//------------------------------// // Month Five: A Father's Woes // Story: Stand By You // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Now officially on break from her studies, Mist spent a lot more time at Blue's apartment. But it tended to be quite lonely there during the day, while Blue was off at work, so Mist still went down to the castle often, so she could relax and spend time with the royal side of her family. One morning, she was sitting in the garden with Constell, Miracle, Vito and Pureblood. "No offense Mist, but you are really getting big." Constell declared. "None taken." Mist shrugged. "I've almost forgotten what it was like to have a flat stomach." "Ooh, the foal's growing so fast!" Miracle squeed. "I hope it's a filly." "It better be a colt." Vito declared. "There's enough girls around here already..." "I don't really care what it is." Pureblood shrugged. "Just so long as we get a new playmate." "Whatever this little one turns out to be, I know it'll love you all." Mist smiled. "I can't wait!" Miracle grinned. "I'm gonna be aunt Miracle! Got a nice ring to it, huh?" "Sure does." Mist ruffled Miracle's mane. "Can I foalsit it someday?" Miracle asked. "Please?" "We'll see." Mist chuckled. At that point, one of the castle servants, an Earth Pony, walked over to them. "Lady Mist, you have a visitor." He declared. "A visitor?" Mist mused. "Blue's still at work, so it can't be him..." As Mist walked into the main hall, she was surprised and delighted to see Big Red standing before her. "Big Red!" She cheered, rushing over and hugging him. "How's mah girl?" Big Red hugged her back. "Hoo dawgies, look at you. Ah almost didn't recognize ya. Yer a reg'lar blimp!" "Red!" Mist pouted. "Cutest darn blimp Ah ever saw, though." Big Red chuckled. "Thanks." Mist grinned. "So, what brings you here?" "What, a stallion can't come an' visit his adoptive daughter?" Big Red shrugged. "Well, it would have been nice if you sent a letter first." Mist declared. "But then, Ah woulda spoiled the surprise." Big Red chuckled. "So, how are things goin'? Ya holdin' up okay?" "I'm doing great, Red." Mist beamed. "And so is the foal. It's growing bigger and stronger every day." "Now that's what Ah like ta hear." Big Red smiled. "But what are ya doin', still on yer hooves? Let's get ya sat down. A filly in yer condition oughta not overexert yerself." "I'm fine, Red." Mist rolled her eyes. "Don't go getting overprotective on me. I've already had to deal with that from Blue." "Glad ta hear it." Big Red declared. "That stallion's got his head on straight." "I still had to set him straight, though." Mist frowned. "It was sweet of him to want to keep me safe, but he was practically suffocating me." "He wuz only tryin' ta help, Ah'll bet." Big Red declared. "Ya picked a good one there, li'l lady." "Don't I know it?" Mist smirked. "Where is he now?" Big Red asked. "Lemme guess: tendin' ta that bar a' his?" "Got it in one." Mist nodded. "But it's okay. I've got plenty of company here. I was just hanging out with Constell and the others in the garden." "Mind if Ah join ya?" Big Red asked. "It's bin a while since Ah've seen our li'l extended family." "Not at all." Mist smiled. "Let's go." Big Red followed Mist back out into the garden. "Howdy, everypony." He smiled. "Grampa!" Miracle cheered, leaping into his arms. "Hey, kiddo." Big Red chuckled. "Nice ta see ya." "Hey there, Big Red." Constell smiled. "Long time, no see." "What can Ah say?" Big Red shrugged. "We had a decent harvest this year, so Ah've bin workin' overtime these past few weeks. Finally got sum spare time, so Ah figgered Ah'd come down an' surprise ya all." "Well, consider us surprised." Vito declared. "Good to see you, Mr. Red." Pureblood smiled. "Well, look at the two a' you." Big Red smiled. "You kids are all sproutin' up like weeds! Why, Ah remember when Mist wuz your age. Such a sweet li'l filly." "Thanks, Red." Mist smiled. "But she could be pretty timid at times." Big Red continued. "Why, this one night, when a big ol' thunderstorm came in, the poor filly was so scared, she wet the bed!" "Red!" Mist yelped, blushing. Pureblood and Vito snickered. Even Miracle couldn't help smiling slightly. "It's not funny!" Mist yelled, mortified. "Of course not." Constell nodded, trying her best to keep a straight face. "Sorry, darlin'." Big Red apologized. "Didn't mean ta embarrass ya. Guess mah nostalgia kinda got away from me..." "Just don't do it again." Mist cringed. "The last I thing I need right now is stories like that." "Ah hear ya." Big Red nodded. "So, how long are you staying, grampa?" Miracle asked. "Oh, Ah'd say about a week." Big Red shrugged. "A week?" Mist frowned. "What about Cherry?" "She won't be lonely." Big Red declared. "She's entertainin' some cousins from Appleloosa. So we both get ta spend the week with family." "Sounds good." Constell grinned. "Right, Mist?" "Yeah, sure." Mist nodded. Late in the afternoon, Blue came to the castle, ready to pick up Mist and escort her to his apartment. He stopped outside the gates, expecting Mist any second. After a few moments passed with no sign, he decide to investigate. "Hey, pal." He called to the guard. "Where's Mist?" "She is inside, Mr. Blazes." The guard declared. "Okay..." Blue frowned. "Think I can come in?" "Of course." The guard nodded, opening the gate. Blue walked up the path to the castle, feeling a twinge of worry. Had something happened to Mist to prevent her from coming outside? Once he entered the castle, Blue spotted Celestia. "Good afternoon, your majesty." He bowed. "Good afternoon." Celestia smiled. "I, er, don't suppose you know where Mist is?" Blue asked. "Oh, she's in the study." Celestia pointed. "Thanks." Blue nodded, before heading down the corridor. As Blue entered the study, he was greeted by the sight of Mist reading a book beside Big Red. "There you are." He smiled, walking over and hugging her. "I was worried when you weren't at the gate." "Sorry, Blue." Mist apologized. "Guess I kind of lost track of time." "Howdy, stranger." Big Red greeted Blue. "Hey, Mr. Red." Blue declared. "Didn't expect to see you here." "Ah'm gettin' a lot a' that today." Big Red chuckled. "Big Red's staying for the week." Mist revealed. "Good for him." Blue shrugged. "Now, what say we head on home? We can share those turf tacos in the fridge." "Not so fast, pardner." Big Red said suddenly. "...Is there a problem?" Blue asked. "Ah wuz kinda hopin' Mist could stay at the castle." Big Red declared. "Ah've only got one week ta spare right now, an' Ah'd like to spend it with mah lovely adoptive daughter." "Aw, thanks." Mist smiled. "You don't mind, do you, Blue?" "I guess not." Blue shrugged. "As long as it makes you happy." "Now that's what Ah like ta hear." Big Red smiled. "Yer one heck of a coltfriend, kiddo." "Yeah, that's me." Blue grinned. "Mind if I stick around here for a while? It'll be pretty lonely in that apartment without you, Mist." "Sure." Mist nodded. "Pull up a chair." Blue sat beside Mist. "This reminds me of when Ah used ta read ya bedtime stories." Big Red smiled fondly at Mist. "Yer favourite wuz always Captain Cuddlycolt. Remember how ya always wanted me to read it ta ya in those funny voices?" "Yeah, those were good times." Mist said flatly, a little embarrassed due to Blue's proximity. "Captain Cuddlycolt, huh?" Blue smirked. "Zip it." Mist growled. After an hour or so of reading, Blue prepared to head back to his apartment. Mist followed him all the way to the gate. "See you tomorrow, beautiful." Blue kissed Mist goodnight. "I'll be counting the minutes." "Me too." Mist grinned. Blue walked out of the gate, and down the street, Mist waving him off every step of the way. Once he had vanished from view Mist returned to the castle. Big Red was waiting for here, grinning widely. "You two are so dang cute, ya know that?" He smirked. "So I've been told." Mist chuckled. "I'd better start getting ready for bed soon. I need my rest, after all." "Ya sure do." Big Red nodded. "Want me ta tuck ya in?" "Tuck me in?" Mist frowned. "Don't you think I'm a little old for that?" "Ah mean, would you like me ta lend ya a hoof?" Big Red corrected himself. "Thanks, but I think I'll be okay." Mist turned him down. "Suit yerself." Big Red shrugged. "But I'll be there if ya need me." "Good to know." Mist deadpanned. After partaking in her nightly bedtime ritual, which involved such things as brushing her teeth and undoing her braid, Mist went into her old room, which looked exactly how she'd left it. "Home, sweet home." She yawned, as she prepared to get into bad. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Come in." Mist called. Big Red entered the room, carrying a glass of white liquid. "Ah gotchya some warm milk." He smiled. "Ta help ya sleep, a'course." "I haven't had warm milk since I was a filly." Mist frowned. "What, now yer too good fer it?" Big Red retorted. "No, but I don't really need much help falling asleep these days." Mist yawned again. "Believe me." "Oh... okay." Big Red sighed. He placed the milk on the bedside table. "Still, I'll leave it there, iffin ya change yer mind." "Fair enough." Mist shrugged. "Night, Big Red." "Night, darlin'." Big Red kissed Mist on the forehead, then left the room. 'Weird.' Mist thought. 'He hasn't kissed me good night in years. What's going on?' Mist was far too tired to ponder the matter further; The second her head touched the pillow, she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Mist awakened. She had ceased suffering from morning sickness a few days ago, leaving her mornings peaceful, or so she thought... As Mist opened her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Big Red looking right at her. "Ah!" She yelped, leaning backwards. "Mornin', sleepyhead!" Big Red grinned. He held up a tray of food. "Ah brought ya some breakfast! All yer favorites: cherry jam toast, kale flakes, and some ice-cold OJ!" "Um, thanks..." Mist frowned, as Big Red eased the tray onto her lap. "I could have gotten breakfast myself..." "Well, Ah got it fer ya!" Big Red declared. "Ya don't haveta lift a hoof when Big Red is on the case!" "Okay..." Mist frowned, reluctantly eating her breakfast. It was a little awkward for her, as Big Red was standing there the whole time, that same smile plastered on his face. Mist wanted to say something, but felt it would be rude, and a little ungrateful, considering he made her breakfast. "Well, that was delicious." Mist said finally, as she pushed aside the empty tray. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do." "Like what, darlin'?" Big Red asked. "Like brushing my mane, for starters." Mist answered. "Ah can do that fer ya." Big Red smiled. "Remember Ah used ta do it when you were a filly?" "That was a long time ago." Mist said bluntly. "Yeah, but ya never ferget it." Big Red smiled, picking up the manebrush. Realising there was no arguing with him, Mist reluctantly let Big Red brush her mane, hoping that would be the end of it. Unfortunately, she couldn't be more wrong; Big Red continued doing things for her and reminiscing about her fillyhood years all morning. In the library, he got some books for her, recalling her first book report from grade school, and how he had hung it up on the fridge. In the garden, he offered her sunscreen, at the same time recalling the instance when she got sunburn on one of her legs. And when Mist tried to relax in the lounge, he brought her a blanket, and offered to sing her a lullaby, just like he did when she was little. Around noon, Big Red offered to fetch Mist some lunch. Mist agreed, but only so she could have some time away from him. As she rushed off in the opposite direction from the kitchen, she bumped into Shine. "Whoa, sis." Shine chuckled. "Where's the fire?" "It's not a fire, but it's big and red, if you catch my drift." Mist frowned. "Big Red?" Shine frowned. "He's the problem?" "Not exactly." Mist admitted. "He's just been acting really weird around me since he got here." "Weird how?" Shine asked. "Is he being overprotective?" "Not exactly." Mist shrugged. "It's more he's... coddling me. Like I'm still a little filly." "Now that is weird." Shine admitted. "Maybe you should try talking to him?" "I don't know." Mist frowned. "He really isn't causing any harm. And he's just trying to help..." "If it's weirding you out, then it really isn't helping." Shine pointed out. "I know you don't want to hurt his feelings, but he should know how you really feel." "Okay, I'll do it." Mist smiled. "Thanks, Shine." "Hey, what are big brothers for?" Shine grinned. "Being annoying." Mist joked. "Funny." Shine rolled his eyes. Mist headed back the way she came, looking for Big Red. She didn't have to search far, as Big Red came her way, carrying a plate of food." "There ya are!" Big Red smiled. "I gotchya a nice, healthy lunch! Ah even cut up the carrots fer ya, jest like in the old days." "...Big Red, can we talk for a second?" Mist asked. "Sure, li'l lady." Big Red smiled. "What's on yer mind?" "Look, I appreciate all the attention, but..." Mist paused for a moment. "But why are you babying me all of a sudden?" "Well, Ah..." Big Red muttered. "No offense, but it's a bit much for me." Mist continued. "Not to mention you haven't acted like that with me for years." "Yeah, the thing about is..." Big Red faltered. "What?" Mist asked. "Tell me, please." Big Red sighed deeply. "Here's the honest truth." He said solemnly. "After Ah heard you wuz pregnant, Ah finally realised that you're not gonna be a little filly much longer." "I haven't been a little filly for the past ten years, Big Red." Mist frowned. "Ah know." Big Red nodded. "But ya've always been mah li'l filly. But now yer carrying a foal a' yer own, and that really hit home fer me. Yer becomin' a mare, ready to start your own family. Ah figgered this here week wuz mah last chance to be with mah li'l filly one last time... before she's gone fer good." "Oh, Red..." Mist sighed. "Call me an old fool, but Ah really thought those times would last ferever." Big Red sighed. "Guess Ah wuz jest foolin' mahself." "I know it's hard to accept that your little filly's all grown up." Mist sympathized. "But what's done is done. We can't go back, can we?" "Nah." Big Red shook his head. "Ah jest... miss it, y'know? Having kids ta raise, play with, an' nurture. But both mah kids are all grown up now. Ah never realised how much Ah loved havin' a full house. Don't get me wrong, Ah love bein' with Cherry, but our house jest doesn't feel right without li'l ones in it." "I never saw it like that." Mist comforted Big Red. "Never guessed how much raising us meant to you..." "...Oh, Mist." Big Red sighed. "Listen ta me, prattlin' on about the past. What must ya think a' me?" "I think you're the best dad I could have asked for." Mist smiled. "I know it wasn't easy, taking me and Shine in after mom and dad died, but you did a great job. And I'm proud to call you my dad." "Aw, thanks, darlin'." Big Red sniffed, his eyes watering. "Ya know, Ah couldn't have asked for a better daughter." "Thanks, Red." Mist beamed. At that moment, Mist's stomach started to grumble. "Whoops." Mist chuckled. "I was so busy with our little talk, I forgot about lunch." "Ah suppose ya'll be wantin' ta rustle up yer own vittles, huh?" Big Red asked. "Guess Ah oughta get rid a' this stuff." "No, it's okay." Mist smiled. "No sense in wasting good food, right?" "That's mah clever, grown-up mare." Big Red chuckled. That afternoon, Blue came in to see Mist. "So, how are things with dear old dad?" He teased. "Did he say something embarrassing yet?" "If he did, I wouldn't tell you." Mist nudged him playfully. "Hey, do you think he'd mind if I... stayed the night?" Blue asked. "It's pretty lonely, over in the apartment, without you to snuggle with." "Same here, handsome." Mist cooed. At that moment, Big Red came around the corner. "Howdy, Blue." He smiled. "Hey there." Blue waved. "Listen, do you mind if I stay over with Mist tonight?" "'Course not." Big Red declared. "Yer her fiance, right? Ya got every right ta be with her." "Thanks, Red." Mist smiled. "Now that's a great dad." Blue chuckled. "An' it wouldn't be the first sleepover she's had." Big Red grinned. "Why, Ah remember this one time when a filly by the name a' Barley slept over..." "Red!" Mist yelled. "I thought we promised never to mention that again!" "Sorry, kiddo." Big Red chuckled. "What's the problem?" Blue asked. "Who was this Barley filly? What happened that night?" "You don't wanna know." Mist frowned. "Yes, I do." Blue grinned. "Well, too bad, because I'm not telling." Mist huffed. "So grouchy." Blue tutted. "I think a little back rub is just what you need to ease that tension." "Make it a lot." Mist declared. "It's been a busy day." "Your wish is my command." Blue chuckled, as they headed for Mist's room. "Yep, yer definitely not a filly anymore." Big Red grinned. "Have fun, you two..."