It is six months after we have returned when I arrive home from the stable that I get the letter that surprises me most. As I come in the door, I see Sutures with a stunned expression on her face and I notice Sumac off to the side trying not to laugh. Epona brings the letter to me and tells me, “You really should read this ma, Mama Magpie will need to see it after she gets home too.”

At this point, I am extremely concerned and I begin to read it.

My dearest family,

Things have been fairly quiet since we have arrived down here, other than a few raider incidents and the scouts and the Fighting Fillies captured a small wagon train of slavers. In fact, this has allowed me to spend much time in town visiting with Scrap, Beach, and the twins. They are real hooffulls let me tell you.

As I read this part, I find no real surprises and I begin to wonder what their reactions are all about. I look up at them and Sutures tells me, “Keep reading dearest.” So, I continue on with it.

Esmoorelda from the Flying Cow has also asked me to have you say hello from her to the Others as well as our wife Sutures, who she misses having her chats with each week during her normal weekly checkups. She also has asked me for you to quietly ask Kettle Bell what she wants her to do with her share of the profits? She is doing it this way so her husband does not know about it as she is worried that he may try to reinvest them himself, rather than doing what Kettle wants.

Milo and his family have also told me tell all of you hello, and that they really miss their extended family. Especially Sutures right now. So far Cannel Coal has not taken yet, but Both Cedar Box and Laura Lee have and should deliver before I leave.

I am stunned enough that I have to reread the last paragraph. I feel my mouth hanging open and I feel as Epona comes up and gently closes it for me, then she says, “Yep, you got to the part that threw us Ma.” She smiles as she shakes her head and tells me, “I was reading up on it just the other day at the Manesville Library, the odds of a Jenny getting pregnant are incredible. There have only been a very few special cases that were documented.”

When she says the last part, I jerk my head up and ask, “Wait, what, I thought mules are sterile?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Ma, it is incredibly rare, but it can happen, just like a zony being able to have foals. It is extremely improbable, but not impossible.”

I slap my forehoof to my forehead, then I look a Sutures and she just smiles and nods. Then she says, “I guess Laura Lee got what she really wanted, but just did not reckon on.”

When she says this, I see and hear Sumac begin to laugh even harder as she says, “Just wait til Badger hears.”

I see Sutures shaking her head, “Goddesses Archer is going to be so smug about this. One of the few stallions to get a Jenny Pregnant.”

At this, I begin to smirk and I ask, “I wonder what they will name her little one?”

I see Sutures still looking somewhat dazed, but Sumac is pulling herself back together. Finally, she looks at Sutures and tells her, “Dear, I am sorry for laughing so hard, but all I could think of is he had one time with a mule and he got her pregnant. That is even worse than Badger and me with one time.”

Sutures then looks up at me and half-seriously asks, “You don’t think that, no, she wouldn’t.”

“Who wouldn’t what dearest?” I ask her.

She looks me right in the eyes and says, “You don’t think the Mareigan is responsible for this do you?”

I shake my head and I tell her, “No dear, I don’t, but I think we better keep a tighter rein on Ginger and Xochitl though.”

I see Epona smile and she tells us, “Just don’t make it too tight. Besides, normally they have Sunny with them, what could happen with him there too?”

All three of us grown mares look at each other. I notice they are both smirking, then suddenly they look worried.

I think back to what I was like at that age and I relax a bit. I will trust her judgment. Well, at least a bit.

I then finish the letter and realize how much I miss Milo and the others from down in the Harness and Hackamore region. I did notice though that in his letter Archer had mentioned that while they are still looking for an adult dragon, Harness has gotten two dragon eggs. I just hope they can take care of them properly. My next question is where would they have found dragon eggs? I guess I will have to ask George if she knows when she gets back next week along with the rest of the 2^nd of the 2^nd.

Finally, we begin to get ourselves back together when I hear Ginger call from the front door, “Ma’s, we got another one we need help with.”

I sigh and enter the main dining room and see her hanging her SIR on the wall, I guess that answers where she and Xochitl were. Then She asks, “Hi Ma, could you help us with the cart again?”

I grin at her and tell her, “Sure, let me slip out of my uniform first.” I then go and change so I can help them bring in their newest catch.

As I lay awake next to Sutures and Magpie my mind races with what all I have coming up and what I need to do. We have been home for just under nine months and things seem to have settled down again. Once in a while, we get some stray raiders; we have even had a few stray pegasus flyovers using raptors and such, but nothing spectacular or of particular notice.

It is the middle of the night and I have barely fallen asleep when I hear pounding on the door. I jump up and as I reach the gun rack, I notice both of my older daughters are already there I watch as one silently heads out the back door of the kitchen while the other one covers me as I go to the door. Behind me, I hear Sutures asking, “Who is it, what do they want?”

I have my pistol Honor ready as I carefully open the door from the side and in the dim light, I see Dull Beak standing there, he looks like he is ready to panic. He puts his wings and both front talons in the air and with eyes wide open says, “Don’t shoot, it’s me, and it's time.”

I am still tired enough I do not realize what he means and I ask him, “Time for what?”

He tilts his head and looks at me like I am stupid and he tells me, “Time for Summer to have our little one.”

I feel my eyes go open wide now and from behind me, I hear Sutures call out, “Tweeters, here girl,” as she writes out a quick note. Then she tucks it in a small satchel around Tweeters neck and tells her, “Go get Doula.”

As Tweeters runs out onto the porch and flies off, Sutures tells Dull Beak, “Give me a minute to get my bags and pistol,” then she runs back to our room and I hear her moving about, talking to Magpie.

I then look at Dull Beak and tell him, “Well XO, this sounds like a good reason to take the day off. Be sure to let me know what you have please.”

He nods his head, and as Sutures comes back out from the room, she gives me a quick peck on the cheek and they are off and running towards White Cloud. I watch them as they disappear into the darkness and I hear Magpie tell me, “Dear, she is going to be gone for a while, why don’t you come back to bed?”

I realize she is right and after returning Honor back to my holster hanging from the rack I head back to bed and realize just how nice it is to still have somepony warm to snuggle up to as I fall back to sleep. Just as I begin to drift off I hear Magpie’s daughter Raven begins to cry. I swear Mags is almost ready to cry, so I tell her, "I will bring her here for you, just lay down love.”

I hear her sniffle a bit and then she tells me, “Thank you, love, I really appreciate it.”

I kiss her on her forelock and I go to get her daughter for her middle of the night feeding. As I do so I seriously begin to consider having Sutures cast the lactation spell again so I can help her. As I enter the dimly lit nursery, I see her standing in her crib trying to figure out how to get out of it as she cries. I pick her up and put her on my back, then I carry her to our room where I sit her down next to her mother so she can nurse. Once she is finished, I take her back to her bed, before finally getting back to sleep myself.

It is just after morning formation when I get the message on my PipBuck from Dull Beak. Colonel, it is a little hippogriff mare. Mother and youngster are doing fine. We have named her Slip Stream after Summer’s great grandmother. Also, Sutures says she will see you back at the farm tonight for dinner.

Dull Beak.

I can not help but smile when I hear this and when I let my staff know. Soon afterward I overhear one of my staff troopers tell another, “Us old CEF troopers sure can find ourselves doing the near impossible.”

The one he is telling this to asks, “What do you mean Half Pint?”

He laughs and says, “First Targhee, then The Valley, next Lieutenant Archer somehow gets a mule pregnant, and to top it off, old Dull Beak fathering a youngster with a mare, creating or recreating if he is right, a whole species of its own.”

I hear the other one laugh and he replies, “You know with luck like that, the little Zony and his pony marefriend from the old scouts better be careful.”

As he says this, I drop my coffee cup and I hear the first one asks, “You do realize his marefriend is the Colonel’s daughter, right?”

I do not hear the rest because as I am starting to clean up my mess Chain Lighting comes over and talks to me while he is helping me clean up the spilled coffee. As I finish up all I can think of is, perhaps I do need to be worried more about those two.

It is my day off for the week and It is hard for me to believe that I have been home for over 11 months since we left Hackamore, I think to myself as I watch the youngsters play in the yard from our porch. As Magpie and I sit there watching them I hear Sutures call from inside the house, “Mollygirl, your great aunt is coming down the road, would you mind rounding up Moon Lily for me?”

I call back, “Sure thing dear,” then I let go of Magpie's tail and walk over to the little Black unicorn with her green main and tail. She looks up at me and I tell her, “Here comes auntie Purple you ready for another lesson young mare?”

I see her brighten up as she tells me, “Really mama” Magic time?”

I nod my head and she all but bounces with glee. Then she sees Purple Haze at the main gate to the farm and she is off like a shot giggling as she goes.

I see the grin on her face as Purple sees the excited little mare running to her. She stops, sits, and holds out her forehooves to the little mare as she runs to her. I have to smile as she gets close and skids to a stop and then performs a dignified walk into her mentor’s hooves.

As I am heading over to say hello, I hear Purple ask, “How is my favorite student doing today?”

I hear Moon giggle and say, “I is doing really good today auntie purple. I love magic days.”

I see Purple Haze smile back at the little mare and I realize she almost considers her a daughter. My goodness, how she has changed since she and I first met back in Hackamore.

After the hug ends Purple stands up fully and says, “Hello Mollygirl, By the way, Trouble and Blondie send their regards.”

“Thanks, Purple, how are they doing?” I ask.

She smiles and replies, “Oh they are doing well. But they have their hoofs full with a second flier in the family. Rain is learning quick, and Sunny does not help,” she says as she laughs lightly.

I grin and I tell her, “You know, I am sure it really surprised her that they had another pegasus, she was hoping for a unicorn filly this time.”

I see Purple straighten up and become serious then as she says, “Well she should be dang happy to have one at all. Not every mare has foals.”

I nod my head and as I do so I see Moon Lily trying to get Purple's attention. Once she has it, she asks, “What teach me today Auntie Purple?”

I see Purple put a hoof under her chin and she asks, “What would you like to learn today?”

I see the little unicorn filly close her eyes as she thinks then she says hopefully, “Telport?”

I see Purple grin again as she pats her pupal on her shoulder and tells her, “Not yet, but eventually. How about we try something a bit more useful for now. How about the Cleaning spell?”

I watch as Moon makes a face and I hear her say quietly, “But no want clean. I want to learn to telport.”

I hear Purple sigh and she says, “Moon, this is not normal cleaning, it uses your magic.”

At that, the little mare brightens up and says, “Ok, I do.”

Purple then leads her into the barn to begin cleaning there on things that can be repaired more easily if a spell goes awry. Not that it happens often with Moon, but I still remember when she went to heat a pot water for tea and melted out the solder by accident. As they walk away Purple Haze turns and tells me, “We will be back to the house in time for dinner, I have her for you.”

I smile and nod, “Thanks Purple,” I tell her, then I tell Moon Lily, “Have fun and listen to great aunt Haze, ok?”

She smiles and nods as she tells me, “Always do mama.”

I have taken about half a dozen steps when from behind me I see a bright flash of light and I hear Moon Lily say, “Sowwy ant Purple, I wrong spell.”

I hear a startled Purple ask, “Dear where did you learn that one?”

In reply, I hear an embarrassed sounding young mare say, “Choo Choo.”

I begin to walk again and I hear Purple Haze say, “I really need to talk to that mare again.”

I look up at the house and I see my beloved is watching out the window briefly with a smile on her face as she waves to me. I love the way the sun makes her black coat almost shimmer under it. The only thing that makes it better is knowing our sweet Archer will be back in another month. From his last letter, we learned that not only did Cedar have a little purple unicorn buck named Pine Box, but Laura Lee had a beautiful little Jenny with her light brown coat and Archer’s green mane and tail she named Blue Moon. Finally, Cannel did catch and she is due in seven more months.

I smile and shake my head as I think about all those foals and I step back onto the porch. I am sure Milo and his family are just loving it. While I will miss my family here, part of me can’t wait to get back down to them and see all the new family members there either.

As I come into the house, I hear Sumac ask, “Ok, what was that bright light from the barn?”

I simply shrug my shoulders and tell her, “Choo Choo taught Moon another spell and she accidentally cast it instead of the cleaning spell she was supposed to use.”

From upstairs I hear Sutures start to cuss ending it with, “I don’t care if she is an alicorn, that mare needs to listen to me. I am her mother.”

From the kitchen, I hear Sumac laugh lightly and tell Persimmon tree, “Yeah, that will work with her. She has had more experience with magic than most unicorns will ever read up on.”

From upstairs I hear, “I heard that Sumac.”

At this point I see Magpie looking at me and we both just shake our heads and laugh. Which causes Sutures to yell down, “It’s not funny.”

I then see Magpie mouth the words to me, “Yes, it is,” and I have to fight down more laughs.

Just over an hour later our chores in the house are finished and we all go sit on the porch. While we are there, we are joined by Persimmon Tree and Xailynn. Finally, we see a slightly bedraggled Purple Haze walking back with a smiling Moon Lily on her back.

As they get closer, I hear Sutures ask, “How did it go?”

Purple laughs lightly and tells her, “Oh it went ok. I just had to remember to make her focus on the spell she is trying to cast.”

I look at the slightly charred ends of her mane and tail and ask, “So what happened?”

She shakes her head, “It seems your friend Choo has deemed it necessary to teach my pupil magic that can be used in combat. She accidentally cast a lightning bolt spell when she was supposed to clean the rust off of one of your old plow blades, oh, by the way, we will need to take that back into town to be repaired before you can use it again.”

Behind me, I hear Sumac let out a light groan as she says, “I just had that blade rebuilt last year.”

The youngsters are all playing in the yard, with us watching them when I look up and see three fliers coming toward us from the Manesville area. As they get closer, I hear Magpie say, “Oh look, speaking of Choo, here she comes with her sisters.”

As she says this, I see Purple’s coat bristle and her ears start to slide back. Then she says, “Good, I would like to have a word with her.”

As the sisters come in to land, I hear Sumac tell her, “Purple, remember, this is my land so mind your manners please.”

I see Purple take a deep breath and slowly release it. Then she tells her, “For you, I will Sumac. Thank you for reminding me.”

As they approach, I see Choo Choo has a wide smile on her face as she sees Moon Lily playing with her siblings and Xialynn. Beside her Quick Frost and Blue Star trot along with their normal dignified manner, but I do notice they are holding tails.

Purple approaches them before I can say anything, I hear Choo Choo asks, “Miss Haze, what has happened to you?”

I hear Magpie guffaw and I see Sutures eyes go wide when she asks this. Then I hear Purple reply, “Uh, Choo Choo is it? May I have a word with you concerning my student?”

I watch as Choo Choo raises a single eyebrow and then tells her, “You mean my great, great-granddaughter?”

I see Purple bristle some more and she says, “She is my family too now.”

Choo then tells her, “Only through marriage.”

As I watch these two begin to argue, I notice the other two sisters step back and away.

When she sees this Purple challenges them by asking, “What are you two so afraid of a simple unicorn that you are spreading out so you can attack me too?”

I see Blue Star shake her head as she answers back, “Oh no, it's not that, but I learned a very long time ago not to get involved with family squabbles.”

She then turns her head back and asks Choo, “So what do you have to say for yourself?”

Choo looks at her coolly and tells her, “Purple, may I call you Purple? Please understand I have seen and experienced much more in the wastelands than you could ever imagine. I am not trying to undercut your training. However, I do realize she needs to know how to defend herself.”

“So, you teach her how to cast lightning blast?” she says.

Choo Choo looks surprised and tells her, “Actually, no. We were playing along with a few of the others when a radhog charged us and I cast that spell. I did not tell her how to cast it.” Choo then looks with wide eyes at Moon and continues, “I simply taught her how to cast a simple shield spell.”

I see Purple’s, as well as Sutures’s jaws, drop open when they hear this and Purple simply says, “By Celestia.”

Beside me, I hear my wife say, “I will really need to watch what spells I cast around her.”

Magpie and I both simply nod our heads. And Sumac quietly tells her, “It is a good thing you began to teach your daughter to only use magic with permission then. A little filly with that kind of power really needs self-discipline.” Again, we all nod.

As the moment seems to have blown over, Sumac then calls out, “Mares, how about we all have some nice tea out here on the porch. It feels so good and we can keep an eye on our little ragamuffins easier.

I see Blue Star smile and she replies back, “That is an excellent suggestion Sumac. I will help you get it ready if you do not mind.”

With that, the tension has blown over and over tea I notice both Purple and Choo begin to talk about how each can work together on Moon Lily’s education.

As we enjoy our tea together, I notice Magpie and Quick Frost talking about books and I hear Magpie say, “Quick, we just received a second copy of the Book of Little Pip, I could save it for you if you would like to read it.”

“Magpie, please understand I do appreciate the offer, but I have heard some others discuss it as well as Choo telling us what others have said. For us Little Pip is a quandary,” I hear the Purple alicorn say.

I see a funny expression come over Mag’s face as she asks, “What do you mean? Why would she cause you any problem?”

I hear Quick Frost first take a deep breath then let it out before saying, “Magpie, your kind call her The Light Bringer, ours, The Destroyer. She killed many of our kind as well as our mother the Goddess. When she fought those alicorns she mentions, we all were there through Unity. We saw and felt what they did. We felt their deaths as she killed them. When Unity was broken then we became individuals again. Some of us such as myself regained most of our memories. Others such as Blue Star only some of them, and even some like Choo Choo regained even less and have had to either relearn who they were or become new ponys, so to us she is both a damnation as well as a salvation. We all died when she set us free and those of us left were reborn.”

When she says this, I am stunned at its implications and I do not know what to say, instead, I simply sip my tea and nod my head. It is at this time I see Choo and Purple both nod their heads and I hear Purple say, “Agreed, for now on you and I will meet at least once a week for tea and so we can collaborate on her training.”

Then Choo Choo remembers and tells her, “Oh, we will meet every week when we can, I am deploying down to Hackamore in two weeks. “

The day Archer gets home from deployment I am there to meet them at the pier, along with the rest of our family. As Archer comes up, He sees his daughter Raven for the first time as she walks with her siblings. She has the red coat of both her mother and father, but her black mane and tail have green stirpes in them. I see the look of surprise on his face as he slowly walks towards us and first hugs Magpie, who introduces him to Raven.

I see the expression of shock on his face as he looks lovingly at her, then he waits for her to cautiously approach him and he then hugs her and gently kisses her on her forelock as he tells her, “I have waited so long to do that little mare.”

I have to smile as she hugs him back. Then I watch as he is mobbed by the other youngsters vying for his attention. Finally, I see Moon Lily light up her horn and call out “Papa, over here.”

He sees her and says, “Come here daddy’s little filly,” then he sits down and allows them all to hug him at one time.

As they finish, he stands back up and finally I get my chance along with the other spouses to welcome him home. When he gets to Badger, I hear Badger tell him, “Welcome home brother, I have missed you.”

“I have missed you too Badger. Thanks for helping to hold down the fort here while I was gone.”

Right after this, I am approached by Apple Cobbler. He takes me aside and tells me, “Mollygirl, I hate to tell you, but you are going to be losing your XO.”

I am stunned when he says this and asks him, “Why am I losing Dull Beak did something happen?”

He smiles at me and tells me, “Yeah, I got married to Silver Melody when we were down there. I am turning in my papers for retirement and by next year will be going home for good.”

Part of me is bothered to know I won’t have Dull Beak much longer. The other part of me is very happy that they found each other. The later part wins and I smile warmly as I tell him, “Congratulations. To both of you. I am so happy for you.”

At first, I think how much this would please Summer Solstice, then I realize that she and Dull Beak will no longer be on the same deployment schedule. I know the pain of how that is all too well.

The next day I am called into Colonel Chappy’s office and he tells me, “Lieutenant Colonel, I am sure you have heard of Apple Cobbler’s decision to retire? This means two things, first Dull Beak is getting his battalion, as per instructions of the higher command. Secondly, I need you to make a suggestion for who you think would make a good XO to replace Dull Beak for your Battalion. You can think about it overnight if you like. But I would like your recommendations as soon as possible.

I nod my head and quickly tell him, “Sir, I think Captain Kettle Bell would be a good choice.”

I see him shift his mouth to one side and take on a serious expression briefly. Then says, “You made that suggestion pretty quick. Are you sure?”

I nod my head, “Yes, sir. I know how she is in a fight but I also have seen her deal with locals during our last deployment. I would feel comfortable with her being my XO, and in an emergency taking over for me.”

He considers this briefly and takes a sip of his coffee. Then he asks, OK, who would you recommend to replace her in charge of the Belles then?”

Sir, she has several good Lieutenants under her. All have proven themselves in a fight. Perhaps we should ask for her suggestion first, then I will give you my opinion of it.”

“OK, sounds good Mollygirl, I will see you in the morning. I will see you then.”

“Thank you, sir, I appreciate it. I will see you then.” I tell him, getting up from the chair and head back to my office.

As I enter my headquarters, I see Dull Beak at his desk. He looks up and waves to me. I wave him over to my office as I head into it. He soon arrives and he asks, “So, what’s up Colonel?”

I smile at him, “Remember after the battle of Harness we were told that we would be put on the list for advancing me to a regimental XO and you to a battalion CO slot?” He nods his head and I finish, “Well Apple Cobbler turned in his retirement papers when he got back yesterday. It seems that you will be getting the 3^rd of the 1^st. Congratulations my friend,” I tell him as I stick out a hoof and shake his talon.

I see the surprise on his face and he smiles at me, “Thanks for letting me know ma’am. I really do appreciate it. So, when is this supposed to take place?”

I shrug my shoulders, and tell him, “I am not really sure, but before we deploy next. I think it depends on how soon he is processed for retirement and how soon you can get up to speed with your new command.”

He has an expression on his face that I now know expresses joy for a griffon. Then I see it shift as he says, “Oh no. Summer is not going to be happy with this.”

I nod my head and I tell him, “Yea, I understand entirely Dull Beak. I understand. Now about those company inventories…”

On my next deployment to Hackamore, I have Kettle Bell as my executive officer. Most of my officers are the same. Except, for now, I have Peach Pit as the Captain in charge of the Belles. Clock Work commands the Enfields, Broken Hills has the Door Kickers, and Abby is still in charge of Lancers.

My security detail has changed a bit though, as I now have Corporal Nightshade on it. I still have to admit I am very surprised at how much he has changed from when I first met him. But he and I have talked a few times when on watch at the HQ after he was assigned to my detail. It seems I made a bigger impression on him than I expected.

Once we get back to Hackamore, I get to know both Scarp Piles foals as well as Milo’s family’s little ones. After my second day of the turnover is finished, I go into town to visit Scrap Pile and her family.

As I enter the shop, I hear the little bell ring and I see her behind the counter. She is just finishing up with a customer and smiles when she sees me. As the customer leaves, she comes over and hugs me, “Ma, it is so good to see you again. Goddesses how I have missed seeing you.”

“I have really missed you too dear. Being married and a mother really seems to suit you. You are looking so much better than that filly I first met.”

I see her grin widen. “Thanks, Ma. I owe so much of it to you for giving me a chance. Now speaking of motherhood, I want to introduce you to the twins,” as she says this, she flips the sign on the door to closed and puts up a will return in 1 hour one sign next to it. She then leads me into the back room.

As we go into the room, I see a small bed with two young earth ponies taking a nap on it. I watch as she gently wakes Timber Pile and Sand Pile and tells them, “Ok, little ones, I have someone I want you to meet.”

As the little yellow filly and pink colt wake up, they wipe the sleep from their eyes. The little filly asks in a tired voice, “Who is that Mama?”

I see Scrap smile as she says, “This is your grandmother Mollygirl.”

I see both of them jump up excitedly, “Granny!” they yell as they both jump on me giving me hugs.

I sit down and take both of them into my forehooves as I tell them, “It is so good to finally get to meet you. Your mother has told me so much about you both in her letters.”

They are both so precious and I am so glad to be with them.

A couple of days later during the turn over I go with Lieutenant Colonel Chocolate Chunk to Harness to meet the leadership there. As the meeting ends Milo invites me to his office to talk about some personal matters.

Once we are there we quickly hug and I give him the type of kiss I gave him the last night with our spouses all together.

I see him grin and he tells me, “Sweetheart, the family is so glad you are back. They cannot wait to see you. You should see our foals. They are all so cute and smart. My goodness are they smart. Especially Blue Moon.”

I am standing next to him and I can’t help but smile as I tell him, “I can’t wait to see them all again,” I pause and then ask, “When can I see them?”

He grins back and tells me, “How about for dinner tonight. You can stay with us at our place for the night.”

I can’t help but grin at the thought and I tell him, “That sounds perfect,” then I change the subject and asks, “So tell me about how your efforts have gone to enlarge the military in this region?”

Once we are done with our meeting, I see LT. Colonel Chunk waiting outside the office. He smiles and says, “Yeah, I forgot you already knew Colonel Milo and were friends with his family. I hope everything is ok?”

I nod my head and I tell him, “Yes, it is. However, I will be visiting with Colonel Milo and his family tonight. Just leave my security team if you like and I will return to Hackamore in the morning.”

I see Chocolate Chunk nod his head and he tells me, “Sounds good Mollygirl, remember tomorrow night we have the turnover ball. If for some reason you need me tonight, I will be at the Flying Cow.”

Once I get to Milo’s family’s place, I find he has a nice size apartment carved into the valley wall not far from the mine or the municipal building. He grins as he shows it to me and tells me, “Yeah, it started out as a single flat, but we all helped to enlarge it. Gus was in charge of that being a mining supervisor and all.”

I look around and tell him, “I like it, you all have done a fine job with it.”

He grins and tells me, “Oh, as part of the family Archer helped us too.”

I am not really surprised as it does sound like something Archer would do. But then I hear a young mare's voice from the other room call out, “Papa Archer? Is Papa Archer here?” and I see a little Jenny with a light brown coat and green mane and glasses come running into the room. Behind her in the doorway I see Laura Lee smiling and I wave to her.

Milo smiles at her and says, “Sorry little one, but he is not back yet, this here is Mama Mollygirl.”

I see her stop and she smiles at me shyly and as I see her twist on back hoof back and forth, as she looks up at me and asks, “Mama Mollygirl, are my sisters and brothers with her?”

He smiles and rubs a hoof over her mane and tells her, “No, they are back in Manesville, but perhaps sometime we can have you get to meet them.”

I see the disappointment on her face at this news, but then she cautiously approaches me and asks, “Mama Mollygirl, can I hug you?”

I smile at her as I sit down and I tell her, “Of course little one, come here,” I tell her as I sit down and extend my forehooves and embrace her.” It is so good to meet you Blue Moon.”

As I am hugging her, I hear the door open and I hear a little colt’s voice call out, “I’m Home!”

Milo calls back, “I am in here with Mama Mollygirl, come on in.”

As the little black unicorn colt comes running in, I see he is followed by a little green earth pony mare with a yellow mane and tail. As they come running up to me, Milo introduces me to them, “Mollygirl, this is Pine Box and Peat Coal.”

As he introduces them to me, I see both Cedar and Cannel come into the apartment. Both of them smile warmly and I soon exchange hugs and kisses with them too. After which I am told by Laura Lee that Gus will be home soon.

After Gus arrives, we eat our dinner together. We then go to the living room and I smile as Laura Lee takes a book off the shelf and tells me, “Archer introduced us to your evening readings.”

We all take a seat cuddled together. I am overjoyed at having the little ones climb on me to lay down as we listen to Laura Lee read to us another tale of Daring Do.

My time on deployment down there goes quickly and before too long I am returning home to my family in Manesville. I have to say though it really has gotten hard to leave behind those I consider family while in Hackamore.

Archer returns to Hackamore with the rest of the 3^rd of the 1^st a week before we are scheduled to leave. The second to the last night there for me, Archer, and I spend with Milo and the others in Harness. I am so thrilled to be able to see him with his children down here as well. Yes, we are a large extended family. That night we all sleep in a large pile much like the one from my first night.

As I say goodbye to my friends down there again, I find myself wondering if for some of them it may be the last time. I am almost in tears as I say goodbye to Sticky Wicket the last time. I have seen how quickly she has deteriorated in health since I arrived this time. I do worry about her but even Doc Treacle says there is nothing abnormal wrong with her, it is just old age.

This is also I realize the first time I have left the Manesville area and not returned with a large group of immigrants. This time we get a few. But nothing like the last two times I went out. But then again, neither of the other units returned to Manesville like that either.

The next couple of years go fairly normally. After six years both Choo Choo and George leave the service. George decides to look around for other dragons a bit as well as to spend time going between Manesville and Harness. She keeps wanting to check on the young dragons there whose eggs hatched.

Choo Choo on the other hoof seems to have decided she likes the life of a scout in the field. She started working as an agent for the Rangers originally. But after Ginger, Xochitl, Epona, and Tater graduated she recruited them and a few of their friends to work with her. She still won’t tell me what they do, but when I asked Epona one day, Tater just laughed, gave me a wink, and said, “Colonel you could just say we are a bunch of repair ponies.” Beside him I see my daughter laugh along with him.

It has been about eight years since the day of Sunshine and Rainbows. Lately, we have begun to hear more reports about unknown Pegasi as well as Enclave Remnants encroaching into NCR territory. The tension among all of the NCR troopers slowly starts to rise as the months pass. It is while I am in the preparation stage for my third deployment that I am listening to DJ Pon3 in the living room with the rest of my family and I hear him begin to talk about a mare he calls the Wanderer. At the time I do not think much of it, but little do any of us realize the changes that are coming.

The next morning, I am called into the Colonel’s office. As I enter, I see him looking at me seriously and he tells me, “Mollygirl, I wanted to let you know what is going on. Yesterday I had my annual physical exam. It seems I have had several mild heart attacks in the last year. Because of this, the doctors have decided it is time to medically retire me.”

I am very surprised by this and let him know so. He then smiles and tells me, “I understand. Now the important thing is that I need you to recommend to me a replacement for you as commander of the 2^nd Battalion.”

I am stunned and reply, “Ok sir, but why am I being relieved of command?”

He smiles sadly and tells me, “Mollygirl, you are not being relieved of command, you are being advanced to XO of the regiment. Starburst is being advanced to Colonel and will be taking over the regiment for me effective next week.”

This is all happening so quickly I do not know what to say at first. Then I tell him, “Thank you, sir. For letting me know. I assume you already understand I will be recommending Kettle Bell to take over my battalion. She has proven herself during our last deployment.”

I see him smile at this, “Yeah, I had figured as much, but I wanted to make sure. When you take over as regimental XO, she will be advanced and given the 2^nd battalion.”

I nod my head and I tell him. “I really appreciate your taking my opinions on this into consideration.”

He just smiles and tells me, “Mollygirl, I have always tried to. Oh, one other thing, I was going to send Starburst to Hoofington to purchase some more weapons for both the 1^st and 2^nd regiment, as well as participate in some NCR negotiations with them down there for an alliance. Now she can’t go, but I will be sending you instead.”

When he says this an idea forms in my mind and I ask him, “Sir, my Husband Badger is from that area originally and may still have family there. Could I bring him and the rest of my family with me?”

I see him shake his head then laugh a bit. He then says, “I suppose Captain Archer would be of assistance in determining what type of ordinance to obtain as well,” I nod my head and he smiles at me and tells me, “Ok, stop by the Regimental Sergeant Majors desk and tell him to come see me on your way out. I will have the orders cut for those two as well.”

I smile broadly at him and tell him, “Thank you, Sir, I appreciate it.” As I head out the door, I cannot wait to get home to tell my family the news.

Dear DJ Pon3

It has been many years since I last asked for a song dedication from you. It seems like only yesterday I was but a young buck running the fields of the wastelands. But recently I have begun to feel my age. My aches and pains have caught up with me and I have begun to realize I have less time left than what I have already experienced. With that in mind could you please play Time for me and all of us who remember what it was like before the Day of Rainbows and Sunshine?

Thank you

Chappy, Colonel NCR Army (Retired).

In this chapter, we have passed many years of Mollygirl's life, and I have tried to keep you abreast of the important changes that have occurred in it. In part to follow up on the lives of some of the characters that we may not see much of, as well as to lead us to the next arc of the story.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7pI96Osp9c