"Did you like your present? I made sure to get a blue one. I know that's your favorite."
I remember giggling. A tree with bright lights on it. Something smooth and round held in my forelegs. A voice that surrounded me.
"You're very welcome. Now come here, sweetie. Give your mother a kiss and a hug."
It drops from my embrace. Something warm and fuzzy takes their place. I feel like I'm melting into it.
"I love you so very much, my dear! You are the most wonderful thing a mother could ever ask for."
My ears tingle as the beautiful voice flows in and echoes in my head. I want to look up, but it feels so good to hold my face against the warm surface.
A hollow sensation appears in my chest. I take a deep breath and shatter the silence. There's a long pause, followed by a deep sigh. The voice returns.
"No, I'm... I'm sorry. Daddy can't come home yet."
My teeth sink into my lips. I try to hold the flood back, but that just makes it hurt even more.
"Don't cry! Remember what I told you? He's keeping the Princess safe."
The words dig up the rest of the speech in my mind before I have to hear it again. Though I know it by heart, it never seems to soften the impact.
"The darkness came. It tried to hurt Her, but... but Daddy did his job, and She was saved."
I see pegasi clad in golden armor as they race toward the sky. I see the Sun falling down to meet them. They follow Her trail and dip below the horizon as they make way for the night.
"She is so proud of him. We all are. He's a hero... our great hero..."
I press my face deeper into the embrace. I want those strong limbs to hold me. I want to hear and feel that strong beat. I want it to give strength to my own heart.
"Don't worry... he'll be home soon."
I feel the caress on my head and back. A warm breath on my hide. The forelegs holding me more tightly.
It hurts too much. I pull away and stare at the ground. I don't want it to hurt. Not tonight.
"Hold me, Smooth Song! Please... lend me some of your warmth!"
But the hollow ache returns. It eats me from the inside out. It feels even worse than being smothered like before. At least then I didn't feel so lonely.
I throw myself between the waiting hooves once more. The lovely voice caresses my ears again.
"Hearts filled with love
Our angels above
So blessed and true..."