The day seemed to pass by at a snail’s pace. Derpy had lost count of the number of times she had looked at the clock on the wall. If she didn’t know any better she would have sworn it was going backwards instead of forwards.

Over the course of the week she had spent a lot of time thinking. When she woke up in the morning; when she was at work; when she came home; while she was caring for Dinky; even when she went to bed. Countless times she had gone over every single detail of her date with Doctor Hooves, as well as everything she knew about him beforehand.

As she came upon the seventh day she felt she was ready to begin again. She went to his house in the morning, asking him if he’d be interested in going out. After asking her a few times whether she was ready and whether she really wanted it he finally accepted her answer, and the two made plans to go out for dinner and a movie.

She felt impatient, anxious, and excited. Maybe they could share another kiss or two. Maybe hold hooves. It might be a little much considering it was only their second date. All the same, she felt a little bit of romance couldn’t hurt. With Dinky coming along she wasn’t worried about things going overboard.

She still felt a little tingle in her stomach whenever she recalled him kissing her neck. Along with her thoughts about Doctor Hooves she also spent a lot of time comparing him to Shooting Star. Already there was no comparison. The differences between them were too numerous to count. She would give it to Shooting that he was a little more attractive, but the ugliness of his heart overshadowed any beauty he may have displayed on the outside.

All the same, that didn’t mean she should just drop her guard and give herself freely to the Doctor. That would only end in disaster just like with Shooting. She was going to do things the right way this time around. She was going to take things slow, and really get to know him before she committed herself to him.

That was the decision she had come to. She would give him a chance to prove himself, but if he tried to rush things or tried to force time alone with her she was going to pull away and break up with him. Love was more than just a word. It was also an action. Anyone could say they love you, but it’s the actions that go along with the words that made it real. And if he truly did love her and respect her like he said she would expect him not to try to push her beyond her boundaries. Given what she knew of him she didn’t think he would go that route, but it made her feel more assertive to simply have that plan in the back of her mind.

“He’s still not here?” said Dinky, coming into the kitchen. Her mane had been combed back and tied in a ponytail.

“Not yet, but it’s not even five yet.”

“Really? With the way you’ve been pacing and staring at the clock I thought he was supposed to be here an hour ago.”

“I know. I’m just a little nervous. Our first “date” wasn’t really a date. We were just two friends having fun. Now this is actually official and I know it’s coming.”

“You don’t have to be nervous, mom.” She walked over, straightening a few stray strands of hair in her mom’s mane. “Everything is gonna go great. Like you said before I’m coming along so that you behave yourselves, so it will still be more like two friends having a good time, right?”

Derpy let out a quick breath. “Yeah. I guess you’re right about that.” She suddenly grabbed her daughter and began shaking her. “BUT THIS IS MY FIRST OFFICIAL DATE IN OVER TEN YEARS!”

“Easy, mom. Easy.” She patted her mom’s shoulder and giggled. “I think I actually like this side of you. It’s nice to see something different once in a while. I think the butterfly hair clips are a really nice touch.”

“Yeah. I thought it seemed appropriate.” She lifted her mane a little behind her ear. “I’ve been keeping that daffodil in water every day, but it’s still starting to die. Even so, I still wanted to wear it tonight to show him I valued his gift.” Her head jerked towards the clock. “I’m gonna go check myself again.”

“Mo-om,” Dinky said exasperatingly. “You look FINE!”

“I know, but I need to do something. I’m gonna explode if I have to sit here staring at the clock until he gets here.”

She went to her room, sitting in front of the vanity. She looked at herself in the mirror, trying to see something. She stared at herself, seeing what she was used to seeing: a scared mare, worried about the future; one who didn’t particularly want to look at herself.

“These silly eyes,” she said to herself, a tear forming in her eye. “Why do they have to be like this? I want to be somepony important. Not to the whole world, but to him. How could anyone feel proud to have me? How could anyone want to show off somebody who looks like… like ME? I guess it figures that the moment he fell in love with me was a time when I had my eyes closed.” She frowned, tears welling up inside her.

Derpy let out a heavy breath, slowly shaking her head. “Stop it!” she said sternly. She pulled the flower out again, looking down at it and giving it a sniff. “He does love you for who you are, odd eyes and all.” She looked back up at the mirror. “Now enough with the bad talk. Smile, and show the world how happy you are to have someone who cares for you.” She hitched a small smile on her face. Looking closer there was a hint of something else in there, something she hadn’t seen in a long time: the prospect of hope. “That’s better! Now say the words we want to hear.

“I… I love you.” She winced, her heart immediately rejecting the phrase. Looking at the ground she mumbled out, “Maybe…” She caught herself, and looked back at the mirror with determination. “No! No maybe’s! I love you!” Her spirit faded again as she once more looked at the floor. “I guess…”

This time she wasn’t able to rouse herself from her stupor, her heart beginning to ache.

“I love you!” said a voice from behind her, making Derpy turn around. “And that’s never gonna change.”

Dinky came into the room, hopping onto her mom’s lap and hugging her. “I’m so proud of you, mom!”

“Proud?” said Derpy, feeling a little dazed. “For what?”

“Because you promised me you were going to let the past go. I know you weren’t able to keep at it, but you’re trying to forgive yourself and love yourself, and that makes me really happy. Like you said, though, you’re gonna forget a lot so that’s why you need me to remind you not to lose yourself. I won’t let you go. Together we’re gonna get the old you back, the one full of happiness and love.”

Derpy felt herself crying, Dinky’s words feeling so reassuring to the mare. “Thank you, Dinky.” She patted her daughter’s head. “It means a lot to me.”

“No problem.”

Derpy squeezed her daughter tight, so grateful to have her. “This is why I need you. You’ve always helped me keep going when I feel like giving up. It’s not so easy to let the past go. Now that I talked with you about all those things they don’t feel like they’re sitting so heavy on my heart, but…” Her eyes faded out, a few tears coming down her eyes. “I still have a lot of regrets and things I wish were different.

"I only want the best for you, Dinky. I know most of your classmates aren’t rich either but I just want you to be able to show off a new toy or game like they do. I want you to have a mom you feel proud of and can brag about. If only I’d had a few more years you could have been living so much better. I wish I could be a better mother to you. Why couldn’t you have been born to a better mare than me?” More tears came down.

“Mom!” Dinky said sternly. “That’s enough! Stop talking bad about yourself.”

“Huh?” She shook her head. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m doing it again.”

“Listen,” she said, much more gently. “Stop worrying so much about what everyone else thinks. I AM proud to have you as my mom. I always have been. I don’t need presents or toys to be able to brag about you, because I’m already rich in the best way of all.” Dinky’s eyes shined with tears as she smiled up at her mom. “You fill my heart with love and kindness, and you’re always there for me when I need you. Even when I started getting a big head you gave me my space when I tried to go it alone, but you knew I’d come back to you. You’re loving and kind and respectful and a hard worker. You hardly ever yell at me unless I deserve it. What more could I need to have a mother worth boasting about?”

Derpy couldn’t help smiling, the tears coming down her face much happier now. “Thank you, Dinky. I really needed to hear that. Please keep helping me on my journey to become a better mare.”

“I will!” she said with a joyful laugh. “I’ll always be nearby with some glue for that broken heart of yours.”

They heard the doorbell ring. Derpy now felt eager, her daughter’s comforting words washing her doubts away. “Come on, Dinky.” She set her daughter on the floor, a dreamy smile on her face. “Let’s go greet him.”

“Right!” She nodded.

The two of them went downstairs, Derpy opening the door. “Hello there, handsome.” A rosy blush came to her cheeks. “How are you on this fine night?”

Doctor Hooves blushed a little too as he took in her appearance. “Fine, Ms. Derpy. You look hungry tonight. I hope you’re beautiful.”

“W-what?” Derpy said with a snicker.

He blushed deeper, coughing. “I meant you look beautiful tonight. And I hope you’re hungry.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Me, too!” said Dinky. “Hi, Doctor!”

“Hello, Dinky. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Right back at you.”

They left, following along as they headed to the restaurant.

Derpy started as she saw the fancy restaurant. “We’re eating here?”

“Yeah. I got a reservation here earlier.”

Derpy’s face felt flushed. “Um, Doctor Hooves?”

“Yes?”

“Would it be alright if we, um, ate somewhere else?”

“What’s wrong with here?” said Dinky.

“It’s just, well, too much. An expensive place like this is more than I’m comfortable with.”

“Mom! You’re doing it again. Why can’t you just accept that you’re worth it?”

“Dinky,” said Doctor Hooves, “if your mother isn’t comfortable than she isn’t comfortable. We can go somewhere else.”

Dinky looked a little deflated as Doctor Hooves agreed with her mother. “But she’s always like this! She acts like she’s not worth the best when she is!”

“It’s… it’s not that, Dinky,” said Derpy. “I mean, I know I asked him to be my coltfriend, and we agreed to go out tonight, but this kind of high-class establishment is more for a romantic setting between two ponies. You’d be bored to tears, and if you’re coming along I want to show consideration for your feelings. Plus, I still want to take things slower than that. This is all still new to me, so I’d really just prefer it if we could go to a simple place like the Hay Burger. They have a ball pit and that play area with the tubes you can crawl around in.”

“Oh. I get it.” She felt more relaxed. “I thought you were just beating yourself up again.”

“Nope. Not this time.” She rubbed her hoof through Dinky’s mane.

“Sorry, Derpy,” said Doctor Hooves. “I wasn’t really thinking of Dinky when I made that reservation. I just choose that place because I wanted to show you I wasn’t afraid to spend money on you and was only going to take you to the cheapest places I could find.”

“It’s fine.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

His face turned crimson as he put a hoof to his cheek. “Well, that was the highlight of my night! To the Hay Burger it is!” He took off trotting with a giddy laugh.

“I’m too hungry to run,” said Dinky, but she ran regardless with a smile on her face.

“Wait for me!” said Derpy as she began running as well.

When the three of them arrived they put their order in and got a table. Dinky wolfed down her food, then ran off to the play area.

Derpy and Doctor Hooves ate their food more slowly, watching Dinky crawl around. “Ah, this is a good night,” said Derpy. “My daughter is happy, I’m happy, and I get to spend time with a great stallion.”

“Right back at you,” said Doctor Hooves.

“Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Just do it! I have a surprise for you.”

He got a big grin on his face, closing his eyes. He waited, puckering his lips in anticipation. He felt a little tingle on his nose, but that was all that happened as she told him to open his eyes again.

When he did he let out a yell and jumped backward, falling to the ground as he saw something sitting on his snout.

Derpy cracked up laughing. “Bad Doctor! You’d never be friends with a butterfly like that. Maybe you need to spend some time with Fluttershy.”

Doctor Hooves looked over at the ground, seeing the plastic butterfly he had attached to the flower he gave her. He picked it up, an inscrutable expression on his face for a few seconds, but then he looked up at her with a coy expression. “Funny.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “What are you gonna do about it?”

“I’m gonna get you!” He hopped up.

Derpy began running. “Come and get me, tough guy.” She dodged around a few tables and jumped right into the ball pit, Doctor Hooves following along with her. The two of them playfully wrestled, laughing away.

“Umm, excuse me,” said a voice. The two of them looked up, seeing a stallion that was stifling his laughter. “The-hehe-the ball bit is for foals only. C-could you please remove yourself-hehe-from there?”

“Sorry,” the two said in unison, getting up and out, but suppressing their laughter as well.

As they headed back to their seats she gave him a playful shove. “Look at you. That’s twice now you’ve caused a scene.”

“ME?” He shoved her back. “You’re the who jumped into the ball pit first.”

“And you wanted to go to a stuffy hoity-toity restaurant.”

“Okay, I admit it. This was much more fun.”

The two of them sat back down at the table, ignoring the stares and chuckles from the other patrons who had just witnessed their display.

Dinky came up to them, shaking her head. “Look at you two. You’re acting more childish than I am.” She didn’t look bothered about it. She enjoyed seeing this playful side of her mother.

“She’s right,” said Derpy. “I think we should be a little more serious. Come on. Close your eyes again.”

He gave her a shrewd look. “What are you going to do this time?”

“Oh, just do it already. I promise you a kiss. Don’t you trust me?” She put her lower lip out, turning on the charm.

“Fine.” He shut his eyes and waited. Dinky began giggling hard and he heard whispering between the two of them but wasn’t able to make out the words.

After a few seconds he got a dainty kiss on the tip of his snout. He smiled. “Awww, thank you, beautiful.” He lifted his head and gave a kiss back.

“Oh, Doctor!” said Dinky with surprise. “Aren’t I a little young for you?”

His eyes shot open, and he saw Derpy holding Dinky up with her hooves, the two of them beginning to laugh uproariously as she set her daughter back down, Derpy slapping her knee.

As she began settling down she saw Doctor Hooves looking put out. “Aww, don’t pout,” she said, wiping her eyes of the tears that had formed. “Be a good sport.”

“That wasn’t funny,” he said, looking awkward.

Derpy sighed jokingly, rolling her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to play around with you a little.” She put her hooves on either side of his face, putting her lips to his as she closed her eyes, staying there for five seconds before pulling away. “There. Am I forgiven?”

The answer couldn’t have been more obvious unless little hearts appeared over his head. There was a carefree grin on his face and a deep blush suffused his cheeks. He nodded, looking satisfied.

The rest of the night went well. She gave him another quick peck on the cheek before going back inside, bidding him goodnight.

She went upstairs to her room, Dinky following behind her. She looked in the mirror, almost not recognizing herself. She was smiling, for one, and she didn’t have to force it, either. She found she didn’t care about her eyes not pointing the right way. She saw someone who looked satisfied with life.

Putting her elbows on the vanity she looked closer at herself, thinking of the kiss they had shared in the restaurant and sighing happily.

Dinky saw that her mother was content, and decided to leave. She didn’t think she had to remind her mother how important she was tonight.

In the coming months the three of them went on dates once or twice a week. Derpy always struggled to keep her self-esteem up. She looked forward to their nights out more and more, but along with her excitement and happiness she always had a period of doubt in the hours leading up to their date which Dinky had to help her get past. Gradually she was overcoming those negative feelings.

In their fourth month the two of the made plans for a solo date for their six month anniversary. They would mostly keep to public areas to be sure they still didn’t go too far, but they each wanted to show they trusted the other not to push things. Following that they agreed they’d go back to dates with Dinky if they felt it was too awkward or the heat of their passions was too strong.

Derpy was happy with that. She was pleased. She was glad. She was joyous. She had no problems with her decision, but something began to eat at her. Doubts and insecurities plagued her the closer the day came, and she didn’t know why.

At over five months they were only one week away from their half-year anniversary, and things felt very heavy for her. She had tossed and turned for hours, unable to find sleep for a long time.

She woke in the morning sunlight, hearing the sound of banging from downstairs. Forcing herself up she headed downstairs to see who could possibly at her door so early in the morning.

As she opened the door she let out a large gasp. “Shooting Star?”