“Mom? Moooom?” Cherry Blossom called from outside the barn, her voice carrying all the way to Marble, who’s ears flicked in response. Knowing her own words wouldn’t be heard from outside, she pushed open the large doors and waved to get Cherry’s attention.
 
“In here! Did you need something, sweetie?” Her mane, ever growing more gray, covered one eye before she brushed it away to get a better view of the young mare walking her way.
 
The two walked side-by-side into the shady barn, Cherry looking relieved to get out of the sun. “I was…wondering if you could tell me more about…my birth mother?” When Marble Pie paused and glanced over, it was obvious her daughter was nervous. Catching Marble’s gaze, she started to ramble, as if she felt she had to explain herself. “I-I tried to ask Baba, but they don’t seem to want to talk about it. He always gets quiet and starts shuffling his hooves.”
 
It was clear Cherry was Big Mac’s daughter, because she started doing the same timid hoof shuffle she had just mentioned. Marble took a quiet breath and exhaled slowly before turning to face Cherry before sitting down on the barn floor. “Mac doesn’t usually talk about her. They didn’t end on good terms, and I’m sure he doesn’t want you to think about either of them like that. I c-can tell you more about her, just ask.”
 
The large mare sighed and started pacing, hay bales blocking her path before she could get too far. “Do I look like her?”
 
“A bit, but you get that ginger hair from your Apple side.” Marble teased gently, her eyes following Cherry as she walked back and forth. “She had very curly hair, just like you.”
 
Cherry nodded slowly, clearly already thinking of another question as she stared ahead rather than to Marble. “What was she good at? I mean, what was her special talent?”
 
Marble was quiet for a moment, as if trying to remember. “Hmm…baking. I heard she was quite good.”
 
“Baking, huh?” The pink unicorn paused, making a face. “I don’t have the patience for that.”
 
“I’m well aware, sweetie.” Marble giggled. “I’m not a fan of it either. That’s why I’m glad Mac and the twins do it, so we don’t have to.”
 
Cherry snorted, giving a nod in agreement. Instead of continuing to pace, she sat down in front of her mother. “Can I ask another question?”
 
“Of course.”
 
“Did you…know her well? You met her, right?”
 
Marble was about to nod, then shake her head, but she stopped. “Well, I met Sugar Belle during one Hearthswarming Eve, when she and Mac were still together. I remember being a bit jealous, it felt harder to be around him because they were very…head-over-heels for each other back then. It was like no one else existed to them.”
 
It was clear that Cherry Blossom was listening intently to every word. “Was she nice to you?”
 
“She wasn’t outright mean to me, but I felt like she wasn’t interested in knowing me. Or anyone besides him, really. She ignored every pony that wasn’t them, I remember Granny Smith telling me how much she didn’t appreciate that.” Marble chuckled, as if remembering the conversation well, but it faded soon after. “…Is there a reason you want to learn more about her?”
 
Cherry faltered, eyes falling to the loose strands of hay below her front hooves. “W-Well, I guess I just wanted to know if I was like her. Or if she wasn’t a good pony, because then maybe I could make sense of why she didn’t want to know me.”
 
Marble’s ears drooped, seeing her daughter’s expression. “I don’t know why she didn’t want to know you, but I know that I got lucky, because I got to know you. I-If you’d like, I can talk to M-Mac and see if we can arrange for you to meet her.” It was clear the grey mare was trying to be supportive, but part of her heart broke for Cherry, and her anxiety started to creep in, telling her that she wasn’t enough for her daughter. She took another slow breath in and out, her eyes closing momentarily.
 
Before she realized Cherry had moved, Marble had been wrapped in a one-legged hug. It was clear her daughter was touched by her support and kind words, so much so that Cherry couldn’t help but clutch her tightly. The tall mare seemed to forget all about her questions, now focusing on Marble, probably having noticed emotions were running high on both sides.
 
“I got lucky with you, too. And I know I might want to know more about her, but it’s not cuz I think she’ll make everything better. I guess I just want to get where I come from, y’know? Especially since Baba won’t talk about it.”
 
Marble tried to nod, but Cherry’s head on top of hers stopped the movement. “I understand.”
 
“Plus, no matter what, you’re my mom. It doesn’t really matter if I look like her or act like her, because I’ve always wanted to be just like you.” Cherry smiled, giving another loving squeeze.
 
Marble wasn’t sure if Cherry was just trying to make her feel better, but she appreciated it either way. Tears welled up in her eyes as she glanced up to her daughter, who looked like she needed the hug just as much as Marble did.
 
“I love you, Cherry.”
 
“Love ya too, Mom.”