them feel like family, and that's what he was wanting to reveal, but had to wait until the right moment to do so. Anyway, it was morning, and Lasso had just woken up from a good night's sleep. He and Izzy were returning to Maretime Bay today to catch up on Sunny and the others. Even better, Lasso had developed a liking for Sunny's smoothies, due to their strong fruit taste and flavor. And there was a new flavor created he had never gotten to try, even though others already had, it was none other than "The Alicorn Special".
The little unicorn colt was tranced by the sudden smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen. He used his magic to levitate a brush, did his main, put on his bandana, and walked towards the kitchen door. Inside was Izzy cooking a scrumptious breakfast for both of them, she turned to see him enter and greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning cowcolt, did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Sure did Izzy, Ah'm lookin' forward to another day with Sunny." he stated with as much joy. However, Izzy could sense that the joy in him was not that joyous.
"Lasso, is there something wrong?" she asked, but Lasso shook his head. Diving into the breakfast she had made for him.
"Come on sweetheart, you know you can tell me anything." she said. After swallowing the chewed food down, he decided to talk.
"Well remember when Ah' told Opaline that you and yer' friends were mah' family?"
"Yes, we all heard you say that."
"Well, what if it really is true?" he asked, biting more of his breakfast, Izzy put a hoof on his back and gave a comforting smile.
"Lasso, you know that well enough. No matter what happens, me, Sunny, and the others are always here for you. That's the true meaning of family, we stick together, we work together, we protect each other. I taught you that already, and so did your parents."
Lasso showed a real smile now and gave his legal guardian a big hug, Izzy returned it.
"Now eat up, we have a big day ahead of us." she stated, Lasso went back to eating his breakfast. After nearly 15 minutes, his plate was emptied, and he could not have felt more happier to eat. Once he had brushed his teeth, he and Izzy were finally able to depart for Maretime Bay, where Sunny and the others were meeting. Lasso was still feeling excited, since he was eager to try the new smoothie flavor.
Lasso climbed onto Izzy's back as she closed and locked the front door. As they strolled through the streets of Bridlewood, Lasso had something to say to her, so he tapped her neck with his hoof.
"What is it sweetie?" she asked, stopping dead center.
Now Lasso had a big question to ask her, but because he was in fear of being able to hear her reject it, he made up a non-important question.
"What are we going to do in Maretime Bay?" he asked, while successfully hiding the real question.
"Well, like I told you last night, we are going to have a smoothie with Sunny. Besides, you have been begging her to try the alicorn special. Then you will be with her for the rest of the day."
Lasso was stunned, "Why!?!"
"Because sweetie, I have to go speak with somepony there about sales on your old home. Not to mention moving your furniture from your old room somewhere. But until we can find a company to do that part, you will be sleeping and snuggling with me on the sectional." Izzy stated, "In the meantime, let's just concentrate on what I have to do and what you have to do."
It was rather the typical distance of their walk, but they still managed to make it into the edge of Maretime Bay. Izzy let Lasso off her back so that he could walk. It was appearing to be just another ordinary day, ponies of different races had come for meeting with friends, or work. Izzy and Lasso soon found themselves in the middle of the city, where the big businesses resided. Now it would not be long before they could find Sunny's smoothie trailer, even though she owned a shop.
It was not even opening time yet for Sunny, despite some businesses turning lights on. Her smoothie trailer hours were from 10 AM to 6 PM, and it was only 9:30. However, due to increased wages and popularity of her drinks, she decided to open up earlier than expected. Sunny was at the side of her trailer, keys in hoof, and undid the locks. Right as soon as she undid the locks, she was interrupted by hoofsteps clopping behind her.
Sunny soon turned to see none other than Izzy and Lasso, whom she was very interested to be with. After all, Lasso was going to be her assistant smoothie maker today, and needed all the help she could get. Not to even mention the fact that he was good at making things, especially hats. As for Lasso, he was still a bit worried, since he had never dealt with customer service or food making.
On the other hand, he was rather happy since he was going to know Sunny more through this. Anyway, Sunny gave a warm smile to both of them.
"Morning Izzy, hey Lasso." she stated.
"Good morning." Izzy said.
"Hey Sunny, Izzy told me Ah'm supposed to help ya' today."
"That's right."
"Do Ah' still get to try the new alicorn special you created?"
Sunny and Izzy giggled, "Little dude, of course you're going to try it, but not until this afternoon."
"Why?"
"Because we are going to have a moderate customer line up soon. So, in the meantime, I just need you to concentrate on helping me in my trailer today. But I promise, you will get an alicorn special, okay?" Sunny said, rubbing Lasso's main with her hoof.
"Got it." Lasso obeyed.
Izzy felt that it was time for her to take care of the money and property business now. So, she focused in and knelt down to Lasso, leaning into his face.
"Well, I have to go take care of my business now cowcolt. You listen to Sunny, do as she tells you to, and don't give her any trouble or pout about it, are we clear?"
"Yes Mo-Ah' mean Izzy." Lasso said, correcting himself. Sunny and Izzy soon looked at each other in confusion. What was he really about to call Izzy?
But it was quickly brushed off as Izzy kissed him goodbye, then departed. Lasso watched her leave the area, then vanish into the massive crowds of Maretime Bay. His focus was cut off quickly, for he felt a hoof on his shoulder. Lasso looked up to see Sunny staring at him with a comforting smile.
"I know it's going to be tough being away from her for the day. But at least it's going to turn out right for you two." She informed; Lasso returned the smile.
"Ah' know Sunny."
"Well, what do you say we get started on setting up everything?"
"Okay." Lasso stated, still in confusion over what he what he nearly called Izzy. Sunny opened the side door to her smoothie trailer and went inside, Lasso following her.
"Now, the first thing I do is I manage to get everything set up and ready. I need you to open up the drawers there, and take out all the cups, then put them on top of the stool."
Lasso did what she told him and put all the cups and lids on one side of the stool, then put the straws on the other side. The next thing they did was set up the blender to make the drinks, lastly, they opened the container that stored all the fruits. Once everything was in place and ready to go, Sunny unlocked the window frame and lifted it up, revealing the friendly greeting of the first few customers.
"Good morning Maretime Bay, Sunny's Smoothies is now open."
In no time, the first pony approached the front, it was a male green earth pony.
"And what flavor might I make for you today good sir?"
"I'll have a pear-nana strawberry smoothie, medium please." he said.
"Coming right up sir, my assistant here will get that ready for you."
The earth pony was quickly confused, "You have an assistant?"
"Yeah, he's just helping out today." Sunny answered, pointing to Lasso behind her. The earth pony quickly saw him gathering pearnanas and strawberries up to the blender.
"Wait, isn't that the colt who helped you win the battle against Opaline and got our magic back?" he asked in surprise, Sunny nodded her head with her eyes closed.
"Why is he here helping you?"
"Well Izzy Moonbow has just taken guardianship of him. But she had to come here and take care of inheritance forms, plus property appraisers of his old home. So, I told her I would watch him for today while she takes care of all of that."
"I see." said the earth pony, looking impressed at his work. "He sure does work hard for a lad his age."
"He loves to work, he helped Izzy with jewelry making, plus he makes hats."
The earth pony was even more impressed but took his attention to see Lasso handing him the smoothie he ordered.
"Here ya' go sir." he stated.
"Thanks kid." the earth pony responded, "I'm rather impressed at how you work."
"Thank you." Lasso said with a saddened smile. The earth pony then left the trailer, while Sunny waited for the next customer to show up. While she waited, she turned to Lasso who was gathering fruits.
"Lasso?"
"Yes Sunny?"
"Why do you look so down, you should be feeling great." Sunny quoted.
Lasso soon thought about what happened earlier, then finally spoke up.
"Well Sunny, ever since Izzy and Ah' met, she's been like a second mother to me. Up until now, she's just been mah' friend and I appreciate it from her."
Sunny put a hoof on his side, "Go on."
"Well, it's only been a couple of days since everything happened. And now that she's mah' guardian, she's raisin' me herself, Ah' almost called her mom because that's what she is to me. Ah' want to call her mah' mom, but not only am Ah' afraid of tellin' her that, but somethin' else too."
"What would that be?"
"The only thing ah' had to family were just mah' parents, till now. Ah' never had any other family, no grandparents, no aunts or uncles, brothers, or sisters. Ah' feel like Ah'm an orphan, even though Ah' live with Izzy now. All Ah' really want is a real family, and Izzy to be mah' second mom."
"But you said that we were your family when you and I defeated Opaline. How can you say that, even though you mentioned it?"
"Because Ah' don't really know if Ah' can accept what Ah' can get from Izzy, or the rest of y'all." Lasso said sadly. But Sunny had his back in knowing it.
"I'm pretty sure Izzy wouldn't mind you calling her mom. She loves you too much to where you could call her that."
"Really?" Lasso asked, starting to show some joy, Sunny petted his head.
"I'm sure, and she'll inform you positively. Plus, you will get a family from a few ponies that love you too."
"Thanks Sunny." Lasso said, giving her a big hug, Sunny returned it. Then they both resumed working, just as the next pony showed up, who turned out to be none other than Posey.