Graphite leaned forward from his comfy chair in which he was resting and extinguished his cigarette in an ashtray that was on the table in front of him. The ashtray was next to a large console with a battery of buttons and one large button that was glowing bright red near the middle. The button was a signal that the set of holotapes that were previously playing had ended and it was time for someone to replace them. Graphite pressed the red button and reached towards the microphone that was sitting conveniently on the desk next to the console and adjacent to a sound board.

He pulled the microphone to the edge of the table, clearing just throat just before pressing the button to turn it on, “Good evening, listeners. That was ‘The War is Over Now’ by the lovely Sweetie Belle. Running up the next play-list will be the ‘Blue’-”

Graphite was cut short by a knock at the door leading to the broadcasting room. Graphite’s head swiveled towards the door, moving away from the microphone to keep from interceding on the station, “One moment,” he affirmed.

“Sorry about that, it appears I’m needed places. That means an early end to the show, but that doesn’t mean the music will end. Coming up is a upbeat tune from the Ol’ Blue Eyes - ‘Witchcraft’

Graphite set the tape for the songs into the console, pressing the play button and letting the music play across the land to as far as the broadcast tower could send it.

The door swung open slowly, poking her head through the door was a young filly. Her head came in first, her big and round blue eyes shining like lights through the doorway. Her curly locks were loose and bouncy, something easy to care for after rolling around and playing outside in the wastes. Her mane and tail was a low tone of tangerine, something to blend along with her darker orange coat. She pushed the door aside with all the strength in her little hooves, coming in with a little grin on her face. She came up to Graphite as he sat in his chair, perking her head up to speak, “Daddy,” the filly squeaked, “Do you remember what day it is?”

“Of course - it’s today,” Graphite scoffed before clearing his throat again.

The foal groaned, stamping her little hoof on the ground, letting more high pitched squeaks out as she talked, “No, Silly! It’s your birthday!”

Graphite smiled, responding, “Yes, yes, I know.”

“Well, mommy wants to see you back downstairs.”

Graphite just nodded, leaving off with a simple, “I’ll be down in a minute, Topaz.”

The filly went back to the door, closing it behind just as she darted out and down the staircase waiting outside the door. Making sure all was fine with the equipment before he could leave.

Graphite pushed himself from the chair, using both the edge of the table and the wobbly armrest of the seat to pick himself up. He got on all fours, his hind leg biting at him when his hooves were firmly planted on the ground. He winced, but only just - the pain something he was very well used too.

Graphite reached the door, shutting it just after knocking the lights out. The door shut and Graphite stood just at the top of the stairs, preparing himself for a fight against his arch-nemesis - the stairs. The stairs spiraled downward with the stairwell like an abyss. Graphite sighed, going through an inevitable journey that he didn’t like but would have to take. His wounded leg was stiff and always getting harder to move. Any movement with his leg would cause the joints to burn and the muscles to pierce at him. Going down stairs was very difficult with the pain either passing by as just another ache in his knee or a blast of searing pain that couldn’t be avoided. Graphite took to the stairs as slowly as a single pony could walk, planning each step out ahead of time.

Graphite finally made it to the bottom, taking a quick breather to congratulate himself on a task well done. The door to the apartment was just ahead of him. He twisted the handle and pushed the door open, opening the door to the small bit of foyer the room had in it. He stepped through the hallway, passing by some antique drawers with knick-knacks spread across the top and a hat stand that was to his left. Crossing over the red rug beneath him, he stepped calmly into the main room.

The vertical stripes of the blue wallpaper surrounded the room; trapping around it the living room, dining room, and kitchen all into one confined space. On the peach coloured couch was Topaz, bouncing around excitedly until she stopped after noticing Graphite walking through the doorway. She hopped off the couch, running up to Graphite at high speed, “Daddy! Finally you’re here!” She blared with glee, gripping her arms around his big hoof as she pulled him to the dinner table.

Waiting on the other end of the wooden table was Sunny, sitting with anticipation for Graphite to arrive. She had her same smile that she took with her everywhere, sitting at the head of the table with a wrapped box by her hoof. Graphite inched up to the table with his daughter still latched to his hoof. As the family joined together in the room, Sunny stepped up from her chair to give Graphite a hardy hug followed by a quick peck on the cheek. Graphite could only smile, captured by the emotion and the exhaustion.

Sunny and Topaz both helped Graphite to a seat at the table, scooting the box up close for Graphite to open. He looked to the rectangular box that was wrapped with a yellow paper, tied with a simple white string. Graphite stopped to think, something age would never take away from him. He thought of his seventh birthday, knowing he was much older than seven. He never figured how old he was, or how old he had become. He could recall his childhood and the birthdays from that time, but his age was lost with his long sleep. Graphite could only keep track of the time from when he was born again; refreshed to a new world. So, Graphite was seven years old from his second birth, young at heart but old in his body.

“Open it, daddy!” The over-eager Topaz pressed.

“Alright, alright,” Graphite eased back.

Using his magic, he untied the modest bow and opened the quaint present. The top moved away to show a uniform. It was a navy blue and made out of a soft cotton. Graphite pulled the folded coat from the box, unfolding it for all to see. Along the chest were a few decorations; a name tag on the left with ‘Graphite’ stenciled into it perfectly, a few fancy ribbons to commemorate Graphite’s accomplishments, and small silver badge with rifles crossed to go on the collar. The lapel was placed symmetrically on the gold coloured collar, which stood tall on the neck. Chevrons were sewn into the shoulders, designating Graphite as a corporal. He rolled the suit up, setting it gently back in the box.

“How do you like it, Graphite?” Sunny asked with a bit of nervousness in her mind but only a smile to show.

Graphite turned to her, unable to find words to say. He was shocked, amazed at the wonder of his present. He mumbled out a ‘Wow’ as the only thing to show for his feelings followed by a simple question, “Where did you find this?”

Sunny grinned wider, relieved to know Graphite seemed to enjoy his gift, “Tsoy found it when he was on a trading trip near Hoofington. It was pretty roughed up when he brought it back, so I gave it to Pneumo. He fixed it, even added a tag with your name and those corporal insignias on the shoulders. ”

“Yeah, I was starting to think that there’s no way it was my uniform he found,” Graphite chuckled.

“Well, consider it a present from Tsoy, Pneumo, and me.”

“Thank you, Sunny,” Graphite pulled the mare closer and kissed her on the cheek, “I’ll be sure to thank your brothers when I meet them later.”

Topaz reared up, leaning over Graphite with eyes wide as ever, “Are you going to try it on, daddy?”

“Yes, give me a moment,” Graphite grinned, pushing Topaz away as softly as he could.

Graphite grabbed the rolled coat from the box, groaning and moaning while his hooves gripped the table and the back of the chair as he tried to stand. Sunny rushed over, pulling him up with both her hooves to pull the stallion up from the chair. He guided her away, assuring Sunny he didn’t need the help.

Graphite slipped his arms through the sleeves, pulled the two ends of the jacket together, and buttoned it up tight. He folded the collar down to a comfortable crease, adjusted the lapel hanging from the fold, propped the ribbons to look straight and made sure the dust was clear from the tag. The suit fit perfect and sat well on his body, he looked ready for a march and had a smile to tag along.

Sunny came up to Sunny, reaching for his suit to further adjust it. It seemed perfect, she just needed to make sure it was better than perfect.

“It looks fantastic on you, Graphite - maybe you can wear it while we head out?” Sunny promoted, pulling down the ends of the jacket to get it on Graphite just so.

“Where are we going?” Graphite inquired.

“Oh, I placed an order on some sweet rolls for your birthday.”

Topaz ran up to her mother, now leaning over her leg as she shouted to her, “Sweet rolls?” She exclaimed with wonder.

Unsurprised to the filly’s innocence and rambunctious eagerness, Sunny pushed Topaz aside with the same leg the foal was leaning on. She turned back to her daughter, smiling at her as usual, “Yes, sweet rolls. They’re very sweet and come served nice and hot!”

Topaz was practically drooling on the floor after the simple description, ready to go and get these incredible sweet rolls. She dashed for the door, her mother stopping her again before she ran off on her own. Graphite joined her by the door, Sunny leaving the room to grab a dress from the other room. The two stood anxiously waiting for Sunny, both grinning for their own reasons. Graphite looked down to his left, Topaz was bouncing like a ball. She was ready to bounce out the house, only held back by her parents orders. Graphite looked to his child, seeing how much she has grown in the span of six years. He could look back on all the things they had done together, all the things he has taught her personally, and all the moments that were worth remembering - but, all he could think about now was the way her hair bobbed as she jumped up and down. It was cute, nothing more, her large head almost as big as her little filly body. The orange in her hair could never catch the light well enough to look admirable, but it was cute enough to fit Topaz’ needs.

Sunny walked into the room with her yellow dress on, her stature astute and her smile glowing brighter than ever. The room was aglow with the bounding joy of Topaz, the never ending cheer Sunny brought with her, and the breeze of Graphite’s unwavering calmness. Graphite wouldn’t say a peep, keeping all his words to himself. He thought better than he could hold a conversation, his mind on the idea of Sunny. She had been with him through thick and thin, the two coming out of Rossmore free ponies and leading a small adventure through the wasteland taking over Buckago. She’s been there to bring a beaming grin to any pony that she meets, Graphite to suffer from long term effects of happiness. She’d saved his life at least twice, helped him through nightmares and flashbacks of war and terror, and gave reason to keep on living.

Graphite smiled at Sunny, content with the small family he has built. He spoke up after his silence, “Are we ready?” He asked aloud.

“Yes! Let’s go!” Topaz answered without so much as skipping a beat, running through the foyer and stopping right at the door heading out the apartment.

Sunny nodded her head, “I am.”

They all reached the door, Graphite opening it first and letting the mare and filly go ahead. They were already heading down the stairwell of the apartment, Graphite following them out. The door shut, the stallion left the building with his thoughts far behind him and his family near to him.