Primrose trotted into the open field with a few other members of her family. Her youngest daught—er, son wasn’t there, but she supposed after recent events he would not really be interested in talking to her. She tried to hold her head high, but all the music around her made her think quite a bit of her little one. She supposed she’d just have to enjoy the night the best that she could.
 
Rather than settling in at the back like most of the other ponies just arriving, Primrose found herself being led through the crowd until she and her family reached the front. This wouldn’t have been unusual back in Canterlot where she was an elite, but in Ponyville where everyone was treated more equally it was odd.
 
“How did we get front row seats, mon amour?” She asked her husband.
 
“Ah jus’ thought you’d want to see better, love,” Discovery answered with a smile.
 
Primrose smiled back at him and turned her attention to the performance in progress. Her little one would’ve loved to be here to see this. Maybe he was here, watching from elsewhere in the audience. She looked around, but couldn’t seem to spot him among the sea of faces.
 
The performance ended and Mistress Melodious, or as Primrose knew her, Pristine Melody came out on stage.
 
“How y’all doing tonight? Enjoying the show?” She asked and was met with applause and cheering. “Well we’ve got a new up-and-comin’ artist about to perform for y’all! I’ve known this lil’ guy his whole life and let me tell ya, he has a special gift for music an’ it’s a treat to hear him play. Now give it up for my lil’ cousin, Rome Pomme!”
 
Primrose couldn’t believe her ears as the pop star called out the familiar name, watching in shock as the curtain rose and her youngest baby came into view. While last time she saw him he was an emotional mess in a dress, Rome now looked downright dapper in his bright blue suit and his new haircut. He grinned and waved at the crowd, looking the slightest bit hesitant once he caught notice of his mother. But he seemed to regain his composure quickly as he trotted up to the piano and began to sing:
 
“You could never know what it’s like  
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice  
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you  
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use
 
And did you think this fool could never win  
Well look at me, I’m coming back again  
I got a taste of love in a simple way  
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade away
 
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did  
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid  
I’m still standing after all this time  
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind”
 
The song was as upbeat and happy as Rome was as he belted out the lyrics and ran his hooves across the keys. He was practically glowing as he looked happier than he’d ever been, like this was who he was meant to be. This was the colt that had been waiting to shine through this whole time, Primrose realized. She should’ve realized that sooner.
 
“I’m still standing!”
 
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Primrose found herself singing along softly with the audience…and with her boy.
 
Rome sang his heart out for the rest of the performance and was met with a huge round of applause once it was over. He looked out at the adoring fans with joy and pride, not fear and self-loathing like…last time. Then he took a bow and disappeared backstage.
 
“This is why we had front row seats,” Primrose realized, looking to her husband. “You knew about this, didn’t you?”
 
“Eeyup,” Discovery nodded. “Let’s head backstage, dear. Our boy would love to see you.”
 
“He would…? But I-“ Primrose didn’t have time to recount her regrets as she and her family were ushered backstage. Rome noticed them quickly and bounded over with excitement. “Mom! Dad! Did ya see me up there?”
 
“Eeyup, we sure did!” Discovery smiled. “Ya did great, son.”
 
“It was a marvelous performance,” Primrose added.
 
“Really?” Rome seemed genuinely surprised. “You liked it? You’re not…mad?”
 
It broke Primrose’s heart knowing her baby would think she was mad, but kept it to herself as she smiled warmly. “Why of course, mon chéri. I’m very proud of you.”
 
Suddenly, Rome rushed in and enveloped her in a tight hug.
 
“Thank you, Mom,” he whispered in a shaky voice. “I love you.”
 
Primrose became choked up herself as she hugged him in return. “I love you too, my son.”