Time with my father

Horsing around

Sigyn was brushing her horse, Mattie when a little voice distracted her. She turned just in time to see Rosie running though the barn. Rosie jumped into Sigyn's arms and wrapped her arms around Sigyn's neck.
"Daddy bring me to play with Mattie!"
"Only Mattie? You didn't come to see me?" Sigyn stuck out her lip and made an overly exaggerated sad face.
"I can't ride you."
"Well!" Sigyn tickled Rosie and made her laugh. Just then John Watson walked in the barn. He was smiling. A nervous Sherlock Holmes followed close behind.
"Having fun already?"
"Always. Hi, Uncle John." Sigyn hugged the ex-army doctor and smiled when Rosie gave a squeak between them. Sigyn lifted Rosie up and placed her on Mattie's back. Rosie grabbed the reins and squealed with delight.
"Rosie! Be careful! Don't let go! John, I'm not sure about this."
"Relax Uncle Sherlock.  I won't let anything happen to Rosie." Sigyn hopped on to the saddle, right behind Rosie. She took the rains and Rosie grabbed the horn.
"She should have a helmet. We need a helmet. Why doesn't she have a helmet?"
"Sherlock, she'll be fine." John placed a hand on the worried detective's shoulder. "Have fun girls. Not to fast Sigyn"
Sigyn gave her uncles a reassuring smile and started Mattie off on a slow trot. They left the barn and made sure they were out of view.
"Ready?"
"FLY MATTIE!" Sigyn gave a kick and the horse started running.
"Hold tight!" They ran. The wind sounded like a train whistle as it rushed pass their ears. They ran all the way to Sigyn's favorite meadow. Sigyn jumped off and handed the reins to Rosie.
"Nice and slow. I'm right here. I won't let you fall." Rosie nodded her head and clicked for Mattie to move forward. The horse gave a huff and started walking slowly forward. Sigyn kept her left hand on one rain as the right hovered behind Rosie's back.
"You're doing good. Soon, you'll be better than me."
"I never that good." Sigyn walks Mattie around the meadow a few times before taking Rosie down. As soon as Rosie's feet hit the ground she hugs Mattie and kisses her leg.
"Would you like to give her a treat?" Sigyn reached into the side bag and pulled out a few carrots. She handed one to Rosie.
"Here Matts nummy carrots" Mattie nibbled at the stock all the way to the end. Mattie sniffed Rosie's hand, up her arm and around her neck. Rosie laughed.
"I not food, that tickles"
Sigyn reached around Rosie and placed the carrot on her shoulder. Mattie started nibbling on it and made Rosie laugh even harder. When she was done, Rosie hugged her face.
"I want a horsey like you."
"You know I was about your age when I first got Mattie"
"I no have one. But I can ride Mattie, yes?"
"Any time. Let's head back"
Sigyn lifted Rosie up and handed her the rains. She vaulted up and took them back. She started the horse off at a moderate pace.
"Hold tight!" Sigyn signaled for Mattie to run and she did.
Rosie let go of the horn, stretched out her arms, closed her eyes, and leaned back onto Sigyn. Sigyn grabbed the reins with one hand and placed the other on Rosie's stomach. Rosie let out a slow sigh.
"I free"
Sigyn smiled and couldn't wait to get back to the barn. Sigyn took a few extra turns so Rosie could feel free for longer. Eventually, she slowed to a trot and had Rosie sit up. They entered the barn and Sigyn jumped off. She walked Mattie back to her stall and grabbed Rosie. Rosie started to leave the stall but turned back at the last minute.
"I forget, thank you Mattie. I have nice ride" she patted the horse and left the stall. Sigyn gave Mattie some grains and met Rosie outside the stall.
"I think your daddy is waiting for you just outside" Rosie held out her hand and looked up at Sigyn. Sigyn smiled and grabbed the five year olds hand.
They walked out of the barn and a deathing scream erupted from Rosie. John was holding the rains of an 18 month old brown and black horse.
"Surprise Rosie"
"He mine?"
"Yes. But he will live here. I'll help you train him."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you" Rosie hugged Sigyn and jumped for joy.
"Hey, what about me?"
"Thank you daddy, thank you daddy, thank you daddy" Rosie hugged her father and kissed his cheek. John lifted the excited child onto the yearling. He handed her a riding helmet.
"You have to wear this. This horse isn't used to people riding him yet."
"Ok daddy" John walked the yearling around. Rosie was nothing but smiles. They were making their third round when Sherlock came running out of the house.
"What in the world is Rosie doing on that beast?"
"He my horsey. Daddy and Sigyn give him for me."
"Why John? They are very dangerous animals! Rosie should not be on a horse!"
"Sherlock doesn't appreciate the beauty of these magnificent animals." Just then Sigyn's father walked up behind Sherlock.
"They are not beautiful! Get Rosie down now!"
"He got bit by every horse he came across."
"They are dangerous!"
"She is my daughter and I see nothing wrong with her riding and having a horse." Sherlock's face fell. A look that could only be described as heart break consumed his face.
"Yes John, and thank you for the reminder. Brother dear. Please call a car for me."
"Sherlock. I'm sorry, I don't mean"
"It's fine John. I'm just gunna take a car back to the flat and leave you with your daughter."
"Sigyn" John handed her the rains to Rosie's horse. He dashed over to Sherlock and turned him around to look him in the eyes. They spoke in a voice to soft for Sigyn or Mycroft to hear what was being said. Sherlock tried to pull away but failed. The ex-army doctor was to strong. Sherlock shook his head and dropped his shoulders. They talked for a few minutes before Sherlock wrapped his arms around John. John lifted his head and kissed his cheek.
"What daddy and papa talk bout?"
"Nothing sweetie. So what shall we call this young horse?" Rosie thought for a minute before she shouted Gladstone.
"Gladstone it is." Sherlock and John walked over to the yearling and each pet him.
"See papa he nice,"
"Yes Rosie, he is nice. He is also soft."
"So I keep him?" Sherlock looked at John and then back to Rosie.
"Yes love. You can keep him." Rosie laughed with joy and tried to wiggle off the saddle to no avail. Sigyn lifted her up and placed her on the ground. Rosie ran up to Sherlock and jumped into his arms. He hugged her tight. John joined them and wrapped his arms around both of them. Sigyn smiled and took Gladstone into his new stable. She gave him some grains and locked him in.
When she left the barn Sherlock, John and Rosie were walking up to the house hand in hand with Rosie in the middle.
"It was very nice of you to give Rosie that yearling. I know you wanted to train him for racing." Mycroft walked with Sigyn back to the house.
"Rosie really wanted a horse and this way I still get to train him. It made her so happy."
"Yes it did. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you father."
It wouldn't be easy but training the horse and teaching Rosie to ride will be a great challenge.

*sorry it's not as long as the other one