[Lulu]

I stretched before flowing off my work desk. I left the design I had been working on for Rarity's later approval. I looked over at a pony mannequin (I could never call them by what Rarity does) wearing a partly made dress. With a weary sigh, I leaned against my stool. I was feeling very much overworked. It seems everyone wants a Lulu Belle Original since Rarity opened her Manehatten store.

Or rather, since we came out. I smiled. Good thing Rarity and I made that agreement.

I risked a glance at the clock, and had to take a second look. It seemed that I had worked for an extra hour. Normally, this wouldn't be a bad thing, but this week, I had the pups over.

"Suri!" I called into the hallway. "I'm heading out now. Got an idea for a new design on my desk for review." I could never get used to the buzzing my collar made....

"Okay! Have fun with the pups!"

"That's the plan!" I chuckled. Assuming that there's a den to come home to....

With another sigh, I left through the employee's entrance. Unlike Suri or Rarity, I didn't live at work. Instead, I lived closer to the bay in an apartment complex favored by griffins. I flowed through the streets, stopping off at the fishmongers for tonight's dinner. Once the salmon was paid for, I made my way home as quickly as I could.

Thankfully, everything was still standing when I arrived. Nodding to the front gate guard, I trotted to the elevator. I launched a small bubble to the call button, and was surprised when the door opened right away. An older griffon stepped out before noticing me.

"Heading up, Miss?"

"Yes, floor fifteen."

Hooking a talon around the door, he tapped the button for me. Waving off my thanks, he left the lobby. From there, the trip to my door was uneventful. I unlocked my custom door, and entered my den.

"Sorry I'm late." I called into my home, listening to shuffling paws. "Got caught up at work. I just need a moment to prep dinner, then we can eat." I slid my saddle bags off and pulled the fish out. My collar was hung on a hook by the door.

I had just tossed dinner into the oven, when I heard something that made me mentally cringe.

<<Hey, Mom?>> Sapphire called in a 'please don't be mad at me' tone. <<Could you come here please?>>

What did they do?

I followed my daughter's voice into my living room. Once there, I was struck speechless.

My sons and daughter were propping up a large card. Behind them, I could see an envelope straining to hold its contents in. The card they were holding, and most of the room, was covered in crude stick figure cutouts, cheap gems, and a school's worth of glitter. They held it up with nervous smiles.

I sat in the doorway, one paw covering my mouth. I held my other front leg out in an invitation for a hug. One my children wasted no time in taking.

Finally, I found my voice. "It's a little big to go on the fridge...." My gaze lingered on the bedazzled words on the card.

'We love you, Mom.'

This the first Bonus chapter. These can be considered optional cannon. I hope that these short little breaks from the story aren't too jarring.

As you may have guessed, this one is for Mothers Day. Happy Mothers day to all!