As they read he couldn't help but look at the two mares who were reading silently. Once he looked at Derpy his heart gave an extra thump thinking about last night and how he would have taken her. But a knock at the door reminded him of what time it was and he got up to answer the door.

"You called for a plumber?" A mare asked as he answered the door.

"Yup, just hope you do a better job than the last guy." He said waving her in, making the other two mares look up from their books.

"Ah, you must have called Rusty. That's how he gets you, tries to guarantee you'll hire him again. But first I got to see the sink to see if he didn't rig it even more." The plumbing mare said. "Names Leak, and trust me any time I go on a boat my friends always tease me about it."

"I could see that, and it's in the kitchen." He said leading her the way.

"Hmm, looks easy from first glance but never now with Rusty. I'm also going to have to look around at the rest of the plumbing since you the message said that this happened a few times before. I know for a fact that Rusty worked on this house before which again explains it." Leak said making him raise an eyebrow.

"How much is this going to cost?" Derpy asked coming into the kitchen.

"Hmm, depends on if it's just old plumbing not being able to handle the pressure or if it was tampered with. If it's just old or bad plumbing then you're looking at about three hundred and fifty bits. Now if it's tampered with, after a little investigation, you can claim it on your insurance." At that, he was a little confused.

"So my insurance won't cover the cost if it's just bad plumbing?" He asked.

"Well, I would have to double check your insurance information but you should be able to. Sorry if I got a little ahead of myself there." Leak said as she sat down her tool bag. "Now if you'll excuse me I'll get to work, I'll let y' all know when I'm done."

"At least we know not to call Rusty anymore," He said to Derpy as they walked out of the kitchen making her nod.

"How far along are you guys in the book?" Lyra asked when they came back.

"Well, I finished what we were supposed to read and I was just rereading it." He said.

"I'm about a chapter away from finishing, why?" Derpy asked.

"So, that means both of you have read that part that really seems similar to what happened to you two last night?" Lyra couldn't help but give a smile as both he and Derpy rolled their eyes.

"It wasn't lost on us," He grumbled making Derpy nod.

"Ha, well I'm tired of reading, for now, I think I'm gonna play my lyre for a little while," Lyra said and slid her case out from under the couch.

As she began to play him and Derpy sat down and listened to which she gave them a little smile. They saw Leak go through the house looking at all the piping and hookups. The plumber finally stopped and came over to them to give them the verdict.

"Well, the good news is that all that was wrong was some of the pipes that lead to the kitchen faucet were the wrong kind. It's a simple fix and before you ask the pipes I'm talking about are enchanted to give the water pressure a boast, though the kind of enchantments I saw is usually only used in those power washing stations." Leaks said.

"No one tampered with anything then? Just somepony put up the wrong pipes?" He asked.

"Yup, which after looking over your insurance you'll be covered except for, and this is if my math is right, a twenty-bit cover fee." Leak said and he went to the table to grab his bag of bits.

"Here you go, and when do you think you can fix them?" He asked.

"I'll be over tomorrow. I temporarily fixed the faucet in there for you, it should last just don't let it run constantly until after the pipes have been replaced. Also, thanks for the business and I'll see you guys tomorrow!" At that Leak left.

After that Derpy went to go finish the dishes from last night since she didn't get a chance, and Lyra started to play her lyre again as he sat back down to listen. Though after a few more songs Lyra put her instrument down to take a break as Derpy finally returned from the kitchen. They all three sat in comfortable silence until the door opened.

"I'm back! And I brought a present!" Luna said giving the three of them a smile.

"What did you bring?" He was the first one up as he gave her a hug and kiss, though as he looked outside he grew a big smile. "What are you waiting out there for?"

"T-thanks for letting me come and stay here!" Grace said running through the door giving him a hug as he looked at Luna a little in confusion.

"No problem, so you have any luggage?" He asked making the filly nod.

"Well, why don't you grab it and I'll show you your room, but we weren't expecting this for at least another week," Derpy said helping Grace with a bag which seemed like the only thing she had.

"Alright, spill the beans now!" Lyra asked with a big smile making Luna give a slight blush.

"It's the reason why I stayed an extra night because Tia heard about you wanting to foster her. So my sister was kind enough to talk to the pony in charge and got a favor for us to take in Grace a little bit early." Luna said making him give a little bit of a shocked expression. "What do you expect? My sister has a kind heart when she wants to, and besides, she bought you this house in the first place."

"Got you there, but still you even seem a little surprised by this. But either way, I'm glad we could take her in because she's just so cute!" Lyra said and after that Derpy and Grace came back with Grace hopping around excitedly.

"I'm so glad to have my own room again! I mean the orphanage wasn't bad or anything, but I like a little bit of privacy!" This made all four of them laugh.

"We can understand that, so you like your room then?" He asked making the filly give him a tight hug this time.

"I love it! I mean Derpy said we could decorate it however I want!" Grace said going her wing flapping in excitement before she got a sad look. "I just wish mom and dad could have met you guys."

"I'm sure we would have become good friends with them," Luna said giving the filly a look of empathy as he put a hand on the filly's head to try to comfort her.

"Hey, how about Lyra plays a song just for you?" He suggested looking at Lyra who gave him a nod and smile before getting her lyre.

As he scooped up the filly surprising her and taking her over to the couch where he put her down next to him, with Derpy and Luna sitting down close by. Lyra once again began to play though this time her song had lyrics which were beautiful and uplifting. It was so uplifting that Derpy started to get happy tears, but he couldn't help but give a smile as he looked at Grace as she gave an amazed look at the lyre player as she scooted closer to him.

"Like the song?" He whispered making her nod her head never taking her eyes off of Lyra.

"Would you like to try to play?" Lyra asked making the fillies eyes go even wider. "Come sit by me and I'll teach you."

That made Grace give a little squeal of excitement as she went in a blur to sit by Lyra and seeing this just warmed his heart just as it did for all of them. Lyra began telling her some of the basics and made sure that the filly understood what she was saying. After that Lyra let Grace pluck at a couple of the strings and gently couched her how to play a basic song that all lyre players first learn.

"You're doing great, now if you do this..." Lyra instructed the filly on something as he looked away from the cute little scene he met eyes with Luna.

'Thank you,' He mouthed making the Alicorn nod her head.

"Oops, I-I'm sorry!" He heard Grace say and as he looked he saw one of the strings snapped.

'Oh, don't worry about it this happens a lot. You really are doing great, and this gives me a chance to go through on how to restring it." Lyra said giving the filly a rub on the head, which after that he spoke up.

"Hey, why don't we take a break and just go out to eat tonight to celebrate!" He said making them all nod in agreement.

After getting them all ready to go they started to make their way into town and wonder where they should eat. As they made their way they walked by Bon Bons making him remember last night. The group of them stopped to take a rest with Lyra, of course, sitting further away from the candy store.

"Hey, I'm gonna take care of something real fast okay?" He whispered in Lyra's ear making her nod, and he started to make his way to the candy store.

"Welcome to Bon Bons Sweet shop how may I help you today?" Bon Bon asked though her attention was focused on making salt water taffy.

"Hello to you to number seventy- two," He said making the earth pony jump and turn around.

"Brandon? H-how did you know that was me?" Bon Bon asked in shock.

"You just confirmed it, that and I saw you there. But this means me and you have a bit of a problem." This made the mare gulp in nervousness. "Now before that, could you whip up a mixed bag of candy?"

"Uh, s-sure no problem," Bon Bon said and started to put different candies into small bags before placing them in a bigger bag. "H-here you go, that'll be twenty bits."

"Thanks, and now about our problem." This made the mare avoid making eye contact. "You know I did think I made it clear to you that I don't like you like that. I know last night was a charity event and all, but you should have known better Bon Bon. I mean after what you did and all if you did win what do you think would happen?"

"I-I... didn't think..." At that, he spoke up again.

"You know for someone who always seems to at least think things through you don't. Not when it comes to things like this. Seriously Bon Bon, if you had won Lyra would come in here and by the sun who knows what she would have done. Not to mention this brings back bad memories of my own. Let me make it crystal clear right now, there is too much bad blood between us to have that kind of relationship.

Once upon a time, it could have been like that but not now. It would cause too much pain to boil up again, but I do think I know where your feeling stems from. Part of the blame goes to me on that part." He said making the mare give a confused look.

"Brandon, I-I've always felt..." The mare tried to say.

"No, you haven't Bon Bon! You made it clear several times when I was working for you, and you definitely made it clear after the lies you told! It hurt a lot of ponies, and forgiving you was hard for me to do!" He yelled making the mare flinch a bit as she heard all of the pain in his voice.

"I-I..." Bon Bon said trying to hold back a few tears.

"S-sorry, but that has been building up for a while now." He said giving the mare a bit of a hard look. "Look, I'm not trying to say that forgiving you was wrong or anything but I think that's where your feelings started from. Because you were hurt and still heartbroken, you needed somepony to latch onto to fill the hole. But it's not me, it can't be me that fills it in like I said too much bad blood and hurt."

"Y-you..." Bon Bon took a deep breath hanging her head in defeat. "I think you're right, a-and I'm sorry but I-I had to try even though I knew it would never happen. But know that you forgave me still means a lot to me, and I will never forget your kindness. Just know you can always come by and still grab some candy."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." He said as he looked at the mare who now had a few tears going down her cheeks making him give a sigh. "But before I go, I do want to tell and show you something."

"R-really?" He nodded nodding his head to the window where both of them went to.

"Luna came home today and brought somepony with her." He pointed to the filly now on top of Luna laughing.

"I-is that Grace?" Bon Bon asked.

"Yeah, Celestia pulled a few strings with the foster agency and got them to let her stay with us earlier than expected." He said giving the scene of the three mares playing with the filly a smile.

"I-I think you'll make a great father you know? Like I-I said my door is open for you, and just have a good time okay? Make them happy and try not to let your jealousy get the better of you." Bon Bon said going back behind the counter.

"Thanks for the advice, and I am sorry it had to end like this. But at least we tried to patch things up right?" He asked making the mare give a weak smile and nod.

"You better go, I think they're waiting for you now." At that, he waved the mare goodbye as he went out the door, and when he looked he saw her flip the sign on her door to closed.

"I got some candy for later girls!" He said putting on a happy smile and at the mention of candy both Luna's and Grace eyes lit up, and they made their way to the restaurant area.

"She was at the auction last night wasn't she?" Lyra asked quietly, making him give a nod. "So I'm gonna guess she had been sending signals to you then?"

"Yeah, but don't worry I took care of it." He said giving her a little sad smile.

"I hope she's able to find somepony to help her heal right this time, and I hope she does find happiness with that pony. Just wish that when it comes to her following her heart she reads it better like how she used to be." Lyra said looking back with a sad look at the candy shop.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, and for now let's not focus on the past and instead live in the present." He said placing a hand on top of her head making her give a sigh.

"You're right, I mean look at us. Right now we all seem to be a happy little family." Lyra said as they came up to Derpy's house to pick up Dinky.

"Dinky, this is Grace." Derpy introduced the two fillies.

"Hi, looks like me and you are going to be sisters once moma and Brandon get married!" Dinky said shaking Grace's hoof, though her comment made both him and Derpy blush.

"Uh, h-hi and I think I would like that," Grace said with a bit of shyness, but to hear her say that brought a big smile to his face.

"Already feeling like a father are you?" Derpy asked giving a little giggle. "I know when I adopted Sparkler how it felt when she started to think of herself as a part of my family. I'm glad you'll to experience that feeling to if anypony deserves it it's you."

"Thanks, but we'll see how Grace is in a couple of months." He said giving the grey mare a hopeful smile. "Now, how about we all go eat!"

At that, the six of them decided to go to a buffet not too far away and as they walked he noticed that Dinky was making an effort to talk with Grace. After looking at the ponies around him he felt a peace come to him, he knew this is where he was meant to be. He took a breath and made a promise to himself at that moment, to not let whatever he remembered, no matter how bad let it haunt him and to let the past remain in the past and live in the present like how he told Lyra.

Author's Notes:

Hope you all enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!