Royal Splendor still couldn’t believe it had happened.
 
The news had come so suddenly. On the day of little Chocolate Bomb’s birthday, when everypony was supposed to be celebrating, her mother had somehow gotten injured and fallen down Ghastly Gorge. Roy still didn’t know exactly how it happened, but Confetti Surprise, the mare who had been a friend to him in his darkest days, was now in a coma.
 
It almost didn’t seem real as he walked into the hospital room and saw his once-cheerful and lively friend lying almost lifelessly in the bed. And by her side was her husband Lightning Bolt, who looked as if he’d been crying for hours. Oh, how Roy knew what that felt like.
 
“H-hello,” he hesitated at the door. “May I come in?”
 
Lightning jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, as if he had been jolted out of his thoughts. His gaze turned towards the light blue stallion. “Oh Roy, I’m so glad to see you. O-of course, you can come in.”
 
Roy was surprised at Lightning’s eagerness to let him in. Ever since hearing the horrible things his mother-in-law had to say about him, he had barely talked to any of the Dashes in years. He’d always assumed they all felt the same way, that he was at fault for…what happened. But maybe not.
 
“A-are you alright? You look exhausted. I’m sure you could use a tissue.” Roy held one out to the stallion, smiling slightly at Confetti as he opened up his saddlebags. “Also, I brought you cookies.”
 
Lightning smiled softly as he took the tissue and wiped his eyes, which were red from crying so much. “Thanks.”
 
He looked back at his wife, who lay still in her hospital bed, and let out a sigh.
 
Roy sat down at Confetti’s other side and gazed at her dormant form as well. Now that it was before his eyes, it was all sinking in. Her life was in the balance and all they could do was pray and wait. The very thought of her possibly not surviving made him want to cry.
 
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Lightning’s voice.
 
“How did you do it?”
 
“W…what?”
 
“How did you do it? I can’t spend a minute of my time without thinking of her. Every little thing reminds me of her. I went to the park just a couple days ago to try and take my mind off things, but it was impossible not to see her image. It got worse when I heard children laughing over at the playground and it made me think of all the fillies and colts she’s made happy. I started to break down right then and there…” Tears started to fall down Lightning’s cheeks as he struggled to speak again.
 
“I-I can’t bear seeing her like this anymore…”
 
A lump formed in Roy’s throat as he watched Lightning struggle to keep from breaking down. All of his tears and heartbreak were only a cruel and vivid reflection of what Roy himself had, and still was, going through. Loss.
 
“I think of her all the time…”
 
“R…Really? How do you get through it every single day? It’s only been a couple of months and I’m already in pain. I cry every day. I can’t imagine living like this for the rest of my life…”
 
Roy sighed. “I don’t know how I get through it, I really don’t. Often I feel like I’m not getting through it. I never stop thinking about her. I don’t think there’s been a day where I haven’t cried. My kids say I cry way too much,” he gave a halfhearted chuckle. “But really, I can’t help it. The pain and the memories never go away. Your family would know, she was…is your sister.”
 
Lightning wiped a tear from his eye and chuckled softly. “At least I’m not alone.”
 
“It’s just, we’ve been through so much already…” Lightning let out a sigh and placed his hoof on Confetti’s.
 
“No, you’re not alone. We just need to hope and pray that she’ll come out of this. A-and if I know anything from all the times she’s helped me, it’s that she’s strong.” Roy cleared his throat to regain his composure. “But if you ever need help with anything at all, whether it’s with the kids or just giving you a break, I’m here. It’s the least I can you for you AND her,” he smiled softly. “But first, you should start with the cookies.”
 
“Thanks, Roy.” Lightning smiled softly as he took one of the cookies from the box. “You should take one too, don’t leave them all to me.”
 
“If you insist,” Roy nodded and began munching down on his own cookie. Because just as Confetti had taught him, sometimes all you need to get you through dark times is a cookie and a friend.