Once I get back from the change of command ceremony, I first go with Magpie to lay down Coffee and Clementine for a nap. Then I take off my uniform for what I hope is the last time. As I remove it, I carefully hang it up in the closet cabinet. On the shelf, I set my dress uniform hat.

Behind me stands Sutures. She sees the tears starting to form at the corner of my eyes and tells me, “I understand my love, but remember. Life goes on. I stood where you are now when I was medically retired, just thank the Goddesses you are still in one piece.”

I nod my head then I tell her, “I know. Part of me wishes I had done this so many years ago. But part of me is still going to miss it.”

She sits on the edge of the bed and smiles at me. Grinning, she says, “I felt the same way love. Now you have a nice new dress your daughters picked out for you, why don’t you put it on for us all to see.”

I smile again, “You’re right, I should. After all, Epona and Ginger went out of their way to buy it, and I am just thrilled they took the fillies with them to pick it out.”

When I say this, she laughs and tells me, “True, but from what Mills has told me, Raven was upset as it did not come with crossed ammo belts and is difficult to wear with a battle saddle.”

I laugh out loud when she says this. She looks at me and asks, “What, that is what Millie said, and Moon Lilly collaborated on it.”

Still laughing lightly, I tell her, “That just sounds so much like Raven. Goddesses, I can just see her when she gets older.”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Dear, Raven wants to be like you when she grows up. She already had told everypony she knows she is going to enlist just as soon as she is out of school.”

I shake my head, “I hope her career is quieter than mine was.”

She nods her head and tells me, “Same here love, but if it is, somehow I think she will be disappointed.”

“Yeah, after all, she already knows what the job can entail.”

“True. Funny thing is, I got a feeling she may be really good at it too. She has been asking Archer about tactics. She kind of reminds me of Sunny in that regard.”

“Oh, speaking of Sunny, dear, Morning Star let me know that they have finally picked a date. Her family should be here for it soon.”

As we talk, I begin to put on the dark green, sleeveless dress and its black belt. Once it is on, I look at myself in the mirror. Looking back at me I see my long bleach-blond mane with my natural black as a stripe down it. However, I also begin to notice I have several gray strands in it also. I sigh some as I see them, Then I turn my head and see the long heavy scar on my right cheek. I briefly close my eyes and when I open them, I look at my left shoulder and see the CEF brand on it. I smile as I realize my daughters wanted it to show for me. They really did think about it so much when they bought me this. This time I let a couple of tears fall, but not from pain, this time, because I feel so much love from them.

After I am dressed, we head out to the dining room. I see Ginger and Xochitl talking in the Parlor along with Purchase and Epona. As I am passing near on my way to the kitchen, I hear Xochitl tell them, “We will tell her later, tonight is about her, tomorrow, well tomorrow we can share our news, it will wait one more day.”

I have to say I am curious about what the news is, but, if they feel it can wait, then it is not an emergency or bad news. As I enter the kitchen, Sumac and Magpie are in the process of making preparations for the party tonight.

I go up and give both a hug and then I begin to help make the preparations. Once we are done, I decide I have one more thing to do before the guests begin to arrive and the party starts. I take off the apron I had put on while I was assisting the others. Then I go out the back door to cross the road to the cemetery.

As I approach Ivy and our sides Epona’s grave, I notice that Epona is there with Purchase and Lil’ Apple Spice. Once close enough I hear Epona say, “So, Ma, we wanted to let you meet our son. I know you and I are from different universes, but I like to think that your Epona would have met Purchase and loved her just like me. Besides, I really can’t take her to visit my version of you. So, I hope you don’t mind?”

I stand back and let them finish their talk with Ivy, and then it is my turn. After they walk away, I sit next to the grave. I trace her and Epona’s names with my hoof. Then I begin to speak. “Hey Love, hey Pona, sorry it has been a while since my last visit. I just let time get away from me. I should have brought Coffee and Clementine with me to introduce you to them. Yeah, I used the same method to have them that Purchase and Epona did. Go figure, I would have twins.” I smile as I say this, then continue, “Ivy, the big news is that today I finally retired. I know that probably comes as a shock to both of you, and if I know Badger, he is with you wherever you are, and he is just as surprised also.”

I continue to talk for a while more, then I get up and I say, “Well time to head back, our company should start to get here soon, and I should help with getting things set up. I will visit again soon dear. I love and miss you both still.”

As I go back across the road, I notice that business in the Gypsy camp has begun to grow for the night already. I also see where they have several plots marked out and building supplies next to them. I guess they really were serious about building a place for their people here too.

I look toward White Cloud and I see several of the members of our family and their friends coming in my direction. Even from a distance, I can hear them laughing and calling to each other, whether on hoof or flying. Among them, I see both Kettlebell's half brahmin son Joey and Moe, with his black and white coat, as well as Kicker’s daughter Honeybun, who as usual is dressed to make up for her lack of hair. Above them, I see both of Dull Beaks youngsters as well as all three of Windy’s. I also see Raven, Shadowbuck, Millie, Woodrow, Blue Moon, and Moon Lily. They are still by Trouble and Blondies farm and I can hear the dull roar from them.

As I stand there shaking my head, I notice Stir Fry is checking the hogs that are in the ground cooking to see if they are ready yet. It is just too bad George will not be here for it. But I am sure she would rather be in Harness with her youngsters instead.

The night of my retirement party is really something. I had put out the invitation to my staff, and the word got out from there, and I am surprised at how many show up. Thank goodness the youngsters brought in two good size radhogs for it. However, I notice that Mille, Shadowbuck, and Raven take a special joy in giving a hard time to Ginger, Xochitl, and Sunny about the one they got being at least a hundred pounds bigger.

I miss seeing Badger help Stir Fry get the hogs cut up, but then I notice Sunset has taken his spot. I smile to myself and think that somehow, it just seems right. I know he misses him as well as Pages also.

When he sees me watching him, I see Sunset smile and wave a wing at me. Then he goes back to cutting the meat and putting it on the platters that Sutures brings over to him so they can take it over to the main table.

As I move around, I notice Clementine on my chest and Coffee on my back both begin to cry a bit as if hungry. Without thinking I sit at one of the tables and put them down so they can suckle. Just after they begin, I look up and I see Nightshade coming over to me. He is smiling broadly along with his wife and his step calves. This brings back the memory of when Badger, Magpie, and I were out for dinner and the first time we met. Badger was ready to fight him but I gave him that second chance and let him take off for the base.

He is grinning at me and tells his wife, “You know it is funny, but the first time I met the Colonel she was feeding her daughter Millie.”

I smile at him, “Yeah, I remember that still, in fact, I was just thinking about that night.”

He looks somewhat surprised and asks, “You mean you knew all along it was me? And you didn’t do anything to me about it?”

I catch myself caressing my foals with a forehoof as they eat and I tell him, “I felt you deserved a second chance and honestly, I was right. You are not the same unicorn stallion I met that night. I like who you became.”

I see him smile and he looks at Bessie and I see her smiling back at him, “You know love, I like who you are now too,” she tells him.

I notice both of the calves seem excited and he looks at Bessie, and asks, “What do you think, should we let them go run wild for a bit?”

She grins at him, “Sure.” Then she turns to her calves and tells them, “Ok you two, go have fun with the others, but keep out of trouble please.”

Simultaneously they both nod their heads and answer, “Yes mama.” Then they are off at a run giggling as they race to join the others in a game of tag.

I turn back to them from watching the calves racing off and smile, “You know Nightshade, Bessie, I am really glad to see you two so happy together. You make such a cute couple.”

I see her grin as she wraps her tail into his and touches one of her small horns to his. Then she kisses him on the cheek and tells me, “Well, according to him, he learned how to be an adoptive parent from you and how to love openly and with his whole heart. Not that you were perfect mind you.”

I shake my head still smiling, “Bessie, I am far from perfect and I am just glad if my example can help others.” Soon we shift over to new topics and begin to discuss old times such as our deployments. Finally, before they move on to visit with some of the others she asks, “Mollygirl, do they have many cattle embryos at Site Paddock?”

I smile at her and put a hoof on her shoulder, “They have plenty, the bull’s family that used to own my farm, well according to Lieutenant Cake, well they set up Site Paddock to make sure cattle would continue as well as the other species, why?”

This time I see Nightshade blush some as he says, “Well Ma’am, we were thinking of having another little one, and well, we thought it would be nice if we could help the herd too.”

“Well Colonel, we have taken up enough of your time from your other guest, so we best get moving so others can talk to you too. Oh, and Colonel, in case I did not say it earlier, Congratulations on your retirement.”

I practically beam when he says that and while I see him hold out a hoof, I instead move to give him a hug. Then I tell him, “Thanks for everything Nightshade, I hope you don’t stay a stranger, remember you both can visit me anytime you like.”

After they have gone away, I see Dull Beak as well as most of my officers and close staff members approach. In the background, I can hear the local band playing. I notice most of my family has moved closer to me also. Once we are face to face, he smiles and tells me, “Colonel, I have known you longer than some, and shorter than others. But you have never been boring and you have always been there when we needed you. Please know, if you need anything from us, let us know.” I see him reach into his coat pocket and he fumbles around with it slightly. When he brings his talon out, I see he has a beautiful gold pocket watch and chain.

As I look at it in stunned amazement, I hear it ticking and see the hands moving. He then tells me, “Ma’am, we all chipped in to get you this.” As I take it in my hooves, I admire it and I notice an inscription. Embarrassed, I take out a pair of reading glasses from my saddlebags and read it.

To Colonel Mollygirl, from the 3^rd Regiment Timberwolves

Congratulations on a well-earned retirement

I feel a tear run down my face and I tell them with a choking up voice, “Thank you all so much. It means so much to me.”

As I admire it, I notice my foals staring at it and I briefly show them and I watch as their long ears turn towards the ticking sound and I hear them giggle in amazement, and I cannot help but smile and I tell them all again, “Thank you so much.”

That is when I hear Dharma says, “Now this is the Colonel we all have come to love.”

As the others begin to wander off, some to eat, others to drink or dance, Magpie and Sutures come over and tell me, “Dear, why don’t you go dance, we got the foals for now.”

As I begin to head to the barn, I see her once again. It has been so long. She approaches and greets me, “Hello my child, it has been too long and for that, I apologize.”

I smile at her and reply, “I understand, you have been very busy also. But it is good to see you again.”

“Congratulations on your retirement, you have earned it.”

“I have, but if they need me again, I will put my uniform back on and grab my kit,” I tell her.

She smiles, “I can ken that, you are one of my warriors.” Then I see her look at the barn and those dancing inside. She turns back to me and asks, “Would you mind sharing a dance with an old spirit?”

I look at her, “No, not with an old spirit, but an old friend, I would be delighted.”

With that, she and I enter the barn and share a dance. One of the many that I enjoy with my friends, family, and comrades.

It is only a couple of months later that I am sitting on the porch watching Coffee and Clementine play, when it happens, I watch as first Clementine, then Coffee struggle to stand up, then they both take a few steps towards me. I am both overjoyed and stunned as they both take those first tentative steps to me.

I hold out my front hooves to them and as they both fall against me; I hear them laughing their mulish laugh and as I hug them, I have tears of joy in my eyes. As I sit there laughing with them, Purchase comes out the door along with Sumac. They both see us like that and Sumac asks, “What is going on?”

“Sumac, Purchase, they both took their first steps. I got to be here for both of their first steps, and they came to me.”

Both come over and hug me from the side and talk to my little ones. Then I hear Apple Spice cry out from inside. Purchase says, “I better go get him, not fair to expect Magpie to take care of him on her day off and all.”

When she returns, I watch as Apple watches my two intently and tries to figure out how they did it. Then he points at his little aunt and uncle and I hear him say “Mama, how?”

I am dumbstruck as my grandchild speaks his first words. I see a look of joy come over her face as well as excitement. She gives him a big hug and tells him, “Just watch Apple, even when they trip, they get back up again.”

I watch as Coffee and Clementine both cautiously step by step walk to Apple and lay next to him. From the road, I hear, “Hello the house.”

I recognize the voice of Lieutenant Cake and call back, “We are on the front porch, come on over.”

Soon I see him and Lieutenant Xerxes come around the corner. As they approach, I see my twins begin to try and stand. Once they are on their hooves they walk toward the edge of the porch and the new arrivals.

When he sees this, I see Johnny begin to smile and then say, “I am surprised to see them walking already.”

Purchase says, “You arrived just in time sir. They just took their first steps not twenty minutes ago. Funny thing is my little one still has not walked, but he said his first word today too.”

Xerxes nods his head and in his normally serious voice says, “That is good. I am very glad you also do not expect them to all be at the same place on learning skills and developing.”

Purchase, Sumac, and I all nod our heads, and I reply, “Thank you, but I do wonder what their first words will be.”

Johnny then says in a deadpan tone of voice, “My mother told me she always wondered what my first words would be, but later regretted it as once I learned how to talk, she had a hard time getting me to stop.”

Needless to say, this gets me to laugh as the Lieutenant laughs at his own joke in his mulish bray, which is soon joined by my two youngsters.

Shortly after this, I hear Magpie approaching along with two more tiny sets of hooves. As they come out, I hear Laura Lees little ones excitedly say, “Unca Johnny, Xerzis,”

I can’t help but grin as I see the old ghouls smile and walk up onto the porch to see them. The little ones all grin at him as he smiles back at them and I watch as they hug both of the old ghouls. Then I hear Honey Badger ask, “Stowes, unca?”

The old ghoul sniffs back what would for a normal pony be tears and tells them, “Of course stories, I would not miss them for the world.” After he says this, he begins to tell them more stories about what his childhood was like back in the old Equestria he knew. Beside him I see Xerxes smiling and I can tell that he too is remembering those long-ago days and beings so long departed.

Like the foals, I am entranced by his stories. I too have come to enjoy his almost daily visits to the youngsters and listening to his stories, and getting to know more and more about his, Laura Lees, and my little one’s family and what their lives were like.

Finally, the day comes for Laura Lee and her foals to return to Harness. It is a tearful parting for all of us. As we walk her to the base for the final time, our whole family is there.

She smiles at us and kisses us all goodbye. Then she whispers something into Archer’s ear and he quietly tells her, “Let me know, ok?”

She smiles and nods her head. Next Honey Badger and Double Strike give us all hugs and I kiss both of them on their forelocks and tell them, “I love you little ones, I will see you again as soon as I can.”

Both hug me back and tell me, “I love you too mama Mollygirl.”

To the side, I see Blue Moon giving Archer a big hug and with tears in her eyes she says, “I’m gonna miss you Papa Archer.”

With tears in his eyes too he tells her, “I will miss you too dear. I will think of you every day, my darling daughter.”

I watch as the siblings then all say goodbye. I hear Epona say, “Next time we pass through I will bring you guys something special, ok?” They all nod their heads and tell her ok.

Then they fall in with the other civilians and their foals that are traveling back to Harness from Site Paddock. We listen to a brief farewell speech from Windy to them and after she is finished, their Lieutenant Colonel gives the calls and my White Cloud family watches our Harness family depart. It is a melancholy feeling for me as I understand how much Laura Lee wants to be home with the rest of her family but will miss having her with us, and I know she let me know last night how much she was going to miss all of us.

We watch them march away towards Manesville and the awaiting riverboats until we can no longer see them. Finally, we stop sniffling. We breathe a sigh of sadness, and then we begin to walk home. As we go, Slip Stream, Snow Song, Frost Glitter, and Rain all fly over to us. “Hey Moon, Hey Mills, want to come with us to White Cloud? We’re meeting up with Honeybun, Rain Water, and Well Water.”

Both of my middle daughters look at us parents and Mills asks, “Ma, can we?”

We look at each other and finally, Sumac says, “Ok you two, go ahead, but be back for dinner.”

Then as we continue to walk home, we watch them take off ahead of us acting as all teenagers do.

For the next two years, I try to enjoy my retirement. I spend most of my time working the farm, with some excursions to town and of course attending services when I can. But to be honest, I am bored. One night Ginger and Xochitl are visiting with me and say, “Ma, we were thinking of having a night out, but would you like to come to the pub with us?”

I look at Sutures and she nods her head as she tells me, “Love, go ahead and visit with them for a couple of hours, Archer and I will watch the youngsters.”

We continue to chat, talking about family and what has been happening lately. Once we arrive at the pub, I see that Purchase is at the bar and Blueberry Crisp is working the crowd, shaking hooves with her regulars, greeting some of the visitors to town that are stopping by.

We are sitting at the bar talking. Ginger and Xochitl are enjoying a hard cider each and I am drinking my normal cup of tea.

As we talk, I am bumped into by a rough-looking earthpony in an NCRA uniform with a Timberwolf patch on her shoulder. She looks at me and tells me, “Watch what you are doing, bitch.”

Ginger and Xochitl both go to stand up and I motion for them to sit down, which they do and I see Ginger smile and Xochitl shake his head.

The youngster then comes up and pushes me again. This time I tell her, “Filly, I know you are not from around here, so I am going to cut you some slack.”

She steps back to her two pals that are with her and says, “Can you believe the nerve of that old bitch. Look at the scars, I bet she used to be a raider.”

I grin at her when she says this and I take off the coat I am wearing and hand it to Purchase, who is saying, “Mollygirl, you shouldn’t do this.”

From across the room, I hear Blueberry tell somepony, “Go get Sirocco and Fancy, this is why I keep telling them we need a constable. Now someone start moving tables quick.”

I hear the tables being moved and I see the three looking smug and I hear one of them say, “You hear that? they don’t have any cops. I bet we can be done and out of here before they can even get any MP’s.”

I look at the three of them and I tell them, “You want a fight, the best place outside of the gym or training is at the Trough over by the stable and the base. Maybe even the new bar down the road from here, but this is our pub. It is our place to meet and talk with each other, enjoy a few pints, you know, be sociable. But you had to come in here looking for trouble, and well I am sorry, while he is not here right now, I am his cousin, so…”

From the side, I hear Ginger say, “Ma, it’s not a fair fight.”

They laugh at that, but stop when I say, “I know, there are only three of them.” Then I begin to advance on them and assume the posture I learned from Xavier for hoof to hoof.

One of them says, “What does she think she is doing?”

Behind me, I hear Xochitl say, “Huh, I thought she would start with MOAMAP and not dad’s style.”

Ginger laughs, “You know the foals have been watching her morning matches with your father.”

Xochitl then says, “Huh, I did not know those two were still beating the Tartarus out of each other for fun.”

While I hear this, I am concentrating on the three troopers, who also have heard this. One of them gets froggy and jumps. As he rushes me, I drop to one forehoof and kick around with my back hooves, catching him in his shoulder hard enough that he stumbles.

As he goes down bigmouth and her other friend try to come at me, thinking I am too busy concentrating on the down trooper. Instead, I roll to my left and as I come up, I throw myself forward and get in close, I pick the second one up with my forehooves around her waist and then drop backward, slamming her head against the floor, and causing her to bite her tongue.

Finally, Miss Bigmouth comes at me. She catches me upside the head with one of her hind hooves. As I step back and shake it off, I see her friends starting to get up and the one spits out some blood.

I feel a bit of blood drip down from the side of my head where the one hoof hit me, and I grin, “I like to play rough,” I tell them and this time, I adjust myself and let them come to me. As they come at me I begin to critique their fighting skills.

This only infuriates them more, but from the side, I hear my kids laughing. Then one of them asks, “You want some of this too?”

Ginger looks right at them and laughs and says, “Do you really want that, after all, you three are having a hard enough time with my mother, but let me know if you really want to kick that dog, it’s your funeral.”

While this is going on the other two are trying to position themselves to come at me from opposite sides. Rookies I think to myself. Silver Spite, Razor Wire and that other idiot were more adept than these are, I continue to think.

Then as they begin to rush me, I rear up and swing one of my hind legs to sweep their hooves. This causes them to dodge me and allows me to follow through with a forehoof to the temple of the one who began the fight. I watch as she stumbles and falls. The other two then begin to back towards each other to support each other. I grin at them and ask, “You two sure you want to keep going? I mean, my tea is getting cold and I have hardly broken a sweat.”

They are just about ready to come at me again when I see movement in the door and I notice Taser as he walks in talking to Trouble. He stops and looks at the scene and shakes his head. He calls out “Attention on deck!” and the two still standing go to the position of attention. The third one is still trying to get to her hooves.

I hear Trouble begin to laugh at the scene as all the patrons had moved back enough to watch comfortably. Then Taser asks, “Colonel, is there a problem?”

I smile, “No Captain, I don’t think so, just a little misunderstanding.”

He looks at those at attention and tells them, “Stand easy, go help your friend.” Next, he asks what happened and I begin to tell him. Halfway through he turns his head, shaking it as he asks, “Where are your ID’s, and what were you thinking of trying to pick a fight with Colonel Mollygirl. Goddesses, hasn’t anyone told you about her yet?”

They have the third one back on her hooves when one of them asks, “Who is she?”

He laughs, “She is the LT from the Seige of Serenity Valley, and she led the fight at the Battle of Harness. He stops, shakes his head then he says, “She is also the original colonel for the Timber Wolves and led them all the way to Coltlumbia and back. Oh, and she is also the best friend of your current colonel.”

I see the look of horror that comes over all of their faces. Then I shake my head before I tell them, “No hard feelings, but I really hope this taught the three of you a lesson. Especially you in the middle. Just because you know how to fight, does not mean you can act tough and do what you want. You have a duty to protect your fellow citizens. Remember that.”

As Taser takes their ID cards, he writes down the information on them. Then he finds out who their company commanders are. Finally, he tells them, “I have a couple of MPs on the way to take you back to the base. I will give your ID cards to them and I will have them take you to your Company Headquarters. I would expect some form of nonjudicial punishment, but that is only because the Colonel here does not want to press charges for assault and battery. You three are lucky, she took it easy on you.”

I see a stunned look come over their faces as he says this, then the one in the middle says, “That was taking it easy?”

While I simply smile, from the corner I hear one of my old troopers say, “Yeah, she did, I have seen her in a real fight, she would have killed you already and been on her way. You should have seen her in the Valley.”

From the side I see Sirocco come in. He looks at the situation and smiles, “Glad to see things are resolved already.” Then he comes over to me and says, “Colonel, could I speak to you privately for a minute?”

I nod my head and follow him outside. He then asks, “Mollygirl, I think some of the others may be right, we need a constable here nowadays. Would you mind if I recommended your name to the village council?”

I smile at him as he asks this and I tell him, “No Sirocco, I would not mind at all. Besides, I am getting bored at home.”

He nods his head, “Yeah, I understand. But this will allow you to still help on the farm as needed too.”

After he says this, I tell him, “While it sounds good, and I know we could use one, I will have to talk to my family about it.”

He places a hoof on my shoulder and replies, “I can live with that. I appreciate it and give me an answer as soon as you can, ok?”

“I will. Now let’s get back inside so I can get a warm-up on my tea.”

As I am enjoying my tea again, I look around and smile at all of those with me in there. Off to the side, I see some of them playing cards. Some of the others off to the side are getting out a fiddle and a couple of other instruments and begin to play and sing.

As I begin talking to Purchase, Ginger and Xochitl again, Ginger tells me, “Ma, you’re getting slower, she never should have touched you.”

I see Xochitl put a hoof on her shoulder and shake his head. She turns to him and tells him, “No love, she needs to hear this. I don’t want to lose my mother because she got into some dumb fight with someone who was never her quality.”

I sigh, “I know Ginger, I know. But if I wouldn’t of, who would have?”

Ginger raises an eyebrow, “Ma, we have me and Xochitl as well as Purchase in here. Heck, a good portion of the clients in here were on the expedition, either as troopers or civilians. Ma, you don’t have to do it all anymore.”

I sigh and think about what Sirocco mentioned earlier. Then I tell her about the offer. I watch as she chuckles lightly. “Yeah, I can see you doing that. But Ma, what will Sutures say, and how about Coffee, Clementine, and Millie, don’t you think they would like to spend the evenings with you?”

Again, I sigh, “Yeah, I guess, but maybe if I had an assistant and only made a couple of rounds on most nights it would not be too bad.”

“Think about it Ma, don’t just jump to the decision. Think about it and talk to the rest of the family.” She tells me.

As I get home Clementine sees me first and calls out to her siblings that I am home. As I get to the door, I am met by my family. When Sutures see the cut and dried blood on the side of my head she asks in a worried tone of voice, “What happened, dear?”

I keep a straight face, even though I want to smile, as I tell her about the incident at the pub. “Mollygirl, maybe it is getting a bit rough for you to go there.”

This time I smile as I tell her, “Nah, Ginger and Xochitl had my back, and I noticed Purchase has a shotgun under the bar. I was ok. But Sirocco is worried and wants to hire a constable for White Cloud.”

I see a variety of reactions on my spouses' faces. Then Sumac says, “You were offered it weren’t you?”

“Not offered it, but Sirocco asked if he could suggest my name to the village council.”

The Magpie tilts her head with a slightly perturbed look on her face and says, “And you said yes, didn’t you?”

I shake my head and reply, “Actually I thanked him for asking and told him I would have to discuss it with my family.” As I say this I am sitting down and I have Clementine between my forehooves and I feel Coffee climbing on my back. My answer seems to mollify her and she says, “In that case, we can talk about it later.”

I nod my head and as I get up, I feel Coffee shift his weight so he can stay on my back. Giggling as he does so.

As we walk into the parlor I continue, “Besides, being a law officer is different than being a soldier, I would have to study up on the law enforcement techniques. I could not do it right away.”

Once we are in the parlor, we all sit back down and get comfortable with each other as Archer turns on the radio and we dial in to listen to DJ Pon3 once again.

Once the foals go to sleep for the night, we all sit down and begin to talk about what I should do if I am offered the position by the village council.

I have to smile when Sutures looks at the rest and tells them, “Honestly, I think she would be good at it, and her reputation should help to keep most of the riff-raff away.”

I see Magpie sigh and she finally says, “Ok, if offered it, go ahead, but Molly, make sure it is just a job, and not your life, okay?”

I smile at them all and tell them, “If I am offered it, I will do that. I promise.”

I am making one of my final rounds for the night. I have just made sure that the pubs are quiet and the few who are a bit too far into their cups, I help to walk home. Then I see it. A shadow in the dark. It is a pony and I watch as it stops to the side of the street and looks around, then they slowly open the door and slide into the cattles’ chapel.

I am afraid the pony may be a vandal so I slowly approach the church and I slide inside also. Once inside, I notice that the pony is in the back row and is kneeling with their forehooves together in front of them. I realize they are praying. I slowly approach them in the dark and I recognize them as one of the newer troopers from the base. I have not had any interaction with this one before. So, I do not think he is a troublemaker.

As I listen, I hear him quietly praying and I can tell he is very concerned about something. I hear him praying for his mother’s soul and I realize she has just recently passed. Then I hear him ask the Goddesses to guide him and to forgive him for what he has had to do in the line of duty.

I sit there quietly in contemplation myself until he finishes. When he stands up, he sees me and I see him jump and I hear his Manehatten accent. “Oh, excuse me, I am sorry for entering your church without our permission to enter your territory.”

I smile at him and I tell him, “Well, it is not my church, but I do belong to it. This chapel is consecrated to the Goddesses and Sweet Cream. The doors are unlocked for those of us who need to talk to them, so please, feel free to, and next time don’t sneak in, if you see me, let me know and if you want some company to pray with, I will join you.”

I hear him laugh lightly, “You’re a cop, you don’t know what it is like to have to fight in combat and do the things I have had to do. Goddesses, I am afraid they will never forgive me, and that they took my mom to punish me.”

“Trooper, it does not work that way. They would not take your mother to punish you. The Goddesses don’t work that way, believe me, I know. As for the rest, well, let’s just say, I understand fully, I am still haunted by the nightmares of what I did and what I saw while in the army still.”

He looks at me and asks, “How can you know what the Goddesses think?” as we walk out the doors of the chapel onto the street. About this time, I see Moon Lily and Slip Stream flying by. When they see me, they fly over to us?

I see his eyes go wide as they land next to me and Moon says, “Hi Mama Mollygirl, sorry we are out late, we were visiting with Snow and Frost and let the time get away from us.”

“Ok, let the other parents know I have already seen you when you get home.” I tell her, then I pause, “Moon, you have met the Goddesses, right?”

She looks at me funny, “Well I have met Celestia, Luna, Twilight Sparkle, and Cadence from the other universe, but Ma, you know that already,” she says with a question in her voice.

I nod my head, “Moon, would the Goddesses ever punish a pony by taking the life of another pony?

In the dim light of the street lanterns, I can see she is not only taken off guard by the thought of it but also offended. She then looks at both the stranger and me and she tells me, “No Mama Mollygirl, they would never do that. I am sure of it. They believe in redemption whenever possible too.”

After she says this, I hear the young trooper let out a sigh of relief and I see him wipe a tear from his eye. Then I say, “Trooper, how about you let a retired colonel buy you a drink at our pub and we can exchange stories some?”

I see his jaw drop when he hears my old rank, and he asks, “Which unit were the colonel for?”

I smile at him and tell him, “I was the old XO for the 1^st Manesville at one time, and I was the first CO for the 3^rd Manesville when it formed.”

I see his eyes get wide and he asks in a nervous tone, “The one who came to Manehatten and then fought like a demon back here and all the way to Coltlumbia.”

This time I am embarrassed by his tone of awe and I nod my head, “Yeah, these two were my couriers when I was on the Coltlumbia campaign. So how about that drink?”

He looks at them and then me, and I see him blush. “Colonel, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t drink anything stronger than Sparkle Cola.”

I smile and I tell him, “Good, neither do I. So, you are in good company. Besides, I would like to hear some about your mother if you are willing to tell me about her.”

He nods his head, “Sure Ma’am, I would be glad to.” He tells me as he wipes a tear from his cheek.

Then I lead him over to the pub. Once inside Purchase asks, “Your normal Ma?”

“Yes, and if you would, how about a Sparkle Cola for the trooper here?”

She smiles at him and says, “Sure thing ma,” Then she sticks out a hoof and tells him, “My names Purchase Order, I am the Colonel's daughter-in-law.”

He smiles at her with one that is of a person who is mourning a loss and says, “Pleased to meet you Purchase, most just call me Scratch, but my real name is Two Caps.”

After this, we all sit down and begin to talk as Purchase brings us our drinks. Later on, I see Epona as she comes in and she begins to talk to Two Caps also. And I realize all four of us lost our mothers young and we begin to help this young trooper to mourn his mother and to begin to heal.”

Dear DJ Pon3,

Lately, I have begun to look back at my life and what I have seen, done, and experienced. Some of it I am proud of, but other things make me tend to wonder what it was all for. Then tonight I met a young buck who reminded me of myself so much. He has experienced so many of the same feelings and has so many of the same questions. If you could, for him and myself, please play Carry on My Wayward Son.

Thank you

Constable Mollygirl, White Cloud

As the story winds down we now get to see Mollygirl in her retirement. Laura Lee is returning to her normal home in Harness with her foals, who now have a very special bond with Manesvilles as well as Harness.

We also get to see Mollygirl try to be the mother and wife she always wanted to be, and how difficult it can be to adjust back to what most would consider a normal one.

The next chapter will not be released for two weeks as I want to release the next two chapters simultaneously. This will allow me to better prepare them for you, my readers. I thank you for your patience as well as I hope you have enjoyed the story so far.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X_2IdybTV0