By the time Saffron and BLueblood left the doctors, Blue Spice was fast asleep. Tired from all the X-rays and testing. Saffron herself seemed about ready to fall over. “Well, it’s for his health, after all.” She said with a tired sigh. “So, when’s the next appointment?”

“A week from today. Dr. House also suggested to try and see if we can have Spice speak, he believes that his abnormal mana pathways wrapped around his vocal cords are the reason he has not spoken. Whether they are applying pressure to them or disturbing air flow he’s not sure yet.”

“As long as when this is all over Spice is healthy and happy, I’ll be happy.” Saffron said, fixing up a loose hair from her mane. “So, how much longer until that party you where going to throw to introduce ourselves to the neighborhood?”

“Enough time for an hour or two’s nap at least.” Blooblood said. “I had hoped to be home with more than enough time for practice and preparations, but this was of more importance.”

“So, should we expect any surprise visitors?”

“Like who?”

“Well, my father for one, and your aunts for another. Do you think the princesses will show up?”

“Well, given their schedules they might not be able to. But, at the very least they’d mail us a house warming gift. Auntie Celestia has always been kind and thoughtful like that, and in the little time I have known Auntie Luna she has been loyal almost to a fault to those she considers family. I might expect a late night visit from her, possibly.”

“I know what that is like. My father will do anything for Spice and I, but he can go… a bit extreme when left to his own devices.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. I can recall once when I was a foal, I had some bullies thatalways stole and ate my lunch. So, one day, my father made an extra spicy dish, with Blue Flame Pepper dust.”

“I’ve heard of it, one of the hottest spices on the market.”

“Yes, those bullies took a bite and where screaming, running to the water fountains, the playgrounds birdbath, and one to the bathroom. He stuck his head into the toilet. I didn’t get in trouble for it, thankfully, but father had to give an apology to the parents of those foals, through, one of them did think what my father did was justified. They never messed with me again, and from that day on I began to acquire a taste for very spicy foods.”

“Heh… I remember once, Auntie Celestia noticed I was being picked on. Not by my fellow students, but a teacher.”

“Oh my!”

“Heh, yes. He hated me. Auntie couldn’t do anything about it because school rules stated there had to be at least one witness to the event. So…”

“So…?”

“I...altered Celestia’s calendar, wrote and sent out a fake assembly letter to every teacher to bring their class to the assembly, and to leave their classrooms at specific times. Thinking it came from Celestia they blindly followed. When the time was right I got up from my desk, making him mad as he tried to get me back to my desk. So, once we were in the hallways, empty all around, the chase began. I lead him all around, making sure he was steaming mad. So, when I entered the back room of the assembly room, on stage, he ran right up to me and gave me a black eye and a bruised muzzle.”

“Oh my!”

“And the whole school, and Celestia saw it. He tried to defend himself, but she just replied ‘and this is how you deal with it? Such behaviour is that of a barbarian, not an educator.’ and fired him right then and there, guard escorted and everything.”

“He deserved it.”

“Yeah. I wasn’t off the hook completely though, I did start that one and technically ran out of class. Altered school records and disturbed school learning time in class with my stunt. I had detention for a full four months, and Auntie made me take edicate lessons every weekend for a year.”

“Hehe. Sounds like it might not have been worth it.”

“You kidding? I became the most popular foal in school after that day. It was worth it. When I graduated from there I later learned that teacher moved to Trottingham, he owns a small pawn shop there now.”

“Well, I guess it’s better than him being homeless then.”

“Yeah. That would have made me feel guilty.”

The stage coach stopped, and I exited, and helped Saffron down, Spice layd carefully on her back as she came down. We were greeted by Hopper, who looked flustered. “Blueblood. Saffron. You two are a little late.”

“The doctors was… a worthwhile endeavor. Why do you look like you flew head first into a tornado?” Blueblood asked.

“Oh that, well, you see…”

“Feel the wrath of chili pepper!” An unknown voice to Blueblood shouted from the bushes. Pain and red filled his eyes as he hit the floor. Sompony threw chili powder into his eyes!

“AH! What the heck!?”

“Father?!?!” Blueblood heard Saffron cry out.

“Father?!” He repeated. Confusion, anger, and surprise in his tone.

“Saffron, you are all dolled up, and Spice is sound asleep. Tell me, has this worm of a stallion been mistreating you both?” Saffron’s father asked.

“No! He’s been nothing but good, and honest! He’s been very nice to Spice and I!”

“Oh, is that so? I wouldn’t put much trust in snakes Saffron.”

“FATHER!”

“What? He showed up at the shop many years ago, drunk and half asleep, knocks you up without so much as to check up on you! A visit! And misses out on his own foals birth and early years! Now I return from my trip and find nothing more than a note in our home that you found him, married him! And now are living in this high and snooty neighborhood!”

“The Princess arranged it!”

“Then get a divorce and try this the right way!”

“No! We are trying to make this work, and… and… I like him.” Silence fell like a warhammer. “I’ve had dreams of the night we met, the night...Spice was conceived. They were the best dreams, and when I finally found out who he was, and where he lived...they are what made me seek him out. Even if he didn’t feel the same way. But, he wants to try and make this work, and I want Blue Spice to know his father.”

“I…” Saffron’s father sighed. “I cannot tell you who and who does not belong in your heart Saffron. As much as I distaste him for his past actions, if you want to shape this… unsightly lump of clay into something worthy of being viewed, I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you, father. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a foal to put to bed, and a husband who needs his eyes flushed out…”

“I think he likes you.” Hopper said, earning a towel thrown at his face from Blueblood. “Hey, at least you know he’s crazy enough to protect his family.”

“Yes, while I should be glad he didn’t have a knife, spear of other weapon, that Chili pepper attack made me wish I had a stab wound instead.” Blueblood said, splashing more water onto his face and into his eyes. “Would likely hurt less.”

“So, now you’ve met the Stepfather. How are you gonna work that?”

“Slowly, like this marriage. Don’t overstep boundaries, and earn trust and respect through actions and conversation.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Truer words…”

“So, surprised she had the same dreams you did?”

Blueblood, in surprise mid splash from the question, snorted in water and began coughing it out. “I-I!”

“I-I-I. I say shut up and realize that THAT, means she does like you the same way you like her. And if you have doubts, there is an expert in this field.”

“Exper- No. NO! Keep Cadence away from this!” Blueblood sighed, dropping his head and hitting the rim of the sink. “If she comes here to ‘aid’ my marriage with her magic, it’s just a temporary thing.”

“That was when she was little, now that she herself is married, and a Mother, might give Saffron a friend in your family, possible playmate for Spice, and the only pony you know with any experience in marriage. If it’s too awkward for you to ask her, then talk to her husband. You know, guy talk.”

“That...doesn’t sound like a half bad idea.”

“Why do you doubt me?”

“Because you aren’t smart most of the time.”

“I’d be hurt but- duhhhh.”

Blueblood and Hopper laughed, the last of the eye killing spice out of Blueblood’s eyes, though they still held onto a red coloring from the pain and irritation. “Well, I guess send a letter to Cadence and tell her-”

“Already did.”

“...Oh, well then let me know when she reply-”

“Next week.”

“... You either sent it the day I got married, or had Auntie do it...didn’t you?”

“Both. Princess Celestia was all for it, and since my job as your butler and bodyguard is as both your servant and friend, I was completely within my job/social boundaries.”

“You have no idea about that, do you?”

“Can you always tell when I’m talking crap? But seriously, I thought you’d need the help and Princess Celestia agreed. So, we wrote and sent the letter. She’s been looking for a couple to be friends with and talk stories with anyways so it works out.”

“I suppose. Well, let’s try and get this party done with and hopefully I can avoid another spice attack from my father in law… I realize that can sound very wrong in the wrong context.”

“I have taught you well, of perverted one.”

“Coming from the stallion with more herd pornography in his locker than-”

“And I’m shutting up now….”