The Wonderful Life Of Ford Mustang

Chapter 29- A Day with Turbo Dash Part 2

"D-D-Dad! What are you doing here?!" Rainbow Dash inquires in a panicky tone.

"What do you mean?" her father, Turbo Dash, replies with a shrewd smirk. "Can't I see my baby girl whenever I get the chance?"
"O-of course you can, dad! Come on in!"
Frantically, Rainbow leads her grinning dad inside her home as her husband, Ford Mustang, exits out of the kitchen to meet up with his father-in-law. With the trio of Pegasi all at the same place, the two smirking stallions share a knowing glance with each other as they exchange their simple greetings.
"Ford, good to see you as always."
"You too, Turbo."
After that, Ford turns to his wife, and his eyes are locked on with that icy-cold glare of hers. In response to her suspicious stare and mild frown, Mustang shrugs with a chuckling grin, "What?"
Rainbow Dash narrows her eyes even further as she remains unconvinced on what Ford is hiding from her. So, in order to find out herself, she faces her father with a hospitable smile and asks in a sweet tone.
"Dad, would you mind waiting in the living room for us? There's something I need to discuss with my husband for just a minute." she emphasizes in a subtle growl that is directed at the nervous Mustang.
Without so much of a fuss, Turbo complies with an amusing grin, "Sure. Take as much time as you need."
As the older stallion heads toward the living room, the stomping Rainbow Dash leads her now-in-trouble husband into the kitchen so they can keep their private discussion just between the two of them. Once they are in the sanctum of their kitchen, they face each other with Rainbow maintaining her icy glare and Ford trying his best to ease the tension with an awkward chuckle.
"Come on, Dashie. Why are you glaring at me like that?"
Unamused by these games of his, Rainbow Dash cuts to the chase by simply saying to him, "You told him already, didn't you?"
Surprised to hear his wife figuring it out already, he eventually admits in a soft, defeated manner, "Sigh... yes."
"I can't believe you!" she screeches to him as quietly as possible without her dad hearing them while swiftly shoving him in the chest. "After lecturing me from yesterday about not telling dad about this sooner, you went behind my back and told him without me!"
"I know! I know!" he responds apologetically as he speaks in the same quiet manner as her. "And I'm sorry for doing that to you!"
"Then how could you?!" she demands in a hurt yet infuriated tone. "Don't you trust me enough to have this conversation with you and dad in the first place?!"
"Of course I trust you!"
"Then why?"
"Because I..." He pauses before letting out a heavy sigh and continuing in a guilt-ridden voice, "I thought it was best if I told him myself instead of you. I remember you stated how scared you were from telling this yourself, so I... went to see Turbo Dash by myself after seeing you off yesterday. I'm sorry if I made you feel like you weren't trustworthy. I just assumed that I could bear the burden for you this time."
Near the end of his softhearted apology, his shameful eyes look up to see what Rainbow's expression would be like from hearing all of this. To his luck, her face has softened up as she no longer looks angry, but her deadpan expression makes it hard for Ford to tell on what she is contemplating right now. As Ford remains edgy from the still silence between them, Rainbow lets out a sigh of her own before replying back in a soft yet impassive tone.
"Ford, I really appreciate that noble heart of yours, but you should have let me accompany you in the first place. I didn't want you to face my dad alone. We're a team remember, and we need to look out for each other."
"I know." he concurs as he diverts his shame-ridden gaze back on the ground.
Then, he feels a fore hoof on his chin to tilt his head back up, and his wife gives him a kiss on the cheek before adding with an appreciative smile, "Still... that's awfully nice of you to do that for me."
Happy to see that tenderhearted face of hers, Ford asks with a clever smirk, "Would you expect anything less from the biggest sap in the world?"
"No, I guess not." she answers with a giggling smile.
"So... we're cool?"
"Yeah, we're cool."
And they end their discussion with a simple yet affectionate kiss before they walk out of the kitchen side by side and head towards the living room. From noticing the younger ponies entering the room, Turbo gets up from his seat and stands before the approaching couple.
"So dad, I take it you're here for a reason this early in the morning?" his daughter asks mildly.
"What? Didn't Ford tell you already?"
From her dad's shrewd remark, Rainbow twists her head and redirects her inquisitive glare at the falsely suspicious husband, who begins to sweat from the pressure, and she articulates in a soft yet firm tone, "Tell me what exactly?"
Despite his amusement from seeing his son-in-law quivering in fear, he saves him from trouble and he verifies with a casual grin, "About the big blitzball game that's going on at Cloudsdale! The Cloudsdale Chargers are facing off the Canterlot Cavaliers today!"
From the mention of that playoff, Rainbow quickly turns her head back to her dad while displaying a speechless look on her face. Then, she shifts into a gaping smile as Ford expresses puzzlement over this unfamiliar sport.
"Blitzball?"
"Oh yeah. I guess you never heard of that sport before, huh?" Rainbow remarks casually before explaining it herself in an exciting tone, "It's a well-known game for Pegasi where the players rush in for the ball, full of tackles, passes, and touchdowns!"
"Mm-hmm! And Rainbow Dash here was the star quarterback on her high school blitzball team!" Turbo brags with a broad smile over his daughter's achievement as he pulls her in for an appreciative hug using his wing.
Getting the gist of the game's premise, Ford nods with a well-known comparison in mind, "Oh, so it's like football."
This time, it is Rainbow and Turbo's turn to be confused from hearing such a foreign word as the daughter of the two tilts her head and takes a guess herself, " 'Football?' You don't mean hoofball, do you?"
"No, football is a sport back in my homeworld." He clarifies before chuckling a little fact he knows based off of his wife's confusion earlier. "Actually there are two different sports based off of the same name--!" But seeing how he might get off-track, he ceases the supposed exposition while shaking his head with a smile. "Eh, nevermind."
"Anyway..." Turbo continues where he left off as he pulls out two tickets from the saddlebag he's carrying. "...I've got two tickets to today's game, and you and me are going to have a good old fashioned father-and-daughter bonding time together!"
"Wait, Ford's not coming along?" she inquires in mild disappointment.
"Hey, don't mind me." Mustang shrugs before enwrapping her with a tender wing. "You go on and have fun. Don't want me to get in the way of your special get-together, now do I?" he reassures with a wink and a grin.
Pleased by his son-in-law's insistence, Turbo grins widely as he begins to head out the door while calling out his daughter, "Well you heard him, kiddo! Let's go! I've got a carriage all ready for you!"
Despite her initial hesitation, Rainbow beams greatly over Mustang's consideration and gives him a heartfelt kiss to show her appreciation before heading outside. Parked in front of the married couple's house is Turbo Dash's personal chariot. Once the nine-month pregnant mare is secured in the cozy carriage, she exchanges one last kiss with her husband while the older stallion secures the harness around him. And with the driver and passenger all set, Turbo gallops across the makeshift runway as Ford waves them goodbye.
"Have a good time, you two!"
Soon, the flying chariot takes off from the ground and makes their way to Cloudsdale. And once Rainbow and Turbo are finally out of sight, Ford casually heads back inside and gently closes the door behind him.
"Now then..."
From that soft musing to himself, he makes his way back to the kitchen as he uses his seclusion as an opportunity to address something important in mind. From one of the drawers, he pulls out an enchanted ribbon and a sheet of parchment and sets them on a table. Once he sits himself down, he begins to write his letter to the very pony he has been collaborated with for many weeks up to now.
Dear Princess Twilight,
I would like to make a few suggestions on what we discussed the last time we met...
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As Cloudsdale is the founding city of the Pegasus-exclusive sport, it would seem fitting that their blitzball games will be held at Cloudsdale Cloudeseum. From the majestic, longstanding structure, countless ponies line up to gain access inside the magnificent architecture, so they can get themselves seated for the big game today.
Before approaching one of the attendants at the gates, Turbo Dash presents one of the tickets to his daughter and says with a grin, "Here you go, Rainbow! The best seat on the house!"
Once she receives her gift, Rainbow takes a moment to read the contents on her tickets. To her surprise, the ticket she is holding in her hoof is one of the most exclusive seats the stadium offers in their seating arrangement.
Still astonished from receiving such a privileged seat, Rainbow is a bit hesitant from accepting such a rare treat. "Dad, you didn't need to get skybox seats just for me."
"Oh come now, Dashie." Turbo replies with a steadfast grin as he ruffles her mane like old times. "No price is too great for my little girl."
"Yeah, but it takes away some of the action up-close." she remarks with an amusing smile.
"Hmm... true. But you still get a pretty good view of the game altogether, not to mention the most comfortable seats you can ever imagine."
From her dad's persuasive statement, Rainbow nods with a lighthearted smirk, "Alright, you've convinced me. Thanks, dad." And she shows her gratitude by giving him a light kiss on the cheek before adding in a sharp, witty tone, "But they better not have any of those fancy-schmancy hors d'oeuvre! I'm still entitled to have all of junk food I can eat, you know!"
From his daughter's snappy remark, he replies with a hilarious grin, "Well we certainly can't have that, now can we?"
After presenting their tickets to the attendant, the two Pegasi make their way up to the highest floor in the coliseum, from reaching that level, Rainbow Dash gripes lightly, "I really hope we don't have to share the skybox with some obnoxious noblepony! They'll never the get the gist of the game and ruin the whole thing for us!"
Despite sympathizing with his daughter's complaint, Turbo couldn't help but chuckle lightly on the upcoming surprise that's wait for her. "Oh don't worry, Rainbow. From what I've heard, these are the kind of ponies you'll get along with just fine." he implies with a wink and a sly smile.
As she puzzles on what her dad meant by that, they arrive at their destination and enter their exclusive clubhouse. Once inside, Rainbow pushes her puzzlement aside and stares with amazement at what the lounge has to offer. Tables are lined up with all kinds of tasty treats you would find at most blitzball games, including buttery popcorn, bags of chips with their proper dips aside, roasted vegetables, and hot-out-of-the-oven pizza. The place also features a bar where a bartender is behind the counter to provide any non-alcoholic drinks available, including a wide variety of sodas.
As Rainbow eyes with a drooling smile at all of the delicious food lined up, she notices the familiar décor in her surroundings. The tables are covered with blue linens that have yellow trimmings fashioned in a shape of a continuous lightning bolt. Not to mention some of the decorations feature a symbol she knows all too well: a lightning bolt with a pair of wings.
And once Rainbow Dash makes this astonishing connection for herself, she turns attention swiftly with the sudden appearance of another Pegasus, who is exiting out of skybox seating section. Of course, even without that distinguishable flight suit, Rainbow would recognize her yellow-coated friend with the fiery, orange mane anywhere.
"Gasp! Spitfire!"
"Rainbow Dash! Glad you could make it!"
In a flash, the two ecstatic mares rush in for a big hug before Rainbow breaks away to warmly express her immense surprise over Spitfire's presence, "What are you doing here? I've never thought I would see you take a break from the action like this!"
"What, haven't you been keeping track with today's schedule?" she jests lightly. "The Wonderbolts are performing for the halftime show."
"Really? Ah geez! I can't believe I didn't notice that earlier!" Rainbow exclaims while face-hoofing herself before she wonders about the other. "Hang on, where's the rest of the team?"
"They're just getting ready to make a pass during the game's opening. Don't worry, they'll be here soon."
"Wait, then why are you still here? Shouldn't you be leading the charge like always?"
"I would if I could, but I'm in no condition to do it myself this time around." she answers with a giggling smile.
"What, are you sick?"
"Well I was a few weeks ago, but my stomach still feels more bloated than ever."
And from her sly response, the grinning Spitfire lightly pats her bare belly. Rainbow shifts her pondering gaze between the yellow mare's implying smile and her exposed abdomen. Then, as Rainbow recalls back from the last time they met, she becomes extremely wide-eyed from a particular conversation they once had.
Utterly speechless by this startling realization, Rainbow stammers out her curiosity to confirm that matter herself, "Spitfire... are you...?!"
With giddy excitement, Spitfire flutters her wings in joy as she announces with an irrepressible smile, "I'm pregnant!"
A bit thunderstruck by the exciting news, Rainbow Dash gasps with a big, broad smile, and she shares in the joyous occasion by giving the newly announced expectant mother a great, big hug as she replies with ear-piercing delight.
"EEEEEEE! Spitfire, that's awesome! I'm so happy for you! And it's about time too if you asked me!"
Then, Rainbow's father approaches the two jubilant mares and offers his best wishes with a well-mannered grin. "Congratulations, Mrs. Spitfire."
"Thanks, Turbo Dash." she humbly accepts. "Nice to see to you once again."
"Wait, you've met my dad before?"
"Well yeah." Turbo Dash answers nonchalently. "When I went to get tickets at the blitzball stadium yesterday, Ford and I ran into Spitfire as her team just arrived in Cloudsdale."
"Mm-hmm." Spitfire agrees with a nod. "And it was my idea that you two join us at the skybox we reserved for ourselves."
Deeply touched by this nice surprise from her friend and father, the beaming Rainbow Dash brings them in for a gratifying hug as she says to them, "I can't believe this! I get to hang out with my dad and the Wonderbolts at this season's biggest blitzball game! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Anything for our favorite Wonderbolt." Turbo Dash replies with an earnest grin.
After the three Pegasi maintain their warm embrace for quite some time, Spitfire hears the announcer signifying the game's opening and gradually breaks away from their hug while alerting the Dash Family, "Oh hey, we better get in our seats! The game's about to start!"
Renewed with enthusiasm over today's match, the trio rush to their seats, just in time for Cloudsdale's anthem as well as for the Wonderbolts' grand entrance.
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Minutes later, Rainbow, Spitfire, and Turbo are well situated in their seats as they continue to enjoy the first quarter of the game from their private skybox. The counters in front of them are piled with a multitude of food and drinks, which they have been indulging to their hearts' content, especially for the two pregnant mares.
Eventually, the rest of the Wonderbolts arrive from the completion of their awe-inspiring flyover. And once Rainbow Dash hears them coming in, she breaks into a big smile as she trots over to them.
"Soarin! Fleetfoot! Everypony!"
And in return, they simultaneously shout with glee, "Rainbow Dash!"
As thrilled as their returning friend, the teammates welcome her with open hooves as they engage in some light conversations, such as how Rainbow is done regarding with her pregnancy or what she has missed since her maternity leave many months ago.
In the midst of their pleasant chitchat, Spitfire pulls her husband in for a tenderhearted embrace as she warmly comments on Soarin's performance as team leader, "Nicely done out there, Captain."
"Thanks, honey." he responds before asking in a timid manner, "You really think I did okay as team leader?"
"Believe me, hon, you were fantastic!" she reassures with an uplifting smile as she hugs him strongly. "I knew you could do it if you put your mind to it!"
"Well, I do have you and our baby to thank for driving me to where I am today." he acknowledges with a meaningful grin.
"Oh, come here you!" And with a mighty tug, she pulls her stallion in for a big, affectionate kiss, to which Soarin melts within Spitfire's loving embrace.
Of course, the couple's sentimentality gets interrupted when Rainbow Dash gags out loud, "Ugh! Can you and Mama Spitfire take it somewhere else? We're all trying to watch the game here!"
From Rainbow's teasing, the Wonderbolt couple breaks away from their kiss as Spitfire raises an eyebrow while responding in a sharp tone, " 'Mama Spitfire?' Really?"
"Yep, it's quite catchy, isn't it?" Dash remarks with a humorous smirk.
With a roll of her eyebrows, Spitfire replies with a disinterested smile, "Yeah, like that's going to catch on."
Alongside his pregnant wife, Soarin stares at the mocking mare with a sarcastic grin, "Nice to see you too, Rainbow Dash."
"Yeah yeah, nice to see you--! Oh wait, hang on! They're about to snap the next pass!"
From that abrupt declaration, they immediately rush to their seats as Rainbow Dash and Spitfire resume their seats while Fleetfoot sits next to them. Once the Pegasi are all situated, the Cloudsdale Chargers snap the latest play while the mare trio provide their own commentary.
"Come on! Throw it! Throw it!" Spitfire shouts out loud as she repeatedly slams her hooves on the counter.
The quarterback is hesitant as he gives himself enough distant while offense struggles to keep the defense at bay. Annoyed by the hesitation, Rainbow barks in a demanding voice.
"What's that quarterback waiting for?! Throw the ball already!"
It seems that the throw isn't going to be made as two Canterlot Cavaliers break through the line and charge for the quarterback. But in a split second, he finally throws the ball high into the air before being tackled to the cloudy yard.
"Ugh, finally!" Rainbow groans with a roll of her eyes.
"Beautiful pass though!" Fleetfoot compliments coolly.
To that, Spitfire acknowledges with a nod, "Mm-hmm!"
As the ball spirals perfectly in mid-air, Rainbow points it out giddily as it looks like the projectile will reach the long-distance receiver. "Look! It's good! It's good! It's--!"
But her high expectation is cut short when one of the Cavaliers cut off the receiver, causing the ball to miss just inches away from the player's grasp.
This interference causes the majority fans to groan in disappointment, including Fleetfoot as she says to herself, "Uhh! So close!"
But Spitfire's sharp eyes manage to catch something earlier as she exclaims in a furious voice, "Oh, what the hay?! That guy was holding!"
This sudden outcry causes Rainbow Dash to react in alarm, "What?! When?! I missed that!"
Shortly enough, a yellow flag was thrown onto the field, and a referee steps forward to declare the illegal restraint, which gives the Chargers an automatic first down as well as allowing them to advance by five yards.
As she proclaimed earlier, Spitfire readdresses it to her two friends, "See see! What did I tell you?! Holding!"
"Hmph! Typical Cavaliers!" Rainbow grumps openly over the rival team. "They act all noble and such, but that's to cover up on how dirty they play out on the field!"
"You said it, sister!" Fleetfoot agrees as she and Rainbow Dash share matching smirks and a proper hoof-bump.
Meanwhile, Soarin and Turbo Dash are completely speechless by how extremely passionate the mares are when it comes to watching blitzball. Nevertheless, the latter of the two smiles with delight on how much Rainbow Dash is truly his daughter in so many ways. And thus, the two stallions join in on the fun as they continue to watch the ongoing game.
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Towards the end of the game, everything has been really awesome for Rainbow Dash, from hanging out with her dad just like they used to do when she was a filly to reliving the awe-inspiring experience when she saw the Wonderbolts performed at the spectacular halftime show.
At the last remaining seconds of the game, everypony was on the edge of their seats as the Canterlot Cavaliers were leading ahead by a few points. Luckily, the Chargers still have the ball even though they're at fourth down and roughly 30 yards away from the goal line. From there, it's possible for their kicker to make a field goal, therefore tying the game and forcing them into overtime. Everything is riding on their last play.
But to everyone's surprise, the Chargers pull off a fake field goal as the sky runner takes the ball and squeezes right through the defense's tight gap. The opposing players scramble for the desperate run as the crowd cheers passionately over the Chargers' dicey attempt for one last touchdown. Halfway through, the offense manages to keep the Cavaliers off of the halfback's tail.
However, at the 10-yard line, one of the linebackers is able to catch up with the runner and dives forward for a swift, strong tackle. Rainbow Dash and company gasp mightily as they see the ball-carrying Charger slide right on the edge of the goal line. Of course, it's left to the referee to make the final call as he inspects on where the ball has landed. And once he makes his decision, he turns toward the highly anticipating crowd and declares his final decree by holding his two forelegs high in the air.
From that recognizable gesture, the fans and Chargers alike go completely wild as the home team embrace and lift up their star player for pulling off the ultimate touchdown while Rainbow Dash, her father, and the Wonderbolts shriek and bounce with excitement over the Chargers' stunning victory.
Eventually, with everypony else leaving and the Wonderbolts finishing up by packing their flight suits away, Rainbow, Turbo, and their friends walk around the city of Cloudsdale while they reflect back to the blitzball game they still couldn't get over with, starting with Spitfire.
"Whew! What a game, huh?"
"Tell me about it!" Fleetfoot agrees with a nod and a smile. "I thought at the very least it would have ended in overtime!"
"Ha! I knew the Chargers would pull through in the end!" Rainbow remarks with a bold smirk.
"Yeah right!" Spitfire dismisses that claim with a friendly chuckle. "You were biting your nails to the very core!"
After sharing a laugh with her teammates, Rainbow Dash pulls Spitfire and Fleetfoot in for a welcoming hug as she joyfully states it to the rest of the team, "It's so good to hang out with all of you. It feels like ages since we've done something like this."
"Likewise. Still, it's not the same without a Sonic Rainboom to add in the mix." Fleetfoot adds with a giggling smile.
"Nah, you guys are still the best of the best, even without me." she remarks with a hearty grin.
"Yes well, it certainly wouldn't be same without--!"
But Fleetfoot stop herself on what she is about to say as she immediately covers her mouth with a fore hoof. As the mortified Fleetfoot freezes in place, she glances at all of the wide-eyed stares she is receiving from everypony else. From that slip-up over Rainbow's presumed fate, Fleetfoot starts to choke up as she turns away from her friends while brushing her watery eyes.
"I'm sorry." She apologizes with a fake smile. "I just... got something in my eye."
From sharing a meaningful glance with Spitfire and Soarin, Rainbow Dash begins to realize that her Team Captain has already shared the bitter news with the rest of the Wonderbolts, judging by their somber expressions. So not wanting to bring such a gloom to their own party, Rainbow wraps a soft wing around Fleetfoot and attempts to cheer her up.
"Hey hey, don't get all emotional on me now." she jests with a lighthearted grin. "We're all here to have a good time, remember?"
Feeling a bit better from the comfort of her dear friend, Fleetfoot finishes drying her almost weepy eyes and assures with a tiny smile, "R-right, of course."
Wanting to shift to a more positive note on their get-together, Turbo Dash makes a friendly suggestion to his daughter and friends, "You know, all this excitement is making me hungry. Who's up for some hay fries and milkshakes?"
Knowing full well that her dad is referring to one of their favorite hotspots in Cloudsdale when she was a filly, Rainbow Dash anxiously waves her foreleg in the air as she answers like the little kid she once was, "Ooo! Me! Me! I am!"
After giggling over his daughter's silly antics, Turbo turns to the Wonderbolts and asks once again, "How about it, kids? My treat, of course."
The famed flyers look at each other as they are indecisive on accepting such an overly generous offer from the older stallion, so Spitfire speaks for them in a humble manner, "Oh Turbo, you don't need to do that for us. We can cover it ourselves."
"Nonsense!" he retorts with a bold grin. "I've got plenty to spare! I'm the world-renowned 'Rainbow Speedster' himself, Turbo Dash, after all!" he boasts lightheartedly while drumming on his chest.
Thanks to his insistence, the Wonderbolts eventually agree to his hospitable invitation and they all go together for an after-game snack.
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At a well-known, classic diner, the band of acrobatic flyers partake in their delicious, creamy milkshakes and hot, greasy hay fries. From there, the large group engage in some more engaging conversations, including some of Turbo Dash's own adventures as a world-renowned racer, which the Wonderbolts are quite fascinated with hearing from such a legendary veteran.
Once the sun begins to set, the gang decides to depart ways as they say their heartwarming goodbyes to each other with Rainbow Dash ending it with a endearing hug from Spitfire.
"Take good care of yourself, Mama Spitfire." she teases one last time.
Knowing that her new nickname will never go away due to some of her teammates' subdued laughter in unison, Spitfire shakes her head with an accepting smile before responding softly in the midst of their hug, "Thanks. You too, Rainbow Dash."
And after that, the Dash Family waves them goodbye before the two head back to their parked chariot.
As they walk back to their carriage, Turbo asks her daughter, "So Rainbow... is there anything like you do before we head home?"
Rainbow gives it some careful thought before she realizes that there is one important thing she would like to do before they leave Cloudsdale, "Can we stop by and see mommy?"
Not too surprised by that humble request, her father agrees with a sincere smile, "Of course, Dashie. We always have time with that."
Along the way, Turbo Dash notices a floral shop that's just about to close up for the night, and he quickly takes the opportunity to make a last-minute purchase. Fortunately, he gets what he needs in the form of a wrapped-up bouquet and they resume their leisurely walk.
At their chariot, Rainbow steps into her seat with the flowers secured next to her as her father attaches the harness around his torso. With everything set, they fly off into the sunset and head towards their final destination this evening.
From her chartered flight, Rainbow begins to rest on the flying chariot's rail as she drowsily recalls the first time she went to that hallowed place long ago.
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It was just another ordinary day for the two rainbow-haired Pegasi. Turbo Dash would finish up work at the weather factory early enough to pick up his 5-year-old girl from kindergarten. Then once they got home, dad would prepare a nice dinner for the two of them as Lil' Dashie would tell her father all the fun stuff she did at school.