From Humble Beginnings Part 2

>It was just like all the nights prior.  In your slumber, you were once again in the grips of the same nightmare.

>It always started the same.  You were back on Earth at home in your parent's den.  A cackling fire lit the room.  Your father, a man in his late 50s, sitting in his leather chair while your mother was tending to a roast in the oven.

>And you were just standing there, in front your father, trembling at the knees.

>"What did I tell you when you were younger, anon?  Hmm?  Guess I was right."  Your father said in a mocking tone.

"Dad...I did what you told me!  I even majored in your field so th...."

>"And you failed.  Like I always said you would.  Now look at you."  Your father gazes up from his newspaper to look at you, then spits at your feet.   "Worthless."

>A growing knot formed in your stomach at his words, but that was half as bad as the pain you felt in your mind.  His words stung.  Not just because of his harsh words and language, it was because it was all true.  You failed.  And the worst part, you tried your best and you still failed.  The only person to blame was yourself.

>He continued, "And you have the nerve to come back here and ask for help?  After all I have done for you?  After all I have done for this family?  How can you be standing there, looking like the tramp you are, and ask me for help.  Your brother didn't.  Your sister didn't.  You are the only one.  And when I say this, take it to heart.  You are a failure."

>You said nothing.  You couldn't.  Even if a million responses floated in your brain, no words would come out.  So you did what you did every time.  You turned around and started to leave, but like every time before, you father had one more thing to say.

>"And know this.  Everyone you love, everyone you care about, you will let them down too.  Because that is what you are and always will be.  A sinking ship with no life boats.  Don't come back."

>You were abruptly woken by Lyra shaking you.  

>"You were having that dream again, weren't you Anon."  She says quietly and in a caring voice.

"Yeah...how did you know?"

>"Because you talk in your sleep, silly."  She tried to lighten the mood, but the nightmare still held its grasp on you.  

"Then, you know what he said, huh?"  You told Lyra about the dream, sort of.  You never went into that much detail nor did you ever tell her what was said by your father.  Well, the cat is out of the bag now.

>"Listen to me, Anon,"  Lyra said while snuggling closer to you, "If you are a sinking ship in rough waters, do you know what I am?"

>You shake your head.

>"I am your lighthouse."  Lyra lowers her head and gives you a peck on the forehead.  Then a peck on the cheek.  And finally, one of the lips.  "Now get up, I made you some breakfast!  Your favorite!  Eggs and daffodils!"  She snorted at that.

"Did I ever tell you how amazing you are?"  You say while looking at the minty princess in front of you.

>"You MAY have mentioned it before."  Lyra said while play punching your shoulder.

>Like a bat out of hell, you jumped out of bed, completely naked, and were standing in front of Lyra who was still on the bed.

>"Oh Anon," She said with a hint of lust, "don't you have to go to work soon...I don't think we have time to..."

>But you had no intention of meeting Lyra in sexual congress, no, you were about to show her the moves of your people.

>Putting on an invisible top hat and getting your invisible cane, you started to dance and sing.

>"Hello my baby.  Hello my darling.  Hello my ragtime gaaaallll."  You sang, not well, but damn did you sing with spirit.  And still in the buff.

>Lyra's face had a growing smile that did not want to stop.  She was impressed, to say the least, and completely mesmerized.  But that only lasted for a brief second for soon she was laughing hysterically while rolling around in the bed.

>"Stop it, Anon, stop it!"  Lyra said in between fits of laughter.

"You gatta say please first, you saucy dame."  You said in a 1920s newscaster accent.

>"Please, oh gods, please!"  Tears from laughter now wet the poor minty mare's face.

>Being a man true to your word, you slowly stopped, and sat down next to her on the bed.

>"Oh gods, I think I laughed so hard our baby could hear it.  At least that will be her first memory."  Lyra said while smiling at you.

>Wait.

"...her?"

>Lyra went wide eyed.

>"I was going to tell you during breakfast.  I got a note from the doctors yesterday.  They know our baby is a gir.."  Lyra tried to say before you picked her up with lightning speed.

>Holding her up, you spun around the room, laughing and smooching her with gusto.

"A girl!  We are going to have a girl!"  You said emphatically.  The thoughts of the nightmare were all but gone now.  Replaced by sheer happiness.  Lyra, too, was overwhelmed by happiness.  Not just because of your daughter, but because of how happy you were about the news.

>After a few moments in a glorious spin, you put a giggling and squeeing Lyra down. Lyra let out a big sigh.

>"Oh thank Celestia.  I though you would have wanted a boy."

"Me?  Pfft, it didn't really matter.  But knowing it's a girl, it kind of makes me even more happy."

>"And why is that, Anon."  Lyra said slyly.

"Because if takes after you, she will be the best kid in all of Ponyville."  

>Lyra smiled at the nicety, but you continued.

"What are we going to name her? "

>"I didn't even think about it yet."  Lyra said distantly as names started to crop up in her head.

"Helen?  Claire?  Ohh, how about Mildred?"

>Lyra gave you a 'are you kidding me look'.

>"...Mildred?  There is no way we are naming her that.  What is she, a 50 year old school teacher?"  Lyra said jokingly.

"Okay, truth time.  I suck at naming things.  When I was a kid, I had a stuffed octopus that I named Winifred McTentacles."

>"You are telling me you killed a octopus, stuffed it, and played with it as a child?  Every time I think I know about your world, damn do you throw me a curve ball."  Lyra said mildy horrified.

"Sheesh, Lyra.  It was made of cotton and stuff.  Why does your mind always go to the whole killing place?"

>Laughing, Lyra said, "Oh, I don't rightly know Mr. Meat Eater."

>You playfully punch her haunches.  She retaliates by punching your chest.  This meant war.

>A few minutes of tossing and tumbling, as well at tickling, the mutually assured distruction was over, with you and Lyra out of breath and both laying on your backs.  You were the first to break the silence.

>"Thank you Lyra.  You really know how to make me feel better after those nightmares..."  You say meaningfully.

>"So I am your lighthouse, right?"

>"Right."

>"And what do light houses give?"

>"Umm, well I want to say light, but you are going to say that is stupid."

>"Well, yeah.  It IS stupid.  What is the most important thing they give to ships in trouble."

>"What?"  You say.

>"Hope."