It was times like today, when the dew frosted grass shone in the morning sun and the chirping birds signaled it was day that Phineas thought back to happier times. He stood in his study, staring out the window, watching little fillies and colts play about on a Saturday morning. A tear, not uncommon nowadays, started to form below his eye, as he placed a hoof on the glass.

It seemed only just yesterday that Phineas had met Rose, the mare of his dreams and the love of his life. He had just moved to Ponyville with his father, his parents thought it would be a better atmosphere to bring up their young colt, as opposed to the strenuous atmosphere of Canterlot. His mother, however, stayed behind in Canterlot with her duty as the Princess' speechwriter. His father, a skillful carpenter, was less than happy to leave her behind. But it was his first day in Ponyville that Phineas cherished the most, for on that day he first met eyes with Rose. It would only be a glance, but it was enough that the two were love-struck for the decades to follow.

"Hello... M-My name's Phineas, I'm new to Ponyville...I-"

"Phineas? That's a funny name Hahaha!"

"Really? I... I guess it does sound kind of funny, hehe.."

"My name is Rose, nice to meet you Phineas."

"Well, it's nice to meet you too Rose."

"So you said you were new to Ponyville? Did you just move here?"

"Yea, my Dad and I moved here from Canterlot and-"

"Canterlot!? Oh you've got to tell me everything about it! Come on!"

Throughout the years he and Rose would play together, sometimes with Rose's two sisters, Daisy and Lily. When they were together, it seemed that there were no limits to what they could be, no mountains they could not climb, and no deep oceans they didn't explore. Even on the most average of days, a big fluffy blanket could become a monster.

"Raaawr! I am a monster from the Ever-Free Forest, and I'm coming to get you! Raawr!"

"Oh no, not a Monster! Please don't catch me! I'm only just a filly and I have school tomorrow!"
Throughout their adventurous little lives the two were nearly inseparable, but to the schoolteacher, sometimes they were insufferable. They would sit in class whispering to each other, passing notes, and driving Ms. Sharpener crazy at the same time.

"Gee, I didn't think that Ms. Sharpener would think your picture was so inappropriate."

"I know, who would've thought that a picture of us battling a dragon was so wrong?"

"Well, detention wasn't all that bad, writing 'I will not pass notes in class' didn't give me a cramp this time around..."

"I got bored of writing the same thing over and over, so instead I wrote something a little different."

"Really? What did you write, then?"

"Oh something about a Pony battling a Dragon, nothing special."

"Hehehehe..."

The bond they shared stood the test of time, all through school and into a world of work. Phineas stayed true to his talent, taking up writing Poetry and Novels while Rose and her sisters started a business together selling flowers grown from their garden.

"... and she had a beautiful tapered mane, as red as the roses she grew in her garden"

"Ooh, tell me about her eyes!"

"Her eyes? Well, her eyes were as green as the leaves, a gorgeous lively green with a sparkle like dewdrops in the morning!"

"And tell me Phineas, what was this wonderful Mare's name?"

"Rose... Her name was... Is... Rose."

Phineas looked at the clock, "Half past 8...". He turned to the window again, watching the sun rise above the horizon, looking down from his second story study, watching Ponyville buzz with life, seeing the foals playing in the streets. He let out a disheartened sigh, watching everypony frolic about in the sun. The day was just beginning, and not too long ago, so was something else.

"I don't understand Phin, hahaha, why do I need to follow you around town with my eyes shut?

"Just keep em' shut, I've got a surprise for you!"

"Ooooh, I love surprises... Is it a present?"

"Sort of, but no, it's more."

"Oooh, more? Could it be a cake then?"

"Nope, still better."

"Maybe it's another one of Pinkie Pie's surprise parties!"

"Nope, we're almost there though!"

"Is it flowers then?"

"What? Rose, you and your sisters grow your own garden, why would I get you flowers?"

"Well, flowers from you would be more special..."

"Not as special as what I've got for you!"

"Oh, I've got it! Is it Jewelry? No, not from my cheap boyfriend Hahaa!"

"Closer then you think actually!"

"Oh, Really now?"

"Really! We're here; you can open your eyes now."

"Phineas, why are you on your knees, and what is that-"

"Rose, we've known each other since the days of our foal-hood, and now I think is an appropriate time to ask the question. So Rose, would you take my hand in Marriage?"

Needless to say, Rose was more than ecstatic to accept. Phineas turned away from the window momentarily, looking at his and Rose's wedding pictures sitting on his desk. Even after "maturing" they still retained their childhood, and one picture reflected this. Phineas looked at Rose's face, and could see her laughing while he made a silly face, he could hear her laughter echoing from that day.

"Phineas Script, do you take Rose Petal to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Rose Petal, do you take Phineas Script to be your beloved husband?"

"I do."

"Then, with Celestia as my witness, I pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Phineas' eyes drifted to the next picture in the series, one his friend had taken, of him gently kissing Rose under her veil. Another tear rolled away from his eyes, as he slowly turned his head and faced the window again to watch a married couple peruse the streets. They stopped outside of every house with a "For Sale" sign and gave it a good looking over before moving on to the next.

"I don't know, I kind of liked the other one, it had a swimming pool..."

"Yeah, but this one has a lot more space, it means more room for guests, or if your sisters wanted to come and visit."

"True... It is quite bigger, and that means you would have more room for your books, and I can easily grow a garden here."

"But still, it would be pretty quiet with just the two of us..."

"Honey, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about before we chose a house..."
He took a step away from the window, and went to sit down at his desk. Opening a drawer, Phineas rummaged through some of his old files, until he found a pink folder. He opened the folder and out fell a piece of paper. As he reached down to pick it up he noticed the small black hoof print on the parchment.

"Honey, I'm so proud, we have a wonderful little filly!"

"Oh! Could I please see her? I bet she has your eyes..."

"She has your gorgeous Mane... What will we name her?"

"Such a soft pink coat... My baby Ruby..."

"Ruby it is then."

Ruby, but another chapter in Phineas' life. Phineas looked through the file some more, finding baby pictures, a small envelope with her first hairs, a few teeth that Rose had collected, and then something particularly special to Phineas. One week Rose and her sisters went on vacation in Canterlot with their mother, leaving Phineas at home with his 5 year old daughter. What Phineas held in his hand were ticket stubs, treasures from the days he spent with his little angel.

"Daddy! Daddy! What are we going to do for my Birthday?"

"Well Ruby, if I told you that it would ruin the Surprise!"

"Come on Daddy! Can I have a hint, Pleeeaaase?"

"Calm down Ruby, we're almost there."

"I can hear a crowd, where are we?"

"Well, it's time for you to find out, look!"

"Wow! We're going to see the Wonderbolts?!"

"Yep, I even got us backstage passes to go and see them after the performance!"

"Oh Daddy! I love you so much! You're the best daddy ever!"

Those were days on a happier note long gone, times in a better light since past, family once loved now dead, but to Phineas, a wonderful life he would never forget, loved ones he always longed for, and pain he hoped to end soon. Phineas stood up, one could see more than just a few tears streaming down his face. He approached the window, but when he looked outside it only pained him worse.
The doorbell rang, breaking Phineas' focus. He didn't know whether to feel grateful or irritated at this point, he'd been trying to bring himself to a conclusion for weeks, only to stumble upon some minor delay, but never anything permanent. As he descended the steps he heard the doorbell ring again.

"One moment please, just one moment."
Phineas finally got to the door and whoever was behind it kept ringing the bell. Upon opening the door he met eyes with Ditzy-Doo, Ponyville's mailmare.

"Good morning Phineas, sorry to bother you so early, but I got a red letter message for you," announced Ditzy, retrieving a letter with a bright red envelope from her bag.

"Red letter?"

"Yep, red letters are rush delivery. Here you go. Oh, and I just need you to sign this paper here saying that you received the letter," Ditzy held up a clipboard and quill for Phineas.

"Okay, thank you Ditzy," Phineas signed the clipboard, holding the quill with a short levitation spell.

"Alright, thank you, and have a pleasant day Mr. Script!" Ditzy gave him a cross-eyed salute and took flight to deliver more mail.

"Red letter? I wonder who this is from..." Phineas mumbled to himself, shutting the door.
Phineas made his way back up to the study, letter in the air, mumbling to himself and wondering who would bother sending him a so called "red letter". Once he had sat down at his desk he grasped a letter opener with power channeled through his horn and sliced open the envelope, not even bothering to check the wax seal. He unfolded the contents and began to read.

Dear Phineas Script,
I have often been a fan of your work and in fact I have chosen to do a case study on your poetry; I feel that meeting you in pony would be an excellent opportunity to expand upon my work, and make a good friend as well. As I write this I am preparing for an excursion to Ponyville from Canterlot. Now, "How in Equestria would a Canterlot pony come to know about me" or other such questions might cross your mind. To be brief, I was a student and good friend of your mother before she passed away, and while she taught me she spoke very highly of you in your early years. Now, as I mentioned, I will be traveling to Ponyville soon and I would very much like to meet you. If all goes according to schedule my train will depart next Saturday night, and I would arrive in Ponyville the following morning. It would present a great opportunity for my work and I imagine you are quite an intriguing pony, and so I look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely,
Octavia

Phineas put down the letter on his desk, and proceeded throughout the rest of his day, unsure of what to think of his upcoming visitor. For the most part he kept staring out the window, occasionally sipping carrot juice and nibbling on a turnip.
The events outside continued to torment him with memories of the past he so wished he could have back. It seemed that to this day the laughter or Ruby still echoed in the halls and the smell of Rose's garden still filled the air, but to the discontent of Phineas such Miracles only existed in his stories.