Author's Notes:

Really, really sorry it took so long. Quite a few factors led to it.
Bit of a filler chapter. Some fluff between Rarity and Dinky, 'cuz they need more interaction.
Co-written by Patric12345!
Toodles!
~TOOWC

“Where’re we going, Mother?” Dinky asked.

“We’re going out to the park to have a picnic.” Rarity responded, smiling down at Dinky.

“Oooh, a picnic? Are Mommy and Daddy gonna join us?”

“No, they aren’t coming, it’s just going to be you and I,today.”

“Okay!” Dinky smiled. Holding out her arms, she made her face into a small pout. “Can I have a piggyback ride?”

Rarity smiled, but said, “What’s the magic word?”

Her face scrunching up a bit, Dinky said, “Uhm… please?”

Rarity leaned down and picked Dinky up, placing the filly atop her shoulders. “There you go, darling.’

Dinky giggled. “Whee! I can see almost all of Ponyville from here… s’not a big town, though.” She noticed.

“That is true. It’s quite a small town, though it’s much nicer than living in a city.” Rarity added.

“Don’t you wanna live in Canterlot, though? Sweetie says you’d get better business there and stuff.”

“I would get more business… but I’ve been thinking about it just a bit more, and I remembered… I’d have less time to spend with anypony I love or care about… I feel like I’d be constantly working.”

“You’d have Daddy with you, right? He works in your shop.” Dinky pointed out.

“I would, but that means that you would all have to move too… I couldn’t do that to any of you.”

“Oh… really? You’d give up your dream for Mommy and Daddy and Sweetie and me?” She asked.

“Yes… though I don’t feel like I’m giving it up. I just feel like my dream has changed.”

“Does it involve being married to Mommy and Daddy?”

“Yes, in fact it does.” Rarity said very matter-of-factly, though there was still a small blush on her face from the though of it.

“And you and Daddy will be my parents for real, like Mommy?” Dinky asked, hopefully.

“Of course we will! There’s nothing I’d like more than to be your parent.” Rarity smiled widely.

“And I wanna be your filly, Mother!” Dinky returned, hugging Rarity’s head from behind, and resting her own atop it.

“From the looks of it, that might be happening soon.” Rarity added.

Dinky hugged her head tighter.

For the next few minutes, the two of them walked- well, walked and piggybacked- in relative silence. “Are we picnicking in the park?” Dinky asked, breaking the quiet.

“Yes, we are.” Rarity replied. “Let’s find a spot though, since you can see a bit more, why don’t you pick one out?”

“Hmm… what about over there?” Dinky asked, pointing to the shade of a tree. “That way if we get full after eating, we can take a nap in the shade.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, Dinky.” Rarity smiled, moving over to the tree. After she set DInky down, Rarity carefully laid out the picnic blanket, and the two of them sat down.

“So what’d you bring?” Dinky asked, looking at the basket.

“I brought us some sandwiches, apples, and some lemonade to drink.” Rarity started. “Maybe afterwards if you’re still hungry we can go find something else for a snack.”

“What kinda sandwiches?” Dinky asked, picking one up and looking it over. “Peanut butter and jelly?”

“Yes, and a few daisy sandwiches.” Rarity nodded.

“Thank you, Mother!” Dinky beamed, happily nomming on a sandwich.

“So, Dinky, how have you been lately?” Rarity inquired.

“Good! Ms. Cheerilee says I’m one of her best students, an’ the sheet at the front of the class with all of the golden stickers has me on it with the most!” Dinky said. “Mommy and Ms. Cheerilee had a meeting the other day, and Mommy says that if I keep doing this good we might finally go out to Ms. Fluttershy’s house and get a pet!”

“That’s wonderful to hear! What sort of pet are you going to be getting?” Rarity asked.

“I think we’ll get a cat! A little kitty would be great, and Daddy say he really likes cats.” Dinky said.

“Cats can sometimes be quite the handful… though they’re quite sweet once you get over that.” Rarity commented.

“Like Opal?”

“Exactly like Opal.” Rarity laughed. “She can sometimes be a troublemaker, but it’s usually when she’s found something she doesn’t like.”

“You mean everything?” Dinky giggles.

“Nearly everything.” Rarity smiled. “She’s quite the picky little kitty.”

“She’s a big meanie.”

“Maybe you should get to know her more.” Rarity teased.

“Maybe…” Dinky admitted. “Mother? Have you ever thought about getting a different cat?”

“No, I haven’t actually.” Rarity said, “Why do you ask?”

“Just wonderin’.” Dinky said.

“That’s fine.” Rarity nodded, “I’m really happy that we’re able to spend time together.” She smiled.

“Me too!” Dinky nodded, latching onto Rarity’s midriff in a tight hug, and Rarity hugged her back.

“We’re going to be a wonderful family.” Rarity sighed.

“Mother?”

“Yes, Dinky?”

“How do you know when you love someone?” Dinky asked.

“It’s… just a feeling you get, deep inside your heart… The true specifics, they’re… a bit different. But for you, you’ll know if you’re really happy to be around them all the time.” Rarity explained.

“Well… what do you love about Mommy and Daddy?” She asked.

“There’s quite a bit I love about the both of them, darling…” Rarity started, “Hm… well I absolutely adore just how caring and kind they both are… though your Daddy seems a bit… um, well… just a bit out of touch with somethings. Though it just adds to his charm. Your Mommy is just an all-around absolutely lovely mare to be around. I only wish we could spend a lot more time together, more than we already do, that is.”

“Why can’t you?” Dinky asked, finishing off her sandwich.

“We’re both very, very busy, and both your Mommy and I work completely different jobs that very rarely interact enough to communicate… most of my customers pick up their purchases at my shop, as opposed to having them delivered.” Rarity explained, “I mean… we both could take a break…” She trailed off slightly.

“Do you think you’re gonna?”

“Maybe… but it wouldn’t be too long of a break.”

“What would you do? Would it just be you three, or would you take me and Sweetie with you?” Dinky continued to ask, looking up at her mother.

“Of course we’d bring you two along.” Rarity smiled. Dinky smiled and hugged Rarity again, closing her eyes and nuzzling into her mother. “I love you, Dinky.” Rarity spoke, returning the hug.

“I love you too, Mother.” Dinky returned. “Can we take a nap here?”

“Of course you can. It’s a beautiful day outside, and a perfect one to nap outside on.” Rarity laughed.

“Thank you!” Dinky said, smiling. The two of them lay down on the blanket, and the two of them soon fell asleep, helped along from their lunch.