Chapter68 New Starts

By Trooper

I am just arriving at the stable when I hear, “Major Mollygirl, I need to talk to you.”

I turn my head and see Grey Water waving for my attention. “Yes, Grey what can I do for you?” I ask. As he gets closer, I tell him, “Congratulations on your new grandcolt.”

I see him smile at this and he tells me with a smile, “Thank you Mollygirl. That is part of what I wanted to talk to you about.”

We stop just outside the gate to the base and stable and I ask, “Is there a problem Grey?”

He takes on a serious expression and tells me, “Well, the thing is I have a couple of questions for you. The first is about Tar’s son Broken, she is telling me that Trouble and his wife will be taking care of him after he is weaned. Now that might be fine and all, but they already have their hooves full with the boy of theirs, Sunny, I love him but he is a hoof full.”

I nod my head and I tell him, “Grey, I think they can handle the extra foal with no problem. No offense to anypony in the family, but I think they would be a perfect fit. I would offer, but Grey, we have three foals due in the next couple of months and another two months after that.”

I see him grimace,” You know Mollygirl, I don’t understand how ya’all can live like that. It just don’t seem right.”

I sigh a bit and I tell him, “Grey, it is not for most and it is not always easy, but for us it works.”

“I can see that. Besides, you have the meanest daughter in the clan already too. She may be adopted, but she fits in,” as he says this part of me worries about Ginger, then he continues, “She boxed me in that night pretty fair, never had anypony do that to me like that before much less a fillie, but she has sand to her.”

I nod my head, “I have to agree with you on that Grey, she is a tough little mare. Goddesses know what she will be like when she grows up.”

He nods his head and then tells me, “Well I wanted to invite you and her to the welcome home party that we will be having at Troubles when lil’ bit there goes home with him. No spouses only blood kin.”

This causes me to raise an eyebrow and I ask, “But Ginger is adopted?”

He nods his head, “So she is, but she risked everything to get those who hurt one of us, and she kept us out of trouble. No offense Major, but she did it before you could. That and she passed on the information to Sunny for me so we could ketch them.”

I nod my head, “All right Grey, we will be there, just tell us when. Anything else?”

He nods his head, “Yep, one more thing, I would like to see some of the stuff from the archives, could you set that up?”

I nod my head, “Of course Grey. In fact, if you want to, you can just go to the library and ask my Magpie. Tell her who you are and what you want. Grey, she is the one who found the family connection for me. I am sure she would be happy to help you. In fact, she even knows where the memory orbs are. Just make sure you have plenty of time for them.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Alright Mollygirl, thank you. I can do that. I will keep you informed about the party too.” Then he turns and heads away back towards his farm.

As I get to the gate guard house on the road the trooper on duty Salutes me and asks, “Any problems ma’am?”

I return his salute and tell him, “Nah, just family that needed to ask some questions.”

I see his eyebrows go up and he tells me, “Sorry ma’am, I thought it was just a rumor that you were related to the Waters, Major.”

“No, it is a long story, but we are blood, just I did not find out until right before the expedition,” I tell him and I continue on my way.

As I pass by and am almost out of hearing range, I hear him quietly say, “Well that explains how mean she can be in a fight than.” I just smile to myself and shake my head. I guess I could have a much worse reputation now than that.

Once in my office, I grab a quick cup of tea and begin some paperwork before the premuster meeting. As I am sitting there, I am surprised when I look up, to see Sunset at my door. Smiling, I tell him, “Come on in Captain, what can I do for you?”

As he comes in and takes a seat, he tells me, “I hope you don’t mind Major, I just wanted to stop by and ask if I could come out and visit you and your spouses at the farm sometime soon.”

I nod my head. “Now Sunset, you know you and Pages are both welcome at the farm any time,” I tell him.

“Oh, I know that, but I still do not like to show up outta the blue.” He tells me.

I smirk a bit when he says this, to which he raises an eyebrow, and I tell him, “Uh, Sunset, you’re a teal pegasus, you usually show up out of the blue…”

He laughs gently then tells me, “Really, you had to go there. And here I was going to drop off some fresh carrot sticks for you from me and Pages.”

As he says this, I feel that old craving come back. I have not had access to fresh carrots for a couple of weeks. He sees the craving on my face and again laughs, “Oh, ok, here you go Mollygirl. But seriously, let me know when it would be best for me to visit.”

“Ok, I can do that Sunset. I always look forward to your visits anyways. Now I need to head to the Regimental HQ for the pre muster meeting with the XO.”

He gets up and nods his head and tells me, “Ya know Major, I’m just surprised ya didn’t get bucked up to XO.”

I smile at him and tell him, “Sunset, I am still too junior of an officer for that position. Besides, I have my hooves full with my battalion. I don’t need that much more of a headache.”

This gets him to laugh, “Yeah, I can understand that. I know I am happy with just my company.”

I sigh and tell him, “You know, I missed that step entirely, I wonder what it would have been like.”

He smiles at me and tells me, “Ma’am, ya might have missed that step, but ya were just where we needed ya to be and when.”

“Thanks, Sunset, I will talk to you later,” I tell him as I put on my soft cap and head on over to the meeting.

I arrive just after the XO, Major Apple Cobbler of the 3^rd battalion. As we are waiting, I notice that the captains for the auxiliary units are there, except for Sunset, who walks in behind me with a slight smirk. “Sorry Major, I was going to tell you I was invited to the meeting this morning too, but you were in a hurry.” He tells me.

Most of the information that is passed on is routine. We are reminded to make sure each company has a representative for the competitions for the opening day ceremonies. Then the big news hits us. The XO looks at us and tells us, “The official agreement has come down between the Co-op and the NCR. The NCR will become the primary governing body after the Completion of the Opening Day ceremonies and the ceremonial change of power will take place during it. We have received notification that they will send some envoys for the ceremony.”

After the XO finishes, I see Chocolate Chunk raise a hoof and ask, “XO, how will this affect the unit’s rotations? I mean from what I understand it does mean we will have to begin to deploy on a regular basis.”

Major Cobbler takes a deep sigh and then tells us, “That remains to be seen yet. The only ones with that kind of long-term experience is the old CEF now 2^nd Battalion.”

I hope that does not mean we will go to the head of the line. Goddesses know I want to spend some time raising my foal and being home. I guess I can only hope for the best. To think, I was really looking forward to Opening Day before this morning.

After the day is done, I am met by Ginger, Sutures, and Archer. The four of us head over to the Manesville correctional facility for our weekly visit with Tar. I smile to myself as we talk on our way there. It is almost like old times, only Xochilt is missing today, but He and Sunny had told me they were asked by Stir Fry to harvest a couple of extra Radhogs for her. They both insisted that Ginger come though, but Xochitl did tell us to tell Tar hi and give her a hug for him.

Once we are inside, we see Tar sitting behind a screen along with little Broken. My heart almost melts seeing the expression of love she has for him. It still hurts to see her wearing the orange coat with a large p on it. But at least she is still alive.

When she looks up she smiles at us and greets us, “Hi guys, It is so good to see you this week. I feel lucky, yesterday Trouble and Blondie came by and the day before that both my parents and Bailey were here.”

Smiling Archer asks, “How did it go with your parents and Bailey?”

She laughs, “Ok, though I was surprised to hear dad tell Bailey that this foal should have been his and that I would not have been in here if it was. Turns out dad respected Bailey Bridge a whole lot more than Broken Dreams.”

I shake my head; I know how Grey is. He would have said it just that way too. So, I ask, “How did Bailey handle that?”

With a grin she answers, “He looked him in the eye and told him, He would have but every time he looked my way one of the bucks in my family warned him off. That gave Broken his shot to ask me out first and well, you know how stallions can be. Something about an unwritten rule of dating your friend’s exes.”

I shake my head and tell her, “I am sure your father did not like to hear that.”

“No, no he did not, but what could he say. Besides, dad has heard some of the stories about the expedition and what Bailey and his engineers did. I think it scares him some. I mean it’s not like somepony would slip and say how he could slip inside a hostile village and set up booby traps and then fall back without being caught.”

Behind me, Sutures laughs lightly, and says, “Of course not. I am sure no pony around here would say something like that.”

Then I see Ginger looking down at the ground and she says, “Well, maybe Xochitl and I told Sunny about some of his exploits and how we thought he would be a good special somepony for you cousin Tar.”

At this Tar openly guffaws. When she stops laughing, she tells Ginger, “Thank you cousin Ginger. I think he would too. By the way, I am not sure what happened between you and my father Ginger, but he seems to really respect you. You are the first filly I have ever heard him talk positively about.”

This makes my eyebrows raise. “I saw your father earlier and he did mention he really respects her and why.”

I see her look surprised and she asks, “Why is that?”

So I proceed to tell her of the night we captured Hobbles and One Roll, and how Ginger not only stood up to him but gave him a warning.

When done she nods her head, “Yep, that explains that. Dad always respected force. Too bad it took that. But he does consider her a member of the family.”

I see Ginger blink and she has a surprised expression on her face when she hears this. I simply smile sadly and shake my head as I place a hoof on her shoulder and tell her. “Yes dear, you are now an official member of the Water’s clan just like I am. Grey also told me that today.”

I see her eyes go wider, then she looks at Tar and asks her, “Cousin Tar is that a good thing?”

Tar seeing her expression laughs lightly and tells her, “Yes and no. They consider you blood now and will avenge you if not kill for you. However, even though they are my family, dear they are pony trash.”

At that Ginger puts one of her forehooves under her jaw and says, “Huh, I guess it has its good and bad sides then.”

Tar then tells her, “At least the family reputation should keep you out of some trouble. I hope.”

To this, I smile and tell her, “Tar, we are Millie’s decedents, we are always in trouble.”

She laughs at this and tells me “Isn’t that the sad and sorry truth. By the way, tell Magpie thank you for me. I appreciate her getting those journals out of the archives for Trouble to read. He was telling me some about it the last couple of visits. She really did want us. Damn it. Why could Oatie not understand?”

I sigh and tell her, “Tar, I don’t know, but I am ashamed of him now that I know the truth. I guess no family history is without its secrets.”

We talk for a couple of hours and then little Broken starts to cry because he is hungry. Tar then tells us, “Thanks for coming guys, I best feed him, he is starting to get cranky now.”

I tell her, “It’s ok Tar, you can feed him in front of us.”

I see her blush, “No Mollygirl, it’s not ok. I was raised differently, sorry.”

“Ok, Tar, we understand,” Sutures tells her, “We will see you next week.”

Tar smiles but is still embarrassed and tells us, “Thank you for understanding.”

Once we leave and are on our way home Ginger looks from Sutures to me and then Archer and asks, “Ma’s, pa, why was she ashamed to feed her foal in front of us?”

I hear, rather than see Sutures take a deep breath and then she explains to Ginger, “Dear, some ponies are taught that they should keep such actions private and hidden. It does not matter to them that it is a perfectly natural action to feed our young.”

Ginger then asks, “Mama Sutures, were you raised that way?”

Sutures then tells her, “Yes dear, I was. Many of the Unicorn in the Co-op are. I had not realized until today though that any earth ponies were raised that way also.”

Ginger then asks me, “Ma, were you raised that way?”

I shake my head, “Ginger, no pony even discussed it with me when I grew up. I just saw your mother and Ivy being so comfortable feeding whenever their foals were hungry, that I thought it was normal. Until today I had not known anypony felt any other way.”

I see Ginger beginning to think about this. Then Archer tells her, “Don’t worry young mare, you have several years to make up your mind about this.”

Ginger looks at him funny and asks, “Why is that Papa?”

He smiles at her and tells her, “Because you should not be having a foal of your own until you are at least done with school and an adult.”

She still looks like she is thinking but does not ask any more questions of us about it. Instead she asks, “Papa, when we get home can I go find Xochitl and Sunny to help them?”

He shakes his head, “No dear, it is getting too late, but you do not have school tomorrow, so you can go spend time with them in the morning.”

At dinner I tell them about the morning meeting. While Archer and Badger had already heard, the others find it interesting. Sumac begins the discussion rolling though by asking, “My question is seeing they are so far away, will we still maintain our own system on the local level and they control us on a national level?”

Badger then adds, “That is a good question, you know what I want to know is how this will affect our crops and food distribution. I mean we have a good thing here. I hope they do not screw it up.”

I nod my head in support then Archer asks the question that worries me most, “What I wonder is how they are going to use the CDF. Badger, Dears, this could mean our family gets split up more often. I really do not like the idea of us all having to make deployments like the CEF on a regular basis, much less if they decide to throw us into that meat grinder, they still call Fillydelphia.”

They all look at me because I am the ranking officer of us. All I can do is shrug my shoulders and tell them, “Loves, I am as in the dark on this one as you are. It seems no pony is saying a word. The only thing I know is that the NCR is going to send some representatives for the official ceremony that will be integrated into the Opening Day ceremony.”

I see both Sutures and Archer smile as she asks, “I wonder if that means we may see Dull Beak or Doc Tourniquet again soon?”

At the thought of it I smile and tell them, “I hope so, I miss that old feather duster. He was fun to have around.”

Badger then asks with a grin, “Even if he does think you are a crazy mare?”

I laugh at this and tell him, “Especially because he thinks I am. It makes it more fun when I can surprise him.”

As dinner progresses, we continue to talk and afterwards I help Sumac clear the table and do the dishes. Once we finish, we join the others in the parlor and listen to the radio. I am snuggled up to Sutures and Archer with Ginger laying on my back. On the other sofa Magpie and Sumac cuddle with Badger. All seems to be going well when suddenly I see Magpie cringe as if in pain, and she moves her hoof to her belly. Beside me I see Sutures shift and look closer. Then she looks at the clock and nods her head.

About forty-five minutes later Magpie cries out in pain again. She was walking back from the kitchen after having gone out to use the sinks and I see her about fall. Sutures looks at the clock again. Then she goes over to Magpie and asks, “How long have these pains been bothering you.

Magpie looks up at her and tells her, “They began before dinner. No big deal.”

Sutures nods her head, and then tells her, “I am going to do a quick exam ok?”

Mags tells her, “Yeah, but can we go to the other room. I really do not feel good.”

Sutures performs a quick exam and then goes over and writes a quick note which she puts on Tweeter's collar and puts her outside telling her “Go get Doula.”

Then she calls, “Archer, Badger, please come in here.”

Once they arrive, she tells them, “I need your help getting her into the nursery.”

I see both of their eyes go wide, and Badger asks, “Is it that time already?”

Sutures nods her head and then quickly walks Mags to the modified bed in the nursery. All I can think of is this is going to be a long night. As I am thinking this, I hear Ginger yell from the front door, “Ma, I will be right back. I am going to go let Xochitl and his parents know.”

Before I can tell her no, the door slams behind her and I hear her calling “Xochitl, the first one is coming!”

As they all come running to the house, I meet them at the door and tell them, what is going on and how far she is in her labor.

A half-hour later, I hear Magpie groan in pain again and then as I get closer to the room, I hear Sutures call, “Someone get a mop and a bucket. Ok, Mags, the foal has shifted, you’re doing good dear.”

I have just gotten the mop and Sumac the bucket when I hear a knock on the door. Sumac tells Ginger, “Young mare answer the door.”

I am almost to the nursery when I hear Ginger say, “Come on in Granny Doula, they are in the Nursery.”

When I get to the nursery Magpie is on the bed in a birthing position. Badger is on one side, Archer on the other. Sutures is monitoring her progression. As Doula gets here, she slips by them and begins to assist Magpie with her breathing, and gives her the end of a wet rag to suck some moisture out of.

I am busy mopping the floor when the first real contraction hits and I hear Magpie really scream in pain. Then I hear Badger yell in pain and then Archer. Badger asks in surprise, "Why did you bite me?”

The next contraction hits and she yells, “You, you son of a mule, you did this to me, and him, he wants to do this to me!”

She is hit by another contraction. As she screams, I see one forehoof begin to show. I hear the rush of hoof steps behind me and as I turn, I see Ginger on one side and Xochitl on the other side of the door frame looking in. Both of their eyes open wide. I get ready to chase them away and I hear Magpie tell me, “No, let them watch. They should see a foal born.” Then she cries out as the next contraction hits and the second hoof slides out slightly behind the first and I swear I can begin to see a nose.

It takes another twenty minutes but finally the first of our new foals is born. He has his mother's brown coat and white blanket, but his father’s gray mane and tail as well as his blue eyes.”

Sutures cleans him up and we all are with her as Magpie lays on her side and her colt begins to suckle.

Badger looks at Magpie and asks, “So what should we name him love?”

Smiling, she looks at all of us and then Sutures. I see her relax and she asks Badger, “Would Woodrow be ok. That day in the trenches he probably saved me and Sutures several times, I would like to name our son in his honor.”

I watch as Badger puts his hoof under his chin, thinks for a bit, and then nods. Then he tells her, “You know what, I think that would be a very good name for him. Besides, I always liked that buck anyways.”

From the doorway, I hear Xochitl trot down to the parlor and tell his parents, “It’s a colt.”

Ginger on the other hoof, still has her eyes wide open and asks, “Can I come in and see him.”

Magpie tiredly lifts her head and tells her, “Yes my child come see your brother.”

Ginger comes up to the bed and stands next to it with her forehooves on the side. She looks very closely at him, smiling, she says, “Welcome home Woody.”

Two nights later I am on duty at the stable. Windy and I start to watch another Hoofmark movie and I can barely keep my eyes open. Smiling, she asks, “Not getting much sleep?”

I shake my head no and tell her, “No, not since Woody was born. I thought foals would sleep more.”

I hear her laugh lightly and she tells me, “Oh no, and to think just when one begins to sleep through the night you guys are going to have another one to start it all over again.”

When she says this, I groan out loud, “You are kidding right?”

She shakes her head, “Sorry Mollygirl, but that is how it is.”

I then ask her, “How did you get yours to sleep through the night.”

She gives me a sad smile and then blushing tells me, “Dear, my husband and I were so exhausted we slept through their crying. After that, well….”

I feel like crying when she says that. What have I gotten myself into? Then I feel guilty and I put my hoof to my stomach and silently apologize to my foal.

Then she asks me, “Well, are you and your battalion ready for the opening day ceremonies in four days?”

I smile and I tell her, “Yeah, we have our competitors chosen already. I have bought and had sized a new maternity dress uniform. Windy, those things are expensive.”

I see her nod her head, “Yeah, that they are. Well, maybe you can sell it once you no longer need it.”

“I hope so. Granted I wish I could have more, but I don’t see that happening. Not without a miracle.” I tell her. “What did you do with yours?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Mollygirl, I was furloughed as soon as I began to show and was not allowed to return to duty until after the birth of the foal.”

I am surprised by this and ask, “Windy, what about your unit? Who took over it while you were on furlough?”

She sighs and tells me, “That’s the thing. Because I got pregnant and had a foal, I lost my unit each time. They were taken over by another pony and I got a new unit when I came back. It really made it rough sometimes. Especially when you had a team that was really close and worked great together.”

I nod my head, “Goddesses do I understand that feeling Windy. I still miss my old squad from when I was a sergeant. Unfortunately, most of them are gone or no longer in service.”

I notice a tear in her eye when she speaks next. “Mollygirl, I know you had to have seen that photo on my desk in our stall. I still miss them. They are all gone now. It’s my fault. I was pulled from my recon team when the command found out I was pregnant.”

I raise my head to look at her and I ask, “Windy, how could it be your fault?”

She sighs and tells me, “The command replaced me with a fresh lieutenant when I was on maternity leave. My team was sent on what should have been a normal recon mission. But they never returned. Nopony ever found any evidence of what happened to them. The last message the Enclave got from them was that everything was fine still.”

“Windy, how is that your fault then?” I ask.

She sniffles a bit, “They were my team. I should have been there for them.”

“Windy, what makes you think you could have changed anything? You had the same NCOs to advise the lieutenant as you would have had. If it was me saying this instead of you, what would you tell me?”

She sighs, “I don’t know Mollygirl, maybe that you are just being way too hard on yourself.”

I nod my head and remember when Moon Pie helped me with such thoughts just a few weeks ago. So, I ask her, “Then why are you judging yourself so much harder than you would somepony else?”

I see her smile sadly and she lets out a short bitter laugh, “Yeah, I know you are right, but sometimes I still can’t help but think if I was there it would have been different.”

Tonight is one of those nights for Windy, I can tell. She needs to talk and I have her bring me a Sparkle Cola when she goes and gets her bottle of Wild Pegasus. I can’t drink with her, but I let her drink and she begins to tell me some of what is haunting her. I fall asleep on the couch with her wing wrapped around me and her head against my stomach after she passes out herself. Goddesses, the two of us are such messes. But who knew when I lost Ivy, I would find another who would become a sister to me as much as Ivy was?

When we awake in the morning, we both get ready for the day as usual. But just before we both head to our respective HQ’s she looks at me and smiles and tells me, “Thanks Mollygirl, I needed that.”

Smiling back, I tell her, “That is what we are here for, we got each other’s back.”

She smiles and tells me, “You know though, I could never tell anypony else those things right.”

I nod my head and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Yeah, yeah I do. That is why you are one of my best friends.” I tell her and I laugh lightly to myself.

She looks at me funny in question and I tell her. “This time last year, I was excited to see the sky open for a bit and I did not know any pegasi. This year my two best friends are pegasi and I now know I am in part too. Life can really take some strange turns, you know.”

Smiling she puts a wing across my shoulder and tells me, “Thanks, and your right, life does take some strange twist and turns.”

After this, we both head to meet our staffs quickly before our regimental morning meetings. As I get to the office Paper Work meets me with a cup of hot tea and surprises me by having a small bit of peppermint hard candy next to it. It has been so long since I have had one. My eyes open wide and I ask, “Paper Work thank you very much, but where did you get it?”

He smiles at me and tells me, “Ma’am, the cooks told me that they got a shipment in last week with a couple of cases of them. I grabbed a couple for you and the rest of the staff.”

“Well, I appreciate it. Thank you. Did you remember to grab a couple for Choo Choo also?”

Again, he smiles as he tells me, “Yes ma’am, I could never forget Choo. She was like a little filly when I gave her one earlier.”

“I am glad to hear that. Now I best enjoy this while I can before the meeting and muster.”

“Yes Ma’am. Let me know if you need anything.” He tells me as he closes the door and heads down the hallway.

At the morning meeting, all of the auxiliary Troop commanders are present as well as the Battalion commanders. This time the Colonel is there and tells us, “Ok in two days we have several representatives from the NCR government arriving for the official ceremony. During the ceremony this year we will be having all of the Militia troops standing with us and even providing some competitors. So that means the competitions are going to be a bit more interesting this year,” He looks over at Bailey Bridge and tells him, “Captain Bridge, I want you to go over and talk with your contemporary in the Dead Quite Militia, make sure he knows that they are not only invited but welcomed to attend. They had as much a dog in the fights as we did this year.”

“Yes Sir, I am sure Captain High Grade will be happy to hear that sir,” Bailey tells him.

“Next, I want all of you to put on the extra spit and polish for your uniforms. This will be the last assembly of the CDF. From then on, we will be officially part of the NCR army, but still under local control most of the time.”

I nod my head along with the others, but I am really not too happy with the sounds of that. But in for a bit in for a cap.

The Colonel then looks at Sunset and tells him, “Captain, I would like to see you and Trooper Choo in my office after muster this morning.”

This gets both mine and Sunset’s eyebrows to rise, but the Colonel then tells him, “Do not worry, she is not in trouble, it is just we have some members of the NCR contingent that have asked to talk with her and her sisters.”

Sunset nods his head then and answers, “Very well sir, we will be there as soon as possible.”

The Colonel next tells us, “Now let’s make sure we are fully ready for this and make our ancestors proud of how far we have come. Dismissed.”

At that, we all file out and head to our troops for the morning muster where we pass on what we were told. When the troop commanders tell their companies, I can tell as I notice a slight murmur go through the ranks, that is quickly silenced by the NCOs.

After we break formation and begin the normal workday I watch as Sunset and Choo Choo head to see the Colonel and I wonder what that is really all about.

The next couple of days go rather fast. It is near noon on the second day when the envoys from the NRC arrive. I am walking on the balcony by the atrium from my office to the mess hall to meet Windy and Sunset when I hear a page over the pa system calling to alert the Overs that they have visitors at the main entrance.

I stop and watch as the Overs go to greet them. I see several Griffons as well as a couple of unicorns and even a pegasus that I do not recognize being escorted by the Chief of Security for the stable. I lean against the rail and watch the proceedings for a couple of minutes then decide to continue on to the officers’ mess.

Both Windy and Sunset are already sitting at a table along with Doc Treacle and Balanced Books when I arrive. I have to admit I can’t help but smile seeing them all together like this. As I slowly walk my way in, I see them smile and Windy waves to me. I see Sunset shaking his head and he tells me, “Major, I hate to say it, but you look ready to pop.”

I laugh and tell him as I take a seat at the table, “Yeah, I feel that way too. So much for my school pony figure.”

Doc Treacle then joins the conversation, and tells us, “That may be true Major, but I have to admit every time you walk by medical and now Junior Specialist Osteotome sees you I have to laugh as she cringes. That was a very hard lesson for her.”

I nod my head, “I am sure it was; I just wonder how many other things she took short cuts on.”

Balanced then says, “Well Major, I for one am glad, else we would not have had you where we needed you. Not saying your husband could not have handled it.”

I nod my head, “I understand Balanced, thanks though.”

After the mess steward takes our orders we continue to chat and I tell them about seeing the representatives from the NCR arrive. They all take an interest in that. Sunset then asks, “I wonder if that means Dull Beak will be back? I miss having him around sometimes. Though I am sure Pages is glad she no longer has to share my time with him,”

I nod and tell him, “I don’t know, I did not see him, but I have to say, I do miss him myself. If not, I hope he is doing ok.”

I then notice a look of amusement on Sunset, Balanced and Doc’s faces, as well as one of curiosity on Windy’s. Then I feel a set of talons being placed on my shoulders as I hear Dull Beak say, “Dang Major, you say the sweetest things,” followed by a laugh.

Without thinking I jump out of my chair and spin around and launch myself at him giving him a hug. “I missed you, you old feather duster.” I tell him as he squawks.

After I break the hug he is still laughing and tells me, “Major you are still the twitchiest mare I have ever known, mind if I join all of you?”

I tell him to and he grabs an extra chair from an adjacent table and sits with us. It almost feels like old times for sure now.

“Well Major, I see you have not had yours yet, but what about the others in your family?” he asks.

Smiling I tell him, “Well Magpie had a little colt, none of the rest of us have had any yet. But I am due any day now.”

Smiling he nods and asks, “So how are the others doing?”

“Well Sumac is due in another two months, and Sutures, she should be due in about eight or nine months.” I tell him.

I see his eyebrows rise and he asks, “Badger got her pregnant too?”

Laughing lightly, I tell him, “No, this one is Archer’s. We found out on her birthday.”

“Wow, you all are going to have your hooves full. How are Ginger and Xochitl doing?” he asks.

Smiling I tell him, “Just as rambunctious as ever. They will be here tomorrow for the ceremonies and the activities.”

He nods his head and tells me, “That is good, we have a couple of the big shots that want to talk to them before they head back to Junction town.”

Laughing from across the table I hear Sunset say, “Why does it not surprise me with those two.”

The next morning things are hopping as we put the finishing touches on for the Opening day and transition ceremonies. Both Windy and I get up early and make sure our dress uniforms are immaculate. After this, we both grab a quick breakfast and then run to our respective HQ’s to give the once over to our staffs.

Once we get to the old drill field, I am amazed to see not only how many stands there are, but also how many beings are already there. As I watch the units form up, I am amused to see George circle over the field and then land on the far-right hand side of the 2^nd regiment's formation, close to the stage. Once all of the companies are formed, we take a quick muster roll. After this, we form up with the Second Regiment opposite us on the east side looking west as we look east. In the center are the artillery, the supply train companies, both hoofbound and airmobile, the engineers are present as are the rest of the support units. Just ahead of them, closer to the stage on the north side are the Militia companies all facing north.

The viewing stands are almost full when both colonels and the Overs step up to the microphone on the platform. Behind them, I can see the members of the NCR delegation sitting down. I watch as the Overcow Daisy May steps up to the microphone and begins, “Good Morning all. Welcome to the 101^st anniversary of the opening of stable 48 and the beginning of its alliance with the local communities that we now call the Co-op. A lot has happened since that fateful day and together we have had a hoof in making it a better place. I appreciate all of you having come to join us here this morning and thank you for your support and efforts in the last year. Now here is Colonel Chappy,” She says as she steps away from the microphone.

As Colonel Chappy takes her place he first looks over all of the troops on the drill field and then all of those people in the stands. I see him smile and nod his head. Then he tells us, “Members of the Co-op Defense Force and Co-op Militia, please raise your right forehoof and repeat after me,” As he raises his right forehoof up, he says the oath of enlistment of the CDF. Each and every one of us, George and the Dead Quite Militia company included, repeat after him.

Once he is done, He salutes all of us, then he turns and salutes both of the Overs. Then he moves over to the side. After this the Overmare, Twilight Shimmer, steps up to the microphone and takes over.

I watch as the Overmare steps up. She wipes at the corner of her eye with her forehoof. As she begins to speak, I hear her voice choke up. “Members of the CDF and the Co-op, Distinguished guest, Welcome and thank you for attending today. Today marks a very solemn occasion in two ways. It reminds us of our beloved Co-op’s humble beginning and the birth of our Defense Force. Normally we perform our annual roll call of those who have died in service of the Co-op. This year we will modify it slightly. We will begin with the 1^st Regiment, then the Second, and will finish with the Militia. Commanders, please begin.”

From my right I hear it start with “1^st Squad, Apple Eaters…” The roll call goes on for over an hour. Several times I feel the tears start to come down my cheeks. I am almost bawling when they start to call out the casualties for D, E, and H troops. It makes my stomach feel sick and I swear I feel my foal kick several times. As it goes on, I hear many others around me fighting tears the same way. They continue with the roll call of the dead with the calling of those killed in the Dead Quite Militia, In the stands, I see so many who look shocked as the twenty ghouls who were killed in combat at 3^rd Hereford are called. As he calls out the names and killed in combat, several times I swear I hear Captain High Grade's voice crack even more than normal. Then they begin to call out the names of those civilians killed on the Expedition "In service of the Co-op," Fancy Flourish stands up and calls out for each of the dead. it hurts so much I swear it feels like I am kicked in the stomach. It hurts so much I put my hoof to my stomach as I grimace. Finally, the roll call of the fallen ends.

After the last name is called Padre gets up and leads us all in prayer for the dead. Then he turns the microphone back over to the Overmare. She quietly takes her place, and then she asks for Daisy May as well as the leader of the NCR delegation to step up to the microphone with her.

I watch as a young but very solemn brown griffon with a white head steps up. When she reaches the Microphone with the Overs, she nods her head to them. Then Twilight Shimmer tells her and us, “Madam representative when Stable 48 closed its doors on the Final Day, it was in the hopes that someday those inside would one day help to reestablish the nation of Equestria. For the past century, we have worked to rebuild it in the portion that we have here. With recent events, we are seeing the rebirth of that nation, and we are ready to rejoin it and assist in rebuilding it. With this in mind, I now return the region we call the Manesville Co-op to the Equestria that was, which is now known as the New Canterlot Republic.”

After that, she reaches out her forehoof and shakes the talon of the NCR representative. After the hoof shake, the griffon steps up to the microphone and begins to speak.

“Members of the Co-op, on the behalf of myself and my mother, it brings me great pleasure to welcome you all as citizens of the New Canterlot Republic. With the addition of the Manesville Co-op to the NCR, we are taking another step toward the great nation that we once were. It may not always be easy but when forming a nation, it is much like giving birth and can be very painful as it occurs…”

As she says this, I feel my entire body cramp up and I accidentally scream in pain as I collapse to the ground, clutching my stomach. Beside me I hear Chain Lightning say under his breath, “You have got to be shitting me,” and he calls out. “2^nd Battalion Company commanders, I need four squads right now. As they run up, He places them in a square around me and has them face outwards.

I scream in pain again and hear Doc Treacle calling out “Get the midwife. She is not going to wait.”

As he says this I reach back and pull up the skirt of my uniform just as my water breaks.

I am feeling another contraction come on as I see a large shadow flying above me and suddenly George sets Sutures and Doula down outside the square and they run to me.

Over the pa system, I can hear Dull Beak laughing as he tells the speaker, “Please continue Regi, she would want you to, believe me.”

After he says this, I hear the speech continue as Doula and Sutures assist me. Badger and Archer both join us as do the rest of my family. However, I do notice that both bucks try to keep just far away enough that I can’t bite them.

Then with one last major contraction, I feel my foal being born. I see Sutures horn glowing as she catches it and cleans it off with her TK. Then she opens up my skirt just enough so that my foal can suckle. I look down at this tiny little life that I have created, and Badger smiling looks at me and tells me, “Congratulations love, we had a little filly.”

As he is saying this, I hear the speech being ended as well as Ginger coming over to give me a hug and I watch as she gently places a hoof on her little sister's back and tells her, “Welcome home Mills, it took you long enough.”

Shortly afterward I pass the afterbirth and I am able to get to my hoofs again. I watch as my troopers return to their positions in the ranks as do my husbands. Then with my little one in an improvised carrier on my chest, I return to the front of my troops.

As I take my position again, I Hear Daisy May tell everyone that the competition’s and picnic will begin immediately after we break formation. Then we receive the orders, “By Companies, Dismissed.” At which point we all break formation.

As I fall out of formation, I hear many of those around me laughing lightly as well as some light laughter in the review stands. Chain Lighting comes over to me and tells me, “Congratulations Major on your newest family member.”

“Thanks, Chain, I appreciate it. Also, thank you for the quick thinking. I really did not want to make a scene.”

At this, his smile breaks as he openly laughs and tells me, “Major, only you would not think that was a scene. Goddesses I love serving with you.”

As he says this Dull Beak comes over to us and he too is laughing, “Major, that was awesome, I never have seen a mare time something like that. You really freaked out those on the stage. Especially Ol’ Regi. So, what are you naming her?”

Smiling, I notice Badger beside me and Archer walking up as I tell him, “Dull Beak, I am naming her after my Great Grandmother who was one of the first out of our stable. Her name is Wind Mill, but we are just going to call her Millie.”

From my side, I can see Badger smile as he puts a hoof around me and kisses me on my cheek. Then Dull Beak really surprises me as he tells me, “By the way during the picnic the visitors would like to talk to both Ginger and Xochitl, it seems a couple of them remember those two from your visit to Junction Town.”

I nod my head and tell him, “OK, I will let them know. But Dull Beak, you sound like you are not one of them.”

He laughs again as he tells me, “Well Major, that’s because I am not. You see you are now part of the NCR army and, well I hope you don’t mind, but I pulled some strings and, well now I am on the staff here Major.”

With that, I put a hoof around my friend and I tell him, “Well I have to say I am really glad to hear that Dull Beak. I have missed you, my friend.”

As we are talking, I see Windy coming in my direction with her family. She is carrying her youngest Rain Dancer on her back. When they get close enough, he jumps down and walks slowly over to me and looks at my foal. I watch as he sniffs her and then nuzzles her before he goes back to his mother.

Windy then comes over and tells me, “Congratulations Mollygirl, not only on your new little one, but you seem to have made a big impact on everypony. I can guarantee you are going to be the talk of the Co-op after this.”

I can not help but blush as I tell her, “But Windy, I never wanted to be. I just wanted it to be quiet.”

She laughs at me and tells me, “Yeah but Mollygirl, when has anything gone the way we planned it?”

From behind me, I hear Captain Kettle Belle tell me, “I am just glad it was not me Major. But I still want to congratulate you and your family.”

Then I feel a set of feathers go over my shoulders and draw me in for a hug. I look over and I see Sunset and he tells me, “Congratulations Major, they always said you never did anything by half and well, today you proved it. By the way, you do realize that your daughter is the first NCR citizen to be officially born in Manesville. That is really something.”

I look at them, my friends, my family, my herd and I cannot help myself as I tell them, “Thank you, all of you. I really appreciate it. But can we go sit down now, I really could use a rest.”

Dear DJ Pon3,

Recently I have had my first foal as have several others in my family. I have made several mistakes in my life but this child of mine is not one of them. The one song that I feel most sums up how I feel for my little colt as well as his cousins, is I Hope You Dance. If you could, would you please play it for us.

Sincerely

Tar Water

Manesville Correctional Facility

For those interested in listening to this chapter's dedication song the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9bwC5UZUs&list=PLlhFbjJpXZMfYnBfLLleDZ06Q7RfpcMkq&index=17