As I sit at my desk, I finish the cup of tea that Paper Work has brought me. I then finish writing the letter. I take out an envelope and address it to General Threat Vector, Commanding General Manesville District. Then I look at the official stationery and I reread it.

General,

It is after serious consideration and debate that I find myself writing you this letter. As with all good things, I find myself at a crossroads of choosing between my family and my military career and duty. I have come to realize that I have for too long put my duty and career before my family. With this consideration in mind, I am notifying you of my intent to begin the process for retirement from military service.

This is not a reflection upon your leadership or that of the NCR Army. No, it is a reflection upon myself and the realization that I need to make my family a priority. It has been a pleasure to serve under your command. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me and I hope to continue our acquaintance.

Sincerely,

Mollygirl, Colonel, 3^rd Manesville Regiment.

I nod my head in approval and I place the letter in the envelope and call out, “Courier.”

I hear the four of them moving about and finally Moon Lily appears at the door. She salutes me and asks, “Yes Colonel, what can I do for you, ma’am.”

I smile at her and tell her, “I need you to take this letter to General Vector at the stable. Once you get back, we will be calling it a day and heading home.”

She smiles and tells me, “Yes Ma’am. I will be back as soon as possible.”

I watch her trot out of the office and I look out the window in time to see her fly off toward the stable with Slip Stream next to her. Then I get up and I decide to visit with the rest of my staff.

As I go downstairs, I hear some of them chatting about how good it is to be back home again. Then I hear Windy ask, “Well Colonel, did you write it?”

I smile at her, “Yeah I did Windy. Moon Lily and Jet Stream are delivering it right now.”

I see her shake her head, “You know, part of me can’t believe you really did it. But I really can’t blame you. So, what are you going to do when you retire?”

I smile as I look out the window at the fields in the distance, “You know, I really do think I may become a farmer’s wife finally, well one the farmers actually.”

I hear her laugh lightly, then she tells me, “You could always do much worse. But honestly, that sounds pretty good now. Especially after what we went through.”

I nod my head, “Well, by retiring I am not resigning my commission, I am just transferring to the inactive reserve. If they really need me, they can always call me back.”

She laughs, “Yeah, but hopefully they will not need you that badly. I can only imagine what it had to have been like for Sirocco and his regiment to have been called up and activated like they were.”

“I wonder how they have been doing since they got back last week?” I muse.

She shrugs, “I haven’t heard anything yet. But who knows? It has only been a couple of hours since we got back.”

“Very true. Also, who is the duty officer tonight?” I ask.

She shrugs, “Gray Tempest has it tonight. He volunteered for it. As he said, he has no one waiting for him here, so he was good with it.”

“That is good of him. Ok, Windy, when you are ready, take your daughters and head home. “

“Thanks, Mollygirl, but if you don’t mind, I think I will walk with you back to White Cloud.”

“You're more than welcome to. Besides, Maybe Dull Beak and Jet Stream will join us too.”

She laughs at that and tells me, “Nah, I don’t think so. He already turned his battalion over to his XO and he and Slip Stream are going to see Summer Solstice as soon as she gets back.”

I smile at this and tell her, “Good, I am glad to hear it. I just hope she and Moon get back soon.”

Then she looks at me and asks, “Mollygirl, what really was in the message you sent to the general?”

I smile as I first look down, then back up at her, “I really told him of my intention to retire.”

I see her jaw drop. “Mollygirl, are you serious?”

“Yes Windy, I had already decided on our way to Coltlumbia. What happened once we got there; well that helped to make me firm in my decision. Windy, as I said earlier, I am tired of leaving my family and not knowing if I will ever see them again. Besides, if they really need me, well they can call me back up.”

She nods her head. Then I see her look at me with her head twisted slightly and her eyes somewhat closed as she asks, “You are going to go to Site Paddock, aren’t you?”

I sigh and tell her, “Maybe. I have not decided yet. But it is a serious consideration.”

I see her nod, “Makes sense. But, to be honest, I will miss working with you.”

I put a hoof on her shoulder as I reply, “And I, you. But our families will still be getting together.”

She grins. “I am sure of it. I am just surprised Rain has not come over to our camp yet.”

I laugh as I tell her, “Dear, so am I. I know Millie cannot wait to see him either. But they are coming in with the last battalions. You know how it is by train.”

She grins, “Only from our family trip to Hoofington. But I hope hers is not that exciting on their way back.”

I then tell her, “While we wait, shall we go on an inspection tour of the base?”

“As you command Colonel.” She tells me and we begin to walk around the base. As we are doing so, I see the Rainbow Dash coming in to land. I watch as it hovers near the barn and gently sets down. Without realizing it I let out a big sigh.

She looks at me and asks, “You’re going to miss it aren’t you?”

I find my ears shifting a bit back and forth as I tell her, “A bit. Well ok, a lot. But Windy, it is time. I can feel it in my bones.”

She nods her head and then she points towards the west and says, “Well here come Moon and Slip. Looks like they have company with them.”

I smirk at that and tell her, “Yeah, I guess we need to get back to the headquarters.”

As we arrive I see both of my couriers and General Threat Vector land outside. The younger two following the general inside. I quickly tell Paper Work, “I will need another pot of tea in my office.”

He nods in understanding and tells me, “I am on it, ma’am.”

As I get to my office, I see the General standing there waiting for me. He shakes his head and asks, “Before I submit your intentions, I wanted to ask you, are you sure about this?”

I nod my head, “Yes sir. I have seriously considered it before writing my letter of intent.”

He then asks, “You do realize you will not be receiving a pension even as a retiree, don’t you?”

I nod my head, “Yes sir, part of the advantage of a relationship like ours. But at least I will still have my medical coverage.”

He grins, “Very true, and if you come to the stable for treatment, I expect you to visit me. Dang Colonel, I am going to miss having you around.”

I smile and tell him, “True, but you are always welcome at my family's farm. So, I hope you will visit us too.”

He grins, “But of course. Oh, and take a week’s leave to consider your request. Once you get back, if you decide you still want to retire, I will sign it with no problem.”

Nodding I tell him, “Sounds good sir, but honestly, don’t expect me to change my mind. I have put a lot of thought into it.”

He twists his head a bit and asks me, “Even if you would make General if you stay in? I am thinking of retiring myself and you are next in line right now.”

I laugh lightly and shake my head, “At one time that would have had me ready to stay in. Now, sir, I am happy to have risen as high as I have. Being a general would have been nice, but sir, it is time for me to retire.”

I hear him take a deep breath and then say, “Yeah, I was afraid of that. But honestly Mollygirl, I do understand. Why don’t you head on home now? I have to head back to the stable to take care of a couple of things. I will see you again soon.”

We exchange salutes and he heads out. I then head downstairs and find Moon Lily patiently waiting. “Ok Moon, it’s time to head home.”

Saying nothing. She just smiles and gets on her hooves and together we head out the door followed by Windy and her daughters as we all head home.

As we are on our trip home, I see several of the farms damaged in the battle several months ago in various stages of repair. However, all of them have crops in the fields. Many of them are being harvested as we pass by.

Some of those in the fields see us and stop and wave. I make sure I wave back. Goddesses does it feel good to be home again. As we approach the farm, I hear Xailynn call out, “Ma! Sumac I see some more coming!”

I watch as from over in the fields I see Woodrow and Magpie begin to come toward the house. Then I notice Xavier who is on the porch in a rocking chair slowly gets up and begins to walk towards us. I smile when I see this. Then I see Sumac come out of the kitchen onto the back porch. She wipes her front hoofs on her apron and comes running towards us.

As I enter the gate, she hugs me first, then our daughter. Behind me, I hear Sugar Glider yip, as well as Windy say, “I will see you later Colonel, have a good night.”

I turn and tell her, “See you later Windy.”

Then I catch Woodrow in a hug followed by Magpie and Raven. I do not see Shadowbuck and ask, “Where is Bucky?”

“Oh, he is in town visiting a few friends. He has been down since we got the news.” Magpie says. Then I see panic come over her face and she nervously asks, “Where are Millie, Sutures, and Archer?”

I place a hoof lightly on her shoulder and tell her, “They will be here next week. They are returning with what is left of the Second.”

“Mollygirl, what happened. How could they have lost so many?”

I sigh and I tell her, “Let’s head inside and discuss it. But honestly, it was a real cluster.”

As we begin to head inside Sumac asks, “Where is Laura Lee? Is she ok?”

I smile as I tell her, “She is doing fine. She will be here as soon as her battalion is set for the night.”

I watch her put her hoof over her chest and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank the Goddesses. I was still so worried.”

“I do understand dear.” As we go inside, I tell them, “Oh Rough said he would like to come over for dinner once he gets back from his next run.”

Sumac smiles and tells me, “Of course. But thank you for letting me know. Do you have any idea when that will be?”

I nod my head, “I am not sure yet, but I think it will be when they bring the Second back.”

I see them both look at me, “Why not use the trains?” Sumac asks, “Wouldn’t that be faster?”

“Honestly, not really, and I think they want to give them a bit more room to move about as they come home. And if it takes a few extra days, they may be able to talk with each other about what they have been through.”

As we enter the front parlor area, I begin to remove my weapons so I can hang them up. I look over at our family pictures and I see the ones with Badger in them have a black ribbon draped across the top of them. I knew they would be that way, but it is still a hard, stark reminder of our loss. That is when I notice both of them are wearing black dresses. Damn, I will need to get some also. That or dye my worn, older ones.

I see them both look at my sleeve and I hear Magpie say, “I think I see an advantage to wearing the uniform at least. You can show you are in mourning the same way as the bucks.”

I smile sadly at her and tell her, “Dear, why don’t you do the same. That and perhaps a black ribbon in your mane or tail?”

I then notice how swollen both her and Sumac’s eyes are from having cried. Sumac then says, “Perhaps, but with our mane and tail color, it makes it very hard.”

“Dear, I do understand,” I tell her, then as I hang my saddlebags up. I take out the unopened letter from Badger and I place it on top of the frame of our family photo.

“Is, is that what I think it is?” Sumac asks.

“Yeah, yeah it is. I wanted to wait until all of us were here to open it.”

Sumac closes her eyes and I see tears in the corner of them. Then she says, “Ok, we can do that. I think he would want it that way.”

I then go into the lower bedroom and I remove my uniform. I put on my green Gingham dress, and I then put the black ribbon back on my right foreleg. Then I go back in to join the rest of my family. As I enter the parlor, I ask, “So where is Purchase?”

Sumac smiles and tells me, “Dear, she is at the pub in White Cloud. She has been running it for Blueberry Crisp since she got drafted.”

“That was really good of her.”

“Mollygirl, she was talking about seeing if Epona wanted her to go to Site Paddock so she could have a foal for them.”

I raise an eyebrow at this and ask, “So what do you think?”

Sumac simply shrugs a shoulder, “It does not matter what I or anyone else thinks, it's up to those two. But I guess I would not think badly of it.”

I smile, “Funny you should mention that. I have been kind of thinking about doing that myself. Well, just so I could carry another little one.”

I hear both Sumac and Magpie sigh, “Mollygirl, we understand that, but honestly with your career, how much time would you have to raise another foal?” Sumac asks tiredly.

That is when I surprise them, “Well much more now that I have officially notified Threat Vector of my intent to retire.”

I see the stunned expression on both of their faces. Then I hear Magpie ask, “Are you, serious dear? I mean you are not just thinking of this still, are you?”

From the doorway, I hear Moon Lily say, “No, she is not. I carried the letter myself and saw his expression when he read it.”

From behind me, I hear Raven ask, “Does this mean I get to join up now to replace you mama Mollygirl?”

I laugh lightly at her question and reply, “Not yet dear, but once you are grown, if you want, you can.”

I see her smile and nod her head. She is her father’s daughter I think to myself.

I then look at Sumac and Magpie and tell them, “So, you will have another hoof here on the farm. I am sorry I have not been here more over the years.”

Sumac puts a hoof on me, “Dear, we understood, even if you didn’t. But welcome home and know we are glad to have you here.” Then she hugs me and I find myself embracing her. I feel tears in my eyes from the wasted years, but then again, were they really wasted if I was protecting them, I realize.

Magpie then asks, “Dear, when are you thinking of going to Site Paddock then?”

I smile, “I wanted to wait until Sutures gets back. But also, as it involves adding another family member, I wanted to make sure we are all in agreement.”

They look at each other and nod. Magpie then says, “Love, we would be glad to as long as Sutures and Archer agree.”

We sit in the parlor listening to the radio when I hear the front door open and Laura Lee calls out, “Honeys, I am home.”

I catch myself laughing and as I get up the others join me and we all go to greet her. When she sees all of us she looks at me and asks, “Have you told them the news yet?”

I shake my head and she tells them, “It looks like I have another youngster on the way. Our family is getting even bigger.”

I hear Magpie laugh as she says, “Well, I guess that is on top of Choo’s sisters. They have all stopped to offer their condolences and to see if Moon Lily was home yet.”

Sumac looks at me, “Ya know Mollygirl, when you first had Choo and her other two sisters here for tea that time, I never thought we would have so many visit us here.”

Then I hear Moon asks, “Really mama Sumac, they have been visiting already?”

She nods her head, “Yes dear, they wanted to make sure you were ok. Some also wanted to say goodbye before they head off to some Follower’s camp they heard about.”

I can see the disappointment on her face at hearing that she missed saying goodbye to some of them. Then Woodrow says, “Don’t worry Moon, I am sure they will be back eventually to visit you.”

“I know, but I really liked having all my great aunts with me at Coltlumbia. They all had such interesting stories. Some from before the last day, others since the end of Unity. But they all were nice to me.”

I smile and put a hoof around her as she sits next to me on the couch along with Laura Lee. On the other couch I see Sumac and Magpie holding each other and the rest until the rest of our foals who are home ask to go out to play. It feels good to be home again.

The next morning as Laura Lee and I are sitting on the back porch before she returns to her battalion when we see Lieutenant Cake leaving the family cemetery. Laura Lee then asks, “Mollygirl, is he the one you said was from Harness?”

I nod my head and she gets up and trots over the to fence and calls, “Hey Mister, do ya have a minute?”

I see him look slowly around then look at her and say, “I have lots of them, most of them seem to have been spent underground, but I still have a few left. What can I do for you?”

As he approaches, she leans on the fence to talk with him. I see him look at her uniform and he smiles. “It is good to see a mule make such a rank.”

She grins at him and tells him, “Nah, no big deal, well not back home at least. Lots of mules in our unit down there. My husband Milo is our Colonel even.”

I see him look surprised and he asks, “Colonel, is she married to the one you were talking about from Harness?”

I nod my head as I approach, “She sure is Lieutenant.”

Laura Lee then asks, “So what was Harness like back then?”

I hear him laugh a bit and then he tells us, “Well, it was a new mine town back when I left it. Only a couple of years old. I worked up in the company town itself and lived with my parents and my sister Clementine.”

I see her get a funny look and she asks, “Sir, was Clementine Cake a half-sister to you?”

He shakes his head, “No, not at all. We both had the same parents why?”

She then says uncomfortably, “But, I thought she was a pony.”

He laughs lightly, “Nope, she was a much a mule as I am. I will say I do wonder what happened to her. I have not gotten the chance to review the notes that Magpie brought back from when she was there. But I heard she did make it into the stable. Now, my question is, how did you know her name, and did she do something important that got you to know an old Jenny’s name after all these years?”

I see her jaw hanging open as she tells him nervously, “Sir I am descended from her. She had three fouls in the Stable. That is why I thought she was a pony.”

I watch him sit down and hear him bray his laughter for several minutes. Then as he wipes his eyes, he tells her, “Well, I’ll be. I still have kin. Who would have thunk it?”

It is then that I look at Laura Lee and I tell her, “Well, I guess we can see where you get it from.”

As I say this, I watch her hoof move down to her belly. And I see him raise an eyebrow. Then he asks, “So you are the Jenny that Archer fathered a foal with then?”

I see him smile as well as he can and then he nods his head. “Well dear, before you head back to Harness, I would like to sit and talk. I will fill you in about the family from back then, and maybe you can catch me up on how it has been since I went underground.”

She looks at me, then the cemetery across the road, then she tells him, “Yeah, I would like that. I would like that a lot.” She pauses and then asks, “Shall I call you Uncle Jack?”

I see him nod his head as he tells her, “Only if you want to, but I would not mind.”

She grins and tells him, “You got it, Uncle Jack. Now I best get going to my battalion, but I hope to see you again soon.” Then she gives me a quick hug and a kiss goodbye before she trots off.

As she goes, I hear him laugh lightly, “I never figured on having kin still. But, you know, it feels pretty good Colonel.”

I smile at him, “I know the feeling, Yeah, finding out you have family you did not know you had can really feel good. I had that experience myself recently, if you have time for tea, then I will tell you about it.”

I see him look longingly at the house, then back, then he asks, “Are you really sure ma’am?”

I tell him, “Yes, I am sure. Please do come in.”

As we come in, I see Sumac in the kitchen and she raises an eyebrow but says nothing other than, “Would you mind me joining you for tea then?”

As we sit down, I see him looking around the kitchen and into the main dining room through the doorway.

He smiles as best he can and says, “I like what you did with the place. I am pretty sure Sweets and his family would have approved too.”

I watch as Sumac’s smile begins to take hold more. Then she asks, “What was Sweet Corn’s family like?”

I watch as he looks off into the distance as he remembers them. He then says, “They were some of the best people I ever met. His family accepted me as one of them. My own cousins, aunts, and uncles did not do that. But they did. Shortly after Sweets died, I took leave to visit them. We sat at a similar table in this very room. They asked me for the truth on how the war was going. So,” I watch him look down and he appears ashamed as he tells us, “So I told them the truth. That I was afraid of what might happen, especially after they developed the megaspells and the Zeb’s came up with their Balefire bombs. That is when they contacted the government with their proposal of Site Paddock. The cattle from this region were instrumental in getting it developed and built. And to be honest, given a few more weeks we would have had it finished properly and I would not be here like this holding this conversation with you right now.”

I nod my head; I understand what is going through his mind. He still is asking himself why he survived, if being a ghoul can be considered living, and the others didn’t.

I see him laugh lightly then he says, “You know, it’s funny, but because we had so much time down there, I researched through the records of the embryos. I even got to see who some of the donors were. I know how you are with mules, and ma’am, I was wondering if you would consider carrying and raising a mule?”

I look at Sumac and she nods her head. I smile at Johnny and I tell him, “Funny you should ask that. I have considered it. In fact, once Sutures gets back along with Millie, we are going to discuss my possibly carrying one of the embryos.”

“I can understand you carrying one, but what I am asking ma’am, is would you carry a mule, in fact, a particular one, for me?”

I hold up a hoof and I tell him, “Now Johnny if my family agrees, I will consider it. But I have to say, I am curious about why this particular one is so important to you.”

I watch as this over 200-year-old jack shifts uncomfortably like a school colt in his chair. He takes a sip of his tea and then he answers, “Well there are several of them from these donors, but I, how do I say this?”

Sumac leans on her forehooves on the table and then says, “Just say it, Lieutenant.”

He looks to the side, then back at us and says, “Ma’am, it turns out my parents donated several of them. This would be a sibling to me. And strange enough, an ancestor to your wife Laura Lee.”

I watch as Sumac’s eyes go wide, then she starts to laugh. When she does this, I see him look embarrassed and he says, “I am sorry, I should not have said anything.”

When he says this, she stops laughing and becomes serious. She looks directly at him and tells him, “Sir, it has nothing to do with the child being your kin. It is the fact of how twisted our family line has become, where one wife would carry the ancestor of another. It really does seem to fit.”

I nod my head and I tell him, “Actually it does, you have to understand, that before I adopted Ginger, Sumac was raising her as a grandchild when she was here. Then when she became pregnant by Badger, well, poor Ginger was trying to figure out if she was a sister or niece.”

I hear him laugh lightly at that and he tells us, “Oh, I can see what you mean then.”

I put a hoof across the table and set it on his and I see the shock on his face as most ponies avoid such contact with ghouls, and I tell him, “As I said if my family agrees, I will do that. In fact, I would be proud to.”

I see him smile fully as he says, “Thank you, Ma’am. You really do not know how much this means to me.”

I nod my head, “No, I don’t, but I am beginning to get the idea of it. Now, if I do this, I want you to do me the favor and write down what you remember about your parents. Because I want to pass onto this child the knowledge of his family. So even when we are no longer here, they will be remembered in your family.”

“Thank you, Colonel, I really do appreciate it.”

Sumac then changes the subject and asks, “Ok, so Johnny, what color was the kitchen painted back then?”

The next couple of days go rather fast for me. I visit the families of the officers I lost and give them my condolences. I consider doing the same for my enlisted troopers, but there are so many of them, and just the ones I do visit take enough of a toll on me. I cannot forget the look on the face of one of my Lieutenants' wives faces when she answers the door. She then yells at me, “You, you did this to us. Do you have any idea of how this feels, to lose your husband like this?”

I let her finish and I tell her quietly, “Yes, I lost my husband, the father of my daughter at the same time you lost your husband.”

She looks at me at first with hate in her eyes, then she sees something in my expression and she says through her tears, “My Goddesses, you really did too.” Then she wraps her hoofs around me and we share a cry together.

One of the things that help me most is I spend some time in White Cloud. I talk to Khatri both at the church and at the pub where he enjoys a good cider, and I, well I enjoy my tea.

The first time I go back to the pub I see Purchase is behind the bar and I wave to her. Then I hear Blueberry Crisp call from the back, “Hey Colonel. It’s good to see you.”

I smile and walk over to her, once she is close enough, I hear her sigh, “Sorry I am not in a better mood Mollygirl but I am still grieving over Hard Tack.”

I smile sadly at her, “Dear, I do understand. Remember, not only have I lost Badger recently, but many years ago I lost a mare we were engaged to. She was my best friend back then, and Blueberry, I am not going to lie. I still miss her. So, believe me, I more than understand.”

She joins both Khatri and me at our table and talks with us for a bit. As I get ready to leave, I tell Purchase Order. “Dear, I will see you at home tonight.”

I see the surprise on her face and she asks, “Even after being gone so long, and Epona not being there you really do want to see me?”

I nod my head and I tell her, “Yes Purchase, you are part of the family now. Even if things were not to work out between you two romantically, you are one of us. With that said, I really do want to see you two together and maybe even raising a foal together.”

I see her shift her hoof to her belly from the bar and she asks, “Really? Because I was thinking of having one for us. But I am afraid of not having anyone to help when I have to work and Epona is out on an op.”

I smile again and I tell her, “Well you would have four mother-inlaws to help, I am sure we could be of some assistance in that.”

I see her smile brightly as she comes around the bar and gives me a very large hug. “Thanks, Ma. I really appreciate it.”

As I hug her back, I whisper to her, “Besides, I have been considering going to Site Paddock myself, so who knows.”

With that, she laughs and tells me, “Sounds good, but boy would that be a story to tell if I ever get back to the hoof to those I know at Mega Mart.”

I laugh, “Yeah it would, but you know, it would be fun, wouldn’t it?”

She nods her head as she wipes the bar and tells me, “Maybe we should get a group of us to go together to do this. You know, Wombs for Equestria or some such thing, to do our part for the gene lines.”

I think about this briefly and tell her, “Ya know, that would be an interesting idea. But it could cause poor Sutures to have a very very busy week if not a day.”

I see her eyes go wide as she starts to laugh, “On your mark, get set, foal….” she says, which even gets Khatri and Blueberry to laugh.

To be honest it is the most I have laughed in some time and it really helps to raise my spirits up. But in all honesty, she has given me something to think about. Maybe, just maybe, now I can become the wife and mother I wanted to be. Perhaps I will finally become the farmer I have always wanted to be deep down inside. Now the only questions are, can I? and do I deserve to be happy? Perhaps I can talk to Moon Pie or Buttermilk about it, and why I feel this way.

I realize I am displaying my thoughts when I hear myself sigh and I feel a hoof on my shoulder.

It is Blueberry Crisp. I hear her gently tell me, “Yes you do deserve to be happy. You just have to let yourself learn how.”

I sniffle a slight bit and I ask her, “Blueberry, how did you know what I was thinking?”

She smiles sadly and tells me, “Cause I have been there myself. So has Purchase and Kathri. We all have to learn it is ok for us to be happy again and to live a good life too.”

I nod my head, “I guess, but it sure seems easier said than done.”

She nods as do the others and she tells me, “You are right about that.”

I nod my head and I tell them, “Ok, I will try. I am sorry about being such a downer.”

They all smile and I hear one of them say, “Don’t worry, you gave me one of the best laughs I have had in a while.”

The day before my leave is to end the 2^nd regiment, the rest of the artillery and the Followers all arrive back in Manesville. I am so excited I can’t wait to see my husband, wife, and daughter. My whole family goes to meet them when they arrive at the stable.

For once as a regiment arrives, I am in a dress and in the audience. I watch them come marching up and fall into formation. I am stunned though when I see their Colonel is at the front of the column marching on three legs to lead them home. Beside me, I hear Laura Lee say, “I knew he had it in him.”

Beside me, on my other side, I hear Magpie tell Sumac, “It’s ok dear. A lot of us here today feel that way.”

Then I hear her say, “My Goddesses. It reminds me of when the CEF came home. It was the talk of the Co-op with how many were gone.”

I hear others say similar things, but most just point out their loved ones to each other. As I look, I notice how much they look like we did so long ago. They have a swagger to their steps, but I also see the brittle expressions on so many of their faces. But I also notice that they have been singing all the way from the waterfront to here.

Once they fall in. I notice the Followers of the Apocalypse camp falls in on their left side in a rough formation. I also can tell where Millie is just by where I see Sugar Glider hovering. Then when they halt in place, I watch as Sugar lands next to my little filly.

Then I spy my dearest mare next to her. I cannot help but smile. She is so beautiful and confident. I also see her looking for me and the rest of our family. However, she still maintains her military discipline.

I listen to the speech given by both the General and the Overs before they are dismissed and break ranks. As we watch the soldiers begin to fall out and head towards the stable to turn in their weapons and tack, I see Millie and Sutures trotting in our direction.

As they get close enough, I see our foals begin to get excited and rush forward to them. Millie is almost bouncing with joy at seeing all of her siblings again. Then they all mob Sutures and I watch as they all vie for her attention.

Finally, after they have all had their turn, she is able to break free to us spouses. Of course, her first kiss goes to Archer, who has wandered over from his artillery. Then she gives a hug to Sumac and tells her, “I am sorry I could not be here for you sooner dear.” Then she hugs and kisses Magpie and Laura Lee. Finally, she gets to me. She grins and tells me, “Well, I got to kiss you most recently, so I hope you did not mind a bit more of a wait?”

“No dear, I don’t. Besides, it is the first time I ever got to wait to see you again like this.”

I see her smile and then she looks at Laura Lee and asks her, “Dear, have you had a neonatal check since you got back?”

Laura Lee shakes her head no, and I hear Sutures click her tongue, then she says, “When we get home, let's go into our room, I think I need to double-check you.”

I see worry come over Laura Lee’s face and Sutures tells her, “Nothing to worry about, I just want to make sure you are ok is all.”

Before we can leave though Colonel Storm Cloud flies over to us and I watch as he lands on three legs, then hobbles the last bit to us. He stops and smiles at me and I catch him looking me over in my dress. Then he asks, “So Colonel, you really are going to do it then? You’re going to retire?”

I nod my head and tell him, “Yeah, it has been a long time coming and even before we left this last time, I was already on the fence Storm.”

He nods his head, and tells me, “Well I guess I owe a bit of thanks to you three mares then. Sutures, you have shown me so much about how I can still get around like I am.” He pauses and looks at Laura Lee, “Lieutenant Colonel, thank you for breaking me out of my funk and making me realize I can still have a career. In fact, I will be seeing the technicians from Harness when they come back up next month.”

Finally, he turns to me and says, “And you Colonel, well seeing you are retiring, and I have decided to follow your wife’s example of staying in service with a prosthetic, I am next in line for when Threat Vector retires.” He pauses, “Ya know, I never thought I would make it that high. I am pretty sure if I had stayed in the Enclave, I wouldn’t have. Also, thank you for coming to see my regiment return. I don’t know if you all realize what this really means to all of us.”

I put a hoof on his shoulder and I tell him, “Storm, I fully understand. Remember, I have been there.”

I see him grin sadly, a smile on his muzzle, pain in his eyes, and his ears out to the sides flat as he says, “Yeah, you would. I do believe you are about the only one around here who knows just how I feel.”

I nod my head as I tell him, “Yes, and if you ever need to talk, let me know. Also, I want you to know, you did real good bringing them home.”

I see him look away and towards the stable where some of his troops are waiting in line to go in and turn in their weapons. He nods his head and replies, “Yeah, but I still lost so many.”

That is when Sutures puts a hoof on his other shoulder and tells him, “Sometimes we have to stop thinking about what all we have lost, and instead, realize how fortunate we are to still have what we do.”

He looks at us and I see him smile gratefully at her, then he says, “Thank you for the reminder. I hate to say it, but I need to get going. But again, thank you.” Then he slowly makes his way towards the stable as we begin to make our way towards home.

Before we do though, Archer tells us, “Give me a few minutes and I will join you. How about I meet you at the east gate of the base.”

We all agree and once he catches up with us, we all begin to talk. Laura Lee then asks, “So Sutures, you ready to go back to being a midwife full time now?”

Sutures nods her head, “Yes, but it seems the Followers will soon be setting up business full time over by Site Paddock. Word has finally reached them about Site Paddock and the embryos. It seems our HQ in Junction City is very interested in them as they can help so much by adding fresh genetics to the mix.”

“It is funny you should mention that Sutures, as I have been considering carrying one of them. I mean, the whole reason I have problems getting pregnant is that my eggs can’t get past the scarring. This would allow me to be a mother again as well as help with expanding the bloodlines.”

I see her nod her head, “Ok, but Mollygirl, before you go to do this, because of all your injuries, let's have a full medical check done on you. Ya know, just in case.”

I feel disappointment come over me when she says this. I mean, I really want this I realize. I feel Archer put a hoof on my shoulder and he tells me, “Relax love, she just wants to make sure you can carry, and if so, that both you and the possible foal are healthy.”

I lean against him, “Thank you love for explaining it like that. I was afraid she did not think I could carry at all.”

Sutures smiles at me, “No Mollygirl, I was not saying that at all. I just know our luck and I want to make sure we stay lucky.”

I then lean against her as we walk and give her a quick kiss too. “Thanks, love, for looking out for us.”

Once home we have a welcome home party for Archer, Sutures, and Millie. The only thing missing this time is the roasted radhog. However, we do have just as many guests as usual. It feels so good to have those who can, come to visit us and say hello.

The party has only been going on for a couple of hours when I notice Sunset, Trouble, and Blondie sitting together talking. As I approach, I hear Sunset telling them about the letter he received from Pages that she had written the night before the final attack. I see my friend start to tear up but then I watch as Trouble wraps a hoof around him and Blondie wipes away his tears and gives him a light kiss on the cheek.

Then I hear Trouble tell him, “That settles it, you are staying with us tonight.”

I see my friend look from one to the other and I barely hear him say, “Ok, thank you so much. Both of you.”

I pretend I did not hear any of it as I approach. I give Sunset a hug and I tell him, “I am so sorry Sunset.”

He looks up at me and tries to smile, “Thanks Mollygirl, and I am sorry about your loss too. Moon told me about Badger and how those two are buried next to each other.” He pauses briefly and I hear a dry chuckle. Then he tells me, “You know she died how she would have wanted to. She loved flying and fighting alongside your husband.” He looks around to see if anyone can hear. Then he says, “Her best friend may have been Magpie, but Mollygirl, Badger was a big brother to her. I heard her say that several times. He even helped her when she found out she couldn’t get pregnant. We were going to adopt when she got ready to retire.” Again, he pauses as he looks at me, “Mollygirl, don’t make the mistake she did. Retire while you are still young enough to enjoy your family.”

I nod soberly and I tell him, “You are right, and honestly, I already formally announced to the general my intent to retire.” I shake my head slowly, “I have had enough my friend, I am ready to hang up the combat webbing.”

I see him smile sadly as he puts a hoof on mine. “Good, I am glad to hear it. Now I just have to decide what I am going to do.”

With that, we change the subject as I see Sunny and Choo Choo come into land. I then look into the growing shadows and I see the other repair ponies have joined us also.

I hear Moon Lily yell out, “Granny Choo!” as she runs towards her and then leaps up for a hug. I watch as Epona takes her kit inside and soon returns to join the rest of us.

Ginger and Xochitl take theirs to Xavier and Persimmon’s. Then I hear Sumac tell the others, "Look, if you want, just put your gear in the new bunk shack over yonder. You can sleep here tonight and go see your folks in the morning if they aren’t here already."

I see Twinkle Hoofs nod her head to Tater and they both trot over to the new building built on the west side of the yard.

Then Cowlick smiles as he sees the table of food and drinks. He too takes his gear over to the bunkhouse as well. Then I watch as he goes over to the table and takes a tankard of cider and raises it to Sumac. He then says, “To better days, and old friends.” I see her smile widely and she lightly bumps her cup with his.

Before long I see Purchase Order has come home and is sitting with Epona, cuddled up on the porch of the main house. As I go inside to bring out some more food, she calls me over and she says, “Ma, tell Epona I am serious about having a foal for us.”

I smile at my daughter from another universe and I tell her, “Not only that dear, but we are talking about doing it at the same time.”

I watch as Epona’s eyes go wide and tears come to them as she chokes on her cider. When she can stop coughing, she tells me, “Ma, that is not funny. Please don’t say stuff like that when I am taking a drink.”

I smile at her and I tell her, “Sorry about the timing dear, but I am serious.” Then I decide to change the subject and I ask, “So what took all of you so long to get back?”

She smiles knowingly and tells me, “Ma, I can only say it was another mission, that and we are now a fixture with the Baltimare Colt it seems.”

I nod my head and I tell her, “Ok, that sounds fair. Just keep as safe as you can ok. I already lost one of your pas, I do not want to lose one of my children too.”

Then she asks me, “So you really are serious about it too then Ma? I mean having another foal?”

I nod my head, “Yes dear, I am.”

Then she asks, “But what about your career ma?”

I smile sadly at her, “Dear, I am really going to retire now. I realized I am more than my career. I am not just a soldier. I am a mother, a wife, a leading member of our church, and I like to think I was a pretty good farmer when I was on farm duty and when home here.”

She smiles and tells me, “Yeah, you are right ma. While I never thought I would see the day, I am glad to hear it.”

Then while we are talking on the porch, I hear Laura Lee from inside the house loudly asking, “Sutures what do you mean twins?”

Then I hear Sutures say, “Well when a mare carries two foals at the same time and gives birth to them, that is known as twins.”

The three of us on the porch begin to laugh at this, but Laura Lee is not amused at all and I hear her say in an upset voice, “I know what it means. My grandmother had twins too. But how can I be having twins now?”

I look at my daughter and her mate and I tell them, “Dears, I better go get in on this. But I will talk to you again later.”

Dear DJ Pon3,

Today I learned a very big lesson from my fiancés adopted mother and her family. The most important lesson I think I have ever learned. The value of our time and the importance of using it with those we love and care about. She has turned away from her career and will retire so that she may have a life where she puts those who are important to her first. With this lesson in mind could you please play for me Some day never comes?

Thank you,

Purchase Order, White Cloud, Manesville district.

Finally, the family is back together. Mollygirl has made the decision to leave the service and have that life she has dreamed of for so long. This is not an easy choice to make for her, or for others to believe she has made. But as she has realized that while the service has been a large part of her life, it is not who she is entirely. Now she will try to live a normal life, or as normal as they can get in the recovering Wastelands.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9TNXFurt5w