“Good evening Nurse Aid,” Dr. Cake greets me at the front desk.

“Good evening, doctor. Can I help you with anything?”

“I was wondering if you would take a walk with me? I need some help with a task,” he motions down the hall.

“Of course doctor.”

“I heard from head-nurse Redheart that you have put in a transfer request. You want to move from pediatrics to general, correct?” he asks me casually.

“ Yes doctor, that is correct,” I reply a little nervously. He nods and keeps walking.

“Would you be willing to tell me the reason?”

As department head, he has a right to know, “ I don’t think I am qualified to be in pediatrics.”

This causes him to pull up short and give me a questioning look.

“I have always loved children and after I found my cutie mark in medicine I thought pediatrics was perfect,” I continue. “But after failing Lily, I don’t think I can handle it. I see those small eyes begging me to stop the pain and her little hooves going so cold and I feel so helpless and I…I…”

After giving me a moment to regain my composure, Dr. Cake begins walking again. “Follow me Nurse Aid, I still have need of you.”

He leads me to a room in the children's ward where fifteen sets of eyes turn towards us.

“I need to go get changed so please make yourself comfortable,” he says to me before leaving the room. A filly, around four years old, comes up to me and grabs my hoof.

“My name is Violet, what’s your name?” she asks.

“Oh, I’m Nurse Aid. I work at the front desk,” I give her a smile.

She pulls me towards a mat on the floor. “You can sit with me,” she states matter-of-factually and pulls me down. She then climbs into my lap and bounces a little in anticipation of something. As I’m about to ask what, Dr. Cake comes running into the room again and immediately trips over his own hooves. He is dressed in the most ridiculous clown outfit I have ever seen. The children cheer with laughter, and despite myself I giggle a bit too.

After making a show of picking himself up and dusting off he turns towards us, “Whoopsie daisy. Now, who is ready for the most spectacular, stupendous, most funerific event ever?”

A loud cheer was his answer.

For the next two hours he entertain us with jokes, balloon animals, face paint, songs and dance.

After ‘Bozo’ says his goodbyes and gets hugs from all the kids, he leaves the room. I stand to follow but a set of hooves grab me again. I look down to see Violet holding my hoof.

“Thanks for playing with us Ms. Aid. Will you come back again?” she asks.

I look into her questioning eyes. I don’t see Lily's’ eyes anymore. I see eyes that are filled with hope. Eyes that don’t expect miracles, just small little happy moments and the best I can do.

“You bet I will.”

She gives a big smile and a quick hug before running back with the other children. I watch with my own smile for a moment before leaving. Outside I find the now clean Dr. Cake waiting. He gives me a small grin and walks with me towards the front.

“So, did you enjoy the show?” he asks casually.

“I did. I can’t remember having so much fun,” a small giggle escapes as I think back. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“You are welcome, Nurse Aid. Though I wonder, do you still feel unqualified?” he stops and watches me with questioning eyes.

I think back to the commitment I made to myself and to Violet just moments ago. “No, I think I am ready to give it my best,” I give him a confident smile.

He simply nods and turns.

I stop him before he leaves, “How did you know that this would help? I didn't think I would be able to work with children again after Lily, how did you know how to fix that?” .

He smiles knowingly.

“As doctors we prescribe medicine to cure the body. As ponies, with laughter and love, we prescribe medicine that cures the soul.” He places his hoof on my shoulder, “And having been there before, I knew you could use a prescription for some fun: heavy dose.” His laughter causes me to laugh along and we start walking again.