Epilogue
“…and that, my little filly, is the story of how I asked your mother to marry me.”
“That was a good story, Daddy,” said Colton's daughter, looking up at him with her magenta eyes. “Did it help you feel better?”
He stroked her purple mane with a hoof and nuzzled her light yellow cheek. “A little bit, Flora. I’m still a bit anxious, but it got me to stop from pacing a groove into the floor.”
The filly grinned. “It worked, Aunt Berry, just like you sai--oh.” She realized Berry had fallen asleep in a nearby chair.
Colton chuckled. Suddenly the door burst open and Carrot bounded into the room saying, “Am I too late? Did I miss anything?”
“Nope,” said Colton. “Nothing yet.”
“Auntie Carrot!” squealed Flora, running up and hugging her leg.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Carrot hugged her back. “Are you excited?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Did Seyval make it yet?”
Colton shook his head. “No, his letter said that he and Lilly would be coming back from their honeymoon today, but they aren’t here yet.”
“What about Blues and Bluenote?”
“They couldn’t make it down from Canterlot. They’re performing a concert tonight at the Grand Canterlot Music Hall.”
Over in the corner, Berry stirred and got up.
“Good morning Aunt Berry,” said Flora. “Although, actually it’s the late afternoon.”
“Hello, Flora.”
“How is Ruby doing?” asked Carrot.
“I just got a letter from her today, actually. She says that she and Dinky are learning a lot at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. They really enjoy their classes and they’re learning a lot.”
The group chatted for the next half hour. The door opened again and Rose stepped in.
“Hey everypony,” she greeted. “Look who I found outside.” She stepped through the door and was followed by Seyval and Lilly. Greetings and hugs were had all around as everypony welcomed the newlyweds home.
About a half hour later, Colton’s mother showed up with Daisy’s parents. The group talked and talked, passing the time while they were waiting for the thing they were all here to see.
They didn’t have to wait very long, though. Soon the double doors opposite the entrance to the waiting room opened, revealing Nurse Redheart.
“Mr. Vines,” she called out.
Colton stepped forward. He had only been this anxious at one other time in his life.
“Is Daisy alright?” he asked.
Nurse Redheart smiled. “Yes, she’s fine. I’ve already explained everything to her. She wished to tell you herself. We can’t have all of you back there at once, but a few of you can go back at a time. You can go in and see her first. It’s the third door on the right.”
“Thank you.” Colton walked through the double doors and down the hall. He arrived at the door and opened it. Daisy was sitting up in the hospital bed. Her mane was a mess and she was covered in sweat. She smiled at him.
“Hello, darling,” she said.
He smiled back at her and went over to the bed. He gave her a hug and kissed her.
“Where is everypony else?” she asked.
“Nurse Redheart only let me back here.”
“Well you can tell her that I’m fine and I’m going to pitch a fit if I don’t have my entire family here with me to hear the news. Go bring the others, they all need to hear this at once.”
Colton left the room and returned with the entire group, much to the objection of Nurse Redheart. They all gathered around the bed and Colton lifted Flora up onto it. Daisy hugged her daughter and stroked her mane as she was updated on why certain family members were absent. They heard a knock at the door and Nurse Redheart peeked in.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“Yes, we are,” Daisy replied.
Nurse Redheart pushed in a crib with a small bundle wrapped in a blanket in it. Colton reached in and took it out, cradling it in his front legs.
“My dear friends and family,” Daisy announced. “I would like you to meet our son.”
Colton pulled the blankets away a little to reveal the newborn for everyone to see. He had a green coat the same color as his mother’s hair and what little of a mane he had was the same color as his father’s. The little foal yawned widely and opened his eyes to look up at his father. His bright fiery golden eyes made Colton’s heart melt. When he had found out Daisy was pregnant, he couldn’t imagine being able to divide his love between two foals. Now, as he looked into his son’s eyes for the first time, he felt his love for his children multiplying.
“Awwwwww,” said every voice in the entire room. Unfortunately, the sudden expression of admiration for the adorable little fellow startled him and he began to cry.
“Oh, hey,” Colton cooed to the baby, “shh, it’s okay, little guy.” He began slowly rocking his son back and forth. “They’re all just happy to see you.”
Noticing his efforts weren’t working, Colton cleared his throat and began to sing softly to the foal.
Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed.
The little foal began to quiet down.
“Can I sing to him too, Daddy?”
“Go ahead, sweetheart.”
Flora cleared her throat and her and her father softly sang the next verse
Drift, drift off to sleep, an exciting day behind you
Drift, drift off to sleep, let the joy of dreamland find you
Hush now, quiet now, and lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed.
While they sang his eyes started to close. By the time they were done he was fast asleep. Colton placed him in Daisy’s arms and she held her son for the first time. She looked up at her husband with tears of joy in her eyes.
The group stayed and visited for a little while and then began to trickle out. Colton’s mother left last to take a now sleeping Flora home. Daisy handed the baby to Colton and Colton put him in the crib next to the bed. Daisy scooted over in the bed and motioned for Colton to lie down. He got in next to her and pulled her close.
“He’s beautiful, Daisy,” he said as they stared at their son.
“Yes he is,” she agreed. “You know, he still needs a name.”
“I know. Did you have anything in mind?”
“How about Colton Vines the Fourth?”
Colton cringed. “I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong, I was always proud of being named after my dad, but I think three generations of that name is enough.”
“Well, then what should we name him?”
They both thought for a while.
“Did you see his eyes?” asked Colton.
Daisy smiled. “Mmm-hmmm. My mother is going to spoil him rotten when he looks at her with those golden eyes.”
“My mom will too,” he chuckled. “Anyway, I went to the library last week to get some ideas and I remember one that meant ‘golden.’”
“What is it?”
“Aurelius.”
“Aurelius,” Daisy repeated. She mouthed it a few times, trying it out. “I like it.”
“I do too.”
They looked over at their golden-eyed little boy and watched him sleep. After a while, Colton noticed Daisy’s breath become steady and even as she slept.
Colton smiled. “Happy Birthday, Aurelius. Welcome to the world, son.”
A/N:
Thank you all for reading my very first fanfiction. I hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. There are some parts that I am more proud of than others, but I think that it turned out pretty good and I’m proud to call it mine.
I would like to give a special shout out to the following people:
--My brother, who read the first few chapters for me.
--My cousin, who read most of it, pointing out mistakes, and then listened when I read parts to her, helping me to catch several more mistakes. I would also like to thank her for the idea of Ditzy crashing the picnic. If she hadn’t come up with that, I probably would have had a random freak thunderstorm come and ruin it, which would not have worked as well.
--You, the wonderful readers, for tolerating my two week gaps between updates, for commenting on and rating my work (please do so if you haven’t already, I enjoy hearing from you), for writing your own stories that I read and enjoy and pick up writing tips from, and for just being awesome.