Chapter Eighty-Nine: Meeting the Animals

As the party departed, Fluttershy turned her full attention to Smokey and their adopted children. Repeatedly stroking his arm, she shifted closer. Uncertain of what to say, she merely scanned the reptilian from head to tail, a loving-yet worried-, smile gracing her facial features.

"Miss Fluttershy?" Smokey purred, basking in the physical contact. "Would you… like to know how I feel about you?"

The mare immediately locked her eyes with his. Plush tinting her cheeks, she tilted her head a slight degree in anticipation. Not even saying anything, the dragon drew his head near hers, pressing his lips to her own in a gentle, yet powerful, kiss. Shutting his eyes, an amorous purr vibrated in his throat, his heart rate increasing. Her heart melting and bliss overtaking her, the pony's eyes rolled up and closed as she slid her forelegs around the dragon's neck to hold him close. Heart thundering against her chest, her worries slipped away. Tears brimming from her eyes, they slid down her cheeks as she relished, with euphoric glee, that felt the same way. She had suspected, but to truly know…

She slowly broke off the kiss and felt a tug on her wing. Glancing down, she smiled tenderly at the small filly on the floor. Unhooking a foreleg, she reached down to scoop Terra Cotta up and draw her into the shared embrace-the rust-colored child extending her forelegs to pluck Chenoa from Smokey's chest. The mare snuggled against Smokey, their two children curled up between them. She smiled contentedly, then riveted her attention to Angel, calling over to the rabbit to join them.

Though Smokey was sick, she had no doubt in her mind that he would beat it. She had him back. She had another daughter. Her family was together again.

Everything was going to be just fine.

Observing the scene and assuming that she had been unintentionally forgotten, Zecora smiled. Clopping across the length of the room, she took her leave to catch up with the others.

"I love you, Miss Fluttershy…" Smokey purred, then poked his snout between Chenoa and Terra Cotta's heads. "I love the both of you, too."

Angel, hadn't been expecting to be summoned over, felt a little awkward when the draconian met him with an affectionate smile, but hopped over anyway.

"I know you don't like me, Angel, but you're still part of the family."

"And we love you just the same," Fluttershy tacked on, drawing away to press a kiss to the rabbit's head. Glancing from him, to Terra Cotta, to Chenoa, to Smokey, and then back to him, she emitted a soft squee as she furled her forelegs around the children. "My girls… My boys… My family."

Tears of joy leaked from Smokey's eyes as he tightened the embrace around his family. He was back where he belonged, with another little one to love and care for. Nothing could make this even better…

Unless…

"Miss Fluttershy?" He broke the silence, his mind drifting to his animals. "How have my animals been?"

Fluttershy's eyelids parted. Blush returning, she rolled her eyes to his face.

"They've… been well," she replied. "Ross and his mate and the doves are doing splendidly. They've missed you when you were gone. They'd love to see you again."

"When I'm no longer sick, I can visit them. I cannot wait to see their babies. They're going to be so tiny, fluffy, and adorable!" the reptilian gushed, excitement bubbling within him.

"I'm sure they can't wait to see you, too. They'll be so happy to see you and Chenoa again." Chuckle welling up in the depths of her throat, Fluttershy issued a nuzzle to Terra Cotta. "And they'd love to meet you."

She also wondered how Discord would react to her new family when he returned from his extended vacation. She suspected he originally left at the time he did to avoid getting involved with Winter Wrap-Up, but he justified himself by reveling that the weather in certain dimensions were at their peak between winter and spring. Naturally, she didn't call him out on it, and wished him well. She could only imagine how the children would take to him. The mare had no doubt that he would be able to provide some interesting entertainment.

"Who dey?" the filly queried with a tilt of her head, eyes wide with wonder.

"My animals? They are a sweet brown rabbit and five lovely doves," Smokey explained before giving their names and going into further detail about their own individual quirks, his voice filled with fondness for the mentioned creatures.

Terra Cotta listened very intently, excitement mounting over the thought of meeting her father's beloved animals. She already liked Angel. Fluttershy soon came to the revelation that the filly was very much an animal lover like she and Smokey were. After all, she had hung out and hid by the animals through the duration of her life in the circus.

Smokey smiled proudly, taking notice on how content she was listening to him talk about his animals.

"We have many animals around here for you to play with, Terra."

"Yay!" the youngster rejoiced, clearly looking forward to meeting the creatures. Almost as if on cue, several of them emerged from various hiding places now that things were otherwise calm. A small family of mice poked their heads out from the baseboards. A few birds reluctantly came out of the birdhouses and perched. A couple of squirrels ran along the length of the curtains, positioning themselves close.

"Hello, everyone," the draconian greeted, feeling another layer of exhilaration upon seeing their familiar faces. "This is Terra Cotta, the newest member of our family."

The creatures shifted closer, some of them surrounding the couch. Nervous, Terra Cotta curled up against Fluttershy, having not expected these animals to actually congregate around them. Placing her vision upon her parents, the couple nodded reassuringly-Fluttershy gently nuzzling her.

Turning away, the filly came face-to-face with the closest one-a red squirrel that was sitting upon Smokey's leg, sniffing the air for any indication of danger.

"It's all right, Terra. None of them will bite you," the dragon crooned. "Mommy helped raise most of them from babies."

Hesitantly, the child reached out to stroke the squirrel before her. The tiny mammal leaned into the touch, closing its eyes with a serene smile tipping its furry lips. Giggle and a squeal springing from her, the filly allowed the creature to climb up her foreleg, smoothing her free hoof down the length of its back in repeated strokes.

"Mr. Squirrel likes you!" Smokey chuckled, followed up with a groan. Apparently, laughing triggered pain in his damaged ribs.

A frown descended upon the pale yellow mare. Leaning in, she touched her muzzle to the side of his face.

"Lay back and rest. And try not to move."

Ears erecting at the groan with the squirrel now situated on her head, Terra Cotta riveted her attention to the dragon to stare at him with worry inscribed upon her features.

"Dadi, aryu okay?"

"Daddy will be fine, sweetheart," Smokey reassured, forcing a smile. He even noticed Chenoa was beginning to wonder what was wrong.

Terra Cotta wasn't entirely convinced. The look of skepticism resulted in a nuzzle from Fluttershy.

"Don't worry, sweetie. Our friends will be back with the herb we need soon. Daddy will be just fine."

The dragon nodded, smile still residing on his face.

"They won't let us down. They are the best friends anypony could ask for."

"They'll come through." The mare nodded in agreement. "I'm sure they'll be walking through that door any moment with saddlebags full of the herb we need."

"Mhm." Smokey turned his adoring gaze to Fluttershy. "Then you can take care of me… Like I did with you when we first met."

Blush touching her cheeks, she shifted closer to the dragon to slide her forelegs around him in a cuddle. Taking care not to bump into Chenoa, Terra Cotta climbed up on the scaly beast's torso to join her forelegs with her mother's around his neck.

"I'm going to fix us all something to eat," Fluttershy said after a few minutes, drawing aback. "I'll be back with some warm soup."

"Thank you, Miss Fluttershy…" he purred, nuzzling his snout against the filly's head. His eyes then swiveled to Chenoa, the chick curling up into a ball on his shoulder and snuggling against his neck.

Traversing to the kitchen, the pegasus switched her vision between cabinets as she approached them. Digging out cans and fishing a can opener from one of the drawers. Dumping the contents of the cans into a pot and adding various vegetables and beans, she turned the burner on.

A time period of around half an hour elapsed when she fluttered out of the kitchen with a tray supported on her hooves with four large bowls situated side-by-side in two's in the center. Setting the tray down on the floor for the animals to lap out of a pair of them, she moved a third off to the side for the children to share. Hopping down from the couch, Terra Cotta immediately settled down upon her haunches on one side of the bowl while Chenoa was positioned on the opposite end.

"Here we go!" the mare announced, lifting the fourth that was meant to be split between her and Smokey.

The filly stared down at the liquefied food in puzzlement, pursing her lips. Chenoa didn't hesitate for an instant, and dove right in with a mirthful squeal, sending rivulets of soup over the edges of the bowl. The soup had already been cooled for a bit, abolishing any worries over anyone burning their mouths and throats.

"What dis?"

"It's a type of soup I made," Fluttershy replied. "It's filled with vegetables that your body needs, plus protein and iron. Nutritious, AND delicious!"

Spooning some of it, she presented it to the dragon and softly whispered, "I just hope it tastes good…"

"Make sure to leave some for your sister, Chenoa," Smokey laughed lightly, knowing there was no way the chick could finish a bowl that large. Spotting the proffered spoon partially filled of soup out of the corner of his eye, he turned to Fluttershy with a loving smile before accepting the bite with a purr.

Pulling the spoon away, she dipped it back into the bowl to give him another bite.

"How is it?" she asked tenderly, her eyes half-lidded.

The draconic being licked his lips in a satisfied manner, the look on his face conveying that it appealed to him. While she was a good cook on her own, he could tell that she had been watching him very closely when he prepared meals.

"It's delicious!"

"Wonderful!" Fluttershy beamed with a spring of confidence. "I hoped it would be. I added soup broth, vegetable juice, and vegetables and beans. I wasn't sure if it would taste good. Or if your body would be able to handle it."

"It tastes good to me." Smokey then turned to the children. "What do you two think?"

The baby griffon lifted her face from her side of the bowl, every aspect of her visage coated with soup, and squealed.

"Iz vrry good!" Terra Cotta confirmed, having lapped up a bit from her end. She lowered her head to slurp up more, taking care not to bump her head against Chenoa's.

Fluttershy felt an immense warmth in her breast upon receiving affirmation from her family that the food she made for them was good. Even the animals seemed to be enjoying it. The only test she had yet was from certain white-pelted leporidae. Turning to Angel, she tilted her head as if to ask him if it met his high standards.

He didn't even bother trying the soup, even though it contained some of his favorite vegetables. The look of it just didn't appeal to him. Understanding the meaning behind his facial features, the mare frowned in disappointment.

"Are you sure, Angel? Won't you even try a little bite?" she politely requested, but when the rabbit adamantly refused, she sighed. "All right. If you won't eat it, I won't force you. But I'm not making anything else."

Not until later, she surmised. She didn't want to starve him…

"You might as well eat it, Angel, if you're hungry," Smokey attempted to persuade, but still, the small mammal turned away from the nearest bowl.

Another sigh exited the pegasus. Angel was always a difficult individual to deal with.

"I'll just make something else in a short while. He always does this." The mare transferred her attention back to the dragon. "But first, we should focus on you. You're still sick."

"All right, my dear," he murred, gladly accepting the next bite of soup. By the time he finished his half of it, his hunger had been satisfied, but he still wanted more. "How much soup did you make?"

"I made plenty," she replied, nuzzling him. "I still have about half a pot on the stove, in case anypony was still hungry."

Terra Cotta had eaten as much as she wanted, though it appeared she didn't even take all that much. With a full belly, Chenoa sighed blissfully and rolled aback to lay down. Taking notice that there was still a good amount left in the bowl, Smokey smiled gently to the filly.

"Aren't you going to eat more, Terra? It looks like you didn't eat much."

"Nawt hungy," she stated with a shake of her head and a noticeable frown. "Worry."

"Are you still upset, sweetie?" Fluttershy mirrored the child's expression, setting the bowl in her hooves down to move over and rest a reassuring hoof on her back. "I understand you're concerned, but Smokey will be okay! The others will be back soon!"

"Dun wan looz'm. Dun… wan…"

"We're not going to lose him. Daddy's going to be all right. I promise."

"There's no need to worry about me," Smokey consoled. "Remember, I'm a big, strong dragon."

"Eyno. Iz jus'… iz jus' a'ym…" She finally tilted her head back to meet Smokey's eyes. "Yur na' jus' m'dadi. Yur m'bes' fren."

Feeling his heart turn in his chest, the dragon tilted his head in a gesture for her to climb back up on the couch with him. Collecting his messy-faced little sister, the filly joined him and she and the chick were immediately drawn into a hug. Letting go of the griffon, the feathered infant curling back up, she furled her forelegs around him as best as she could and buried her face into his upper arm.

"Ay luvu, Dadi," she whimpered, closing her eyes. It was clear she wanted to say more on the subject, but she was uncertain of what to say; or how to better express it.

"I know, Terra… I love you, too…

Smokey held the child against him for several moments. After that, the pair released each other so that Fluttershy could resume feeding him. Lips curling up in a smile, she slid down from the couch to finish up the bowl on the floor.