Making an Equestrian Family

He lay awake in the early hours of the morning with a rare case of insomnia. It wasn't a bad dream or sickness, but a simple inability to sleep. He rolled over to watch his marefriend dream, and gently stroked her neck. Moonlight came in through an uncovered window at the head of the bed, and he noticed how it complemented the very light blue of her coat and her purple mane.

“Mmm,” she softly mumbled. “Are you OK?”

“I'm fine. Just can't sleep. I didn't mean to wake you up.” William stopped stroking her neck, and rested his hand on her shoulder.

She wiggled closer to him, now coming more awake. “You don't have to stop petting me.”

William resumed his petting, and nibbled on her ear. He whispered, “Belle, I really like your winter coat. It's so warm and fluffy.”

Blue Belle giggled and pulled his hand lower so he could rub her belly. “I'm glad you like it. I hope you'll help brush it out when spring comes. It's incredibly itchy during the change.” William's experienced hand and mouth quickly brought a rise out of the mare. She groaned and extended her top rear leg to give him more access. As his hand moved down between her legs, she felt his growing erection press against her croup. William used his other hand to touch her face, and comb through her mane.

As William began to fondle Belle's teats, she let out another moan of growing pleasure but stopped with a question. “Unnhh...William, it feels so good when you do that. It's pretty unusual for a stallion to pleasure a mare that way. Why do you do it?”

William leaned over and kissed Belle on the cheek, and said, “Because it makes you happy. I like the challenge of finding new ways to please you.”

“I'm glad you like them. That way they're useful for something.” She rolled over to face him and kissed him on the mouth while tracing a hoof down his chest. She passed the head of his penis through her long-for-winter fetlock, then began to stroke his shaft, enjoying the feel of his erect member on her hoof.

William thought her periwinkle eyes practically glowed in the ambient light. He brought his hands up to hold her face and said, “Honey, having a foal is not out of the question. I think you'd make a great mother. There has to be some way to make that happen. I would hate to think that we have to miss out on having foals because of our differences.”

Belle replied, “And I think you would make a great father. I know we could try to adopt, but there aren't many orphans in Equestria. And I'm not sure we would qualify when compared to...another family.”

His erection flagging in hoof, William reassured her. “Well, Blue Belle, we don't have to figure it all out tonight. I think I'm kinda ready for sleep now.” They kissed again, tongues entwined in passion.

Belle broke away first. “I know something that will help you sleep better.” She gave him a sultry stare and kissed her way down his body. She eventually stopped between his legs, and quickly revived his hard-on with her mouth.

William brought her a glass of water when she was done, and kissed her good night. He did indeed sleep well until the alarm went off.

********

“Thanks for breakfast this morning, William,” Belle said as she stirred in an extra shake of cinnamon into her oatmeal.

William leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for last night, Belle.” He sat down and fixed his bowl, then took an apple from the basket on the table. “I'm going to see Rarity today for some more winter clothes. I think I'll need a heavier coat before Winter Wrap Up. Last year was a little colder than I like.”

“Well, you didn't have an adorably fluffy mare to keep you warm then, either,” Belle teased.

William laughed and said, “Right you are. But I do think it would look funny going around town with you on my back. And you probably wouldn't like the coat rack at work.”

Breakfast finished, they washed the dishes before departing for work. “Well, try not to let her talk you in to one of her fabulous, gotta-have-it designs. Those are only good for one year. She's a clever salespony.”

“OK. I'll stick to something more traditional for a human in Equestria.” William finished putting away the bowls. “Gotta go. I'll see you after work.”

Belle stood on her hind legs and put her hooves on William's chest, “I love you, William.” She kissed him goodbye.

William kissed her back, and playfully grabbed her rump before she withdrew. “I love you, Belle.” He left for the brewery as she finished getting ready for work.

********

Walking to work in the early dawn, William noticed the weather team assembling clouds for the day. It was going to be his second winter in Ponyville, and he was excited for it. He lived in the southwest United States before he came to Equestria, so snow was still a relatively fun thing. He arrived at the brewery after a few minutes.

“Good morning, Fizz,” William called to the tan-haired, black-maned earth pony as he walked through the door. “How'd the darts go last night?”

“Hey, William. It went great. We lost to the other team, but Berry ended up making a sale to the bar owner. We're on for an extra barrel of cider a month now.” Cherry Fizzy was the owner of Fizzy Brewing, which supplied Ponyville and the surrounding area with ciders, ginger ale, mead and beer.

“I'm glad we bought those extra apples when we had the chance.” William went to the back and began preparing to check the progress of various fermentations, and found Berry Punch working on the yeast cultures.

“Hey, Berry. Fizz told me about your sale last night. I hope you'll get a bigger bonus for Hearth's Warming.”

“That would be nice. Maybe you could mention that to him sometime,” Berry sounded hopeful. She was raising a daughter on her own, and extra bits were always appreciated.

The three ponies worked the morning away on various aspects of brewing and packaging their products. When mid-day came, William took his break to see Rarity.

********

William arrived at the Carousel Boutique and entered, the door bell ringing overhead.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique. I'll be right out,” Rarity called from somewhere in back.

“Take your time, Rarity,” William answered. He looked at the various dresses and other pony clothes on display, and noted that most of the colors were shades of gray, blue, and a surprising amount of purple.

Rarity finished her business and came to the store's front. “Oh, hello, William. It is a pleasure to see you. What brings you in today?”

William looked up from inspecting the winter outfits. “The new line looks nice. Well colored for the cold season. I came by to see about a warmer winter coat. I was thinking something long, maybe wool with a nice lining.”

“Oh, I have just the thing! It's inspired by the latest fashions from Prance,” Rarity excitedly replied.

“I was thinking something more traditional; something I can wear for several winters and not be out of style,” William countered, remembering Belle's earlier suggestion.

Rarity visually deflated. “Very well, I can do normal, too.” She thought for a minute, tapping a hoof on her face. “Ah-ha! Come to the back, and I'll get your measurements.” She led William to the fitting area, and stood him in front of a set of mirrors. “Yes, I have just the thing. It will be traditional, but still fashionable. Can't have one of my most unique customers walking around looking frumpy.”

William obediently followed her instructions for several minutes before speaking again. “Rarity, I want to talk to you about something. Can I take you to lunch after this?”

“Well, yes, I can close up for lunch. Is everything OK?” She questioned, mildly concerned.

William replied, “It's fine; great, even. I just wanted to ask about some Equestrian customs I'm not very familiar with.” They finished the measurements, and Rarity locked the door on their way out.

Things were tight in the cafe since the patio was closed for the winter, but William was able to find a corner table by a window. They ordered lunch and sipped on their drinks.

“So, what did you want to know about Equestrian customs?” Rarity prompted, sipping on her tea. “You've lived here for more than a year; it must be something rather unusual.”

William swirled his coffee and sighed. “I'll be upfront. I want to ask Blue Belle to marry me, but I'm not sure how to do it. I know that unicorns wear rings, and some pegasi exchange primary feathers. But I've never seen earth ponies do any outward displays like that. On earth, we exchange rings, but we wear them on our fingers. I'm just not sure what to do.”

Rarity beamed, and quickly replied, “William, that is positively wonderful! Does she have any idea? I know you've been seeing each other for almost a year. Are you thinking of asking on your anniversary?”

William chuckled and smiled at Rarity, “Thank you. I don't think she suspects it, really. We've talked about some long-term things, but not really about marriage. We make a really good team, though, and I want to be her husband. It feels like the right thing to do, and the right time to do it. Since we're not exactly a normal couple, I wanted to blend Earth and Equestrian traditions. I'm gonna try to get us to see her mom for Hearth's Warming this year, so I might clear it with Peachy first.”

The plates were delivered, and Rarity poked at her salad, thinking. After a minute she said, “Well, it is true that earth ponies typically don't exchange anything physical, but they do have a big ceremony with their families. As you know, earth pony extended families can be quite large, so it's quite nice to stand up in front of everypony and promise your life and devotion to another pony.”

“But what about when earth ponies and unicorns get married? What do they do?” William asked the obvious question.

“They mix the traditions. Big family gathering, the unicorn gets a ring, and everypony hopefully lives happily ever after. Maybe you can do something like that. I can refer you to a great jeweler here in town.”

“Thanks, Rarity. You've really given me a lot to think about.” They finished their lunch left the cafe.

“I'm glad to be of assistance. Come by in a couple of days for a fitting for your coat. And don't hesitate to ask about any other planning.” Rarity quickly hugged William, and went back to the Boutique.

William spent the afternoon at the brewery crushing apples for cider, and thinking of ways to propose to his mare.