It was a beautiful day in Equestria. Both Cloudfire and Derpy could attest to that. Their walk was, for lack of a better word, wonderful.

While walking beside her cheery fiancée, Derpy felt happy. It was a lot like it used to be. They were together, it felt timeless. She wanted to talk about how she was glad that everything was happy again, but... while she didn't think in these terms, she was afraid that might jinx it. Instead she talked about what made their walk so special -- it wasn't too cloudy or too busy, and there were just the right number of ponies out to keep the streets from feeling too empty... or too crowded. Nodding, her fiancée smiled while she talked about these things. He was happy to listen and felt the same way.

When the two finally got back they went straight to the kitchen again for some water. They found a little Unicorn sitting at the table, kicking her feet happily while her father stood by the stove making breakfast.

"Uncle Cloudfire!" Exclaimed the tiny Unicorn, hugging his side as he walked up to her.

"Hi Dinky," the ivory Earth Pony replied, snuggling her back.

Daddy Hooves spoke next:

"Good morning you two. You're looking well. Say, did I just hear the front door close?"

"Yeah-huh!" Said Derpy, nodding. "Me and Cloudfire went for a walk!"

"Ah," he looked over at Cloudfire. "Alright son... big guy... you up to go adventuring in the 'big city' today?"

Cloudfire casually stretched, replying:

"Can't wait."

Seeing no anxiety in his future son-in-law's body language, the Unicorn smiled:

"Alrighty then. We leave in two hours."

"Fine by me," the Earth Pony turned his attention to the two Hooves sisters." Two hours, huh?... I'd wager that's just enough time for a story."

Both their eyes lit up as if enchanted by magic. Derpy was the first to speak:

"It's been so long... I'd love that!"

"Good to hear."

In the darkly lit living room, with his favorite mare on one side and the little filly on the other, Cloudfire relaxed... and read a short fairytale in the same way he had months before. It had been a long time, Derpy was right in saying that... so long, in fact, that the joy felt fresh. Maybe it was the good night's sleep, maybe it was the extra long vacation... either way, the feeling was certainly missed. Derpy felt at peace and Dinky, of course, was enraptured by the way her Uncle Cloudfire read. The Earth Pony liked to make the young fillies smile, so that simply fed his diction. This was magical moment for all.... Nopony wanted it to end.

It was all too soon it was time to leave. Once Daddy Hooves came in, the book closed... the magic gone. Cloudfire kissed Dinky on the forehead. Despite the disappointed looks coming from the small Unicorn, he said good bye to her for now. He'd read another story another day.

The two ponies got up, fetching what they needed from upstairs. Cloudfire put on his saddlebags, slipping a few bits inside just in case. He knew Daddy Hooves would be treating them, but he hated not being prepared. Derpy knew she wouldn't need much and just made sure she was presentable. Cloudfire came up behind her, giving her a hug and noogie. She squealed in delight, cuddling up. This day was turning so peaceful... such a contrast to the days before, and it was only just beginning.

After they were done snuggling, the two descended the stairs and went outside where the older Unicorn waited by the exit. The door closed behind them... and it was now time for their adventure to begin.

Walking to the bus stop in the clear morning air felt good. Daddy Hooves and Cloudfire talked up a storm... the former doing more listening than talking, the later doing more talking than he had been doing for days. What they were talking about wasn't all that important to Daddy Hooves... he was focused more on how he was being answered. He'd seen behaviors in Cloudfire which he'd openly called disturbing. There were no signs of anything peculiar in the ivory Earth Pony that he could see. Laughter and joy is what he emanated... genuine laughter... and it spilled over to the Pegasus. Daddy Hooves was sure that Cloudfire was back to himself again... back to the pony he knew and loved so well. Eventually he started laughing and enjoying himself, too. They were all one big happy family.

Now at the bus stop, they continued to chat. The Earth Pony seemed fired up for this trip.

"You excited?" Cloudfire asked Derpy, as the bus came into view.

"Yeah! I've never been to a city before!"

"It'll be like nothing you've ever experienced..." he replied.

"Trust us, Derpy," said Daddy Hooves. "The city is very wonderful... and very, very big!"

She was so excited that she flapped her wings in anticipation. While staring off and waiting for the doors to open, Cloudfire dragged his hoof across the ground as if getting ready to charge. Daddy Hooves chuckled at this behavior. Derpy just laughed.

On the bus the three ponies sat close. Cloudfire relaxed by the window, his hooves behind his head. Derpy was beside him and Daddy Hooves across from them. Unlike the bus at work, this driver waited until they were all seated to gradually take off. The Pegasus was not used to this... nor was she used to paying for the ride. Cloudfire had her covered, though.

They'd be going pretty far just for this one trip. From Ponyville to Philidelphia... a 90 minute trip by bus. While Derpy chatted with her father about the store she'd never been to, Cloudfire... surprisingly caught a few winks while staring out the window. He'd been ready to tackle this trip head on and was now napping peacefully... this was something Daddy Hooves did not notice.. Daddy Hooves's time away from the store had been long, so long he was caught up in describing the way the place looked as he remembered it to his daughter. He knew it had changed though and was eager to see how. Derpy was just plain eager to see the city in general.

As they approached the city, objects which could be seen for miles -- taller buildings and large billboards -- gave it away. Derpy pointed at these gigantic structures with her hoof, making a definite sound of wonder and awe:

"Wow!"

This caused Cloudfire's eyes to pop open.

Turning to Derpy, he asked, "like what you see, huh?"

"Yeah!"

"We'll be there pretty soon," Daddy Hooves said. "I know you've been around Cloudfire. Ever live in Philidelphia?"

"I've spent time just about everywhere," confidently replied the Earth Pony. "I liked the culture of Manehattan better, but... to answer your question, yeah. I lived here a few months. It's okay."

"I see. I've never lived anywhere but little old Ponyville."

Derpy snuggled up to Cloudfire's body. The Earth Pony looked down at her and smiled as she looked back up:

"Your family... and this little mare... are the reasons I'm staying in Ponyville. Ponyville's just a place to me... not too terribly exciting. It's because of you guys... I love you."

"We love you too, Cloudfire. You know that." Daddy Hooves looked forward. "Well, we're coming up to our stop. Let's get ready.

Cloudfire untucked his hooves from behind his head, once again ready to tackle the day.