"I'm sorry, but I would like to go check on Bird and make sure she's settling in at the Inn," Knuckles said and waited to get a nod from both Brandon and Luna.

"I know what's really bothering you three," Brandon said as they heard the door shut behind Knuckles. "You fear that I may have let someone back in my life that hurt me a lot. Just like how I did with Bon Bon, and I think you guys are right. I feel like I did let her back in my life but as a friend and nothing more, and I'm sorry for that."

Before Luna could say anything Brandon got up and headed to the front door leaving her alone with the two fillies. She gave a sad sigh knowing she couldn't go and help him because of that little fact nor could she go find Lyra. But she knew Derpy could more than handle her.

As he shut the door he gave a sad sigh himself before starting to walk by himself even though at the back of his own mind he was paranoid. Which after a little while of walking he also felt guilty because he knew Luna would worry about him on his own as well. But he needed time to work with how things went, how he could have handled it better.

Though he very well knew Lyra would be the most upset at this since it would remind her of the Bon Bon situation. But much worse since she didn't know Sally and what she did know for certain she had hurt him badly, made him think he was nothing more than a monster. He wished he knew exactly what would help with it.

Suddenly he stopped snapped out of his thoughts as he saw this familiar glow which did surprise him. But he quickly figured it must be his eyes again and he had seen this before, though it was difficult to make out since it seemed to blend in with the shadows. That made him know exactly who it was though and the stallion wasn't going toward the Inn like he said he was.

He knew he had to be very careful since he knew Knuckles would hear him otherwise and Brandon was very curious as to why the stallion was headed to that part of town. As he followed the stallion at quite the distance, which he was surprised he could see that far at that time of night, he started somewhat recognizing the area. Then he saw what he knew was where Sparks was staying, and Knuckles seemed to be at the door knocking gently.

After seeing the stallion get let in by Sparks herself Brandon couldn't believe it, but he didn't approach since he didn't want Sparks to get angry. Especially at Knuckles who from the looks of it was there out of support even if he didn't quite know how he could tell that. So instead he decided to walk away with a little plan in his head as he headed back to his house where he found all five girls waiting for him.

"I think I'm just going to head to bed," Brandon said quickly and patted the two fillies on their heads while avoiding the three mares looks. Especially Lyra's since she still gave off the feeling of anger, not that he gave any of them a chance to talk anyway.

The next morning Luna and Derpy were the only ones in bed with him and he couldn't sleep any longer. He looked at the clock and saw it was still early morning, about ten after four in the morning. Getting up he went to the living room where Lyra was sleeping on the couch which he wondered if she decided to sleep there or was forced to.

Shaking his head he quickly fixed her blanket making her snuggle up as if she had been cold before. He stood there for a moment seeing just how peaceful she looked while sleeping, and making a cute little snoring sound. But he then shook his head again and went to get a glass of water and went outside, and soon the moon was being lowered telling him Luna was awake and the sunrise was beginning.

Despite knowing that they would all be awake in an hour or less he still didn't want to face them even if Luna did defend him. He could sense that all three of them had the same anger at him for trusting Sally again, even if it was in his past quite literally. Though now it wouldn't matter anyway since he didn't have a way back to his world nor would he want to go back.

"You know you can't avoid us forever?" Luna said as she walked outside.

"Couldn't sleep if you were wondering, and I know I can't. But I just don't want to talk about it right now, it's just I know how much already my past is already weighing on all three of you. It's not right because it's my past for me to be burdened by not any of yours, especially you," He said before he felt a hoof on his back.

"I should be the one pony who you can share these memories with, to help you carry them. But give Lyra some credit as her anger is about her caring for you more than anything. Derpy made sure to remind her that part of your life is very well in the past. Now, breakfast will be ready shortly we all would like you to join us," Luna said gently rubbing his back for a moment before going back inside after he wouldn't say anything.

"You should listen to her because if you don't it may make things more difficult a little down the line," Knuckles said suddenly beside him.

"I know, and I could do without the advice right now especially things I already know. No offense," Brandon said and a silence fell between the two. But after a moment Brandon stood up and nodded at Knuckles who did the same in return. When he got to the table he noticed the fillies weren't at the table and he couldn't bring himself to look at Lyra.

"Brandon..." Lyra said her tone gentle but still had the edge of anger to it. "I know it's in your past and I know I shouldn't hold it against you. I-I'm sorry for how I reacted."

"I can't blame any of you for what you feel and I'm sorry that I burdened..." He was shut up as Lyra placed a hoof on his hand.

"Don't ever think you should hide anything, especially from me. No offense to you two, but we built our relationship on being able to tell each other things we couldn't tell others. Like I said, I really am sorry," Lyra said wrapping him in a tight hug. "I promise not to judge you on what you did in your world or even here in ours."

"T-thank you," He managed only half-heartedly returning the hug. Lyra seemed fine with it as she broke the hug and went to sit back down.

He still wasn't in the mood to talk much but he did try especially as Grace and Dinky came into the kitchen to play a game of tag. The three mares were talking up a storm trying to lighten up his mood which did even just a bit. After breakfast, he decided to pick up a book he had started on so long ago for book club, which did make him wonder if they were gonna have another meeting.

"Hey Brandon?" Lyra said as she walked and sat next to him.

"Hm?" Was all the reply she got making her roll her eyes a bit.

"I know you tucked me in this morning, and I wanted to say thanks for that," Lyra said making him look from the book.

"You have a cute little snore," Brandon said making her smile despite him not returning it.

"So, are you going to that welcome party?" She asked making him close his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Yeah, I think I will," He answered giving a weak smile.

"That's great!" Lyra said and scooted a little closer to him staring at him.

"Are my eyes glowing again?" He asked making her shake her head.

"Just wondering why do you do that?" Lyra replied making him give her a little confused look before it clicked.

"Anna actually got me to do. It's a way to help clear the mind she said and it does help a bit," He answered placing a hand under her chin making her go a little red. "Though I do like this way as well."

"Eep," Lyra said as he locked lips with her, and the last bit of tension between them melted away.

After that, his mood seemed to really improve and he joined in Grace's and Dinky's game of tag and even got the three mares to join as well. When they were all tired they decided to watch a movie which the fillies had picked out. It was a comedy and they all seemed to be having a good time watching it, though his laugh seemed a bit forced.

When the movie finished they played a board game which Grace managed to win just barely as Luna was a close second. After a few more rounds it was getting decently late and they managed to get the two fillies to take baths and brush their teeth before heading off to bed. The four of them then decided it was time for bed as well though it took him a minute to get to the room.

"I need to be better," He muttered to himself as he looked in the mirror and for a moment saw the faint glow in his eyes and he knew that he had really meant those words. After that, he went to the bedroom where his three mares were waiting for him.

He managed to wedge himself in between Lyra and Derpy while Luna snuggled up to Derpy. Lyra and him faced each other and she gave him a little wink before closing her eyes making him wonder what she had planned. Knowing her she would keep her promise to help him wake up, which he was right.

"Fffuuucckk!" He said suddenly arching his hips as he felt himself cum inside something warm and wet. After his orgasm finished he looked down to see Lyra removing his member from her mouth.

"Good morning," She said giving him a little wink. "Now if you'll excuse me, I want to brush my teeth before the party this afternoon."

After she left he looked to see he was the only one in bed and as he looked at the clock it was almost eleven. Shaking his head he managed to get out of bed and today he felt like he was in a better mood, not just because of Lyra's wake up call either. Though that did help as it meant that she had mostly moved passed her anger.

They all got ready to go and Knuckles and Bird met them outside waiting for them and they began to make their way into town. Though they decided to leave early to go visit a diner or something for lunch and go shopping for a welcoming gift. Bird and Knuckles managed to pick out theirs while Brandon's group couldn't quite agree on what to get but eventually settled on a pan set.

After that, they decided where to have lunch since it was still about two hours from the party which they had a little trouble with Knuckles getting in. But Luna stepped in despite her feelings toward the stallion but it was good to see. As they ate he tried to make small talk with Bird but to no avail.

"So, this Jade Night is an interior decorator?" Knuckles asked after he finished sucking the juices of a pineapple out.

"Yes, if I remember correctly and if I'm thinking of the right pony," Luna replied.

"Why, you planning on redoing the Inn you guys bought?" Brandon asked making his three marefriends look at him in confusion then at Knuckles.

"Maybe," Bird was the one who answered.

"Wait, you bought an Inn here in town? Is that where you guys have been staying?" Derpy asked.

"Yes, we did and we have been. Though it seems Bird has more of a mind for running the place more than I do," Knuckles answered making the mare blush.

"Well, I hope it all goes well for you guys," Brandon said finishing off his plate. "Hey girls, you about ready to go?"

At that, they continued their talk as they paid and left which was mostly Bird answering the questions. They showed up five minutes late because they got a bit distracted with their conversation, which by that time had turned into what Bird might do if the Inn grew. But as it turned out they weren't the only ones late as the mare the party was late as well.

"Hey Rarity, where is she?" Pinkie asked going crazy.

"Relax Pinkie, she just likes to be fashionably late," Rarity said giving a little smile, and soon after that Jade Night finally arrived.

"Welcome to Ponyville!" Everypony screamed as the mare walked in.

Which from what they could tell her coat was a sapphire blue with her mane and tail being emerald. Though they couldn't make out much detail other than that, and as Brandon looked he saw Knuckles in the corner of the room scanning the crowd. But something seemed a bit off as if his scanning the crowd was slower, almost as if he was distracted.

But Brandon just shook his head and tried his best to join in the party but his mind kept wandering back to when he saw Knuckles going into Sparks house. Though as he was about to go over he noticed that Jade seemed to be looking at the stallion with curiosity and then whispered into Rarity's ear. He figured what it was and went over to the bat-pony and nodded toward Rarity who was making her way toward them.

"Oh, good you're both here! Come one, Jade wants to meet both of you!" Rarity said and her tone told them they didn't have a choice.

"Are you sure she wanted to meet both of us?" Brandon asked as they made their way through the crowd.

"Yes, though she wanted to meet Knuckles here more so, as they say, this just kills two birds with one stone!" Rarity said in a chipper tone.

"Seems you do draw some good attention," Brandon whispered so quietly that he knew only Knuckles could hear him. Which looking out of the corner of his eye he could see that the stallion was stoned faced.

"Jade, this here in Brandon our one and only human!" Rarity said with a smile and Brandon gave the sapphire mare a friendly smile of his own and nodded his head. Though it was obvious Jade was more interested in meeting Knuckles, which Brandon had to suppress a laugh as the mare started walking around the stallion inspecting him.

"Jade, meet my bodyguard Knuckles Shadow," Brandon said getting a little look of slight annoyance from Rarity for stealing her thunder.

"Hmm, I can see it. He is quite interesting to look at..." Jade said and she had a certain look written on her face that Knuckles might not have noticed since she was still walking around him. Which as she did this Brandon saw Bird looking at them with curiosity and he nodded for her to come over.

"Also, let us introduce you to Knuckles marefriend, Bird Song," Brandon said as Bird came up beside Knuckles giving Jade a shy smile which the mare returned. He looked at Knuckles and a silent thank you seemed to pass through the stallion's eyes.

"Oh, it's so lovely to meet you! Might I say you look very lovely," Jade said making Bird give a little blush and leaned against Knuckles hiding her face in his fur. Brandon saw Jade studying the shy mare and her eyes seemed to go to the mare's stomach with a quick motion and that made him think that this mare might have very good eyes. Though it would be tough for him to say for certain if Jade could see any sign of the other mare's pregnancy.

"Um, hey Knuckles do you mind if I borrow Bird for a minute?" Brandon asked and before either Knuckles or Bird could respond he dragged the mare off leaving Knuckles at the mercy of the two mares.

"H-hey!" Bird protested and once they were outside he let her go.

"Sorry, but does Knuckles know about you being pregnant?" He asked making Bird give him a shake of her head. "Don't ask me how but I feel like just from her brief time of looking at you Jade figured it out. I don't think she'll tell him anything but you need to tell him sooner rather than later, especially since he may hear them far better than any sonar program or whatever they use to detect a foal's heartbeat."

"A-are you sure she figured it out? I mean how?" Brandon raised his eyebrow making Bird give a sigh. "Right, don't ask."

"So, when did you find out anyway?" He asked making the mare study him before giving yet another sigh.

"The day before he got the letter..." Bird answered making him raise his eyebrow again before shutting his eyes shaking his head.

"You were going to tell him the day Luna's letter arrived and you lost your nerve after he read the letter asking him to come here, weren't you?" He asked looking at the mare making her nod in response. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry on both mine and Luna's behalf. But what I said still stands, you need to tell him sooner rather than later."

At that, he walked back inside with Bird following lowering her head and they went their own ways. He watched her go over to Knuckles who was still cornered by Rarity and Jade which as he watched she seemed to save him. Which he then saw them go to the dance floor and it didn't take much to figure out what she used to get him away.

"Hey Derpy, care to dance?" He asked making Derpy give him a wide smile and they went to the dance floor. Which a slow song seemed to of started playing and he saw Jade walking away from the Dj booth looking at Knuckles and Bird with a kind smile. Which then she saw him looking and gave him a little knowing wink, though as she walked past he saw a pink blur go past and move in between ponies. "That can't be good."

"What can't?" Derpy asked trying to follow his eyes but he looked away from Pinkie and made Derpy look at him.

"Sorry, just a bit distracted. Now, how about we dance?" He asked and as they did he managed to snag a few looks at Knuckles and Bird slow dancing as well and he saw some flashes of Pinkie every now and again.

------Bird------

She had already come up with a plan to tell him after making up the excuse that she wanted to dance, and then the slow song started. So she figured she might as well but she knew what she had to do and she knew she needed to tell him sooner just like Brandon said. Which as they danced she pressed really close to him feeling his warmth and sturdiness that gave her so much comfort.

"H-hey Knuckles?" She said making the stallion shift his gaze down to meet hers. "I...I have something I need to tell you, I-I'm pregnant..."

"Could you repeat that? I am sorry but it seems the stereo system is messing with my hearing," Knuckles said making Bird want to give in to the frustration she started to feel. But she couldn't back out now because she knew Brandon was right, not too much longer, and Knuckles would hear their heartbeats from within her. So she took a deep breath before speaking again loudly.

"I'm pregnant Knuckles!" Though as she said it her words seemed to echo much louder than she should have been, which then she looked and saw the pink mare who she knew planned parties holding a microphone in between her and Knuckles. She had just announced to the whole room she was pregnant.

-----Back to Brandon----

"Pinkie what did you do?" Brandon couldn't help but ask anybody in particular, and he looked toward Jade who seemed just as shocked at what just happened. Though he could tell it wasn't from not knowing about Bird being pregnant but looking at the mare he knew she didn't have anything to do with what Pinkie just did.

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!