Sitting at the table, Caramel ate his breakfast of oatmeal with diced peaches. Taking a sip from his glass of orange juice, he kept a ear cocked, listing for Cinnamon, in case she woke up. Today was going to be a busy day for them, fist on his list was of course to visit Dawn, as he was very much looking forward to seeing her and Stellar again. Latter he needed to finish things with Whirl Void, before hunting down a moving company to to hire, so that they can pack up Fudge's things, and send it all to Ponyville. Hopefully he would be able to board a train sometime this afternoon, so that he would be home in Ponyville before nightfall.

Finishing breakfast he washed his dishes and set them out to dry. Taking out the diaper bag, he began sorting though it, making sure he had everything he needed. Once he finished organizing the diaper bag he set it aside, and sat down on the couch and began reading one of the foal care books, there was still so much he still needed to learn.

He was just starting chapter two when his ears perked up when he caught the sound of Cinnamon letting out a mewling cry. Closing the book, he got up to see to her. Entering the nursery, he was surprised by the overwhelming odor of a dirty diaper. "Wow! That's pretty bad." Caramel commented crinkling his nose. Lifting Cinnamon out of the crib, he took her to the changing table to get her cleaned up. Opening her diaper, he found her rump completely plastered with a messy and very runny stool, that dripped off of her rump. "Looks like you have a bit of the trouts." He observed as he started wiping her messy bottom. He made a mental note to look up whether diarrhea in a foal was normal, but since she didn't feel warm nor was she sniffling from a runny nose, he figured she was probably fine, but he wanted to check anyways just in case.

Once he had her cleaned up, he quickly got her ready to go. He was eager to be off to meet with Dawn, she and Stellar were being discharged today, and if he got there too late, he would miss them. Taking the trolley to the hospital, he entered the now familiar doors. With a quick stop at the greeting desk, he got the new room number that Dawn was now in. Making his way to her door, he nervously knocked, before cracking the door open and poking his head in.

The sight that greeted him, was of Dawn, as she lounged on top of the bed with little Stellar nestled up to her teat as she nursed him. Caramel's ears shot up in embarrassed surprise. "I'm sorry! Excuse me!" Caramel quickly brought his head back, and was about to shut the door, when Dawn called out to him.

"Caramel! Don't be a dork, and come in." Her voice was a mixture of amusement and happiness, as she called out to him.

"Um... your sure? It looked like you were busy." Caramel said though the cracked door.

"If you don't come in, I am going to smack you so hard across the back of your head, your going to see stars!" Dawn threatened, jokenly.

Caramel grinned. "You'd haft to catch me first."

"Caramel! Your begging for it!" Her tone said that she was getting serious.

"Fine! I'm coming in." Caramel said as he stepped though the door. Dawn was smiling as he approached her. Even though he could see the dark shading under her eyes from lack of meaningful sleep, she still seemed much more relaxed and happy. Nestled against her side was Stellar Prize, as he suckled noisily at one of Dawn's teats.

"Oh my goodness! So that's Cinnamon. She's so adorable!" Dawn said, looking at the filly as he drew close. "May I hold her?" She asked, holding her hoof out.

Caramel grinned as he lifted Cinnamon from her carrier. "Of course you can." Leaning over, he gently set her down in the crux of Dawn leg.

"Aaawwww, she's so precious." Suddenly she crinkled her nose. "And a bit fragrant."

Caramel's ears wilted, as he gave her an apologetic grin. "Yeah, sorry. She's been a bit gassy today, and she has a bit of the runs."

"Well that's okay, it's really not all that bad." Dawn replied. Lowering her head, she nuzzled Cinnamon for a moment before she looked back up at him. "I'm sorry that I'm not taking your offer from yesterday. But I want to thank you for giving it to me though, you have no idea how good it was to have that option, at that moment."

Caramel shook his head. "It's okay. I'm very happy that you have some family that will take you in. And I'll come by occasionally to visit, and we can always write to each other. I don't want to loose you as a friend."

"You won't, I promise." She gave him a warm smile before she bent her head down to look down at Stellar. "He's looking rather full. He tends to overeat." Sure enough, when Caramel looked at Stellar he saw that his belly was large and rounded, a sure sign that he was stuffed. "Would you please take him off the teat, before he busts himself open." She asked.

Caramel's eyes widened at the unexpected request. Was she doing this to him on purpose? "Ah, okay." Caramel awkwardly moved closer to the little colt, and nervously lifted him, but stopped when the colt remained firmly clamped to her teat. "Umm, he won't let go, what should I do?" Caramel asked, as he nervously held the little colt aloft, while he remained tethered to his mother.

"You'll need to break his suction. Place the edge of your hoof next to his mouth and press in against my teat and the edge of his mouth. That will break the suction, and he'll come loose." Dawn instructed, a slight grin hidden to the side of her mouth as she watched.

Caramel swallowed anxiously. He lowering the colt down to free up his hoof, and hesitantly reached forward, nervous about touching her in such a private area.

"Stop being a ninny, and just do it already. I really don't mind." Dawn assured him.

Caramel took a breath, and set the edge of his hoof to the side of the colts mouth, against Dawn's nipple. Gently he pressed down, and instantly her nipple popped out of Stellar's mouth, who let out a plaintive cry as he nosed around for her nipple again.

"Oh no, you've had quiet enough for now, little guy." Caramel said as he lifted the colt up. Shifting him around, Caramel laid him onto his shoulder and he began to pat his back.

"Umm, Caramel..." Dawn said, as she watched him patting Stellar's back, an alarmed look on her face. "You might want to..."

"...Blurp...!!"

"...Use a burp towel." Dawn finished with a amused grimace, as Caramel's ears drooped down, completely mortified at what had just happened.

Why do I always forget to use the burp towel!? Caramel internally groaned. He let out his signature sigh as he lowed Stellar down from his wet shoulder. Taking the burp towel that Dawn was holding out to him, he wiped Stellar's mouth, before he gingerly set the colt down alongside Cinnamon. Lifting the towel, he reached over and began to wipe up the mess on his back and shoulder.

"I'm really sorry about that, Stellar tends to spit up when he eats too much." Dawn said apologetically, while she snickered behind her raised hoof.

Caramel paused while wiping the impressive amount of spit up that was soaked into his coat. "It's alright, I'm getting used to it" There was a small bathroom attached to the room, so Caramel went into it to give his shoulder and back a better wash.

Once he returned, he found both Cinnamon and Stellar both sound asleep side by side, as they were both tucked up against a clearly happy Dawn. Pausing next to the bed, Caramel smiled down at the sight. "So, how are you liking motherhood?" He asked softly while seating himself in the chair.

Dawn thought for a moment. "Well before, I was terrified at the thought of becoming a mother, but now that I am, I find that I am feeling contentment and at times I am filled with uncontrollable happiness, that I feel like I'm going to explode. I mean I have never felt this much love for another pony before, its truly wondrous." When Dawn finished speaking, she lowered her head and nuzzled her son affectionately, before she lightly kissed him.

Caramel watched as Dawn tenderly caressed her son. "They do tend to put things into perspective, don't they?" Caramel agreed.

"They do indeed." Dawn let out a contented sigh. Looking back up, she met his gaze. "I have a request I would like to make to you."

Curious, Caramel cocked his head at her. "Oh? What would that be?"

"I would like for you to be Stellar's godfather."

Caramel's ears shot up in surprise. To say that he was flattered would be an understatement. "I don't know what to say." Caramel confessed, breathlessly.

"Just say yes, you dope." Dawn said with a grin.

Before he replied, Caramel's gaze fell down to the two foals that were slumbering up against Dawn, and a idea came to him, causing him to let out a sly smile. "I will agree to be Stellar's godfather, if you agree to be Cinnamon's godmother."

This time it was Dawn's turn to be surprised, as her jaw dropped. It took a moment for her to answer his returned condition. "I... I except."

"Then you have yourself a godfather for little Stellar." Caramel said grinning. "Little Sis."

"And you have yourself a godmother for little Cinnamon, big bro." Dawn replied back while returning a grin. "Now, if you don't mind, would you collect these two, so that I can go to the bathroom? I really need to go."

With some careful handling, Caramel was soon seated with both sleeping foals tucked up with him. As he sat there listening to the soft rhythmic breaths from the two, he soon found his eyes beginning to droop, and it wasn't long before he drifted off and joined the two foals in slumbering bliss.

He didn't know how long he slept, but it was something warm and soft pressing to his lips that suddenly roused him. Blinking his eyes open, Caramel looked around and saw Dawn as she was settling herself into her bed. His lips were tingling as he lightly licked them, and found that they tasted like... Did she just?

"You look troubled. You okay?" Dawn asked as she rested her chin down onto a pillow, looking completely innocent of any mischievous activities.

"I ah... thought that..." Caramel was still feeling a little groggy from the little nap, and wasn't sure that what he thought had happened had only just been a dream.

"Thought what?" Dawn asked sweetly.

She was laying there, looking at him with her eyebrow raised questioningly, and Caramel looked at her hopelessly, there was no way he could ask if she had just kissed him while he was asleep. "Ah... nothing. Um, how long was I asleep?"

"Not long, only about ten minutes or so, when I came out of the bathroom I found you sound asleep with the foals all cuddled up with you, I just didn't have the heart to wake you."

Caramel let out a yawn and looked down and checked on the two foals he held. Both of their faces had such a peaceful look to them as they slept. "That's okay, I needed a bit of shut eye." He looked back up at Dawn. "So, when are you being discharged."

"As soon as my aunt gets here, we will be leaving." Dawn answered, a note of sadness in her voice.

Caramel glanced at her, sensing her feelings. Biting his lip, he thought about what to do, he had been planing to say goodbye to her right here at the hospital, but as the time grew close, he suddenly had second thoughts about it. Caramel still had a few things to do before he was to leave for Ponyville, and it didn't feel right to let her leave without a proper goodbye, and it was evident that she still wanted to spend more time with him, and he found that he felt very much the same. He let out a sigh Oh well, what's one more day going hurt. "How would you like it if I tagged along with you to the train station, and see you off there?" Caramel offered.

Dawn's eyes lit up. "Ohhh, that would be wonderful!" She said excitedly. "We can even stop for some lunch first, would you like that? And maybe even do some shopping, I know that Stellar is going to need some things. " She said while clapping her hooves together. "Ohh, this is going to be fun! Caramel, your the best."

What did I get myself into? Caramel thought to himself while smiling, Dawn was practically bouncing in her bed, from her excitement.

Dawn was still happily making plans when Nurse Soft Touch stopped by, and the nurse nearly dawww'ed herself to death when she saw Caramel with the two sleeping foals cuddled up to himself. She immediately dashed off, quickly returning with a camera, and started snapping pictures. It was at this point that Dawn's aunt, Morning Glow then entered along with little Meadow Mist.

"Oh my! Now isn't this a fine sight." Morning Glow said, eyeing Caramel.

Dawn let out a giggle and rushed over and hugged her aunt. "I know, right?"

"I see my adorable nephew, but who is his precious little filly friend?" Morning Glow asked as she crossed over to Caramel to get a closer look at the foals.

"Oh, she's Caramel's little filly, Cinnamon, my goddaughter." Dawn said happily, stepping up next to her aunt. "And Caramel just agreed to be Stellar's godfather."

Morning Glow blinked, giving them both a surprised look. "Well, that's some wonderful news!" She looked down at Caramel. "You've been quite a surprising addition to Dawn's life, so tell me. Are you by chance sweet on her?" She suddenly asked hopefully.

"Aunt Morning!" Dawn gasped out, absolutely mortified by her aunts question.

Caramel was also in quite a state. The shock of the question made his ears stand straight up, as he felt his face heat up like a furnace. He gaped up at Morning Glow, unsure how to answer. Dawn was a sweet filly, and he liked her a lot, but he didn't see her in that way.

"Dawn is indeed very special to me, but I'm afraid I'm not sweet on her in the way you are meaning." Caramel glanced over at Dawn, noticing her ears droop a little at what he said. "I'm sorry if that may have hurt you."

Dawn quickly smiled at him. "Don't be, I understand, and I agree. Your special to me too, but I don't want to complicate my life anymore then it is right now." As she said this, Caramel noticed that her smile seemed a bit forced.

Morning Glow glanced between the two. "Well, perhaps things will change in a few years when Dawn is older." She said before she looked over at Dawn and motioned her head towards Caramel. "But if you ask me, it seems a pity to let him go."

"Aunt Morning, please!" Dawn snapped, giving Caramel an apologetic look.

Caramel did indeed feel a bit embarrassed by Morning Glows bluntness, but he also felt a bit flattered that she liked him that much. A light touch at his arm caught his attention. Looking over he saw Meadow Mist, as she stood reared up against the arm his his chair. She was leaning over and looking down at Cinnamon.

"Hello." Caramel greeted her, surprised she had gotten this close without his noticing.

"Is she yours?" Meadow Mist asked.

Caramel smiled at her, as he adjusted himself so that she could get a better view of Cinnamon. "Yes she is."

"How old is she?"

"Today she is three day's old." Caramel answered.

"That would make her..." Meadow Mist scrunched up her face in thought. "Two day's older then my cousin, right?"

Caramel gave a nod. "That's right."

"Where's her mamma?" Her question was given innocently, but it still took him by surprise. The wound in his heart was still fresh, and to be suddenly reminded of Fudge's passing caused him to flinch. "Are you okay? You look sad now?" She asked.

Caramel forced himself to smile, as he looked down into Meadow Mists large grey eyes. "I'm all right, I'm just a bit sad, because Cinnamon's mamma was hurt really bad in an accident, and can no longer be there for Cinnamon." Caramel felt his throat tighten as he spoke. He thought he had his grief under control, but he just found that it was still there just under the surface, ready to rear back up under the right conditions. And seeing the filly looking up at him with her large eyes while he explained this, seemed to fit the criteria.

Meadow Mist dropped her gaze down at Cinnamon. "So she doesn't have a mamma?" She asked sorrowfully.

"No, I'm afraid she doesn't." Caramel said sadly, before looking up and seeing the sympathy in both of Dawn's and her aunt's eyes as they stood watching his exchange with Meadow Mist. Caramel suddenly felt Meadow Mist wrap her leg around his arm and around Cinnamon as she gave them both a gentle hug. Nurse Soft Touch, who had been silently standing to the side, quickly lifted her camera and snapped a shot of the tender moment.

"I'm sorry you lost your mamma." Meadow Mist said to Cinnamon as she pulled back from her hug.

Caramel felt his eyes misting up, he couldn't handle much more of this. "Thank you Meadow, your very kind." Dawn appeared next to him while levitating some tissue's to him to help dry his eyes.

Morning Glow went over to nurse Soft Touch and spoke quietly with her for a moment, before she turned back to them. "Okay, lets go and get Dawn discharged, so we can go get some lunch, shall we?" She turned a curious eye to Caramel. "Caramel, will you joining us?"

"Yes, of course he's coming." Dawn answered for him, as she lifted Stellar from his grasp with her magic so that he could get up. "Aunt Morning, do you think there is time to do some shopping as well?"

Morning Glow let out gasp and spun about, placing her hoof to her chest, with a comically shocked look on her face. "Honey! There's always time to do a little shopping."

They had lunch in a small mom and pop diner, where Caramel found himself crammed into a both with Dawn, who was happily scrunched in next to him. With Cinnamon settled comfortably in his lap, Caramel enjoyed his meal of boiled potato wedges with cooked peas, covered in a thick country gravy. As he ate his meal he became increasingly aware of the dirty looks that the waitress was giving him whenever she passed their table.

At one point, the waitress had stopped at their table to refill their water, but somehow missed his. Caramel was about to ask her to fill his cup, when she abruptly turned and moved away, totally ignoring him.

Dawn noticed Caramel's abortive request of the waitress, and glanced at him curiously. "What's wrong? You look troubled"

"I don't know, its just..." Caramel continued to watch the waitress as she moved around the other customer's tables. She was quick to flash bright smiles at the other customers, but when her eyes wandered to him, her smile would drop abruptly. "That waitress doesn't seem to like me." Caramel said, voicing his observation.

Dawn glanced across the room at the indicated waitress. "What makes you think that?" She asked curiously.

Caramel looked around the table and saw that they were all now looking at him, waiting for him to explain. "Well ah... ever since we've been here, she's been giving me some rather dark looks and a decidedly cold shoulder.

Dawn leaned her head over to look at him. "Perhaps you said something rude to her. I know that's how I act when a colt is disrespectful with me."

Caramel shrugged, and shook his head. "That's just it, I've not said a single word to her since we got here, it was another waitress that took our orders."

"Perhaps you met her at another time," Morning Glow proposed.

"No, not that I know." Caramel shook his head. He had moved out of Fillydelphia years ago, back when he wasn't much older then Dawn. He didn't stay in contact with any of his friends from school, and he was sure that he would remember a mare like the waitress.

"He's right, I just saw her do it." Dawn suddenly said looking out at the waitress. "She just gave Caramel a scowl when she looked over here." Dawn suddenly turned and passed Stellar over to a surprised Caramel. "Here, hold him, I'm going to find out what's got her in such a twist." Sliding out of the booth, she stormed off towards the waitress, who was currently wiping down a table.

"Hmmm, this doesn't look good. Caramel you'd best pass me the foals, and go after her, and see to it that she doesn't do anything rash." Morning Glow said as her horn lit up with magic, and lifted the foals up from Caramel. "Dawn's sweet most of the time, but she does have a bit of a temper."

Caramel began to slip out of the booth when he suddenly heard Dawn's voice shout out in outrage. "How dare you!" Suddenly a nearby customers plate of spaghetti lifted up in Dawn's magical grasp, and she hurled it onto the hapless waitress, covering her in the messy meal. "I'll have you know that Caramel is the sweetest, kindest, and most considerate stallion I have ever met, I will not allow you to besmirch his good name with these lies!" She was shouting so loudly, that it was likely ponies could hear her from outside the diner.

Caramel quickly rushed over, and placed himself between the two. "Dawn! That's enough! This is no way for you to act." Caramel was amazed by the fire he saw in Dawn's eyes as she glared around him at the fuming waitress. "Apologize to her!"

Dawn's eyes snapped to him. "But you don't understand! She thinks that you... did things... with me!" Dawn's eyes were now brimming with tears, as she looked at him.

"What is going on here!?" A new voice said, and a charcoal brown pegasus stallion, wearing a greasy apron rushed up to the waitress, and upon seeing the state she was in, whirled about. "Who did this!?" Anger and shock were evident in his voice, as he demanded to know the culprit.

Dawn was now breaking down and weeping, and Caramel quickly turned around to face what appeared to be the cook. "I did it, and I'm sorry. We'll pay our bill and leave." Caramel said, taking the blame from Dawn.

The stallion glared at Caramel. "Oh no your not! This is clearly an assault. I'm getting the constables!"

The waitress shoved herself forward. "Good! Going to jail is what you deserve! Its where all fillyfondler's should go!"

Fillyfondler!? The waitress thought that he was one of those pervert stallions who force themselves on young filly's! Caramel heart sank to the pit of his stomach. The shock of the accusation rocked him to the core, and it took him a moment to reply. "I am no fillyfondler!" He managed to shout back in denial.

"Please." The waitress said in disdain. "How can you say that, when she still carries her pregnancy weight and stretch marks! How brazen must you be to parade around the results of you illicit and shameful relations with a filly much to young for you! Your nothing but a dirty rapist!" She spat out the last word. A word that struck deeply into Caramel's mind, as the shock of it sent him reeling.

His heart began racing in his chest, as he suddenly found it very hard to breath. No, not now! It felt like a vice was clamping down onto his chest, as he staggered back. Memory's started to come, memory's that he had tried to bury and forget for many years now. Dark memory's from his past.

His jaw hurt as he looked up at her, the taste of blood thick in his mouth. "Please, no more."

A searing pain flashed across his back, as she struck him. "Did I say you could talk, slave?" She snapped angrily. "I will have obedience!"

"No, I'm sorry! Please." He pleaded as he felt another searing pain slash across his back, followed by another. "Please no... please nooo..."

Caramel found himself slumped to the floor, with Dawn holding his head, with a look of deep concern on her face. "Caramel! Are you okay? Talk to me!" She asked as she used the back of her leg to wipe the froth from his mouth, her voice seemed to come from far off, as Caramel tried to get his mouth to cooperate, and to say something back, to help calm her fears.

His head felt like a swarm of bees were buzzing around in it, and his heart was still trying to beat its way out of his chest, as his panic attack ebbed. He cursed himself for his weakness, as he slowly regained his senses. "I'm... okay." He managed to mumble out to Dawn, who let out a relieved breath, and hugged his head to herself.

"Excuse me, but I've heard quite enough of this." Morning Glow said as she stepped up next to Caramel and Dawn. Cinnamon and Stellar were suspended next to her, held in a aura of magic. "I think a little introductions may be in order. My name is Morning Glow, and this fine filly you see helping the stallion, is Dawn Sparks, my niece." She levitated Stellar up before her. "And this little prince is her son, born just yesterday, Stellar Prize, isn't he just the cutest?" She asked sweetly before her friendly smile suddenly hardened. "Now, did I just hear you insult little Stellar's godfather?"

The waitress blinked at her, taken aback by the older mare's calm intrusion. "Godfather?" She said in confusion.

"Why yes, you see just this morning, Caramel, who is the stallion with whom you've been insulting with your baseless accusations, just agreed to become Stellar's godfather. And in turn, my niece Dawn has also agreed to become his little filly's godmother." The waitress's sneer began to fade as her eyes flicked between Caramel and Morning Glow. "I am speaking of course of this little princess." Morning Glow said as Cinnamon floated up next to Stellar. "Her name is Cinnamon. She was orphaned the day she was born when Caramel's sister died tragically a few days ago. Caramel is taking her in and will be raising her as his own, which is truly a wonderful thing for him to do, don't you think?"

The waitress's eyes were wide, with growing a look of horror. She fell back a step and shook her head in denial, but Morning Glow wasn't done yet. Morning Glow stomped a hoof down forcefully, causing the waitress to flinch. "How dare you judge him with your flawed reasoning! You jumped to an conclusion and treated him like dirt! You should be ashamed!" Morning Glow's held her head high, as she snorted in rage. "Caramel is a very sweet and kind stallion, and you spat on him." Morning Glow turned and gestured to huddled form of Caramel, as Dawn continued to console him. "Just look at what your actions have wrought! Look at what you have done to him!"

The waitress had backed up a few more steps and was shaking her head, he eyes had gone wild at the realization of what she had done. "I...I...thought..." She never finished as she suddenly she turned and fled, disappearing though a door to the back.

The cook watched dumbfounded as the waitress bolted into the back, quickly turned to them. "I am so sorry for her actions, I swear that Acacia has never done anything like this before!" He suddenly looked around the room, and upon seeing the many customers staring at the scene he raised his voice. "My apologies for the disruption, it was only a misunderstanding." He quickly approached Caramel, as Dawn helped him stand. "I'm so very sorry for this, please, accept the meal as a gift, free of charge, and if you wait a moment, I will get you a pie, any pie you want. Cherry? Apple?" Without waiting for an answer he rushed off to the kitchen.

Once Caramel was on his hooves, he gave both Dawn and Morning an appreciative smile and nod, before they helped usher him back to their table. Once he was seated, he reached for his cup, but seeing that it was still empty, then grabbed Dawn's and drained it down. "Please, I would like to hold Cinnamon." He said, and was surprised when both foals were dropped into his lap. Without complaint he wrapped his hooves around them he let out a sigh from the comfort he got, as he held them close. Dawn slid herself in next to him until she was pressed to his side.

"What happened to you? It looked like you had some kind of attack." Dawn asked. Concern written all over her face.

"It... happens occasionally. It's a type of panic attack." Caramel explained, staring down at the tabletop.

"Do you take any anti anxiety medicine?" Morning Glow asked, seating herself across from him.

Caramel shook his head. "My panic attacks isn't caused by stress or anything general like that. It happens when... I'm reminded of a terrible experience from my past." He looked up and gave a weak smile. "You can chalk it up to a bad memory."

"Bad memory? What kind of bad memory does something like that?" Dawn asked.

Morning Glow was looking at him seriously, while deep in thought. It seemed like she understood that there was something, that he kept to himself. Looking over at Dawn she suddenly broke in. "Dawn, I think its best, not to pry. Whatever it is, it causing him pain, so just leave him be."

Dawn looked at her aunt like she wanted to argue, but then after looking back at Caramel she relented and nodded. "Okay aunt Morning, I won't pry."

Caramel sat in silence, comforted by the feel of the two foals in his lap. They were so young and innocent, not scared by a horrible past that would leave them trembling with the mere thought of it. He wanted Cinnamon to grow up, free from such things, the mere thought of anypony hurting her made his blood boil, and he was sure he would do anything to protect her, from such things.

It wasn't long before the cook reappeared next to their table again, with a new waitress with him. "Hi, I didn't hear what pie you would like so I brought them all." Soon their table was covered in pies, way too many for them to eat. There was an apple pie, cherry pie, peach cobbler, lemon meringue pie, and a blackberry pie. Caramel and the others stared down at all the pies in surprised shock. "Please enjoy, and whatever you don't eat you can take with you, we have to-go boxes, whenever you need them."

As the cook turned to leave, Caramel had a thought. The waitress. She had been so convinced that he was the monster she believed him to be. Why would she have jumped to such a conclusion? Perhaps... "Excuse me." Caramel called out to the cook before he could leave. "The waitress, Acacia I believe you called her. Is she still around? I would like to talk to her."

The cook hesitated. "I'm not sure that is such a good idea."

"Please." Caramel pleaded, as he leaned forward. "I'm not mad at her, in fact... I think I can help her... at least a little."

The cook looked at him for a moment considering it, before he let out a sigh, "She hiding herself in the break room at the moment, I was going to look in on her latter when she calmed down."

"Dawn let me out. Morning Glow take the foals please." The foals lifted up out of his lap, held aloft in Morning Glow's magic as they drifted over to her. Dawn scooted out of the way, leaving him free to slip out of the booth.

"Caramel, what are you doing?" Dawn asked as he moved past her.

"I think that there is more going on than her merely jumping to a conclusion." Caramel said to Dawn before he turned to the cook. "Where's the break room?"

The cook unfurled a wing and pointed to a door with it. "Go though there and it will be the second door on the left."

Caramel passed thought the door and stepped down the hall, before pausing at the second door. Lifting his hoof to the door handle, he pressed down and opened the door. Stepping in, he found Acacia sitting at a table with her back turned away, with her head buried in her hooves. From the way her back was hitching, he could tell that she was crying. Lifting his hoof, Caramel lightly rapped on the open door.

"Basil, I want to be left alone." Acacia muttered out, not even bothering looking back at him.

"I'm sorry for intruding." Caramel said softly.

Acacia let out a gasp and whirled around. Her face was a wreck, her eyes were red and swollen, with her cheeks soaked from her tears.

"What?... what are you doing here?" Acacia asked, obviously shocked at his appearance.

Seeing a box of tissues on a back counter, Caramel crossed over and picked them up, and took them to Acacia. Holding them out to her. "I wanted to speak to you, and let you know that I'm not angry with you."

Acacia gaped at him, before she took the tissues. "But why not? I said some horrible things to you. You have every right to be angry with me."

Caramel moved over and sat across from her at the table. "It's true that you said some really hurtful things, but I can't bring myself to blame you for them."

"But why?" She truly seemed lost as she tried to fathom his reasons.

Caramel took a moment to think his response though. "Because... you were a victim yourself, weren't you?" The look of total shock and surprise on her face practically confirmed his hunch.

"How!?...how did you...?" She quickly looked around, checking that they were alone, and that nopony had overheard him.

"It was the vehemence that you showed. It only made sense if you were drawing from a past experience of your own." Caramel explained leaning forward.

Acacia visibly was struggling with her emotions as she listened to him. "I never told anypony." She stared down at her hooves as they rested on the table.

Caramel reached forward and set his hooves on her, the moment his hooves touched hers, she gave a little jump, and tensed up, and for a moment it appears like she was about to jerk her hooves away, but then she let out a sigh and relaxed as she allowed the contact.

"I think that needs to change. Your carrying a wound that is obviously hurting, and I think you need to talk to somepony about it. You need to heal, or this will just get worse."

"I don't know if I can. I've been living with this shame for so long. I don't know anything else." Fresh tears came to her eyes, as she started to shiver.

Caramel knew that she needed closure, for what she had gone though was eating her up, and if nothing was done, then it would most likely destroy any possibility of a happy life for her. She needed to open up, and she needed somepony she trusted to open up to.

"Acacia?" A voice said from the door. A soft green earth pony stallion stood there looking in on the two. "Basil told me that something happened, and I wanted to see if your okay." He paused as he looked at the two, and at the way they were sitting together. "Did...I come at a bad time?"

By the way that Acacia tensed up, and her cheeks reddened, it was obvious that she liked this stallion as she stared down at her hooves. Caramel looked at the two and smiled. This is perfect. "No, you came at a perfect time, come in and have a seat. I think Acacia is in need of you."

The stallion hesitated a moment before crossing over and sitting next to Acacia. "What's going on? I heard that there was some sort of trouble."

Caramel released her hoof and stood up. "Acacia will explain it to you, and hopefully she will share some other things with you too." Stepping around the table, Caramel paused next to the stallion. "Just be there for her, no matter what. She needs somepony to be strong for her."

The stallion looked at him uncertainly, but after a moment gave a nod. "I'll do my best."

"Good! I'll just leave you two alone now, so that you can talk things out." Caramel started for the door.

"Caramel?" Acacia suddenly called out. Pausing Caramel looked back. Acacia had turned and was looking at him. "Thank you."

Caramel gave her a smile, before he turned and left, closing the door behind him. As he walked back to the table, he hoped things will work out for her. She had been holding something inside for so long, that exposing it to others was likely to be a painful and overwhelming experience. If only I had that kind of bravery, maybe then I can find some healing of my own. Caramel mused to himself.

Approaching the table, he found that Meadow Mist had switched to the other side so that she was next to Dawn. A foal blanket had been draped over Dawn midsection, and from the powder blue hoof poking out from under the blanket, Caramel guessed that she was nursing Stellar.

"How did it go?" Dawn asked as Caramel sat across from her next to Morning Glow.

"It went well. I have hope for her." Caramel answered. Looking around he found somepony missing from the group. "Where's Cinnamon?"

"She was hungry." Dawn said, before she took a bite out of a rather large piece of lemon meringue pie.

It took a moment for Caramel to puzzle out her response. Leaning down, he spied a pair of little white hooves poking out from the under the blanket on the other side of Dawn. "Are you nursing her?" Caramel asked in surprise.

Dawn gave him a funny look as she swallowed her mouthful. "I'm her godmother, of course I am. She was hungry and I have an extra teat."

Morning Glow looked over at him. "You know that mare's milk is best for little foals. Formula is so processed that many foals develop digestive problems with it. Mare's milk is easy on their little tummies, and full of beneficial things you won't find in store bought formulas. Take Meadow here, I exclusively nursed Meadow until she graduated to solid foods, and she was a delightfully healthy foal, who never suffered a bout of colic."

Caramel glanced over at the mentioned filly and grinned. "As well as a taste for pie, I see." Meadow let out a giggle, lifting her head up from a half eaten cherry pie, which Caramel noticed she was eating strait from the pie tray.

Morning Glow let out an exacerbated sigh at the sight of her daughter. "Yes, well. She gets that from her fathers side."

Caramel reached over and slid the peach cobbler closer to lift out a slice for himself.

After three slices of pie, Caramel was stuffed. Walking stiffly out of the diner's doors, Caramel couldn't help but let out a groan. Never again will I ever eat this much pie. Caramel promised himself. Dawn let out little groans herself as she followed behind Caramel.

"I think I should have stopped at four." Dawn grumbled, rubbing her distended belly.

Caramel glanced back and smirked. "You kind of look pregnant again."

Dawn let out a gasp and swatted Caramel. "Don't even joke about that!" She paused and looked at her reflection in a shop window. "But your right, I do look a little pregnant."

Both of them came to a stop to glare at Meadow as she happily trotted by them, oblivious to their discomfort. "I can't believe you ate that entire pie all by yourself." Dawn said to Meadow as she passed them, showing no signs of discomfort.

"She's a growing filly." Morning Glow answered simply as she followed behind.

Their train was due to leave in an hour, so they only had time to stop at one store to do any shopping, much to Caramel relief, as he felt he was in no condition to be dragged around from store to store.

Stepping carefully through the isles, Caramel meticulously examined the shelves. Wanting to be a good godfather, Caramel was hunting for the perfect gift for his godson. Occasionally he would spot Dawn and her aunt as they huddled around something while giggling together. Meadow Mist had shot off to the stuffed animals, and was happily sorting through them, while commenting to herself on how each one was adorable then the last.

Stepping around to a new isle, Caramel paused as he took a sniff. That's weird. Lowering his head down, he sniffed at Cinnamon, as she dangled under his neck. "Cinnamon honey, your not gassy anymore." Caramel announced to the filly, who just burbled at him and attempted to grasp his head in her hooves. Lifting his head up, he gazed back over his shoulder at Dawn and her aunt. "She's right. There's nothing quite like a mare's milk to sooth a filly's tummy."

He had almost lost hope for finding a gift, when he turned the the last corner. Pausing he blinked at what he saw. Shelves full of little wooden boxes, some brightly painted, others were stained and polished so that their wood would shine. "Music boxes! This would be perfect." Scanning through the music boxes, he saw that each one had a little paper placard titling the song each one played. He passed by many due to how garish they looked or because he didn't like the song that it played. Finally he came to a box that caught his eye, the wood was stained dark, almost black, and its trim was painted a nighttime blue. Along the sides were carved images of the night sky, culminating with a strong crescent moon on its lid. Reaching out, he lifted its lid and gave its key a few twists to listen to its song, the moment he released the key a gentle but powerful lullaby started to play out. It's melody rose and fell in a pleasing manner, that invited the listener to loose themselves in the song.

Looking down at the placard he read the title of the song. Children of the Night. "This is perfect." Scooping it off the shelf, Caramel glanced around to see if Dawn could see him. He spotted her across the room, helping to restock the stuffed animals back onto their shelves from the havoc that Meadow had caused, who seemed to be sitting in a chair in a time out.

Seeing the coast was clear, Caramel quickly hurried over to the payment counter. Once he finished there, Caramel sat himself in a plush chair near the front door of the store to wait, his purchase already tucked safely into the diaper bag. Setting Cinnamon in his lap, he positioned her so that she was on her back looking up at him. She laid there quietly, as she focused on Caramel face. Her sight had gotten better and she was able to see in greater detail now, so Caramel played with this as he watched her. Wiggling his ears, Cinnamon's eyes darted up to watch them move, then he lifted and lowered his eyebrows, and her lavender eyes darted down to look there, he couldn't help but smile at her, as he continued to move different facial features to make her gaze wander about.

"You seem pretty happy now, I guess your feeling better." Caramel eventually said, lowering his head down and giving Cinnamon an affectionate nuzzle. It wasn't much longer before the others finally finished their shopping and joined him. The departure time of their train was aproching, so they needed to head down to the train station.

As they approached the station, Caramel was glad he had decided to see them off here rather then at the hospital. The time they spent together had been a soothing salve, that eased Caramel's pain. The stallion that he had saw in Dawn's hospital room was waiting on the platform, a trolley of luggage sitting next to him.

"Burning Star went to your home this morning and packed up some of your stuff." Morning Glow said to Dawn as they approached him. "Did you give that lout of a worthless stepfather a piece of your mind?" Morning Glow asked her husband as she gave him a quick kiss as she greeted him.

Burning Star lifted his hoof and held it up as he flexed his fetlock. "That, and a bit more. He'll be chewing soft food for a bit."

Morning Glow gave her husband an approving look. "Somepony's going to get a reward tonight." She murmured to him.

Upon hearing what Burning Star had done, Caramel quickly approached Burning Star and threw his hoof out to him. Burning Star looked at Caramel for a moment, meeting his gaze, before he reached out and hooked his fetlock around Caramel's as the two shook. Caramel was glad that Dawn's stepfather had received his comeuppance, for what he done to her. And as they shook hooves, Caramel gave Burning Star an appreciative nod for a job well done, while Burning Star took note of it, and returned a nod back, acknowledging the sentiment.

Caramel was about to turn and leave when their hooves broke apart but then he suddenly found himself encased in a hug by Morning Glow, after a moment he awkwardly returned it. "Take care Caramel, and don't be a stranger. Visit whenever you want, you will always be welcome in our home."

"Thank you Morning Glow." Caramel replied giving her a smile.

"And make sure you take care of Cinnamon, If I hear that your neglecting her in any way, I'm going to have Burning Star come and motivate you to do so." Morning Glow said seriously, before she flashed a smile and turned. Caramel was unsure if she was serious or just joking.

Before he could puzzle it out, Meadow Mist tapped him on his leg. Looking down at her he was surprised when she lightly kissed him on his cheek. With his cheeks suddenly burning, he watched Meadow, as she dash off, joining her mother by the trolley.

"Well, I guess that leaves the best for last." Dawn said as she stepped up to him. Her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. "Promise me you will write."

"I assure you, that in this case, a promise is completely unnecessary." Bending around, Caramel reached into his diaper bag and lifted out the music box. Turning back he held it up for her.

Dawn let out a gasp as she lifted the music box up in her magic. "Its beautiful, thank you." She then opened a flap on her bag with her magic and lifted something out, it drifted forwards until she set it down onto Caramel uplifted hoof. It was a brand new family photo album. Before he could say anything, she opened the cover. There sitting on the first page was a lock of Dawn's dark blue mane, tied neatly with a purple ribbon, next to it was a smaller lock of Stellar's maroon colored mane tied with a light blue ribbon. "So you can have a piece of us with you."

Caramel felt his throat tighten, as he struggled to control his feelings. Her gift was just so personal and intimate, unlike anything he might have expected. "Dawn this is so... Thank you, I will treasure it."

Dawn lifted the album from him and stored it into his bag for him, before she wrapped a hoof around his neck and hugged him, careful not to smoosh the two foals together. Lifting his hoof, Caramel returned the hug. They stayed like this for a slightly longer period time than would be considered appropriate, before her grip loosened and she began to pull back. He felt her cheek rub against his for a moment as they passed, as her hot breath teased his neck, and just as they pulled apart, she suddenly reversed and quickly planted her lips to his. It wasn't a long kiss, in fact, it was rather quick one, but it still sent a shock from his lips down his body all the way to the end of his tail.

Once the kiss ended, Dawn pulled back quickly, blinking her eyes. She was flushed all the way to the tips of her ears. "I'll miss you." She said in a rush, before she hurried over to her family.

Caramel was left in a state of shock, frozen in place. The unexpected kiss had thrown him for a loop, and his mind was trying to deal with it. Suddenly he became aware of something, as he curiously licked his lips. That taste... Caramel couldn't help but grin as he looked at the retreating form of Dawn. That cheeky little minx, she really did steal a kiss when I was asleep.

Caramel stayed until their train left the station, watching Dawn and Meadow waving from the window. Once the train disappeared from sight, Caramel, let out a sigh. Looking down at Cinnamon, as she dozed in her carrier. "Come on, lets go home."

Author's Notes:

Fun Fact- Whirl Void's name was based on the term loophole, Loop=Whirl Hole=Void

For those that didn't get the reference, the music box was a reference to a song found on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNcJOqWzoBg
its a beautiful song that fits the scene beautifully.

I rushed this chapter out, so I am sure that there are still typo's. Any comments would be welcome.

Thanks