AnonShy Epilogue

>You lie in bed and stare at the ceiling in the darkness.

>You didn't have to wake up.

>The cries of your newborn foal had kept you up all night.

>It's your turn to check on the foal.

>You get up, check her bottle, diaper, and burp her.

>You cradle her until and whisper, "It'll be alright".

>When she falls back asleep, you set her back in the crib.

>You walk into the bathroom and splash some cool water on your face.

>You feel two hooves on your back.

>You look up at the mirror and see Fluttershy hovering lightly behind you.

>She hugs you neck and whispers in your ear.

>"I know it's hard right now, but we just need to hang in there. Okay?"

>She gives you a kiss on the cheek.

>"Just remember that one day, we're going to look back on this and laugh. And we're going to wish we can do it again."

>A couple more years of up all night and a few thousand diapers later.

>You loved that little filly.

>She had you head-over-heels from the first breath she breathed.

>The first time she smiled at you, you finally understood how a father's love runs so deep.

>It's funny when you think about it.

>You've gotten into fights with creatures your size and almost killed by larger ones.

>You've crossed the seas and trekked sweltering deserts with your wife.

>But this sherbert-haired little filly totally terrifies you.

--

>You bit your lip when you saw her take her first steps.

>It killed you inside everytime she fell down.

>If you thought learning to walk was bad, watching her take flight for the first time stopped your heart.

>Fluttershy taught her the basics and looked after her well enough.

>But the thought of her crashing and hurting herself almost broke you.

>You would often find her at night jumping on your bed.

"Did you brush your teeth yet?"

>When she shakes her head, you grab her while she struggles to get away.

>A clawed hand to the belly brought the giggles out and you carried her on your head to the bathroom.

"Open."

>"Aaaaaahhh," she said as she opened wide.

>You held her in one arm as you brushed her teeth.

>You take note of the two slightly-more-pointy teeth on her bottom row.

>They're not sharp, but they're noticable.

>When she spits, she would squirm from your grasp and run back to your bedroom.

>After an intense pillow fight, her mother would call her to tuck her in for the night.

>She would grab her teddy bear and hop off the bed, looking back at you with a pearly-white smile.

>"I love you, daddy."

--

>You had never been seperated before today.

>Her first day of school.

>You dropped her off, but you didn't leave.

>You sat outside all day just to make sure she was alright being there.

>She was quite the outgoing one compared to her parents.

>You spot her leaving the schoolhouse with 3 other fillies, laughing and having the time of her life.

>One colt stayed particularly close to her.

>When she spotted you, she ran and jumped into your arms.

>"Have you been here the whole time?" she asked.

"No."

>She knew you were lying.

>A few years later, she had discovered your old guitar.

>You've played it several times for her.

>And each time she was fascinated with it.

>While you were at work one day, she had pulled it out of the closet and started to pluck several strings.

>She was scared when you came home to find her playing it.

>But instead of scolding her like she thought you would, you showed her how to make different notes and to string them together in a chord.

>She got more into it than you, practicing everyday.

>One night, after months of practicing, she wanted to play a song for her parents.

>You and Fluttershy sit on the couch as she stands on the carpet in front of you.

>She uses her dextrous wings to pluck the strings.

--

youtube.com/watch?v=yCmsZUN4r_s

>When she finishes, you're eyes are wide open with shock.

>Yes, her voice and skills are amazing, but that's not why you're stunned.

>While her eyes were closed and she was getting into it, her cutie mark made its presence known.

>You were happy for her, ecstatic even.

>But it was the song itself that hit you the most.

>She's in love.

>The lyrics made that all too clear.

>Soon after that, she finally introduced you to the stallion who would be stealing her from you.

>As fate would have it, it was that sky blue colt from the schoolhouse all those years ago.

>Apparently, they had only just spoke of their affections for one another.

>He grew up, as did your daughter.

>They were no longer the fillies you once knew, but teenage ponies.

>Your daughter would often sneak out and disappear all night.

>You would question her about it, but you already knew.

>You just knew the first time you saw him with her that it was only a matter of time.

>It breaks your heart.

>She had told you that you were her number one.

>That doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

>That day finally arrived when he appeared on your doorstep to ask for her hoof in marriage.

>You invited him inside and left him sitting on your couch with at least a dozen pictures of her around him.

>You stood behind him in the hallway and stared at the photos as well, reminiscing on the times you've had with her.

--

>One was at Sugarcube Corner on her second birthday.

>She looked up from a bowl of ice cream, showing you her big chocolate-covered smile.

>Another showed her learning to swim in an apple barrel filled with water.

>She wore goggles, a snorkle, and water wings provided by her mother.

>When the colt on your couch leans in towards one of the pictures, you step out from your shadowed hallway and stand behind the couch.

"You wouldn't think giving your only daughter away would be hard,"

>He jumped at the sudden sound of your voice.

"Because neither did I."

>You walk around and sit next to him.

>You grab a family portrait off the table in front of you and stare at it.

>He didn't say a word.

"Maybe one day you'll learn as well."

>You set the picture frame back on the table.

"I just want to tell you my one rule."

>You look him in the eyes.

>Not with intimidating eyes, but sorrowful ones.

"Treat my little girl right."

>"Yes sir," says the colt.

>You stand and call your daughter in the room.

>When she saw you pat him on the shoulder, she ran and jumped into your arms.

"I just want you to know, no stallion will ever be good enough for my little girl," you whisper to her.

>"But this is the best it can get," she whispered back with a smile.

--

>It wasn't took long after that you were helping with reservations and making plans.

>The little chapel was getting full.

>Many of your old friends were here as well your in-laws.

>You're waiting in the back with your girl.

>You help fix her dress and drape the veil over her eyes.

>You tug the collar of your tux.

"Is it hot in here, or is it just me?"

>Your daughter smiles and wipes the tear you tried to hide.

>You pick her up and hold her close.

"How did you grow up so fast?"

>"Why is it that old ponies always say that?"

>You set her down and laugh.

"Hey, I'm not that old."

>"You are compared to me," she said.

>Your smile disappears and you let out a deep sigh.

"I wish you would stay my little girl forever..."

>The bell tolls.

>You stand beside her as you walk her down the aisle in her mother's gown.

>When the moment comes to give her away, you do so with a smile.

>But as you turn around, you break down and have to walk away from the altar.

--

>The ceremony ends and the rice is thrown.

>As your daughter and new son in-law walk outside, they find you on the steps of the chapel with your wife.

>You stare off into the sky.

>And wouldn't you know it, a small drizzle began.

>Your daughter sat beside you and leaned into your chest.

>"Don't cry daddy," she said.

>She watched the sky with you.

>"The rain is just the world's tears of joy."

>You can't hide your smile, but you look down at your feet to try.

>She always had a positive outlook on everything.

>As the couple walks away, you sit there and smile as the sun breaks through the clouds.

>The next day, she has most of her stuffed packed and ready to go.

>You hand her most of your savings in good faith.

"Is that everything?" you ask her.

>She nods and embraces you once more.

"Remember that you're always welcome home. No matter where you go or what you do."

>"I will," she said. "I love you, daddy."

>You run a hand through her long mane.

"I love you too."

>With her husband by her side, and Vinyl's guitar strapped to her back, they start walking.

>They said they wanted to go to Germaney.

>Something about rock stars and becoming famous.

>You stand on the road and watch even as they were long gone from sight.

>When you finally decide to go back inside, you go into her room and sit on her bed.

>Fluttershy finds you minutes later.

>She crawls up beside you on the bed and leans into your shoulder.

>"It'll be alright," she said. "The little ones need to leave the nest someday."

>You let out a chuckle.

"You know, I always thought it would be you who would have to be calmed down. Who knew you would be the strong one?"

>"Me."

>You smile and hold her close for just a little longer.

--

http://imgur.com/eM3iRwt

>You stare at the family portrait taken so long ago.

>It must have been hours.

>Without a word, you stand up and walk into your closet and grab your old guitar.

>Fluttershy doesn't question your actions and simply follows in silence.

>Walking down the road, you stop at a ditch and pick some of those red flowers.

>You continue walking and don't stop until you reach that large oak tree of which the most important events of your life took place.

>You stand before that tree and bow your head.

>Deep breaths and a cool breeze.

>It's incredibly relaxing.

"Heh, I guess our stories of world travel got the better of them, eh?"

>Fluttershy's ears twitch at the sudden sound of your voice.

>"It would seem so."

>You smile, but it quickly disappears.

>You stand there in silence for several minutes.

>Finally, you unsling your guitar, take a seat, and play a couple bars.

>No words, just music.

>Fluttershy leans into you, her eyes closed.

>She absorbs the soft notes and the slow tune.

>When you're finished, you set your guitar on the ground and lean it against the tree.

>You run your hand over the emblazoned face with the 3 pink butterflies.

>You grab the bouquet of flowers you picked and give one to Fluttershy.

>She looks up with her eyes and she slowly nibbles on the petals, savoring the taste.

>You must have fell asleep, because the next thing you know, the sun has shifted significantly.

>You softly nudge Fluttershy who was passed out with her head in your lap.

 >As the two of you start to walk away, the soft patter of water on the tree leaves can be heard.

"Tears of joy," you remind yourself.

"Stay safe," you pray.