Every End is a New Beginning
The sun greeted me through the window as I was stirred from my slumber. I yawned, much like I did that strange night over twenty three years ago. I laughed lightly at the sudden memory, rubbing the spot I had stabbed myself in an attempt to prove I was dreaming.
With a happy sigh, I climbed out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. I take a quick shower and brush my teeth. The smell of breakfast was already filling the house from Jynx's cooking. I want nothing more than to run down and start stuffing my face. Instead, though, I head down the hall and knock on the last door on the left.
“Come in, daddy!”
I open the door and see my little girl sitting on her bed, holding her little wolf plush in her fore-hooves, giving her room a slightly sad look. The room reflected its resident, the girly-ist tomboy you've ever see. The shelves against one wall held plushies and knives. Her pink painted walls had posters of Slate Gray, the action movie star, and an autographed one of Chaos Hammer, Scootaloo's band. Her weight set had stickers she printed off from my computer of G1 MLP.
“How's it going, Snow?” I asked. “You excited about today?”
“Kinda,” She replied. “It's weird thinking this was the last night I'm going to be spending in this room.”
“Yeah, I know,” I agree. “When Midnight moved out to Sweet Apple Acres, I was sad. When Razor went off to college, I was almost in tears. Now, though, my baby girl is moving out all on her own? It's just too surreal. My youngest cub is about to leave the den.”
Snow scoffed, “I wouldn't say I'm a cub. I'm mistaken for a unicorn-zebra at least twice a week at the club.”
“Yeah, but you're tiger at heart,” I countered. “Now come on. Your mother's making food.”
“Sweet! I'm starved!” my little girl exclaimed and jumped from her bed, running down stairs.
I chuckle as I follow, shaking my head. That kid is a strange one. I see so much of her mother's enthusiasm with my own love of random fun.
As I enter the kitchen, I greet my wife of twenty one years with a kiss on the cheek. “Morning babe.”
“I was wondering when you were going to wake up,” Jynx replied, teasingly.
“I was having wonderful dreams about you and your clone,” I poked back.
“Here's your plate,” she rolled her eyes as she levitated my food to my place at the table.
I take my seat, Snow already eating across from me, her fork enveloped in an amber glow. She definitely has more of her mother's magic than mine, unlike Razor. Jynx sat down beside me and we began eating. I take a bite of the breakfast sausage and moan in pleasure. I could never figure out how a pony could cook meat so good. Apparently, Snow agreed, as she had a similar expression on her face.
“I'm definitely going to be coming over for meals a lot,” my daughter said after she finished off her meat.
Jynx replies in a teasing tone, “Well, good. You better visit regularly. I don't want you to be like some of those other children that move out and never visit.”
I poke her playfully in the side. “Jynx, you know Midnight is busy with the orchard and foals. You wouldn't want him to neglect our grandchildren, would you?”
“No, I want him to bring our grandchildren,” came her reply. “How can I spoil them if I never see them.”
“You can spoil me,” I recommended.
“I do plenty of that,” Jynx returned. “You need more discipline.”
I grin. “Mmm, kinky.”
“Eww!” Snow exclaimed. “I don't want to hear that!”
“Hey, I can't help that I love your mother,” I said in my defense. “She the sexiest creature in existence.”
“Oh, right,” Jynx elbowed me. “Like this old mare can be sexy.”
I ran a paw through her mane. “The gray streaks in your mane, the wrinkles on your eyes from years of laughter, the hip that bothers you sometimes and gives me an excuse to carry you up the stairs. You're like a fine wine, only getting better with every year.”
“Aww,” Snow coo'd. “I want what you guys have. Why can't I find a guy that would talk to me like that?”
“Cause you date ponies,” I stated plainly.
Jynx raised an eyebrow at me, “And what, pray-tell, is wrong with ponies?”
“Nothing,” I said, “but no one in this family dates regular ponies. Your mom married a tiger from another world, your aunt married a dragony, your oldest brother married a dhampir, and your other brother is dating a changeling.”
Jynx stared at my in thought for a while before finally speaking, “Wow... I never realized that.”
“So...” Snow looked at me curiously, “I should keep an eye out for a werewolf, or minotaur?”
I laugh, “I'm just messing with you, sweetie. Well, I gotta go to work. I'll be back in time to walk you, Snow.”
“Have fun, honey/daddy,” the two mares said simultaneously.
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Work was as uninteresting as ever. Ponies came, ordered food, I cooked it, they ate it, rinse, repeat, profit. Midnight stopped in with Applebloom and the kids to get some lunch and catch up. He assured me he would be coming over to see Razor later when he arrived. Other than that, nothing happened.
After work, I started for home but met Snow half way. “Hey, princess. Anything happen while I was gone?”
“Mom knocked herself out again,” she said. “A wrench fell on her.”
“She okay?”
“It's mom.”
“Right.”
It was afternoon and the club was going to be opening soon. The Wub Shack was Ponyville's premier club, founded by Vinyl Scratch, now run by her and Octavia's son (magic, ain't it cool), Turn Table, aka DJ Col-7.
“Behave,” I said.
“I will, daddy. See you this evening.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Jynx and I cuddled on the couch, still catching our breath after an hour of hot, porn-tastic sex. Age didn't slow this kitty down, I'll tell you that. She snuggled up against me, purring in content.
Eventually, my love spoke. “You know, the one good thing about having the house to ourselves is we can do this, where ever and when ever.”
I smile down at her. I knew she was trying to convince herself that Snow leaving was a good thing for us as well, but I could tell it wasn't working. We fell into silence. The knowledge that this was going to be the norm made the silence oppressive.
I sighed and said, “How did we live like this before?”
“The quiet used to be nice, but I already miss the sound of rowdy foals,” she agreed. “You think Twilight can undo menopause?”
I laughed, “I think we're a little too old to be keeping up with foals anymore... though I know how you feel.”
“Razor will be here soon,” Jynx stated. “We better get cleaned up.”
I smile and nod, following her to the bathroom. As we step inside, I take a look in the mirror. The tiger looking back is so different from the one that used to occupy that space so many years ago. My stripes were fading, now a dark gray instead of black. The wrinkles along my eyes and mouth were becoming more prominent. My eyes were not as vibrant anymore.
I was old. There was no denying it. The story of my life had entered it's epilogue. That thought should have been saddening, but you know what?
Every story has to end...