One afternoon at Spike and Twilight's apartment, Spike was alone in the building but had company. He was standing before a two year old baby who was sitting on the couch. The baby had pink and red colored hair, turquoise colored eyes, and was wearing a little sky blue colored dress. Spike was kneeling before her while holding up a dish towel to his face before lowering it, "Peek-a-boo!" he said playing the game and making the baby giggle. He continued doing it making the girl giggle, until Spike felt he was being watched. He looked back seeing Puck standing by the door way.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked.
"Puck!" Spike jumped in surprise, "How long have you been there?"
"Eleven minutes." he answered, as the baby saw Puck and tilted her head in confusion.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Spike asked feeling embarrassed.
"Well your show was getting good." Puck chuckled.
"Well you're a terrific audience," Spike replied sarcastically. He noticed the baby was reaching for him. He smiled and spoke, "Ok, come here." he picked her up.
Puck walked over to them, "So who's the kid?"
"This is Gwyneira, or Neira as I call her," Spike explained, "She's the daughter of my older brother Shining and his wife Cadence. They asked me and Twilight to watch her for a bit. It's my shift right now because she likes me the most."
Puck looked at Neira, "Well she's a cute one," he admitted as he tickled her chin making her giggle, "Any reason why she's so fond of you?"
"Honestly I have no clue," Spike admitted, "We're not exactly related by blood either."
"What do you mean?"
"Neira's actually adopted like I am," Spike explained, "From what Shining told me, Neira's parents couldn't take care of her."
"Any reason?" Puck wondered.
"Details were not given," Spike replied as Neira held his finger, "But yeah we both share a bond of being adopted."
Puck tickled the baby's chin again, "Well like I said she's a real sweetie."
"Yeah," Spike nodded and spoke to the baby, "Neira, this is your Uncle Puck," Neira tilted her head at Puck before smiling at him, "See she's liking you already."
"Well I like her too." Puck admitted.
"Hey you wanna see another show? Check this. Neira loves it when I do this." Spike said as he handed her off to Puck and went behind another couch. Suddenly he held a white pony plush up on top of the couch and performed a puppet show with Spike making it seem like the pony plush was singing.
When he finished Neira giggled happily as Puck chuckled, "Not bad there." he admitted, as Spike came out form behind the couch and went over to the two.
"Told ya she loved it." Spike reminded him as Neira spoke.
"Spike. Foo-foo."
The two looked at each other, as Spike answered, "Sounds like someone's a hungry girl."
"Well it is lunch time." Puck checked the time.
Spike then checked the baby bag, "Good thing Shining and Cadence left me their supplies."
"Well you get the stuff ready." Puck said as he sat her in a high chair.
Spike looked through the bag, "Ah here we are." he pulled out some of her baby food. He went over to Neira was Puck was at her side, "Ready for lunch?" he asked the girl.
Neira responded by banging on her tray, "Foo-foo!" she demanded.
"I know. I know." Spike chuckled in amusement.
"Better feed her now." Puck suggested.
"Right." Spike agreed. So Spike began feeding her, but she was acting a little stubborn, "Come on Neira, it's good. Let me show you." he tried aiming it for Puck who saw what he was attempting.
"Hey man, get that away from me." he leaned his head back.
"What's that?" Spike asked in shock.
"Where?" Puck asked, only for Spike to shove the spoon into Pucks mouth.
Puck scowled at Spike's trick, as his friend smiled amusingly at him, "Smile. The baby's watching you," Puck put on a forced smile while trying to ignore the taste in his mouth, "Now she's waiting for her Uncle Puck to swallow."
Puck frowned and took the risk and swallowed it while cringing, "That's stuff's terrible."
"He means it in a good way." Spike told Neira.
At that moment the girls came in, "Hey Spike, we're back." Twilight said as they saw Puck at the kitchen sink sticking his head in it, while drinking the running water.
The girls watched in awkward silence, until Pinkie broke it, "Maybe he's thirsty."
Spike who was next to Neira spoke, "Don't mind him he just sampled some baby food."
"Do we even wanna know?" A.J asked him.
"Foo-foo!" Neira cheered as Twilight giggled as she got it.
Puck brought his head out from the sink and spoke to Spike, "That was vile, man. You owe me big for this!"
"Fine next time you pop in when I'm watching Neira and it's feeding time I'll be the taster." Spike promised, as Rainbow held him close.
"You better hope that never happens."
Twilight spoke as she took the food from Spike, "Let me take over," she spoke to the baby, "Here you go, Neira." she fed her as Puck spoke.
"Keep that stuff away from me!"
"Well remember you used to eat that stuff when you were a baby." Fluttershy reminded him.
"Yeah a baby. Not a man!"
"Oh don't be so melodramatic, Puck." Rarity replied.
"Like you never are?" A.J teased her.
"I'll pretend you didn't say that," Rarity rolled her eyes. Neira looked around at everyone, as they crowded her, "Oh Neira, as always you're an absolute darling." she tickled her chin, as she giggled.
"Such a cutie!" Pinkie beamed.
"That she is." Spike nodded in agreement.
"Well good now that you girls are here Spike's relieved of his duties." Puck said.
Neira looked at Spike, while he looked back knowing how she'd always look dismal whenever he'd leave, " Don't worry Neira, I'll be back." Neira still whimpered.
Puck looked to the girls, "Does she do this every time?"
"Yeah." Rainbow nodded.
"Hang on," Twilight said as she got something out. She spoke to Neira who was about to start crying, "Neira, look here," Neira looked seeing Twilight was holding a purple dragon plush, "See it's your little friend," Neira reached for her toy, as Twilight moved it around her like it was dancing, "Ok Spike, you can go."
"Come on, Puck. Let's bounce." Spike said as he grabbed his hoody.
"Right behind ya." Puck answered as they left.
When Neira became aware of Spike leaving Twilight noticed her face was watering up again, "Oh boy, here it comes," Neira's eyes started getting bigger before she burst into a bawl. The girls covered their ears, as Twilight picked her up, trying to calm her down, "There-there. Spike's not gone forever."
"He'll be back." Fluttershy promised.
"He always does." Pinkie added.
Neira whimpered as Rarity spoke to her, "Spike would never leave you or any of us forever. That's not like him." Neira feeling relieved smiled.
Meanwhile out in the city, Spike and Puck were outside a 7/11 having a slurpee and a big bag of chips each, "Oh this is good." Spike said as he took a sip of his slurpee.
"I hear ya," Puck agreed as he ate a chip from his bag, "So Spike, Valentines Day is coming up."
"Yeah, so?" Spike asked.
"So do you plan on asking Rarity?" Puck inquired.
Spike realized, "Of course. Now that I'm a high school student, asking Rarity now won't make it look so awkward."
"So you'll ask her?" Puck asked.
"Yeah. Now that I know I have the chance. Besides she said she loved me at Christmas time."
"True." Puck admitted.
"What about you, Puck, you gonna ask somebody?" Spike asked.
"Oh yeah. I'm asking Silverspoon."
"Silverspoon?!" Spike asked in shock, "She's Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo's arch enemy. Second only to Diamond Tiara."
"True, but I got a feeling she's only like that because she hangs around Diamond Tiara," Puck replied, "If I can get her to ditch the Queen Bee of freshmen, I can open her up to a whole new lifestyle."
"You honestly think you can do that?" Spike asked.
"Hey if anyone can do it, it's me." Puck answered.
"Well good luck with that." Spike replied as he continued to drink his slurpee.
Later the two went their separate ways, as Spike headed back to his place. He entered the building and walked in seeing Twilight and the girls lying around looking exhausted, while Neira was sitting on the couch looking excited, "Fun!" she cheered.
"What happened?" Spike asked the girls.
"She's crazy." Rainbow panted.
"But cute." Pinkie added.
"She's all yours, Spike." Twilight panted.
Spike chuckled, and looked at the girl, "I'm back, Neira."
"Spike!" Neira cheered.
"Hmm, if my calculations are correct," Spike began as he checked his watch, "I think it's about time for someone to take a walk."
"Yay, walk!" Neira clapped.
"Let me get your stroller." Spike said as he went to get it. Soon Spike put her in her stroller and wheeled her out.
Later Spike was wheeling Neira around, as they passed Canterlot High, "See, Neira? That's Uncle Spike's school," he pointed to the building. Neira cooed as he continued, "I got a reputation going there already. I'm a hip hop dancer," Neira tilted her head in confusion, "Well you'll know what that is when you're older." Neira clapped, until the two saw Vinyl approach.
"Well hey there, Spike." she greeted him.
"Hey, Vinyl. What's up?"
"Not much," she admitted before seeing the baby, "And who's this little cutie?" Neira giggled and smiled.
"This is Neira, my little niece. I'm just taking her for a stroll." Spike explained.
"So this must be yours and Twilight's older brother's daughter?" Vinyle realzied.
"Correct," he answered, "You seem surprised.
"It's just I've seen what your brother and sister-in-law look like, but she looks nothing like them." she noted.
"That's because she's adopted. Cadence wasn't exactly ready to go through the joys of childbirth." he used air quotes.
"Well I won't blame her for that." Vinyl replied knowing all the stories of how painful it is.
"So what're you up to?" Spike asked the disc jockey girl.
"Just walking. You'd think there'd be something exciting being a weekend and such." she answered.
"I know what ya mean. For me I have babysitting for today," Spike admitted as Neira cooed at Vinyl, "You know I think she likes you."
"Really?" Vinyl asked.
"Yeah. Neira grew to like Puck after all." Spike stated.
Neira held her dragon toy and swung it around a bit. She suddenly lost grip and it flew out of her hand, only for Vinyl to catch it, "Here ya go." she gave it back.
Neira hugged it and smiled, "See, what'd I tell ya?" Spike asked as the two students smiled.
Suddenly Neira heard the sound of an ice cream truck and babbled the word. Spike hearing her smiled, "Looks like it's a snack break."
"Mind if I join you two?" Vinyl asked hopefully.
"Not at all." Spike answered as Neira clapped signaling he wanted her to join.
Soon the three got their ice cream and went to a bench. Vinyl looked at Neira and smirked as she removed her sunglasses, "Here Neira, try these on." she placed them over her eyes which was a bit big for her head.
Spike and Vinyl chuckled, as Spike spoke, "You look good."
So the three started eating their ice cream, with Neira eating one on a stick, while Spike and Vinyl each had a cone, "Man this is delicious." Spike said as he licked his.
"I'll say," Vinyl agreed, "So how're things going with you outside the club?"
"Well now that winter's almost coming to an end I can get back to Parkour training with Rainbow Dash," Spike began, "I've really been missing doing that."
"I admit ever since you trained in that, you look like you've been getting fitter." Vinyl admitted.
"How would know how fit I've gotten?" Spike asked with a blush, while thinking she'd spy on him when he wasn't wearing a shirt around his house.
"Just a guess." Vinyl answered.
"Oh," Spike answered as he felt a bit more relaxed but still blushed at the possibility of her spying on him when he wouldn't be wearing a shirt. He continued to eat until Vinyl looked at him and chuckled. Spike looked at her in confusion before asking, "What's so funny?"
"You got ice cream on your face." she giggled.
"Well this is embarrassing." Spike said sheepishly as he reached for a napkin, only for Vinyl to stop him.
"Here let me help you," she began as she placed her hands on his face making him go red in the face. She leaned in closer, and to Spike's surprise, she licked the ice cream off his face, "There you go. You're all cleaned up."
Spike blushed in shock while Neira looked with an agape jaw, "Vinyl, you just..."
"What? That's the best way to get ice cream off, besides it'd be a waste if you just wiped it off with a napkin. Plus is still tasted good."
"Well glad you liked it." Spike answered as his left hand trembled at her action.
Soon they finished their ice cream, as Vinyl checked her watch, "Oh man. I gotta run Spike. Thanks for letting me join you in a snack."
"No problem, Vinyl." Spike answered.
"Bye, Neira." Vinyl bid her a farewell after taking her sunglasses back.
"Bye-bye." Neira waved as the disc jockey left.
Spike looked at Neira, "Do you think she likes me?" Neira shrugged, "Yeah I wonder too. Well what say we head home?" Neira clapped.
Soon Spike brought Neira back home where Twilight and the girls were kicking back, while watching the music channel, "Hey Spike, welcome back." Twilight greeted him.
"Did you and Neira enjoy your walk?" Fluttershy asked hopefully.
"We sure did." Spike admitted.
"We got ice cream." Neira clapped.
"You did?" Rarity gasped, "Why Spike so generous in buying ice cream for little Neira."
"I'm a nice guy." he admitted.
"The best." Applejack admitted.
"Oh girls." Spike chuckled sheepishly at their compliments.
Two hours later, there was a knock at the door. Twilight went to open it and saw her brother Shining Armor and sister-in-law Cadence in the entry way. Shining Armor was taller than Twilight, and had cerulean colored eyes, and his hair was a combination of cerulean, sapphire, and dark phthalo. His attire included red sneakers, gray pants, and a black t-shirt with the symbol of a blue shield with a pink star in it at the bottom side of his shirt. Cadence had light purple eyes, and her hair was a mix of violet, rose, and pale gold. Her attire included pink knee high boots with black soles, a blue skirt, a white shirt with a blue horizontal stripe in the center with the image of a teal colored crystal heart with golden lacing on it, and in her hair was a blue bow, "Shining Armor, Cadence!"
"Hey Twily." Shining greeted his younger sister.
"And how was your date?" Twilight asked with a smirk.
"Spectacular." Cadence answered with a smile.
Spike who walked into the living room with Neira saw the two, and Neira cheered, "Mommy! Daddy! Mommy! Daddy!"
"Hey ya little rascal." Shining said as she ruffled her daughters head.
"Have you been good for Uncle Spike and Aunt Twilight?" Cadence asked.
"Yup." she nodded.
"Good girl." Cadence kissed her forehead.
"Hey thanks again for looking after Neira, guys." Shining thanked his younger sibs.
"No problem at all." Twilight replied.
"Yeah. We know how much she loves spending time with us." Spike added.
"Especially you, Spike." Cadence teased.
"Well we gotta get going. Say goodbye, Neira." Shining told her.
"Bye-bye." she waved.
So the three left as Spike and Twilight walked to the couch, "What a day, huh?" Spike asked his sister.
"Yeah. What a day." Twilight agreed as the two plopped onto the couch looking exhausted.