It was a cheery night as Spirit closed his shop with his wife Cheery Sky. SHe didnt like him to come to the shop as he was in poor health but he liked to come in and see the smiling faces of the customers. Spirit and Cheery arrived home after a short walk, Cheery making sure that Spirit had a sit down and was taking it easy and then going to start dinner. Their foals came running in "mommy daddy!" and the two, a young colt and a slightly older filly ran up and hugged their father and mother. Spirit smiled as they came in and hugged on him and Cheery looked in "Wind Sprinter! Sun Beam! be gently with your father. remember his condition." the two nod and hug Spirit gently, and he hugs them back "oh let them hug me a little tighter Sky, im not made of glass, i can take some hugging." Cheery sighs "oh very well but be gentle!" the two foals snuggle up to their dad and Spirit smiled, giving them both a nuzzle "who wants to hear a story while mommy makes dinner?" Wind and Sun both raise a hoof "we do we do!" "tell us a story daddy!" Spirit chuckles "alright lets see. how about the story of the princess and the dragon?" the two nod and Spirit beganto tell them a story of a princess who managed to befriend a dragon. Cheery listened from the kitchen as she made dinner, but there was still worry on her face, her husband had been becoming weaker as his illness had progressed and she worried. From the last doctor visit they knew that he didnt have much longer, which was sad but they were making the most of it. Spirit was a wonderful husband and father, spending as much time as he could with the foals, walking them to school, telling them stories even taking them out to eat. He also made the customers that came into their shop laugh and would talk with them, helping them out by finding what they needed. Cheery smiled to herself and set the table and then called in "Wind! Sun! Spirit! time for dinner!" the three came into the kitchen and Wind and Sun sat at the table while Spirit kissed Cheery on the cheek "it smells amazing Cheery. im sure it will be amazing." He sat down and the family began to eat. It wasnt much but it was good, all four of them enjoying the meal as a family. Wind and Sun told them about their day and how much fun they had and Spirit smiles a little and helps to collect the plates after the meal, sending the two foals to get their baths. Cheery looked at him "I do worry about you Spirit. You dont have much more time here with us and i know they are going to miss you and so am I. you need to take it easy Spirit." Spirit gave her a kiss "I know that you worry Cheery, but i like to help out and give my time to others." Cheery nodded a little and gave him a nuzzle "Just promise me you will take it easier ok?" Spirit sighed with a smile "alright little worrywart. I promise." He put the dishes away and then headed to the bathroom to check if the two were done with their bath. They were not so he went in and played around with them for a little bit and after a while took them out and gt them dried off and got them brushing their teeth as he took a shower himself. When he got out he brushed his teeth and took his foal to their room and tucked them into bed "alright lets see, what would be a good bedtime story hmm?" Sun and Wind snuggled into their beds, Sun Beam pulling her plushies to her and Wind sitting up some "something with adventure!" Sun looks over "no something with romance!" Spirit thinks a little bit and nods "how about a adventure with some romance?" the two nod a little and Spirit thinks and then sits down "alright. This is a story about a pirate and a princess." he began to tell them a tell rich in adventure and having some romance in it as well. Cheery smiled from outside the door, listening to the story for a whime and then heading to her and Spirits room and laying down in the bed. After a few minutes Spirit came in and laid down next to her, giving her a kiss "i will see you in the morning sweetie. and i promise i will take it easy. He laid down and snuggled up to her and Cherry snuggled up to him, slipping into sleep rather quickly while Spirit took some time to do a little reading before slipping to sleep himself.
In the middle of the night Spirit awoke to see a strange figure in his and Cheerys room and was about to call out but he stopped, noting the dark cloak and silvery scythe the pony had and he nodded a little "I'm guessing that it is my time then." The pony pulled back his hood, showing his pale purple coloring and his indigo mane with a shocking silver stripe. A pair of chartreuse eyes stared at him "you seem very calm about it" Spirit nods a little bit "My wife and foals know about my condition. We go day by day as if it would be our last one together. I dont suppose I could have a little extra time to say goodbye?" the pony shakes his head "I'm sorry but you can not." Spirit nods a little bit "i didnt think so...may i know your name?" The pale pony raises a eyebrow "My name? I am Espirito, the reaper." Spirit smiles a little "Well it is nice to meet you Espirito. I am Spirit, but im sure that you already know that. After you...take me, may i at least say goodbye?" Espirito nods a little bit "yes you may." Spirit smiles and lays back down "I am ready." The glowing sycthe came down and lightly tapped on Spirits head, pulling back with a glowing silver orb which formed into the shape of Spirit. He made his way out of the room and down the hall to the foals room and put a kiss on each of their foreheads "Goodbye Wind Sprinter, Goodbye Sun Beam. Daddy is sorry that he wont be there to wake you up in the morning and I will miss you. Watch after mommy okay?" HE made his way back to his and Cheerys room and placed a soft kiss on her cheek "goodbye my love. living with you and raising a family were the best years of my life. Please dont be too sad and dont blame yourself. I will miss you just as much as you will miss me. Please watch after our little ones and know that I will be watching you from a better place, waiting for when you will join me." He turned to Espirito and took a deep breath "Alright Espirito. I am ready." Espirito lead Spirit outside, but he paused at the door, sitting down for and magicing up his necklace, which had a silver Eye of Horus on it and opening it up. He turned to Spirit "I could perhaps bend the rules this once and give you one last day." Spirit shakes his head "No...i fear that i would always want just one more day. I will miss them Espirito, but i can still watch over them cant i?" Espirito nods a little "I have heard of such things being allowed." Espirito takes Spirits hoof and the two vanish into the night. Morning came and found the family in a sad state, having found that Spirit had passed in the night but there was a gentle smile on his face of one who went peacefully. Cheery, Sun and Wind all had a strange memory of a dream of him coming and giving them a final goodbye as well and whenever they were feeling down, they had a feeling like Spirit was right there with them, listening to them, and they were not far off. For the rest of their days, Spirit watched over his family, sometimes coming across Espirito and giving the reaper a little wave, as one would give to a friend.
