Chapter 11: Forgiveness
(9_6)
Even as the hospital room door opened, Derpy continued to stare at Dinky. "I don't care what you say or do," Derpy said, keeping her eye on the little filly. "I'm not leaving."
The following silence was almost defining, but was accepted nonetheless. Derpy knew she had left without explaining her actions. But she couldn't think of a way to explain them, when even she didn't know what she was going to do.
"Now who ever said anything about that," the caseworker lightly chuckle. Finally taking her attention off Dinky, Derpy looked towards the room entrance. As she expected, her father, Carrot Top, and the caseworker stood just inside the room. What she hadn't expected, were the smiles each one of them had.
"What do you mean by that?" Derpy questioned. "Shouldn't I be in trouble or something?"
"Miss Hooves," the caseworker began, walking closer to the crib. "While you may have left before answering the rest of my questions, I respect what you did."
"W-what do you mean by that? Let a filly I-I care about get taken," Derpy replied, stuttering slightly. "And then, in-instead of fighting to get her back. I j-just forget about her and move on with my life."
"Miss Hooves, you have to understand that it wasn't your fault." The caseworker placed a comforting hoof over Derpy's shoulder. "By what your father told me, you do have family with mental issues. So something like this . . ."
"Are you kidding me?!" Derpy didn't mean to interrupt the caseworker. But she could feel her own self-hatred reach a boiling point. “I forgot about a filly that had nopony else, and because of that, she got hurt. Its nopony else’s fault but my own."
"But even though you forgot," the caseworker replied, trying their best to calm Derpy. "You came back for her."
"And how does that make things any better?" Derpy questioned, her face scrunched in confusion.
"Miss Hooves," the caseworker began, looking down at the sleeping filly with a smile. "I have seen a lot of things though my career. I've seen parents do a lot of crazy things for their foals. I've even seen mothers go through the same experience you had gone through.” After a short pause, the caseworker continued by asking Derpy a question.
“Tell me Miss Hooves, what do you think most said when they were told of their foals?"
"That they wished they never forgot," Derpy sighed, reminded of her feeling of self-loathing.
"I wish that was the case Miss Hooves," the caseworker sighed. "Most were happy to have forgotten. Yes some showed signs of remorse and sadness, but only a very few ever actually did something.
"I remember this one mare that went to get their filly back," the caseworker said, laughing lightly as they remembered the event. "They actually sent one of the foster parents to the hospital because they wouldn't let them see their foal."
"I almost attacked a few ponies myself," Derpy admitted. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed as a slight smile spread across her face.
"Does that mean Dinky can go back with Derpy," Carrot Top asked, a look of confusion and worry slowly spreading across her face.
"Personally," the caseworker said, looking partially insulated. "I wanted to throw this case away the moment I saw it." Derpy couldn't help but notice the caseworker pause for a moment, rubbing one of their temples with a hoof.
"But I had to at least interview Miss Hooves. It’s why I decided to do it today, rather than next week."
"And for that," Derpy's father happily breathed. "We thank you."
"It’s no trouble at all Mr. Hooves," the caseworker said, making their way over to the room's door. "Would you mind joining me in the hallway Mr. Hooves? I have a few papers I need signed. After that, little Dinky will be back in your care Miss Hooves."
"Shouldn't I be the one signing papers?" Derpy asked. She couldn’t help but wonder why her father was asked to sign the paper’s instead of her.
"I'd rather you tend to that little filly there Miss Hooves," the caseworker chuckled, walking out of the room, Derpy's father close behind. Derpy and Carrot Top watched as the two slowly disappeared from sight.
"See," Carrot Top chimed, her hair orange mane slightly bouncing. "I knew things would work out in the end."
Derpy merely looked at her friend in silence. She appreciated Carrot Top's optimism, but still didn't feel right.
"Derpy, are you ok?"
Still Derpy remained silent. She was having a mental debate on whether or not to tell her friend how she really felt. But as she looked up into Carrot Tops shining green eyes, Derpy could tell that she was there to help.
"What if she doesn't forgive me," Derpy began to cry. She could feel her tears already soaking into the fur on her cheek. "After promising her that I wouldn't abandon her, I did. And worst of all, she got hurt because of it."
"Derpy, you heard the caseworker" Carrot Top began, moving next to Derpy. "It's not your fault."
“But it is,” Derpy replied, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I’m the one that let her get taken. I’m the one who walked away. I’m the one to blame for Dinky being in the hospital right now.”
Suddenly, Derpy rushed at towards Carrot Top, burying herself in the earth pony’s light orange coat.
“I don’t deserve her forgivness.”
(o^o)
Dinky woke to the sounds of somepony crying. At first, she wanted to go back to sleep. But just as she was about to, she recognized who it was that was crying.
Moving to the side of the crib, Dinky lifted herself as best as she could to see over the guardrails. Just a few inches away stood both Derpy and Carrot Top. Derpy had her face buried in Carrot Top's light orange coat, crying.
"I don't deserve her forgiveness," Derpy cried, becoming lost in her tears.
Dinky stared at the two for a moment. She couldn't help but think that she had gone too far, shunning Derpy the way she had. She only wanted Derpy to know that she was mad at her. Not make her cry.
(9_6)
"Derpy," Carrot Top softly said, carefully separating Derpy from her chest. "It looks like somepony is worried about you."
Tears still running down her face, Derpy turned around and noticed Dinky staring at her from the crib.
"Dinky," Derpy mumbled, moving over to the little filly. For several moments, the two stared at each other. Neither did anything as tears continued to slowly drip from Derpy's eyes.
"I'm sorry," Derpy finally said. Putting on her strongest face, Derpy continued to talk to the little filly. "I lied to you when I said that I would never leave you, and for that I am sorry."
Dinky continued to stare at Derpy, her expression unreadable. For a moment, Derpy expected to hear a response from her. But she quickly waved that thought off with a forced chuckle, remembering that Dinky was too young to speak.
"I'll understand if you don't forgive me," Derpy continued, wiping whatever tears still remained from her face. "But please understand that I never meant for it to happen."
Derpy watched as Dinky disappeared back into the crib. For a moment, she feared that Dinky wasn't going to forgive her. But even if she hadn't, she wouldn't blame her.
"I made a promise," Derpy said, looking down at the ground. She could feel tears fighting to resurface. "I said I wouldn't abandon you. But I let them take you . . . without even a goodbye."
A small groan snapped Derpy back to her senses. Looking back at the crib, she watched as Dinky reappeared, holding the stuffed Derpy in her arms. At first, she expected Dinky to throw the stuffed pony at her. But instead, the little filly held it close to her with one hoof. Her other hoof, stretched out towards Derpy, a smile on her face.
"Thank you Dinky," Derpy said, scooping the little filly in her arms. Tears flowing from her eye's once again.
(o^o)
Dinky nestled herself closer to Derpy's chest. She loved how warm Derpy's gray fur felt. She never realized how much she missed the warmth Derpy shared, or the way her coat smelled of freshly baked muffins. But at that moment, all she cared about was Derpy's heartbeat, softly playing in her ear.
Dinky couldn't tell when it happened, but she felt herself slowly back to sleep. It felt like moment had past when she woke back up. Quickly looking around, Dinky couldn't help but smile as she realized where she was.
She was back in Derpy's room; In her bed to be exact. A dark sky could be seen outside a nearby window. Derpy sat next to Dinky on the bed, a heartwarming smile on her face.
(9_6)
"Look who's finally awake," Derpy chuckled. Dinky slowly began sitting herself up, a loud gurgle coming from her stomach. "Looks like some little filly is ready for something to eat?"
Grabbing a nearby tray, Derpy moved it to the bed. A bottle, a few muffins, and a small damp cloth took up the entirety of the tray. Taking the bottle, Derpy offered it to Dinky with a smile. Derpy was surprised when Dinky hit the bottle away with her hoof, pointing back at the tray.
"Oh," Derpy chuckled, looking back at the tray. Exactly where Dinky was pointing sat a large blueberry muffin. "Looks like somepony has good taste," Derpy joked, replacing the bottle with the muffin.
Like every time before, Derpy carefully broke off a small piece and held it for Dinky to eat. Derpy couldn't help but feel happy as she watched Dinky hastily eat the pieces of muffin she offered.
"Just like the first time I gave you something to eat," Derpy said, mostly to herself. She couldn't help but think of everything that was going on with her life. "A week ago, I never would've imagined that I'd be sitting here with a little filly.
"I mean," Derpy said, now speaking to Dinky. "I was just delivering a package. Just a regular day as any other I've had. Then, I found you." Derpy stopped talking for a second to give Dinky the bottle to help wash down the muffin.
"Granted, I would definitely change the circumstances of the way we met," Derpy continued, now wiping Dinky's face with the cloth. "But I'm still glad we did."
As if to respond, Dinky stopped eating for a second and gave Derpy a smile. Derpy wished that she had a camera to capture the moment. Instead, she continued to give Dinky both the muffin and the bottle.
"Calm down," Derpy giggled, noticing how fast Dinky was drinking from the bottle. "We don't want you getting a bellyache." Soon, Dinky was full and both her and Derpy were ready for a good night’s sleep.
Laying Dinky down on the bed, Derpy went to turn the lights off. She couldn't help but notice how Dinky watched her the entire time.
"Don't worry," Derpy said as she got back in the bed. Dinky fell asleep the moment Derpy pulled the covers over her tiny body. Nestling herself up close to the little filly, Derpy also drifted into sleep.
Time flew by as Derpy had the best sleep she ever had. Even in her dreams, she could feel the little filly tucked under her chin, cradling herself in Derpy's neck. Derpy almost regretted having to wake up, but as the morning lights slowly fell on her face, she couldn't help but wake up.
"It's time to get up," Derpy quietly whispered, softly nuzzling the side of Dinky's head with her chin. She wasn't surprised as the little filly did nothing but shift slightly, still fast asleep.
"Derpy?" her father called from outside her room's door. "Are you two awake?"
"Almost," Derpy said in a whisper, not wanting to yell so close to Dinky. Derpy's father then proceeded to open the door.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you," he said, walking in on his own. He was wearing a freshly pressed blue uniform and he smelled as if he had also had a shower.
"Isn't that cute," he said with a chuckle. Derpy could only imagine what he was seeing. Again, Derpy wished she had a camera. "If Dinky were a pegasi, I'd say you two look like mother and daughter like that."
"Dad, that’s not funny." Derpy softly blushed, a little embarrassed. But it was a happy embarrassment. Deep inside, she liked hearing her father call her Dinky's mother. But even as these happy thoughts crossed her mind, a question began to form.
"Wait," Derpy called, stopping her father as he began to leave the room.
"Yes?" he asked, turning back to face his daughter.
"I was wondering," Derpy began, looking down at Dinky. The little filly was still sound asleep, a small smile on her face.
"Do you know what happened to Glittering Gem?"
(o^o)
Dinky slowly awoke to the bright morning sun hitting her face. At first, she felt at peace, remembering how Derpy had finally come back and taken her home. Reaching out, Dinky tried to give Derpy a hug, giving her own good morning greeting. But as her hooves grabbed nothing but air, Dinky began to worry.
She didn't want to worry, knowing that Derpy wouldn’t leave her again. But as she looked around the small room, the only thing she could find was the stuffed pony, laying just a few inches away.
"Good morning muffin," Derpy's voice chimed. Looking over at the door, Dinky was thrilled to see Derpy walk into the room, a bottle balanced on her head. Dinky couldn't help but giggle at the sight.
(9_6)
Derpy couldn't help but blush as she called Dinky "muffin". At first, she hadn't meant to say it. It had been more of an accident. But as she walked over to the bed, she was happy she had.
"So what do you think of being called muffin," Derpy asked, hopping back into the bed. Before Derpy could even take the bottle off her head, Dinky was responding with the largest hug she could muster.
"I'm glad you like it," Derpy responded, returning the little filly's hug.
Even as she fed Dinky, Derpy couldn't help but think back to what her father had told her about Glittering Gem.
"So she's in jail?" Derpy felt a little more at ease thinking that Glittering Gem wouldn't get the chance to carry through with her threats.
"Not necessarily jail," her father responded. Derpy could see him hesitate slightly before continuing, looking around the room to hide it. "It’s a temporary lock up, usually with the possibility of bail."
"What does that mean," Derpy asked. She couldn't help but cradle Dinky a little closer to herself. She knew that it meant Glittering Gem could be on the streets, but a large part of her didn't want to accept it.
"It means that you have nothing to worry about," Derpy's father quickly stated. Even though he now had a very serious expression, Derpy could tell he was deeply concerned by the matter. "I doubt she was even given bail. Not only has she already made threats, but she's a potential flight risk."
Derpy felt a knot that had been forming in her chest slightly loosen. It had started to form the moment her father mentioned "temporary". She was so preoccupied with her worries that she never noticed her father move up next to her.
"Never would've thought that a fashion model would scare my daughter," Derpy's father chuckled, giving Derpy a playful tap on the shoulder.
"I'm not afraid," Derpy quickly replied, shooting her father an annoyed stare. She couldn’t help but notice her worries disappeared as a newfound confidence began to build inside of her.
"I'd like her to try to get past my good eye," Derpy said with a confident smile. She and her father both laughed as Derpy pointed towards the eye she had the most trouble with.
"That’s my girl," Derpy's father smiled. With one final good bye, he left the room and headed off to work.
Derpy softly rubbed Dinky’s back, waiting for her to burp as she finished her thoughts. She couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that she was so worried about Glittering Gem's threats.
"Besides," Derpy said aloud as Dinky burped. "What's the worst thing she could do anyways?"
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no offense, but this story needs a kung fu fight. throw some karate in this mofo.
We are glad Gem was arrested She was an aweful pony! We art so glad thou art making it happy for both Derpy and Dinky. We look forward to thy next update.
Erm, you do NOT sleep with a baby like that. If you do, you risk smothering/crushing the poor thing in your sleep if you roll over. Babies sleep in cribs for a reason- they're protected in there. Derpy is taking a HUGE risk by sleeping with Dinky like she's a teddy bear.
A fleshy, blood-filled, breathing teddy bear.
This isn't a matter of realism, just common sense.
Also, tempting fate much, Crazy Person?
why derpy, you just put a cruse on yourself
2729317
I know you're not supposed to sleep with an infant like that. But for the story, I say its fine and that Dinky is as safe as can be. Sorry to mess with logic and common sense, but this is a fictional story about cartoon ponies.
Also, sorry if that sounded rude. I'm not a big fan when it comes to people trying to explain logic to me.
Other than that. . .thanks for reading it at least
2729317
Eh, not really, I slept with my baby sister a bunch when she was an infant. Shoot, I think my entire family did it; grandma did it, mother did it, aunts did it, and my uncle still does it with his recent kid. It is common sense: do you ever move over in your sleep, let alone roll around? If you do, don't risk it, there you go.
General consensus is to just let them sleep in their crib if you can manage to do that, though. Sleeping with kids is unpleasant, is it not fun waking up in the middle night with a heel embedded in your eye socket.
2731273
"
but it's still heartwarming nonetheless.
"and funny
2730172
Top's
Drop that her and I think the sentence will flow better.
This part doesn't seem needed, feels like it puts the flow of the sentence off some.
"What's the worst she could do anyway?"
.
.
.
.
.
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*Forehead slams loudly into desk*
Derpy
just when I found the perfect music for this fic she says that!
.....that last sentence is practically an invitation for Murphy's Law....
Oh now why?! Why would you say that?!
What's the worst thing she could do?
WHAT'S THE WORST THING SHE COULD DO?!?
You Just had to say it, so now we're about to find out!