Bookends 2 or Making Dreams Come True

CHAPTER ONE

Return To The Library

“Wow,” remarked Twilight, breaking the kiss, “it just gets better!”

Cheerilee giggled and scooted off her desk.

“I wish we could take up where we left off this morning,” said the teacher, giving Twilight another small kiss, “but I’m sure the students have seen us, but like you said, I don’t care.  But I’ve the rest of the school day to finish.  Can we meet back at the library?  I promise not to run out on you this time!  It’s Friday after all.”

Both ponies giggled again.

“I’ll be waiting on you.  I’ll have dinner ready, if my cooking doesn’t run you off!  I guess I need to have a talk with Spike.”

“I’ll see you there,” said Cheerilee.

They exchanged another small kiss and Twilight walk to the door.  Cheerilee, for the first time really looked at Twilight’s flanks.  It was making her tingle ‘down below’.  Before Twilight went through the door she stopped.  Cheerilee then noticed that Twilight had been looking over her shoulder at her.

“Like what you see?” asked Twilight, twitching her tail for a better view.

“We can talk about that later.”  Said Cheerilee with a smile.

“You bet we will!” said Twilight with an equal smile.

Twilight walked on, Cheerilee decided it was time to call the kids back in and finish the day.  She was sure that she’d have no problem with staying on task now.

As Twilight was leaving the school yard she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with their frenemies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nearby, looking at her and giggling.

‘I’d better talk to A.J. and Rarity, at least, before their sisters exaggerate,’ thought Twilight.

It struck her that if this was anything else personal, she would’ve trouble talking to her friends about it.  But this was liberating!  She couldn’t wait to tell them!  She heard Cheerilee ringing the bell for the students to come in.

As Twilight walked the road back to town, she could swear that her hooves were not in contact with the ground.  There was a rose colored earth pony taking control of all her thoughts.  She had never felt like this before.  There was a word that kept coming to mind, a word that she never thought that she’d feel.  She didn’t want to give voice to it as of yet, it had to be too soon to think that she could be like this.  After all, that’s what she had read.

As Twilight came into town, Rainbow Dash was flying over.  She banked sharply and flew down to Twilight.

“Twi!” said Rainbow, “what’s up?”

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight.

“I could see your smile from two hundred feet up!”  said Rainbow with a smile, “you win the Equestria Lottery?”

“Even better!” said Twilight, “could you do me a favor?  Could you find our friends, and if they are not busy, have them meet me at Sugarcube Corner?”

“Sure thing Twi!” said the blue pegasus as she took to the sky.

It was about a half an hour later when the six friends were sitting at a table.  Twilight was so giddy she could barely sit still.

“Okay Sugar Cube,” said A.J. “We’re all here like you asked, so what’s up?  ‘You look happier than a pig in mud’!”

“Yes Darling,” said Rarity, “I was almost blinded by your smile when I came in.”

“Did the newest Daring Do book arrive?” asked Rainbow Dash.

The other ponies just looked at Rainbow, she slouched down just a bit and blushed.

Twilight took a deep breath.

“Everypony, I’ve found the pony of my dreams!” she said.  “I’m really sure that this is the one!”

Five ponies sat open mouthed.

“That’s great news!” said Rainbow, “it’s that pony at the Quill and Sofa Shop, isn’t it?”

“I bet it’s that brainy stallion, Dr. Time Turner Hooves,” said Pinkie Pie.

“It’s not that dork Gizmo. Please say it isn’t,” pleaded Rarity.

“It ain’t my brother is it?” asked Applejack.  Rainbow gave an odd sidewards glance.

“Not even close girls,” said Twilight, “it’s Cheerilee!”

The five friends sat silent.  They looked back and forth between themselves.

Twilight’s heart started to sink.  Had she misjudged her friends,  had she just alienated herself from them?

All of the sudden, smiles grew on their faces.  Her friends got up and rushed to hug her.

“That’s great!” said Fluttershy, “she’s such a nice pony!”

“I bet there’s a story to tell,” said Rarity, giving voice to her curiosity.

The girls all sat back down, Twilight related the events of the previous evening, the glorious morning, the misunderstanding and the confirmation of their feelings at the school.  She also related that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle would probably have something to report.

After letting it sink in, Twilight continued;

“So you’re all okay with me going out with a mare?”

“Darling,” started Rarity, “there’s nothing wrong with the two of you dating.  It’s only important how the two of you feel.  And I can tell that it’s making you happy, more happy than we’ve ever seen you.”

“Twi,” said Rainbow, “times are different, anypony that would say anything about you being with a mare, well, they have their head so far up their flanks, they’ll be bumping into everything!”

“Twilight,” said Fluttershy, “you told me once that there are about nine or ten mares for every stallion in Equestria.  That ancient equines had entire herds of mares as a harem.  But now, even if every stallion had two mares, there would still be hundreds of lonely mares.

I think that if two mares were not allowed to find companionship or more with each other, then that would be wrong!”

It was Fluttershy’s turn to have everypony look at her with blank expressions.  They had never heard Fluttershy talk like this.

“Soooooo,” said Pinkie, with a deceptively innocent smile, “is she a good kisser?”

“What?” said Twilight blushing.  “I….”

“No need to answer,” said Pinkie, then in her sing-song voice, “I-can-see-that-she-is!”

“Do you love her, Darling?” asked Rarity.

Twilight went blank.  She had just fought with this concept before running into Rainbow Dash.  She had tried not to consider exactly what her feelings were other than wanting to just be with Cheerilee.

“I... I don’t know, we just started sharing our feelings last night” said Twilight, “isn’t it too early to say?”

“That’s up to you,” said Rarity, “but just ask yourself; how would you feel if you could never be with her or even see Cheerilee again.

I think you’ll find your answer.”

The friends all congratulated Twilight and hugged her before going back to their business.  Twilight sat for a good hour and four cups of tea, just considering what Rarity had said.

Twilight then went straight home.  She had to get dinner together, she also had to talk to Spike and she had one more task to do.

“Okay Twi,” said Spike, “it must be important or very bad for you to ask me to sit down for a talk.”

“Oh Spike,” said Twilight with a smile, “it isn’t bad, but it’s important.

Ever since I hatched you, you’ve slept in my room.  I’ve a bit of news that may have to change that arrangement.”

Spike looked confused;

“Am I snoring that bad?”

“No silly!” said Twilight with a giggle, “I’ve a new marefriend! and she’ll be staying the night with me.  How often is to be determined.  I thought it might be less embarrassing to all involved.”

“Do I have to sleep in the library?”

“No Spike,” said Twilight with a smile, “we’ll turn the store room at the end of the hall into your own room.  It’ll be yours alone.  We’ll put a nice window in it and even get you a real bed if you want, you can even put pictures of Rarity all over the walls if you wish!”.

The two laughed at that.

Then it hit him;

“Wait! Did you say marefriend?  As in a girl?  How’s that even work?”  asked Spike scratching his head with his claw.

“Yes Spike, do you know of any other kind of mare?” said Twilight, “and it works very well, thank you.  Do you have a problem with that?”

“I guess not, I just never thought of you with a mare.  Actually I’ve never thought of you with a colt for that matter,” said the dragon.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence!” said Twilight, a bit hurt.

“No Twi, I didn’t mean it that way.” Said Spike, “it’s just that you’ve never made any time for such things.  Who is she?”

“It’s Cheerilee!” said Twilight.

“The teacher?” asked Spike with a laugh, “Wow! She’s a looker and smart!  I think you hit the jackpot!

You sure that there’ll be enough room in the library for two brains that big?”

“Oh Spike!” said Twilight laughing.

Twilight busied herself in cooking the best dinner she could manage, it was an eggplant parmesan and a green salad.  Twilight then went about gathering the good plates that she kept for special occasions.  Because of the special occasion, Twilight put a small dish of gems by Spike’s plate.

Then after a little bit of thought, she wrote a note and left it under the plate that she had for Cheerilee.

Then she and Spike busied themselves in cleaning up the library.  They were putting the cleaning supplies away when they heard the bell at the door.

“She’s here!” said Twilight jogging in place.  Spike couldn’t remember ever seeing Twilight this excited.  It truly made him happy for the pony that was like a sister/mother/best friend.

“Cheeri!” said Twilight joyfully trotting into the main library.

“Twi!” said Cheerilee just as excited.

They rushed together, put a foreleg around each other’s neck and gave a warm kiss.

“I guess you weren’t kidding!” said a voice.

They both turned and saw Spike standing there smiling.

“Hello Spike,” said Cheerilee, “I guess you’ve heard the news.”

“I have and I’m so glad for the two of you.”

“Thank you, Spike,” said Cheerilee, “I hope it wasn’t too big of a shock.  It kind of was for us at first.”

The three got a laugh out of that.

“Well,” said Spike, “I have to finish up my chores before dinner.  I’ll just have to leave you two alone.”

Cheerilee and Twilight giggled at the obvious ‘leaving them alone’.

“How was the rest of your day, Cheeri?” asked Twilight.  “Any issues with the kids?”

“Most of the fillies wouldn’t stop giggling, but other than that it was so much better than before you came to see me.”

“I’m glad to hear that.  I hope you don’t mind, but after seeing the girls giggling at me, I thought it would be best to let my friends in on the news.  That way there would be nothing blown out of proportion!” said Twilight.

Cheerilee kissed Twilight again;

“I’d be disappointed if you were hiding it.” Said Cheerilee, nuzzling Twilight, “especially after what you said at the school.”

Cheerilee and Twilight walked into the living quarters of the downstairs sides and flanks touching.  Cheerilee could smell the dinner finishing up.

“Oh my!” said the teacher, “it smells great! I’m doubly glad of my choice of marefriend.  When ever I get to cook, I usually burn the salad!”

The two laughed at that.

“Can I go freshen up, I brought some personal items in my bag.”

“Cheeri,” said Twilight, “you’re welcome to use my rooms.  You don’t need any permission to do so.  My home is your home.  I’ll be hurt if you didn’t treat it that way.”

They kissed and Cheerilee went up the stairs from the kitchen to Twilight’s upper rooms.

Twilight put the food on the table, poured some wine for Cheerilee and herself, and water for Spike.  She had never before caught herself humming as she worked, but now she was.  Twilight didn’t even recognize the tune, but her heart was telling her that it was the right thing to do.

She called out for everypony to come and eat.

Spike and Twilight sat at the table, Cheerilee came down the stairs and joined them.  Twilight noticed that Cheerilee had fixed up her mane and put on a little bit of makeup.  Twilight could also smell a light amount of perfume.  Cheerilee gave Twilight a look that made her weak all over.

“Wow!” said Spike.

“You look and smell beautiful!” said Twilight, reaching out her hoof and placing it on Cheerilee’s.

Cheerilee leaned over and kissed Twilight.

“Thank you,” she said, “you don’t know how much that means to me.”

They ate the delicious meal that Twilight had prepared, Spike was thrilled that Cheerilee paid attention to him as well.  He had been a little afraid that he’d be ignored.

“That was delicious!” said Cheerilee.  “I’ve not had a home cooked meal like that in a long time.”

“I’m so glad to hear that, Cherri,” said Twilight blushing at the praise.

“See,” said Cheerilee snickering, “I knew you did more than write poems.

“You didn’t tell her about that, did you Twi?” asked Spike.

“Yes she did,” said Cheerilee, “and I think they’re cute.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” said Twilight, starting to blush again.  “Because I wrote one for this occasion.”

“Let’s hear it,” said Cheerilee, “but I might just grade it this time.”

“It’s okay Spike, it’s safe,” said Twilight, then turning to Cheerilee she said, “it’s on the paper under your plate.”

With that Twilight levitated Cheerilee’s plate enough for Cheerilee to retrieve the note.

Cheerilee opened it, read it;

Then she read it again.

There were tears rolling down her cheek, as she read it out loud;

“There is something that I must do,

Something that is just for you,

My sweet Cheerilee,

How do I make you see,

Just how much that I love you!”

Cheerilee paused, just looking at the note.  Then she looked up at Twilight,

“You love me?” asked Cheerilee, her face outshining the sun.

“I know it’s quick,” said Twilight, “but I don’t know how I could ever feel more for any other pony.  I’ve never told anypony outside my family and Spike that.”

“No pony ever has told me that they love me!’ said Cheerilee, “maybe my mother but never my father except perhaps when I was very young!”

Cheerilee broke down crying.

“I love you too Twi!” said Cheerilee, “I love you so much!  Thank you! Thank you!”

Unashamed, she leaned over and kissed Twilight with all her soul.

They broke the kiss, their brows pressed together.  They both had identical looks of complete contentment on their faces.  Then Cheerilee turned to talk to Spike;

“Sorry for acting this way in front of you.  Realize that Twilight is the pony I’ve always dreamed of.  In less than twenty four hours she’s made me happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Spike,” said Twilight, “would you mind…”

“Hey Twi!” interrupted the dragon giggling.  “Why don’t I move my bed down here tonight?”

“You’re the best,” said Twilight.