//------------------------------// // Epilouge // Story: Player Number Three // by Candy-Sweets_12 //------------------------------// I felt terrible, like guilt was crushing me from the inside out. All I could hear were their voices, their weeps and sobs over me, although I lied to them this whole time. I found myself wondering if it was better that I should've died in labor, and things may have better for them, and Button. That's why I was surprised to hear the door open again. At first I thought it was a friend, or maybe a nurse to check on me. But I was taken by surprise when I heard the last voice I expected to hear. "Sweetie Belle?" He asked. I felt like I would've cried, had I not been in this unmoving state I was in. I wanted to open my eyes and look at his face, to wrap my hoof around it and hold him there for the day, and through the night. "I'm sorry I left you before, but I don't ever want to leave your side again. And I'm not starting now." He said. It felt like someone set a twenty ton brick upon my chest, I wanted to scream out my sorrows, and tell him how much I was sorry for the things I've said and lied about. I wanted to ask him about if they were okay, and see them for myself. "I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I hope that you can forgive me for breaking my promise, like I did with you." He knows? Did he read my letter? I'm so sorry Button. "I want to be with you Sweetie Belle, whether you ever wake up or not. Even if it means I never get to see your wonderfully beautiful eyes again eyes again. I don't want to leave my girls alone again." Girls? Does that mean... "She's in bad shape, but is getting better according to the doctors. She's full of life despite her small size, I know you'll love her. She's as beautiful as her mother." I don't know how long I was ever out, but it felt like the same routine everyday, I was always happy to have Button there by my side, talking with me and telling me about how she was growing and getting healthier with every day. I just wish I could se her, and it felt like forever before could ever open my eyes again. I remember every time Button asked the doctors to bring her in. According to him, she was energetic, and always being playful. I remember hearing her coos and happy shrieks of joy through that glass container I overheard she was in. But when the wonderful day came that I was able to open my eyes, I remember seeing Button's look of excitement on his face, how his face immediately lit up at the sight of my eyes. I felt so happy to see his smile, and the happy tears flowing down his face. I remember hearing him run out to alert a doctor and nurse about this. The tests they did to see if I was anymore responsive, and hearing Button ask the doctor for something. I just wish I could've moved in any other way besides just looking straight ahead and blinking. It all changed however, when day Button came in with her in his arms. I felt joy swell up in my chest when I saw her. Her light brown fur, and her reddish skin underneath as she slept away in her fathers arm. I remember seeing her beautiful small pink and light orange curls wrapped around her head, and the tuft of her tail. She was breathing so frantically, and sleeping so peacefully. Yawning once before smiling and scooting in closer with her father. I wanted to hold her and break out of the state I was trapped in. To break free and hold her in my arms, and never ever let go. I wanted to hug and kiss her, and see her beautiful eyes. She looked so small and feeble, so delicate and thin. It made my heart sink when I realized she wasn't completely healthy. "I haven't named her yet, but I figured that you should see her. I knew that you'd love her from first sight. She hasn't opened her eyes yet, but I bet that she will soon." Button ranted, taking a seat next to me. I wanted to shift my gaze in her direction to see her. Hearing her soft little breaths was so comforting to me. It felt like the most wonderful thing in the world to know that this little filly was mine. Time seems to tease me as I recovered. I remember opening my eyes frantically, I began to grow afraid of closing my eyes, afraid that everything would turn out to be a dream, and that I'd only wake up in the nightmare I was in. I remember seeing Button there every morning, seeing the fear in my eyes, and how he'd always set his hoof over mine. The hours with him would turn into days, and days would slide into weeks, and he was there the whole time. I felt comforted seeing him there, having him kiss me on the head every time I would wake up. I felt a joy when I was with him. I just with that I could be spending with my daughter, playing with her, and holding her close. I guess that you could say it was the worst pain of it all. It made me want to break down and cry, not knowing whether or not she was safe or not. When I finally broke free from my stationary prison, I remember seeing Button cry out tears of joy. "Sweetie Belle?" He asked in disbelief. "Button." I replied softly. He closed his arms around me, and hugged me tightly there in his embrace, I remember squeezing him and crying happily into his shoulder. "It's been so long since I heard you speak." He said softly. "I'm so glad that you're ok." He said. I only replied; "Me too." I went through so many tests that day, and I remember holding her for the first time. It felt like the most wonderful thing in the world, as though my whole world started to shift. It was no longer just Button or my friends or family holding me down to the Earth anymore; it was her. I felt lie I had to protect her, and be there for her no matter what. Once we both recovered, I don't ever remember loosening my grip on her, or ever setting her down. Returning home was a sight for sore eyes, and felt warmer and it's serene welcome than all of the tension in the hospital. The moment she opened her eyes to look up at me, I remember seeing her little orange eyes look up happily at me, and seeing her reach out to me, a happy note escaping her mouth. "Welcome home little one." I said.