Percy’s First Hearts N Hooves Day Gift
It was done. Danny made one last cut with his scissors and his Hearts & Hooves Day cards were finished, all without anyone’s help! Each crudely-cut red heart had an almost-legible personalized message written on them, each message corresponding to each family member. Danny set down his scissors and sat back to admire his crafts, so proud he had done it all by himself. He scooped the cards up and left his room to hand them out to everyone.

“To: Ju-Ju
Frum: Danny
U R a very good dog!
Hapy Harts & Hoofs Day!”

First stop was Ju-Ju, who was still in Percy’s room. Danny knew he wasn’t allowed in Percy’s room, but he also knew he didn’t have to go in to give Ju-Ju his card. Danny knocked on the door to Percy’s room and then slid Ju-Ju’s card underneath the door before he continued on his way. Ju-Ju stirred with a squeaky yawn at the knock and his eyes fluttered to the red heart slipped under the door. He was curious as to what it was and climbed out of his bed to get a closer look.

“To: Baily
Frum: Danny
U R my bestest frend!
Hapy Harts & Hoofs Day!”

Next was Bailey; she was watching the radio as it played music when Danny came down the stairs. Danny called her name to get her attention and handed her a card he made for her. Bailey blinked curiously and took the card in her giant, clawed hand while Danny waited in anticipation. Bailey smiled sweetly and patted Danny’s head, which provoked a wide smile from him as he went back upstairs.

“To: Emy
Frum: Danny
U R the gratest big sister evr!
Hapy Harts & Hoofs Day!”

Emery was at school, so he left her card at her bedroom door for her to look at when she gets home.

“To: Crazy Mom
Frum: Danny
U R the crazyest and bestest mom ever!
Hapy Harts & Hoofs Day!”

Danny went down the hall to his moms’ room, where Nightswift was at the desk reading. When he called for her, she took off her reading glasses to look at him and smiled.

“Heya, sport. What’s up?,” she asked him warmly.

Danny went up to her and handed out her card. She took it and put her reading glasses back on to look at it closer.

“Aw, that’s real sweet.” She ruffled his mane and he giggled as he left the room.

“To: Mom
Frum: Danny
U R the gratest mom in the werld!
Hapy Harts & Hoofs Day!”

Next to the bedroom was the office, where Mel was busy grading papers and planning out lessons for tomorrow. When she noticed Danny’s presence, she put aside her work and turned to face him.

“What is it, sweetie?,” she asked in a motherly tone.

Danny walked up to her and showed her card to her, to which she read it out loud.

“Aw, that’s very sweet of you, Danny!,” she said as she took the card. “I’m guessing that one is for Percy?,” she asked as she pointed at the last card in Danny’s hand, to which he nodded. “Oh, that is so nice of you, sweetie. I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“To: Maid Mom
Frum: Danny
Thank U 4 beeing the bestest maid laidy!
Hapy Harts & Hoofs Day!”

Percy was downstairs in the kitchen, on her knees as she cleaned the floor using nothing but a rag and a bucket of soapy water. Even though she was humming a tune, even Danny noticed a faint air of sadness around her. He figured it was because she didn’t get a Hearts & Hooves Day gift, even though Mel and Nightswift gave each other a gift in their bedroom. Even though he wasn’t sure what they got each other, he knew they enjoyed the gifts a lot because they didn’t leave for a long time! Regardless, Danny hid the card behind his back as he approached Percy.

“Hi, Maid Mom!,” he greeted cheerfully, which startled Percy a bit before she calmed down and looked at him with a gentle smile.

“Hello, Sir. Did you need something?”

“I have something for you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Danny then held out her card in front of her. “Happy Hearts & Hoofs Day!”

For a moment, Percy was stunned. Hearts & Hooves Day had always been the saddest holiday for her, even before Nightswift came into her life. She never had a special somebody to get gifts from, or even to celebrate the holiday with. And yet, Danny cared enough to give her something at her loneliest time of the year. It was the nicest thing anyone other than Mel had done for her in a long while, and it was enough to make her want to cry.

“That is the sweetest thing anyone has done for me. Thank you.”

Danny’s smile faded to concern when he saw a tear fall from her face. “Why are you crying, Maid Mom?”

“Oh, these are just tears of joy. That’s how much I love it,” She explained as she wiped another tear off her cheek.
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A little something made for Valentine’s day.
Ju-Ju, Emery, Nightswift, & Percy @ billy2345
Bailey, Mel, & Danny @ me