>Day Birthday in Equestria.
>You can't help but smile as the sound of kids having fun rings throughout your house.
>Sure, you are in the kitchen fixing another bowl of punch; but still.
>It was Hope's ninth birthday today, and she has been bouncing off the walls since she woke up bright and early.
>Many of her friends showed up.
>There was her Minotaur friend Manny, that small filly Bindy, and about a dozen other children.
>Some of the parents showed up as well.
>You and Lyra were honestly not expecting this many guests to show up.
>The two of you had to make a couple of runs out to the store for extra groceries to insure you had enough party snacks to go around.
>Chuckling to yourself, you grab the bowl firmly and are careful to lift it at a speed that won't spill.
“These kids sure can drink.”
>”Tell me about it.”
>Looking up from the red liquid, you see Bindy's father.
>He pushes a hoof up to the opposite side of the bowl to help you leverage it.
>The two of you carry the bowl to the table that's been set up and place it in it's rightful spot.
>Not even a moment after you two back off, it us bombarded by thirsty little hands, hooves, and other limbs reaching for the ladle.
>You let off a hearty sigh and watch half the liquid disappear.
>After they've had their fill, the children disperse as quickly as they appeared, heading up to Hope's room.
>Just as you are left alone with the yellow stallion, Manny's mother walks up to you two.
>”Oh, I'm so sorry I can't be of more help dearies.”
>She was a sweet woman.
>You have to admit though; it was a bit comical seeing a minotaur that stood a head taller than yourself in a pair of mother-like glasses carrying such a small purse and wearing a sundress all the time.
“It's fine Betty, you're a guest. Just leave everything to me and Lyra.”
>As you finish your sentence, your wife comes in from the front door.
>Her saddlebag looks fit to burst, and her expression shows she is struggling to carry it all.
>Seeing the sight, you take off one end while Betty grabs the other.
>Lyra lets off a breath you didn't know she was holding and smiles.
>”Thanks honey. Betty.”
>You smile and bring the various food stuffs into the kitchen.
>Lyra walks in and immediately starts to prepare some snacks for the kids.
>You grab a knife and follow suit.
“How come you didn't just levitate the bags, dear?”
>She lets off a sassy laugh and pulls a platter out from the cupboards.
>”Tried it, I ran out of juice just a few yards from the house.”
>You sigh and plant a kiss on her forehead, ruffling her mane.
“Should have called out. Clover or Betty would have lent a hoof or hand in a heartbeat.”
>”Please, I am not some lightweight that I can't handle a few steps of heavy lifting.”
>She seethes a bit and adjusts her back as she says this.
>”Though... I think I might have pulled something.”
>You run your hand up her back with an intentional slowness.
“I guess I'll just have to work that out tonight.”
>She blushes and pushes your hand off.
>Betty giggles and reminds you two you have guests.
>”Oh, don't mind us.”
>The minotaur mother lets off another giggle and waves her hands towards you two as she and Clover leave the kitchen's doorway.
>Alone again, you replace your hand back on your wife's back.
>She smiles and lets you rub her back a bit.
>”Thank you, Anon.”
“You're welcome dear.”
>You place another peck on her cheeks and continue cutting up veggies and fruits while Lyra empties a bag of chips into a bowl.
>Grabbing the platter and bowl, you head over to the table and place the dishes next to the punch bowl.
>A knock comes from your door, pulling your attention.
>Strange, you thought all the guests had arrived.
>Going to answer it, you hear a bit of bickering from behind the wooden barrier.
>”But mom!”
>”No buts young man, you owe this girl an honest apology.”
>”Listen to your mother, now come here, you have a rooster in your hair.”
>You hear a small caw and can already figure out who might be behind the door.
>Opening it, you see a family of Griffons.
>A mother, father, and who you assume is Leo.
>The parents turn to you, caught off guard at how quickly you answered the door after their little back and forth.
>”Err, Hi! It's Anonymous, yes?”
“Yes, that's me.”
>The father coughs and offers you his free claw as the other holds a box wrapped in striped wrapping paper.
>”I'm Ruben, it's a pleasure to finally meet you.”
>You assumed that the parents of your daughter's bully would be more... crude.
>It's nice to see they are at least trying to make a good first impression.
“Likewise.”
>You shake his claw and he pushes his son towards you.
>The little griffon looks away, miffed off.
>”Don't you have something to say young man?”
>He mutters something and his mother pinches his ear.
>”Ow! OW! IS HOPE HOME?!”
>She lets go and he rubs the side of his head.
>Turning to the house, you call out for your daughter.
“Hope! You have a guest here to see you!”
>The birthday girl trots down from her room, a little entourage of her close and not so close friends following.
>”But everyone's already here dad. Who is-... Hi Leo.”
>As Hope says that one name, the entire house seems to fall silent.
>All the children's eyes are on Leo and Hope.
>The boy lets off another mumble before his mother reaches her claw up.
>He pulls his head away and lets off a louder reply.
>”Hey!”
>Hope walks behind your leg, hands on the back of it.
>”What're you doing here?”
>Leo's father hands him the box and the boy sighs.
>He then recites a little speech as monotonously as he can.
>”I am sorry for bullying you, here is a birthday present.”
>The Griffon then -hands- it to her.
>She looks at the box, then to him, and finally up to you.
>You point your head to the family.
>”Thank you Leo... I... forgive you?”
>You nod and she gives you a soft smile.
>Leo turns to leave, but is stopped by his parents.
>The mother turns him around and looks to you.
>Lyra takes a spot next to you and smiles to the griffons.
>”Would you like to come in and join us?”
>Hope looks to her mother, a bit concerned.
>Your daughter then turns her attention to Leo.
>”We were just about to play tag. Wanna play with?”
>There is a moment of silence before the small griffon's expression turns to one of thought.
>”... Sure.”
>He then walks past you and your wife into the house.
>The sounds of children chattering away resumes and you watch as Hope and her guests all head towards the backyard.
>Turning back to the parents, they seem a bit more apologetic than their son.
>”We really are sorry that Leo was harassing your daughter.”
>Moving from the front door, you allow the two griffons into your home and close the door.
“It's fine, so long as it stops, right?”
>The father looks to you, nodding.
>”It will, don't worry.”
>Looking around, the house is empty save for the parents who came with their children.
>Wondering what to do, Lyra pulls out a deck of cards.
>”So, anyone here know Texas hold em?”
 
 
>”Bye Hope! See you on Monday!”
>Manny is the last guest to leave, waving wildly to Hope who is waving back.
>”Okay! See you on Monday! Bye bye!”
>Sighing, you rub your daughter's head.
>It was a hell of a busy day.
>Looking around, the house is in a bit of a mess.
>Lots of wrapping paper is on the floor of the living room.
>Hope's new toys have all been moved to her chest upstairs.
>Groaning, you walk towards the couch and crash, joined soon after by your wife.
>”So, should we start cleaning right away or take a break first?”
“Break. We've been running around all day. We've earned it.”
>Lyra nods, placing her head on your lap.
>”Today was nice, wasn't it?”
>You rub her head while laying your head back.
>Hope walks up and pulls out her camera.
>She waves it in front of you before readying it to take a picture.
>”Smile!”
>The two of you manage two soft smiles before resuming your break.
>Your daughter scooches onto the couch with you two, cuddling up  against you while she looks around the room.
>”Hee, sorry mom. Sorry dad.”
>You pull the little girl close and kiss her forehead.
“It's okay. We love you so you can get away with trashing the house like this every now and again.”
>She nods and places her head on your arm.
>Just as the three of you are settled, a knocking comes from the front door.
>You groan and stand, going to answer it.
“Hi, can I-... Mr Heartstrings, Lyrica.”
>Your in-laws are outside the door.
>Lyrica is smiling as her eyes meet yours.
>Your father-in-law, who refuses to let you call him by his name, is not.
>Your mother-in-law is as peppy as ever as she speaks.
>”Anon! It's so good to see you. It's been far too long.”
>Smirking, you move out of the way to let them in.
>Lyrica looks for her daughter and granddaughter while -Mr. Heartstings- looks around your house.
>”I see the place is in quite a... condition... I assume it's not normally like this?”
>Lyra raises her head from the couch, looking to her father with a bit of disappointment in her eyes.
>”Daaaaaaad.”
“No, it's fine Lyra. He doesn't know we just finished up with Hope's birthday party. I'm sure if he had shown up earlier, while it was on, he would be singing a different tune.”
>Lyra hated how much friction you two had, but she knew better than to interfere.
>You tried being the doting son in law before.
>Didn't work and it didn't make anyone happy.
>So you decided to ditch that and do what made your wife happy.
>Being yourself.
>Hope is too busy talking with her grandmother to notice the two of you butting heads.
“So, what brings you around this part of Canterlot?”
>”It's my granddaughter's birthday, or am I not allowed to see her?”
>Ignoring his obviously loaded question, you turn your attention to your mother in law.
“How come you two don't visit more often Lyrica? You know Hope loves to see you.”
>She giggles, playing a ponified version of patty cake with her granddaughter.
>”You know we would, but everyone is always so darn busy. Still, we make time when it counts.”
>How did a sweet lady like that end up with an old fart like this?
>Your father-in-law clears his throat before walking over to Hope.
>Looking at his back, you notice he is carrying a strange bag.
>”Hope? Tell me, do you still have that old camera of yours?”
>”Uh huh! I have it right here grandpa.”
>Your daughter pulls out the faithful old machine and holds it to her chest.
>”Good, you won't need to limit yourself to it anymore.”
>... This is going to be fun.
>The old man pulls out the bag and places it on the couch, next to Hope.
>He opens it and pulls out a sleek new camera.
>It has more buttons than you can find uses for and looks like it has many lens accessories in the bag.
>”I saw this fancy piece of machinery coming home from work and immediately thought of you. Enjoy sweetie.”
>Hope seems a bit confused, taking the bag while flashing an honest smile to her grandpa.
>”Thank you grandpa, but I don't need a new camera. I have mine right here.”
>He chuckles and places Hope's camera on the table in front of the couch.
>”Yes, but can yours zoom, adjust white balance, add effects, and so many other new things?”
>Lyra is looking at her father, then to you.
>Sighing, you shrug and rub your arm.
>It feels almost like he is trying to buy your daughter out from under you.
>Lyrica notices the look on Lyra and your faces and lets off a small cough.
>This breaks her husbands rant and causes his attention to shift to Lyra.
>He mumbles a bit and places the camera back in the bag.
>”At any rate, it's yours. I figured you deserved the best around and if you couldn't get it, someone else should get it for you.”
>Gritting your teeth, you bear the obvious barbed comment and wait for him to finish.
>”Just remember, grandpa and grandma are always looking out for you. Now, we can't stay long, just wanted to see our little girl on her special day. Kisses dear.”
>Hope nods and gives her grandfather and grandmother each a kiss on the cheek.
>With that, Lyra's parents say their good byes and make their way back to the far side of Canterlot.
>You see them out and shut the door silently behind them.
>Sighing, you look to the ground and take a moment for yourself.
>You feel a hoof press against your arm.
>Lyra is next to you, looking softly into your eyes.
>She won't say anything in front of Hope, but you knew she was sorry for her dad's treatment.
>You simply nod and look to Hope.
>The little girl is lost, pulling things out of the bag left and right.
>”Dad, how do I use this stuff?”
>With a chuckle, you walk over and sit down next to her.
“I wish I could tell you. I don't even know what half of this stuff does.”
>Hope groans a bit and stuffs everything back into the bag.
>”I think I'm gonna stick with my camera. At least I know how to use it.”
>You nod and watch as the little girl yawns while carrying the bag to her room.
>”Mom, dad, can you come tuck me in when I head to bed?”
“Of course sweetie. Love you.”
>Your wife smiles and casts her gaze on Hope.
>”Love you too Hope.”
>The satyr drags the bag up and yells down.
>”I love you too mom, dad.”
>She lets off another yawn and smacks her lips as she goes out of sight.
>Since you are up, you start to clean the mess up.
>Lyra joins you, eyes on the mess as she speaks to you.
>”You know you are a great provider for Hope, right?”
“I know... I know.”
>”An amazing father too.”
>You smile, looking to your wife.
“What about husband?”
>She locks eyes with yours, lips curling a bit as she smiles.
>”Absolutely wonderful.”
>You bring your lips to hers, giving her a soft kiss before whispering.
“Thank you.”
>As you two continue to clean, you can't help but remind yourself that no matter what anyone says, they cannot say you wouldn't do anything for your family.
 
 
>Stretching, you return to the bed, closing the bathroom door behind you.
>Lyra is laying on her stomach, eyes turned to face you.
>”You sure you're up to it tonight? You look so tired honey.”
>Cracking your knuckles, you open the nightstand drawer and pull out a bottle of scented oil.
“I promised you a massage, you're getting a massage~”
>She giggles and surrenders herself to you, waiting for your hand to begin their work.
>”Whatever you say sir~”
>Hope is sound asleep, bushed after a long day of running around and playing with her friends.
>Meaning that tonight you and Lyra have a 0% possibility of being interrupted.
>Sure, you could spend it finishing up with the cleaning.
>... But you two have earned some private time.
>Placing your palms on her back, your begin to rub and gently massage her back with your fingers.
>This elicits small moans and coos from your wife.
>”Mmm, Honey... that's the spot.”
>Smiling, you place a kiss on her neck and turn off the light.
>Today may have been Hope's day, but the night belongs to you and our wife.