And then there were two...

As the uncomfortable but friendly conversations continued in the hospitals family room, after a few hours Pinkie and Rainbow Dash rejoined the ponies gathered. Cloudy’s family had arrived and the pair of mares had left the stallion in the capable hooves of his family. As they left they were both given heartfelt hugs first by Cloudy, and then by his mother who were grateful somepony had been there for her son.

It had been difficult for the pair but there was a warm glow in their hearts that they had done something good today, and that was something that the element of Loyalty and Laughter really needed right now. Of course, that warmth may have been the hard liquor taking affect on the young mares.

After quickly filling the others in with what the pair had done, the various ponies went and sat back down in several groups. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were discussing a range of family memories with Twilight and Pinkie listening politely, suppressing the emotions that threaten to boil over from laughter at some stories to sadness at others.

Having seen her go and sit by herself, Fluttershy came over and spoke quietly to Rainbow Dash “Oh Dashie, that was very kind of you to do that with Cloudy early. It can’t have been easy for you, given, you know, your past...” she trailed off, smiling proudly at her friend.

Rainbow Dash held back the tears that threatened to start flowing, but put on her usual brave face “Yeah, you know, I’m awesome! I don’t leave anypony hanging!”

Fluttershy smiled at her friend and give her a quick peek on the cheek “You know I'm here for you if you ever need to talk,” and with that she moved away a little to give her friend the space the yellow pegasus knew she would want. She was quickly replaced by an orange filly, and Rainbow allowed Scootaloo to sit next to her and lean against her hero slightly.

After Fluttershy and Applejack had returned from the cafeteria with a round of teas for the adults, juice-boxes for the little ones, Rarity’s mind began to switch on some more of the practical matters. She knew that there was a lot of work to do in the next few days, and it was already getting towards evening. She was the guardian of Sweetie Belle now, so had to think as a mother did.

“Well, we can’t stay here night” Rarity announced once the final drink had been finished “Best we all go home and get something to eat, we’ll need it after a day like today!”

“Home? What about me? Where am I going to live?” the younger belle asked, looking around the room with wide eyes having dawned on the filly that she had nopony at her old home to look after her.

Rarity pulled her sister into another hug “You’ll come and live with me of course, you silly filly!”

Sweetie Belle nuzzled into her sisters mane “Really? You won’t send me away when I make a mess or you have to get a big order done or something?” Rarity’s eyes started to water again and she started sobbing, her younger sister taking that as a cue to join in.

After a moment to recompose herself, the elder Belle pulled out of her hug and looked at her younger sibling deep in the eyes “Oh Sweetie Belle, we’re sisters! Sure we don’t always get along, we argue, we don’t see things the same way. But I will never EVER abandon you!”

The unicorn fillys eyes watered again, and pulled her sister into a hug. Applejack and Apple Bloom looked each other, and just cuddled each others necks a little, feeling the sisterly love in the room. Spike nuzzled up next to Twilight who opened her wing slightly and the dragon was hugged the soft downy feathers. Rainbow Dash just slide her hoof over the fillies sitting next to her, the simple act meaning so much to them both. Pinkie Pie just looked wistfully out of the window.

“So, I’ll come and stay with you in the Boutique?” Sweetie Belle finally spoke, breaking the heavy silence that had fallen over the room.

“Yes Sweetie, your room is ready and waiting for you...as it’s always been since I moved in.”

Twilight coughed to grab the sisters attention “Actually, whilst there I can’t see any problem you two living together, I don’t think you two should be on your own for a while…at least for a couple of days.” she finished as warmly as possible.

Rarity turned to the alicorn “Don’t be silly, I'm a fully grown mare, I can look after myself…and my sister!”

Applejack came over a put a hoof around the white unicorn “I have to agree with Twilight, sugar-cube. I don’t think that it’ll be a good idea to be alone right now…and we’re all here for yah!”

“Why don’t you come and stay wit’ us?” Apple Bloom asked, looking up at Applejack as she spoke, a smile crossing the elder Apple’s lips as she spoke Good old Bloomy, us Apples are hospitable to everypony, glad she knows that!

Rarity smiled at the filly “Thank you for the kind offer, but I still have a business to run, and you live a fair distance from town. Besides, you farmers are up at the crack of dawn and I do like my beauty sleep!” the unicorn let the yellow pony down gently.

“And I…ummm…don’t think my cottage would be suitable either, being right on the edge of town as well,” the soft voice of the other yellow pony in the room spoke “plus, with the daytime and night-time feeding schedules for the animals., it’ll probably be very disruptive for you…especially Sweetie Belles who need sleep for school!”

“Thanks anyway Fluttershy!” Sweetie replied “And I’m sure given what happened on the sleepover you don’t really want me back.”

Fluttershy came over and put a wing around the filly and spoke passionately “Don’t be silly! You’re welcome over any-time…In fact, perhaps you and the…” Fluttershy gulped a little “…other crusaders want to come over sometime soon and see if you can get your animal care cuite marks or something?”

“Thanks Fluttershy” Sweetie half-beamed back.

The room fell silent for a moment, and Rainbow rubbed the back of her head nervously “I would totally like offer, except for, you know, I live in a cloud!” the Pegasus   “But if you need me I’ll be there for you in 10 seconds flat!”

Rarity trotted over and pulled Rainbow Dash into a hug, and for once the pegasus didn't resist the fashionista's affection “I know darling, and I know that you to be there for me…and I do really appreciate that! But given the last time I had them, I don't feel up to having wings again.”

“Thanks” the blue mare smiled back.

Pinkie slowly walked, rather then bounced, over to Rarity “If I had my own place I would totally invite you over to stay. But with the twins and early bakery starts, I don't think you would find Sugarcube Corner to your liking. Of course me and the Cakes would love to help…so you can have any cakes you want, and I’ll delivery them to you with extra hugs!”

Rarity giggled slightly, knowing the pink pony was doing her best in what was trying circumstances “Thanks Pinkie, I’m sure Sweetie will take you up on that offer!” and bopped her friend on the nose, to be met with Pinkie smile for just a few seconds.

All that was left was Twilight, “Well, I was going to offer my home first, and I think it’s the perfect place for you both to stay for a while.”

“But but but Twilight, I can’t invade the privacy of a Princesses residence!”

“You were happy to stay at Canterlot Castle!” Twilight teased a little, causing Rarity to blush ever so slightly. “It’s a public library, so it’s not really private but these plenty of private living space. Besides, it’s not far from School for Sweetie Belle and Carousel Boutique for you. There’s loads of space...it’s perfect!” Twilight nearly clapped her hooves in delight at the end, the first time since that morning she had had a happy thought of her own.

Rarity mused for a moment, as it did sound rather appealing to have somepony around to talk to, as well as helping with Sweetie Belle during the next couple of days “Of course Darling, we would love to come and stay with you. We’ll just need to pop past the boutique to pick up a few things. Wait!” something dawned on the unicorn “what about Opalescence, how will Owlowiscious and her get along?”

Fluttershy stepped forwards “I don’t remember any issues during the pet play-dates, and normally owls and cats don’t really have problems unlike with other birds. But if you want I’ll look after her for you?”

Twilight smiled at her friend, and then turned back to Rarity “I’m sure Owlowiscious won’t cause any issues and will keep out of opals fur. But if required I’ll send him over to Fluttershy for a while, okay?”

As the adults started to sort out some plans, the younger unicorn in the room suddenly spoke up “Wait, what about my things? I’ll need to go and collect a few things for myself!”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea right now” Twilight replied, knowing that the Belle’s family home was in the middle of the destruction. Whilst the sisters would have to deal with that at some point, it was probably best to see how they coped for the next day or so first.

“I’ll go and pick up a few things for you sugarcube!” Applejack said softly “Just let me know what you need and I’ll bring them over to the library”

“I don’t want anypony going through my stuff, no offence but there’s a few private things I wouldn't want you to see!” she meekly replied to the strong cow-pony.

“What ‘Private’ things?” Rarity replied, a little surprised that her younger sister would have private possessions at her age.

“Nothing…” Sweetie Belle almost blushed, as the elder unicorn looked at her suspiciously. Sweetie eyes lit up “Wait, Spike is trusted with the Princesses correspondence, I trust him to look through my things!” Sweetie went over and whispered into Spikes ear, the dragon making a mental note. Rarity tried to overhear what we being said but Sweetie Belle kept her eyes on her sister.

The group of ponies left the family room, finding and thanking the nurses on the way out for their help that day. They all paused as they reached the outside, and settled into a bit of a group hug. As the hug broke, Rarity smiled at them all “Whatever did a unicorn like me do to deserve friends like you?”

“I don’t know, just be awesome?” Rainbow replied, as the group headed off in their various directions.