After Epona and I finish our showers and are cleaned up I spend a couple of hours with my family. I just sit there holding them and being held. Sutures recast the lactation spell for me as I went dry while unconscious. This both gives her a break as well as lets me become closer to my little fillies again.

During this time Epona asks if she can read to all of us. Sutures smiling tells her, “Sure Epona, but later, we need to talk about your sneaking off. But at least you left the note for us, so thank you.”

I watch Epona blush as she looks at Sutures, then me, and back to Sutures and she tells her, “I wanted to make sure she would come back. I had a bad feeling of what would have happened if I had not gone.”

Sutures nods her head and tells her, “Sadly dear, I do think you were right on that. I am just glad you trained so hard. Also, later I want to perform a medical exam on both of you to make sure the medics did not miss anything.”

Epona and I both look at each other and simply shrug our shoulders. Then we begin to laugh as we both see the other cringe slightly in pain. I then tell Sutures, “Sounds good love,” then I tell Epona, “Go get the book and we will begin.”

Later at dinner, we meet up with the rest of my staff, and Dull Beak tells me, “Colonel, after dinner you, me, and Lieutenant Solstice need to sit down and have a chat.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Sure thing XO, I hope she is not in trouble or anything,”

I am greeted when I say this by him choking on a bite of food he has just taken. Then he looks at me suspiciously and says, “Well yes and no, but if we could talk in your office about it, I would prefer it.”

I raise one of my eyebrows and have my ears forward as I tell him, “OK, we can do that. I just hope it is nothing too serious.”

He nods his head and changes the subject for the rest of the meal.

When I am finished, I kiss my wife on her cheek and I tell her, Epona, and the fillies I will see them in a while. I then head back to my HQ. Dull Beak walks alongside me and as we arrive, I see the Lieutenant in question is waiting for us.

We go into my office and I sit at my desk while they take two seats that are right next to each other. I look from one to the other and while I figure she is pregnant because of her need for Sutures’s services, I do wonder why Dull Beak is so concerned.

I sit back in my chair and put a forehoof on the desk and ask him, “Ok XO, what seems to be the problem?”

I see Summer Solstice blushing at this time and suddenly I see Dull Beak do so also as he tells me, “Colonel, ma’am, the Lieutenant is pregnant.”

I nod my head as I am not surprised and I say to her, “Ok, that happens, so what is so special about this pregnancy that we had to talk in private?”

I see her rustle her wings a bit as she looks down and bites her lips, “Ma’am you said before you left if I wanted to start a family, I could talk to you. Well, I am starting one.”

I nod my head and tell her, “I understand that, but why is Dull Beak involved?” As I say the question I think no, it can’t be.

Then she looks at him, her face down slightly and she has a smile on her face as she glances first at him, then back to me and she tells me, “Ma’am, that is because Dull Beak is the father.”

When she says this, you could have pushed me over with a pin feather. I feel my jaw hanging wide and I look from him to her and back. Then I ask her, “Is this something you want?”

I see her reply by excitedly nodding her head and I see him shift a talon onto her leg as he looks at me and tells me, “Yes Mollygirl, this is what we both want. We weren’t planning it, but to be honest I think we are both happy about it.”

I smile and shake my head. Then I tell him, “You know Dull Beak when you were talking with me and Milo and said you were attracted to some equines, I had no idea you had already found one.” I pause for a minute and stand up, come around my desk and hold out a hoof to him and tell them “Congratulations to both of you.”

First, he shakes my hoof, and then she does. I then ask, “So how did you two end up getting together?”

They look at each other and she tells me, “Ma’am, while you were drinking. It really took a toll on Dull Beak. To the point, he was not even preening his feathers. Well, one night we were both having a drink at the Flying Cow and we started to talk. I mean really talk. We got to know each other and after a few more drinks I talked him into letting me help him with his feathers. After a few times of this; things went from there. Especially as he had no one else to lean on.”

I nod my head seriously in understanding, then I begin to laugh some. They both look bewildered and I tell them, “Well this is the first time I ever heard of a mare getting drunk leading to someone else getting pregnant.”

We all share a bit of a laugh at this, then I tell them, “To be honest I did not know a griffon could father a foal with a mare.”

I see both of them blush and finally DB looks at me and tells me, “Well, there were stories among us griffons about it being possible and that at one time there was supposed to have been a sizable number of such mixed breeds, but they say they were driven into the sea. I always thought that the legends of hippogriffs were just that. Legends.”

I nod my head again as he tells me this, then I smile and tell her, “So this is what you needed to talk to Windy about?”

I see her blush and slightly cover her face with one wing as she tells me, “Yes ma’am. I am sorry, but like I told you, being raised in the Enclave made me afraid of what my parents would think.”

“I can understand that completely Lieutenant. Now have you written to your parents yet to let them know?” I ask her.

She shakes her head and tells me, “No ma’am. This is something I want to do in person and I want DB to be with me when I do it.”

I see him nod his head, and he says to her, “I want to be there for you dear. Besides I look forward to meeting them.”

I then ask him, “Does this mean you are over Guerre Faucon?”

He shakes his head and tells me, “Mollygirl, I am sorry to say, a part of her will always be there in my heart, much like Ivy is in yours. But now I have someone there along with her.”

I nod my head in understanding and ask, “Dull Beak if you don’t mind my asking, why did you not marry Guerre?”

I see him take a deep breath and he tells me, “Ma’am, that is not really a Griffon thing. In fact, when I brought it up to her once she mocked me asking me if I was a pony or a griffon.”

“So, are you two planning on getting married now?” I ask.

They both nod their heads and Dull Beak tells me, “Yes ma’am, after we get back to Manesville. That way her family can attend if they want.”

I want to ask them what if they do not want to, but I am afraid of ruining their happiness and I refuse to do that to one of my best friends and his bride to be.

I smile at them both and I tell them, “Ok, let me know what I can do to help you two. Dull Beak, I am very happy that you found yourself a mate that you are so happy with. Lieutenant, Congratulations on both your pending foal and your pending wedding. I look forward to seeing both.”

With that, they both smile at each other and get up to walk out of my office. Both smiling happily.

The next day I go into town to make my rounds along with the Sergeant Major. As I walking down the main street, I see some of the 1^st squad of the Doorkickers walking around, none of them are carrying a longarm or wearing body armor, but each has a pistol on their persons.

When they see me, I see them come to a rough form of attention and they hesitate to salute. But Dusty says to me, “Good Morning Colonel.”

“Good Morning Corporal, how are you today?” I ask.

She smiles and tells me, “So far so good ma’am. Today is the first squads turn to visit Hackamore.”

I smile as that means I probably will run into Bullet as well. “I am glad that Broken Hills is able to find time for you to rotate through. Any special stops so far?”

I see her and a couple of the troopers with her blush a bit, but then trooper Nightshade tells me, “Well ma’am, we were going to go bar hopping. Any place you recommend?”

I notice the new scar on his flank and how much he has seemed to have changed since we left Manesville. I grin and I tell him, “Trooper, the best place to eat around here for lunch is the Flying Cow.”

I see him blush a bit and he asks, “Ma’am, isn’t that a whore house?”

Beside me, I hear Chain Lighting laugh lightly and he says, “Well around here we call that one a bordello. But yeah it is. Now as the Colonel said, the lunch menu is pretty good and even the President has eaten there.”

When he says this, I first see Nightshade turn a deep red on his cheeks, then he grins and says, “If it is good enough for the President, then it is good enough for me,” he then turns to Dusty and asks, “Can we go there, Corporal?”

I see her fight back a laugh as she says, “Sure why not, if the Colonel says it's ok then sure.”

Before they leave though he stops and says, “Ma’am, before we left Manesville I thought I understood what it was like. I was wrong and I owe you an apology. Dusty and the other old-timers have told me this is nothing compared to the expedition. So, ma’am please forgive me for being such an arrogant buck when I first met you.”

Though I see Chain Lighting stiffen and his wings start to stir, I smile at him and tell him, “Trooper, I understand, but remember what you learned out here and understand those who were not with us will not fully understand what we experienced.”

I see him think about that and then he says, “Yeah, I guess you are right ma’am.”

Then he comes to attention and I see him give me a sharp salute, which I return with just as much formality. After this I smile and tell them, “Now you troopers go have a good time, I will see you later.”

As they leave Dusty calls out, “Oh, ma when we get back home, I want to talk to you about my wedding.”

I all but beam at her as I tell her, “Sounds good dear, now have a good time, but don’t get into trouble.”

Chain Lightning and I then just shake our heads as we watch them trot away joking and laughing with each other. Chain smirks as he looks over at me and says, “Hard to believe we were ever that young.”

I nod my head, “It sure is Chain, but it has sure been a ride so far.” I catch myself taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh as I tell him, “I guess we should get going, we need to stop and see Sticky Wicket first.”

He simply nods and holds out a hoof as if to say lead on and we continue on our way to the town hall.

As we enter the town hall I can feel as well as see the difference in it compared to the first time I was in here. I see Sticky behind her desk. She has a pencil behind her ear and is going over some ledgers with another pony.

When she looks up and sees Chain Lighting and me, she smiles and tells the other pony, “Ok, let’s come back to this in a bit. I think you are right though.” Then she tells us, “It is good to see you two again. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I smile back at her and tell her, “I just wanted to say hello and tell you that I will make sure to introduce you to my relief once they arrive.”

“I really do appreciate that Colonel. Is there anything I should know about the replacement battalion’s commander?”

“Well, the commander of the Third of the First is Lieutenant Colonel Apple Cobbler. He started out in the Co-op Defense Force like I did. He has a few more years in than me though and can be a bit stubborn. However, overall, he seems fairly decent to me. His chief of artillery is to be my husband, Captain Archer. Now him I can tell you is a good buck and I think you will be able to get along with him. He can also be very diplomatic if you need him to be.”

I see her smirk a bit and then she tells me, “I am sorry Colonel, it just takes some getting used to for most of us with your marital situation. I am sure he has learned to be diplomatic because of it.”

I laugh a bit as I tell her, “I fully understand. Speaking of that, just between us, my family and Milo’s have an agreement for Archer to father foals for his family’s mares. We don’t want it getting out though as I know I have hurt my family’s reputation enough already.”

As I say this, I notice Chain Lightning slightly nod his head. Then I continue and tell her, “I hope you don’t mind my stopping by and chatting a couple of more times before I go.”

She smiles again and tells me, “No, not at all. In fact, I am going to miss your visits. It has been nice to have somepony to share my concerns about my job with.”

I nod and I tell her, “You have been doing a wonderful job Sticky. I am so glad you have proven me right about your being able to do the job.”

She laughs lightly and tells me, “Not that I ever wanted it. But thank you.”

The three of us sit and chat for a bit more than I excuse myself and Chain by telling her we have more visits to make and reminding her of her promise to her clerk about the ledgers earlier.

From there we head over to the Town Marshals office and talk with Beach Shake.

As we enter, I smell that he has a pot of coffee on the woodstove before I can see it. My eyes are adjusting to the dimmer light inside the office as I see him getting a couple of extra coffee cups ready for us to use. He then turns to us and says, “Glad to see you back, Colonel. I will admit, ya had me worried a bit.”

Chain smiles and tells him, “You’re not the only one she had worried.”

Beach laughs lightly, “I am sure I am not Sergeant Major. Would you like some milk and honey in your coffee?” he asks as we sit down.

I nod my head yes while Chain says, “Nah, I’ll take mine black Marshal, but thanks.”

Once we have our coffee he asks, “So what do I owe this visit to today?”

I smile and tell him, “Well a couple of things. First, I wanted to thank you for yours and Scrap’s help on my getting ready for that last mission,” As I say this I see him nod his head, “Second I wanted to see if there was any additional training or assistance my MPs and I could provide you before our replacements arrive. And finally, I just wanted to sit down and have a cup of coffee with my friend while I still can.”

I see him smile and he replies, “Mollygirl, you are always welcome to come over for a cup of coffee, I saw you stop in at the town hall so I popped the coffee pot on the stove. As for help, well I guess you could have Taser or one of the others come here and give us a bit more training, especially on how to defuse a bad situation. I mean with the new troops coming into town I am afraid we may have some get a bit too far into their cups and try to make a point or two.”

I nod my head and I see Chain Lighting jot it down in his notebook. I then tell him, “That sounds great Beach. Now how are preparations coming for your wedding?”

I see him blush a bit and he tells me, “So far, so good ma’am. I just am not sure what all they involve and am letting Scrap set up everything.”

I nod my head and I tell him, “I can understand that. When I got married the first time, I did the same thing, for the same reason.”

I see him look surprised and he tells me, “Mollygirl, I thought all mares were into the wedding and all that.”

I shake my head, “Well Magpie was, so Badger and I let her have her head with it. To be honest, I was more concerned about the marriage than the wedding.”

I see both of them nod and then Chain says, “To be honest, I think Tail would want a small but fancy wedding, but he just is too embarrassed to admit it.”

Beach looks surprised at first and he says, “Chain, you mean you haven’t made an honest buck of him yet?”

For the first time in a while, I see Chain Lighting blush and he covers his face with one of his wings. Then he says, “Well I want to, but it is just not done down here dirtside. Besides we have not really discussed taking that step.”

I see Beach Shack nod his head and smile and he tells him, “Chain, that buck loves you and you now have a son to raise together. If you want to marry him, ask him. Dang it, you both deserve to be happy.”

I see Chain Lightning hesitate and then he asks, “Beach, you really don’t think it would bother ponies?”

Beach laughs and says, “Who gives a flying buck what they think. Look at the Colonel and her family or Colonel Milo’s family, look at me and Scrap being two former raiders. All of us love and care about each other and want to be happy. That sir is what matters my friend.”

I see Chain mulling it over and finally after taking another drink of his coffee he says, “Thanks Beach, I needed a friend to tell me that it would be ok.”

I can not help but smile as I hear this and I know how excited Tater will be.

We continue this for a while and then we continue on. Our next stop is the Flying Cow for lunch and if I am lucky tea with Buttermilk.

As we enter, I see the members of the 1^st Squad of D troop that we had met earlier eating lunch. All except for Nightshade. I look up and I see him heading upstairs following behind one of the cows who works there. This gets me to raise an eyebrow and smile. I guess our little buck has grown up I think to myself and laugh lightly. I see him notice me out of the corner of his eye and he trots upstairs more quickly.

Chain and I go on over and order our lunch of a couple of cheese hayburgers and salads. He has himself a whiskey while I have a nice cup of hot tea.

The 1^st squad notices me and I see Dusty calm them as she gets up and comes over to talk. “Hay Ma, I hope it does not bother you with my troopers enjoying themselves here?”

I shake my head and tell her, “No dear, you are all adults and I do understand how it is.”

I see her smirk, “Well that is true, but some might not understand. Besides we all chipped in for Nightshade, his mare back home, well he got a dear Jack letter from her last mail call.”

I laugh and I tell her, “Dusty, you all are all ok. No trouble. I just want you to be able to relax and enjoy yourselves. You have all earned it.”

“Thanks, I am really glad you do understand. By the way, thanks for the suggestion. I mean we were all a bit too embarrassed to admit we wanted to come here. I especially liked the Sergeant Major's touch about the President having come here too.”

I nod my head and Chain Lighting tells her, “Uh, Corporal, I did not make that up. The President really did come here and eat lunch. She even took the time to talk to the owners.”

I see Dusty smile and shake her head as she says, “Well I’ll be. Now I do feel better about coming here. Thanks again. Oh, and Ma, when we get back, I will need your help picking out a dress if you don’t mind.”

I can not help but smile and I tell her, “Dusty, I really am looking forward to it.”

I see her beam at that, “Ma, did you think when we met Firefly it would lead to this?”

Still smiling I shake my head and I tell her, “No, to be honest, I found him arrogant and rude that day, just like his sister. But to be honest. I am so happy he turned out to not be that way.”

She sits down with me and Chain and I notice how he looks slightly uncomfortable with the conversation. But he does not say anything but instead just listens.

Then she asks me, “Ma, how did you get over Ivy?”

This time I feel uncomfortable and I see Chain Lightning lean a bit forward as he signals the barkeep for another drink.

I look up at the ceiling and I feel a tear escape my eye. Then I look her in the eyes and I tell her, “Dear, I haven’t. I doubt I ever fully will. But I know she loved me and I loved her, and someday I will be with her again. But in the time until then she would want me to love, be loved, and to live.”

I see her nod her head with a tear on her cheek and I wipe it off for her, “That my dear is why I am certain Chance would want you to be with Firefly as well. And dear it is what your birth mother would have wanted too.”

I hear her sniffle a bit then she tells me, “I wish she could be there too.”

I nod my head and I tell her, “Dusty, somehow I got the feeling she may be. But if not, she will want to hear all about it someday.”

I see her laugh then she says, “You know, I can just see her laughing at the thought of having grandfoals that are half pegasus.”

I smile and I tell her, “You know, shortly before Targhee, she and I talked about that. She was hoping that you and Firefly would get together. She felt he was good for you.”

I hear her sniffle again and she looks down then back up at me and she asks, “Do you really mean that? Did she really tell you that?”

I nod my head and I tell her, “Yes I do, just like she asked me to take care of her fillies for her.”

Beside me, I hear Chain Lightning sniff a bit before he takes another sip of his whiskey. Then he looks up at me with haunted eyes and asks, “Do you really think somepony we loved before would actually feel that way, ma’am?”

This time I look him straight in the eyes, I place a forehoof on his and I tell him. “Chain Lightning my friend, I don’t talk about this much, but one thing that being dead taught me is that the dead want us to go on living and to be happy. I don’t remember much of it. But I have a few brief memories and that is what I remember most. And Chain, I miss my Ivy every day, but I want to live the life she would have wanted me to have.”

I see the surprise on his face and he asks, “You really do mean that, don’t you?”

I nod my head and tell him, “Yes I do.”

Beside me, I see Dusty shake a bit as she tells me, “I remember that day too. Goddesses what a mess.”

I see Chain look at her curious as if he wants to ask more. About this time, I see Buttermilk and she waves me over toward her parlor. I look at Dusty and Chain and tell them, “I will be back in a while, Dusty, go ahead and tell him about that day if you want. Maybe he should hear it from somepony who remembers it better than me.”

Then I get up and I slowly walk over to the parlor and sit down in my normal chair as she closes the door behind me.

She sits down across from me and I see her run a hoof through her yellow hair as she smiles at me. “Mollygirl it is so good to see you, I hope you are doing ok?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Yeah, I am doing ok. Just was talking with Dusty and Chain and we drudged up some old memories is all. But I really came here just to see you and to chat a bit if you have time.”

I see her beam at that and she tells me, “My friend I always enjoy just chatting with you. Now, would you like some tea too?”

She pours me a cup as well as herself and then she says, “About that recommendation to work as a psychologist when we get back, I think I will take you up on that.”

I cannot help but smile when she tells me this and I tell her, “I will write the letter when we get back and I will send a message out tonight giving my personal recommendation as well.”

She smiles and says to me, “Thank you Mollygirl, I really do appreciate it. So, how much trouble is Epona in this time?”

All I can do is laugh as I then begin to tell her what all transpired.

As I leave the Flying Cow, I see Nightshade is back with his squad mates I notice Dusty has a forehoof around him and she clinks her shot glass with his cider tanker and I barely can hear her tell him, “See, that whorse back home don’t deserve a buck like you.”

I see him blush as she says this and then he says, “Yeah, I know, but who would want me?”

I see her look over at another of the replacements that joined us before we left home and Dusty asks, “What do you think Duct Tape? I know I caught you checking out his flank, you game?”

I see the mare smile and I am almost past when I hear, “Well sure if he is I am.”

Then I am out the door and Chain is right behind me as I head over to Scrap Pile's shop.

As I enter, I see her behind her cash register making a sale with a couple of the local mares. Over in one corner, I see a stallion checking out some of the salvaged tools she has on display. Then I have to dodge a bit as a young colt and filly come running by giggling.

I hear Scrap call out to them, “Slow down you two, I don’t want you getting hurt.”

One of the mares at the register begins to look offended at first then she blushes and says, “Sorry about them running in here.”

Scrap smiles at her and tells her, “The only reason I said anything ma’am is there are some rough corners on the shelves and some of the items in stock and I don’t want to see them get hurt. I really like youngsters.”

The mother then looks at her youngsters and says, “Thank you. I do appreciate your concern, just I was a young mother and I had others make me feel like I was not good enough.”

I watch as Scrap moves a hoof across the counter and lays it on hers as she tells her, “I understand that feeling, but I see two youngsters that are happy, clean, healthy and well-fed, so you are doing better than most in the wastelands.”

I hear the young mother sniffle a bit and she asks, “You really mean that Miss Scrap?”

Scrap Pile smiles at her again and tells her, “Yes I do.” Then I notice her slide three candy sticks across the counter and quietly tells her, “for your children and one for you.”

“Miss Scrap, I can’t, I don’t have the caps for it.”

My friend smiles and tells her, “You have been a good customer for me for a while now, so let me show my appreciation, ok.”

I see her look down embarrassed and she says, “Thank you again Miss Scrap, I will see you again, and thank you for letting me buy those books for them with installments.”

Scrap then tells her, “I always like to do that when I can, especially for birthdays or Hearths Warming.”

“Ok, I will see you next week Scrap.” She tells her and begins to leave.

As she calls her foals over to her, I hear Scrap pile say, “I will see you then Cinnamon.”

The next mare in line grins and tells her, “That was really sweet of you Scrap. Ever since raiders killed her husband, times have been tough on her.”

I see Scrap look down and sigh. She then looks back up at the mare and tells her, “No I did not know that. I am so sorry that she had that happen to her and those youngins though.”

“Ya know I am really glad that you come here,” the customer says as she puts a jar of buttons on the counter as well as a pack of needles.

“Thank you very much. You do not know how much that means to me.” She then tells the mare the price and they complete the purchase.

As the mare is leaving, she smiles at both Chain and me and then quickly heads out the door. “Hi Mollygirl, Sergeant Major, it is good to see you both again. What can I do for you?” she asks.

I smile at her and I tell her, “Well I was just stopping by to say hello, to see if you had any new books come in on trade-in or salvage, and to see how the wedding plans are coming.”

I see her smile more widely than I had imagined possible. She then tells me, “Well I am always glad to see you Mollygirl. I am sorry to say we have not had any new books come in since the last time you were here.” I nod my head in understanding and then she almost is bouncing as she tells me. “Only a week and we are tying the knot. Mollygirl I am so excited,” she all but squees.

I can not help but smile broadly and I tell her “I can not wait to see you as a bride Scrap. You will be such a beautiful one.”

Beside me I see Chain Lightning nod his head, then he tells her, “After your wedding is done, I would like to talk to you about some things too.”

I see her look at him curiously and he smiles shyly and tells her, “Dear, I am thinking of making it official between me and Tail Spin and I have nopony to talk to about such things. The Colonel would be willing to I am sure, but she really is not into such things.”

I see her eyes get wide and she bounces a bit more, “Chain, do you really mean it?” and as he nods his head she jumps up and gives the grizzled old veteran a big hug and tells him, “Yes, I would love to.”

I see him smiling awkwardly at this, but he still wraps a forehoof around her and tells her, “Thanks Scrap. I really appreciate it.”

“Your welcome Sergeant Major,” She says with a grin.

Then I see him think briefly and he tells her, “Scrap, if you can call the Colonel by her name because you are friends, how about you do the same for me. Just call me Chain when we talk privately.”

I see her nod her head, and she sticks out a hoof to him as she says, “Chain it would be my pleasure to count you as one of my friends.”

He takes her hoof and I smile to myself as I watch him draw her in with a wing for a hug and tell her, “Ya know I could get used to this just friend’s thing. I usually hung around with those who were family or I worked with.”

I see her smile, and she then tells him, “Just so you know, I may have my letters, but I have a hard time writing, so I may not be the best at keeping in touch.”

Chain smiles down at her and tells her, “Scrap, worse comes to worse you could always have somepony write for you what you want to say.”

I see her put her hoof under her chin and then she tells him, “Ya know I could do that. I just never thought of it before. But if I do, I want you to tell me all about yours and Tail’s wedding, and keep me informed about how your family is doing too.”

“Ok, I can do that. And the next time we get deployed down this way I will be visiting a bit more,” he tells her.

Then I see her look kind of embarrassed as she says, “Ok, as friends I have to come clean. I am sorry about helping Epona and Sweet Potato sneak on your mission Mollygirl. I actually loaned them some of my old stuff.”

I am very surprised at this as I had not thought she would do such a thing, but before I can say anything Chain laughs and says, “I figured it was you or Beach who did it. But thanks for making sure it was good enough that they were not figured out. I am sure Tail Spin would have been proud of the way you helped them so much.” Then I see him nod his head and then he looks around to make sure no pony else is there before he quietly tells her, “Tail Spin used to run a lot of covert missions for the Enclave. Now that he is a Ranger he may have a need for contacts in this area, would you mind if I suggested you to him?”

I see a surprised look come over her face and I can tell she is trying to comprehend what he just asked. Then she asks, “Chain are you serious? I mean the way things are now we should be safe here.”

He nods his head and tells her, “Scrap, I am serious and while things may be good now, we never know what the future can hold. Besides, it might mean a few extra caps your way now and again.”

I see her look around her store and then back at him and she finally tells him, “Sure thing Chain, but let’s keep this our secret.”

He looks at me and then smiles at her and tells her, “Of course Scrap.”

After this, we begin to talk more about her wedding plans and I begin to feel a bit like a third wheel as Chain excitedly begins to discuss the details for the ceremony and the dinner afterward. I am amused though at how much my hardened old veteran of a Sergeant Major gets into the wedding planning. I shake my head and offer my opinion on a few ideas when asked. Then I am asked a question that totally surprises me by Scrap Pile. She asks me, “Mollygirl, would you mind wearing a dress for my wedding and perhaps even wearing your mane in a braid.”

I rarely get to dress like that so I can not help but say yes. Then I ask her, “Scrap, would you like me to braid your mane and tail as well?”

I see her eyes go wide and she starts to have tears in them as she tells me in a voice that reminds me more of a filly than a grown mare, “Yes please, I have never had anyone do my mane for me. You would do that for me, like a real mother?”

I smile at her and nod my head, “Yes Scrap, I would gladly do it for you. I guess you are one of my mares now.”

When I say this, she jumps up and hugs me and I hear her crying quietly as she tells me, “Thank you so much,” she pauses then adds “Ma.”

I gently pat her on the back as I hug her back and think to myself, how many daughters am I going to end up with? As I smile and shake my head.

Once the hug breaks, she sits back and then asks me. “You won’t forget about me when you leave will you?”

I just smile at her and tell her, “Of course not.” As I wipe a tear away from her cheek.

Chain and I are just getting ready to leave when we hear the bell on the door ring. As I turn around, I see Epona and Tater coming in. When they see us there they both stop dead in their tracks and begin to turn around.

Chain speaks before I can and he tells them, “Too late you two. Now, what are you doing here?”

I see them both blush and I notice Epona is twisting her left back hoof as if she has gotten caught doing something wrong. Then Tater says, “Pa, we were just returning the things we borrowed from Miss Scrap and the Marshal. We knew it meant something to both of them.”

I am curious now and I turn to Scrap and she is blushing herself as she tells us, “The raider outfits they were using. Ma they were the last ones we had left from our past. I kept mine as a reminder of what things were and how far I have come. I think Beach did the same with his.”

I nod my head in understanding and tell her, “Yeah, I understand that. That is why I still have my old helmet at home from the expedition and why I have this,” I tell her as I remove my uniform blouse and I show her my CEF brand.

I see her eyes go wide when she sees it. She stares at it and then looks back at me and asks, “You had yourself branded?”

I nod my head yes. Then I tell her, “It reminds me of those painful days, but it also reminds me of where I came from and who made me who I am today.”

I see her look down and somewhat ashamed as she says, “But ma, I never would have wanted to have been marked like that by those who made me who I am.”

I again nod my head in understanding as I put my uniform back on and I tell her, “Scrap, I do understand that. But like you, I have my keepsakes to remind me of how far I have come,” I place a hoof on her shoulder and I continue, “Mare, you have come so far and done so well. I am proud of you, keep it up.”

I see another teardrop fall down her face, and she only says to me, “Thank you.”

Then I give her another hug and Chain and I head back to the base. As I leave, I tell Epona, “Don’t stay here too long, you still have school work to do young mare.”

I see her grin as she tells me, “Ok Ma, talk to you before supper,” and I am out the door.

As we are walking, Chain is humming and then he tells me, “You know I have never had a lot of friends, it is kind of nice.” Then he goes back to humming for the rest of the walk.

That night as we are eating dinner Epona looks over at me and asks me, “So, ma, how many adopted daughters are you gonna end up with?”

I just smile at her and I tell her, “As many as need me as a mother to them. I guess Scrap told you about today.”

She nods her head as she hooves a hay fry to Millie and then Moon Lily. Finally, she answers, “Yeah, she did, and she really does need to feel like she has someone older who cares about her. Ma, her mom died when she was my age. She was born into a raider gang, but after that, she was on her own.”

I nod my head as I let Millie try some of my soup. Then I reply, “I suspected something like that. It is really too bad as she is such a good mare now.”

Epona looks up at me from her meal and tells me, “Ma, thanks for taking me in and loving me when I had no pony else.”

I reach across the table as does Sutures and I tell her, “Dear, you are welcome, but I never doubted I would take you in once I found you.”

Sutures beside me tells her, “Dear, none of us back home would have thought of turning you away.”

I see her sniffle a bit at that and Mille asks, “What wrong Pona?”

Epona puts a hoof around her little sister and tells her, “Nothing is wrong Mills. I am just really happy.”

“But, why cry if happy?” Mille asks.

“Mills, because sometimes parts of life feel so good that it washes away the pain along with the tears.”

I watch as Mille thinks about this briefly and then nods her head and says, “Ok Pona.” Then she begs for another fry.

From down the table, I see Dull Beak and Summer Solstice finish their meal and as they get up and leave I watch her hesitantly takes his tail in hers as they walk out the door of the mess hall side by side.

Later that night as we lay in bed Sutures tells me, “You know dear, soon enough our little ones are not going to want to nurse anymore.”

I catch myself sniffling a bit as I tell her, “I know, part of me will be relieved I guess, but you know I really am going to miss it.”

She sighs as she snuggles closer and kisses me on my scarred cheek and tells me, “Me too love, me too.”

Soon after this, I hear her breathing shift as she falls asleep and I think about how good a day today has been. Then I remember, I need to get a dress for Scrap’s wedding. Well, it is too late tonight, so tomorrow will have to do. Then I begin to drift off myself to await what will come tomorrow.

Dear DJ Pon3,

Recently the mare I have been with for several years and was engaged to, sent me a dear Jack letter while I was deployed away from home with the NCR Army. My best friend back home also wrote to me to let me know that shortly after I return home, she will be getting married to another. At first, I was hurt but thanks to my squadmates I now am feeling much better and I want to let her know what she can expect from me. So, if you could, please play Friends in Low Places for me and the rest of my squad.

Thanks a ton, from your fan

Nightshade,

Private, 1^st squad, D troop 1^st Manesville Regiment

I hope that you all have enjoyed this chapter and how I have fleshed out some of the characters more fully. I also hope it has shown how strong the bonds of those who have been deployed there can become to the locals.

Several characters have evolved during this deployment and I have tried to show these changes, such as Nightshade. Or even our stoic Sergeant Major. Please feel free to post comments on some of your observations if you would like.

For those who would like to listen to this weeks dedication song the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0_der_5hRM