The Secret Lives of Background Ponies, Caramel's Unexpected Family

Chapters

Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13

Chapter 01 Author's Note

I started this story as a heartfelt slice of life story about family and love. I am focusing on background ponies with original ponies added in to fill in certain rolls.

I am planing on doing other stories featuring other background ponies, adding them all together into a Background Pony Universe.

Caramel- Background male Earth pony. Appears in many episodes, primarily in Ponyville, but has been elsewhere.
Golden Harvest- Background female Earth pony. Appears in many episodes primarily in Ponyville, but has been elsewhere. AKA-Carrot Top.
Chisel Plow- Unnamed Earth Stallion#6 Appears as a spectator at the Appleloosa rodeo in Appleoosa's Most Wanted
Lilly Pad- Unnamed Earth Mare #4 Appears as a spectator at the Appleloosa rodeo in Appleoosa's Most Wanted.
Taproot- Unnamed Earth Stallion#1 Appears in The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 1 in an alternate timeline where Equestria is at war with King Sombra. This is the Taproot that lives in this timeline.

Chapter 01

Work has been a busy time for Caramel recently. Spring had just begun and the farmers were busy getting started on their fields and that meant more work for Caramel. He worked at the Farmer's Bounty Supply Store. Owned and run by, Chisel Plow and his wife Lilly Pad. Caramel enjoyed working for Chisel and his wife, they treated him like family. Even more so since the deaths of Caramel parents, who Chisel, and Lilly had been friends with since they were all foals. Having known them for his entire life, Caramel considered them to be like his aunt and uncle, and they likewise treated him like their nephew.

Caramel was just returning from a special order delivery, as he hummed to himself he pulled the empty wagon behind the Supply Store, where he parked it next to the loading area. Unhitching himself, Caramel went into the Store's back warehouse and looked around for Chisel, he spotted him talking with one of the regular customers, a purple lavender stallion with close cropped mane and tail by the name of Taproot, who was easily one of the largest earth ponies that Caramel had ever seen.

Not wanting to bother him while with a customer, Caramel patiently waited for Chisel Plow to finish with Taproot. While he waited, Caramel looked around to see if Taproot had brought his daughter Golden Harvest along as he sometimes did, but Caramel was disappointed when he failed to spot the light pale earth pony mare and he let out a silent sigh. He always enjoyed it when she stopped by. Back when they were younger they had spent a summer playing together when his parents had him stay with Chisel and Lilly while they were out of the country. It was because of her that he decided to come back to live in Ponyville when he struck out on his own a couple years ago, when he finished school.

Whenever she would stop by, they would often times sit in the back on the seed bags and talk together about whatever was happening at the time, mostly about whatever trouble Princess Twilight and her friends had gotten into. A few times they even went out for lunch when Lilly shooed them out to get something to eat, tossing Caramel some bits to pay for the meal. It was fun spending time with her, and she was easily the prettiest mare around, but because of how important his old foalhood friendship with her was to Caramel, he couldn't allow himself to grow too close, he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't know if he could ever live with the same, if she was to ever learn the truth about what happened to him, during his time away.

Caramel's attention returned to Chisel Plow as he saw that he had finished speaking with Taproot, and started towards Caramel. "You got that new seed drill delivered to Mr. Cornhusker?" Chisel Plow asked as he approached.

Caramel gave him a nod. "Yes sir. No problems. I think Mr. Cornhusker is going to like it. He could never get straight rows with is rickety old one."

Chisel Plow chuckled, and gave Caramel a playful nudge. "I think it's because he likes the bottle too much that his rows are crooked." Chisel Plow joked as he gave him a wink. "Oh, by the way. A telegram came for you while you were out. Lilly has it in the office." He added as he turned to go talk to another customer that had just come in.

As he crossed though the warehouse heading for the office, Caramel wondered what it could be about, he had never gotten a telegram before.

Entering the office Caramel saw Lily Pad sitting behind her desk, flipping through some order forms. "Chisel said that a telegram came for me."

Lily looked up at him, a pencil dropped from her lips. "Yes, its right next to you on that table." Lilly told him, as she indicated the small table next to the door.

Seeing the small envelope, Caramel picked it up and broke the seal. Pulling the card out he began to read. As Caramel read, ice formed in his gut, and his chest felt like it was being squeezed.

Lilly noticed his strange look, and her face became concerned. "What's the matter? You just got all pale."

Caramel didn't look up from the telegram, his eyes glued to it, rereading it several time to make sure he was reading it right. "Lilly. I... I haft to go. Fudge needs me. The telegram says that she's in the hospital."

"The hospital!" Lily stood up alarmed, before she swiped her hoof at him. "Go! We'll handle things here. Go, be with your sister. Family is too important to lollygag."

Caramel dashed out the door. He would need to stop at his place to pick up some stuff, and he would need to stop at his roommate Noteworthy's workshop to tell him where he was going. Galloping down the road, he rushed to get ready for a long trip.

The train trip to Fillydelphia was long, and Caramel fretted the entire time. Unable to sit still, he would walk through the cars until he was asked quite insistently by a conductor to take a seat, and stay there. Caramel's worried thoughts dwelt on his sister and why she would be in the hospital.

Caramel wondered if it might have had something to do with Fudge's pregnancy. She was due in three weeks, and it was possible that she delivered early. But if that was so, then why was it that it was the hospital that had sent him the telegram instead of his sister, and the telegram didn't say anything about a foal, only that he needed to come.

Once the train arrived in Fillydelphia, Caramel quickly departed the busy station and rushed through the city streets heading for the hospital as fast as he could. Having lived here when he was younger, Caramel knew his way, but even taking the shortest rout he knew, it still took him an hour to arrive.

Stepping through the double doors, Caramel looked around for a pony to help him. Seeing a unicorn nurse sitting behind a counter, Caramel rushed up to her. "Excuse me." Carmel blurted out breathlessly trying to catch his breath from rushing across the city. "I'm here to see my sister Fudge Dessert, I was told she was here."

The nurse behind the desk gave him a patient smile, like she was used to dealing with frantic ponies, that had just rushed up worried about some family member that had been brought in. "Just a moment, I'll check." She said as she looked through some files on her desk. Caramel, couldn't help but tap his hoof on the floor nervously, looking around the hallway he saw other ponies sitting or standing, as they waited for some news of their own. Looking back he watched her face as she read, his heart suddenly leaped up into his throat, when he saw the nurses polite smile drop into a troubled frown.

"Excuse me a moment." The nurse said to Caramel as she closed the file and slipped through a door behind her. Caramel's worry grew and after a few minutes she reappeared, followed by a silver coated pegasus nurse. The unicorn nurse spoke to her a moment pointing towards Caramel as she did so. The pegasus nodded and took the file as she walked around the counter and stopped before Caramel.

"Nurse Valley said your Fudge Desert's brother. Is this true?" The new nurse asked Caramel, with a very serious look on her face.

"Yes, I'm her younger brother Caramel." He answered quickly. "Is she alright? What happened to my sister? Can I see her?" Looking at the nurse as she met his eye's, and Carmel was not liking what he was seeing. All he saw in her eyes was compassion.

"Mr. Caramel, I am nurse Soft Touch, would you please follow me, Dr. Kind asked for you to be taken to him when you arrived, there are some things he needs to speak to you about." Nurse Soft Touch lifted her hoof and touched him in the shoulder as she tried to guide him down the hallway. "Please, this way."

Caramel decided that the best way for him to get some answers might be to do what she asked, so he fell into step with the nurse and followed her down a series of hallways and up one flight of stairs before she paused before a door, with a nameplate that read, Dr. Kind. Knocking softly, the nurse cracked the door opened and stuck her head though, and spoke with somepony on the other side for a moment. Caramel could hear the occupant say something in return, before nurse Soft Touch opened the door the rest of the way, and turned back to Caramel. "Please go in, Dr. Kind would like to talk to you."

Caramels stomach was doing cartwheels as he stepped through the door. A charcoal colored unicorn, stood up from behind his desk and approached him, his eyes had a certain softness to them, that spoke volumes about his character. "Hello Mr. Caramel, my name is Dr. Kind, and I am the one who sent the telegram. I'm glad you were able to make it here, I have some things I need to tell you."

"Please, I need to know if my sister is alright. Nopony is telling me anything." Caramel felt like he was about to puke, as he met the doctor's eyes. He needed to know some answers, what he was going though was torture.

Dr. Kind paused a moment as he let out a breath. "I have some unfortunate news, Mr. Caramel." The doctor said as he held his hoof out, indicating for him to sit in a small couch along the side of his office. Caramel knowing that he was going to be told some bad news and hoping it wasn't the worst kind of news, slowly seated himself, and looked back up at the doctor as he continued. "Your sister had a accident. She fell down a flight of stairs yesterday." He paused as he sat in a chair across from him. "While she did survive her fall, the trauma she sustained caused her to go into early labor. As she was being rushed to the hospital her labor grew dire as her placenta prematurely separated, and Fudge was in danger of losing her foal. She hemorrhaged a lot of blood, and she died before they could get her to the hospital." Dr. Kind leaned forward and set his hoof onto Caramel's trembling knee. "I'm sorry for your loss, as I understand that she was your only family."

Caramel found he could hardly breath. The pain in his heart was agonizing, as it felt like it was being crushed. Wrapping his forehooves around himself, Caramel cried out, as tears streamed down his face. He wanted to scream at the doctor, deny that what he had told him was true. His sister was strong, she had raised him after their parents died, and she had always been strong. The thought of her being dead was unthinkable, but he knew that the doctor would not lie to him. He squeezed his eyes shut as his breath hitched in his throat. How can this be? He thought. How can such a thing happen to her?

At some point Dr. Kind had left him alone to grieve, but Caramel didn't care. Dr. Kind wasn't family, and he wouldn't be able to comfort him like Fudge had always done. How could she have been so careless as to fall down some stairs. Anger flashed through Caramel as he thought about those stupid stairs and what they had taken from him. If he had the power he would find those stairs and destroy them. Smash them with a hammer or burn them down. Whatever it took to make them pay for what they took from him. His anger faded as he thought about how stupid that was. They were just stairs, it's not like they did it on purpose.

Caramel thought about how If he had just come earlier, she might still be alive. He was supposed to visit her next week and help her until she delivered. But why didn't he come to her sooner? He knew that her pregnancy was making it hard for her to do the most mundane things. If only he had come earlier to help her, then she wouldn't have been at those stairs. Caramel loved his sister and would have come earlier if she had asked, but she was strong and capable, and probably saw no need for him to come any earlier than planned.

Caramel felt cold, at the realization that he would never be able to hear Fudge laugh again, or feel her gentle touch. Wrapping his hooves tighter around himself, Caramel's body shuddered under the pain of his grief. The plans for the future she had told him, and the happy talks about how she was looking forward to being a mother, were now gone as her life and all her dreams came to an end. Caramel was left with a cold emptiness, as a feeling of numbness settled over him as he stared blankly at the floor. He was alone now. Both his parents were dead, and now his only sister. All were now gone but him. Alone now without family, Caramel squeezed his eyes shut as he was overcome with loneliness.

Caramel was dead to the world, as he distantly heard the door open and some pony walk in. He didn't bother to look at who it was that would disturb him in his time of grief. It didn't matter, it wasn't his sister coming to comfort him. To wrap her hooves around him and her kind words of comfort to sooth his aching heart. She was now gone, forever.

Softly, Caramel felt a weight being set down onto his lap. Blinking his eyes open, Caramel looked down at what it was. What he found laying in his lap was the whitest little earth pony foal he had ever seen. Caramel was surprised at finding a foal suddenly sitting in his lap and quickly he brought his hooves around her, to keep her from falling off.

"Her name is Cinnamon Sugar." Nurse Soft Touch said gently, as she stepped back from his side.

Caramel had never held a foal before, and he didn't know what to do. Looking down at her tiny face, in her pink swaddling, he saw that her eyes were open as she looked up at him. Those eyes, they seemed to be looking right into his being, with nothing but trust and love. Gingerly he slid his hooves under her and awkwardly lifted her up and cradled her to his chest. Cinnamon squirmed made a mewling cry of protest for a moment before she settled down and accepted being held by him. "Cinnamon Sugar?" Caramel asked, glancing up.

"Your niece." The nurse replied softly. "That was what Fudge wanted to name her if she was a filly. Sadly Fudge passed moments after she was born, so she never got the chance to hold her."

Caramel looked back down at the foal that he held, in surprise. I have a niece! I'm not alone. Hope bound up in his heart as he gazed down at her. She was so tiny, and Caramel could smell her milk breath, as she smacked her little mouth few times, . Gently he slid his hoof along her cheek, marveling about how white her coat looked, and the best he could describe her mane was caramel colored. The irony did not escape Caramel, that the color of her mane matched his name.

Dr. Kind, stood just inside his office and observed Caramel's reaction to meeting his niece for the first time. Maybe there can be a happy ending after all, he thought to himself as he dared to hope. "She's perfectly healthy, despite the complications of her birth." He said reassuringly.

Caramel watched as Cinnamon opened her little mouth and yawned, her little pink tongue lolling out for a moment. "She's beautiful." Caramel murmured, new tears coming to his eyes, but not tears of grief.

"Yes she is, and you are all she has in the world." Dr. Kind said as he moved closer. Still carefully watching Caramel, as he held on to his secret hope for a happy ending. "There is no record of who the father is, and that leaves you as her only other family. She is going to need somepony who will love her, and I am hoping that you will be willing to take her in and give her the love she needs."

Caramel realized what the doctor was getting at. "I don't know how to take care of a foal." Panic was evident in Caramel's voice. He couldn't possibly be suggesting what he seemed to be suggesting. He was a stallion, how could he take care of a foal?

Dr. Kind gave his head a soft shake. "Nopony does until they learn. Many new parents are just as unprepared as you and they turned out fine. All it really takes is love, work and a bit of patience." Dr. Kind placed his hoof onto Caramel's shoulder. "Look at her. As you hold her, you are holding a piece of your sister. Fudge is not gone, she left a little bit of herself behind in Cinnamon."

Caramel listened to the doctor's words as he gazed down at Cinnamon, tracing his eyes over her features, and realized that the doctor was right. The little foal's eyes were the same lavender color as Fudge's, and the shape of her cheeks and how her jaw came up in the back, it was then that it dawned of Caramel, that Cinnamon's beauty was so very much like her mother. So much of Fudge, was now sitting cradled in his hooves.

Caramel felt a strange and pleasant sensation as he looked down at her. His body felt really warm all over, and his spirit felt heartened. How could such a little thing do that to him? Not knowing why, Caramel lowered his head down to the foal and pressed his snoot to her and took in her sent. Cinnamon burbled and squirmed as he sniffed at her, pressing her little hooves against his muzzle. Lifting his muzzle up to hers, Caramel softly touched the end of his snoot to hers. And as he did this, he realized that he didn't want to let her go. She had captured his heart like no other before. It was such a wonder that such a little thing could have such a powerful grip.

He wondered to himself, if he could do it? Could I really raise a foal? Do I have it in me to be a father? It would mean a big change in his life, no more living just for himself, he would haft to grow up, and be responsible. With all these thoughts running through his mind, one came forth with a crystal clarity as it burned through his mind. Fudge loved Cinnamon so much, she died to bring her into the world. Could he let something that was that precious to his sister go?

Caramel couldn't believe he was contemplating the idea, it seemed crazy. Feeling like it was happening to somepony else Caramel closed his eyes, and took a deep calming breath and let it out. He then said the word that would change his life forever.

"Yes."

It hung in the air, like a bell tone in the night. "I... I will take her. She is my family, and she is all I have left of my dear sister. But..." Raising his head he looked at Dr. Kind with frightened eyes "I have absolutely no idea how to care for a foal."

Dr. Kind and nurse Soft Touch smiled at his answer, obviously relieved. "It's not as hard as you may think." Nurse Soft Touch answered Caramel, as she moved closer. "If she cries and smells nice, you feed her. If she cries and smells bad, you change her diaper. If she is quiet and happy, then enjoy your time with her until she's not." She explained as she came up next to him. "I will give you a crash course in how to do these things, as well as some books on foal care, that will be very helpful. Don't worry, you'll do fine"

Caramel carefully stood, and made sure Cinnamon was secure in the crook of his leg, as he panicked for a moment when he thought he might drop her. With hesitant steps he began to clumsily walk towards the door on three legs, and finding out in the process that walking on three legs is hard!

As he was about to step through the door a sudden thought came to him. "Um, Dr. Kind? What about my..." He had trouble finishing his question as he turned to look at the doctor. "What about my... Sister? What is going to happen to her? What should I do?"

Dr. Kind gave Caramel a slight shake of his head. "Not today." The doctor said gently. "Come back tomorrow and we'll go through that." He smiled at Caramel, knowing by just looking at him that Caramel had made the right choice in taking Cinnamon. Already he saw the foal working on Caramel, as she drew at his heart and pulled out the love that was inside. "Just spend the rest of the day with your niece, and get to know her."

Caramel nodded his understanding. "Thank you." Turning he followed nurse Soft Touch out.

"Oh! And Caramel." Dr. Kind called out, getting Caramel to look back again. "Congratulations."

Chapter 02

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 03

In the morning, an exhausted Caramel lounged back on the couch, with Cinnamon cradled against his side as he fed her her morning bottle. "Cinnamon, I think I've been had." Caramel said out loud to the filly with a yawn. "Dr. Kind is not kind at all, he's mean, and I can't believe I let nurse Soft Touch kiss me. She's just as bad as he is, maybe even worse. I bet they're laughing right now, at having pulled this con on me." Flopping his head to the side, he looked down at Cinnamon. "And you! You knew what they were doing and you didn't warn me! So much for family loyalty." He accused the little filly, as she suckled her bottle.

Caramel let out another yawn, and shut his eyes. Nearly two days without any sleep, followed by a night of broken sleep did not make for a well rested pony. He felt himself starting to slump over as his mind drifted, and only when Cinnamon let out a plaintive cry did he jerk his eyes back open, and brought Cinnamon's bottle back to her mouth. "Sorry. I'm just a little out of sorts right now."

Cinnamon ignored him as she resumed eating. "I'll tell you what, how about tonight you feed me every couple hours and change my diaper followed by rocking me to blissful sleep. How does that sound?" The only response that Cinnamon gave was a toot as she let out a small fart. "Yeah, I knew you were too smart to fall for it." Looking out the window, Caramel could see the city as it started to wake up. The sun had just risen over the horizon, and the pegasi weather team was already busy at work clearing out the evening overcast. The sound of Cinnamon sucking on an empty bottle drew him back to the events at hoof. Setting the bottle aside, Caramel wiped the milk from her lips with a small cloth. Lifting her up to his shoulder, he began to gently pat her. During the night, he had developed a rhythm of three. Three pats, then a slight pause, before three pats again.

As he patted her back Caramel couldn't help but feel that he was forgetting something. Suddenly it hit him, the burp rag! BLURP...Too late. Caramel let out a sigh as he lowering Cinnamon down to his lap, and wiped her mouth clean with the same burp towel that he was supposed to have on his shoulder to catch the spit up that was now soaking into his fur. "Don't fret about it, it was my fault. I'll remember one of these times." He said to Cinnamon as he kissed her on her head to let her know he wasn't mad at her. "I need a bath." He commented as he sniffed at his rather sour smelling shoulder. Lifting Cinnamon up, he held her close to his face. "How would you like to join me?" Cinnamon only comment was a line of spittle that fell from her mouth. "I'll take that as a yes." Lowering her down he set off for the bathroom.

The bath was certainly an interesting experience, when done with a flatulent little filly, but Caramel managed to make it work, though not without some tears and wailing from Cinnamon, when he clumsily got soap in her eyes. Now smelling much nicer and with Cinnamon snug in her carrier, Caramel rode the trolley down to the hospital, where he met with Dr. Kind again.

"It's so good to see that she is doing well." Dr. Kind said as he tickled Cinnamon's chin.

"Well, it was a challenging night, to say the least." Caramel said while stifling a yawn.

Dr. Kind gave him a knowing smirk. "It certainly looks that way." He gave a pat on Caramel's back. "But don't worry, it'll get easier." Dr. Kind then turned and levitated a file off his desk with his magic and held it out to Caramel, his face taking on a more solemn look. "I got your sisters files ready, just take this to our legal department on the third floor. Ask for Whorl Void, he'll help you out."

Taking the file, Caramel reached around and slipped it into the diaper bag on his back. "Thank you Dr. Kind."

"Your welcome." Dr. Kind reached out his hoof for Caramel to shake. "Tell me. Do you have any regret taking her?" He asked curiously as they hooked their fetlocks and shook.

"None at all." Caramel answered simply, meeting Dr. Kind's eyes. Dropping his hoof down, Caramel started for the door. "Thank you again." He said as he opened the door.

"Take care, Caramel." Dr. Kind replied, as Caramel stepped out.

Whorl Void turned out to be a middle aged, balding unicorn with glasses. He was a bit mopey, but otherwise he was quite friendly and helpful. It took some time to work though the forms, and Cinnamon became fussy during it. Caramel was forced to cut the meeting with Whorl Void short to see to her, as she really started to kick up quite a fuss. Walking down the hospital hallway, Caramel rocked and bounced Cinnamon while murmuring to her, trying to calm her, as she kicked and wailed.

It took some time but Cinnamon was coming around, and had finally quieted down a bit, when Caramel felt somepony tap him on his shoulder. Looking up from Cinnamon he saw nurse Soft Touch's smiling face looking at him. "Hi! I heard you were here." She greeted him.

"Ah, hello nurse Soft Touch, I didn't expect to see you." Caramel greeted her warmly, surprised to find her in the administration department.

"I heard from Dr. Kind that you were here, and well..." Nurse Soft Touch's smile dropped completely, as she considered him. "I came here to ask you for some help, if your willing."

Caramel wondered what it could be that she would need his help for. Whatever it was, because of what she did for him the other day, he felt that helping her would be the least he could do to repay her for her generosity, and support. "Sure, I'll be happy to help."

At his answer, nurse Soft Touch suddenly leaped forward and hugged him. "Oh, good! Please come with me." Nurse Soft Touch trotted off down the hall, forcing Caramel to hurry after her. After a series of hallways and down a flight of stairs, she came to a stop by a closed patient's room door. Caramel was about to ask her what she needed from him, but she forestalled him by lifting her hoof. Turing she stopped a passing nurse with an unfurled wing. "Nurse Misty Eyes, would you please watch over Cinnamon here for a bit, Caramel's going to be helping me."

Nurse Misty Eyes smiled down at Cinnamon as she took her from Caramel. "She'll be hungry in an hour or so, and she was last changed about two hours ago." Caramel notified Misty Eyes, who nodded her understanding. Watching her leave with Cinnamon, Caramel then turned back to nurse Soft Touch. "Okay, I'm all yours. What is it you need?"

Nurse Soft Touch stepped closer, and set her hoof on his shoulder. "Caramel, I appreciate your agreeing to help, there is an unfortunate situation that I believe you would be very suitable in helping out with." She turned and waved her wing towards the door. "In there is a filly who is going into labor, her coltfriend got her pregnant and left her to deal with it on her own, and her parents will have nothing to do with her anymore. So she's going through this all alone, and she is a very scared filly." Nurse Soft Touch lowered her hoof from his shoulder so that she could face him directly. "Would you please go in there and spend time with her and help her out? She really needs a friend right now."

Caramel hesitated a moment, not sure what to do. What she told him of the filly in the room was heartbreaking, but he wasn't sure he was the right one to help out in this. "I'm not very good at this sort of stuff, isn't there somepony better suited for this sort of thing?"

Nurse Soft Touch draped her wing over his shoulder. "Caramel, when I heard you were here in the hospital, I went and found you because I believed that your are the most suited to help her. Caramel please, I know you can do this, she needs you." Her voice was soft, but full of a desperate need. "All I ask of you is to stay with her, help her when she needs something and comfort her. We're busy right now and we can't spend a lot of time with her. So whatever you can do to help her out would be a blessing."

Nurse Soft Touch met his eyes, pleading. Caramel felt his weak resistance crumble quickly, and he looked at the door. There was a scared filly in there who needed a friend. How could he say no to something like that? "I'll... do what I can." Nurse Soft Touch let out a relieved breath as Caramel stepped forward and opened the door before going in. She followed behind him.

In the room was a simple hospital bed, occupied by a plum colored unicorn filly, with a dark blue mane. As they walked in, she looked up at them with puffy red eyes, that showed that she had been recently crying. Quickly she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hoof, as Caramel and nurse Soft Touch approached. Caramel could see that she was young, about five years younger than him. Her pregnant belly dwarfed her small body, as she lay in the hospital bed.

"Hello Dawn Sparks, has there been any change?" Nurse Soft Touch asked as she stepped around Caramel.

Dawn Sparks sniffed and wiped at her nose. "Um..It's been hurting more, about every fifteen to twenty minutes I think, and I've been feeling a stabbing pain in my stomach." She glanced quickly at Caramel curiously before looking back to nurse Soft Touch. "Um, where's the doctor? He keeps checking on me and telling me everything's going fine, but then he leaves. I've been alone for a while now."

"I sorry about that, the doctor is busy with several patients at the moment, so he can only be with one at a time." Nurse Soft Touch said as she walked to the side of Down's bed. She gestured to Caramel with her wing. "This is Caramel, he just became a parent just yesterday, and when he heard about you, he wanted to come and see if you wanted some company."

Caramel came up on the other side of her bed and smiled down at her. When she looked at him, he could see that she was shivering. The filly had been here all alone, with nopony who cared for her sitting by her side, giving her comfort, no wonder she was so scared. Caramel's heart went out to her. "Hello Dawn, I thought you could use a friend." Caramel kept his voice warm and open, hoping to sooth her.

"Caramel is one of the sweetest stallions I know." Nurse Soft Touch added, as she stepped up next to him.

Dawn Sparks looked between nurse Soft Touch and Caramel nervously, appearing to be unsure about what she wanted. Only when her eyes locked onto Caramel's did she gave a nervous nod. "You can stay if you don't mind, that is if your not busy and all."

Hooking a nearby chair, Caramel drugged it over next to the bed, and sat down. "Not at all! I'll be happy to keep you company." Caramel kept his voice warm and friendly.

Nurse Soft Touch smiled at them and gave a happy nod. "Good! Now Caramel, while you're here would you time her contractions please, the doctor will be back shortly, I'll go and find him." She turned and quietly left the room.

Dawn Sparks nervously looked over at Caramel, her hoof fidgeting with the edge of her blanket. "So ah, you just became a father?"

"In a way, yes I did. Her name is Cinnamon Sugar, and she was born just a couple of days ago." Caramel answered. Glancing down at her hooves as they rested on her belly, he saw that they were no longer shivering. Caramel took that as a good sign that she was more at ease now.

Dawn was looking at him confused. "In a way? What do you mean by that?"

Caramel leaned forward, as he rubbed his chin. "I lost my only sister in a terrible accident, but before she passed, she delivered Cinnamon. I am the only family she has so I am going to raise her myself." As he spoke, he saw Dawn's expression shift, her eyes widened as she gaped at him.

"Alone!?" Dawn seemed shocked. She looked him up and down, taking in his young age. "But your a stallion! And you're actually willing to be burdened with a foal?"

Caramel raised his eyebrow, and leaned back into his chair. He wondered what experiences Dawn had with stallions to shade her opinions of them in such a way "Dawn, Cinnamon is my family, she needs me and I will not let her down. I will give her everything I can to make her happy, and not being her actual father, will not dissuade me from being her father." Caramel met her eyes with an inquisitive look. "Your comment surprises me, it sounds like you have a low opinion of stallions."

Dawn quickly shook her head. "No! No, it's just... I never expected..." Dawn Sparks tailed off as she looked down.

"You never expected what? That a young stallion would be willing to accept such a terrible burden?" Caramel finished for her. Dawn looked back up at him, thinking he might be mad, but saw that Caramel was grinning instead. "I'll tell you something. I don't see Cinnamon as a burden. No, she is a little gem, to be looked after and protected. It's hard work polishing gems, but I believe that its worth it in the end." Caramel said. "Don't you think so too?"

"I... I never heard a stallion talk like you before... I... wish my coltfriend had been more like you, then maybe I..." Dawn broke off, her eyes drifting down sadly. Caramel internally raged, was there no worthy stallions in her life? She deserved better! Caramel flexed his fetlock thinking of what he would do if he ever came face to face with this coltfriend of hers, for abandoning her to face this alone. That is NOT how a stallion, or colt in this case, should act.

Dawn Spark's suddenly let out a gasp and clutched at her stomach, her face scrunching up in pain. "Nnnnhgg"

Caramel stood and hesitantly touched a hoof on her shoulder. "Does it hurt bad?"

Dawn let out a grunt and vigorously nodded, unable to speak. Caramel glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. "The book I was reading last night mentioned how important it was to breath during the contractions." Caramel offered helpfully, as Dawn suffered through the contraction. The book he mentioned was the foal care book he was reading out loud to Cinnamon, the first chapter was on birthing. Caramel now regretted not finishing that chapter.

After a few minutes the contraction eased, and Dawn began huffing as she caught her breath. Caramel rubbed the back of her shoulder, before he sat back down. "Nurse Soft Touch told me the same thing. She even showed me what to do, but it just seems so silly, breathing all funny, like that." Dawn said with a scoff. "She probably thought that I was young enough to fall for such a silly thing, with the hope that it would actually help."

Caramel reached forward and gave Dawn a light smack to the back of her head, lightly reprimanding her. "If a nurse of many years of helping mares give birth tells you that something helps, then you should listen to her." Caramel berated her. Dawn looked up at him in surprise, her lip quivered like the was about to cry. Caramel suddenly felt horrible, he didn't mean to hurt her feelings. "Look I'm sorry for smacking you, my sister did the same thing to me whenever I was acting like an idiot, and with what you said, I felt you needed one as well." Caramel said apologetically. "Now, please show me what she showed you."

"I ah, probably deserved it." Dawn admitted sullenly. Then when she saw that he was still waiting for her to show him what nurse Soft Touch had shown her, she let out a sigh. "She told me to breath with huffing breaths like this, he he he he hooo." Caramel asked for her to do it again, this time he mimicked her as she did it. He wanted to learn it for when her next contraction came, he thought that perhaps he could urge her to follow along with him. He was here to help, and he was determined to do his best. That is how he got his cutie mark after all.

As he did the breathing exercise with her a third time, Dawn cracked a smile and started giggling. "What?" Caramel asked, as Dawn covered her mouth and boisterously laughed.

"The look of concentration on your face, while you're doing the silly breathing exercise, was really funny." Dawn said while wiping a tears from her eyes

Caramel smiled back at her. "Well I'm glad to see you laughing at something." Caramel said with a smirk. He was relieved that she was now able to laugh, she had been so scared when he had first come in, and seeing her laughing now, meant that she was doing better. Laughter was, after all sometimes the best medicine. "So, have you thought of any names for your foal yet?" Caramel asked curiously.

Dawn's smile slipped a bit, and she shook her head. "I haven't really thought about it much." She answered. Caramel could tell that she was troubled about the question.

"What's the matter?" Caramel asked with concern. "I think picking out a name is rather important."

"I know!" Dawn snapped back, before sighing. She reached down and rubbed her belly. "Its just... when this happened, it just didn't seem real, like it was a dream or something, and If I ignored it, it would just go away. I kept it from my mom and stepdad, and just pretended that it wasn't happening." Dawn flinched and shifted herself in bed. "Ow, my back is killing me."

Caramel saw the discomfort that Dawn was in as she shifted trying to alleviate the ache in her back. "Would you like it if I rubbed your back?" He offered.

Dawn gave him a grateful look. "Please! If you wouldn't mind that is." Caramel leaned over and helper her roll over onto her side, when he did, he noticed her cutie mark. A silver ring caped with a multifaceted emerald. Reaching out he began to knead her back. "Lower please." She said, and Caramel complied, and shifted himself down lower until he heard her let out a moan. Focusing on that spot in her lower back, he rubbed and kneaded it.

"I was an idiot." Down suddenly said, causing Caramel to pause for a moment.

"Everypony is at some point in their lives. It's what you do after, that matters." Caramel said, before resuming his ministrations.

"But that's just it, I kept being an idiot. Over and over again. First, I let my coltfriend pressure me into something I wasn't ready for. And then... I ignored it. Like it was something that had never occurred. But then one day it happened, I felt it..." She paused. Caramel waited, for he felt that she needed to get it out, but he didn't want to rush her. She was opening up to him, and he felt that in so doing she would let out some of her fears that she had been holding deep down. Lifting her hoof, she rubbed it on her belly once again. "I felt the foal move for the first time. It happened when I was in the middle of class, I felt the foal shift in me. It was right then, at that moment that it became truly real for me, and it scared me to death. I panicked, and ran from class, and hid in the bathroom. I cried for hours, until one of the teachers eventually found me."

Caramel listened as he worked, he could tell that what he was doing was helping her, she was more relaxed now, and she flinched less when he pressed in. "Then what happened?" He asked gently.

"My parents found out and freaked!" She exclaimed. "They yelled at me, told me that I was a shame to the family. My stepfather was all for kicking me out of the house right then and there, but mother convinced him to let me stay, at least until the foal came. My stepfather hates me, he's always has, and now that the foal is coming, he's going to kick me out, and mother isn't going to stop him this time, she's too afraid of him."

Caramel stopped rubbing her back and pulled her back over so he could meet her eyes. "What about any other family? Will any of them help you?"

"My mom has a sister, but I haven't seen her in years." Dawn let out an angry sigh. "I wish this never happened to me! This foal has ruined my life!" She slapped her hoof to the mattress next to herself angrily.

Caramel reached out and gave her a light swat to the back of her head again. Dawn looked up at him, with a slightly peeved look on her face, but Caramel didn't care, she was targeting her anger at the wrong thing. "Foals don't ruin lives, they only change them. Its up to you to decide if its to be a good change or a bad change." Caramel berated her. "I had the same thing happen to me after all. I wasn't expecting a foal in my life. At this time yesterday I was on a train, with nopony to look after but myself. And by the time I went to bed that night I was a parent to a little filly, that I never expected to inherit." Sitting back on his hunches, Caramel set his hoof to his chest. "I made a choice, and now my life is going to change drastically, and I'm not prepared for this. I just learned how to change a diaper just yesterday, and I won't even go into all the rest I had to go though, and even though it's hard, exhausting work, and at times very gross, I am going to stick with it and do the best I can, because Cinnamon needs someone to love and care for her." Caramel lightly set his hoof atop Dawns pregnant belly. "Just like this little foal you have here." Caramel lowered his voice, and spoke softly. "Your foal doesn't want to ruin your life, so blaming it doesn't do anybody any good, especially your foal."

Dawn's eyes brimmed up with tears, as his words sunk in. "Your right. I'm being an idiot again." Covering her eyes she started to wail. "I don't deserve this foal! I'm horrible! Nothing I do is ever right!"

Caramel reached forward and pulled her hooves down, and used a tissue that was sitting on a stand next to the bed to wipe at her eyes. "You're not horrible. You're just scared. But you know what? I'll tell you a secret" Caramel leaned in close. "I'm scared too."

"But you seem to be handling things just fine!" Dawn whimpered, as she allowed Caramel to dry her face.

"That's because I am not letting the fear control my actions, only to motivate my actions. But believe me when I tell you that I've had to resist finding a corner to hide in and cry." Dawn smiled at the image that played out in her mind, of him doing just that. "My life is changing and so is yours. Change happens, it's part of growing up. Your young and you're facing the wide world for the first time, but you forget that you don't have to face it alone, you have friends who can help you."

"All my friends abandoned me, and now laugh behind my back. My coltfriend dumped me and won't admit the foal is even his! Even my family won't see me! I have nopony! I'm alone in this." Dawn exclaimed, rocking her head on her pillow.

Caramel put his hoof atop hers. "You're not alone! You have me, I am your friend! Those so called friends you just spoke of that abandoned you, forget them! Friends stick with you though the troubled times, and support you! I am here right now, in your time of need being your friend, I have made this choice and I am sticking with it, because you deserve it!" Caramel made sure to keep eye contact, never letting his gaze waver as he spoke. He needed her to understand his earnestness in this.

Dawn's eyes watered up as she looked at him, suddenly she reached out and drew him into a hug, as she wept into his shoulder. Caramel remained silent, rubbing her back as she wept. Suddenly she tighten her hold and let out a gasp.

"Ahhhhh." She moaned, as she released him and fall back to her pillow, with a look of pain.

Caramel quickly looked at the clock and saw that only nine minutes had passed since the last contraction. Nine minutes! They were getting closer! Where was the doctor? Nurse Soft Touch said she was going to get him, so what was taking them? Turning back to Dawn he clamped his hoof over hers and leaned down to her. "Dawn! You need to do the breaths! I don't care how silly or stupid they seem, just do them! Here, follow me, just like how you showed me. He he he he hooo, he he he he hooo." Caramel did the breathing exercise that Dawn had showed him, and urged her to follow along. It took a few repetitions, but she finally fell in with him, and as they did it together, Caramel noticed that it did indeed seem to help her, as she appeared to be not as tensed up, while she was focused on the task.

This went on for several minutes before she started to relax and catch her breath as the contraction passed. "That one was worse than the last." She groaned out.

Caramel was feeling light headed from the breathing thing, and was trying to not to fall over. "Should I get the nurse?" He asked, steadying himself against the side of the bed

Dawn nodded. Caramel turned to leave when Dawn suddenly spoke up. "Can you also get me something to drink?"

"I'll see what I can do." Caramel assured her as he stepped out of the room. Finding a nurse, Caramel spoke to her about Dawn. The nurse agreed to have nurse Soft Touch, come by to check up on her. Caramel returned carrying a cup of water with a straw. "I got you some water, she said for you to not drink too much, but a little would be good. How are you feeling?"

"I feel like something is trying to crawl out of me." She answered glumly before giving him a weak smile. "But otherwise I feel fine, well at least for now." Caramel came up next to her bed and held out the cup for her to drink. She drained half of it before she let the straw go. "Thank you." She said in relief.

Caramel set the half full cup down next to her bed, and settled himself back into the chair. "I take it your parents haven't been very supportive of your pregnancy."

Dawn snorted in disdain. "You could say that again. My stepfather never much cared for me, and my mother has always been subservient to him, never standing up for herself. I was just lucky that he agreed to let me stay until the foal came, though I believe that he only did that because of how it would have looked, if he had kicked out his pregnant step daughter."

Caramel truly wanted to just punch her stepfather right in the face, with how angry he was feeling towards him right now. It was just so heartless with how he was treating his stepdaughter, and as for how Dawn's mother was going along with it, not even standing up for her own daughter, just made him sick. As far as he was concerned she should be stripped of the privilege of being Dawn's mother. "Do you have a place to stay?"

Dawn shook her head. "I wrote to my aunt but I haven't heard anything back from her. So I don't know what's going to happen." She paused while staring down at her belly. "I... should probably give up the foal, there's no way I can take care of it, not without a home." She said sullenly. Her eyes took on a distant look, as she slowly rubbed her belly. Her ears drooping down. "I don't know what to do."

Caramel racked his brain for what could be done to help her, if she wanted to keep the foal, he wanted to find a way to help her. There were many programs that the crown supported to help out young mothers who were in need, but the help that they provided was often inadequate, and too many young mothers failed to get the care that they truly needed.

As he considered some options, an idea came to him. "I know of a couple that would love to take you in for a bit, until you get your hooves under you that is." Caramel offered hopefully. "They're a nice couple who are like family to me. I can send a message to them if your willing to go. I know that they would gladly accept both you and your foal into their home, in fact, I know that they would just love it." Chisel Plow and Lily Pad never could have foals of their own, and Caramel knew that they would jump at the chance to help out a young mother.

Hope came go Dawn's eyes as she looked up at him. "They would do that for me?" Caramel could hear the excitement in her voice, as her ears perked up. "I...can keep my foal?"

Caramel happily nodded, glad he managed to think of something. "Of course they would, they are the nicest ponies I know. They once tried to adopt me from my sister when I was younger, just after my parents died, but my sister was too strong willed to let me go." Caramel remembered that time. Fudge was about the same age as Dawn is now, and he saw the struggle she went though right after their parents died in that fire. She worked at a diner during the day attended culinary school at night, and eventually graduated top of her class.

Dawn considered his offer, and for the first time since he came in, she looked happy. Looking up she met his gaze. "That just sounds too wonderful, I can't tell you how much this means to me. Thank you." Caramel could see the joy, that was now in her sky blue eyes as she thanked him.

Caramel was overjoyed that he was able to think of something that not only helped her, but also brought her joy and hope. Reaching over Caramel picked up the cup of water. "Would you like another drink?"

"Yes, that would be ni~..." Suddenly she paused as her face grimaced in pain. "Another contraction, and this one feels like it's going to be bad." She let out a long moan.

Already!? Caramel checked the clock. It had only been four minutes since the last contraction. Setting down the cup, Caramel hurriedly stepped up to the side of her bed. "Breathe! The breathing thing, come on follow with me." This time she quickly joined with him as they started the breaths.

The door opened and nurse Soft Touch came in. Seeing her, Caramel felt relief. "Nurse! The doctor hasn't been by yet, and her last contraction was only four minutes ago!"

"Four minutes? Things are progressing! Let's take a look." Nurse Soft Touch said as she walked up to Dawn's bed. Caramel rubbed Dawn reassuringly on her shoulder as nurse Soft Touch pulled Dawn's blanket down. Caramel realized where nurse Soft Touch was about to check and quickly turned away, blushing furiously. After a few moments nurse Soft Touch looked back up. "Well good news, you're fully dilated, so when the next contractions start up, I want you to start pushing, okay?"

The current contraction was winding down and Dawn was starting to relax and catch her breath. "What about the doctor? Isn't he going to be here?" Dawn asked, and Caramel nodded with her.

Nurse Soft Touch shook her head. "I'm sorry hun, he's doing a c section right now, so I am going to be your midwife. I've done this hundreds of times, so you're in good hooves. Nothing to worry about." Nurse Soft Touch patted Dawn and gave her a cheery smile. "I saw you were doing the breathing technique, that was very good." She praised her.

Dawn gave Caramel a grateful glance. "It was Caramel who pushed me into using it, he's been very helpful, and a truly good friend."

"Good! I knew he would be great at this." Looking over at Caramel. "Okay, now that things have settled down for the moment, this is what I am going to need you to do. Very quickly now, things are going to get rather intense, and I am going to need you to stay calm and be there for Dawn. She is going to be scared and she is going to need somepony to help reassure her and help her through this, and that is where you come in. Can I count on you to do this?" She asked seriously, meeting his eyes.

Caramel swallowed nervously before he gave her a nod. Dawn was going to need him there, and he was determined to not let her down. She was just so young and sweet, that Caramel couldn't help but feel like a big brother, needing to help out a younger sister.

"Good, and now Dawn. I want you to remember to breathe, it will be very bad if you pass out during this." She told Dawn before she turned back to Caramel. "Help me pile pillows behind her so that she is sitting up. Her next contraction will be coming very soon so we'll need to hurry."

Caramel did as she asked and helped move the pillows. Once Dawn was propped up with them, he returned back to her side, where he was surprised when Dawn nervously clasped her fetlock around his. Meeting her eyes he saw that she was afraid, so he tightened his fetlock around hers and gave her a smile.

Nurse Soft Touch positioned herself at the foot of the bed and pulled Dawn's legs apart, and when she saw Caramel blush and avert his eyes, she gave him a smirk. "Caramel, its okay to look. How else are you going to tell her what is happening. She's going to need you to be her eyes."

Caramel nervously looked at Dawn. "She's right, and you've been such a gentlecolt. I... suppose that its okay with me." She said sheepishly, as she blushed.

"Now Caramel, there are going to be things you're going to see that are going to be a bit disturbing, so whatever you do, do not faint, Dawn needs you. And second, if you think your going to throw up, there is a pail next to you under the table. And please don't miss, or I will have you clean up the mess. Do you understand." Caramel was seeing a new nurse Soft Touch. She was putting out a very commanding presence, as she took charge.

Caramel was still clasping Dawn fetlock with his own, as he nodded to nurse Soft Touch. "Got it, don't faint, and don't miss the pail. And of course to be there for Dawn, because she needs me."

"Very good! Now does anypony have any questions?" She waited a moment before she continued. "Very well. Let's get this little bundle of foal out of you then. Dawn, when the next contraction starts, I am going to need you to start pushing, okay?" Dawn glanced nervously between Caramel and nurse Soft Touch.

Dawn looked scared as things suddenly escalated, and Caramel could feel her tighten her grip, as her lip started to tremble."You're going to do great." Caramel said reassuringly to Dawn, as he squeezed her fetlock in his.

"No! I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready to be a mother!" Dawn suddenly said with an edge of panic in her voice, as the realization of what was about to happen very shortly became very real to her. "I can't do this!" Her voice held a frantic edge to it, and Caramel realized that she was on the verge of a panic attack.

"You can do this! I know you can." Caramel racked his brain trying to think of something to say, that would alleviate her of her fears. "Listen Dawn, nopony is ever really ready to become a parent. It's new and scary, with so much that could go wrong. A brand new life, will be totally dependent on you, and all of your decisions will affect everything about it. All parents go through this. I am going through it and now you're about too as well. But let me tell you something that I was told by somepony very smart. All your foal really needs is a bit of food, warmth, and love, with a little cleaning mixed in." Dawn listened as he spoke, the wild look she had in her eyes slowly faded. "Look at me! If a doofus like me can do it, then you most certainly can! So quit this I can't do this talk, before you make me smack the back of your head again! You hear me!"

Dawn gaped at him. "But it's all just so much to handle? I don't know if I can do it."

Caramel waved his hoof dismissively. "Forget about the complicated details, and just focus on the simple things. Once you have a grasp on that you can move up from there. If you keep things simple, they won't overwhelm you." Caramel then gave her a smile. "And besides, you don't haft to be alone in this, I will be there to help whenever you want, all you haft to do is ask."

Dawns cheeks were flushed as she blinked at him. "I... don't know what to say. That is just the sweetest thing." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh my...!"

Nurse Soft Touch who was quietly listening up to this point, suddenly perked up. "Contraction? Good! Now bare down and start pushing!"

"Nggghhh!" Dawn grunted and groaned as she did what the nurse told her and pushed, Caramel felt her grip tighten, as he anxiously watched.

"Good! Keep it up, keep it up! A little more!" Caramel held onto Dawn's hoof as she bent forwards and strained.

"Aahhhggg!" Dawn let out a gasp and flopped back down panting, with sweat coating her fur. Caramel grabbed a towel and wiped her brow.

"Very good! That was a good start." She turned to Caramel. "Caramel, you did really good back there. She really needed to hear that from you."

"That's what big brothers are for." Caramel said without thinking.

"Big Brother!?" Dawn exclaimed, snapping her head over to him.

Caramel grinned and scratched at the back of his head. He had been thinking about how it would be nice to have a little sister like Dawn, and he sort of let it slip out. "Well... it's kind of nice being like a big brother to you Dawn, and I sort of just let it slip out." Caramel looked at Dawn, gauging her reaction. He was surprised to see that she wasn't snickering, or even giving him strange looks. Feeling emboldened he continued. "I lost my big sister, but with you, it feels like I just found my little sister." Caramel cast his eyes down to the floor. "I know that it sounds silly and is stupid."

"Its not silly or stupid!" Dawn exclaimed, reaching out she lifted Caramel's head up to look him in the eyes. "You've been very good to me, very much like a big brother should be, and I would be very happy indeed to have you as my brother." Dawn gave him a smile.

Caramel returned her smile. "You would?"

"I would." Hooking her hoof behind his head, she drew him closer and place a chaste kiss to his cheek, sealing the bond.

Nurse Soft Touch watched them, as she smooshed her hoof into her cheek. She was hoping that Caramel could help Dawn a bit when she brought him here, but she never expected something like this! It was so incredibly touching, and endearing, that she felt like she was going to melt on the spot! Never before had she seen such a sight, Caramel had done more for Dawn than she ever hoped he could.

Dawn clutched at Caramel as her next contraction started. Gripping him tightly she let out a painful groan. "Oooowwwwww."

"Okay Dawn! Just like last time. Push!" Nurse Soft Touch said. "Push, push, push, push."

"Hnnnggg, mnnnngh!" Caramel helped support Dawn as she bore down and pushed. Dawn's face was grimacing in pain as she strained. Finally she collapsed and panted for breath. "This...huff... is...huff... exhausting."

"You're doing very good! Just keep it up." Nurse Soft Touch praised.

Caramel held out the cup of water to let Dawn take a drink. She gave him a grateful look as she took a drink. Setting down the cup, Caramel used a towel to mop at her brow. It was less then a minutes latter that the next contraction started.

For the next half hour, this continued. The contractions rolled one after the other, and Nurse Soft Touch continuously urged Dawn to push during each one. Over time, Dawn increasingly struggled to gather enough strength to push through the contraction, as she became exhausted. Caramel was getting concerned for her as she strained. Nurse Soft Touch was also looking quite concerned, as she held a stethoscope to Dawn's belly and listened to the foals heartbeat.

"Dawn, your going to need to put more effort into pushing, the foal's heartbeat has increased, and it needs to come out soon." Nurse Soft Touch said, as she put her stethoscope down.

"I...huff ...am trying... but its...huff ... getting hard..." Dawn's head was lolling about as she talked. "I just...huff ... don't know if I can...huff ... do it."

"Dawn, honey. Trust me. The foal is going to be much cuter out here then in there, you're going to need to push." She turned to Caramel. "Caramel, I have a new job for you, I need you to get your little sister here to push even harder, no matter what, you need to get her to PUSH!"

Caramel was surprised at the sternness of nurse Soft Touch's words. Rounding on Dawn, he helped set her back up higher. "Dawn! You need to listen to nurse Soft Touch, you need to push! Don't you want to see your foal?"

"Too tired..." Dawn muttered.

She was giving up. Caramel wilted, what was he to do? He needed to motivate her. Reaching forward he whacked her upside the back of her head. "Tired!? You're giving up and letting your foal die because you're TIRED!" He gave her another whack to help sink in his point. "I am very disappointed in you! You're going to give up this foolishness and get down to the hard work!" It seemed to be working as Dawn sat back up. "Now PUSH!" Caramel yelled it in her face.

"Aaaahng!" Dawn redoubled her efforts and strained, pushing as hard as she could. For the first time in all of her straining something finally emerged.

"I see something!" Caramel cried out to Dawn excitedly. Watching as something tiny started to slip out.

"What!?...gulp ... do you...huff... see?" Dawn bent her head down trying to see herself, but her large belly was in the way.

Caramel looked closer. "It's a hoof! I see a hoof! A little powder blue hoof!" A tiny little hoof now protruded out of her vagina, and as he looked at it he saw it give a little jerk, as the foal struggled.

"Dawn, your almost there! You just need push a few more times!" Nurse Soft Touch said. "Now push!"

Caramel held Dawn up as she mustered her strength, and pushed again. "Aaaaahhnnnnnggg!"

Looking down, Caramel watched as the little hoof slid farther out.

"Push, push, push, push, push." Nurse Soft Touch urged over and over again.

Now he saw something else start to emerge as it stretched out her vagina further, Caramel held his breath when he realized what he was looking at. "I see a snout!" Caramel turned to Dawn. "I see your foals snout."

"The foal is starting to crown, it will be very soon now!" Nurse Soft Touch rolled over a cart with supplies and a padded bin on top to hold the foal.

Dawn gripped Caramel's fetlock with a death grip, as she panted. Caramel gazed down at the foal in wonder. Most of one leg was out and another one had just emerged with the snout. Caramel couldn't believe what he was witnessing, it was a new life, emerging for the first time.

"Okay, just like last time. Give me a real good one." Nurse Soft Touch said.

"Your doing great." Caramel praised Dawn as he mopped her face.

"Push!" Nurse Soft Touch ordered.

"Mnnnnngh... aaaaahgggg!"

Dawn's vagina stretched out more, as more of the foal slid out, along with some viscous fluids. But then Dawn released her breath in a gasp and stopped pushing, and the foal pulled back in, losing much of the progress just gained.

"No! no no no. Dawn, you're almost there! Just a little bit more." Nurse Soft Touch urgently exclaimed.

Caramel moved in closer to Dawn's exhausted face. "You almost did it, the foal's head almost came out."

Dawn rocked her head as she panted. "I...huff... can't...huff..."

"You can, and you will. Don't make me whack you upside the back of your head again. This is no time to quit, I can see your foal's cute little nose. Just push a bit more!" Caramel anxiously looked at Dawn as her head rolled back forward. A light came into her eyes as she took a deep breath and bore down hard.

Looking down, Caramel saw Dawn vagina stretch out again, as the foal moved. Quickly the muzzle came clear and he was able to see the foal's closed eyes, then the forehead come clear. "A unicorn!" Atop the foal's head was a little stubby rounded horn.

Dawn let out a agonized cry as she felt herself stretched out painfully

"More, just a little more, you're almost there!" Caramels urging spurred Dawn on, as she bore down again. Now the ears came free, and he could see a tuft of maroon mane plastered atop the foal's head. Suddenly the foal stopped moving, as it seemed to become stuck.

Dawn grunted and strained. But it seemed for naught. The pain she was feeling was beyond anything she had ever experienced before, as she felt herself stretched beyond endurance. It felt like she was being torn open.

"Big push now!" Nurse Soft Touch shouted.

Dawn released her breath and took a large breath and scrunched her face up tight and pushed as hard as she could. "Aaaaahhwwww!" Bubbles and fluids leaked and squirted from around the foal, as she strained, but it remained immobile, as it was tightly wedged in her passage. Nurse Soft Touch clasped her fetlock around the foal's freed hooves and gently shifted and gave a light tug, suddenly something gave and the foal suddenly pushed out past its head, and up to its shoulders then stopped for a moment. Dawn let out a loud cry and then the foal slipped the rest of the way out and dropped into nurse Soft Touch's waiting hooves.

"Congratulations! It's a colt!" Nurse Soft Touch cried out, as Dawn let out a gasp and collapsed back, suddenly weeping, with the look of joy on her face. She strained her head down, trying and see her colt, as Nurse Soft Touch pulled the rest of his hind legs free. At first the foal just laid there limply, and Caramel's heart leaped up to his throat in a panic, worried that there was something wrong with the foal. He remained limp and motionless for a moment before suddenly he took a breath and let out a wailing cry, followed by another, as he kicked his little hooves around. Caramel never heard anything so sweet before as the colt continued to loudly wail. Nurse Soft Touch gave a big smile and quickly used a squeeze bulb to clear the fluids out of the foal's mouth and nose.

Taking a pair of clamps, she clamped off the umbilical cord, then she took a pair of surgical scissors. "Caramel? Would you like to cut the cord?" She asked holding out the scissors.

Caramel was dumbstruck as he came closer. Nurse Soft Touch smiled at him as she held out the scissors for him. Gingerly he took the scissors that was made to be operated by the mouth, from her with his lips and looked down at the powder blue colt. Nurse Soft Touch pointed her hoof near where she had the clamp. "Cut right here."

Lowering his head down he positioned the scissors to where she had indicated and then forced the scissors closed, he felt the resistance as the scissors cut through the cord, but with a little force the sharp scissors cut all the way through. Caramel let nurse Soft Touch take the scissors back from him as he looked down at the now newborn foal. Looking back up at Dawn, he saw the unbridled joy on her tear streaked face as she looked down at her little colt.

Nurse Soft Touch picked up the colt and moved him over to the cart and set him into the bin on top. Taking some towels she began to wipe the colt down. Turning to Caramel, nurse Soft Touch waved him over. When he stepped up, she held out a towel to him. "Keep cleaning him will you? I need to get back to Dawn and help get the afterbirth out, and you don't want to see that, believe me. This will only be a moment.

Caramel took the towel, and was left to be alone with the newborn colt. Looking in he saw that the colts mossy green eyes were open as he looked up at him. "Hi there." Caramel greeted the colt softly. "Welcome to the world." Gingerly he reached in and began to wipe the towel over the colts body, wiping the various birthing fluids off. He took several fresh towels from the underside of the cart as he switched out the dirty ones for fresh ones as he worked. Soon he had the colt wiped dry and comparably clean.

"When your done there put a diaper on him will you? You'll find them underneath." Nurse Soft Touch said from behind him.

Looking under the cart he soon found the diapers and quickly put one on the colt. Just then some nurses came in and talked with nurse Soft Touch, and soon they were working on cleaning and changing the bedding. In very short order, everything had been cleaned, and a nurse had put a band with Dawn Sparks name written on it on the little colts front hoof.

"Caramel, would you please be so kind as to bring Dawn her son so that she can meet him?" Nurse Soft Touch asked Caramel with a smile.

Looking in at the colt, Caramel bit his lip as he carefully lifted him out. Once the colt was settled comfortably in the crook of his leg, he hobbled over to Dawn's bed. Dawn watched as he approached, her eyes were glued to the foal he carried. Stopping by the head of her bed, he turned and carefully deposited the colt into his mother's waiting hooves.

With the colt cuddled up next to her chest, Dawn gazed down with her eyes wide in wonder, as she murmured and cooed to the newborn. It seemed that all fear had vanished from her eyes as she looked down at her colt, and Caramel couldn't help but feel his heart swell at the sight of Dawn as she affectionately nuzzled her colt. Picking up a clean towel, Caramel wiped at Dawn face, drying her tears. "Have you thought of a name yet?" He asked.

Dawn thought for a bit as she looked into the colts eyes. "I think I will name him... Stellar Prize."

"That's a wonderful name." Caramel said, as he sat down, enjoying the sight of Dawn with her colt.

Nurse Soft Touch quietly left, leaving the new mother to bond with her son, but no sooner did she leave then the door opened again and a unicorn mare with a stallion walked in. "Little Dawny!" The mare said as she looked at Dawn.

"Aunt Morning Glow? What are you doing here?" Dawn asked in surprise as she looked up shocked.

"Oh my gosh! You had the foal!" Morning Glow exclaimed, as she rushed up to the bed. "I got your letter and when I talked to your mother, I just had to rush over. I have never been so furious with my sister before, she has done some stupid things in her time but this really takes the cake!" She leaned over and looked over the colt. "He's so adorable! What's his name?"

"Stellar Prize." Dawn couldn't help but smile as her aunt admired her colt.

Morning Glow noticed Caramel as he stayed back out of the way. "And who is this handsome young stallion? The father, perhaps?" Caramel's eyes widened in surprise and he quickly shook his head.

Dawn giggled and blushed. "No Aunt Morning, that's Caramel. He's been like a big brother to me, and has been an amazing help and comfort to me."

Morning Glow eyed Caramel a moment, before she rushed over and gave him a hug. Caramel stood there shocked as Morning Glow held him close for a moment, before she released him. "Thank you for being there for Dawn, it's a comfort to know that at least somepony was gracious enough to be here for her, unlike my no good sister and her pompous husband." She practically spat the last part out, before she shook head dismissively. Releasing him she turned back to Dawn. "When you're released from the hospital, your coming home with us. We have plenty of room so don't worry about that, and we'll enroll you back into school. I'll be happy to watch over little Stellar while you're attending."

Dawn suddenly looked at Caramel, as she thought about the offer that he had made, but he knew that it would be better for her to be with her family. "Isn't this wonderful? You have a family that wants you. You're going to have a home! I'm so happy for you!" Caramel said, giving her a big smile.

Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes as she looked away from Caramel to her aunt, lifting her free hoof, she drew her aunt into a grateful hug. "Thank you aunt Morning."

"Think nothing of it! We're happy to take you and your little adorable colt in." She said. Turning she waved her hoof. For the first time Caramel noticed a filly quietly standing next to the stallion. At Morning Glow's gesture, she shyly approached. "Do you remember Meadow Mist? The last time you saw her she was in diapers."

"Meadow? Is that you? You've gotten so big!" Dawn said as Meadow Mist came up to the side of the bed and reared up to rest her upper haft on the side of the bed so that she could see over.

"Your colt is really cute." She said, as she leaned over to look at him.

"Thank you Meadow." Dawn replied, as she tipped Stellar up a little so that Meadow could get a better look at him.

Caramel felt it was time for him let himself out, but he didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. Quietly he moved over and caught Dawn's eye. With a sad smile he nodded towards the door. Her eyes widened when she caught his meaning. "Are you leaving!?"

"Yeah, It seemed like the time for me to go. Your family is here and I'm just in the way, so I'll just go and let you all get reacquainted." As he spoke he could see Dawn's face become anxious . "Don't worry, I'll come back to visit before you go. This isn't goodbye forever, after all, we're friends now."

As he was about to turn away, Dawn suddenly held out a hoof, wanting him to come and hug her. Caramel had never been hugged so much before in a single day, but then this day wasn't a normal one anyways, it was a special day.

Awkwardly, in front of her family, Caramel approached her. Leaning over the bed, he felt her hoof wrap around him tightly and pull him in close. Caramel found his face pressed up close to the now sleeping Stellar. Lifting his hoof around her, he hugged her back. Releasing her was hard but he managed, but Dawn held on for a few more seconds before she finally released him.

Once he was free, Caramel stepped back and smiled down at her. "I'll see you before you leave. And I'll bring Cinnamon, so you can meet her too."

Dawn smiled back. "I would really like that."

As he went to the door, he passed by the stallion, who met his eyes and gave him a nod. Caramel gave him a nod in return. Opening the door, Caramel took a look back at Dawn and Stellar before stepping out into the hallway. Letting out a sigh, he looked around to find a nurse to lead him to Cinnamon.

Author's Note

This chapter ended up longer then I had planned. I meant it as a character development chapter, to help Caramel grow as a stallion. There are times in this chapter were I feel things are a bit forced and rushed, but then I was trying to fit a lot into just one chapter. And if anyone has any helpful advice to clean up anything in this chapter please let me know, I struggled with much of the dialog, as I tried to express many complex feelings.

Chapter 04

Sitting at the table, Caramel ate his breakfast of oatmeal with diced peaches. Taking a sip from his glass of orange juice, he kept a ear cocked, listing for Cinnamon, in case she woke up. Today was going to be a busy day for them, fist on his list was of course to visit Dawn, as he was very much looking forward to seeing her and Stellar again. Latter he needed to finish things with Whirl Void, before hunting down a moving company to to hire, so that they can pack up Fudge's things, and send it all to Ponyville. Hopefully he would be able to board a train sometime this afternoon, so that he would be home in Ponyville before nightfall.

Finishing breakfast he washed his dishes and set them out to dry. Taking out the diaper bag, he began sorting though it, making sure he had everything he needed. Once he finished organizing the diaper bag he set it aside, and sat down on the couch and began reading one of the foal care books, there was still so much he still needed to learn.

He was just starting chapter two when his ears perked up when he caught the sound of Cinnamon letting out a mewling cry. Closing the book, he got up to see to her. Entering the nursery, he was surprised by the overwhelming odor of a dirty diaper. "Wow! That's pretty bad." Caramel commented crinkling his nose. Lifting Cinnamon out of the crib, he took her to the changing table to get her cleaned up. Opening her diaper, he found her rump completely plastered with a messy and very runny stool, that dripped off of her rump. "Looks like you have a bit of the trouts." He observed as he started wiping her messy bottom. He made a mental note to look up whether diarrhea in a foal was normal, but since she didn't feel warm nor was she sniffling from a runny nose, he figured she was probably fine, but he wanted to check anyways just in case.

Once he had her cleaned up, he quickly got her ready to go. He was eager to be off to meet with Dawn, she and Stellar were being discharged today, and if he got there too late, he would miss them. Taking the trolley to the hospital, he entered the now familiar doors. With a quick stop at the greeting desk, he got the new room number that Dawn was now in. Making his way to her door, he nervously knocked, before cracking the door open and poking his head in.

The sight that greeted him, was of Dawn, as she lounged on top of the bed with little Stellar nestled up to her teat as she nursed him. Caramel's ears shot up in embarrassed surprise. "I'm sorry! Excuse me!" Caramel quickly brought his head back, and was about to shut the door, when Dawn called out to him.

"Caramel! Don't be a dork, and come in." Her voice was a mixture of amusement and happiness, as she called out to him.

"Um... your sure? It looked like you were busy." Caramel said though the cracked door.

"If you don't come in, I am going to smack you so hard across the back of your head, your going to see stars!" Dawn threatened, jokenly.

Caramel grinned. "You'd haft to catch me first."

"Caramel! Your begging for it!" Her tone said that she was getting serious.

"Fine! I'm coming in." Caramel said as he stepped though the door. Dawn was smiling as he approached her. Even though he could see the dark shading under her eyes from lack of meaningful sleep, she still seemed much more relaxed and happy. Nestled against her side was Stellar Prize, as he suckled noisily at one of Dawn's teats.

"Oh my goodness! So that's Cinnamon. She's so adorable!" Dawn said, looking at the filly as he drew close. "May I hold her?" She asked, holding her hoof out.

Caramel grinned as he lifted Cinnamon from her carrier. "Of course you can." Leaning over, he gently set her down in the crux of Dawn leg.

"Aaawwww, she's so precious." Suddenly she crinkled her nose. "And a bit fragrant."

Caramel's ears wilted, as he gave her an apologetic grin. "Yeah, sorry. She's been a bit gassy today, and she has a bit of the runs."

"Well that's okay, it's really not all that bad." Dawn replied. Lowering her head, she nuzzled Cinnamon for a moment before she looked back up at him. "I'm sorry that I'm not taking your offer from yesterday. But I want to thank you for giving it to me though, you have no idea how good it was to have that option, at that moment."

Caramel shook his head. "It's okay. I'm very happy that you have some family that will take you in. And I'll come by occasionally to visit, and we can always write to each other. I don't want to loose you as a friend."

"You won't, I promise." She gave him a warm smile before she bent her head down to look down at Stellar. "He's looking rather full. He tends to overeat." Sure enough, when Caramel looked at Stellar he saw that his belly was large and rounded, a sure sign that he was stuffed. "Would you please take him off the teat, before he busts himself open." She asked.

Caramel's eyes widened at the unexpected request. Was she doing this to him on purpose? "Ah, okay." Caramel awkwardly moved closer to the little colt, and nervously lifted him, but stopped when the colt remained firmly clamped to her teat. "Umm, he won't let go, what should I do?" Caramel asked, as he nervously held the little colt aloft, while he remained tethered to his mother.

"You'll need to break his suction. Place the edge of your hoof next to his mouth and press in against my teat and the edge of his mouth. That will break the suction, and he'll come loose." Dawn instructed, a slight grin hidden to the side of her mouth as she watched.

Caramel swallowed anxiously. He lowering the colt down to free up his hoof, and hesitantly reached forward, nervous about touching her in such a private area.

"Stop being a ninny, and just do it already. I really don't mind." Dawn assured him.

Caramel took a breath, and set the edge of his hoof to the side of the colts mouth, against Dawn's nipple. Gently he pressed down, and instantly her nipple popped out of Stellar's mouth, who let out a plaintive cry as he nosed around for her nipple again.

"Oh no, you've had quiet enough for now, little guy." Caramel said as he lifted the colt up. Shifting him around, Caramel laid him onto his shoulder and he began to pat his back.

"Umm, Caramel..." Dawn said, as she watched him patting Stellar's back, an alarmed look on her face. "You might want to..."

"...Blurp...!!"

"...Use a burp towel." Dawn finished with a amused grimace, as Caramel's ears drooped down, completely mortified at what had just happened.

Why do I always forget to use the burp towel!? Caramel internally groaned. He let out his signature sigh as he lowed Stellar down from his wet shoulder. Taking the burp towel that Dawn was holding out to him, he wiped Stellar's mouth, before he gingerly set the colt down alongside Cinnamon. Lifting the towel, he reached over and began to wipe up the mess on his back and shoulder.

"I'm really sorry about that, Stellar tends to spit up when he eats too much." Dawn said apologetically, while she snickered behind her raised hoof.

Caramel paused while wiping the impressive amount of spit up that was soaked into his coat. "It's alright, I'm getting used to it" There was a small bathroom attached to the room, so Caramel went into it to give his shoulder and back a better wash.

Once he returned, he found both Cinnamon and Stellar both sound asleep side by side, as they were both tucked up against a clearly happy Dawn. Pausing next to the bed, Caramel smiled down at the sight. "So, how are you liking motherhood?" He asked softly while seating himself in the chair.

Dawn thought for a moment. "Well before, I was terrified at the thought of becoming a mother, but now that I am, I find that I am feeling contentment and at times I am filled with uncontrollable happiness, that I feel like I'm going to explode. I mean I have never felt this much love for another pony before, its truly wondrous." When Dawn finished speaking, she lowered her head and nuzzled her son affectionately, before she lightly kissed him.

Caramel watched as Dawn tenderly caressed her son. "They do tend to put things into perspective, don't they?" Caramel agreed.

"They do indeed." Dawn let out a contented sigh. Looking back up, she met his gaze. "I have a request I would like to make to you."

Curious, Caramel cocked his head at her. "Oh? What would that be?"

"I would like for you to be Stellar's godfather."

Caramel's ears shot up in surprise. To say that he was flattered would be an understatement. "I don't know what to say." Caramel confessed, breathlessly.

"Just say yes, you dope." Dawn said with a grin.

Before he replied, Caramel's gaze fell down to the two foals that were slumbering up against Dawn, and a idea came to him, causing him to let out a sly smile. "I will agree to be Stellar's godfather, if you agree to be Cinnamon's godmother."

This time it was Dawn's turn to be surprised, as her jaw dropped. It took a moment for her to answer his returned condition. "I... I except."

"Then you have yourself a godfather for little Stellar." Caramel said grinning. "Little Sis."

"And you have yourself a godmother for little Cinnamon, big bro." Dawn replied back while returning a grin. "Now, if you don't mind, would you collect these two, so that I can go to the bathroom? I really need to go."

With some careful handling, Caramel was soon seated with both sleeping foals tucked up with him. As he sat there listening to the soft rhythmic breaths from the two, he soon found his eyes beginning to droop, and it wasn't long before he drifted off and joined the two foals in slumbering bliss.

He didn't know how long he slept, but it was something warm and soft pressing to his lips that suddenly roused him. Blinking his eyes open, Caramel looked around and saw Dawn as she was settling herself into her bed. His lips were tingling as he lightly licked them, and found that they tasted like... Did she just?

"You look troubled. You okay?" Dawn asked as she rested her chin down onto a pillow, looking completely innocent of any mischievous activities.

"I ah... thought that..." Caramel was still feeling a little groggy from the little nap, and wasn't sure that what he thought had happened had only just been a dream.

"Thought what?" Dawn asked sweetly.

She was laying there, looking at him with her eyebrow raised questioningly, and Caramel looked at her hopelessly, there was no way he could ask if she had just kissed him while he was asleep. "Ah... nothing. Um, how long was I asleep?"

"Not long, only about ten minutes or so, when I came out of the bathroom I found you sound asleep with the foals all cuddled up with you, I just didn't have the heart to wake you."

Caramel let out a yawn and looked down and checked on the two foals he held. Both of their faces had such a peaceful look to them as they slept. "That's okay, I needed a bit of shut eye." He looked back up at Dawn. "So, when are you being discharged."

"As soon as my aunt gets here, we will be leaving." Dawn answered, a note of sadness in her voice.

Caramel glanced at her, sensing her feelings. Biting his lip, he thought about what to do, he had been planing to say goodbye to her right here at the hospital, but as the time grew close, he suddenly had second thoughts about it. Caramel still had a few things to do before he was to leave for Ponyville, and it didn't feel right to let her leave without a proper goodbye, and it was evident that she still wanted to spend more time with him, and he found that he felt very much the same. He let out a sigh Oh well, what's one more day going hurt. "How would you like it if I tagged along with you to the train station, and see you off there?" Caramel offered.

Dawn's eyes lit up. "Ohhh, that would be wonderful!" She said excitedly. "We can even stop for some lunch first, would you like that? And maybe even do some shopping, I know that Stellar is going to need some things. " She said while clapping her hooves together. "Ohh, this is going to be fun! Caramel, your the best."

What did I get myself into? Caramel thought to himself while smiling, Dawn was practically bouncing in her bed, from her excitement.

Dawn was still happily making plans when Nurse Soft Touch stopped by, and the nurse nearly dawww'ed herself to death when she saw Caramel with the two sleeping foals cuddled up to himself. She immediately dashed off, quickly returning with a camera, and started snapping pictures. It was at this point that Dawn's aunt, Morning Glow then entered along with little Meadow Mist.

"Oh my! Now isn't this a fine sight." Morning Glow said, eyeing Caramel.

Dawn let out a giggle and rushed over and hugged her aunt. "I know, right?"

"I see my adorable nephew, but who is his precious little filly friend?" Morning Glow asked as she crossed over to Caramel to get a closer look at the foals.

"Oh, she's Caramel's little filly, Cinnamon, my goddaughter." Dawn said happily, stepping up next to her aunt. "And Caramel just agreed to be Stellar's godfather."

Morning Glow blinked, giving them both a surprised look. "Well, that's some wonderful news!" She looked down at Caramel. "You've been quite a surprising addition to Dawn's life, so tell me. Are you by chance sweet on her?" She suddenly asked hopefully.

"Aunt Morning!" Dawn gasped out, absolutely mortified by her aunts question.

Caramel was also in quite a state. The shock of the question made his ears stand straight up, as he felt his face heat up like a furnace. He gaped up at Morning Glow, unsure how to answer. Dawn was a sweet filly, and he liked her a lot, but he didn't see her in that way.

"Dawn is indeed very special to me, but I'm afraid I'm not sweet on her in the way you are meaning." Caramel glanced over at Dawn, noticing her ears droop a little at what he said. "I'm sorry if that may have hurt you."

Dawn quickly smiled at him. "Don't be, I understand, and I agree. Your special to me too, but I don't want to complicate my life anymore then it is right now." As she said this, Caramel noticed that her smile seemed a bit forced.

Morning Glow glanced between the two. "Well, perhaps things will change in a few years when Dawn is older." She said before she looked over at Dawn and motioned her head towards Caramel. "But if you ask me, it seems a pity to let him go."

"Aunt Morning, please!" Dawn snapped, giving Caramel an apologetic look.

Caramel did indeed feel a bit embarrassed by Morning Glows bluntness, but he also felt a bit flattered that she liked him that much. A light touch at his arm caught his attention. Looking over he saw Meadow Mist, as she stood reared up against the arm his his chair. She was leaning over and looking down at Cinnamon.

"Hello." Caramel greeted her, surprised she had gotten this close without his noticing.

"Is she yours?" Meadow Mist asked.

Caramel smiled at her, as he adjusted himself so that she could get a better view of Cinnamon. "Yes she is."

"How old is she?"

"Today she is three day's old." Caramel answered.

"That would make her..." Meadow Mist scrunched up her face in thought. "Two day's older then my cousin, right?"

Caramel gave a nod. "That's right."

"Where's her mamma?" Her question was given innocently, but it still took him by surprise. The wound in his heart was still fresh, and to be suddenly reminded of Fudge's passing caused him to flinch. "Are you okay? You look sad now?" She asked.

Caramel forced himself to smile, as he looked down into Meadow Mists large grey eyes. "I'm all right, I'm just a bit sad, because Cinnamon's mamma was hurt really bad in an accident, and can no longer be there for Cinnamon." Caramel felt his throat tighten as he spoke. He thought he had his grief under control, but he just found that it was still there just under the surface, ready to rear back up under the right conditions. And seeing the filly looking up at him with her large eyes while he explained this, seemed to fit the criteria.

Meadow Mist dropped her gaze down at Cinnamon. "So she doesn't have a mamma?" She asked sorrowfully.

"No, I'm afraid she doesn't." Caramel said sadly, before looking up and seeing the sympathy in both of Dawn's and her aunt's eyes as they stood watching his exchange with Meadow Mist. Caramel suddenly felt Meadow Mist wrap her leg around his arm and around Cinnamon as she gave them both a gentle hug. Nurse Soft Touch, who had been silently standing to the side, quickly lifted her camera and snapped a shot of the tender moment.

"I'm sorry you lost your mamma." Meadow Mist said to Cinnamon as she pulled back from her hug.

Caramel felt his eyes misting up, he couldn't handle much more of this. "Thank you Meadow, your very kind." Dawn appeared next to him while levitating some tissue's to him to help dry his eyes.

Morning Glow went over to nurse Soft Touch and spoke quietly with her for a moment, before she turned back to them. "Okay, lets go and get Dawn discharged, so we can go get some lunch, shall we?" She turned a curious eye to Caramel. "Caramel, will you joining us?"

"Yes, of course he's coming." Dawn answered for him, as she lifted Stellar from his grasp with her magic so that he could get up. "Aunt Morning, do you think there is time to do some shopping as well?"

Morning Glow let out gasp and spun about, placing her hoof to her chest, with a comically shocked look on her face. "Honey! There's always time to do a little shopping."

They had lunch in a small mom and pop diner, where Caramel found himself crammed into a both with Dawn, who was happily scrunched in next to him. With Cinnamon settled comfortably in his lap, Caramel enjoyed his meal of boiled potato wedges with cooked peas, covered in a thick country gravy. As he ate his meal he became increasingly aware of the dirty looks that the waitress was giving him whenever she passed their table.

At one point, the waitress had stopped at their table to refill their water, but somehow missed his. Caramel was about to ask her to fill his cup, when she abruptly turned and moved away, totally ignoring him.

Dawn noticed Caramel's abortive request of the waitress, and glanced at him curiously. "What's wrong? You look troubled"

"I don't know, its just..." Caramel continued to watch the waitress as she moved around the other customer's tables. She was quick to flash bright smiles at the other customers, but when her eyes wandered to him, her smile would drop abruptly. "That waitress doesn't seem to like me." Caramel said, voicing his observation.

Dawn glanced across the room at the indicated waitress. "What makes you think that?" She asked curiously.

Caramel looked around the table and saw that they were all now looking at him, waiting for him to explain. "Well ah... ever since we've been here, she's been giving me some rather dark looks and a decidedly cold shoulder.

Dawn leaned her head over to look at him. "Perhaps you said something rude to her. I know that's how I act when a colt is disrespectful with me."

Caramel shrugged, and shook his head. "That's just it, I've not said a single word to her since we got here, it was another waitress that took our orders."

"Perhaps you met her at another time," Morning Glow proposed.

"No, not that I know." Caramel shook his head. He had moved out of Fillydelphia years ago, back when he wasn't much older then Dawn. He didn't stay in contact with any of his friends from school, and he was sure that he would remember a mare like the waitress.

"He's right, I just saw her do it." Dawn suddenly said looking out at the waitress. "She just gave Caramel a scowl when she looked over here." Dawn suddenly turned and passed Stellar over to a surprised Caramel. "Here, hold him, I'm going to find out what's got her in such a twist." Sliding out of the booth, she stormed off towards the waitress, who was currently wiping down a table.

"Hmmm, this doesn't look good. Caramel you'd best pass me the foals, and go after her, and see to it that she doesn't do anything rash." Morning Glow said as her horn lit up with magic, and lifted the foals up from Caramel. "Dawn's sweet most of the time, but she does have a bit of a temper."

Caramel began to slip out of the booth when he suddenly heard Dawn's voice shout out in outrage. "How dare you!" Suddenly a nearby customers plate of spaghetti lifted up in Dawn's magical grasp, and she hurled it onto the hapless waitress, covering her in the messy meal. "I'll have you know that Caramel is the sweetest, kindest, and most considerate stallion I have ever met, I will not allow you to besmirch his good name with these lies!" She was shouting so loudly, that it was likely ponies could hear her from outside the diner.

Caramel quickly rushed over, and placed himself between the two. "Dawn! That's enough! This is no way for you to act." Caramel was amazed by the fire he saw in Dawn's eyes as she glared around him at the fuming waitress. "Apologize to her!"

Dawn's eyes snapped to him. "But you don't understand! She thinks that you... did things... with me!" Dawn's eyes were now brimming with tears, as she looked at him.

"What is going on here!?" A new voice said, and a charcoal brown pegasus stallion, wearing a greasy apron rushed up to the waitress, and upon seeing the state she was in, whirled about. "Who did this!?" Anger and shock were evident in his voice, as he demanded to know the culprit.

Dawn was now breaking down and weeping, and Caramel quickly turned around to face what appeared to be the cook. "I did it, and I'm sorry. We'll pay our bill and leave." Caramel said, taking the blame from Dawn.

The stallion glared at Caramel. "Oh no your not! This is clearly an assault. I'm getting the constables!"

The waitress shoved herself forward. "Good! Going to jail is what you deserve! Its where all fillyfondler's should go!"

Fillyfondler!? The waitress thought that he was one of those pervert stallions who force themselves on young filly's! Caramel heart sank to the pit of his stomach. The shock of the accusation rocked him to the core, and it took him a moment to reply. "I am no fillyfondler!" He managed to shout back in denial.

"Please." The waitress said in disdain. "How can you say that, when she still carries her pregnancy weight and stretch marks! How brazen must you be to parade around the results of you illicit and shameful relations with a filly much to young for you! Your nothing but a dirty rapist!" She spat out the last word. A word that struck deeply into Caramel's mind, as the shock of it sent him reeling.

His heart began racing in his chest, as he suddenly found it very hard to breath. No, not now! It felt like a vice was clamping down onto his chest, as he staggered back. Memory's started to come, memory's that he had tried to bury and forget for many years now. Dark memory's from his past.

His jaw hurt as he looked up at her, the taste of blood thick in his mouth. "Please, no more."

A searing pain flashed across his back, as she struck him. "Did I say you could talk, slave?" She snapped angrily. "I will have obedience!"

"No, I'm sorry! Please." He pleaded as he felt another searing pain slash across his back, followed by another. "Please no... please nooo..."

Caramel found himself slumped to the floor, with Dawn holding his head, with a look of deep concern on her face. "Caramel! Are you okay? Talk to me!" She asked as she used the back of her leg to wipe the froth from his mouth, her voice seemed to come from far off, as Caramel tried to get his mouth to cooperate, and to say something back, to help calm her fears.

His head felt like a swarm of bees were buzzing around in it, and his heart was still trying to beat its way out of his chest, as his panic attack ebbed. He cursed himself for his weakness, as he slowly regained his senses. "I'm... okay." He managed to mumble out to Dawn, who let out a relieved breath, and hugged his head to herself.

"Excuse me, but I've heard quite enough of this." Morning Glow said as she stepped up next to Caramel and Dawn. Cinnamon and Stellar were suspended next to her, held in a aura of magic. "I think a little introductions may be in order. My name is Morning Glow, and this fine filly you see helping the stallion, is Dawn Sparks, my niece." She levitated Stellar up before her. "And this little prince is her son, born just yesterday, Stellar Prize, isn't he just the cutest?" She asked sweetly before her friendly smile suddenly hardened. "Now, did I just hear you insult little Stellar's godfather?"

The waitress blinked at her, taken aback by the older mare's calm intrusion. "Godfather?" She said in confusion.

"Why yes, you see just this morning, Caramel, who is the stallion with whom you've been insulting with your baseless accusations, just agreed to become Stellar's godfather. And in turn, my niece Dawn has also agreed to become his little filly's godmother." The waitress's sneer began to fade as her eyes flicked between Caramel and Morning Glow. "I am speaking of course of this little princess." Morning Glow said as Cinnamon floated up next to Stellar. "Her name is Cinnamon. She was orphaned the day she was born when Caramel's sister died tragically a few days ago. Caramel is taking her in and will be raising her as his own, which is truly a wonderful thing for him to do, don't you think?"

The waitress's eyes were wide, with growing a look of horror. She fell back a step and shook her head in denial, but Morning Glow wasn't done yet. Morning Glow stomped a hoof down forcefully, causing the waitress to flinch. "How dare you judge him with your flawed reasoning! You jumped to an conclusion and treated him like dirt! You should be ashamed!" Morning Glow's held her head high, as she snorted in rage. "Caramel is a very sweet and kind stallion, and you spat on him." Morning Glow turned and gestured to huddled form of Caramel, as Dawn continued to console him. "Just look at what your actions have wrought! Look at what you have done to him!"

The waitress had backed up a few more steps and was shaking her head, he eyes had gone wild at the realization of what she had done. "I...I...thought..." She never finished as she suddenly she turned and fled, disappearing though a door to the back.

The cook watched dumbfounded as the waitress bolted into the back, quickly turned to them. "I am so sorry for her actions, I swear that Acacia has never done anything like this before!" He suddenly looked around the room, and upon seeing the many customers staring at the scene he raised his voice. "My apologies for the disruption, it was only a misunderstanding." He quickly approached Caramel, as Dawn helped him stand. "I'm so very sorry for this, please, accept the meal as a gift, free of charge, and if you wait a moment, I will get you a pie, any pie you want. Cherry? Apple?" Without waiting for an answer he rushed off to the kitchen.

Once Caramel was on his hooves, he gave both Dawn and Morning an appreciative smile and nod, before they helped usher him back to their table. Once he was seated, he reached for his cup, but seeing that it was still empty, then grabbed Dawn's and drained it down. "Please, I would like to hold Cinnamon." He said, and was surprised when both foals were dropped into his lap. Without complaint he wrapped his hooves around them he let out a sigh from the comfort he got, as he held them close. Dawn slid herself in next to him until she was pressed to his side.

"What happened to you? It looked like you had some kind of attack." Dawn asked. Concern written all over her face.

"It... happens occasionally. It's a type of panic attack." Caramel explained, staring down at the tabletop.

"Do you take any anti anxiety medicine?" Morning Glow asked, seating herself across from him.

Caramel shook his head. "My panic attacks isn't caused by stress or anything general like that. It happens when... I'm reminded of a terrible experience from my past." He looked up and gave a weak smile. "You can chalk it up to a bad memory."

"Bad memory? What kind of bad memory does something like that?" Dawn asked.

Morning Glow was looking at him seriously, while deep in thought. It seemed like she understood that there was something, that he kept to himself. Looking over at Dawn she suddenly broke in. "Dawn, I think its best, not to pry. Whatever it is, it causing him pain, so just leave him be."

Dawn looked at her aunt like she wanted to argue, but then after looking back at Caramel she relented and nodded. "Okay aunt Morning, I won't pry."

Caramel sat in silence, comforted by the feel of the two foals in his lap. They were so young and innocent, not scared by a horrible past that would leave them trembling with the mere thought of it. He wanted Cinnamon to grow up, free from such things, the mere thought of anypony hurting her made his blood boil, and he was sure he would do anything to protect her, from such things.

It wasn't long before the cook reappeared next to their table again, with a new waitress with him. "Hi, I didn't hear what pie you would like so I brought them all." Soon their table was covered in pies, way too many for them to eat. There was an apple pie, cherry pie, peach cobbler, lemon meringue pie, and a blackberry pie. Caramel and the others stared down at all the pies in surprised shock. "Please enjoy, and whatever you don't eat you can take with you, we have to-go boxes, whenever you need them."

As the cook turned to leave, Caramel had a thought. The waitress. She had been so convinced that he was the monster she believed him to be. Why would she have jumped to such a conclusion? Perhaps... "Excuse me." Caramel called out to the cook before he could leave. "The waitress, Acacia I believe you called her. Is she still around? I would like to talk to her."

The cook hesitated. "I'm not sure that is such a good idea."

"Please." Caramel pleaded, as he leaned forward. "I'm not mad at her, in fact... I think I can help her... at least a little."

The cook looked at him for a moment considering it, before he let out a sigh, "She hiding herself in the break room at the moment, I was going to look in on her latter when she calmed down."

"Dawn let me out. Morning Glow take the foals please." The foals lifted up out of his lap, held aloft in Morning Glow's magic as they drifted over to her. Dawn scooted out of the way, leaving him free to slip out of the booth.

"Caramel, what are you doing?" Dawn asked as he moved past her.

"I think that there is more going on than her merely jumping to a conclusion." Caramel said to Dawn before he turned to the cook. "Where's the break room?"

The cook unfurled a wing and pointed to a door with it. "Go though there and it will be the second door on the left."

Caramel passed thought the door and stepped down the hall, before pausing at the second door. Lifting his hoof to the door handle, he pressed down and opened the door. Stepping in, he found Acacia sitting at a table with her back turned away, with her head buried in her hooves. From the way her back was hitching, he could tell that she was crying. Lifting his hoof, Caramel lightly rapped on the open door.

"Basil, I want to be left alone." Acacia muttered out, not even bothering looking back at him.

"I'm sorry for intruding." Caramel said softly.

Acacia let out a gasp and whirled around. Her face was a wreck, her eyes were red and swollen, with her cheeks soaked from her tears.

"What?... what are you doing here?" Acacia asked, obviously shocked at his appearance.

Seeing a box of tissues on a back counter, Caramel crossed over and picked them up, and took them to Acacia. Holding them out to her. "I wanted to speak to you, and let you know that I'm not angry with you."

Acacia gaped at him, before she took the tissues. "But why not? I said some horrible things to you. You have every right to be angry with me."

Caramel moved over and sat across from her at the table. "It's true that you said some really hurtful things, but I can't bring myself to blame you for them."

"But why?" She truly seemed lost as she tried to fathom his reasons.

Caramel took a moment to think his response though. "Because... you were a victim yourself, weren't you?" The look of total shock and surprise on her face practically confirmed his hunch.

"How!?...how did you...?" She quickly looked around, checking that they were alone, and that nopony had overheard him.

"It was the vehemence that you showed. It only made sense if you were drawing from a past experience of your own." Caramel explained leaning forward.

Acacia visibly was struggling with her emotions as she listened to him. "I never told anypony." She stared down at her hooves as they rested on the table.

Caramel reached forward and set his hooves on her, the moment his hooves touched hers, she gave a little jump, and tensed up, and for a moment it appears like she was about to jerk her hooves away, but then she let out a sigh and relaxed as she allowed the contact.

"I think that needs to change. Your carrying a wound that is obviously hurting, and I think you need to talk to somepony about it. You need to heal, or this will just get worse."

"I don't know if I can. I've been living with this shame for so long. I don't know anything else." Fresh tears came to her eyes, as she started to shiver.

Caramel knew that she needed closure, for what she had gone though was eating her up, and if nothing was done, then it would most likely destroy any possibility of a happy life for her. She needed to open up, and she needed somepony she trusted to open up to.

"Acacia?" A voice said from the door. A soft green earth pony stallion stood there looking in on the two. "Basil told me that something happened, and I wanted to see if your okay." He paused as he looked at the two, and at the way they were sitting together. "Did...I come at a bad time?"

By the way that Acacia tensed up, and her cheeks reddened, it was obvious that she liked this stallion as she stared down at her hooves. Caramel looked at the two and smiled. This is perfect. "No, you came at a perfect time, come in and have a seat. I think Acacia is in need of you."

The stallion hesitated a moment before crossing over and sitting next to Acacia. "What's going on? I heard that there was some sort of trouble."

Caramel released her hoof and stood up. "Acacia will explain it to you, and hopefully she will share some other things with you too." Stepping around the table, Caramel paused next to the stallion. "Just be there for her, no matter what. She needs somepony to be strong for her."

The stallion looked at him uncertainly, but after a moment gave a nod. "I'll do my best."

"Good! I'll just leave you two alone now, so that you can talk things out." Caramel started for the door.

"Caramel?" Acacia suddenly called out. Pausing Caramel looked back. Acacia had turned and was looking at him. "Thank you."

Caramel gave her a smile, before he turned and left, closing the door behind him. As he walked back to the table, he hoped things will work out for her. She had been holding something inside for so long, that exposing it to others was likely to be a painful and overwhelming experience. If only I had that kind of bravery, maybe then I can find some healing of my own. Caramel mused to himself.

Approaching the table, he found that Meadow Mist had switched to the other side so that she was next to Dawn. A foal blanket had been draped over Dawn midsection, and from the powder blue hoof poking out from under the blanket, Caramel guessed that she was nursing Stellar.

"How did it go?" Dawn asked as Caramel sat across from her next to Morning Glow.

"It went well. I have hope for her." Caramel answered. Looking around he found somepony missing from the group. "Where's Cinnamon?"

"She was hungry." Dawn said, before she took a bite out of a rather large piece of lemon meringue pie.

It took a moment for Caramel to puzzle out her response. Leaning down, he spied a pair of little white hooves poking out from the under the blanket on the other side of Dawn. "Are you nursing her?" Caramel asked in surprise.

Dawn gave him a funny look as she swallowed her mouthful. "I'm her godmother, of course I am. She was hungry and I have an extra teat."

Morning Glow looked over at him. "You know that mare's milk is best for little foals. Formula is so processed that many foals develop digestive problems with it. Mare's milk is easy on their little tummies, and full of beneficial things you won't find in store bought formulas. Take Meadow here, I exclusively nursed Meadow until she graduated to solid foods, and she was a delightfully healthy foal, who never suffered a bout of colic."

Caramel glanced over at the mentioned filly and grinned. "As well as a taste for pie, I see." Meadow let out a giggle, lifting her head up from a half eaten cherry pie, which Caramel noticed she was eating strait from the pie tray.

Morning Glow let out an exacerbated sigh at the sight of her daughter. "Yes, well. She gets that from her fathers side."

Caramel reached over and slid the peach cobbler closer to lift out a slice for himself.

After three slices of pie, Caramel was stuffed. Walking stiffly out of the diner's doors, Caramel couldn't help but let out a groan. Never again will I ever eat this much pie. Caramel promised himself. Dawn let out little groans herself as she followed behind Caramel.

"I think I should have stopped at four." Dawn grumbled, rubbing her distended belly.

Caramel glanced back and smirked. "You kind of look pregnant again."

Dawn let out a gasp and swatted Caramel. "Don't even joke about that!" She paused and looked at her reflection in a shop window. "But your right, I do look a little pregnant."

Both of them came to a stop to glare at Meadow as she happily trotted by them, oblivious to their discomfort. "I can't believe you ate that entire pie all by yourself." Dawn said to Meadow as she passed them, showing no signs of discomfort.

"She's a growing filly." Morning Glow answered simply as she followed behind.

Their train was due to leave in an hour, so they only had time to stop at one store to do any shopping, much to Caramel relief, as he felt he was in no condition to be dragged around from store to store.

Stepping carefully through the isles, Caramel meticulously examined the shelves. Wanting to be a good godfather, Caramel was hunting for the perfect gift for his godson. Occasionally he would spot Dawn and her aunt as they huddled around something while giggling together. Meadow Mist had shot off to the stuffed animals, and was happily sorting through them, while commenting to herself on how each one was adorable then the last.

Stepping around to a new isle, Caramel paused as he took a sniff. That's weird. Lowering his head down, he sniffed at Cinnamon, as she dangled under his neck. "Cinnamon honey, your not gassy anymore." Caramel announced to the filly, who just burbled at him and attempted to grasp his head in her hooves. Lifting his head up, he gazed back over his shoulder at Dawn and her aunt. "She's right. There's nothing quite like a mare's milk to sooth a filly's tummy."

He had almost lost hope for finding a gift, when he turned the the last corner. Pausing he blinked at what he saw. Shelves full of little wooden boxes, some brightly painted, others were stained and polished so that their wood would shine. "Music boxes! This would be perfect." Scanning through the music boxes, he saw that each one had a little paper placard titling the song each one played. He passed by many due to how garish they looked or because he didn't like the song that it played. Finally he came to a box that caught his eye, the wood was stained dark, almost black, and its trim was painted a nighttime blue. Along the sides were carved images of the night sky, culminating with a strong crescent moon on its lid. Reaching out, he lifted its lid and gave its key a few twists to listen to its song, the moment he released the key a gentle but powerful lullaby started to play out. It's melody rose and fell in a pleasing manner, that invited the listener to loose themselves in the song.

Looking down at the placard he read the title of the song. Children of the Night. "This is perfect." Scooping it off the shelf, Caramel glanced around to see if Dawn could see him. He spotted her across the room, helping to restock the stuffed animals back onto their shelves from the havoc that Meadow had caused, who seemed to be sitting in a chair in a time out.

Seeing the coast was clear, Caramel quickly hurried over to the payment counter. Once he finished there, Caramel sat himself in a plush chair near the front door of the store to wait, his purchase already tucked safely into the diaper bag. Setting Cinnamon in his lap, he positioned her so that she was on her back looking up at him. She laid there quietly, as she focused on Caramel face. Her sight had gotten better and she was able to see in greater detail now, so Caramel played with this as he watched her. Wiggling his ears, Cinnamon's eyes darted up to watch them move, then he lifted and lowered his eyebrows, and her lavender eyes darted down to look there, he couldn't help but smile at her, as he continued to move different facial features to make her gaze wander about.

"You seem pretty happy now, I guess your feeling better." Caramel eventually said, lowering his head down and giving Cinnamon an affectionate nuzzle. It wasn't much longer before the others finally finished their shopping and joined him. The departure time of their train was aproching, so they needed to head down to the train station.

As they approached the station, Caramel was glad he had decided to see them off here rather then at the hospital. The time they spent together had been a soothing salve, that eased Caramel's pain. The stallion that he had saw in Dawn's hospital room was waiting on the platform, a trolley of luggage sitting next to him.

"Burning Star went to your home this morning and packed up some of your stuff." Morning Glow said to Dawn as they approached him. "Did you give that lout of a worthless stepfather a piece of your mind?" Morning Glow asked her husband as she gave him a quick kiss as she greeted him.

Burning Star lifted his hoof and held it up as he flexed his fetlock. "That, and a bit more. He'll be chewing soft food for a bit."

Morning Glow gave her husband an approving look. "Somepony's going to get a reward tonight." She murmured to him.

Upon hearing what Burning Star had done, Caramel quickly approached Burning Star and threw his hoof out to him. Burning Star looked at Caramel for a moment, meeting his gaze, before he reached out and hooked his fetlock around Caramel's as the two shook. Caramel was glad that Dawn's stepfather had received his comeuppance, for what he done to her. And as they shook hooves, Caramel gave Burning Star an appreciative nod for a job well done, while Burning Star took note of it, and returned a nod back, acknowledging the sentiment.

Caramel was about to turn and leave when their hooves broke apart but then he suddenly found himself encased in a hug by Morning Glow, after a moment he awkwardly returned it. "Take care Caramel, and don't be a stranger. Visit whenever you want, you will always be welcome in our home."

"Thank you Morning Glow." Caramel replied giving her a smile.

"And make sure you take care of Cinnamon, If I hear that your neglecting her in any way, I'm going to have Burning Star come and motivate you to do so." Morning Glow said seriously, before she flashed a smile and turned. Caramel was unsure if she was serious or just joking.

Before he could puzzle it out, Meadow Mist tapped him on his leg. Looking down at her he was surprised when she lightly kissed him on his cheek. With his cheeks suddenly burning, he watched Meadow, as she dash off, joining her mother by the trolley.

"Well, I guess that leaves the best for last." Dawn said as she stepped up to him. Her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. "Promise me you will write."

"I assure you, that in this case, a promise is completely unnecessary." Bending around, Caramel reached into his diaper bag and lifted out the music box. Turning back he held it up for her.

Dawn let out a gasp as she lifted the music box up in her magic. "Its beautiful, thank you." She then opened a flap on her bag with her magic and lifted something out, it drifted forwards until she set it down onto Caramel uplifted hoof. It was a brand new family photo album. Before he could say anything, she opened the cover. There sitting on the first page was a lock of Dawn's dark blue mane, tied neatly with a purple ribbon, next to it was a smaller lock of Stellar's maroon colored mane tied with a light blue ribbon. "So you can have a piece of us with you."

Caramel felt his throat tighten, as he struggled to control his feelings. Her gift was just so personal and intimate, unlike anything he might have expected. "Dawn this is so... Thank you, I will treasure it."

Dawn lifted the album from him and stored it into his bag for him, before she wrapped a hoof around his neck and hugged him, careful not to smoosh the two foals together. Lifting his hoof, Caramel returned the hug. They stayed like this for a slightly longer period time than would be considered appropriate, before her grip loosened and she began to pull back. He felt her cheek rub against his for a moment as they passed, as her hot breath teased his neck, and just as they pulled apart, she suddenly reversed and quickly planted her lips to his. It wasn't a long kiss, in fact, it was rather quick one, but it still sent a shock from his lips down his body all the way to the end of his tail.

Once the kiss ended, Dawn pulled back quickly, blinking her eyes. She was flushed all the way to the tips of her ears. "I'll miss you." She said in a rush, before she hurried over to her family.

Caramel was left in a state of shock, frozen in place. The unexpected kiss had thrown him for a loop, and his mind was trying to deal with it. Suddenly he became aware of something, as he curiously licked his lips. That taste... Caramel couldn't help but grin as he looked at the retreating form of Dawn. That cheeky little minx, she really did steal a kiss when I was asleep.

Caramel stayed until their train left the station, watching Dawn and Meadow waving from the window. Once the train disappeared from sight, Caramel, let out a sigh. Looking down at Cinnamon, as she dozed in her carrier. "Come on, lets go home."

Author's Note

Fun Fact- Whirl Void's name was based on the term loophole, Loop=Whirl Hole=Void

For those that didn't get the reference, the music box was a reference to a song found on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNcJOqWzoBg
its a beautiful song that fits the scene beautifully.

I rushed this chapter out, so I am sure that there are still typo's. Any comments would be welcome.

Thanks

Chapter 05

Caramel had a busy morning. He had gotten up early and hired a moving company to come and pack up Fudge's apartment, and send her stuff down to Ponyville. He also talked with the landlord and explained what had happened with Fudge, and made arrangements to cancel Fudge's lease. After that, he made a quick visit to the hospital to finish the paperwork with Whirl Void. All in all, it was a productive morning

Caramel had pulled out his sisters luggage bag from her closet and was busy packing all the things he wanted to take with them for their trip back to Ponyville. Cinnamon was in her crib, sleeping peacefully, at least for now. Her diarrhea had returned, worse than before, and Caramel had to stop at the store, on his way back, to buy some cream to soothe her burning and inflamed pucker. Now that she had a clean and dry bottom, along with a healthy application of the soothing cream, she had finally quieted down and drifted of to sleep, much to Caramel's relief.

Lifting up the container of formula he had been using, Caramel crossed the room and dropped it into the trash. "One less thing to worry about." Stepping back to the table he pulled out the new formula he had bought along with the cream. Holding it up, he looked over the list of ingredients it had listed on its back. "Whey protein concentrate, Enzymatically Hydrolyzed... reduced minerals?... I have no idea what this all this means?" Caramel shook his head, he couldn't make heads or tails of what he was reading, and the only reason he got it was because an employee he had talked to, had told him that this formula came highly recommended by the Medical Nutritional Society.

Sighing, Caramel continued packing. Picking up the photo album that Dawn had given him, Caramel opened it for a moment and looked at the two clippings that still rested on the front page. It was only yesterday that Dawn and Stellar had left for their new home, and Caramel wondered how they were doing settling in. Closing the album, he packed it into the luggage. It suddenly occurred to him that he was missing something. Looking around, he wondered where his sister had put it.

It took him a bit of searching but he finally found what he was looking for in a chest that Fudge kept in her bedroom. Lifting out his prize, Caramel took it to the table and set it down. It had been years since he had last seen it. His old family photo album. It looked thicker than he remembered, Fudge must have been adding to it.

Flipping it open to a random page, Caramel found a picture of himself at a very young age, taking a bath with his sister. Caramel couldn't help but smile at it, remembering how Fudge loved taking bath's with him, when he was younger. Flipping a few pages forward brought up a picture of himself, wearing a very stupid party hat, while blowing out candle's on a cake. Turning to the next page, Caramel suddenly paused.

The picture showed Caramel, and a filly with their hooves mutually linked around each others shoulders, as they looked up at the camera giving their biggest smiles while covered from head to their hooves in mud. Caramel remembered when the picture had been taken, it was just before he started school. His parents had traveled to Prance to work under some famous chef there, to learn Prance cuisine. His sister was older, and had been allowed to go with them, but Caramel was too young, so Lilly and Chisel had taken him in for six months, while his parents were away.

Caramel thought about when he had first met that filly. He had been playing in Lilly's office when the door opened and Lilly walked in, with a nervous looking filly following behind her. Her father had brought her in, but then found he couldn't watch her while he was doing business in the warehouse, so Lilly had offered to watch her.

The filly told Caramel that her name was Golden Harvest, but everypony at school called her Carrot Top due to the color of her mane and tail, but she admitted to Caramel that she didn't really like being called that, so she told him to just call her Goldie. Their fist day together lasted only an hour before she had to go, but the next day, Goldie and her father, Taproot, returned. He claimed that Goldie had relentlessly badgered him to bring her back to visit with Caramel. So after he talked it out with Lilly, it was agreed to let Goldie stay over for the rest of the day. This arrangement soon expanded to pretty much every day, as the two became the best of friends.

For the next six month's, they got into all sorts of trouble. Like having a tea party, that nearly caused Lilly to faint, when she discovered them using her good tea set, and then there was the time they played hide and seek up in the attic, kicking up all sorts of dust, and tracking it all over the house.

And then there was this day, the day the picture had been taken. They had gone exploring in the back yard just after a rainstorm, and found a large puddle. For a time they raced boats made out of twigs and leaves across the watery expanse, until Goldie stuck up behind him and pushed him in. It of course meant war, and by the time Lilly called them in for lunch, they were a complete wreck. At first Lilly looked like she was going to be furious, but then she suddenly broke out laughing, and as soon as she could, she grabbed her camera and snapped the picture that Caramel was now looking at.

A week latter, Caramel returned to Fillydelphia, and the next time he met Goldie was years latter, when he moved to Ponyville. Caramel had just started working for Chisel and Lilly, at the Farmers Supply store, when she came in one day with her father. At first, Caramel could only gawk at her stupidly, as he suddenly saw his filly friend suddenly grown into a beautiful young mare. After he got his tongue unglued enough to make coherent speech, he was able to at least to hold a friendly conversation. At least until Golden's father, Taproot, noticed and made sure they were hardly ever alone together. A few times Taproot would draw Caramel aside, and tell him odd stories about what some farmer friend of his did, when that farmer had discovered a colt messing around with one of his daughters. His stories were always rich in detail and oftentimes colorful with humor, until the end, where the colt always had some kind of bad end. He never understood why Taproot was so protective of his daughter, until now. Cinnamon had given him much insight in what it meant and felt like to be a father, and the desire to protect that which is dear to you.

Flipping the album shut, Caramel stored it away in the luggage, along with the other. Reaching over he lifted up a quilt and looked it over again. It had been hoof stitched by his sister for Cinnamon, and it was covered in colorfully stitched ponies. She always was good at stitching, Caramel thought before he carefully folded the quilt and placed it into the luggage. Glancing at the time, he realized he would need to hurry the packing if he was to make the train.

Golden Harvest stepped onto her train. With her ticket held in her mouth, she moved forward to find a seat. A young stallion lewdly nickered at her as she passed, prompting her to lower her ears in irritation as she staunchly ignored him. Taking a empty seat, Golden sat down and tucked her ticket into her bag before she slipped it under her seat.

Fillydelphia was not her favorite city to visit, but her latest trip had been quite fruitful. Her father will be happy with the deal she was able to make for his Equestrian Gold line with one of the local restaurants, that had been growing increasingly displeased with their current produce farmer for the last few years, when they had been failing to meet their quota, by delivering pour quality vegetables in ever decreasing amounts.

Her father, Taproot, never was very good at sales. Preferring to just stay at home and work the fields, leaving what he called the boring job to his wife, May Flower. In recent times, Golden had been making the sales trips herself, finding that she had quite a knack for it, but her father wasn't so happy about her making these long trips all by herself. At first, he had her brother Oregon Trail, tag along to keep an eye on her, but that quickly grew to be a problem as he was needed at home to help with the fields. Reluctantly, her father gave in, and allowed her to travel alone, but only if she promised to be careful, and to stay as far away from strange stallions as she could.

As Golden gazed out the window, she could see the clock on the platform, and saw it was going to be another five minutes before the train was scheduled to leave. Sighing, she idly looked around at the passengers as they moved about the platform. She saw an old mare holding up the line at the ticket counter, and many of the ponies stuck in line behind her were grumbling and complaining, as they waited their turn. Moving off, she found her cheeks suddenly blushing, when her gaze focused on a young stallion and mare, who were kissing each other passionately. It looked like the young stallion was leaving to join the guard and the mare was showing him how much he was going to be missed. Golden gazed at them wistfully for a time, feeling envious of the couple, before she forced herself to look elsewhere.

A light amber colored stallion passing by her window suddenly caught her attention, and Golden's ears shot up strait in surprise when she suddenly realized that she recognized him! She rubbed her eyes and did a double take, but there was no mistaking the three blue horseshoe's cutie mark on the stallions flank, it was Caramel! What was he doing in Fillydelphia? And why is he carrying a...FILLY!? She couldn't believe her eyes, Caramel had just passed by her window carrying a filly. Quickly Golden plastered her face against the window to look down the side of the train. Is he boarding the train!? She couldn't tell when she lost sight of him, but it did look like he might board the train further up. What was he doing with a filly? Could she be his? Caramel wasn't the kind who would loosely play around with mares, so for him to have an accident like this, just seemed ridiculous.

Golden fondly remembered the time when she had forced her father to take her into town so she could play with Caramel. During that time they were as think as thieves, getting into all kinds of trouble, and Golden took it hard when it came time for him to finally leave, to go back home. She had locked herself in her room for the rest of the day, and wept uncontrollably into her pillow. When he returned many years latter, she was ecstatic to see him again, but was saddened to see some of the changes in him. He had a shadow about him at times, and was now distant and withdrawn. Obviously he was hurting over something, and Golden was disappointed when he never opened up and confided to her. She missed the old playful Caramel. The one with the zest for life, who would poke at spiderwebs for fun. She missed her best friend.

"Hay there pretty thing, what are you doing here all by your lonesome?" A voice said from beside her, interrupting her private thoughts. Golden let out a sigh that fogged the glass she was pressed against, and turned. Unwanted stallion advances, was one of the unfortunate side effects of traveling alone, and what she saw now was a prime example. Leaning against her seat with a leering smile was that same young stallion she had passed a few moments ago, when she was looking for a seat.

Pressing her ears back, Golden gave him a flat irritated look, hoping to impress her feelings to him. "I would like to be left alone, and I don't want to be disturbed." It was surprising how often this response worked, but then there were always the occasionally stubborn or stupid stallion that failed to listen.

The suave grayish green colored stallion appeared, much to Golden's annoyance, to be the kind who listened only to himself, as he ignored her as he sat down. Flashing her a smile with his overly white teeth, he idly brushed his long dirty straw colored mane back. "A pretty filly like you shouldn't be sitting all alone, not when there is a stallion like myself who can keep you company."

Alarmed at the stallion's boldness and apparent lack of tact, Golden moved herself further away until she was pressing herself to the window. This stallion was obviously full of himself, and Golden was loosing her patience with him, not to mention he was creeping her out. "A filly like myself shouldn't also be harassed by passing stallions ether."

The stallion slid himself closer, and Golden felt her skin crawl. She was feeling decisively trapped as he loomed over her. "Oh come now, I'm not harassing you, I'm just offering some friendly companionship for the long trip." She could smell his husky breath as he spoke. Lifting his hoof, he lightly slid it down her shoulder, causing shivers to run down her spine. "I have a private car we can retire to, where we can enjoy some champagne, that I'll have dinning car bring over just for us. Then, we can relax and enjoy ourselves in privacy." Golden rolled her shoulder in an attempt to brush off his petting hoof, but much to her disgust, she only succeeded in shifting his touch to her whithers. "What do you say to a little fun, huh? Maybe get to know each other a little better?"

Golden pressed her hoof to his chest and pushed him back, but only as far as her hoof would reach. She could feel him pressing back into her hoof, ready to move back in, if she pulled her hoof away. "I'm sorry Mr... whoever you are, I will not be spending any time with you, so please go."

The earth stallion was undaunted, as he lifted his hoof and slid sensually along the leg she was using to hold him back with. "Oh! How rude of me. I neglected to introduce myself, my name is Bitternut Dandy." He leaned in harder against her restraining hoof as his eyes roamed openly over her body, causing Golden feel her skin crawl at his openly salacious gaze. "What might your name be?"

Golden's ears were pressed tightly against the back of her head, as her lip lifted in distaste. Never before, had she seen a stallion ever be this persistent, or this lewd. Distantly she heard the train engine blast out a horn blast as a warning that the train was about to leave the station. With her patience at a end, Golden decided to act. "I just want to be left alone!" Lifting her other hoof, she shoved him back with both her hooves. Momentarily free, she quickly jumped out of her seat and pulled her bag out. "If you will excuse me, I have somewhere else to be!"

As she moved past him, the train suddenly lurched as it started to move. The sudden movement caused Golden to loose her balance and much to her absolute mortification, she flopped her rump down, right into Bitternut Dandy's lap.

"Oh my! How very eager of you, I like that in a mare." Bitternut Dandy said salaciously, very much pleased with the situation. Golden felt his groping hoof grasp her around her flanks, as he rubbed her over her three carrots with greens cutie marks.

Golden's face heated up bright red in mortified outrage, at the feeling of his lewdly grasping hooves. Leaping up as fast as she could, she whirled about, and before she knew what she was doing, she lashed out with her hoof, and punched the perverted stallion square into his face. The shock of her hoof meeting his cheek, sent feeling of satisfaction though Golden as she watched Bitternut Dandy fall back off the seat.

Golden stared in surprise at what she had just done. She had never punched somepony before, and as the realization of what she had just done hit her, she felt immensely pleased with herself at having put the crude stallion down. A quick glance at him confirmed that her punch had cleanly knocked him out, as he lay drooling on the floor with his tongue hanging out.

Picking up her bag, Golden quickly left the car, heading forward towards where she had last seen Caramel going, in the hopes of finding him.

Caramel had chosen to sit in the most forward passenger car, so that he could distance himself from the other passengers who usually preferred to sit closer to the dinning car in the back. His plan worked as he had the car all to himself. With his sisters quilt spread over the seat, he had Cinnamon laid out between his forelegs as he lounged on his belly. Cinnamon was now able to roll over, and crawl around a bit, so Caramel worried that she might fall off the seat.

Set out at the end of his outstretched hooves, Caramel had his old family album opened, as he slowly flipped though the pages. A sad sense of nostalgia had settled over him as he turned the pages. So many happy times lost to the past. Pictures of his parents came to an abrupt end, as he reached the point where they had died. Pausing, Caramel looked at a picture with a sense of sadness. The picture showed a young Caramel wearing a dark suit standing next to his sister Fudge, as she wore a muted black dress. They were standing forlornly before two coffins that their parents rested in, prier to their burial.

Sad tears, slowly fell from his eyes, as he viewed the image of his parents funeral. Soon, there will be another picture added to this book, the one from Fudge's funeral. Tired of the depressing images, Caramel let out a sigh, and flipped it back to a random point in the book, before he pushed it away.

Lowering his head, Caramel set it down alongside Cinnamon. He smiled when he felt Cinnamon sleepily roll over and cuddle herself up to the side of his face. Drowsily he shut his eyes, and with the comforting feeling of Cinnamon's hot breath against his cheek, Caramel drifted off to asleep.

Golden moved through several of the train's cars, but failed to find Caramel. She was beginning to wonder if he even got on in the first place. Maybe he was there at the train station to pick up somepony, perhaps that filly's mother. Her hope that he was here began to fade as she passed though a completely empty car. As she opened the door to the last passenger car, her heart sank at first when she didn't see anypony there, but then she noticed a form laying on one of the seats, midway though the car.

Golden paused nervously for a moment, wondering if she should approach him. After wrestling with her feeling for a bit, Golden took a breath and let it out, as she made up her mind. Silently she stepped closer. She could see that Caramel was laid out on his belly with his head resting between his forelegs. As she drew closer, Golden suddenly had to bite her lip, to keep herself from letting out a daww, at the adorable sight of the foal snuggled up to the side of Caramel's sleeping face.

Once she drew close and was standing just over him, she noticed the photo album sitting at the edge of his seat, its page was open to a series of photo's that Golden couldn't help but recognize. With a smile on her face she leaned her head over, so she could more closely looked them over. They all showed images of herself and Caramel, during their summer together.

Carefully, she lifted up the album and sat down in the seat behind Caramel's. With a smile on her face, she looked though the pictures of their time together as foalhood friends. Golden soon realized, that Lilly liked to take lot of pictures, as she flipped though the pages. She nearly laughed out loud when she came to one where they were covered in mud. The next one made her blush furiously as she saw that Lilly had put them in a bath together. I forgot about that.

A soft mewling sound made Golden's ears perk up. Looking over she saw that the foal was awake and was rolling over. As Golden watched, the foal struggled to the crest of Caramel's leg, and with her diapered rump pressed up against Caramel's cheek, she paused as she lifted her head up and stared at Golden curiously. Golden thought all foals were adorable, but this one was even more so. White, was a rare color for earth ponies, and as Golden looked the filly over, she couldn't help but admire the beauty of the foal's mane and tail, as they looked like they were dipped in liquid caramel. What a fitting color, she thought.

Setting the photo album to the side, Golden stood and leaned down close to the filly. Taking in the filly's scent, Golden's nose suddenly touched the filly's nose as the filly sniffed her back. Golden felt a warmth spread throughout her body as her heart quickened. An almost uncontrollable need to hold, and snuggle the filly came over her. With a quick glace to make sure Caramel was still asleep, she brought up her hooves and carefully lifted the filly up.

Sitting herself back down, Golden held the filly to herself as she slowly rocked her body. It had been a while since she last held a foal. The last time being when her two sisters where little, and her mother needed her help, to care for them. Golden found that things seemed different now. She was now a full grown mare, and the feeling of the filly against her body just felt right, as a pleasant contented feeling settled over her.

Humming an old melody she knew, Golden looked to Caramel, and watched as he slept. She wondered what his story was, and how he came to have a foal. Caramel's scent was all over the filly, so Golden figured he'd been caring for her, and judging by the clean white coat and well groomed and cared for mane and tail, he was doing a fine job of it as well.

Golden glanced to the side, and eyed the photo album. Why was he also traveling with the photo album? Reaching out her free hoof Golden began flipping through the pages, soon she came to a stop, when she started to find pictures of Caramel with a older light brown filly. Golden remembered Caramel sister, having met her when they returned to pick up Caramel. Gazing at the pictures of Caramel's sister, Golden then looked down at the snoozing filly she held. It wasn't hard to see the resemblance. The pieces started to come together. The filly must be Caramel niece, not his daughter. Golden surmised.

Golden was confused as to why she suddenly felt relieved that Caramel wasn't the filly's father, but then a thought came to her, a thought that made her cold in the pit of her stomach. If Caramel is traveling with his niece, and he has the family album, something bad must have happened. Something so bad that it required Caramel to take his niece. Looking over at Caramel's sleeping form, Golden felt her eyes tear up. Oh Caramel, please let me be wrong about this.

Caramel slowly came awake. The first thing he became aware of was the feel of the train as it moved down the tracks. Reaching up, Caramel scratched his chin, as he blinked his eyes open. Lifting his head up, he let out a long yawn, before he looked down. For a moment, Caramel stared down blankly at where Cinnamon should have been. It took a moment for the realization that she was missing to sink in. Panic seized his chest, and with a cry, Caramel scrambled to the edge of the seat and looked down, terrified that she had fallen down, and had gotten hurt. Leaning over the edge Caramel scoured the floor, looking under his seat and all around, only for his searching gaze to suddenly fall on a pare of legs dangling down from the seat behind his.

"Huh?" Caramel's eyes roamed up, and he found himself staring at a smiling... "Goldie?" Shock and disbelief ran though his mind as he gazed at her. Goldie smiled at him while holding Cinnamon in the crux of her leg, while she fed her a bottle of formula, Caramel had prepared earlier.

"Hello." Golden said cheerfully. "Look at what I found!" She said happily, nodding her head down to Cinnamon.

Caramel was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact the Golden was here, and that she had stolen Cinnamon right out from under him. His position was rather precarious, as he was still leaning over the edge of his seat, as he stared at her dumbfounded. His hoof was situated right at the edge of his seat, and it suddenly chose this moment to slip out from under him. With a cry, Caramel crumpled, face first to the floor.

With a grunt of pain, Caramel opened his eyes. His jaw hurt where he landed on it, and with a groan, Caramel flopped his body over, so it was no longer resting on his face. Staring strait up, Caramel looked up at Golden, as she leaning over and looked down at him, with a look of concern and amusement on her face. "Caramel? You okay? That was quite a spill."

Caramel blinked, as he cleared his vision. "Goldie?"

Golden cocked her head to the side, as she considered him. "Caramel, if you keep repeating that, I'm going to start believing that you somehow broke your brain."

Caramel quickly scrambled up and looked Golden over. She blinked at his close scrutiny, as she leaned herself back slightly. Reaching his hoof forward, he lightly jabbed Golden in her shoulder.

"Hay! The last stallion who got too touchy, I ended up punching him in the face!" Golden snapped, as she knocked his hoof away.

Caramel flopped his rump down to the floor. "Goldie? What are you doing here?" Reaching his hoof up, he scratched the back of his head in confusion.

Goldie resumed feeding Cinnamon her bottle. "I was in Fillydelphia talking to a restaurant about buying produce from our farm, and as I was leaving I saw you boarding the train at the station, when looked around for you, I managed to find you here." Golden explained simply, before she looked back at him seriously. "Okay your turn. Why do you have your niece, and what happened to your sister."

Caramel froze as he stared at her dumbfounded. "How did you...?"

Golden shrugged, giving him a sheepish grin. "I like to read mystery novels." But when she saw that he was expecting more, she let out a sigh, and continued. "First, your traveling with your family album, most ponies don't travel around with those, which means your taking it back home with you. And second, the filly resembles your sister quite strongly, and since the filly is with you, instead of with her. I can't help but worry that something has gone terribly wrong." Golden met his eyes. "Please tell me that its all part of my wild imaginings, and that there is a reasonably happy explanation to explain all this."

Caramel's ears drooped down, as he looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry, something has happen." Caramel said slowly. "My sister... died in an accident a few days ago." Caramel nodded towards the filly. "Cinnamon is mine now, I'm all she's got."

Golden remained silent for a moment, before she looked down at the filly. "So her name is Cinnamon." She murmured softly. "Such a beautiful name, for a beautiful filly." She let out a sad sigh before looking up. "Caramel, will you please sit next to me."

Caramel eyed her curiously, as he stood. Moving around next to her, he sat down, making sure that he kept a respectable distance. Once he was seated, Golden suddenly scooted closer and laid her head against his shoulder. The moment her head pressed into his shoulder, Caramel's ears shot up, as all of his muscles locked up tight. Thoughts about what her father would do to him suddenly flashed through his mind.

She stayed like this for a time, as Caramel felt himself sweating nervously, as he worried about what he should do. "I'm sorry about your sister." Golden suddenly said, breaking the solemn silence. "She was nice to me when I met her that one time. I had come over like usual to play, but you were busy with your parents inside, so Fudge made me some tea. We sat out on Lilly's porch, and had a proper tea party, while I told her about all the fun things we did, and she in turn told me about her time in Prance."

Caramel felt himself relax as she spoke, smiling as he saw the images play out in his mind. He had never heard of any of this, and was grateful that she was sharing it with him.

"As we talked, your mother came out, and brought us cookies, she ended up joining our tea party, and listened as I told them both about our little adventures together." Golden paused for a moment, losing herself in her memory. "Your mother was very beautiful and had the most wonderful laugh."

Caramel nodded in agreement as he lightly rested his cheek atop Golden's head. "Yes, she was very beautiful, and I very much miss hearing her laughter. I bet she laughed a whole bunch, when you told her about all the antics we managed to get into."

Golden let out a giggle. "You'd win that bet. She particularly loved the story of how we caught that toad, and brought it into the house to show Lilly."

Caramel smiled and let out a chuckle. "I never expected that with a name like Lilly Pad, that she would end up having such a huge fear of toads."

Golden shifted herself, and Caramel felt disappointed when she suddenly pulled herself away. He had been enjoying the feeling of her, as she was pressed up against him. Looking over at her, he saw Golden lean over and set the now empty bottle she had been using to feed Cinnamon down.

"Would you please bring me a burp towel?" Golden asked, as she adjusted Cinnamon around in her lap. Quickly, Caramel moved over to the diaper bag, and pulled one out. Giving it to her, Caramel sat in the seat across from her, and watched as Golden burped Cinnamon. He was amazed at the practiced ease in which she was able to performed it.

"Your really good at that." Caramel said, as he admired her technique.

"Come on, I know you have one more in there." Golden said to Cinnamon as she patted her back. "I helped out with my younger sisters when they were little foals." She explained, before Cinnamon suddenly let out a particularly loud burp. Smiling at Cinnamon, Golden lowered her down from her shoulder. "Ohhh, your such a good filly, you didn't even spit up! What a proper young filly you are!" Golden praised Cinnamon as she settled her back down in her lap.

As Golden slowly rubbed Cinnamon's belly, she looked back up at Caramel with an amused sparkle in her eyes. "You know, during that tea party I ah... kind of told your mother that I was going to marry you."

Caramel's heart jumped in his chest, as his head shot up. With his ears quivering, he looked over at Golden. "You... told my mom that we were going to get married!" Caramel felt a warm flush rush up his spine, right up to the tip of his ears, where he was now sure that they had just caught fire. "What!?... what did she say." Caramel found he was having trouble controlling his voice for some reason.

"Well, she told me that I was going to haft to chase you down first, and once I caught you, I was to hold on to you really tight, and to never let you go." Golden smiled at the memory. "She wished me luck, and told me that I'd make an excellent wife for you."

Caramel thought back to that day, his eyes going wide when he realized something. "Wait a minute! Is that why you chased me around the yard for like an hour while my mom was cheering you on?"

Golden was trying hard not to laugh. "As I recall, I caught you in the end."

Caramel's ears wilted as it all started to make sense. "I remember, you sat on me."

Golden giggled as she scratched the back of her head with her free hoof. "Yeah, sorry about that. I kind of got overly excited. But in my defense, it was all your moms fault. She thought it was hilarious."

Caramel grinned and began to chuckle. "She lifted you onto her back, and happily paraded you about shouting that you got your stallion."

Golden laughed, thinking of those fun times, but then her smile wilted as she considered Caramel. Ever since he had come back to Ponyville, he had been different. More reserved and withdrawn. She had tried on numerous occasions to get him to spend time with her, and have some fun, but he always got a funny look on his face before he would tell her that he wasn't feeling up to it. She had been holding it in for a while but now she just needed to know. "Caramel?" She said, calling his attention to her. "Why don't you want to be my friend anymore?"

Caramel was caught by surprise by the question, as his eye's suddenly went wide. "What?... Where did you get a funny idea like that? I'm not trying to stop being your friend." Caramel tried to control his voice, but it still came out shaky.

Golden's expression darkened, as a look of disappointment settled on her. "I never thought I would hear you lie to me." Golden sat for a moment looking Caramel over, as he wilted under her gaze and stared at the floor. "When you came back, I was excited to see my old friend again, but you were subdued and rather cold to me, keeping me at a distance." Golden's eyes hardened as she looked at Caramel, who continued staring down at the floor. "It hurt me, you know that? I want to know why your pushing me away? What is it that is making you do this to me?"

Caramel's body was now shuddering, as he struggled to control himself. Refusing to look up at Golden and risk meeting her gaze, Caramel began to panic. She was asking questions of him that he never wanted her to know the answers to. He had been so careful, hiding that part of himself from her, as he dreaded the look of revulsion she was sure to have for him should she learn what had happened to him. Swallowing, Caramel opened his mouth as he attempted to respond. "I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to hurt you." Caramel's lungs burned as he took a breath, as it felt like he wasn't getting enough air. "I... I was happy to see you too, but... there were things... I just couldn't let you see..." Caramel suddenly stopped when it seemed he said too much.

"See what?... Caramel, what didn't you want me to see?" Golden leaned forward. "Please talk to me. What didn't you want me to see?"

It was a long while before Caramel answered, his hoof was visibly shaking. "I... I can't.... I can't... I can't." Caramel was shaking his head. "I just can't." He lifted a hooves and covered his head, in an attempt to hide himself from her.

"Caramel, you were once my best friend, we shared everything with each other. We had no secrets with each other." Golden pleaded, as tears started to come to her eyes. "Why are you driving me away!? Why can't I have my best friend back!? What is it that's making you destroy what we had together!?"

Caramel was still clutching his hooves around his head, as he hid his face. "I can't!" He exclaimed as he shook his head. "Don't you understand, I CAN'T LET YOU KNOW!"

His refusal was another blow that hurt Golden as she felt her heart breaking. She could see that Caramel was hiding something, and it was eating him up, but he was refusing to face it, and let it out. He was letting their friendship die, to keep it hidden. She wanted to be there for him, but if he refused to trust her, then there was very little she saw she could do.

Leaning further forward, Golden reached her hoof out. "Caramel, please. Why can't you tell me?" The moment her hoof touched his, Caramel suddenly jumped and slapped her hoof away as he recoiled from her.

Golden let her uplifted hoof drop down. She felt defeated. There seemed to be nothing she could do to reach her old friend. He was refusing her help, and rejecting her friendship.

With tears falling from her eyes, Golden adjusted Cinnamon in her grasp as she stood up. Using a blanket, Golden made a nest between the diaper bags before she carefully lowered the sleeping filly into it. Lifting her pack up, she turned to leave. "I'm sorry Caramel... I'm so sorry. I wanted to save our friendship, but as long as you don't trust me, and continue to push me away, I don't see how that is possible." She said softly. "I'm... going to go now, and... I won't be bothering you ever again. Goodbye Caramel."

Golden's heart was wrenching in her chest as she walked towards the door. With every step she took, she hoped and prayed that he would call out to her, but with each step all she heard was silence, as she approached the door. Golden despaired, Caramel was choosing to let her go, effectively throwing away their friendship, and with tears openly flowing down her cheeks, she reached for the handle. No pony had ever told her that the end of a friendship was such a painful experience. It felt like her heart was being torn out of her chest.

..."Wait."...

Golden's hoof froze on the handle at the sound of Caramel's voice calling out.

"Please..."

His voice was almost a whisper, but to Golden, it was practically a shout.

Hope bound up in Golden as she wiped the back of her hoof across her eyes. Caramel had called out to her, and in that one feeble effort, he had shown a glimmer of desire to save their friendship. Lowering her hoof, Golden turned and walked back to her seat. "I'm here Caramel, and I promise you, that no matter what you tell me, I will continue to be here for you. You can trust me." She assured him.

Caramel remained silent for a long while, but then he took a deep breath and let out a shuddering exhale. "I've been a jerk, and a idiot, and I can't tell you how sorry I am for how I have acted. It wasn't fair to you." Caramel sat hunched over as he spoke, his gaze locked onto the floor. "I... hid a part of myself from you, because... I didn't want you to see,... how damaged I was inside." Caramel's shoulders shook, as he let out a whimper. "I didn't... want you to see my shame."

Golden couldn't see his eyes, but she could see the tears that slowly dripped off the end of his nose. "Caramel, I would never think any less of you."

"You don't understand!" Caramel suddenly snapped. "She used me! She polluted my very being, and left me wanting to die! If you knew the things she did to me, you would never be able to look at me without disgust in your eyes ever again!"

"That's not true! I would never do that to you!" Golden slashed her hoof to the side in denial.

Caramel ignored her as he stared down at the floor, with no indication that he had even heard her. When he spoke, his voice came out hollow, and devoid of life. "She lured me into her home. We were to work on a class project together, but she had something else on her mind, and nothing was going to stop her from getting what she wanted."

As Golden listened to Caramel as he spoke, a sudden sense of dread started to twist her gut around.

"I couldn't do anything. Her magic was too strong, and I was powerless to stop her from using me. That monster hurt me so much, just for the fun of it, she took pleasure from my pain, and in the end she made my body betray me. She used my body as her plaything and she took from me... something precious, something that I will never get back again. Once she was finished with me, she left me dirtied and fouled inside." Caramel's shoulders were hitching, as he strained to speak. "I didn't want you to see that! Our friendship was clean and pure, and one of the most precious things that I cherish, and I didn't want to dirty it with that filth!"

Golden couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had her hoof pressed to her mouth in abject horror, as she listened. "Caramel." She said softly, struggling to form the words. "Were you...?" She paused, when her voice caught in her throat. "Were you... raped?"

Caramel wrapped his hooves around himself, as he let out a wailing cry as he suddenly wept. Golden didn't need to hear his answer to know the truth of her question. Quickly she lunged forward and wrapped her hooves around him, and held him as tightly as she could, desperate to make him feel like he wasn't alone. "Oh Goldie! It hurts so much inside! I can't stand it!" Caramel's agonized wails cut into Golden heart, as she felt his body shudder under her, driving her to hold him all the harder.

"Caramel, it wasn't your fault." Golden desperately said, feeling Caramel's head nestled under hers as she spoke. "What happened to you was terrible, but I know your strong, and you can overcome it. Your not alone, I'm here for you, and you must understand that what you just told me is not going to change that! Your still that sweet wild maned colt I used to know, and love, and that is not going to change! You hear me?."

Caramel had been holding it in for so long. All that pain and self loathing, bottled up, and slowly eating him alive. Now that he had shared it with her, he suddenly felt a great release. The feeling of Golden as she held him was a great comfort, as he felt a closer connection with her now that she knew things about him, he had never told any other pony, including his sister. Golden's acceptance of of his shame and degradation showed Caramel a strength that was truly wondrous.

For a long time they quietly held each other, as the landscape rolled past outside the window. The coldness that Carmel had felt inside was replaced by a searing fire from Golden's friendship and love, that she gave to him freely, and completely, as she held nothing back.

"I... don't want to loose our friendship." Caramel suddenly confessed, breaking the long silence.

Golden reached up and brushed his mane back, from his eyes. "Good, I don't want to loose it ether." She said softly into his ear.

After that, things became easier as they talked. At first they talked about little things, but after a time Caramel opened up and began telling Golden about what he had been doing in Fillydelphia since he arrived. He told her what it was like holding Cinnamon for the very first time, and all he had to do to learn how to care for her. Golden was particularly interested in hearing about his time with Dawn Sparks, and his involvement in helping with her delivery of Stellar Prize.

"I can't believe you helped deliver a foal!" Golden said, laughing.

Caramel grinned and thumped himself in the chest. "Hay, this stallion ain't just for decorations, I can be useful sometimes."

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to demean you, its just that its so amazing that you did that for a filly you just met." Golden slid herself closer to him. "For doing something so sweet, I believe you deserve a reward." Golden quickly leaned over and planted a kiss to his cheek. The feeling of her lips pressing against his cheek, sent a shock though his body, and left him feeling like he was floating. Leaning back from her kiss, Golden smacked her lips thoughtfully. "Hmm, that reminds me of the time you stole my first kiss."

Still feeling a bit lightheaded from her unexpected kiss, Caramel looked over at Golden with a dubious look, lifting one of his eyebrows. "As I recall, it was you who stole that kiss from me."

Golden wobbled her head back and forth, as she thought about it. "I'd say that it was more of a mutual kiss."

Caramel let out a sigh, he clearly remembered that it was Golden, who snuck up on him and tackled him, and once she had him pinned to the ground, she then planted her lips onto his, in a rather wet and slobbery kiss. Caramel found himself smiling, as he thought about it. Glancing over at Golden, he couldn't help but admire how beautiful she now was, compared to that gawky filly she used to be. "Yeah, I guess it was mutual." He admitted, feeling his cheeks blush.

Caramel's stomach grumble, reminding him how long it had been since he last ate. "Are you hungry? How about I go back to the dinning car and get us some sandwiches." Caramel offered, glancing at Golden.

"That's a good idea, I am pretty hungry." Lifting her hoof, she gestured over to Cinnamon. "Here, how about you give me Cinnamon. I'll watch her while your getting the food."

Once Cinnamon was in Golden's possession, Caramel rummaged though his bag for his bits to buy their meal. Suddenly the train car gave a lurch, followed by another. Regaining his balance, Caramel looked over in concern at Golden, as she clutched Cinnamon protectively to herself. Suddenly the breaks slammed on, and Golden let out a terrified scream as she was flung forward. Caramel reacted instantly, leaping forward, he wrapped himself protectively around both Golden and Cinnamon.

With a grunt of pain, Caramel slammed into the next seat up. Taking the impact from Golden and Cinnamon, as they were cushioned by his body. Holding the pair tightly, as he braced himself in place, Caramel felt the train shudder, as the breaks screeched and howled, as they attempted to slow the train down. For a panicky moment, Caramel worried that the train might derail and crash. But his worries faded as the violent shuddering lessened until the train finally came to a stop.

"Are you okay? Is Cinnamon hurt!?" Caramel asked, with an edge of panic in his voice, as he looked them over.

Golden lifted herself up, and quickly checked on Cinnamon who was wailing her lungs out. "We're both fine, thanks you to. Cinnamon's only scared." Golden went to the diaper bag and looked though it until she found a pacifier, and stuck it into Cinnamon mouth, who quickly quieted down, as she suckled her pacifier.

Caramel groaned as he picked himself up, the side of his back felt bruised from the edge of the seat he had fallen against. "What happened? Why did we stop?" Caramel asked out loud, voicing the same questions that Golden was thinking.

Golden went to the window and looked out. All she saw was rolling grasslands, with a few scattered oak trees for miles. It was a rather beautiful landscape she thought. Pressing her face to the glass she looked forward and saw that the train was on a curve when it had stopped, so she was able to see the side of the train engine, and what she saw was rather alarming. Great white plumes of steam was pouring out of many places around the boiler. "Wow, look at that."

Caramel, rolled his shoulder painfully, and joined her at the window. "Looks like the boiler on the engine has split open, that's not good." Caramel said, as he looked at the engine.

The sound of the forward door opening caught their attention. A conductor stepped though and paused when he saw them. "I'm sorry folks, but the engine has broken down. We are asking all passengers to move to the dinning car for instructions for what to do. Please make your way there as soon as you can." The conductor then quickly walked through their car, as he made his way to the next.

Quickly, Caramel and Golden gathered up their belongings and made their way to the dinning car, where they joined a great many other ponies who were already waiting. Since the car was rather full already, Caramel and Golden had to squeeze themselves in near the door.

Suddenly there was a commotion, as somepony shoved their way forward. "You!"

Golden let out a groan, and draped her hoof over her face in consternation. "Oh great... not him again."

Leaning in close. "And who would that be?" Caramel whispered.

"Bitternut Dandy." Golden answered with a groan.

"You!" Shoving his way forward, the grayish green colored stallion stopped before Golden, shoving his face close to hers. "You cow! You punched me!"

Golden let out a sigh, as she leveled her gaze at the stallion. "Well you deserved it! You were groping me all over my cutie mark!"

The stallion shook his hoof at her. "You wanted me to, you tease! You sat in my lap, and begged me to touch you."

Golden lowered her ears and snorted in irritation. "The train started to move, and I fell into your lap. That does not give you an excuse to feel me up!"

Bitternut threw back his head and scoffed. "No self respecting stallion like myself would ever lower my standards so much, as to feel up a ugly cow like yourself . Admit it! You dropped your fat tushy into my lap on purpose, to get a good feel out of me!" The stallion sneered down at Golden.

Caramel felt his blood boiling. This gruff and perverted stallion had molested Golden, and the mere thought of what he had done to Golden, made Caramel absolutely livid with rage. He didn't realize that he was moving until he found himself shoving his way between Golden and the stallion. Bitternut Dandy flinched when he met Caramel's enraged gaze, as it fixed on him, causing him to shy back a few steps.

"Who is this? Your coltfriend or something? What'd you do? Sit in his lap too, and he fell madly in love with you?"

Caramel felt his muscles quiver with the need to strike his hoof across the pompous stallions sneering face.

The stallions eyes fell down on Cinnamon, who was slung off of Caramel neck in her foal carrier. "Oh! What is this? Going after stallions with baggage! Oh, how desperate a cow like you must be!"

Caramel let out an angry snort, he had heard enough! Lifting his hoof, he drew it back. Golden saw this and quickly lunged forward and wrapped both her hooves around his, and held him back.

"No!" Golden cried out, straining to hold back his attack. "Caramel! Don't do it!" She begged, hoping her words would reach his enraged mind. "He's not worth it! Think about Cinnamon, she might get hurt!"

The stallion's sneering smile dropped as he looked at Caramel with sudden alarm. He retreated a few steps back, as he worried that Golden wouldn't be able to hold the enraged Caramel back. Unwisely he decided to push his luck. "You'd better listen to your cow. You wouldn't want to do something foolish that might hurt the little one, would you?"

Caramel released another snort, before he relaxed and lowered his uplifted hoof. Golden let out a relieved sigh, as she leaned up against his side.

"Excuse me everypony! May I have your attention please!" The same conductor that spoke to them earlier said, as he stepped to the center of the dinning car. "I am here to inform you that the engine has broken down, and cannot be fixed until its brought back to the rail yard."

"What's going to happen to us then!?" A pony in the crowd suddenly asked. Others around the car also voiced their concern, while a few shouted out angrily, or just complained.

The conductor waved his hoof for silence, and once everypony had settled down enough for him to be heard he continued. "Unfortunately, the breakdown has occurred while we were traveling on a less used line off of the main line. But luckily, there is a town only a few miles down the line, so for those of you who don't mind a bit of a walk, you can make your way there, where you can wait for a new train to arrive, tickets will of course be comped by the railroad. For those of you unable to make the trip to the town, a wagon will be sent back to pick you up. Now, please before anypony leaves, I'll need to have your names, so come and see me as soon as you can."

An hour latter, Caramel stepped off the train, packed up and ready to go. He had Cinnamon's diaper bags on, with his luggage sitting between them on the center of his back. Cinnamon was in her customary place, slung from around his neck in her foal carrier, happy now that she had her diaper freshly changed.

Looking around, he saw Golden trotting over to him. Trying to not be to obvious about it, Caramel admired Golden's elegant figure as she moved with a smooth grace, that made Caramel's heart quicken.

"Your staring." Golden said, smirking as she drew close.

Caramel blinked, as he realized that he had just been caught. "No I wasn't."

Sitting her rump down, Golden cocked her head with an amused grin. "Oh? Then what where you doing then?" She asked curiously.

Caramel chuckled and scratched his head. "I ah... was just watching you, while practicing not blinking." Caramel explained while nodding his head. "See, I told you I wasn't staring."

Golden lifted one of her eyebrows as she considered him, looking like she wasn't buying it at all. Caramel cleared his throat and looked about awkwardly for a moment before he let out a sigh and hung his head down. "Fine, you win, I was staring." Caramel confessed. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."

Golden flashed a happy smile, as her ears perked up. "Really!? Well I must admit that I too, couldn't help myself." She said before she leaned in close and whispered to Caramel. "I've been sneaking looks at you too."

Caramel's ears started twitching uncontrollably, as he suddenly felt much too warm. He figured she was just teasing him, but that still didn't stop him from reacting to it. He just couldn't help himself. "So ah... Where you ah.. able to find anything?"

Nodding her head, Golden gestured back to her pack. "I got some water, and I managed to find some bread, cheese, a couple of apples, and a surprise treat."

"A surprise treat?" Caramel asked curiously.

Golden lifted her hoof and cocked it back and forth a few times. "Ah ah ahhh. It's a surprise. Now, before we leave, there is one last thing to do."

"Oh? What is that?"

Golden leveled her hoof, pointing it at his chest, right where Cinnamon was resting against it. "The filly, pass her over."

Caramel lifted his hoof, and set it protectively over Cinnamon. "That's okay, I can carry her."

Golden's expression became stern. "Caramel, if our relationship is going to work, then you are going to haft to learn how to share. Now gimme." She gestured impatiently for him to give her Cinnamon.

Caramel thought about it for a moment, but then he noticed the frown she was throwing at him, and quickly decided that this was a fight he was not going to win. Giving Cinnamon to Golden took only a few moments, and now Golden was happily humming to herself, as her tail happily swished back and forth.

"Okay, lets get a move on. What was the name of that town?" Caramel looked out at the rolling hills of waving grass.

Golden stepped up next to Caramel. "It's called Galloping Springs."

Glancing at Golden, Caramel grinned at her. "Well Golden, you feel like going on a walk with me?"

Meeting his gaze, Golden smiled back. "The weather is perfect, and the landscape is beautiful. With a adorable filly in my possession and a handsome stallion by my side, nothing would please me more."

"Well then, lets be off." Together, they moved away from the train, and began walking north.

Author's Note

*Many fans have nicknamed Golden Harvest, Carrot Top. But I found that when I tried using the name Carrot, it just didn't have the right feeling as what I was wanting for her. So I decided to go with her original name of Golden Harvest.
*I wrote and rewrote Caramel's confession a dozen times trying to get the right feeling for it, I hope it comes through okay.
*I mentioned Golden Harvest's brother Oregon Trail. This characters has gone though several changes. Oregon Trail is a background pony seen in several episodes: Family Appreciation Day, and The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000. He is dirty tan with light straw colored mane with a wagon wheel cutie mark.

Bitternut Dandy is based on a background pony seen in "The Gift of a Maud Pie" He is Unnamed Earth Stallion #5 seen in a window.

Chapter 06

They traveled north. There was supposed to be a road about a half mile away, that would lead to Galloping Springs, but they had yet to see it. The land they were walking though was beautiful, with it's long flowing grass that bent and rolled like waves on the sea, as the occasional breeze blew through. And scattered about, like islands on a vast rolling sea of grass, were large oak trees, that loomed wide with their gnarled and bent branches that were filled with intricate and lobed leaves that cast their cooling shade for any traveler that wished to rest under its green canopy.

Caramel glanced over at Golden Harvest and he couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She had been stopping periodically to pick flowers to tuck them into Cinnamon's mane, during their walk. And now the filly looked like she had sprouted an entire flower garden out of her mane.

Goldie noticed Caramel's mirth as he looked over at her. "What?" She said defensively. "I think she looks pretty. The yellow ones go nicely with her eyes."

Still smiling, Caramel reached his head down and picked a flower at his hooves. Goldie eyed him curiously as he walked up to her, and tucked it into her mane, just behind her ear. Standing back, he looked her over with approval. "I think you look pretty with the blue ones."

She blinked at him, as she suddenly blushed. "You really think so?"

Stepping away, Caramel looked over his shoulder at her. "Of course I do. I would never joke about something like that." He said before he flicked his tail at her. "Come on, the road shouldn't be far now."

Goldie smiled as she hurried her steps to fall in beside Caramel. Her heart felt like it was soaring as she saw the changes that had come over Caramel. He seemed more like his old self. He now smiled more easily, as he showed a coltish side to himself, that Goldie just loved, and adored.

"Ah, found it!" Caramel said as they stepped out of the long grass onto the road.

Looking around, Goldie gave Caramel a nudge, and pointed to a nearby oak tree. "Lets rest under there, and enjoy some of the provisions I managed to procure."

Caramel nodded as they started over to it. "That's a good idea. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast, and I think its now closer to dinner than lunch."

Goldie was about to lay down in the soft grass, when Caramel suddenly held his hoof out to stop her. She looked at him curiously as he pulled his luggage off his back and rifled though it for a moment before he pulled out a colorful quilt. Throwing it open, he laid it out for them to lay on.

"Why thank you fine sir." Goldie said with a curtsy.

Caramel swept his hoof to his chest and bowed his head. "You are quite welcome, Your Grace. May I help you with your bags?"

"Ohh, I can get used to this." Goldie said pleased, as Caramel lifted her saddlebags off her back, and set them down at the edge of the quilt. With a sigh of pleasure, Goldie laid herself down onto the quilt. Lifting Cinnamon out of her carrier, she set her down between her forehooves, where the filly happily cooed to herself, as she drooled, and batted at Goldie's face with her hooves.

Looking down at the filly, Goldie felt a pleasant warmth spread through her chest, as she found the foal pulling at her heartstrings. "Oh! You are just too adorable!" Lowering her head, Goldie blew a zerbert into Cinnamon's belly, causing the filly to flail her hooves around as she chortled and squealed uproariously. "Oh my goodness! What a laugh you've got! I want to hear some more!" Placing her mouth to the foals soft belly, she blew again. The air once again filled with the peals unbridled laughter of a foal being tortured.

Caramel laughed as he watched Goldie working the filly over. He marveled at how good Goldie was with Cinnamon, it was like she knew just what to do to make Cinnamon happy. Laying himself down, Caramel found his gaze focusing onto Goldie as he admired her. She was perhaps the most beautiful mare he knew, and whenever she smiled, Caramel's heart would flutter in his breast like a butterfly trapped in a cage. He was finding his old feeling for her had been renewed and rejuvenated, as it seemed the intermittent years just melted away like a dream.

As Goldie playfully nibbled on the sensitive frog's of Cinnamon's hooves, she noticed Caramel watching her. "Your staring again." She said looking up at him

"I'm just admiring the view."

Goldie blushed as she blinked at him. "That's twice now."

Caramel lifted his eyebrow at her curiously. "What's, twice now?"

"That is for me to know." Goldie said cryptically, as she smiled at him. Turning she pulled her saddlebag closer. "Okay, lets eat."

She took out a small loaf of bread, and a wedge of cheese and broke them both in half. Next she pulled out two small apples and a bottle of water.

"I was only able to get one bottle of water, so we're going to haft to share."

Gazing at Goldie, Caramel found he didn't mind sharing at all. He couldn't think of another mare he'd rather share food or a drink with, then with her. "We'll need to leave a bit to make a bottle for Cinnamon, she'll be hungry soon." Caramel added, as he took a bite out of his bit of cheese.

Their meal was rather meager, but it helped to make their bellies feel better. Cinnamon had rolled over and was curiously watching as a ladybug crawled over the quilt. She let out a happy squeal when the ladybug quite suddenly opened its wings and flew off.

"And this is our surprise treat." Goldie said as she lifted a slice of cheese cake, out of her saddlebag, with a happy smile. "Now open up, you get the first bite." She said as she held the slice up to Caramel's mouth.

He felt a little awkward being fed by Goldie, but once he took a bite, he was rewarded by the cake's deliciously smooth rich flavor, that pleasantly worked its way through his mouth. Goldie then took a bite and hummed in pleasure as she chewed. After a few moment she fed him another bite, before she took her turn again. This continued, until Goldie finished off the last bite.

Taking the bottle of water, Caramel used a portion of it to make a bottle for Cinnamon, before picking her up, and giving it to her. As he fed her, Goldie lounged out on the quilt next to him, as she relaxed, and enjoyed the cool breeze, that rustled the leaves on the oak tree above them.

"This is an interesting quilt." Goldie commented. Looking down at all the colorful ponies that were stitched all about on its surface.

"Fudge made it for Cinnamon." Caramel said, as he also looked down at it. "You see that pony just in front of you?" Caramel said gesturing with his head. "That one is me."

Bending her head close, Goldie smiled. "Yeah, your right. It does look like you. And that one here looks like Fudge." Golden pointed to a light brown pony near the center. "Oh my gosh! Those two near the edge must be your parents!" She pointed to a pair that indeed did look like his parents. Goldie turned her head and looked all about. "Are all these ponies representatives of your family?"

Caramel shook his head. "Not all of them. If you look just behind you, you'll see Chisel and Lilly, and I have no idea who any of those ponies are over there are, except that lemon colored one right there. She was Fudge's best friend when we were growing up. Last I heard of her was that she moved to Las Pegasus to work as a bartender. I'm not sure how she is able to do that, considering that she's deaf."

Goldie ears perked up and she looked at Caramel. "She was deaf? I guess that means that Fudge knew sign language then, if her best friend was deaf."

Caramel nodded. "Fudge was a lot better at it than I was."

Goldie blinked at him in surprise. "You know sign language too?"

"I haven't used it in years, so I'm really rusty now." Caramel said with a shrug. "I suppose I could still hold a basic conversation if I really had to."

"That's actually quite amazing." Goldie said in admiration. "I wish I knew something amazing like that."

"Hello!" A voice called out to them, cutting into their conversation.

Looking back, they saw two ponies aproching them on the road. A unicorn stallion, and a earth pony mare.

Golden sat up and waved her hoof at them. "Hello." She warmly greeted them back.

The couple stepped off the road and approached them. "A beautiful day for a picnic." The stallion said.

"It certainly is." Caramel agreed pleasantly. "My name is Caramel, and this is Golden Harvest." Caramel said as he gave introductions.

"I'm Star Watcher, and this is Honey Clover." The stallion gestured to the mare standing next to him. It was obvious the two were a couple, with how closely they stood next to each other, and the affectionate looks they would exchange. "We're sorry to bother you on your family outing, but we're on our way to Galloping Springs, and we're wondering if we're getting close."

"We're on our way there ourselves." Goldie answered. "It's only a few miles down the road."

The two let out a relieved sigh as they looked at each other. "Oh good. Then we're not to late then." Honey Clover said in relief.

"Oh? Not too late for what?" Goldie asked curiously.

"For the festival of course." Star Watcher answered. "Aren't you going there for the Spring Festival too?"

Caramel shook his head. "Our train broke down not too far from here, and we're on our way there to book another train back home."

"Oh, so you don't know about the festival then?" Star Watcher asked, looking at Caramel and Goldie, seeing the two shake their heads, he then explained. "It's a Spring Festival that's held in Galloping Springs during the first full moon after the start of spring. There is the normal games, food, and dancing, throughout the day and late into the night. Spring means the start of new things, and in the spirit of that, many young couples come to this festival to get married, as it's considered good luck."

Honey Clover stepped closer to Star Watcher, and nuzzled him affectionately. "That's why we're going there. We're eloping." She said, giving Star Watcher a loving look.

Goldie suddenly clapped her hooves together excitedly. "Oh! That's so romantic!"

Caramel noticed that Cinnamon had finisher her bottle. Setting the empty bottle aside, he placed a burp towel onto his shoulder before he lifted Cinnamon up, and started patting her back.

"You two have a beautiful filly." Honey Clover said with admiration, as she watched Caramel, as he cared for Cinnamon. "We're looking forward to starting our own family as well." Honey Clover gave Star Watcher a look that caused him to suddenly started blushing furiously.

Caramel exchanged amused looks with Goldie. "It's a little complicated, but Goldie and I aren't married, and little Cinnamon here, is actually my niece."

Honey Clover looked startled for a moment as she glanced between Goldie and Caramel. "Oh, I'm sorry. It just, you two looked so much like a family, that I just assumed."

Goldie smiled and waved her hoof. "Don't worry about it. I would have thought the same thing." She said before she looked over at Caramel as he patted Cinnamon's back. "It's kind of flattering, actually." When she had heard Honey Clover call them a family, she felt a sense of happiness that left her feeling giddy. "Are you ready to go?" She asked Caramel, as he lowered Cinnamon down from his shoulder, having finished burping her.

"Yeah, just give me a moment to get everything packed up." Handing Cinnamon over to Goldie, Caramel began folding the quilt back up.

"Here, I'll help." Star Watcher offered, stepping forward. His horn lighting up with magic.

Honey Clover stepped up next to Goldie and giggled as she tickled Cinnamon's chin, while the two stallion quickly folded and packed everything away. A few moments latter, they were back on the road.

"You see, my mother had my marriage all arranged." Star Watcher explained as they walked down the road. "She had what she called a proper unicorn mare, lined up to be my wife." He snorted in disdain as he stomped his hoof on the hard packed road. "I had no say in the matter. My parents had already paid the the dowry, and the date had been set. But I was in love with Honey Clover, who my mother so affectionately called a mud pony. A few day's before the wedding was to take place, I snuck out and ran away with Honey Clover."

"Oh! This is just too romantic!" Goldie gushed, as she gazed at the couple with wide eyes.

Honey Clover giggled at Goldie's continuous dreamy looks she kept giving them. "My parents were against my love of Star Watcher. They called all unicorns stuck up snobs, who didn't know the value of a hard day's work." Honey Clover rubbed her cheek against Star Watchers neck affectionately. "They don't know Star like I do. He's sweet, and kind. Eager to jump in and lend a hoof whenever the chances arise. When he came to me and told me he wanted to run away with me, I just had to do it. I remembered reading about Galloping Springs, and its Spring Festival in a magazine once. I read that if you got married during the festival, you can't ever have your marriage dissolved or annulled. So after we are wed, our parents will haft to accept it."

Goldie was hoping excitedly. "Oh wow!" She reached over and clutched her hoof over Caramel neck, and sagged down so he was bearing her weight. "Carry me! I'm about to swoon!"

Caramel rolled his eyes, as he grinned back at Goldie and her silly antics. He couldn't fault her her over dramatization of the situation, the story the couple were telling was a true romance that pulled at the heart and imagination. He tried picturing himself in such a situation. Goldie locked away in her farmhouse by her overbearing monstrous parents. Caramel, hearing of her desperate plight, bravely frees her, and together they flee through the cold night while being chased by her colossally sized fire breathing father. And just when hope was about to be lost and the young lover's would soon be driven apart forever, they decide to risk it all by bravely swimming across a swollen storm tossed river. With their strength spent, the two lovers climb up to safety on the far bank, where they embrace and bring their lips together in a passionate kiss.

"Caramel?"...

"Caramel?"

Caramel felt something poke him in his side. Blinking, he looked over and saw Goldie giving him another jab.

"Ah.. Yeah, what is it?" Caramel asked, as he tried to figure out why they were all staring at him.

Goldie moved her head close to his, as she looked at him with a funny looking smile. "You were staring off with the most stupid grin on your face." Goldie moved her head even closer as she lifted her eyebrow up. "What were you thinking of, huh?"

Caramel swallowed, as he panicked. He needed to think fast. "I ah... was ah.. thinking about... ah... rivers." Nailed it.

Goldie ears splayed down to the side as she gave him a flat stare. Beside her Star Watcher and Honey Clover looked at each other, as they exchanged bemused looks.

"You were thinking about, rivers." Goldie said as she pursed her lips as she considered him. Caramel grinned sheepishly as he held his breath. There was no way he was going to tell her what he had been just thinking about. The embarrassment would just be too much.

"But that's so boring!" Goldie suddenly exclaimed in disappointment. Lifting her hoof, she whacked him across his shoulder. "Stop being boring!"

Star Watcher and Honey Clover both broke out laughing, as Caramel let out a relieved sigh, felling he had just dodged a bolder.

As they topped the next rise. The town of Galloping Springs sat before them. It wasn't as large as Ponyville, but it was close. From where they stood they could see a small stream that must have given the town its name, crossed though the middle of the town, where it pass by a large town square that was festooned with many colorful decorations. Ponies were everywhere, as they laughed with each other, sang songs, danced and played games at many of the booths that had been set up.

The music and fun activates grew louder as they entered the town, and that is where they parted with their new friends. Star Watcher and Honey Clover were eager to hurry off and find were they could get married, while Caramel and Goldie had to check in at the local train depot, to secure their tickets for the next train. Goldie was all for hugs as she said her goodbye's, but Caramel was happy just shaking their hooves, before they left.

Working their way through town, they saw many ponies wearing goofy hats and colorful coats and dresses. Foals ran around with painted faces as they chased each other with balloon swords. Caramel and Goldie grinned about them as they watched the celebrations. Arriving at the depot, they talked to a pony who was working the depot all alone.

The list of names had already arrived and the employee had assured them that a train would be in by late tomorrow afternoon on the morrow to take them home. In the meantime, the railroad had secured them rooms in a local bed and breakfast to stay at for the night. The employee passed them an address to the B&B as he wished them a fun stay.

After a quick stop at the telegraph office to send word back home that they were going to be late getting back. They followed the directions and came to a nice two story home, with a sign out front reading The Sleepy Traveler. Ascending up the front steps, Caramel knocked on the large double doors. After a short wait, a portly mare opened the door.

"Yes? Can I help you?" She asked with a friendly smile.

"We were told that there are rooms here for us." Caramel said.

"Ah, you must be some of the marooned passengers I was told about. Please come in." Entering the house, Caramel and Goldie were led to a small office just off of the main entryway. "My name is Swan Song, and I run this Bed and Breakfast. May I please have your name's?"

"My name is Caramel, and this is Golden Harvest." Caramel answered for the both of them.

Swan Song looked at a sheet for a moment. "Ah yes, here you are." She looked up at them. "Will you be staying together?"

Both Caramel and Goldie jumped at the question and looked at each other, as they both blushed.

"Separate rooms please." Caramel quickly answered.

"Oh yes, of course. My apologies. I thought you were a couple." Swan Song said apologetically. After she made some notations in her registry book, she then looked back up. "You my dear will get the yellow room, and you sir will get the green room. Please follow me."

Swan Song lead them up a large curved staircase. "Will you be needing a crib set up in your room, Miss?" She asked Goldie.

"Oh, Cinnamon's not mine." Goldie said quickly, giving her head a shake.

"The filly is actually mine. Goldie is just carrying her for me" Caramel explained. "And yes please. I would like a crib set up in my room."

"Oh! Of course. My apologies again. I'll have my husband set one up in your room before tonight." Swan Song stopped before a door with yellow trim. "This room is yours, Miss Harvest."

Opening the door, Goldie looked in and found a cheery, yellow themed room, with sunflowers paintings and yellow floral printed bed. Entering, Goldie pulled her saddlebag off and set it down on the foot of her bed. "This is a lovely room, thank you."

"Dinner is served at six, and breakfast will be ready by seven thirty in the AM. The bathroom is at the end of the hall, if you need it." Swan Song then turned to Caramel. "Your room is the next one down." She lead him to a door with green trim.

Opening the door, Caramel found his room to have a lively green theme. Entering, Caramel let out a sigh as he removed his luggage from his back, and pulled off the diaper bags. Goldie wandered in and sat down in a chair by the door, holding Cinnamon in her lap.

"If you feel up to it, I urge you two to go and enjoy our town Spring Festival. There is plenty of good food and fun to be had out there. After the sun sets, couples will gather in the town square for lots of romantic dancing, culminating with the last dace of the night, the Midnight Dance, which of course is just for the unmarried couples ." Swan Song said from the open door. "And if you ask me, I believe that Miss Harvest here would like to be twirled around the dance floor a bit."

"Thank you, we'll certainly make sure to check out the Spring Festival." Caramel said to Swan Song.

As she turned to leave, she suddenly looked back as she thought of something. "Oh, there is a friend of mine who is doing a bit of foalcare in her home. If you want, I can ask her to watch your little one for tonight. Her prices are quite reasonable."

Caramel looked over at Cinnamon as Goldie held her in her lap, and thought it over. It would be nice to enjoy some free time and have some fun, especially if he was with Goldie. But the last half week had been very hectic, and any sleep he managed to get had been very sporadic. The nap he had on the train had been helpful, but he was starting to feel rundown again. Looking at Goldie, he saw her green eyes looking at him hopefully as she waited for him to answer. He could tell she wanted him to take her to the festival, for she was practically dancing in her chair with excitement.

He couldn't do it. Caramel let out a sigh. He couldn't bring himself to disappoint Goldie. No matter how much he wanted to collapse onto the soft bed and catch a few hours of sleep, Goldie was more important. "Mrs. Swan, that sounds like a great idea. Go ahead and let your friend know that I am interested in her services." Goldie suddenly smiled excitedly as he spoke, and as he saw her eyes gazing at him gleefully, he knew he had made the right choice. "Oh! I almost forgot. May I also use the kitchen for a bit? I have some dirty bottles, I need to clean."

"Oh! No need to worry about that, I'll do that for you." Swan Song said, as she hurried back in to retrieve the dirtied bottles. Once she was gone, and the door was shut. Caramel let out a long sigh as he flopped face down onto the bed.

"Tired?" Goldie asked, looking over at him from her seat.

"A bit, but don't worry, I'm still feeling up to taking you out to the festival." Caramel assured her, while stifling a yawn.

"Hmm, I have an idea that I think will make you feel better."

Caramel cracked his eyes open and watched as Goldie crossed the room to his bed. Setting Cinnamon down among the pillows at the head of the bed, Goldie then walked around to the other end. "Goldie? What are you doing?" Caramel asked as he felt her climb onto the bed and straddle his hind legs that he had stretched out.

"Shhh, just relax and enjoy." Goldie said, as he felt her hooves push in on his back. Caramel couldn't help but let out a groan of pleasure as she kneaded his back and shoulders. "Hmm, so stiff. Have you been feeling stressed?"

"A bit, but its getting better." Her touch was gentle and firm. Starting up at his shoulders, she would slowly work her way down, unit she reached his hip, before she worked her way back up. "Goldie...oohhh, if you, aaaahh... keep doing that, ggaaawww... I'm liable to fall asleep, oooooowwwww...

Goldie leaned down close to his head, and whispered. "That's okay, go ahead and sleep. An hour will do you wonders." Her hooves resumed their pleasing ministrations.

Caramel drifted. The feeling of her hooves sent him into deeper levels of bliss, as he felt himself sinking into a much needed slumber.

Caramel pushed the door open, as he rushed back outside. His little hooves clopped loudly as he dashed across the porch and down its stairs to the backyard. Uncle Chisel's hat lay perched precariously on his head, as Caramel had to constantly push it back up to keep it out of his eyes.

"I'm back!" He called out as he approached a makeshift table made from an overturned produce bin. Set around the table were several dolls and plushy's, that were arranged to look like they were sitting down to a meal. A filly with a light pale coat and golden orange mane, that she had drawn back into a ponytail, stood at the head of the table and smiled at his approach.

"Daddy's home!" Goldie said excitedly to the dolls and plushy's, that sat around the table. Strapped atop of her head sat one of aunt Lilly's bonnets, that they had found among the other things, up in the attic. "Welcome home honey, how was work." Goldie greeted him, with a large smile.

Caramel tipped back his hat and swiped at his forehead. "Oh! It was really hard today, I had to fire everyone, and do all their work myself."

"Aww, that's too bad. That must have been so hard" Goldie said in sympathy, as she set out a plate for him on the table

"Oh, it was. How have things been going here at home?" Caramel asked, looking around at his and Goldie's foal's.

"Not so good." Goldie said sadly. "Button Nose is sick, and Floppy Ears is being naughty and she won't eat her broccoli."

"Hmm, then I think she needs a spanking." Caramel said as he stepped around the table, to administer punishment to his daughter.

"No!" Goldie cried out as she rushed over and snatched up the bunny plushy. "You never spank a filly." She said in admonishment. Stepping up to the side of the nearby shed, she set Floppy Ears down on an overturned bucket, so that she was facing the wall. "She gets a time out."

As she came back to the table, Goldie suddenly realized that she had missed something. "Oh! I forgot to give you your welcome home kiss!"

Caramel shied back. "Yuck! Kissing is gross!"

"But I'm your wife. I need to kiss you!"

Caramel was panicking. Golden was closing fast, and he needed to stop her. "Oh no! Button Nose is really sick! We need to take him to the doctor!"

Goldie paused, as she looked over at Button Nose with uncertainty. "Your right, we should get him to the doctor." She said with a nod.

Caramel let out a relieved sigh, as he moved towards Button Nose to pick him up. Suddenly he felt a weight slam into his side, that knocked him down. Caught by surprise, he suddenly found himself pinned down under Goldie's body, as she held him down. He froze as her face came very close to his.

"But first, I need to give you your kiss." She said, as she suddenly mashed her lips to his.

At first he struggled, but then he began to relax as he suddenly found the feeling of her soft wet lips pressed against his, was quite pleasant, as well as the taste of her, was so very sweet. His mind went blank and before he knew it, he found he was kissing her back. And as suddenly as the kiss had started, it came to an end. Their lips broke apart, and Goldie lifted her head up, where their eyes locked together. He never realized how pretty her green eyes were, as he lost himself in their depths. A new feeling for her blossomed in his young heart. A feeling that both confused him and made him deliriously happy. Was this love? He wondered

"Caramel, time to wake up."

Caramel suddenly came awake. Images of Goldie's green eyes still fresh in his mind as he blinked his eyes open. Goldie was leaning in close as she smiled down at him. Her green eyes were still mesmerizing, as he gazed into them. "You have the most beautiful eyes." Caramel said as he admired them.

Goldie suddenly blushed as she leaned back from him. "You... you say the silliest things." She said awkwardly as she looked about.

"I'm serious. They are like jewel's in a forest, that draw you in until you are lost in them, with no hope of ever escaping them." His dream of their first kiss had awakened something in Caramel. Something he had forgotten, but had now regained. Goldie was more then just his friend, she had been his first love.

Goldie was blushing to the tips of her ears, as she blinked her eyes at him, completely lost for words. She suddenly lifted her hooves and smacked them to her cheeks a couple of times, before she shook her head, like she was trying to regain her senses. "Shut up... just, shut up." She stepped back and paced around. "Your such a dork sometimes, you know that?" She said, as she suddenly turned and plopped her rump down to the floor, and waving her hoof to her face to cool herself off.

Caramel was amazed at how cute she was, when she was flustered. Opening his mouth he let out a large yawn as he stretched himself out. Smacking his mouth, Caramel looked around and found Cinnamon missing. "Where's Cinnamon at?"

Goldie gestured towards her room. "I have her sleeping in my room. Mrs. Swan stopped by earlier and dropped off the washed bottles, and she let me know that she talked with her friend and that its all been arranged." Standing, she moved to the door and opened it. "So, whenever your ready we can go." She said as she stepped out to get Cinnamon.

Getting up, Caramel went to his bag, and pulled out his bit purse. Reaching back he clipped under his mane just under his crest, so that it was out of sight. Looking at himself in a mirror, he ran his hoof through his forelock to settle some errant strands before he trotted out the door.

Following the directions that Mrs. Swan had given them, they soon arrived at the home of Tranquil Morning, a middle aged pegasus mare that had a warm kind smile. As Caramel was giving an unnecessarily long and detailed instructions on how Cinnamon needed to be cared for, Goldie let out a sigh of irritation and suddenly started shoving him out the door.

"I'm sure she knows how to care for a foal, you don't need to give her instructions on everything." Goldie explained as she pushed him outside. Turning she waved to Tranquil Morning who stood at the door with Cinnamon held in her hoof. "Don't mind him, he's just a new dad. You know how they worry and nitpick about their little fillies. Thanks for the hard work, we'll be back latter tonight to pick her up."

"All right, all right. I'm going. You can stop shoving me know." Caramel complained, as Goldie gave him one last good shove.

Stepping up next to him she looked over at him, upon seeing his worried look, she smiled and nuzzled him in his neck. "Don't worry so much, she'll be fine." She assured him. It was cute how worried he was.

Caramel gave her a reassuring smile. "I know, I know. I just can't help it." He said with one last look over his shoulder. Letting out a sigh he looked back to Goldie. "So, what do you want to do first?"

The sun was low on the horizon, as Goldie tapped her chin in thought. "I'm hungry, lets get something sweet to eat."

Stopping at a booth, Caramel bought Goldie some sweet rolls. Having one himself, Caramel marveled as he watched Goldie scarf down the rest in very short order. He felt a tingle run down his spine, as he observed Goldie lick the frosting from her lips, with a look of satisfaction.

Next they played some of the games. With Goldie urging him on, Caramel hefted his last ball, and considered his options. He had missed his first two throws at the cerberus, and now, in order to win a prize, he would need to hit the small hydra in the back. Narrowing his eyes he watched his target. The hydra was set in the back row, and it moved back and forth on a track as it randomly changed directions. With his face screwed up in concentration, he drew his leg back and threw the last ball.

The moment the ball left his hoof, he knew he had missed. It was going to pass by just behind the hydra, but then suddenly the hydra stopped and reversed itself. Caramel held his breath as his ball stuck the hydra dead on and knocked it down.

"We have a winner!" The pony running the game shouted out.

Goldie let out a squeal and flung her hooves around his neck as she hopped around, hugging him, while pressing her cheek to his.

"Here you go sir, your prize." The pony said as he gave Caramel a plushy. It was a pink bunny with long droopy ears. As Caramel turned to give it to Goldie, he caught sight of a filly who was sitting by the next booth crying by herself. It appeared that she failed to get her rings to land on any of the little toy ships that were floating around in a tub.

With a glance at Goldie, Caramel walked over to the filly and held out the plushy he had just won. "Here you go. You can have it." Caramel said. When the filly saw what he was giving her, her eyes lit up and she happily took it and hugged it to herself. "Her name is Floppy Ears. Be good to her, and she'll be good to you."

"Thank you, Mister." The filly said in gratitude, before she dashed off, to show her friends what she got.

Goldie stepped up next to him, while she watched the filly rush away. "That was the most precious thing ever." She said as she as she flung her hooves around his neck, and gave him a tight squeeze.

Caramel scratched the back of his head, as he have her a goofy grin.

Goldie suddenly hooked her leg around his an pulled him along. "Come here! I know what I want to do next!"

Caramel was pulled along until Goldie finally released him, as she rushed forward to talk to a pony that was renting swan boats. Looking at her curiously, Caramel trotted over and joined her. Goldie had already paid for a boat and was waiting for him by the time he arrived.

"You want to go for a boat ride?" Caramel asked, as he looked over the swan shaped boat. It was just big enough to hold the two of them.

"You bet I do. Now, will you be so kind as to help a lavishly beautiful mare aboard?" Goldie asked sweetly holding her hoof up.

The swan boat sat next to the shore, and was an easy step to board it. Stepping forward he held his hoof out, and Goldie set hers atop of his as she stepped out onto the swan boat, and seated herself on a little bench between the up swept wings. Stepping on himself, Caramel took his seat next to her. It was slightly cramped, and he found himself pressed up to Goldie's side as she suddenly hooked her foreleg around his, and leaned into him. They felt the swan boat get gently pushed out onto the stream, were they slowly drifted with the slow current.

Goldie laid her head down onto his shoulder as she let out a sigh. Before them the sun was just setting, and as they watched, the sun slowly sank down below the horizon, leaving the sky free for the stars to come out and paint the sky with their sparkling brilliance. With the sun now gone, and the night quickly coming, the air grew chilly. Goldie pressed herself all the harder into his side, as he felt her warmth soak into him. With a slight hesitation, Caramel lifted his hoof, and he wrapped it around Goldie and held her to his side, as he shared his warmth with her.

Behind them the moon rose, casting it's soft light across the town. But Caramel and Goldie didn't take notice, as they enjoyed each others company. Around them, Ponies lit paper lanterns and hung them from the bridges and lines strung between buildings. The night was soon taken over by light and color. And as he held Goldie, Caramel became aware that he could feel her heartbeat though his body, and as he closed his eyes and relaxed into her, he discovered that his heartbeat harmonize with hers.

Suddenly, something wet swiped across his cheek, leaving behind a moist slick trail. Snapping his eyes open, Caramel looked down at Goldie and found her grinning up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Did you just... lick me?" Caramel asked, dumbfounded as he looked down at Goldie.

Still grinning, she quickly shook her head. "Nooo, I would never do something like that. Don't be silly."

Caramel could tell she was lying. That glint was still in her eyes. With his hoof around her shoulder, Caramel tightened his grip, as he worked moisture into his mouth.

Goldie noticed this, and her eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare!" But as she watched him, he gave her his most evil grin as he slowly leaned in towards her. "Oh no! No, no! Aahhh!" She let out a laugh as she struggled to get away, but the wing of the swan boat trapped her in her seat. She was his. Opening his mouth, he let his tongue drape out.

As it seem like all hope was lost, Goldie suddenly reached up and grabbed the sides of Caramel's head, and she lunged forward and planted her mouth onto his. Caramel was caught by surprise, as his tongue was now trapped against her lip. With a quick tug, he slid his tongue back into it's proper place. Goldie ignored this as she adjusted herself until their lips meshed perfectly. Caramel felt his mind go blank as he reached up and wrapped his hooves around her and held her close, while Goldie's hooves slipped in behind his neck.

Their lips made loud wet smacking sounds, as they kissed, and ever so slightly, Caramel felt Goldie's tongue brush up against his. His heart was hammering in his chest, and from what he could feel though were their body's were pressed together, so was hers. He wanted the kiss to go on forever, but alas, there came a point where they broke apart with a slight pop.

With their lips separated by a mere hair's breadth, they both gazed into each others eyes. Their heavy breath's washed over each other, as their hearts continued to beat in harmony.

"Wow..." Was all that Caramel could say.

"Yeah, wow..." Goldie agreed breathlessly.

They turned and cuddled up next to each other, suddenly not feeling the chill of the night air.

"Promise you will visit me." Caramel asked suddenly.

"What do you mean? Goldie glanced up at Caramel.

"I mean, will you visit my grave after your father kills me." His tone sounded mournful.

Goldie shot Caramel a look. "My father's not going to kill you." She said with a scowl.

"Will you bring tulips? I like tulips." He said ignoring her.

Goldie let out a sigh. "Yeah, I'll bring you tulips."

A few minutes latter, a pole swung out from shore and hooked the swan boat, and pulled it to a small dock. "I hope you enjoyed your ride. Please watch your step when you disembark." A pony said as he held the swan boat steady against the dock.

Stepping out of the boat, Caramel turned and helped Goldie, as she stepped off. Together they climbed a short flight of steps to the top of the retention wall that ran along the stream. Reaching the top, they found themselves right at the town square. Paper lanterns where everywhere, as they cast their colorful light to all the corners of the square. Music was playing and many couples were already dancing throughout the square.

Caramel gazed about in wonder. Streamers and flags fluttered and moved with the occasional breeze, and along the sides of the square, tables were set out with lit candles to cast their warm glow on any couple that chose to rest and dine at them.

"Did you know that the swan boats would take us here?" Caramel asked as he looked about.

Goldie was smiling, as she hoped in place, eager to join the fun. "Of course I did. Now shut up and dance with me."

Before Caramel knew it he was pulled out onto the dance floor. He only knew a few dances, and as he looked about he had no idea what to do. The music was upbeat with a fast tempo, and the dancers around them were all moving to their own steps.

"Come on! Dance!" Goldie cried out, as she moved and danced in front of him. Her hips wiggling from side to side, as she side stepped and hopped about. He knew how to square dance and the more wild barn dance, so he picked a few moves from them and started moving. Goldie laughed and hopped up to swing around on his neck. " That's it! Move those hooves!" She shouted as she bumped her hips to his.

Quickly he got into the swing of it, and soon felt brave and even twirled Goldie about a few time. They were both laughing and having the time of their lives. For the first time he wasn't absently worried about how Cinnamon was doing, as he found himself only thinking of Goldie as he danced with her.

After a long while of switching from fast wild dancing to the slower traditional dances, they eventually found they needed to take a break. Stepping over to one of the open tables, Caramel pulled back a chair for Goldie, and offered it to her. She smiled at him as she sat.

"Thank you kind sir."

"I'll get us something to drink." Caramel said as he started to move away.

"Oh, can you also find a little something for us to eat too?" Goldie asked.

Caramel turned and swung his hoof across his chest as he bowed his head down. "As Your Grace wishes, so she shall receive. I will return shortly with a cornucopia of many fine delicacies for your Graces fine palate to sample to your hearts content." Peeking his eyes open Caramel glanced up to see Goldie holding her nose up in a fine act of snootiness, as she gazed down at him.

"That will be most grand, be sure to hurry though, for I am feeling most peckish." She said haughtily, and just as Caramel was about to turn away. "Tut tut tut." Goldie said in admonishment. "Did something slip you mind?" With a dainty bend, she held her hoof up for him.

With a smile, Caramel stepped closer. "Apologies, Your Grace. It shan't happen again." Lifting his hoof, he gently supported her delicately held hoof, as he lowered his head and kissed her pastern.

"Thank you for taking me to the festival, It's been great spending time with you." Goldie said as Caramel raised his head and gave her a wink and a cheeky grin.

"Now off with you knave, or I will haft to think of the best way to punish you." Goldie flicked here hoof at him as she dismissed him.

"At once, Your Grace." Caramel moved off, heading to the buffet table.

Goldie watched him leave, with a smile on her face. He was adorable when he was being silly, and she just loved that. Her face darkened when she thought about the mare that had almost destroyed Caramel's sweetness. With his sharing of his tragic past, Caramel had essentially ripped a scab off a old wound, that had been festering. Goldie knew he needed to heal, and she was determined to be there and see to it that his wound closed, and healed properly. Someday, she was going to get her hooves around that mare's neck, and she was going to teach her what happens when you hurt those she loved.

"Oh, that is a lovely dress. Is that what your going to wear to the Midnight Dance?" A pink mare said nearby, as she greeted a lime colored mare, who was wearing a yellow dress with white trim.

"You don't think it looks too simple?" The lime colored mare asked as she twirled herself about.

"Of course not, you wouldn't want your dress to be to flashy. What does Highstep think?" The first mare responded.

"I haven't shown him yet. I hope he likes it." The lime colored mare looked herself over uncertainly.

"Knowing him, you could be wearing rags and he would still only have eye's for you. Have you two signed the papers for the dance yet? You don't want to do it too late and miss out." The first mare said as they started to move away.

"As soon as I find Highstep, we'll go and do that." The lime colored mare answered as they turned the corner and disappeared.

The Midnight Dance. Mrs. Swan had mentioned it earlier. She said it was only for unmarred couples, and that is was some sort of highlight of the night. Lifting her hoof she tapped her chin in thought. She was going to need a dress.

Caramel returned, with several plates of food balanced on his back, along with two glassed of punch. The meal was simple but delicious, and Goldie was surprised that Caramel had found her a slice of cheese cake to bring back with the meal. Looking up from her plate she eyed Caramel thoughtfully, as he ate some chocolate covered strawberry's.

"Caramel? What would you say that when we get back home, you come over and have dinner with my family." Goldie asked, out of the blue.

Caramel froze mid chew, as his ears shot up and quivered. Swallowing his mouthful, Caramel looked up and met her eyes, and the moment their eyes met he knew that what she was asking of him, was very important to her. And that this was more then just a mere dinner to her. This was her offering to bring him into her life. Caramel thought about what he wanted to say, as he struggled to put his feelings into words.

"I'm tired." Caramel said. Goldie's ears lowered down. "I'm tired of hiding from my feelings, and the constant need to push others away. I hate how my fear has held me back from being close to others. Your father is one of the biggest ponies I know, and he guards his fillies with the ferocity of a grizzly bear. And I know that In all his scariness, he is but a simple father that loves his children. Since you are dear to my heart, just as you are to his heart. I should not fear him, but instead I should join him, and guard those that are precious to us. So in answer to your question, yes I will have dinner with your family."

Goldie felt her eyes tear up. "That makes it the forth time."

Caramel blinked as he tried to make sense of her comment, but before he could ask, Goldie shut her eyes and shook her head as she wiped at her eyes. "Never mind, I'll tell you latter. I need to find the little mare's room, excuse me." Goldie got up and hurried away.

What he said was very profound to her. He was the first stallion to understand her father, and he had expressed his desire to be included in her life. She knew that Caramel had a big heart, and that he was learning quickly to open up and accept others into it, despite the pain that it may cause him. Goldie would be there for him, and use everything in her being to make sure to protect the heart of the colt she fell in love with all those years ago. She knew the moment when she gazed into his eyes after they had kissed for the first time, that she loved him. And earlier that night, after they kissed on the swan ride, when they gazed once again into each others eyes. She knew that after all this time, she still loved him.

Goldie needed to hurry. She had lied when she said she was going to the little mare's room. Rushing down the street, she neared her destination. Turning the last corner, she galloped down the street and right up the front steps, into The Sleepy Traveler. Rushing up the stairs she went into her room, and opened her saddlebag. Inside, folded neatly on the bottom was what she had come for. She had packed a simple dress to use when she had the meeting with the owners of the restaurant in Fillydelphia.

She quickly slipped her dress on, and looked at herself in a nearby vanity mirror. Her dress was a simple white dress with green highlights and borders. At the neck of her dress a small yellow bow hung down. Pulling out a brush, she quickly brushed out her mane. Finishing that, she pulled out a small bottle of perfume and spritz herself.

She was done, but now she worried what to do about Caramel. Stepping out into the hall, she noticed Caramel's door was open, and she could hear, somepony inside. Moving over to his door she looked inside. A older Stallion was over by the wall, putting together a crib.

"Excuse me, but are you Mrs. Swan's husband?" Goldie asked, as she took a few steps into the room.

The stallion looked up from his work, and his eyes widened as he looked at her, obviously taken in by her beauty. "Why yes I am. The name's Bentleaf. Is there something I can do for you?"

Goldie felt a little awkward asking him for this, but she couldn't think of anywhere else to get one. "Yes, um... I hope you don't mind, but may I be able to borrow something from you?"

A little while latter Goldie happily trotted down the street with her prize draped over her back. Bentleaf was such a kind stallion to let her borrow one of his suits, and now she needed to get back to Caramel. Arriving back at town square, she found him right were she left him, though it looked like he had gotten a bit bored and was using olives and crackers to reenact some battle, on the table.

"So who's winning?" Goldie asked as she stepped up behind him.

"The olives at first, but then the crackers managed to assassinate their king, and now the olives are fractured and fighting among themselves for the crown. Right now, the black olives have a secret alliance with the crackers, but they are unaware that the crackers are selling the green olives arms under the table, playing both sides against each other. But secretly hiding behind the scene and pulling the strings is an unknown power, and soon the cheese balls will be ready to strike, and finally get the long awaited revenge that they have been seeking, since the murder of their kings beloved wife and daughter."

"Hmm, and who are the grapes?" Goldie asked, as she noticed a disorganized cluster of grapes hiding behind his punch glass.

"The grapes are a mercenary group that were hired by the crackers king's older brother, the evil duke of cheddar, to raid the crackers lands and sow chaos so that he can make a move on his brother the king, and steal the throne for himself."

"So ah... what's going to happen in the end?" Goldie asked curiously.

"I have no idea. I'm just a spectator in all of this, and I'm just as curious as you." Caramel said as he looked around the table.

Goldie smiled and shook her head. While she was away, Caramel had somehow regressed to the age of a toddler. "Well, I'm sad to say we can't stay to see the outcome."

"Oh, that's too bad, I was looking forward to seeing..." Caramel turned and his eyes fell on Goldie and her dress. "Whoa!..." His eyes widened, as his ears shot strait. Quickly Caramel stood and turned to her. "Goldie! You look so.... so... wow."

Goldie gave him a smile as she swept her mane back. "You really think so?"

Caramel gazed at her for a moment before he suddenly stepped closer and lifted her hoof with his. Bending down, he planted a kiss to her pastern. "Your Grace, I am but a humble knave to your beauty."

"Well, lets do something about that then." Goldie said as she took Bentleaf's suit off her back and presented it to Caramel. "Here, put this on."

"What's this?" Caramel asked as he took the suit.

"Well, if your going to dance with me at the Midnight Dance, then you are going to need to look presentable." Goldie explained, as she urged Caramel to follow her to a secluded part of a nearby shop.

The suit was a simple grey suit and tie. Caramel struggled with the tie until Goldie tisk at him and stepped in and tied it for him. Once they were done, Goldie moved around and admired him.

"You look really handsome." Goldie complemented him, as he strutted about puffing out his chest. Reaching out, she hooked her leg with his and tugged him along. "Now we need to find where to sign up."

As they walked together, Goldie couldn't help pressing herself against Caramel's side. He was just so adorable looking in his suit.

"So what is this Midnight Dance thing? I think I remember Mrs. Swan mentioning something like that." Caramel asked.

Goldie stopped rubbing her cheek against Caramel's neck for a moment to answer. "Apparently its a special dance that happens at midnight, and only unmarried couples are allowed to do it. It just sounds so romantic, I just need to do it." Goldie said excitedly.

Caramel smiled at her exuberance. "Well, if it means that much to you, then it means that much to me. You mentioned that we needed to sign in, where do we do that?"

"I'm not sure, hold on I'll ask." Goldie moved off and asked a nearby mare. Returning, Goldie pointed. "She said that it's just in front of Town Hall over that way."

They walked together until they arrived at Town Hall. In front of it, a table had been set up, and about a dozen couples were waiting in a line, to sign in. They joined the line and waited their turn. Midnight was aproching and they didn't have a lot of time, the full moon would soon reach its zenith. As the line shortened and their turn approached, Goldie noticed that whenever a couple finished and moved off, they were giving a long red ribbon.

Midnight was only a few minutes away when they finally stepped up to the table.

"Ahh, our final pair!" The mare behind the table said as she slid a sheet to them. "Here, sign your full names on the bottom."

Taking the quill that sat in a nearby inkwell, Goldie signed her name. Passing the quill to Caramel, Goldie watched as he signed. Finishing, Caramel put the quill back into the inkwell.

The mare took the sheet and passed over a long red ribbon, just like all the other red ribbon they saw the other couples get. "There you go. The dance area is just over there. You'll see that its been roped off. When you walk out onto the floor, find a spot you like, and then tie his left leg to your right leg. Make sure you tie it securely, because you don't want it coming undone during the dance. Once your ready, move close to each other and when the music starts, then go ahead and dance together. Oh! Its about to start, you'd better hurry or you'll miss it!" The mare said, as she shooed at them.

Grabbing the ribbon in her mouth, Goldie and Caramel trotted to the dance area. There was a large crowd that had formed around a roped off area, and inside was filled with close to what looked like about thirty couples, most of which already had their legs bound together. Hurrying in, Goldie and Caramel found a spot, and began tying the ribbon round their legs. It was a little awkward, and it required that both of them work together, and in short order they managed to finish in time.

Now that they had bound themselves together, Goldie looked into Caramel's eyes. Feeling herself flush, Goldie pressed herself up close to Caramel so that their chest were joined together. Wrapping their necks around one another, they both rested their cheeks on their partners withers. Around them, many of the other couples had taken the same positions.

"You smell really nice." Caramel complemented her as he took in her scent.

Caramel wasn't wearing any perfumes or colones, so when Goldie breathed in, she smelled the musky scent of a stallion. She found it rather exciting, as her body started to respond to his strong masculine scent. She felt an urge to drag him off somewhere private, where they could... Goldie had to force her thoughts back to the situation, before she embarrassed herself by lifting her tail and flagging.

Suddenly, the orchestra started playing. Closing her eyes, she let Caramel take the lead, as she felt him move his free leg to the right. She followed with him, and when he moved their bound legs, she was ready and moved with him flawlessly. She could feel his heartbeat through her body, and she knew he could feel hers. His warm breath on her withers sent a thrill through her body, as she snuggled her cheek against him.

Goldie was suddenly surprised when Caramel suddenly stepped back and swung his rear to the side, but Goldie was quick to move with him, as she stayed in sync. Distantly, she heard a mare cry out, followed by the sound of ponies falling to the ground. The gathered crowd let out a collective sound of disappointment, but she took no notice of it, as she remained totally focused on Caramel, for at that moment he was her world, and together they moved through the heavens, as the stars witnessed their union.

There came more sounds of ponies stumbling and falling, followed by moans from the crowd. Caramel's dancing was growing more elaborate as time passed. He would side step and spin around, followed by a sudden reversal. Goldie followed him every step of the way, never faltering or hesitating. They were one. Time meant nothing to them now, the only thing in that moment that mattered, was each other.

A searing fire moved up from their bound legs, and permeated their bodies, leaving them feeling tingling all over. Caramel suddenly felt his entire being laid bare to Goldie. All his pain and failures open for her to see with nothing hidden or held back. All that he was, was now hers. And with a tenderness of a lover, she embraced him and accepted all that he was. In return she shared all she was with him, filling him with the warmth and comfort of her love. Everything faded from around them, and they found themselves alone, in their own world. Their body's melted away, and their hearts joined together as their spirits soared and danced through the night sky. Their lives now forever joined, as their fates became one.

Slowly, their awareness returned, and their body's felt like they were on fire. Their steps slowed until they came to a stop, just as the music ended. All around them was dead silence. Opening their eyes they looked around and found that many of the couples around them were now kissing, and many in the crowd were starting to cheer. Unsure what to do, Caramel stepped apart and met Goldie's eyes. Her eyes once again drew him in, and he found himself moving forward. Their eyes slipped shut, as their lips joined together. Their bodies became one, and Caramel felt the fire inside him become a furnace, that threatened to burn him to ashes. Her soft lips felt divine, as he felt her free hoof wrapped around his neck as she pulled him in tighter for a long moment, before she relaxed and with a wet pop, their lips broke apart.

Around them the crowd was now hooting and hollering as they cheered. Many of the couples had already untied themselves, as they moved away.

"Wow, that was amazing." Caramel said meeting Goldie's eyes.

"Yes, it certainly was." Goldie breathlessly agreed, as she felt like her body was overheating.

Together they both reached down and slipped the knot that bound them together. Strangely, after the ribbon came off, Caramel could still feel it. Like it was still there, binding him to Goldie.

"Caramel! Golden!" A voice called out.

Star Watcher and Honey Clover rushed over to them, smiling. Honey Clover had a red ribbon hanging down from around her neck.

"What are you doing here? Did you just do the Midnight Dance together?" Star Watcher asked as they both come to a stop before them.

Caramel and Goldie looked at one another. "Well yeah, we did. We got in at the last moment." Goldie answered.

Honey Clover was suddenly dancing in place. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I am so happy for you two!" She suddenly rushed forward and hugged Goldie. "I knew you two were meant for each other!"

Star Watcher held out his hoof to Caramel. Confused, Caramel hooked his fetlock with his as they shook. "Congratulations." Star Watcher said.

"For what?" Caramel asked, feeling puzzled.

"For getting married of course!" Star Watcher said, slapping Caramel on the shoulder. "The Midnight Dance is a marriage ceremony! You just got married!"

Caramel felt a ringing in his head like somepony just rang a giant bell, and suddenly everything felt far away, as it all faded to blackness.

Author's Note

--I decided to start referring to Golden Harvest, as Goldie, to show a renewal of their old relationship.
--I have been wondering where they keep their money when they aren't wearing clothes or bags. So I thought about a coin purse that can be clipped into the mane of a pony to carry it around and keep it from sight. I thought it solved that question quite handily... hoofdily??
--Now shut up and dance with me.{Yep, I went there. Sue me.}
--I hope the Cheese Balls come out on top, those black olives are just pricks.

Find any Typo's let me know.

Chapter 07

Caramel became aware that his head was resting on something soft as he came to. Opening his eyes he found that he was laid out on a bench, with his head resting in Goldie's lap. Above him he could hear her humming as she brushed her hoof through his mane. He found It was rather pleasant and he was tempted to remain like this for a while, but he was curious about how he ended up here.

"Goldie?"

"Hmm?" Goldie's humming paused, as she continued to brush her hoof through his mane.

"What happened?"

"You fainted." She answered, resting her hoof onto his shoulder.

And now for the burning question, suddenly felt hesitate to ask. Taking a breath he steeled himself. "Did we just... get married?"

"Yes, apparently we did." Goldie answered, her voice seemed calm but he could tell that there was strain to it she was trying to hide.

Caramel sat up and looked over at her. "What are we going to do?" He asked, feeling lost and overwhelmed. His life had already changed so much during the last week, that this latest change just seem like it was too much. How could this have happened? It was supposed to be just a dance.

Goldie shook her head as she shrugged, also totally at a loss. "I don't know. From what I heard, I'm not sure anything can be done." Her gaze dropped down to the cobblestones. "I wasn't expecting this."

Caramel suddenly noticed that she was shivering. He wasn't sure if her shivering was caused by her being chilled by the night air, or because she was frightened by what had just happened to them, but in ether case, Caramel reacted without hesitation and put his hoof around her. For a moment Goldie sat there as he held her, but then she suddenly moved over and buried herself into his side as she took comfort from him.

Tightening his hold around her, he felt her shivers lessen as they sat quietly together. Looking around he saw that many ponies had already left to go home, as the crowds started to thin out. "When we were dancing, I felt something strange happen." Caramel said as he thought back. "It was like... we exchanged a piece of ourselves with each other." Caramel struggled to make sense of it. "It's hard to explain."

"No, I know what you mean." Goldie murmured from this side. "I'm having trouble understanding it myself." She sat up higher but still stayed against his side. "I remember feeling a closeness, and a complete sense of intimacy with you. It was like I was missing a part of myself and then I felt you complete me. When it happened it felt good, really good, almost euphoric."

Caramel nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that's what it was like with me too." He lifted his hoof and looked at where the ribbon had bound him to Goldie. It was strange, he could still feel it.

"Oh! There you two are!" A sage colored unicorn mare stepped up in front of them. "I'm glad I found you two. My name is Mayor Quill Stroke."

Goldie lifted her head from Caramel side, as she looked at the Mayor. "Mayor? You were looking for us? Is there something wrong?"

The Mayor smiled and shook her head. "No, nothings wrong, I just stopped by to give you this." She held out a scroll in her magic. "With all the excitement, I missed the chance to give it to you two."

Caramel took the scroll and unrolled it. It was a marriage certificate. Their names were signed at the bottom, and Caramel almost laughed. It was the same sheet they had signed in front of Town Hall. If they hadn't had been in such a rush and had just read what they were signing they would have found out what the Midnight Dance really was. At the very bottom just under where they had signed, the mayor's hoof print and signature sealed the document. It was official, they were married.

"Oh, what an amazing festival this year was. Thirty one couples started the Midnight Dance and sixteen were able to complete it successfully." The Mayor said excitedly.

Caramel's head shot up, suddenly interested. "Wait! What do you mean sixteen completed it successfully?"

The Mayor gave him a confused look. "Didn't you two know the conditions before you participated?"

Caramel cleared his throat awkwardly as he gave Goldie a glance. "Well ah... we were the last ones in line, and we were kind of rushed. So we kind of just signed and dashed." He awkwardly explained, not wanting to tell the Mayor that they had no idea what the dance had been really all about.

The Mayor gave a nod of understanding. "I see. Well the marriage dance is more complicated then just going in and dancing and boom! Your married. You see first there's the ribbon." The Mayor's horn lit up and the ribbon that had been laying on the bench next to Goldie lifted up. "The ribbon has a spell on it you see. When you bind two ponies together with it, it will then draw from the hearts of the two ponies to hold its knot in place."

To demonstrate the Mayor then set her hoof along side Caramel's and with her magic she quickly bound them together with the ribbon. "When the two ponies hearts aren't in sync, and there is little love, then the knot is weak and will quickly come undone." With a couple of tugs, the ribbon easily slipped loose and the Mayor's hoof came free of Caramel's.

"But when the two ponies hearts are strong for each other." The Mayor then bound Goldie's and Caramel's hooves together. "Then the knot will draw strength from those two hearts and hold tighter." The Mayor then tugged on their hooves, trying to pull them apart. The knot held fast and would not budge. And when the Mayor used her magic to try to slip the knot it stubbornly held fast. "Wow, this is quite unusual, I have never seen one hold his strong."

"It won't come loose?" Caramel asked, lifting their bound hooves, and looking at it curiously. "Are we going to haft to cut the ribbon off?"

"Caramel." Goldie said, calling his attention to her. She reached her mouth down and took one of the loose ends of the knot in her mouth. "Together we can do it, in harmony."

Caramel nodded his understanding as he took the second end in his mouth. Together they pulled, and the knot easily slipped apart.

The Mayor watched this, her eyes going wide. "Wow, that was quite interesting." She said in amazement, before she caught herself and continued with her explanation. "So ah, the second part is of course the dancing. Marriage needs cooperation and harmony. That is why we have the couples dance tied together. If you don't cooperate with your partner and harmonies with them you will stumble and fall." Goldie and Caramel remembered some of the couples around them having troubles moving and a many of them even falling, but they had been so focused on one another that it hardly came to their attention.

"The Midnight Dance tests the couples love for each other, and how well they harmonize with each other, so if at any point during the Midnight Dance, if any of the dancer's hearts aren't strong for one another and ribbon comes untied or if they fail to harmonize and they stumble and fall. Then that is it, it's all over, their certificate is ripped up and their marriage doesn't happen."

Caramel gaped at the Mayor, next to him he felt Goldie grip tighten on his foreleg. "Are you saying that, at any point if our love for each other was weak, or if we failed work in harmony, we would have failed and we wouldn't be married now?"

The Mayor nodded. "That is correct." She said simply. "But that would have never happen to you two. I watched you two while you danced and you two were amazing!" The Mayor beamed at the two with a excited smile plastered on her face. "I have never seen a pair so much in love, or so harmonized. Your moves were fluid and beautiful, and I have never seen anything like it before. Most couples only step back and forth, but you two moved about! You actually crossed the dance floor twice! And you didn't even bump into any of the other couples!" The Mayor twirled in place excitedly as she recalled their dance. "I bet that we could have had all four of your legs tied together and you sill would have been just wonderful!"

"We were really that good?" Goldie asked, sitting up with a flush coming to her cheeks, she glanced to Caramel only to see he was just as stunned as she.

"Honey, you two are perfect for each other." The Mayor said with a smile.

Caramel never realized they had moved around that much during the dance, in fact he had trouble remembering most of the details. It was like he had slipped into some kind of dream. "Um, there is something else that we would like to know. During our dance we started to feel a strange thing happen between us. It was like we were sharing our innermost selves with one another. Do you know what this was?"

The Mayor looked between the two with a knowing look. "That would be the main purpose of the ribbon. It ties two ponies together in more than one sense. If their love is strong for one another, then the ribbon will act as a conduit to share their feeling with one another. The stronger the feeling the stronger and deeper the bond will be. It's like two trees that have woven themselves together, and have become one. The ribbon did that for you, it opened the doors and allowed your feelings to be woven together, just like two trees." She pointed down at their hooves. "Look at where you had the ribbon tied, you should see a mark encircling your leg, that would be the marriage band."

Caramel and Goldie lifted their hooves and looked closely. A lighter band of fur encircled around both of their legs, right were they had the ribbon tied during their dance.

"Now, place your hooves together and think about your feelings for each other." The Mayor told them, as she gestured putting two hooves together.

Goldie and Caramel was hesitate at first but after they looked at each other, they decided to do as she said, and placed their hooves together. Almost immediately the two bands around their legs began to glow softly.

"Yes! I knew it would work! Most couples can only feel the bond. It's like they can feel the ribbon still tied around their leg. But you two are special! You can actually see the bond, and that has happened only a few times in the past!" The Mayor was dancing in place in her excitement. "Oh! You two are going to have such a happy life together!"

Goldie and Caramel stared in wonder. This was proof. They were bonded together, in paper, body and heart. There was no denying it, not when it was written on your own body.

"Isn't it dangerous to let these ribbons loose to the public? Shouldn't you be taking them all back once the dancing is over?" Caramel asked, slightly worried that something like these ribbons somehow being mishandled.

The Mayor shook her head. "The requirements to activate the spells are so exacting that it is pretty much impossible for just anypony to accidentally get it to work on them. Also the spells placed on the ribbons are only good for one night. When the moon sets, their power will fade and they will just be normal ribbons again."

Goldie was the first to lower her hoof. Once the connection broke, the marks faded until they were just a lighter band around their legs. "Thank you Mayor, for explaining this to us. Its late and we should be getting to bed." Goldie said as she started to get up.

"Oh! Of course. I wouldn't want to keep you two from any further personal celebrations!" The mayor said with a nod and wink. "Perhaps in eleven months you two will have something small, cute and cuddly delivered into your life, eh? Good luck!" The Mayor waved as she left.

Caramel stopped and stared at Goldie for a moment as she started walking. He was imagining what having something small, cute, and cuddly with her would be like.

Goldie paused and looked back. "What are you standing around for? We need to pick up Cinnamon."

Oh! Right, they already had something small, cute and cuddly, and she was waiting for them, Caramel quickly brought his thoughts to task. Snatching up the ribbon and certificate in his mouth, tucked them away into his suit, before he trotted after Goldie to catch up.

Tranquil Morning answered her door with a tired smile. After she retrieved Cinnamon from a crib which had two more foals still sleeping in it, she handed her over to Goldie, who was quick to give the sleepy filly a kiss.

As Caramel payed Tranquil Morning, she told him about how Cinnamon had been a bit fussy about eating and had a difficult time falling asleep, having only just gotten her asleep a short time before they arrived. Caramel wondered what could have been troubling Cinnamon as he payed Tranquil Morning a little extra to for her troubles, once he had Cinnamon's diaper bag settled onto his back, he rejoined Goldie and headed back to the B&B.

Goldie elected to hold Cinnamon rather then use the carrier, on their walk back to The Sleepy Traveler. She held the filly close as she hummed a tune, while Caramel following close by her side. They quietly entered the B&B and ascended the stairs to their rooms. Finding the crib was finished being set up in Caramel's room. He quickly set a blanket down inside as Goldie waited, and once he was done, they both gave the sleeping filly a kiss before Goldie carefully lower her into the crib.

The moment Cinnamon was set down, she roused slightly as she curled herself around and started to make some plaintive cries. Goldie quickly started rubbing her back, as she softly sang a lullaby. Caramel stood next to her, as he looked into the crib. He admired how much affection and care Goldie showed to Cinnamon, so much like a mother would. Caramel suddenly realized that now that they were married, Goldie was now as much a parent to Cinnamon as he was. The realization was quiet startling, as it meant that he now had a family.

After a bit, Cinnamon finally settled down, and Goldie and Caramel quietly stepped away from the crib. Goldie then moved past Caramel to the door, where she paused and turned back to Caramel. "I'm going to my room. I... have some things to figure out, and I need to think." Goldie explained.

Caramel nodded. "I understand, I feel the same way. So much has happened, that my head is just spinning."

Goldie hesitated for a moment, but then she moved closer to Caramel and gave him a quick kiss to his lips. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Goldie." Caramel answered, as Goldie turned and left.

Closing his door, Caramel let out a sigh, setting the ribbon and certificate down on the desk, he then removed Bentleaf's suit and hung it up in the closet. He would need to remember to thank Bentleaf for letting him use his suit. Turning off the light, Caramel slipped into bed.

Even though he was utterly exhausted, sleep eluded him. His thought whirled about in his head, as he tried to make sense of it. Goldie was his first and oldest friend, as well as his first and only love. And now they were married. In the darkness, Caramel lifted his left hoof and looked at where the band was around his leg.

He could still feel it encircling his leg, and he suspected he would feel it for the rest of his life. He was about to lower his leg when something about it caught his eye. He wasn't sure, but it looked like it had a slight glow. Curious, Caramel closed his eyes and thought about his feelings for Goldie. Powerful emotions suddenly whelmed up, and he suddenly had the feeling of missing her, even though she was in the next room, he wanted her close to him. A strong desire to touch Goldie and hold her raged through him like a storm, and he had to fight the urge to get up and go to her.

Opening his eyes he looked. It wasn't strong but it was definitely there, his marriage band glowed. Apparently their bond was so strong, that they didn't need to be in contact to make it react. With a sigh, he let his hoof drop down. He wondered if Goldie was having trouble sleeping too.

Caramel let out a groan and rolled over, burying his face into a pillow. Why can't life just be simple. He tossed and turn for quite some time, and he was starting to think that he was not going to get any sleep tonight.

A sudden cry came from the crib let Caramel know that Cinnamon was now awake and she wanted him. Caramel lifted his head and looked over at the crib, at least he had something to do besides just laying in bed. Getting up he crossed over to the crib and lifted Cinnamon out. She wiggled in his grasp as she wailed out. For some reason she seemed louder than usual.

Bouncing her, Caramel cooed to her and tried to shush her. Taking a pacifier, he shoved it into her mouth, as he bounced and rocked her. She spit it out, and continued wailing. Picking the pacifier back up with his lips, he again shoved it into her mouth, this time he held it and wiggled about, until she finally accepted it, and furiously suckled it. He checked her diaper and found it dry, so he figured she was just hungry.

Taking one of her empty bottles and the formula, he left his room and went down to the kitchen. Cinnamon continued to wiggle in his grasp as he prepared her bottle and would occasionally let out little cry's around her pacifier before she returned to suckling it furiously. Caramel looked down at her and wondered why she was acting so strangely. Once he had her bottle ready, he returned back to his room. Sitting down in a rocking chair in the corner of the room, he adjusted Cinnamon around so that he would be able to feed her. Lowering his mouth to her pacifier he took it out, and she immediately started wailing again.

Quickly he gave her her bottle, and she started to suckle it but then she rejected it, spitting out the milk, as she resumed crying. Wiping the mess she made with her spit up with a towel, Caramel tried putting the bottle into her mouth a few more time, but she rejected it every time. Setting the bottle aside, Caramel put her pacifier back in, only for her to spit it back out.

Caramel was at a loss. He began to bounce and rock her, as he cooed at her. He even tried singing a song to her, but nothing was having an effect. Caramel became worried that something might be wrong with her. Across the room heard his door open, and he looked up and saw Goldie was stepping in with a concerned look on her face.

"Is she okay?" Goldie asked, crossing the room to them.

Caramel shook his head uncertainly. "I don't know. She just keeps crying. Her diaper is dry, and when I try to feed her she won't take the bottle."

Goldie bent down and laid her ear against Cinnamon's belly and listened for several moments. Lifting her head up, she felt Cinnamon's belly. "Well, she's not bloated and I don't hear any gas. How does her stool look?"

"She had the runs for the last couple of day's so I switched her formula this morning. For a time her stool looked better, but then I noticed that it was becoming a bit firm and dry. I haven't changed her diaper since we dropped her off at Tranquil Morning's place." Caramel explained as Goldie opened Cinnamon's diaper and checked inside it.

Lifting her hoof, Goldie then palpated Cinnamon's belly by gently pushing into it. Cinnamon's wails turned into outright screams, and Goldie looked up at Caramel. "I think the new formula had bound her up, and she has an upset stomach."

"Shut that brat up!" An angry stallion shouted from the hallway, just outside Caramel's door.

"Sir, please don't shout." Mrs. Swan aproching voice said the the angry guest.

"Then go in there and tell them to silence that drooling brat, or to take it outside so I can get some sleep!" Came his angry reply.

Caramel gritted his teeth in anger. He had always prided himself on his easy going nature, but the obnoxious guest out in the hall had just pushed him to the edge of his patience.

"Sir! There is no need to be so rude! Now please go back into your room and I will see what is the matter." By Mrs. Swan tone, she seemed to be having trouble keeping her patience with the angry guest herself.

A moment latter there was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Swan stuck her head in. "Excuse me, is there a problem with the foal?"

Goldie looked up and nodded. "Yes there is." Goldie answered. "There is a few things we're going to need, if you don't mind."

Mrs. Swan eagerly nodded. "Of course, what is it you need?"

"First we need some hot water bottles, and second we need some tea. Do you have Peppermint or Ginger tea?" Goldie asked as she lifted Cinnamon out of Caramel's lap.

"I'll have my husband bring up the hot water bottles, and I have both Peppermint and Ginger tea. Which would you prefer?" Mrs. Swan asked anxiously as she eagerly wished to help.

"Peppermint please, but don't make it too hot, or too strong." She explained. "And we are going to need some honey too." Goldie added as she rocked Cinnamon back and forth.

The Caramel's door was suddenly shoved open, and a very familiar stallion stood looking in. "Why is that whelp still wailing?"

Caramel's eye's hardened as he looked at Bitternut Dandy. Out of all the places he could have been given a room, he just had to get one here.

Mrs. Swan made placating motions with her hoof. "Please sir, return back to your room. We are doing what we can."

Bitternut Dandy looked over Mrs. Swan and gave a sneer when he saw Goldie as she tried to comfort Cinnamon. "Oh, so its the cow again. What the whelp do? Look at your face." He gave a snickering laugh, as he enjoyed his own joke.

Caramel released an angry snort, and stormed across the room. There will be no stopping him this time. Bitternut Dandy was going to learn respect, Caramel was going to make sure of that. Passing Mrs. Swan, Caramel glared murder at Bitternut as stepped up to him and placed his hoof to the pompous stallions chest and shoved him back out into the hall.

"Hay! Watch those hooves, simpleton!" Bitternut Dandy snapped with a scowl, but Caramel ignored him as he shoved his face up close to Bitternut Dandy's

"I'll give you one chance to apologize for the insults you've made to my wife and our foal." Caramel growled, as he glared into Bitternut's eyes.

"You'd better back off. I'm not somepony to mess with!" Bitternut said with contempt. "If you so much as-"

That was as far as he got before Caramel's hoof cracked him across the side of his face, snapping his head back. With his eyes rolled up in his head, Bitternut collapsed bonelessly to the floor. The room across the hall with the blue trim had its door open, figuring it to be Bitternut's room, Caramel dragged the unconscious Bitternut through the door and shut it as he left, leaving Bitternut to sleep off his education.

"My apologies Mrs. Swan, but he needed to be taught respect." Caramel said as he passed her on his way back to his wife.

Mrs. Swan was looking at him wide eyed, as she suddenly shook her head. "No, don't be. You had every right to stand up for your... wait, did you say wife!?"

Caramel held up his left hoof as his marriage band started to glow softly. "As of a few hours ago."

Mrs. Swan started skipping in place excitedly. "That is just wonderful!" Then she seemed to catch herself as she realized why she was here in the first place. "Oh! The foal, I'll go get what you need. I'll be back in a moment!" Quickly she hurried off.

Goldie moved closer to Caramel and surprised him when she took his lips with hers, and kissed him deeply. Caramel was already coming down from anger fueled confrontation with Bitternut, but as Goldie kissed him, he suddenly started to feel like he was floating. Breaking the kiss, Goldie met his eyes. "I love you." She said. "Now, I have something for you to do. While Mrs. Swan and her husband is getting what we need, I want you to go to the linen closet, and get some hoof towels. Take them to the bathroom and soak one in hot water, then wring it out, and put it into the dry towel and bring it back here. We will use it as a makeshift heat pad until they bring the hot water bottles."

Caramel quickly left and did as she instructed. Returning he found Goldie sitting in the rocker chair in the corner, and was softly singing a lullaby to Cinnamon, who was no longer wailing at the top of her lungs but instead was letting out soft mewling cries and whimpers. "Here's the heated towels." Caramel said as he rushed up to her.

Goldie paused her lullaby as she glanced up. "Good, here let me see." She took the towel from his and felt it on her face, and frowned at how little warmth she got from it. "It'll haft to do for now." She placed the lukewarm towel onto Cinnamon's belly and held it there, as she started singing again.

Caramel sat down on his rump, and anxiously watched over them. After a few minutes, Goldie sent him off to warm up another towel. Returning a few moment latter, they exchanged the towels and Caramel sat back down and resumed his anxious vigil.

Bentleaf suddenly came in carrying the hot water bottles that they were waiting for. Goldie took them and set them along Cinnamon's belly, taking one of the dry towels and draped it over the bottles to hold in the warmth. Cinnamon kicked her legs and let out a complaintive cry, but Goldie was quick to coo and mummer to her until she settled down.

The wait for Mrs. Swan was short as she came in a few moments latter, carrying a wooden tray with a teapot and a jar of honey on her back.

"Good, please set it down on the desk." Goldie said before she turned to Caramel. "Take a sip and tell me how hot it is."

Caramel took up the teapot and pour some into a cup on the tray, and took a sip. "It's rather warm, but not too hot."

Goldie smiled. "Perfect. Now take a empty bottle and put in about a third of a teacup." Caramel quickly fetched a bottle and put the tea in. "Now once you have the nipple on the bottle, smear some of honey onto the nipple then bring it to me."

"Honey?" Caramel asked, wondering why she wanted him to put honey on the nipple.

"To sweeten it. It will help encourage Cinnamon to take the bottle." Goldie explained as she waited.

Once Caramel finished smearing the honey on the nipple , he hurried over and gave Goldie the bottle. Sitting back down he leaned over and watched as Goldie prodded the nipple into Cinnamon's mouth.

"Come on sweetie, be a good filly." Goldie murmured, as she urged Cinnamon to take the bottle. Finally, after a few more tries, Cinnamon closed her mouth around the nipple and began to suckle. "That's it. That's a good filly, take it all in." Goldie said softly, as she smiled.

Caramel let out a sigh as he sat back on his haunches, and watched her take in the tea. "Will this make her better?"

"Peppermint tea is very useful, it can help with numerous health issues from fevers, digestive, nausea, respiratory, and boosting the immune system. It can stimulate bile flow to help with digestion and bowel movements, as well as having a calming effects on the intestines and other parts of the digestive tract. So this should settle her stomach ache, and hopefully help her stool move. My mother taught me a bit about medicinal tea's." She held out the now empty bottle to Caramel who took it from her. "Do you have any other formula's besides the one you were using?" She asked.

Caramel shook his head. "I only have the one, I threw away the other stuff." He said regretfully.

"I have some in the kitchen." Mrs. Swan suddenly said. "I always carry some, for the times when a family with a foal stays here."

"Would you please make a bottle with it. When she's feeling better she'll need to eat." Goldie asked.

"I would be happy to." Mrs. Swan said as she took the empty bottle from Caramel. "Come along Bentleaf, lets give the young family some privacy. I'll be back shortly with the prepared bottle." They then left and shut the door.

Caramel continued watching over the two as he sat nearby, listening to Goldie as she hummed to Cinnamon while she rocked her in the rocking chair. Cinnamon appeared to be feeling better as she wasn't squirming around anymore, and her cries had diminished to the occasional whimper. Goldie was amazing, Caramel thought as he admired her. He had felt so lost and powerless to help Cinnamon, but Goldie knew just what to do. She had been so quick and decisive with her care and comfort for Cinnamon, that Caramel felt his love for her swell. Lifting his hoof, Caramel looked at his faintly glowing marriage band, and wondered if he even deserved a mare like her.

"You were wonderful." Goldie suddenly said, breaking him out of his contemplation.

Caramel looked up and met her gaze. "What are you talking about? I was hopeless. You were the one who knew what to do. It was you that was amazing. I was just bumbling around."

Goldie shook her head with a smile. "No you weren't. You were attentive to us, and quickly did everything that was needed. You stayed calm and reliant when I needed you most." Goldie's smile widened. "You also defended your family with the same ferocity as my father would have, I am so proud to have you as my husband." As she spoke, her marriage band lightly glowed.

Caramel's heart soared when she referred to him her husband. "You really feel that way?" It was strange how happy that made him feel.

Goldie nodded. "Without a doubt." She said meeting his eyes. "Earlier, I laid in bed thinking about us, and this colossal change that has happened to my life. I began to feel overwhelmed by it all because, how was I expected to become a wife and a mother in a instant? I didn't think I was ready for all of this and I was on a verge of succumbing to panic, but then my thoughts turned to you. My oldest friend, and my first and only love. We are together in this and I could think of no other pony I would rather be with." Ever since she had gone through the Midnight Dance, Goldie found her feelings for Caramel had gotten stronger and more clear, it was as if her feelings for him had been forged in a blacksmiths fire, and was given shape and purity. She loved him before but now it had been brought into focus and given a clarity that eliminated any doubt about her feelings. "We are both bound together with a force greater than all the winds, older than the mountains, deeper then the seas and vaster then the heavens in the sky."

Goldie reached out her hoof and caressed Caramel's cheek. "I love you, and I want to be your wife."

Caramel's heart was hammering in his chest as he heard her words. They resonated through him, and touched the deepest part of his soul. Since the Midnight Dance, he had been feeling that a missing part of himself had just snapped into place, and he was now whole. "When we first met, I found my best fiend in the world, and when we kissed, I found my true love. During our time apart I experienced the grief of loss and the deep wounds of terrible shame, and degradation. I almost lost a precious part of myself, but then you found me and soothed my wounds. You restored to me what I held most dear. My friendship and love for you. I too can think of no other pony I would rather be with. We are bound with a power brighter then the sun, hotter then any wildfire, stronger than the hardest diamond, and lighter than all the hope's and dreams of the world."

Lifting his hoof, he caressed Goldie's cheek, just as she did his. "I love you, and I want to be your husband."

Coming together, their lips met and they kissed. It was a tender kiss, filled with their feeling for each other, as their lips blended together like they were made to be one.

A light tap came to the door, and it cracked open. Mrs. Swan poked her head in, and when she saw them kissing, her eyes widened as she blushed. "Oh! My apologies. I brought you the bottle for your filly. I'll just leave it here on the chair. Goodnight you two." With a final look at the pair as she smiled, she closed the door.

Caramel and Goldie lips broke apart as they both gave a snickered laugh at the awkward scene they must have given Mrs. Swan. A light snuffle caught their attention, and they both looked down. Cinnamon had fallen asleep, with her head buried against Goldie. Her breath was slow and even, and her face was calm, as she no longer showed signs of distress or pain.

"Looks like she feeling better." Caramel murmured softly, smiling down.

"She must be so exhausted." Goldie gently brushed back Cinnamon forelock from her face. "I want to be a mother too." She murmured softly.

Caramel could see the look of affection in Goldie's eyes as she looked down at Cinnamon. "Even with all the bad stuff that goes with it?" Caramel asked.

"Even with all the bad stuff. I know its going to be hard and scary, and even though she has her daddy, I think she also needs a mommy, and I want that to be me." She removed the cooled water bottles from Cinnamon's belly and set them aside.

Caramel smiled as he watched Goldie. "I know you will be a great mother." Taking a blanket, he tucked it around Cinnamon so that only her nose and eyes were visible, then he used what remained of the blanket to cover Goldie, to keep her warm as well. Standing he retrieved the bottle that Mrs. Swan left on the chair by the door and brought it back and set it down on the nightstand next to Goldie.

Goldie smiled her appreciation. "And you are a great father." As Caramel was about to sit back down next to her, Goldie shook her head at him. "It's super late. Go ahead and get some sleep, I'll stay up with her for a bit."

"You sure?" Caramel asked, unsure if he should abandon his place by her side.

"Yeah, you've had a lot less sleep than me. Go on, I can handle this." Goldie said as she shooed at him.

Reluctantly Caramel gave in. Moving around the room he turned off the lights except the lamp on the desk, then he pulled back the blanket and slipped into bed. As he laid there, he listened as Goldie started to hum a lullaby. He smiled as he wondered if she was doing that for Cinnamon or for him, but whatever the case, he felt himself drift along with her melody, until sleep claimed him.

Goldie continued humming as she slowly rocked Cinnamon. Occasionally she would glance over to Caramel, and watch him as he slept. She wondered how she was going to break the news about their marriage to her family. Her sisters will be happy, while her brother will be shocked, but otherwise fine, mother would be overjoyed by the new, and would likely steal Cinnamon at her first first opportunity. Her father would of course kill Caramel, dice him up into small chunks and fertilize his fields. How was she going to keep her father from killing Caramel she wondered?

Cinnamon suddenly squirmed and let out a diminutive whine as she moved her head about. She was exhausted but also hungry. The tea helped sooth her but did little to sate her hunger. Taking the bottle, Goldie nursed the drowsy filly until she eventually drifted off with a full belly. Smiling, Goldie set the bottle aside and lifted Cinnamon up to her shoulder. Cinnamon came awake and let out a complaint, but Goldie ignored her as she settled her into place, with how delicate her stomach was she needed to be burped. Goldie patted her back until she got what she wanted, two little burps. Finished, Goldie walking over to the crib and lowered Cinnamon into it, covering her with the blanket, she watched as within moments the filly was sound asleep.

As she stepped away from the crib, Goldie paused as she looked at Caramel. She considered going to her room, but found she didn't really want to, she wanted to stay with Caramel. Turning off the light on the desk, she stepped up next to the bed, and carefully lifted the blanket. Caramel was laying on his side facing her, and there was room next to him for one more. Sliding into the bed, Goldie let out a pleased sigh, as she snuggled herself up to Caramel. She couldn't believe how warm he was as she felt his body pressed up against her back. Suddenly Caramel shifted and his hoof reached over her as he hugged her to himself. He murmured a bit as he readjusted himself into her, placing his head onto her neck.

Goldie blushed as she felt his hot breath tickle her ear. Closing her eyes, she let out a satisfied sigh. So this is what if felt like to have a stallion pressed up against her back. Biting her lip, she had to resist the urge to arch her back, and grind her croup against his sheath. Maybe climbing into bed with him was a mistake, she thought as she felt a itch form in her nethers. Raining in her lustfully errant thoughts, Goldie focused on the comforting feeling of Caramel as she relaxed into him, and drifted off to sleep.

A few hours latter, Goldie awoke. Cracking her eyes open she saw the first rays of the morning sun as it bathed the room through the windows. Caramel had moved from where he was when she fell asleep, his head was no longer on her neck having moved back onto his pillow, while his hoof had moved down to her side. Yawning, Goldie lifted up the blanket and looked under at what it was that was jabbing her in her back, causing her to wake.

What she saw made her gasp in surprise, quickly she let the blanket fall back down. That was the first time she ever saw one of those on a full grown stallion, having seen plenty of them on colts back when she was a foalsitter, she couldn't help but notice how much bigger they were on a stallion. Nibbling her lip, she debated looking again. With a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure Caramel was still asleep, she lifted the blanket again and looked. Her eyes drifted down its shaft as her cheeks blushed. It's was a light cream color, with brown mottling down its length. She couldn't help but wonder as she looked at it what it would taste like, or even how it would feel to have it pushed into her.

Caramel let out a grunt, and Goldie quickly let the blanket drop down. With a snort, Caramel awoke, and blinked blearily at her. "What...?" He murmured as he rubbed at his eyes with his hoof. "What time is it?"

"It's still early. The sun just crested the horizon." Goldie answered, looking over her shoulder at him. "You can go back to sleep." She felt a little bad. It was because of her ogling his stallionhood that he had most likely woken up.

Caramel let out a yawn, and scratched at his neck. "So ah, you slept here then?"

Goldie laid her head back down onto her pillow. "Yep. And you were really nice to snuggle up to as well. So warm and soft."

"Oh really?" Caramel asked, sounding pleased. Goldie grinned as she felt his hoof slid over her, as he pulled himself into her. His stallionhood, which had just been happily poking her in her back, was suddenly shoved in harder, and Goldie's eyes widened as she felt it grind itself along her back.

Caramel, who had been oblivious to his flagging member, instantly realized what just happened, and quite overreacted by suddenly shoving himself back. "Oh my gosh! I'm sorry!" He exclaimed as he fell off the other side of the bed. With a thud, he hit the floor.

Shaking her head, Goldie rolled herself over and sat up to look over the edge of the bed at Caramel. The view was reminiscent of when he had fallen off his seat on the train, except that this time she had a nice view of his stallionhood as it poked up into the air. Gazing up at her, Caramel's eyes flickered down to his exposed self and his face turned beat red.

"Don't look!" He exclaimed as he shoved his hooves down and attempted to cover himself.

"Keep your voice down, or you will wake Cinnamon." Goldie whispered sternly, as she looked back to make sure that his antics hadn't already woken her. Seeing no signs that the filly was awake, Goldie looked back down. "And why shouldn't I look? Aren't I your wife? Shouldn't I enjoy the sight of my husbands body?"

Caramel blinked at her for a moment before he realized how stupid he was acting.

"Now stop being a little colt that just dropped his first boner in the middle of class, and get back into bed. There is something we need to talk about." Goldie admonished him.

Caramel uncovered himself, and climbed back into bed. Goldie snuggled up to him and laid her head down onto his shoulder. "Caramel, I want to be intimate with you but because of what happened to you, I don't want you to ever feel like your being forced by any advancement I might make. So if there ever comes a time when your uncomfortable with anything I'm doing, let me know at once." Goldie spoke softly into his chest, as she laid her hoof onto his barrel. "I don't want to hurt you or loose your trust."

Caramel stopped her, by caressing her cheek with his hoof. "I trust you completely. I know your not... her." His voice grew cold as he referenced his attacker, but then quickly warmed. "And I know with absolute certainty that you would never hurt me or violate my trust. I know this because we shared something with each other last night, something that was very deep and intimate between us, something that brought us more closer than I would have thought ever possible between two ponies, It's like our very souls embraced last night."

Goldie leaned her head back and looked up at Caramel. "That's so beautiful."

Caramel bent his head down, and kissed her. He could feel her body shiver against his as he tightened his hold on her. Goldie's hoof crept around his barrel as she pulled herself against him. Her lips pressed against his, as she let her needs be felt. With a pop, their lips broke apart, and Goldie set her head back down on his shoulder. She felt so happy.

"Goldie?" Caramel said, breaking Goldie out of her pleased reverie.

"Hmm?"

"I want to... to make love to you."

Goldie's heart leaped up. She quickly looked up and met his gaze. "I want that too. But, are you sure your ready?" She asked.

Caramel took a breath. "It's been five years since it happened. Five years to come to terms with it. You've helped me to open up and share it with another. It hurt but I was better for it, and now I want to put that experience into the past and make better loving memory's with you."

Caramel returned his lips to hers as he kissed her. Goldie moaned into the kiss as she felt his tongue move in and caress hers. Her body began to twitch in anticipation of what she hoped was about to happen. With a finale flick, Caramel retracted his tongue as he broke the kiss.

"Oh Caramel, I want this." Goldie pleaded breathlessly, as she felt her body aching for release.

Caramel rolled himself around until he was over her. Goldie let out a gasp, as she felt him nudge her legs apart. Bending down, he sought out her lips. The way that Caramel loomed over her, made Goldie feel like she was being dominated, and as she wrapped her hooves around his body, she found she like it. Goldie pressed her lip hard against Caramel's as her tongue explored his mouth.

Goldie's body was shivering with excitement, as she felt Caramel's hips brush against her inner thighs. Breaking from the kiss, Goldie threw her head back with a gasp at the sudden surge of arousal that shot though her body. Caramel took advantage of this and went for her throat. Giving her little nips and kisses, Goldie panted for breath as he nibbled and licked at her neck and throat.

Caramel could feel Goldie squirm and twitch under him, as he swirled his tongue through her fur, prompting her into letting out little whimpers and squeaks of enjoyment. Shifting his attention, Caramel began to nibble on her ear. Goldie clutched at him suddenly as he reached a certain spot near the base of her ear, she let out a very pleased moan as he bore down on it, Caramel had to fight from smiling as it appeared he had just found her sweet spot.

Goldie suddenly buried her face into his neck as she tightened her hold on him. Her nethers felt like they were on fire as she felt her fluids running down to soak into the sheets. "Please, my husband. I don't know how much more I can take." Goldie whimpered.

Caramel could hear the need in her voice. With a final suckle on her ear he released it and quickly found her waiting mouth. As he kissed her, she pressed against him so hard, it was almost painful. Adjusting his body, Caramel positioned himself to enter her. With a gentle poke, he felt his stallionhood press up against something wet, and incredibly hot.

Goldie broke from the kiss with a gasp, as her whole body shuddered with the sensation of Caramel's stallionhood pressing up against her private sanctum. Hugging Caramel tightly, Goldie pressed her cheek to his, as she waited for him to push in. After a few moments, Goldie became aware that she could feel Caramel shivering. Alarmed Goldie pulled her head back and looked into Caramel's face. His eyes were screwed shut, while his breath came in great heaves. Oh no! It was too soon, he wasn't ready!" She could see he was on the verge of panic.

"Caramel! Open your eyes, look at me! Look into my eyes." Goldie begged.

The moment his stallionhood touched her, memory's of what that monster from his past had done to him started to rush through his mind. The feeling of her shoving herself down onto his stallionhood, and the pain he felt, as his injured back ground into the bloodied mattress. No! I will not let this ruin my moment with my wife! Caramel fought it. He could hear Goldie calling to him, begging for him to look at her, to meet her eyes.

With an effort, Caramel opened his eyes and met Goldie's. For a moment they were yellow, just like that monster. But then he blinked and they were the soft green he so loved. The eyes of his wife. Goldie smiled up at him, as she caressed his cheek with her right hoof.

"It's okay Caramel. We can stop, I'm fine with how things are. I'm happy to just be with you." Goldie said as she held his cheek, relived to see reason return back to his eyes.

Caramel could hear the love and understanding in her voice, but he couldn't help but feel he was letting her down. Lifting his left hoof, he pressed it to the one she held to his cheek. The moment their marriage bands touched, they suddenly glowed brightly, and Caramel felt a flood of feelings flow into him. Tenderness, caring, intimacy, trust, adoration, and love. So much love flowed into him that it was overpowering, and it all came from Goldie. His panic vanished, and the dark terrible memory's that plagued him were suddenly cast back, leaving him finally free.

Caramel felt lightheaded, as he blinked down at Goldie, who equally felt just as dazed. The glow around their marriage bands dimmed down but remained softly glowing. Caramel wasn't sure what had just happened, but what he did know was that the memory's that had held him back, where no longer bothering him, and that the mare he loved was waiting for him. Dropped his head down he kissed Goldie, who kissed him back with equal fervor. Their frenzied kisses went on for a while, before Caramel broke away and looked down at Goldie.

"I love you." He said, meeting her gaze.

Goldie was flushed as her breath came in quick gasps. "I know. I felt it, just as you felt my love for you."

Bending back down, he kissed her again, but this time it was tender and soft. Their lips moved against each other with a warmth and affection that allowed them to savor each other to their fullest. Parting from her lips, Caramel lightly kissed Goldie down the side of her muzzle, then along her cheek, where he turned his attention upwards.

"Are you ready?" Caramel whispered into her ear, as he tenderly reached up to nibbled on the ear he missed earlier.

Goldie shuddered in pleasure at his light nips. "Oh yes." She managed to moan out.

Releasing her ear, Caramel shifted himself back, and again pressed his stallionhood to her sanctum. The moment he felt her wet fiery passage start to envelope his member, the sense of dread and panic that would normally rise up, was blessedly now absent. His thoughts were now only for his wife, and how much he loved her.

Goldie buried her face into the side of Caramel neck, as she gasped and squirmed at the feeling of being stretched out for the first time. Caramel was gentle as he took it slow. Goldie panted, as she hugged Caramel to herself as tightly as she could, while she felt Caramel sink further into her passage. It hurt but it also felt good at the same time. Suddenly she tensed up hard and let out a whimper of pain as she felt him press up against a barrier.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you." Caramel murmured into her ear.

Goldie nuzzled his cheek. "It's okay, I want you to. I love you and I give this to you, please take it."

His breath was heavy in her ears as he turned his head and kissed her behind her ear. "You ready?" He asked softly.

Goldie nodded her head, as she tightened her grip around Caramel as she prepared herself. Caramel pulled his hips back slightly for a moment then he plunged forward, ripping through her barrier. Goldie let out a painful whimper, when she felt her barrier tear as Caramel took her virginity. Buried deeply in her now, Caramel remained still as he gently kissed and nuzzled the top of Goldie's head, trying to comfort her, from what he had just done to her.

Goldie held onto Caramel tightly as she tried her best to cope with the pain of her lost virginity. The feeling of Caramel's kisses and caring ministrations, soon had her relaxing as her pain slowly faded.

"Okay, I... I think I'm ready to continue." Goldie murmured, softly nuzzling his lower neck. "Just go slow."

"Of course my love." Caramel whispered with a final kiss just behind her ear, before he pulled out his member, coated with her vaginal fluids and a bit of blood from her lost virginity, and thrust back in. Goldie felt the sting of pain, but not as strong as before, and it was soon replaced by a pleasant jolt. The next time when Caramel thrust in, a bit of the pain turned into pleasure, and more so on the third thrust.
The pain vanished, as Caramel buried his length into her for the forth time. Leaving her only the most wonderfully pleasurable of sensations as she moaned and gasped into Caramel's neck.

Goldie relaxed her hold on Caramel, so that she could lower herself enough to take Caramel's mouth with her own. As their lips and tongues worked on one another, Caramel continued to steadily thrust into her. Goldie had no idea how long this went on, minutes or hours, it didn't matter. She was with the pony she loved, and he was making her feel completely enraptured. Goldie ran a trail of kisses along the side of Caramel's muzzle, cheek, and all the way to his neck where she began to give him little love nips, that caused Caramel to nicker at her ministrations.

The smell of Caramel's musk, was driving her senses wild. Clenching her eyes shut, Goldie let out particularly long moan, when Caramel gave her an usually hard thrust. A tingling pressure was starting to build inside her as Caramel's thrusts grew faster and deeper. She could feel his scrotum slap against her hindquarters with each of his trusts forward. Goldie bit her lip to keep from crying out, as her body writhed in all the sensations she was feeling.

Caramel's thrusts were growing more frantic, as his breath came in great huffs. The pressure Goldie felt had grown to almost painful levels as she clutched at Caramel desperately as she suffered in torturous bliss. She moaned loudly as she suddenly felt Caramel's stallionhood flare wide inside her, with a finale powerful thrust Caramel groaned and buried himself as deep as he could.

The feeling his flare grinding against her passage as he shoved it right up against her cervix finally tipped her over the edge. With a cry of ecstasy, Goldie clamped down on him with a powerful orgasm. Waves and waves of agonizing pleasure rolled through her, as she felt a sudden burst of warmth blossom deep inside her as Caramel release his seed. Spurt after spurt, Caramel emptied himself, while Goldie's slick velvety walls clamped and rolled over his member as it tried to draw as much of his seed into her as it could.

Caramel bucked his hip a few more times with the last few spurts of his seed, pushing his flared head up against her cervix, forcing his seed further down into her womb. Finally Caramel collapsed down as he gasped for breath, both of their bodies were wet with sweat from their shared excursion. Goldie quickly sought out Caramel's lips, and kissed him while a euphoric sense of contentment settled over her.

Eventually Goldie's hunger for his lips was sated and she released Caramel from the kiss. Pulling himself out of her, Caramel rolled over and laid next to Goldie, who was quick to snuggle herself against his side. As she laid there basking in the warm glow of what they had just done, she idly wondered if in eleven months, there really will be something small, cute and cuddly delivered into their life, just as the Mayor had jested.

"Remember, you promised to put tulips on my grave." Caramel reminded her.

Goldie grinned and shook her head. "Oh, we are way beyond that. There will be no grave for you, my father is going to fertilize his fields with you."

Author's Note

More happened during the Midnight Dance then they both know.

I know some things in this chapter is quite sappy, but hay! I like it a little sappy.

Hmm... will they have something small, cute, and cuddly in eleven months? I'm excited to see how this turns out.

Again, let me know if there are any typo's, I like to fix those.

Chapter 08

Their peaceful respite was short lived as their intimate moment together was suddenly broken when Cinnamon started crying from her crib.

"I'll get her." Goldie volunteered, as she slipped out of bed and stepped over to the crib. Lifting Cinnamon from her crib, Goldie sniffed and crinkled her nose in distaste. "Smell like she needs her diaper changed, that's a good sign that she no longer blocked up."

"Ah... Goldie. She's not the only one who needs to be cleaned up." Caramel gestured towards her rear. "Your leaking."

Goldie glanced back and noticed that various fluids were now running down her back legs. "Oh dear. I never heard of how messy love making was."

Caramel lifted up the blanket and looked under. "You could say that again, it looks like we destroyed the sheets."

Goldie gave a shudder. "Ewww, I did not need to know that." She paused for a moment, before looking over curiously. "Can I see?" Caramel gave her a funny look before shrugging and pulling the blanket aside to reveal the mess they made. "Wow, I didn't know I bled that much." Goldie commented in amazement.

Stepping around the bed, Caramel reached for Cinnamon. "How about you go down to the bathroom and take a bath and clean yourself up, while I'll go and change Cinnamon and take her down and make her a bottle."

"That's probably a good idea." Goldie said nodding, before she gave him a sly glance. "Hmm, if you finish quick enough you can also join me in the bath." Handing Cinnamon over to Caramel, Goldie then gave him a nip to flank as she passed him.

Caramel stared after her. "Really? You have my seed running down your legs, and your still in the mood?" In answer Goldie glanced back and flagged her tail up, giving him a good view of her messy mare bits. With a wink she slipped out the door.

Caramel let out a nicker as he staring at the closed door, giving his head a shake, he moved towards the diaper bags. "Settle down Caramel, filly first, sexy mare second. Come on sweetie, lets get you changed."

It was still really early, and Mrs. Swan had just started to make breakfast when Caramel entered the kitchen, yawning.

"Good morning, is your filly feeling better?" Mrs. Swan asked, looking up from mixing pancake batter. For a middle aged mare who only had a few hours of sleep, she seemed quite perky.

Caramel gave her a tired smile, holding Cinnamon up in his hoof as he held her bottle tucked up with her. "She certainly is. I came down to make her a bottle, can you tell me where you keep your formula?"

Mrs. Swan nodded. "Of course. It's in that cupboard over there." She answered, pointing her hoof.

Caramel passed Mrs. Swan as he went to the cupboard, the moment he passed Mrs. Swan, she suddenly sniffed the air and waved her hoof in front of her muzzle. "Wow, that is quiet the smell coming off of you. Reminds me of my wedding night."

Caramel froze as he suddenly started to blush, realizing what scent was wafting off of him. "I'm sorry. I ah, had to take care of Cinnamon while Goldie went to take a bath. I haven't had the chance yet too..."

Mrs. Swan smiled and held up her hoof to forestall Caramel. "I perfectly understand. You two are newlyweds, that kind of activity is to be expected. I take it the bedding is in quite the state?"

Caramels ears wilted as he had trouble meeting her eyes. This was so embarrassing, it never occurred to him while they were doing the act that Mrs. Swan was going to haft to deal with the bedding when they were done.

"Don't you worry about it, we have a laundry service that handles our bedding's, so they are the ones who are going to have all the fun washing them." Mrs. Swan waved her hoof dismissively, as she grinned at him. "Just toss the bedding down the laundry shoot."

Caramel let out a sigh of relief.

Setting Cinnamon and her bottle on the counter, he opening the cupboard and took down the formula. As he was about to open the formula, Mrs. Swan stepped up next to him and bumped him to the side.

"Why don't you go join your wife in the bath and scrub her back. Don't worry about your filly, I'll see to her until you two are finished." She said with sly wink at him as she started to measure out the formula into the bottle.

Caramel gaped at her for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure. Your smell is very distracting, I'm now in half a mind to hunt down my husband for a morning quicky, if I wasn't worried I'd put his back out again." She turned and shooed at him with her hoof. "Go on, I got this."

Not seeing any need to try arguing to stay, Caramel hurried upstairs. As he walked down the hall to the bathroom he passed by his room, when he did he heard a rather loud thump come from Bitternut Dandy's room across the hall. Pausing a moment Caramel wondered what it could have been, with a shrug Caramel figured it was probably just Bitternut falling out of bed or something, and continued to the bathroom.

Reaching up, Caramel lightly tapped on the bathroom door. "Goldie? Its me."

Listening, Caramel heard somepony step up to the door. The lock was turned and the door opened. A sodden looking Goldie who smelled of herbal shampoo leaned out and gave Caramel a kiss that left little thought to what she wanted. Once she finished, she pushed the door further open as a invitation, and sauntered her way back to the tub, swinging her hips with each step.

Grinning stupidly, Caramel stepped in and closed and locked the door behind him. "I thought you might want some help with scrubbing your back."

Goldie paused as she looked over her shoulder. "Oh, I have something that needs scrubbing that only a stallion can reach." She said flagging her tail up, giving him a good view of her winking mare parts before she stepped into the bath.

Unnoticed by Caramel, his stallionhood immediately dropped down at the sight of his mare, as she gave all the signs of wanting to be mated by her stallion.

"Oh good, you have just what I need. Come my stallion, your mare awaits." Goldie said with a sultry voice.

Caramel let out a nicker as he went to see to his mare's needs.

Latter, while sitting at the dinning room table Caramel let out a tired yawn as he set another pancake onto his plate.

"Another one? That makes it your seventh one." Mrs. Swan said while holding Cinnamon in her lap. "I suppose you'll need all that energy to keep up with a young wife like her" She said, then snickered when she saw the look of total embarrassment that Goldie now wore, from her seat beside Caramel. "Don't worry about it sweetie, I was the same way when I got married. Best years of my life."

"Years!" Caramel exclaimed, looking up at her.

"And just wait until she's with foal, then her appetite will be insatiable." Mrs. Swan said with a knowing nod. Goldie in the meantime was turning beet red.

"Don't let her talk scare you." Bentleaf said as he came in and sat down. "You'll enjoy every moment of it. Trust me." Reaching over he began to stack some pancakes onto his plate.

Just then a familiar pony walked in that made both Goldie and Caramel look at with open animosity. Bitternut Dandy stopped and looked at them. His eyes seemed frightened for a moment, but then he scowled, and picked up some toast before walking back out, ignoring the two.

"I really don't like him." Caramel growled.

Goldie reached over an patted him on his shoulder. "Easy there my stallion, we don't want you getting too worked up, or I may feel I need to see you in private again." She threatened.

Caramel's ears wilted, as he found a sudden interest in his plate of pancakes. Making love was nice and all, but it took a lot out of you.

"Mrs. Swan, is there a local doctor you can recomend?" Goldie asked, looking back to Mrs. Swan. "After what happened last night, I'm feeling a little concerned for Cinnamon and I'll feel better after she been examined by a doctor."

"Of course. I'll write it down for you." Mrs. Swan passed Cinnamon over to her husband, before she went off to get a pad and pencil. Bentleaf bent his head down to Cinnamon and started puffing out his cheeks, and bulging his eyes out to the filly, who seemed more interested in slobbering on her hoof, then enjoying his goofy expressions.

Caramel found the doctor's office smelled weird as he sat awkwardly in a uncomfortable chair, Goldie was sitting next to him in a more comfortable cushioned chair with Cinnamon held in her lap. A nurse had stopped by earlier to examine Cinnamon, taking her temperature, weighing her, measuring her length, checking her reflexes, and even drawing some blood. Cinnamon hated that last part, after it was done she cried for twenty minutes before Goldie finally managed to comfort her.

After the nurse left they waiting for a while before the door finally opened and a older spectacle wearing unicorn stallion stepped in with a chart levitated in his magic. "Good morning, how are we all feeling today?" He said as he greeted them.

"Well, we're all pretty tired." Caramel answered for them, adjusting himself in his seat yet again. He wondered if he should have brought up that his rump was now numb, why would they have such a horrid seat here?

"Perfectly understandable." The stallion answered, as he slid out a seat to sit in. "My name is Dr. House Call. I understand that Cinnamon here is having some trouble with her formula."

Caramel nodded. "Yes sir. At first I used the formula I got from the hospital when I picked her up, but she got some really bad diarrhea, and gas, so I then switched her to this stuff, and it bound her up." Caramel took the formula out of his pack and showed the doctor.

"Yep, that stuff will do that. Its been loaded with so much vitamins and minerals that the little foals tummies have trouble digesting it properly." Dr. House Call levitated the chart up to himself and began looking though it, he hummed to himself for a time before he nodded to himself. "From what I see here, it looks like little Cinnamon has a sensitivity to processed foods, otherwise known as a food intolerance." Dr. House Call explained as he looked though Cinnamon's chart.

"What does this mean for her, doctor?" Goldie asked.

Dr. House Call adjusted his glasses as he looked up at her. "Well it means that no matter what formula you use with her, she will have problems digesting it properly." Turning he opened a cabinet with his magic and levitated out a container of formula. "Now this is the most gentle formula I can recommend for Cinnamon, but there will still be issues with it, her stool will take on a strange color and smell really bad, she will also have bouts of gas at times, with the occasional, to the sometimes frequent colic issues, so regular checkups with your doctor would be recommended."

Goldie glanced down at Cinnamon with concern. It sounded like they were going to torture her. "Is that our best option? Is there nothing else we can do?" She asked as Caramel moved over and sat next to her on the floor, placing his hoof onto hers as he looked back at the doctor.

Dr. House Call considered them for a moment before he nodded. "Well, there is another option that you can consider, but it's a decision you will both have to make." He looked at Goldie. "Especially for you."

Goldie glanced at Caramel confused, while he returned the look. "Me? Why especially me?" Goldie asked.

"I believe the best option in this case, is to induce lactation in you so that you can nurse her yourself."

Goldie ears shot up strait. To say she was surprised would be an understate. "Induce lactation!? So I can nurse her?"

"Is that even possible?" Caramel wondered aloud.

Dr. House Call again adjusted his glasses. "Why yes indeed, it is possible. I have performed it many times over the years, and it almost has a one hundred percent chance of success, with almost no chance of serious complications." He leaned forward in his chair as he continued. "It's quite easy actually, I would cast a spell that would make your body think it's pregnant. Over the span of an hour, your body will think its gone through eleven mouths of pregnancy, your body will flood with hormones, like progesterone, and estrogen. Your udders will enlarge as it prepares itself to feed a foal, you will notice that they will become tender, as well as your teats will darken and become more sensitive. At the end of the hour, I will cast a second spell on you to make your body think it just gave birth, and that is going to make your progesterone, and estrogen levels to drop, and that will trigger milk production."

"This is the part where you are going to need to work at it. You will need to put Cinnamon to your teats as much as you can, because her suckling will be needed to stimulate your milk production. Your husband will be needed to help out with this as well."

Caramel jerked up suddenly. "Me!?" Surprised he had been included in this.

Dr. House Call gave him a serious look. "I'm not kidding with this. Your wife is going to need as much stimulation as possible, so she is going to need you to step in and help out. The more stimulation she gets the faster and better her milk production will be."

As she listened, Goldie was looking down at Cinnamon. She was so tiny and vulnerable, and with the loss of her mother, she lost a piece of herself that was so precious to a foal, the love and care of a mother. Sure, Caramel was there and he was doing his best, but there is nothing quite like a mothers loving care. Goldie remembered when her mother was nursing her two sisters, and how happy she was when she had the two fillies tucked up against her side.

"I want to do it." Goldie suddenly announced.

Dr. House Call paused while explaining all the various techniques for stimulating milk flow, and looked over to her. "Good! I'm glad you decided to do it." He said with a smile, turning back to Caramel. "Is this what you want as well?" He asked Caramel.

Caramel looked to Goldie, her eyes clearly told him that she had her mind made up, and he saw no reason to turn down this option, Goldie obviously wanted to do it, and the benefits to Cinnamon would be enormous. "Lets do it." He agreed.

Dr. House Call smiled and nodded. "Well then, lets begin, please give Cinnamon to your husband, and sit up here on the examination bed." Caramel took Cinnamon and watched as Goldie seated herself. She then looked to the doctor as she waited for him to begin.

"Okay, this will tingle at first and then you will feel a bit warm, but I assure you that it is perfectly safe." Dr. House Call explained as his horn lit up with magic. "Ready?"

Goldie nodded, then she gave a gasp as she was suddenly enveloped with his magic. A tingle ran all through her body, causing her to vigorously shiver as she felt his spell sink deep into her body The tingling grew to an almost painful level, then it suddenly faded, replaced by a warm feeling that made her feel flushed all over. Dr. House Call leaned back from her as he finished his spell, his magic faded from his horn.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

"Well, the tingling stopped, but I still feel really warm all over." Goldie answered as she looked down at herself, this was the first time she had magic used on her, and she found the experience to be rather interesting. Caramel moved closer as he looked at her curiously, with Cinnamon cooing as she drooled on Caramel's hoof as he held her up.

"That means its working as it should be. You will probably experience some mood swings, depression, happiness, and the mild annoyance at your husband for any and all apparent reasons, but this is all normal. I am going to have a nurse take you to a more comfortable room to wait, and she will give you some informative booklets about nursing for you to read."

As soon as Dr. House Call stepped out of the examination room, a nurse came and escorted them to a room that Caramel was happy to see had a comfortable looking couch and coffee table along the wall, hanging up all around the room where paintings and posters depicting mothers with their happy looking foals. Across the coffee table from the couch was a lounge chair that Goldie was quick to lay into while she waved her hoof to her face as she tried to cool herself from the warmth she still felt from the spell, meanwhile Caramel gratefully settled himself and Cinnamon onto the couch.

Goldie started reading the booklet that was given to her, The Mothers Guide to Nursing your Foal. It described the proper ways a foal should latch on to the teat, and various ways to position hers and the foals body to nurse. As she read, there came a nagging sense of needing something. At first she ignored it but it was quickly becoming a problem, finally she couldn't stand it anymore.

"Caramel, I need you." Goldie called out to him, as she put the booklet down.

Caramel was tucking the slumbering Cinnamon into a blanket on the couch when she called out to him, with a quick glance to make sure Cinnamon was settled in nicely, he quickly went to his wife to see what she wanted. "What can I get you?"

Goldie grabbed his head and pulled him to her lips, after a very through kissing, she pulled back and licked her lips with a needful look in her eyes. "I need you to rut me."

Caramel's eyes bulged as his ears quivered. "Now!? But we're in a waiting room, we can't do that here!" He couldn't believe she had asked him to do that.

Goldie leaned her head back and let out a groan. "You don't understand, I'm burning up with a need for a good rutting!"

Caramel realized he could smell her need, her scent was now thick in the air. Even with all the times they made love that morning, Caramel was still tempted. But there was no way he was going to rut her here in the doctor's waiting room. "Honey, your hormones are raging out of control right now. In a little while, things will settle down, and you'll feel much better." He said trying to rein in her desires.

"Don't give me, its the hormones talking!" Goldie suddenly snapped angrily at him, pushing him back suddenly. "I just want to be with my husband, is that so wrong!?"

Caramel was taken aback by her sudden anger at him. "No, its not wrong, its just not the right time, or place." He tried to put his hoof on hers, but she knocked his hoof away, as she crossed her hooves and pouted.

Caramel was at a loss, letting out a sigh he was about to go back and sit with Cinnamon again, when Goldie suddenly spoke up. "I want some pickles, would you please get me some pickles?" She asked sweetly, as she batted her eyes at him.

Caramel's brain did a back flip, Goldie's mood was changing so quickly it was hard to keep up. "Pickles? Ah... yeah sure, I'll find you some pickles, what type, dill or sweet?"

"Dill! Extra sour please." Goldie said flashed him a bright smile of thanks.

Nodding, Caramel went to the door and stepped out into the hall. "Excuse me nurse." Caramel said to a passing nurse, stopping her. "My wife wants some dill pickles, do you know where I can find some?"

"It must be the cravings kicking in. We have a break room down the hall, I'll see if we have any, hold on a moment." After a few minutes, she returned with a jar of dill pickles.

"Thank you so much nurse, I really appreciate this." Caramel said as he took the jar from her, hoping this would make her happy again.

The nurse smiled and shook her head. "This comes up more often than you think, just be grateful she didn't want hot peppers, they always regret that latter."

Taking the jar of pickles, Caramel went back into the room, only to find Goldie glaring at him. What did he do... or not do now?

"What took you so long!?" She growled at him.

Caramel flinched at her tone, finding he didn't like having her angry at him. "I was only gone a few minuets." He said as he submissively held his head low, hopeful to forestall any further anger directed at him.

"Never mind that." She snapped. "Give me the pickles."

Hurriedly, Caramel handed her the jar. Twisting the lid off, Goldie then stuck her mouth right into the brine and pulled out a pickle, and happily munched on it, smiling. "Thank you, sweetie." She said, stretching her head up, as she sought to kiss him.

Is this what pregnant mares are like? He thought to himself as he bent down and met her lips in a quick sour tasting kiss. Sitting his rump down to the floor, Caramel watched as Goldie ate every single pickle, when she was done, she then much to his utter surprise, drank all the brine from the jar.

Leaning back, Goldie let out a sigh, seemingly happy for the moment. Caramel raised his head hopeful that this might be the end of her wild mood swings.

"Caramel sweetie, they are really sore, would you rub them for me?" Goldie asked as she rolled herself back and pushed back her hind leg to show him her udders. He could see that they were now much larger than they used to be, almost double in size, her teats had also changed, they were more pronounced and their color had darkened. Caramel found the sight quite enticing, her udders were cute before, small and perky, now they were lusciously gorgeous.

"Whatever you want, honey." Moving over next to her, Caramel wondered what to do. Lifting his hoof, Caramel gently pushed into one of her enlarged udders.

"Ouch!" Goldie flinched, sucking in a breath with a hiss. Caramel quickly pulled his hoof back, until she looked down at him, and nodded for him to continue.

Balancing himself on his hunches, Caramel reached out his other hoof, gently he began to massage around the the outer edge of one of her enlarged udders, Goldie let out little hisses of pain, but after a little time, she began letting out sighs of relief as he worked his way inward until he reached her teat. She flinched when he switched to the other one, but she was soon moaning in pleasure as he worked his way around it.

"That feels really nice." She said pleased, laying back with her eyes shut. As he pressed around her second teat, he noticed something squirt out.

"You just squirted." Caramel said, looking at the little bit he got on his hoof.

"Hmm? I did? What color is it?" Goldie asked, opening her eyes.

"It looks like its kind of yellowish." Caramel murmured as he looked closely at it. Curious, Caramel reached out his tongue and licked his hoof, smacking his tongue around his mouth as he tasted it. "Its kind of sweet."

"That would be colostrum, Its pre-milk." Goldie said before rolling herself onto her back and stretching herself out. "Caramel, do you think I'm pretty?" Goldie abruptly asked, turning her head to look at him with a kind of anxious look to her eyes.

Caramel's ears perked towards her, as he lowered his hoof down to the floor. "Do I think you look pretty?" Caramel repeated the question thoughtfully while she looked at him with a strangely desperate look as she waited for him to answer. "Hmm, well, I think Celestia's sunrise over the Crystal lakes is pretty, or Luna's winters moon as it shines down onto the sparkling crystal fields is pretty. But you, you do not compare to those trinkets, for your beauty surpasses these worldly things, to gaze upon you is to gaze upon true beauty."

All of a sudden, Goldie started to cry. The sudden shift of her mood caught Caramel off guard as he found himself suddenly being grabbed and hugged by Goldie as she cried into his shoulder. Lifting his hoof, he rubbed her back as he let her cry. It was several minutes before she finally calmed down, Caramel wiped the tears from her eyes, and laid her back in her chair. "Feeling better?" He asked.

She sniffed through her nose, then nodded. "Yeah." She sat for a moment quietly before she added. "That's the fifth time."

There it was again, she has been mysteriously counting up for a while now, and Caramel wondered again what it was about. "What's with the counting?"

"Oh that." She said with a shy smile. "I've just been counting the times you said something that touched me so deeply that It made me feel like the most special mare in all of Equestria."

"But you are the most special mare in all of Equestria."

"Would you stop that!" She whacked him across his shoulder, then waved her hoof to her face as she looked to be about to cry again. "That's the sixth time, I swear that if you make me go to seven I am ether going to jump you and give you the kissing of a lifetime or I'll guild you on the spot." She then pointed her hoof at him. "Test me at your own peril!"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop." He said holding his hoof up in surrender, not wanting to push things. Who knew saying nice things to a mare could get you in trouble.

Goldie gave a nod as she settled back into her lounge chair. Suddenly she flinched. "Oww." She muttered as she rubbed at her abdomen.

Caramel shifted himself as he became alert. "What?"

Goldie waved her hoof at him. "Oh its nothing, just a cramp, it'll go away." A few moments latter she relaxed. "See."

A light knock came to the door, before it opened and Dr. House Call stepped in. "How's it going in here?" He asked, as he entered and approached Goldie.

"It's been a emotional roller coaster, I must say." Goldie said with a sigh.

"Oh I bet. Is that a pickle jar I see?" Dr. House Call asked as he saw the jar sitting nearby.

"Ah, she had a bit of a craving for pickles." Caramel answered as he took the jar to the trashcan he saw sitting by the couch.

"Well that's not unusual." The doctor said as he sat next to Goldie. "So lets take a look at you. Would you please roll onto your side, and pull your leg back."

Caramel rejoined his wife, as he sat by her head and took her hoof with his own, thankful that this time she didn't knock his hoof away. Goldie gave Caramel an appreciative look as she adjusted her body and pulled back her leg, exposing her udders to the doctor.

"Looks like they developed quite nicely, their size is very good, and your teats look completely normal." Lifting his hoof, he gently probed around her udder. "Does this hurt at all?" He asked.

Goldie shook her head. "Only a little, Caramel rubbed them not too long ago, and they feel much better now." She smiled at Caramel, and reached over to lightly kiss him on his cheek.

"That's actually a good thing to do." Dr. House Call said as he looked back at Caramel and Goldie. "Massaging the udders is very important during this time, your husband should massage them at least once a day from now on, it will help prevent blocked ducts and other complications."

Just then, Cinnamon let out a little mewling whimper, as she sleepily complained from her bed on the couch. Caramel quickly hurried to her to see what was the matter.

Goldie watched him go to Cinnamon, as she smiled at him. "I'm sure Caramel would be happy to help me with anything I need. He's been so good to me during all of this, so patient and understanding, I know I treated him badly a few times and I feel badly about doing that to him, but he never got angry at me." Goldie said, as she admired Caramel.

"What the...?" Dr. House Call suddenly uttered in surprise. "What is that!?"

Caramel heard the doctor's confused utterance and quickly looked up, worried that something might be wrong with Goldie. Dr. House Call had his head lowered and he was looking closely at Goldie's marriage band, which was softly glowing, like it always did when she thought about her feelings for Caramel.

Goldie blinked, startled at the doctor's sudden interest in the band around her leg. "It's my marriage band, Caramel and I both got the bands last night during the Midnight Dance marriage ceremony."

Caramel returned his attention back to Cinnamon and lifted her up, before returning back to Goldie.

Dr. House Call, gently rubbed his hoof over Goldie's band, looking like he was trying to feel it. "I know its a marriage band, but why is it glowing? Or more precisely, how is it glowing?"

Goldie was confused, she glanced over to Caramel only to see the confusion on his face as well. "I don't know why your so surprised by it, the Mayor told us that some couples can have their band's glow." Caramel said as he adjusted his grip around Cinnamon so that his band was clearly visible, and let his feelings for Goldie well up.

The doctor's eyes widened when he saw Caramel's band start to glow as well. "Yours does it too!? And without the need to be touching each other!" His eyes roamed back and forth between the two. "Excuse me, I'll be back in a moment." Dr. House Call sudden went to the door and stepped out.

"What was that about?" Caramel wondered aloud, looking to Goldie. She only shook her head at him, just as stumped.

"Yeow!" Goldie suddenly exclaimed as her hoof shot down and pressed over her lower stomach, her face pinched in a grimace.

Caramel moved closer, he was concerned that something was wrong. "What is it!? Are you okay? Do you want me to find Dr. House Call and bring him back?" He asked worriedly , but before she could answer he turned to go to the door and do just that.

"Wait! I'm fine, its just another cramp." Goldie called out, reassuring him that she was fine.

Caramel returned to his spot next to her and sat down, worriedly he looked her over. "You sure your fine?"

Goldie smiled at him, she thought he was cute when he worried over her. "I'm fine, stop being a dork." She patted him on his cheek, reassuring him.

The door reopened and Dr. House Call came back in. "Sorry about that."

"Dr. House Call, Goldie's been having cramps, is that normal?" Caramel asked turning to the doctor, in the hopes that all was well with Goldie.

Dr. House Cal paused and lifted his eyebrows. "Cramps!? Where?" He moved next to Goldie.

She rubbed her hoof over her abdomen. "They've been happening down here."

The doctor reached over and palpated her where she indicated. "Hmm, how long has this been going on?"

"For a short while now." Goldie answered before she suddenly gasped. "Oooh, ow, ow, ow!" Her face screwed up with a look of pain.

Dr. House Call dropped his hoof down, and smiled around at them. "Well, this is interesting. I've only seen this once before."

Caramel stepped closer, worry all over his face, as he clutched Cinnamon to himself. "What is it doctor? Is she going to be okay?"

The doctor smile broadened as he adjusted his glasses. "Oh, she'll be just fine, in fact she is doing better than fine, she is doing extremely well."

Goldie's breath was coming in quick huffs, as she tried to deal with the pain of her cramps. What was the doctor going on about? These cramps were painful. "What's happening doctor?" She managed to ask between breaths.

Caramel was beside himself with worry and confusion, the doctor seemed pleased and unconcerned with what was happening, but his wife was in pain, and he wanted to see her comforted. He wanted to do something, but he was at a loss, so Caramel did the only thing he knew he could do, and that was to stay by her side.

Dr. House Call, looked over to Goldie. "Well my dear, the answer is quite simple. Your going into labor."

"WHAT!?" Both Caramel and Goldie both voiced their exclaimed question in perfect unison.

Dr. House Call was chuckling at their surprise. "Let me clarify things. Your not in labor in the truest sense, but your body thinks it is. You see your body's reacting quite strongly to the spell and it's now trying to bring a new life into the world. Most mares I cast this spell on only go though some of the fazes of pregnancy, and only in the weakest sense. Once twenty years ago there was a mare that had a reaction much like yours, and her milk came in extraordinarily fast afterwards, it was almost like her body was eager for a foal."

"So what happens now doctor?" Caramel asked, relieved that nothing was actually wrong with Goldie.

Dr. House Call smiled and sat back on his haunches and rubbed his hooves together. "Now we deliver a foal... sort of." His horn lit up and his magic enveloped Goldie.

Goldie felt his magic once again delve deep into her body, and the tingling returned. The pain from the cramps were quite intense and she was having trouble keeping herself from crying out. Caramel was there next to her, and she really appreciated his prescience, she now knew what that filly Dawn Sparks must have felt when he was there for her during her labor.

Caramel watched as Dr. House Call cast his spell on Goldie, her face was grimacing in pain from her cramps, and her breath came in short grunted gasps. After a few more moments the spell suddenly came to an end, and the magic aura that surrounded Goldie disappeared, and she let out sudden cry then fell back with a relieved sigh.

"My apologies but this is necessary." Dr. House Call said to Caramel as a bit of skin on Cinnamon's belly was suddenly pinched by his magic causing Cinnamon to suddenly let out a startled and pain filled screaming wail.

Goldie's reaction was quite dramatic, her eyes flew open and she suddenly snatched Cinnamon right out of Caramel's hooves, clutching the filly to herself while she cooed and murmured to her.

Dr. House Call watched this with a smile on his face. "Her nurturing instincts are running wild right now, that is why I pinched your filly, to see how she would react." The doctor quietly explained to the surprised Caramel. "I'm afraid that Cinnamon is now hers, Golden's bonding instincts are going to be very powerful, and at this very moment she is growing a permanent attachment to Cinnamon." Dr. House Call moved closer to Goldie. "How about we try nursing her now."

Goldie suddenly blinked as she remembered where she was and why they were there. "Oh! Right." Rolling over to her side, she pushed her leg back, exposing her teats. Lowering Cinnamon down, she laid her against her side pressed up against her udder. Goldie held her breath as she felt Cinnamon root around, her little nose and lips tickling her skin as she sniffed around her udder, and when she felt Cinnamon suddenly touch her teat she let out a little gasp as the jolt of the sensation shot through her body. She never knew her teats would feel that sensitive.

Goldie's eyes widened when she suddenly felt Cinnamon's mouth close over her teat. The feeling of her little mouth clamping onto it, while her tongue pressed up and rubbed against the underside coupled with the sudden pressure of Cinnamon's suckling sent shivers throughout her body. Goldie found the feeling of Cinnamon nursing was rather strange, but also very pleasant. With every suckle, Cinnamon would press her tongue up into her teat squeezing it into the roof of her mouth causing Goldie to let out little gasps at the intense sensation.

"Now let her suckle for five minutes then switch to the other teat, and give her another five minutes. She may be frustrated at first when she fails to get much milk, but If you keep it up, your body will adjust and you'll be giving milk in no time, but until that happens you will need to supplement her with a bottle of formula."

Caramel and Goldie listened to his instructions, though Goldie kept letting out little gasps whenever Cinnamon gave a particularly strong suckle.

"I'm going to give you some time alone to get used to things, don't forget to switch her to the other teat." Dr. House Call said as he moved to the door.

Once they were alone, Caramel gave Goldie a kiss. "How are you doing with all of this?"

Goldie thought about it a moment. "It feels bit strange, but otherwise I like it, its oddly comforting." They both watched Cinnamon for a time, Caramel felt that what Goldie was doing was amazing, she had jumped into this with all four hooves without any hesitation, literally giving of her own body the care Cinnamon needed, just like a true mother would.

Caramel felt Goldie give him a nudge. "I think it's time to switch her."

Just like how he learned with Dawn Sparks, he lifted Cinnamon with his mouth clamped onto her crest, with the edge of his hoof he pressed in against the edge of Cinnamon's mouth and Goldie's teat, breaking the suction and popping Cinnamon free.

Goldie shuddered for a moment. "That was a really weird feeling." She said as she looked back down.

Caramel lowered Cinnamon to the lower teat and let her clamp on, he heard Goldie gasp then sigh as Cinnamon started to suckle. Caramel sat back up at the head of the couch with Goldie and quietly watched Cinnamon, occasionally Goldie would reach over and nuzzle ether him or Cinnamon as she felt the need to be affectionate come over her.

"I'm sorry for they way I treated you for the last hour, I was a bit of a monster." Goldie said apologetically.

Caramel shook his head and smiled at her. "Don't worry about it, I understand you didn't really mean to be." He kissed the top of her head to show he had no hard feelings about it.

When the time came, Caramel took Cinnamon off of Goldie's teat, she complained bitterly about it, until Goldie stuck a pacifier into her mouth. After waiting a few more minutes, they began to wonder if they should be going. Their train was due to leave in a few hours, and they still had lunch to eat and their things to pack up back at the B&B.

A soft knock came to the door before it opened. Caramel and Goldie were both surprised to see Mayor Quill Stroke stick her head in.

"My apologies for barging in on your personal family matters, but something was brought up with me and I was wondering if we can have a few moments of your time." She asked as she stepped into the room.

Caramel exchanged looks with Goldie, who was now sitting on the couch with Cinnamon in her lap. "Ah, sure. What is it we can do for you?" Caramel replied, curious about what this could be about.

Stepping into the room behind the mayor was a old stallion unicorn with a scraggly furry beard. He came up beside the mayor and stopped to look at them. "Is this is them?" He asked the mayor.

Mayor Quill Stroke glanced at the scraggly bearded unicorn, and nodded. "Oh yes, this is them. The amazing couple that continues to amaze."

Caramel eyed the newcomer and he placed himself between Goldie and their visitor's. "Mayor? What is this about?" He asked, looking the two over.

"Oh, let me introduce Twirlshine, our local magician. He's the one who enchanted the ribbons for the Midnight dance." She said as she nodded her head to the scraggly bearded unicorn.

"Umm, hello." Caramel said in greeting, before looking back to the mayor for an explanation.

"Well lets get to the reason why we're here." Mayor Quill Stroke started. "Dr. House Call notified us that there was something unusual about your marriage bands, and we came to see it for ourselves. Would you please show us your marriage band, if you wouldn't mind." The mayor gestured for him to approach them and show them his leg.

With a glance back at Goldie, Caramel stepped up to the Mayor and Twirlshine, lifting his left leg he showed them his marriage band. Twirlshine bent down and examined it closely, using his hoof, Twirlshine lifted Caramel's leg higher to look underneath. "Hmm, it looks normal enough." Twirlshine muttered as he lowered Caramel's leg enough to look at the top again. "Make it glow."

Caramel lifted his eyebrow at his request, but seeing that this may lead to some answers he decided to go along with it. He brought his thought to Goldie and he let his feelings for her well up, it came so easy for him, like a natural state of being. He found his gaze looking back to her, taking in her beauty, he couldn't help but feel that he didn't deserve a mare as special as she was. She was so caring and loving, often times putting the needs of others before her own, and frequently showing a fun side to herself that reminded Caramel of the filly he first fell in love with all those years ago.

The sound of started exclamations reminded Caramel of what he was doing. Looking back, he saw both the mayor and Twirlshine gaping down at his brightly glowing marriage band.

"It's true, it does shine without the need for contact with the one he loves." Twirlshine said in amazement, looking down at Caramel's leg. "And they both can do it!?" He looked over at Goldie who held up her glowing marriage band for them to see. "Amazing." He said in wonder.

The mayor was equally amazed as she looked at the two. "This has never happened before." She turned to Twirlshine. "What does this mean?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. The bond between two ponies shouldn't be this strong, something is different with these two, something in them has allowed the bond to grow beyond what it was normally capable of." Twirlshine said as he looked at the two, releasing Caramel's leg, Twirlshine walked around as he muttered to himself, pausing he scratched at his bearded chin as he looked back. "Do you two feel any different? Anything unusual or strange?"

Caramel turned and walked back to be next to Goldie. "Well, since this happened, we seem to have have a deeper connection with each other."

"I feel at home when I am with Caramel, like everything is right." Goldie added.

Twirlshine nodded as he listened, continuing to scratch at his scraggly beard. "Anything else?"

Caramel wasn't sure he wanted to share it. It was a deeply personal thing that happened during a deeply personal act. He looked at Goldie and met her eyes, he could see she was thinking the same thing he was.

"Go on tell him." Goldie said to Caramel, nodding her head to let him know she was okay with it.

"What? What is it?" Twirlshine prompted, lowering his hoof from this chin as he looked at them with interest.

Caramel took a breath and let it out. "Well, there was this thing that happened this morning."

"Thing?" Twirlshine repeated stepping closer, his ears perked up.

"When we touched this morning, we... shared ourselves." Caramel tried to explain.

Twirlshine looked confused as he brows furled down. "Shared yourselves?"

"Perhaps it would be easier to show them." Goldie offered, looking to Caramel in the hopes he would agree.

Caramel was unsure about showing them, but he trusted Goldie so he decided to go ahead with her idea. They both lifted their hooves and brought their luminous marriage bands together.

There was a bright flash, then Caramel became aware he could sense everything Goldie was feeling, her love for him and Cinnamon shown brightly in the forefront, washing over him like a searing hot sun, that both burned with its intensity, as it also comforted and nurtured with its warmth.

While Goldie sensed much the same from Caramel, but his feelings for her felt more like a raging fire that wrapped around her with the gentleness of a lover. She was also sensed that hidden just under that was the feelings of raw grief and sadness he still felt for the loss of his sister, Fudge. It was a feeling that still stabbed at him, and she felt like weeping as he shared his feelings with her, he loved her so very much.

As their feelings flowed into one another, they both watched in amazement as their glowing marriage bands shot out new lines that snaked up each of their legs and encircled both of their bodies in intricate patterns. Caramel could feel Goldie's sudden alarm at its appearance just as she felt his, but after nothing seemed to be hurting them, they relaxed and just gazed at each other in wonder. The new lines were wrapped and curled around their bodies, ending on their necks and around their cutie marks.

Cinnamon burbled happily as she gazed around at the pretty patterns that curled around Goldie's leg that held her.

"This is just... amazing! I don't understand how this could be, it shouldn't be possible!" Twirlshine exclaimed as he stepped around them to view them from different angles. "What's happening? What does it feel like?" His eyes were wide with excitement as he reached forward and touched one of Goldie's lines on her shoulder.

Caramel fattened his ears, and Goldie felt his irritation at the unicorn for getting so touchy with her. Smiling she let her affection for Caramel flow into him, and she watched as his ears relaxed and his eyes loose their hardness, the irritation she felt from Caramel faded under her affectionate assault.

Now that Caramel had been cooled off she turned her attention to Twirlshine. "I'm not sure what's happening, but what I can say is that our hearts are connected in some way, and we can feel what the other is feeling, it is a very intimate experience."

"Really!? Can you tell what each other are thinking too?" He asked excitedly. The Mayor had also moved closer, her eyes roaming over their bodies, a look of wonder on her face.

Caramel shook his head. "No, no mind reading. Our thoughts are our own, its our hearts that's connected."

Twirlshine sat his rump down and scratched at his beard once again. "Hmm, that's interesting. I need to do some research on this! It could be a monumental discovery, so I am also going to haft to study you two as well, it shouldn't take more then a month or two... a year at most." He said nodding to himself.

"What!" Caramel broke his connection with Goldie, and all the intricately laced lines faded and vanished from their bodies. "That's out of the question! We are going home to Ponyville today, our train is due to leave in a few hours."

Twirlshine looked crestfallen at the news of their impending departure, suddenly he launched himself forward and latched onto Caramel's leg. "You can't go! I must study you two! Oh, please, please, please, stay!" Caramel looked back at Goldie with a woeful expression, as the unicorn clung to his leg begging.

Mayor Quill Stroke stepped closer. "Twirlshine. Please release him at once and behave yourself! Do you think that what has happened to them may be dangerous to them in some way?" Caramel and Goldie's ears both shot up strait as the both looked to each other, worried.

Twirlshine paused for a moment, still clinging to Caramel's leg. "Dangerous?... No, I don't believe that they are in any danger."

Mayor Quill Stroke nodded her head. "Then they are free to leave whenever they want, we can't keep them here."

With great reluctance, Twirlshine groaned and much to Caramel's relief, he released Caramel leg. As Twirlshine stepped away, his head suddenly jerked around. "Did you say you were going to Ponyville? The home of Princess Twilight?"

Caramel was unnerved by the unicorns sudden interest in his home town. "Well yeah, her new castle is at the edge of town."

"Great!" Twirlshine said with great excitement, whirling about he began to pace as he muttered to himself, suddenly he started for the door. "I need to see to a few things, please excuse me!" With barely a look to the mayor, Twirlshine dashed out the door.

They all stared bemused at the door that Twirlshine just so hurriedly ran out of. Clearing her throat Mayor Quill Stroke looked back at them.
"Well, this has all been very interesting I must say." She said looking pleased, reaching out, she tickled Cinnamon's chin, causing the filly to gurgle happily. "You two have an adorable filly."

Goldie smiled smugly and hugged Cinnamon to herself possessively. "Thank you."

The mayor turned and started for the door, just as she reached it she turned back for a moment. "My apologies for bothering you during your private moment, though I must say that you two are very lucky to have each other, there is something very special going on between you two, something I don't think that has ever been seen before, so if anything happens or if any problems crop up, don't hesitate coming back and seeing us." She said looking between the two. "I'll be taking my leave now, have a wonderful day." With that, she stepped out.

Caramel lifted his hoof and looked at his marriage band, it was just a lighter band of fur running around his leg at the moment, he wondered what had happened when he and Goldie had touched, what was with all those lines that ran over their bodies? The only thing he could figure out was that it was one more thing to deal with, this has been by far the most eventful trip he has ever taken.

"Goldie, what's going to happen next?" Caramel asked, looking up from his upheld hoof.

She looked at him curiously. "What do you mean by that?"

Lowering his hoof back down to the floor, he let out a tired sigh. "Well, since I left home, things just keep coming up, one after another. I'm just wondering what's going to happen next? What strange set of circumstances will occur to lead us into another unusual event."

Goldie adjusted Cinnamon in her grasp, and stood up. Stepping close to Caramel, she affectionately nuzzled him as she attempted to make him feel better. After a moment of this she was pleased to feel him shift his body and nuzzle her back.

"I don't know what will happen next, but I do know that whatever it is, we will deal with it together." Goldie murmured into his ear.

The sound of the door opening broke them from their moment together, as Dr. House Call stepped in. "I apologize for calling the mayor in, when I saw the marks glowing with out physical contact, I thought she should know about it."

Caramel had figured that Dr. House Call only did so because he was concerned about something that was unusual. "No, its okay. You were only doing what you felt was best. Plus we were able to learn something new."

"Well that's good." Dr. House Call said, sounding pleased. "Now please have a seat, I need to explain a few things to you about what you need to do for the next few days, and what to expect. I would also like to praise you for your choice to go with natural nursing for Cinnamon, it really is the most healthy choice. Many mares have said that nursing their foals was some of the most special and satisfying things they have ever experienced."

Caramel and Goldie sat down and listened as Dr. House Call explained everything they needed to know and do for the next week, and what they expected to happen over the next year or so. The doctor went into great detail and by the time they left Caramel felt like he was the one who was going to be nursing Cinnamon instead of Goldie. It was after lunch so they stopped at a local eatery to sit down together for a quick bite to eat.

As they were walking out, a pegasus stallion with a silver star cutie mark held out a wing in front of them, stopping them.

"Excuse me, my name is Tin Star, I'm the local constable for Galloping Springs. I would like to have a word with you two." He said with a stern look that brooked no argument.

Caramel felt Goldie stiffen beside him, and he felt a since of unease himself. "Ah... we'll be happy to comply, please lead the way."

Tin Star lead them to a nearby park bench, and kindly let Goldie sit down with Cinnamon. "The reason I want to talk to you two, is that a complaint has been filed regarding you two."

Caramel had a feeling he knew what the complaints were about, and who made those complaints. He shared a look with Goldie and saw that she was thinking the same thing.

"The complainant, Bitternut Dandy, described an incident on the train involving you madam, he claims that you vulgarly flirted with him before you physically assaulted him." Of course that idiot of a pony would go to the law with such a outrageous telling of the incident.

Goldie looked like she was ready to march over to the B&B and punch Bitternut Dandy again. "I never flirted with that pervert! And I only punched him when he fondled my flanks!" Goldie clutched Cinnamon to herself as she waved her other hoof angrily.

Tin Star blinked in surprise at her sudden vehemence, gesturing with his hoof for her to settle down, he went on. "Since the incident happened on the train outside my jurisdiction, and that there are no witnesses to corroborate any claims, I won't be following up on the complaint."

Goldie let out a relieved sigh, but Caramel knew they weren't out of the woods yet, there was his dealings with Bitternut last night. Sure enough Tin Star looked to him.

"His second complaint involves you sir. He claims you confronted him in the hallway of The Sleepy Traveler, and without provocation you physically assaulted him. Do you have anything to add?" Tin Star asked

Caramel held onto his temper, it wouldn't help his family if he lost control of it and did something rash. "It's true that I confronted Bitternut Dandy in that hallway, but there was provocation. He was insulting my wife and filly, I gave him one warning that he was to apologize for it, and when he ignored my demand, I followed though with my warning." Caramel finished simply.

"That's right Constable Tin Star. Our filly was colicky last night, and Bitternut entered our room and said some very crude words to us, my husband reacted and pushed him out into the hall, and demanded that he apologize for what he said about both our filly and myself, and when he ignored him, my husband did what he felt was needed."

Tin Star nodded as he listened, not showing any indication of what he was thinking as they both told him their side of it. "I spoke with Mrs. Swan, and she tells a similar account." Tin Star took a breath and let it out as he looked Caramel and Goldie over, his eyes lingered on Cinnamon for a moment. "I know what it's like to be a husband and father, and I don't blame you for your actions, but since you two and Mr. Bitternut have had some history together, I would ask for you to avoid any further contact with him, at least until you leave town."

Caramel couldn't believe it, he thought for sure he was going to be locked up, but instead he was being let go. "Of course sir, we don't want any more trouble." Goldie spoke up next to him also voicing her assurances that there will be no more trouble with Bitternut.

That seemed to satisfy Tin Star as he gave his first little smile when he nodded. "Good, then have a pleasant day, and stay out of trouble."

"Of course constable, have a nice day yourself as well." Caramel said as he gave a wave, feeling like they had just dodged an arrow.

They quickly made their way back to The Lonely Traveler, Mrs. Swan greeted them warmly, and after a brief conversation about how the doctor's visit went, they made their way back to their rooms to pack up their things. As Caramel sorted through the diaper bag, Goldie curled up on the bed to go through another nursing session with Cinnamon.

"She's still not going to get very much from this, would you go down and make a bottle for Cinnamon with the new stuff that the doctor gave us?" Goldie asked as Cinnamon nursed on her teat.

Grabbing what he needed, Caramel headed for the door. "Yes, of course. I'll be right back."

He went to the kitchen and quickly prepared Cinnamon's bottle, then with a friendly smile and wave at Mrs. Swan Caramel headed back upstairs. As he approached his door, the door across the hall opened and Bitternut Dandy came out, their eyes met and Bitternut Dandy scowled. Of course he would haft to come out now of all times.

"If you so much as breath on me, I'll call the Constable on you." Bitternut snarled at Caramel.

Caramel flattened his gaze, not intimidated in the least. With a snort, Caramel watched as Bitternut Dandy walked by, the next sight surprised him, a light cornflower blue pegasus mare, not much older then a filly followed Bitternut out of his room, with a large chest strapped onto her back.

The sight of her sent a shock through Caramel, the young mare had marks in her coat that looked like she had been kicked, and her left eye was almost swollen shut. Rage instantly blossomed in Caramel at the sight of her, It was obvious to him that Bitternut had been hurting her.

"You'd best mind your own business." Bitternut warned looking back at Caramel.

Caramel ignored him as he stepped forward and blocked the pegasus mare, who stopped and blinked at him. "Who did this to you? Was it Bitternut Dandy? Did he hurt you?" Caramel asked her, but she just looked at him with frightened eyes, staying oddly mute to his questions.

"My sisters clumsy, and fell down some stairs." Bitternut Dandy answered from behind him. "Now I suggest you leave my sister alone and let her pass before I find the need to get the Constable to arrest you for harassment."

Caramel tried again. "Did he hurt you? It's okay, you can tell me." He pleaded with her as he met her eyes.

The mare nervously licked her lips while her gaze flickered behind Caramel for a moment to look at Bitternut Dandy before she looked back to Caramel. Slowly she lifted her shaky hoof to her throat, where she lightly touched it, then she slid her hoof down her throat to her chest where she then tapped her hoof over her heart twice.

Caramel's eyes widened in surprise and his ears shot up strait. He recognized the gesture she just did, it was sign language. The pegasus mare was deaf! And she just signed.

"Help."

Author's Note

I had a hard time deciding what to call a ponies mammary's. Breast was just too human, and if you use it on a pony it usually references the chest region, for instance "His heart beating in his breast." Boobs, and tits were just too juvenile and ill fitting. I will not comment on the term "crotchboobs" the word just makes me shudder with how stupid it is.
I was left with only one option, the word "udder." It is in fact correct. A pony mare has udders.

I just wish the word udder was a more attractive word. If anyone has an alternative word I didn't think of let me know, I just might re-edit the chapter and change the word over to it.

Chapter 09

"Help."

The mare was asking for help! Caramel looked back to Bitternut Dandy, his eyes smoldered with rage. "You did hurt her! How dare you hurt a mare!" Caramel snarled at Bitternut Dandy. Caramel was usually slow to anger, but Bitternut had been riding his patience since the moment they met, and this latest encounter just put him over the top.

Bitternut Dandy took a step back and lifted his hoof defensively as he became alarmed at what saw in Caramel's eyes. "That's it, I'm getting the Constable! I hope you enjoy jail!" He said with a sneer.

Caramel dropped the bottle and formula he was carrying to the floor and snorted in anger, pawing his hoof across the carpet. "Go ahead and get him, I'm sure he will be interested in what you have been doing to her!" Caramel jerked his head towards the mare, who had stepped back and was quietly watching the exchange with wide scared filled eyes.

That seemed to give Bitternut Dandy pause. "She can't tell him anything, she's mute! It will be my word against yours, and since I am her brother, he'll believe whatever I tell him!" He sneered smugly, believing that there was nothing Caramel could do.

"You see this." Caramel lifted his hoof to his throat and slid it down to his chest where he tapped over his heart twice. "This means, help."

Bitternut Dandy suddenly looked pale as his eyes widened. "You can understand that stupid hoof talk?" He asked in disbelief, apparently it never occurred to him that anypony would even bother.

Caramel stomped his hoof to the floor angrily. "That stupid hoof talk is sign language, something apparently you never learned. I wonder what Tin Star will think when I share what she has to say to him, perhaps there is more she has to say then you would like."

Bitternut face suddenly contorted in rage, as he abruptly charged. Caramel wasn't expecting this and was caught by surprise. Even though Caramel was more fit, Bitternut still had thirty pounds on him, and when Bitternut slammed into him, Caramel was lifted up and shoved back until his shoulders slammed into the wall, he could hear the plaster shatter and cave in from his impact with it. Pain exploded on his back and shoulder where it had slammed into the wall, and his chest burned where Bitternut had his hooves shoved into it. Caramel tried to push back, but Bitternut was pressed in too close and he didn't have the leverage.

"Everything was just fine until I met you miserable country hick ponies!" Suddenly Bitternut shifted his hooves to Caramel's throat and pressed in hard, chocking off his air. "Perhaps when I'm done with you, I should teach your cow a lesson as well! She seems like the kind who could use a little discipline to keep her in her place."

Caramel knew he was in trouble, he could see spots at the edge of his vision. Desperately he punched at Bitternut's ribs, but his position was bad for a good strike and all he got from Bitternut was a grunt. Reaching his hooves up, Caramel tried to pry Bitternut's hooves away from his throat. Slowly he managed to pry his hooves up just enough so that he could get a much needed breath.

Just down the hall Caramel's door swung open and Goldie stuck her head out. "What's going?... Caramel!" Goldie suddenly cried out, seeing the situation he was in. Apparently she heard the scuffle and rushed to the door. Caramel wanted to shout to Goldie to get back into the room but his hooves were slipping and his throat was once again being pressed into. Caramel redoubled his efforts to push Bitternut off him, when something suddenly slammed into Bitternut's side, throwing him off of Caramel.

"Get off my husband you sorry excuse for trash!" Goldie shouted. Caramel was suddenly able to breath again as he slumped down, gasping to catch his breath, Goldie was there, helping to hold him up. Bitternut rolled to a stop on the floor, having been thrown an impressive distance down the hallway when Goldie rammed him off of Caramel.

Caramel looked over at Goldie as she supported him, he could see the rage broiling in her eyes as she glared murder at Bitternut, looking like she was ready to tear Butternut's throat out, Caramel had never seen her so scary looking.

Bitternut quickly climbed back to his hooves and whirled back to them, where he suddenly snarled and spat onto the floor when he saw the chest the mare was carrying laying on the floor with the mare now gone. "Curse that sow! She's not getting away from me!" Bitternut shouted before he dashed past the startled Caramel and Goldie. He ran down the hall to the stairs where they could hear him as he descended hurriedly before he slammed the front door open as he rushed out.

Caramel vision had cleared and he was now able to stand on his own. "Where's Cinnamon? Is she safe?" He asked worriedly.

"She's fine, I put her in the crib before I rushed out to see what was going on." Goldie reassured him, before she started to look him over. "How are you? Did he hurt you?" She asked as she started to feel around his body looking for any injury's.

"I'm fine, just a bit banged up. Did you see where that mare went?" Caramel asked, looking around.

"When I came out, I saw a light blue mare running down the stairs, is that who your talking about?" Goldie replied, still looking him over, as she was not totally convinced that he was uninjured.

"What happened up here!?" Mrs. Swan exclaimed from the stairs as she ascended up them. "Oh my gosh! Caramel, Golden! Are you two okay? whatever happened?" Her eyes were wide with concern as she surveyed the scene.

"I'm fine, we're all fine, though I am sorry about your wall." Caramel was surprised at how much damage he actually caused when he was pushed into the wall, there was now a large depression in the shape of his back and shoulders.

"Never mind the wall, I'm just glad nopony was hurt" Mrs. Swan said in relief.

"It was that Bitternut Dandy! He attacked my husband!" Goldie said angrily gesturing with her hoof to the stairs.

"Dandy!? Why would he attack you?" Mrs. Swan asked Caramel, confused.

"When I came back upstairs, Bitternut was leaving his room with a blue pegasus mare. She had a chest strapped to her back, and I saw what looked like kick marks on her body, as well as her left eye was swollen shut."

Goldie gasped and covered her mouth, shocked at the cruelty he had just described, Mrs. Swan on the other hoof just looked angry, and she scowled at Bitternut's door.

"Bitternut said she was his sister, but I'm not sure I believe him." Caramel said. "I found out the mare was deaf when she signed help to me. Bitternut didn't like that, and attacked me. During our scuffle the mare got free and ran away, once Goldie knocked Bitternut off of me, he saw that she was gone and went after her." Caramel said as he started for the stairs. "I'm going to go look for her, I need to find her before Bitternut does."

"Not without me your not!" Goldie shouted as she hurried after him.

Caramel paused to look back. "Somepony needs to stay and watch after Cinnamon."

Mrs. Swan waved her hoof. "Go on, I'll watch her, go find that mare before Bitternut does."

With a nod of thanks to Mrs. Swan, Caramel rushed down the stairs with Goldie right behind him. As they reached the main floor, they started for the front door, but Bentleaf suddenly stepped out and stopped them.

"Excuse me, do you two know why there is a mare hiding under the stairs, crying?" Bentleaf asked, hoping they would have an answer as to why a strange mare would secret herself under the stairs to weep.

Caramel exchanged looks with Goldie. Could it be this easy? "Show us." Caramel and Goldie said together.

Bentleaf lead them around to the back side of the stairs where there was a small door, opening it they found the light cornflower blue pegasus mare huddled up in the dark. She looked absolutely miserable, as she looked up at them. Tear streaks ran down her cheeks, and her eyes were fearful and panicked looking.

Lifting his hoof, Caramel signed to her. "It's safe now, he's gone. We won't let him get you." She blinked at him in surprise, it appeared that she never expected to find somepony who could use sign language. Caramel smiled at her as he gestured for her to come out.

The mare glanced between Caramel and Goldie, looking unsure as to what to do. Slowly she nervously crept out. Lifting his hoof, Caramel introduced himself and Goldie to her, explaining that they wanted to help her. Goldie smiled gently and stepped next to the mare and gently ushered her to the kitchen, where Goldie started to fuss over the mare's wounds. They seemed to be mostly superficial, though the kick mark over her ribs, made the mare flinch when Goldie examined it. And the swelling over her eye appeared to be older and had already started to heal.

As Bentleaf went to bring his wife downstairs, Goldie wet a towel and started to wash the mare's tear streaked face.

"The poor dear, she looks so banged up." Mrs. Swan said as she entered the kitchen, carrying Cinnamon.

The mare was looking to be much calmer now, as her shivers appeared to be settling down, though her eyes kept roaming around the room, constantly looking at everypony nervously. Goldie brought her some water and a banana nut muffin that was sitting on a nearby tray. The mare quickly took the glass and downed the water in a few large gulps, then set onto the muffin, devouring it in moments. Seeing how hungry she was, Goldie moved the tray of muffins over to her, where the mare took another one and began eating it at a more reasonable if hurried rate.

After she finished her second muffin, the mare hesitantly lifted her hoof and began signing to Caramel. "She says her name is Blueberry Cloud." Caramel said as he watched her.

"Ask her what happened to her." Goldie said, refilling Blueberry's glass with more water, before moving over next to Caramel.

Caramel signed the question and they all waited for the mare's answer. Blueberry drank the refilled water more slowly this time, but she still drained it all down. When she was done, she began signing quickly.

Caramel was rather rusty and was having trouble following what she was saying. "She says that she's from Las Pegasus and that she couldn't stand her tyrannical father anymore and ran away. Her half brother Bitternut was sent by their father to bring her back, and he's been keeping her in that large chest ever since he caught her, he even forced her to carry it."

"How horrible!" Goldie exclaimed, looking truly horrified. Caramel felt sick as he wondered if that thump he heard this morning could have been made by Blueberry when she was inside the trunk.

"I'll say. I think we better get the constable, he's going to want to hear this." Mrs. Swan said with a nod.

When Caramel finished signing what Mrs. Swan said to Blueberry she suddenly started to shake her head emphatically, then she began quickly signing.

"She says that her father has some really rotten lawyers working for him, and whatever trouble Bitternut gets in, they will get just him off, and then they will force Blueberry to go back home. She says that they did it before, and they will do it again."

"Why doesn't she just fly away?" Bentleaf asked, gesturing to her wings.

When Caramel relayed the question, Blueberry sadly shook her head, slowly she unfurled her wings and they all gasped. All her feathers had been clipped short, there was no way she could fly.

"How can anypony get away with such a travesty? Clipping a pegasi's wings is a heinous act, and nopony should get away with it not even family." Goldie said with a angry snort.

"Well, we could always use a hoof around here, how about she stay here until it's safe to move on?" Mrs. Swan offered, but again when Caramel relayed that idea Blueberry shook her head and began signing again.

"She says that its not safe to stay here, Bitternut will keep looking in Galloping Springs until he finds her. Their father has cut him off from his trust fund until he brings her back home, and that has made him very determined and angry."

Goldie thought for a moment. "Hmm, then how about this idea. Our train leaves in just over an hour, what if we just take her with us. Bitternut can search Galloping Springs all he wants, he won't find her if she's in Ponyville." Goldie said.

When Caramel finished telling Blueberry, she thought about it a moment, at first she seemed happy about the idea but then her face fell and she started signing.

"She's sure that Bitternut will be waiting at the train station and she's worried that he will see her, that's how he found her last time." Caramel said, glancing around to see if anypony had an idea.

Goldie gave Blueberry a good looking over, her coat was a light cornflower blue, and her mane and tail was a darker moderate blue. An idea started to form in her mind, an idea that just might work. "What if we made her into another pony?" She offered.

Everypony looked at her, and after glancing around at where all the others were looking so did Blueberry, though she didn't know why they were all now looking at Goldie.

"What are you getting at?" Caramel asked, curious about the smile that Goldie was now wearing.

Goldie turned to Swan Song. "Do you have any black tea, coffee, or beetroot powder."

Mrs. Swan gave her an intrigued look as she started to grin, it appeared she knew what Goldie was thinking. "I have all of those in the pantry."

Goldie's smile grew bigger, this was going to work. "Then lets get brewing, we don't have a lot of time. We'll need your biggest pot for this."

Mrs. Swan hurried over to Caramel to pass him Cinnamon before she hustled off to get what Goldie needed. Caramel watched Goldie as she rifled through the cupboard and pulled out a large pot, with a satisfied smile.

"Goldie, what is this plan your concocting?" Caramel asked her, as she filled the large pot with water. "What are you going to do to her?"

"I am trying my hoof as an artist!" She answered excitedly. "My sister Aura is going to be so proud of me." Setting the filled pot onto the stove she started the burners under it. Turning back to Caramel she planted a kiss to his lips for a brief moment, before glancing over to Blueberry, who was looking around at all the activity with a confused look. "Ask her if she ever wanted to be dark purple?"

Waiting outside the bathroom, Caramel played with Cinnamon. Laying his ears down low, Caramel would suddenly spring them up straight with a surprised look, then he would lay them down again and wait a moment before he sprang them back up again, Caramel watched as she burbled and blew spit bubbles in happy delight at the strange movements of his ears. The bathroom door finally opened and Goldie and Mrs. Swan both stepped out beaming, taking up positions to each side of the door, Goldie held up a hoof.

"Now introducing the new and totally disguised to not look like Blueberry, Blueberry!" When Blueberry failed to step out of the door, Goldie quickly stuck her head in and gestured for her to come out. After a moment Blueberry hesitantly emerged, Caramel gaped at her in surprise, in the short time they worked on her, they had done a fairly good job of disguising her. Her mane and tail were so dark a blue they were almost black, while her coat shone as a deep purple, and she now wore a cream colored dress that covered her wings as well as her cloud with lightning bolt cutie mark.

Blueberry paused, shyly looking around. "How do I look?" She asked, nervously gesturing with her hoof.

Caramel grinned at her, eyeing her up and down. "You look very different." He then turned to Goldie. "How did you manage to change her color?"

Goldie was looking very pleased with herself. "It's something I heard about, if you brew coffee, and black tea, together, then soak it in a light colored coat you will temporally stain it darker, and if you add the magenta from beetroot powder into it, then you will give it a purple ting, and with her natural blue color, it worked out even better."

Caramel was amazed at her quick thinking in coming up with this idea. Leaning forward he gave his smug wife a kiss. "You are just full of surprises." He said as he moved back.

Goldie quickly wrapped her hooves around his neck to keep him close. "You better believe it." She then planted her lips to his for a much more detailed kiss then the quick one he gave her a moment ago.

"Oh my... you two are hopeless." Mrs. Swan said with a shake of her head and giggle. "Ahhh, to be young again."

Unnoticed by Caramel and Goldie, their bands started to glow. Blueberry gave a start of surprise when she saw them glowing, but Mrs. Swan didn't seem concerned about the strangely glowing bands on their legs. Looking closely Blueberry wondered what they were, and how they got them, she found the soft golden color they glowed pretty.

"Is this the one?" Bentleaf asked as he came down the hall. Caramel and Goldie broke from their kiss to look back at him. Upon his back was a white, wide brimmed derby hat with yellow lace.

"Yep, that's the one, bring it here." Mrs. Swan said, gesturing for him to bring it to her.

Taking it from Bentleaf, Mrs. Swan put it on Blueberry head and stood back to look. "That should do nicely." Indeed, the wide brim of the derby hat did a very good job of covering most of Blueberry's face.

"Well then, lets go catch a train." Caramel announced, before he kissed Goldie once more for luck.

Once they were at the train station, Goldie and Blueberry, sat down on one of the numerous benches to wait for Caramel to buy Blueberry's ticket and to upgrade them to a private cabin. Goldie was now wearing her white dress, along with a sun hat that Mrs. Swan had given her to use so that Blueberry wouldn't stand out. Mrs. Swan and her husband Bentleaf were so generous, they refused any compensation for the damage caused to the wall in the hallway, nor for any of the dresses or hats that they were given.

Cinnamon was burbling happily in her lap as Goldie idly looked about, she could see that Blueberry was nervous as her eyes kept flicking about, she wished again that she say something to Blueberry to help calm her, and she made a mental note to have Caramel teach her sign language whenever they were free. Reaching over, Goldie set her hoof atop of Blueberry's as she sought to reassure her, but when she did Blueberry gave a little jump when her hoof touched hers but she quickly settled down and looked at her and smiled her appreciation for her gesture. It was then that something caught Blueberry's eye and she shifted her gaze to look behind Goldie and her uninjured eye suddenly widened in fear.

Goldie resisted the urge to whirl about and look behind herself as she pressed down on Blueberry's hoof trying to regain her attention. At first Blueberry didn't respond but then she blinked as she regained her senses and quickly looked down hiding her face with her hat. Goldie could feel Blueberry's hoof was quivering under hers, and once again she thought how despicable Bitternut was, a brother was supposed to protect his sister, not terrorized them.

With a casual glance, Goldie spied Bitternut standing across the station looking around as he searched for Blueberry, with where they were sitting in relation to him, there was no way he didn't see them sitting there, but thankfully it seemed Blueberry disguise was working. Turning away, Goldie looked towards the ticket counter and saw Caramel working his way back with a ticket in his mouth.

Goldie nudged Blueberry and nodded towards Caramel, lifting the blanket wrapped Cinnamon up, they both stood and went to him.

Bitternut was annoyed, he had spent the last hour scouring this hick town for his worthless sister, and she had yet to show her ugly face. Why did father want her back so badly anyways, its not like he cared for her all that much. He let out a irritated sigh as he scanned the platform again, but failed to see his sister, but one pony did catch his attention.

It was that nosy stallion from the B&B, the one he never bothered to learn the name of, and there was his cow of a wife trying to look fancy in a dress and hat while holding that noisy snot nosed whelp of theirs. With them was a new pony also trying to look fancy in a dress and hat, he couldn't see her face because of the large brim of her derby hat, so he settled on admiring the soft curves he was able to make out from around her dress, there was a strange bulge he could see along her sides, and as he thought about it he concluded that they were probably wings. Strange he thought, most pegasie tailor their dresses so that their wings would stick out.

His eyes followed them as they moved and boarded the train, there was something about that deep purple mare that was bothering him, there was a nervousness about her steps and as he watched her board the train, she glanced over towards him and as their eyes met for that brief moment before she disappeared inside, he saw recognition in her eyes. Recognition and fear.

Caramel slid open the door to their private cabin and let the two mares and filly in first, before joining them and closing the door behind himself. Now that they were alone, they all let out a relived sigh. Caramel stored his luggage bag in a bin above the seats before he sat down with the others.

"I was so scared." Blueberry signed to Caramel who repeated it to Goldie.

"He was there, and he was looking right at us." Goldie added, as she adjusted Cinnamon in her lap.

"Did he recognize her?" Caramel asked, concerned that she might have been discovered.

Goldie shook her head. "I don't think so, at least he didn't look like he did."

"Well lets hope for the best then." Caramel said, before looking across to Blueberry, lifting his hoof, he signed as he spoke. "So then, tell us about yourself."

Blueberry nibbled her lip for a moment as she thought, but then after a moment she began signing, Caramel relayed what she signed to Goldie.

"My father's name is Lucky Strike, and he owns of The Lucky Horseshoe Casino in Las Pegasus, my mother was Silver Step, one of the greatest ballerina dancers of her time. When they discovered I was deaf, my father was very disappointed and from then on he would have very little to do with me, calling me defective. My mother loved me none of the less, and even before I was eating solid foods, she had hired a teacher to teach her sign language so that she could teach it to me when I was older." Caramel struggled to keep up with her as she signed.

It was at this point that Blueberry paused as her gaze dropped down sadly, after a short period she resumed. "When I was about to start school, my mother became very sick and died, I was devastated and didn't come out of my room for a week." Caramel became a little chocked up at hearing this, he knew what it was like to loose family, he felt Goldie lean into him as she offered some comfort for him, for she knew how close to home this was to him. "My father never shed a tear at her passing and saw me as an embarrassment, he never enrolled me in school like what mother wanted, and my grandpapa became very angry when he heard about this and hired tutors to come and teach me."

Goldie leaned forward. "You didn't mention Bitternut, were is he in all of this."

When Caramel finished signing Goldie's question, Blueberry grimaced and let out a sigh. "Bitternut is the result of my father dalliance with one of his casino dancers, on his wedding day of all days. After my mother died, he used his crooked lawyers to get full custody of Bitternut, and took him from his mother. Ever since Bitternut moved in he has been a terror to my life, bullying me every chance he gets, and father allows it, he said that I needed toughening up."

Caramel couldn't believe a father could act that way towards his own daughter, if it turned out that there was something wrong with Cinnamon, he would love her just the same. "If your father doesn't care for you, then why does he want you back so bad? Why doesn't he just let you go live your own life." Caramel asked, speaking out loud for Goldie.

Outside the train horn blasted out, and a moment latter, the train shuddered as it started moving forward, pulling away from the station. They all gazed out the window and gladly watched Galloping Springs moving past thankful they were now on their way to Ponyville.

Blueberry looked like she was about to cry as she watched the scenery pass by, she had been though a lot, and Caramel was sure that the relief she was feeling was sure to be quite overwhelming. Once the outskirts of the town passed and they could see the rolling fields of grass and oak trees.

"My father wants me to stay because my grandpapa is in poor health, and is likely to die soon."Blueberry resumed, answering Caramel's last question. "Grandpapa owns the largest newspaper in Cloudsdale and he hates my father, calling me the only good thing to come out of his daughter marrying my father. Once my grandpapa passes, I will become the sole beneficiary for his estate, and once that happens, my father is going to use his lawyers to deem me incompetent of caring for myself or my finances and my father will take guardianship over me, and take it all for himself. He's been wanting to buy a second casino to expand his business, and he is going to use me to get what he wants."

Goldie was aghast. "How horrible! A father is supposed to love their daughter not use them to get what they want! Just look at Caramel, he's a prime example of what a father should be like." Caramel flushed at the praise she gave him, and he awkwardly relayed what she said to Blueberry, while he did so Goldie leaned over and affectionately nuzzled Caramel's neck, her marriage band began to glow as her feelings for him manifested.

Blueberry noticed this. "What is the glowing bands around your legs?" She asked curiously.

Caramel glanced at Goldie's leg and noticed that her band was glowing. "I guess it's our turn to tell our story, sit back, this is going to take a while." As Caramel told Blueberry about themselves, Goldie laid herself out as best she could to nurse Cinnamon. While she nursed, Goldie watched as Caramel signed to Blueberry, she was fascinated at how a pony could communicate just by gestures. As she observed, she noticed that Caramel also used his ears sometimes, cocking them into strange angles as he told Blueberry their tale. Laying her head back, she watched until she drifted off to sleep.

After a while, when he finished telling an abridged version of the last couple of days, Caramel notices that Goldie had fallen asleep. With an amused look down, he saw that Cinnamon was also asleep while still clamped onto Goldie's teat. Shaking his head at the sight he reached down and gently pulled Cinnamon off of Goldie's teat before moving the filly down to her other one, and after he brushed it across Cinnamon's lips a few times, she sleepily opened her mouth and took the new teat in and suckled, after a few moments, Cinnamon perked up and began nursing more vigorously.

Opening the diaper bag, he took out a small blanket and covered Goldie as best he could. Turning to Blueberry. "Wake me if anything happens." He signed to her before he settled himself against Goldie, resting his head onto her flank, closing his eyes he was asleep in moments.

Blueberry took off the derby hat and set it down on the seat next to her, sitting back she watched the landscape roll past the window. This small newly formed family was so kind to her, offering their help without asking for anything in return, so very different then her own family, she felt envious of the love and care she saw each of them give each other, wishing she had a family like them.

Their nap only lasted a hour, before Cinnamon decided that she needed her diaper changed, as Caramel readied Cinnamon, he glanced over at Blueberry. "Have you ever changed a diaper before?" He asked her.

Blueberry blinked at him in surprise before she mutely shook her head. "I have never taken care of a foal before, though I did hold one once a long time ago when a friend of my mothers came to visit and she let me hold her daughter."

Ginning, Caramel waved her over. "Well here's you chance, come on over."

Blueberry seemed stunned at what he was asking her to do, she had never been given this kind of responsibility before, her eyes went down to the squirming filly as she waited to be cleaned, slipping out of her chair she moved over to where Caramel freed up a spot for her. Goldie watched from her seat as Caramel patiently walked Blueberry through the trying experience of changing a foal's diaper. When Blueberry fastened the new diaper into place she looked up with a satisfied smile, proud of her accomplishment.

Happy that she was able to get the dirty job done without messing it up, Blueberry returned to her seat and was surprised when Caramel moved closer and set Cinnamon into her lap. "Here, you did such a wonderful job changing her diaper, how about you hold her for a bit." He signed to her.

Blueberry didn't know what to do, gently she gathered the filly up and cradled her in her hooves, seeing the nods and smiles from Goldie and Caramel, she guessed she did it right. Caramel sat with his wife and let her lean into him as they relaxed, happy that they were going home. After a bit, Goldie asked Caramel to teach her some sign language, as Caramel showed her some signs, he discovered that Goldie was a quick study. Blueberry helped out and even made a game of it, as they taught Goldie the alphabet, and some basic conversational signs.

The sun was just touching the horizon when their train pulled into the familiar depot of Ponyville. Stepping off the train, Caramel rolled his shoulder to settle the luggage bag on his back, Goldie and Blueberry had removed their dresses and stored them away. Blueberry had volunteered to carry Cinnamon's diaper bag while Goldie carried Cinnamon.

Before arriving, Caramel and Goldie had spoken about where they were going to go when they got here. It was quickly decided to go to Chisel and Lilly's house first, Caramel needed to break the news about Fudge to them and introduce them to Cinnamon. Goldie felt bad that she was putting her parents off until the next day, but she knew it was for the best.

Chisel and Lilly's house sat on the far side of Ponyville and as they walked through town Caramel ran though his head how best to tell them all that has happened, Goldie sensed his nervousness and leaned herself over against his side, letting him know he wasn't alone in this, Caramel gave her a grateful smile and nuzzled her just behind her ear, knowing how much she loved it when he did that.

Stepping up onto their front porch Caramel paused at the door, his feelings were in turmoil as he considered everything he was about to share with them, but Goldie was there again pressing into his side giving him the support he so much before needed. Whenever he came by to visit or to do his laundry he just went in without knocking so it felt a little strange to lift his hoof up and knock on their door.

The wait was short, hoofsteps could be heard aproching the door from the other side. The handle clicked and the door swung open reveling the peach lavender coat of Lilly Pad as she looked out at them. When she saw Caramel she suddenly rushed out and hugged him.

"Oh Caramel dear, it's been almost a week! We've been so worried, whatever happened?" She asked worriedly, after a moment she noticed Blueberry and Goldie standing nearby "Goldie!? What brings you by? I haven't seen you visit here in ages, not since you and Caramel put grey hairs in my tail." Lilly went to hug Goldie but then noticed she was carrying Cinnamon. "Oh my! Who is this!?"

"Aunt Lilly, I would like you to meet Cinnamon, and the mare on the other side of Goldie is Blueberry, she's a friend of ours." Caramel said as he introduced them. "Would you please get uncle Chisel? I have some important things to tell you two."

The serious tone of his voice and the fact he was using a family title with her caught her attention. "Of course, come in and have a seat in the parlor, I'll get Chisel and make us some tea." Lilly said as she started for the kitchen.

"Aunt Lilly,... the tea can wait. Please bring uncle Chisel, what we have to tell you two is important." Caramel pressed the need to speak to them, stepping to the side he let Goldie and Blueberry through the door first.

"This sounds rather serious. I'll go get him." She said, feeling the seriousness of his tone.

Caramel removed his luggage and set it off the the side of the entrance hall, before helping Blueberry take the diaper bag off her back as well, he lead them all into the parlor, there were several cushioned chairs and sofa's arranged around the room to comfortably entertain guests, two sofa couches sat across from each other with a small antique coffee table between, with a pair of sofa chairs sitting to the side.

Caramel led Goldie to one of the couches and let her sit first before he joined her, sitting just close enough to feel her against his side. Blueberry chose to sit in one of the smaller sofa chairs, curiously she looked around the room and admired the paintings and the decorative tea set inside a glass cabinet nearby.

Caramel felt a little sick as his stomach twisted around nervously, Goldie seemed so sense this as she reached over a hoof to rest it atop of his, a few moments latter Chisel and Lilly came in and sat across from them, Chisel looked around at the newcomers, he smiled warmly to Blueberry before he nodded to Goldie, the sight of Cinnamon gave him pause for a moment before he looked over to Caramel.

"So, what is it you want to tell us?" Chisel asked.

With a deep breath to steady himself, Caramel began telling the two about what happened to Fudge. Lilly cried out as she clutched at Chisel, her face wracked with grief, Chisel wasn't one to hide his feeling ether as tears streamed down his face as he held his wife and tried to comfort her. Caramel felt that pang of sorrow rear up at the sight of Chisel and Lilly grieving for Fudge, and he couldn't help the tears that welled up, and slowly dripped from his own eyes.

Goldie nudged him and gestured for him to go to them. Nodding, Caramel stood and crossed over to them, without a word they both opened up their embrace and brought him into it. Goldie noticed that Blueberry was looking very awkward, as this very personal scene was happening in front of her, Goldie realized that because of her upbringing, Blueberry had probably never seen a caring family comforting each other before. This will be a good thing for her to see, a true example of what a loving family should be like.

After a time, Caramel pulled back and waved Goldie forward, they both introduced Cinnamon, who was immediately taken in by the pair. Caramel and Goldie sat back on the sofa together, and watched as the two gushed over Cinnamon. Caramel and Goldie then both explained all that had happened since his leaving five days ago.

It turned out that it was a good thing that Chisel was holding Cinnamon instead of Lilly when they got to the part when they announced that they gotten married, because Lilly suddenly jumped up with a joyful cry and lunged over the coffee table to hug both Caramel and Goldie raining kisses on the two.

"I knew it! I knew it for all these years!" She shouted as she mushed kisses into a giggling Goldie and an embarrassed but stoic Caramel. "Oh, with how idiotic you've been acting with her since you came back, I was starting to loose hope!"

Blueberry watched the exchange with started eyes, the happiness, joy and love she was seeing exchanged between them all was wondrous, to be a member of such a family must be amazing. She remembered the kisses and hugs she had gotten from from her mother before she passed, and from her grandpapa whenever he stopped by to visit. She missed them both terribly.

All attention was suddenly turned to Blueberry as Caramel and Goldie introduced her and explained her story, once they finished the tail of their dramatic rescue and escape from the evil bother, both Chisel and Lilly turned and welcomed Blueberry warmly, Lilly going so far as to hug her.

"You all must be famished after your long trip, I'll make some vegetable stew for us all." Lilly announced as she turned for the kitchen. "Goldie, come and help me prepare the vegetables, and you my dear are going to help us as well." She said to Blueberry as she snatched her up and ushered her along with them. "Chisel honey, how about you and Caramel make the cornbread."

Chisel stood and gestured down to the filly he was holding. "What about her?" He asked, holding Cinnamon up.

Lilly paused as she looked back. "Well have her help out too, we have a lot to celebrate! Goldie, please show Blueberry where the knives are and have her start washing and peeling the potato's."

Caramel smiled as he followed them into the kitchen, trust Lilly to put every pony to work. Caramel didn't need any help to make the cornbread, so Chisel just held Cinnamon while they talked. Being deaf didn't stop Lilly from directing Blueberry in what she wanted her to do, peeling and dicing as needed, until all the prep work was done and the food just needed time to stew.

They all gathered on the front porch to sit and enjoy some ice tea, while they waited for dinner to cook.

"So have you two thought about where your going to live?" Lilly asked, sitting down in a wicker chair across from Caramel and Goldie.

"Well we talked about it a little but we haven't come up with anything definite yet." Goldie answered.

"My apartment is way too small for us." Caramel pointed out.

"And even though my parents place has the room, I'm not sure staying with my parents would be the right choice." Goldie added.

Lilly pursed her lips, as she thought about it. "No, I suppose not. What about buying?"

"I've saved up some money, but not nearly enough for a down payment. I suppose we'll haft to find a larger place to rent." Caramel said while Goldie nodded her agreement. Cinnamon let out a long yawn in Caramel's lap, her eyes started to drift shut.

"When are you going to tell your family?" Lilly asked Goldie, taking a sip from her glass of ice tea.

Goldie exchanged looks with Caramel. "We think sooner is better than latter, so we'll go tomorrow and have a talk with them."

"And how do you think Taproot is going to handle the news?" Chisel asked.

Caramel was worried about that. He remembered when Taproot would would give him rides on his back when he was younger, but now? He didn't know how Taproot felt about him, he was friendly enough with Caramel when he comes by the supply store, sometimes telling him some really raunchy jokes about a milk mare and her itchy udders, or some other joke that would make a blushing Caramel rush away to find something else to do.

"This is going to be quite the shock for him, and he'll probably overreact." Goldie said worriedly.

Chisel let out a guffaw, but quickly quieted when Lilly glared at him. "Perhaps it would be best if one of us comes along." Lilly offered.

"That would probably be a good idea." Goldie answered, nodding her head before she looked over to Caramel who was carefully tucking the edges of a blanket around the now sleeping Cinnamon, keeping her warm. "But that will probably not be necessary, Caramel has a good and loving heart, and when my father sees that in him, he'll accept him as family, I just know it." She said confidently, her marriage band on her leg started to glow.

"You really think so?" Caramel asked.

Goldie smiled over at him meeting his eyes. "Of course I do." She then leaned over and nuzzled his neck affectionately, while Caramel nuzzled her in return.

Lilly and Chisel exchanged knowing looks, as the pair exchanged affections in front of them. "You two are too adorable, you know that?" Lilly said in amusement, before standing up, and motioning for Blueberry to come with her. "Come on, dinner should be ready soon, how about you help me set the table." Blueberry blinked up at Lilly as she stood, not hearing what Lilly had just said, but that wasn't going to stop Lilly from putting her to work setting the table anyways. Draping a hoof over her shoulder, Lilly ushered her into the house with a smile.

It was nice being home, Caramel thought to himself, sitting at the table. To his left, Goldie munched on her forth piece of cornbread, and across from him, Blueberry was staring wide eyed at yet more food that Lilly had placed in front of her.

"Your much too thin, why your practically skin and bones, you go ahead and finish this up, and then latter we'll have some wonderful apple pie, you like apple pie don't you? Of course you do, everypony loves apple pie." Lilly chatted away, acting like Blueberry could hear her every word.

Caramel smiled and shook his head as Blueberry looked over at him with pleading eyes, the amount of food that Lilly had piled onto her plate was enough to feed a couple hungry stallions. Lifting his hoof. "I'm afraid that it's too late now, she has you in her clutches, and she won't let you go. For better or worse, welcome to the family." He signed to her.

Blueberry blinked at him, then after a moment a pleased look came over her, and she picked up some cornbread and began eating.

Chisel turned to Caramel. "Please tell Blueberry that she is welcome to stay as long as she likes. She a sweet filly, and Lilly and I would enjoy having her around."

Caramel couldn't help but grin. "Aunt Lilly is going to spoil her rotten you know." Caramel said as he nodded towards the pair as Lilly refilled Blueberry's glass of lemonade.

"Oh, I'm sure she could use a little spoiling." Chisel said before he looked back to Caramel. "And what of you two? Where will you two be staying tonight?"

Caramel thought about it. If he was to go back to his apartment he would haft to explain everything all over again to his roommate Noteworthy, and he most defiantly did not feel like going through that again, at least not tonight. With everything that's happened, he was exhausted.

"If you don't mind, would you let us stay here tonight?" Caramel asked.

Lilly looked up at him from across the table, as she was offering a very stuffed looking Blueberry even more food. "Of course sweetie, take the room at the top of the stairs, and Blueberry here can have the room across the hall. Oh, and one other thing." Lilly said with a smile. "From now on you will both call me aunt Lilly, I forgot how good it made me feel to hear Caramel call me that, I want to hear more of it, got it?"

"Yes, aunt Lilly." Both Caramel and Goldie said at the same time, causing them both to look at each other and chuckle.

Just then Cinnamon started crying from next room, she was laying in a wicker laundry basket converted to be used as a bassinet.

"Oops, sounds like she's hungry, I'll go nurse her. Caramel would you make a bottle for her?" Goldie said as she stood.

Caramel was already standing himself. "I'll have one ready in a moment."

"Oh, and make about half of the usual amount, my milk is coming in a bit and she doesn't need so much from the bottle." Goldie told Caramel before she stepped out of the room.

"Caramel?" Aunt Lilly called out, causing Caramel to pause and looked back at her. "What you two are doing for Fudge's little filly is just amazing, you two are going to be the most wonderful parents for her, I can see it even now." She crossed over to him and much to his surprise she kissed his cheek and hugging him.

Caramel felt a little embarrassed by the affection and praise Lilly was giving him, but it also felt really good. "Thank you aunt Lilly." He said, returning her hug and not knowing what else he should do, kissed her back.

After dinner, Caramel grabbed the diaper bag and took it into the kitchen. Taking out all the dirty bottles, he began to wash them in the sink. Once he finished, he set them out to dry. Sorting through the bag, he saw that he was low on diapers and wipes, and he made a mental note to buy some first thing tomorrow.

Leaving the kitchen he walked down the hall into the living room. Goldie and Chisel were sitting across from each other playing a game of chess, and by the look of the board, it appeared that they were both evenly matched. Aunt Lilly was sitting with Blueberry, showing her how to croshay, Caramel was once again amazed at how aunt Lilly was able to communicate with Blueberry without the need for sign language.

Cinnamon was happily burbling to herself in the laundry basket next to Goldie. Looking in, Caramel smiled at her as he reached in and picked up her errant pacifier, pulling her slobbered hoof from her mouth, Caramel then stuck her pacifier in. Goldie was deep in thought as she considered her next move against Chisel. Not wanting to disturb her, Caramel gave her a quick peck to her cheek.

"I'm going to take a bath." He murmured to her, before he headed upstairs to the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, there was a large soaker tub with a shower next to it, turning the shower on, he stepped in and washed himself. Once he finished that, he stepped out and started to fill the tub, making sure that the water was just short of scalding, lifting up one of the bottles next to the tub he read the name, Grandma Murrmal's rose oil with vanilla! With a shrug, Caramel added it to the water, immediately he noticed a sweet fragrance wafting up from the tub.

Now that the tub was filled, he turned the water off and gingerly stepped in, it was quite hot, and he hissed to himself as he lowered himself in. Settling himself in, he leaned back and let out a sigh, he wasn't one for taking baths but today he just felt he needed one. After all he had been though for the last week, he was now home, with the family and friends that loved him. The smell of the rose oil was quite pleasant, as he felt himself drift, and he knew that if he wasn't careful, he just might fall asleep.

The sound of the door opening made Caramel crack his eyes open and glance over. Goldie smiled at him as she slipped in.

"It finally registered in my mind that you said you were taking a bath, and I realized that that sounded like a wonderful idea. You got room for one more?" Goldie asked sniffing the air. "Hmm, rose oil, good choice."

"There's always room for you." Caramel answered.

Goldie turned on the shower and stepped in, leaving curtain partially drawn shut. Looking out, Caramel was able to see though the gap she had left with the curtain, lifting his head up a little he watched as the water ran down her body, soaking into her coat, plastering her mane down to her neck, he found the sight rather enticing, feeling his breath quickened with excitement. Goldie slowly lathered her body in shampoo, working from her mane all the way back to her cute tail. Caramel had to repress the urge to nicker at the sight of her as she rubbed the shampoo over her flanks and her carrots with greens cutie marks.

Goldie shut her eyes and lifted her head up into the stream of water, rinsing the shampoo out, working her way back she arched her back while she lifted her tail up to let the water run off, giving Caramel a good view of her treasure vault. Letting out a snort, Caramel was suddenly feeling very hot.

Shutting off the shower, Goldie gave herself a slight shake before she stepped out, crossing over to the tub, she slowly slipped in.

"Ahhh, this feels really good." She murmured, sounding pleased. Moving her hoof through the water she suddenly bumped into something, which caused her to give a surprised smile. "Oh my, what is this? Did somepony enjoy watching me shower?"

Caramel gave her a sheepish crooked grin. "What!? Don't be silly, that was here before you even came in."

Moving herself forward she straddled his thighs, and hugged his stiffened member to her belly, she slowly stroked her hooves down its length. "I think your lying, I think you liked what you saw, didn't you?" She purred. "Perhaps you liked my soft wet flank, lathered in soap suds, or my glistening rump as I bent over." Goldie slid her hooves back up his stallionhood, only to stroke down again.

Caramel let out a moan, and involuntarily thrust his hips up into her, driving his stallionhood along her belly, finding her ministrations to be a bit stimulating. "I confess, I did it! I was the one leering at you through the shower curtains, I couldn't help myself, your beauty drove me to it, I lost my senses when I beheld your elegance."

"Oh Caramel, you say the sweetest things." Goldie leaned forward and kissed him, pushing her tongue into his mouth. Below the water she slid her body forward and began to rub her own feminine bits along his shaft, causing Caramel to gasp into her mouth as he clutched his hooves around her.

Slowly she continued to slide herself along the full length of his stiff stallionhood, as their lips and tongue's busily pleased one another, occasionally Caramel would let out a grunt and he would thrust up with his pelvis and grind his stallionhood along her slit more vigorously, causing Goldie to stiffen as she felt a spike of intense pleasure shoot though her body.

The water sloshed in the tub as she moved her body, feeling herself growing closer with every stroke she made, inch by inch she edged closer to the very edge as she found herself in tortuous bliss. Caramel broke from their sloppy kissing to suddenly go for her throat, nipping and sucking on her sensitive spot, in the hollow of her throat. Goldie panted for breath as she balanced on the edge of ecstasy, the water would now slosh out a little with her more vigorous movements as she sought the euphoric state of orgasmic release. Suddenly Caramel tightened his grip on her as he thrust his pelvis up once more, his shaft surged along her slit, and that finally did it, she fell over the edge. Letting out a quiet whinny, her back arched back as waves of warm pleasure rolled though her, the smooth velvety walls of her foal passage rippled and squeezed, clamping down on itself.

Caramel sought out her lips, and Goldie eagerly accepted and kissed him vigorously, waves of orgasmic pleasure still flowed though her as she attacked his mouth, nibbling and sucking on his lips and tongue. Slowly her orgasm faded and she collapsed down onto Caramel's chest, panting for breath, Caramel hugged her to himself as he slowly rubbed his hooves along her back, satisfied that he was able to please her.

"Caramel?" Goldie asked, speaking into his chest.

"Hmm?" He murmured to her.

"Do you... do you ever regret what happened with us? With us getting married and all." Goldie asked.

Caramel paused in his petting to look down at her. "Goldie, the only thing I regret is my pushing you away for so long. I was an idiot, and I regret the pain I gave you in doing so." He spoke softly but she could hear the self-condemnation he held for himself in his voice

Goldie lifted her head up and kissed him, her lips were soft and gentle, caressing his as she expressed her tender love for him. Breaking from the kiss, Goldie met his gaze. "I understand now why you did so, and I don't hold it against you. I was an idiot for not going to you sooner, and I feel so stupid for not seeing the pain you were in."

Caramel quieted Goldie with a kiss. "No more talk of our regretful pasts, we have a future to look forward to." Tightening his hold on her, Caramel leaned back and enjoyed the feeling of a warm relaxing bath with his wife.

Something suddenly occurred to Goldie. "But what about you? We didn't finish what we were doing?"

Caramel gave her a tired smile and shook his head, while barely opening his eyes. " I'm too tired to continue, and I'm happy that I was able to please you. Just relax with me and enjoy the warm bath while we can."

Goldie nestled her head back down onto his chest. Smiling to herself, Goldie enjoyed the feelings of happy contentment that settled over her, as she once again thought about how she had such a wonderful stallion to call husband.

Downstairs Chisel looked up from the book he was reading. "Sounds like they're done."

Lilly looked up from her croshaying. "They were certainly having fun weren't they?" Looking over at the oblivious Blueberry who was bent over her attempt to croshay with her brows furled in concentration, Lilly tapped her shoulder and shook her head at her. "No, not like that, like this, watch." Lilly started to gesture with her hooves the correct way, Blueberry watched for a moment before she then smiled and nodded her understanding and starting again.

Author's Note

Blueberry Cloud is a background pony seen in "Sonic Rainboom" She was in Cloudsdale, probably visiting her grandfather.

Pony Sign Language involves the use of one hoof as well as the body, head and ears. For example to say "Hello" A pony would set their hoof to their heart and nod their head, to say "Good Morning" a pony would cross their hoof across their chest and nod their head, and to say "Good Bye." a pony would hold their hoof up and nod their head. Most of the time adverbs are skipped in order to make signing quicker.

If your wondering how they can spell using sign language, they use their ears for that, think of how the navy used flag signs to make letters, it would be the same concept, numbers are given by tapping the hooves in patterns.

Chapter 10

Golden Harvest set her hooves one more time and pulled. The plow's harness dug painfully into her shoulders and sides as she strained to move it. She had been trying for what seemed like days and no matter how hard she tried she failed to get the plow to move even an inch. She couldn't help but feel that her father was going to be disappointed in her, he had given her this big job to do, and she was failing to meet his expectations, how would he ever be able to trust her ever again.

Frustrated, she turned her head about and lashed out with her hind hoof, kicking the stubborn plow. Setting her hooves again for another try, she noticed the sky building up with storm clouds. Straining her head up, she saw the weather pegasi pushing in more rain clouds and packing them together tightly. It looked like they were building up quite the storm, already water droplets were starting to fall. Hanging her head, she felt she had failed. Her father was going to be so disappointed with her, she was supposed to have this field plowed and planted before the weather team arrived.

Twisting her head about, she unstrapped the harness from around her shoulder and with a tired shrug she let the harness fall off of her. Turning she started walking back home, how was she going to be able to face her father?

With a flash and crackling rumble, a lightning bolt split across the sky. Looking up worriedly she saw that the weather team had finished and the storm was about to break, she needed to get back home! Picking up her pace she started to run, but there was something wrong. The ground seemed to pull at her hooves and the air felt thick, the harder she ran the slower she seemed to go.

She struggled to reach the edge of the field, where a long irrigation ditch full of water ran alongside it. A small home made bridge spanned across the ditch, and Goldie ran for it. The bridge wasn't very wide and there was no rails on it, but she wasn't worried, she crossed it thousands of times in the past and never had a problem. The rain was now pouring down and as her hooves came down the the wooden planking, she found they felt slick under her hooves. Heedless of the danger and confident that she would make it, she dashed across the short span, but just as she reached the middle, her hoof suddenly slipped out from under her, and she found herself falling over the side. Goldie let out a scream as she fell towards the murky irrigation water.

Bracing herself, she plunged into its dark depths. Kicking her legs, she paddled for the surface, but it was dark and she had no idea where it was. She flailed about searching desperately for the surface, when suddenly, she broke through. Flinging her head up she drew fresh air into her lungs.

Looking about herself in confusion she found herself sitting in a partially filled tub, in a strange bathroom, . Wondering how she ended up in a bathroom, Goldie stood and stepped out of the tub. The bathroom was large with white tiles across the floor and walls, and the fixtures had gold plating on them and the towels that were hung up were of fine quality. Stepping across the bathroom, Goldie set her hoof onto the gold plated door handle, and opened the door.

Stepping out into the hallway Goldie looked about. Under her hooves was a rich plush red and gold carpet, and set upon the wall just across from the bathroom, hung a large portrait of what looked like a husband, wife and daughter.

The stallion in the painting wore a nice suit and tie, and the mare next to him had on a elegant black silk dress with pearls draped around her neck. Sitting before the two was a young filly in a red satin and lace dress. But as she looked at their faces she found them to be a muddy mess, it was like somepony had taken paint thinner and brushed it over their faces.

Turning she considered which way to go, both way's stretched on for what seemed forever with no end in sight. Choosing a direction she started walking. Suddenly ahead of her she heard a crack followed by a stallion's agonized scream. Without hesitation Goldie rushed forward to the first door she came to and threw it open, and found the same bathroom she had just left.

Slamming the door shut she rushed down the hall to the next door and opened it, only to find the same bathroom. Another crack sounded followed by the stallion's scream echoed down the hall. Turning, this time leaving the door open, she rushed to the next one and opened it, finding the bathroom again, looking back she found the door she had left open to be now closed.

Again the crack and the stallion's scream echoed out, it sounded closer. Turning she ran down the hall, ignoring the doors she just kept going, the sounds of the painful cracks continued to get louder, and she could now hear a mare's voice laughing at the stallions pain.

There was something familiar about the stallion as he cried out, and something inside her was urging her on, telling her she needed to help him. His painful cries were very loud now, as she drew to a stop, looking around the hallway. It all looked the same, to one side was the bathroom door and the other was the portrait of the faceless family.

The cries seemed to be coming from all around. Frustrated that she was unable to locate him, Goldie stepped up to the portrait and pulled it from the wall before throwing it angrily to the side. To her surprise she found a door that was hidden behind the portrait.

It looked just like all the other doors she had passed, except that the handle was black, and as she watched the door started to blacken around the edges. The sound of the mare's cruel laughter was growing almost hysterical as the cracks started to come more frequent, the stallions screams were growing hoarse as the blows rained down on him without rest.

The door continued to blacken, looking like it was slowly charring. She needed to get in there! Lifting her hoof she touched the handle, with a hiss and a trail of smoke Goldie jerked her hoof back and shook it in the air. The handle was burning hot!

The pain filled cries of the stallion was driving her on though, she now knew who it was! It was Caramel, and he needed her help! He was in so much pain! Gritting her teeth she put her hoof to the now glowing hot handle and pressed down on the latch, her hoof smoked and the sensitive part of her frog seared in pain as she threw opened the door.

Inside was a bedroom, the only light was in the center of the room with all the walls disappearing into the darkness. Under the light a young looking Caramel lay draped belly down over the length of a large chest, with his hooves tied to rings set along the bottom. His back, from his dock to his withers was a bloody mess of stripes.

Standing just on the other side of Caramel was a shadowy form of a unicorn mare. Goldie couldn't make out who it was, or even what she looked like, for she was made of literal shadows, the only thing that stood out was her eyes, her cruel yellow eyes.

"All you had to do was say it." The shadow mare said in admonishment, leaning in down close to Caramel. "But because your a bad little colt I am going to have to punish you again, so you will learn your place."

"Please, no more" Caramel begged, his head hanging off the edge of the chest, his tears falling to the floor below.

Floating next to the shadowy mare, held in a grip of shadows was a long thin rod of what looked like bamboo, with medal wire wrapped around the final foot of it, its length was covered in blood, Caramel's blood. It suddenly struck down onto Caramel's back with a sickening crack, spraying Caramel's blood across the floor and adding a new stripe onto his back. Caramel arched his head back as he let out a hoarse cry.

"Did I say you could talk, slave?" The shadow mare snapped angrily. "I will have obedience!"

"No, I'm sorry! Please." He pleaded as the mare lifted the bamboo rod up for another strike at his back.

Goldie didn't wait to let it fall. "Leave him alone!" She cried out as she rushed forward, ignoring her burnt hoof, she ran as fast as she could. Just as the cruel rod was about to strike, Goldie flung herself over Caramel's bloody back to take the hit for him, clamping her eyes shut she waited for the blow to fall.

The blow never came.

Opening her eyes Goldie found herself laying in a bed of soft grass, sitting up she looked around and saw that she was in a valley surrounded by snow capped mountains. Nearby sat a small lake, with waters so clear she could see the bottom. The sun was high in the sky with a few little rouge clouds scattered about. On the far side of the lake a waterfall fell down a cliff face to plunge down into the lake with a rainbow arching up from its spray. It was the most beautiful valley Goldie had ever seen, and she had no idea where she was.

She remembered going to bed after Cinnamon's late night feeding, and after some rather strange dreams she wakes up here. Looking around she saw that Caramel was nowhere in sight. Standing, Goldie walked down to the edge of the lake, lowing her head down she sniffed at the water, and found it smell clean and fresh. Dipping her mouth into the water, she took a small drink and blinked in surprise at how good it tasted, finding that it was probably the best tasting water she had ever had. Dropping her mouth back down she eagerly drank her fill.

Lifting her head back up she looked around wondering where she should go, after some thought she decided to follow the lake in the hopes of finding some habitation somewhere along it. After a short while of walking she spotted hoof prints along the sandy shore, she felt a thrill of excitement at not alone here.

Picking up her pace to a trot she followed the prints, it wasn't long before she rounded a bend and saw a figure sitting next to the shore looking out into the lake. She instantly recognized him.

"Caramel!" Goldie cried out, rushing to him.

Caramel ears perked up and he whirled around in surprise, the moment he saw Goldie running to him, his face broke out an a joyous smile. When Goldie reached him, she boldly launched herself and tackled him to the ground. She brought her lips to his and kissed him fiercely, while Caramel returned the kiss with as much intensity as she gave. The relief she felt that he was here with her was immense

"I thought I was all alone here." Caramel said once he managed to break from their kiss.

"I was worried about the same thing." Goldie admitted as she climbed off of Caramel freeing him to sit up. "I don't suppose you know how we got here?" She asked hopefully.

Caramel sadly shook his head. "No, the last thing I remember is you getting out of bed to see to Cinnamon, I listened to you as you hummed to her until I fell back asleep."

Goldie nodded, knowing the moment he was describing, it was just after that when she returned back to bed. "Yeah, that's about when I last remember as well. I finished feeding Cinnamon, and I managed to get her back to sleep. I then got back into bed." Goldie looked at Caramel as she suddenly recalled the strange dream she had before waking up here. Curiously she moved around to look at his back.

"What are you doing?" Caramel asked, looking around at her.

Goldie didn't know what she expected to find, just remembering how disturbing the dream had been made her want to reassure herself that it never happened. All she saw was his normal back, his coat clean and undisturbed by the beating in the dream. Letting out a sigh of relief Goldie was about to go back around Caramel except for some reason she lifted her hoof and ran it upward along his back, lifting his fur up allowing her to see the skin underneath.

What she saw sent a cold shock through her. Under his fur she saw row after row of thin white scars crisscrossed his back. Goldie flung herself back in horror, turning about she collapsed to the sand and threw up, tears coming to her eyes. How was this possible? It had been a dream!

Goldie felt Caramel's hoof come over her shoulder, as he held her. Immediately she turned and buried her face into his neck as she wept. It was a dream! It had to be just a dream, but there it was, all over his back. How could this be!?

"Shh, its alright. It's all healed now." Caramel said, trying to calm her

Clinging to his neck, Goldie pulled herself up to his face. "You don't understand! I saw it!" Goldie cried out. "I saw what she did to you!"

Caramel shook his head as he dismissed her claim. "That's not possible, it happened five years ago, back in Fillydelphia, you were in Ponyville at the time."

Goldie tightened her grip around his neck. "No, I saw it in the dream! You must believe me, I'm not making this up!" Goldie pleaded, trying to think of a way to convince him she wasn't imagining things. "In the dream a unicorn mare had you tied over a chest and she was using a bamboo rod with wire wrapped around it"

Caramel sucked in a breath as his eyes widened in shock. "How did you...? I never told anypony that, not even my sister." Caramel sounded dismayed. "Wait? You saw this in a dream? Describe it."

Loosening her hold around his neck, Goldie sat back and wiped at her nose with the back of her hoof. Slowly at first she started to tell him about how she was trying to plow her father's large field, but when she fled from a rain storm she ended up falling into the irrigation ditch only to come up in a bathroom of all places. When she described walking out into the hallway, Caramel suddenly reeled back in shock.

"You described it perfectly! How? You were never there." Caramel blinked at her with dismay.

Goldie was a bit hesitant about the next part, but Caramel seemed to really want to know. She continued, telling him about following the sound of screams until she found a hidden door, and when she opened the door of her finding him tied down over a trunk while a unicorn mare beat him with a wire wrapped bamboo rod.

Caramel held up his hoof, forestalling her from saying any more. He sat there for a bit, quietly staring down at the sandy shore as he collected his thoughts."I was having a nightmare earlier. It's the same one I've been having for years now, its a nightmare of what happened to me when I was... attacked. No matter how many times I have had it, It has never changed, except that this time..." Caramel looked up at her. "You appeared in the nightmare. You shouted for her to leave me alone, then you covered me with your body, protecting me. Right after that I woke up here."

Goldie gaped at him stunned, not knowing how this could be possible. "Are you saying we somehow shared a dream?"

Caramel thought for a moment before he lifted his hoof up and looked at his marriage band. "I suppose that we just found another strange thing to come from our bounding." Dropping his hoof back down he Leaned forward and gave Goldie a kiss. "Thank you, for doing what you did in the dream."

Goldie nuzzled him. "Caramel, I will always be there for you, just as I know you will always be there for me. Even in our dreams." Goldie added.

Caramel smirked at her before looking around. "So, where are we?"

Letting out a disappointed sigh, Goldie also looked around. "I was hoping you would know."

Shaking his head, Caramel rose and walked a few steps. "I have no idea. Wherever this is at, it's very beautiful here." Looking back, Caramel gestured with his head for her to follow. "Come on, lets go find a place to shelter for the night, we'll look around tomorrow and hopefully find where we are and how we got here.

They found shelter under a large boulder that was leaning into another, creating a vaulted roof. It's back end was blocked by a smaller bolder that they piled stones and dirt around to seal off. A pine tree blocked half of the entrance leaving just enough room for them to walk in without scraping their sides.

The next morning, they woke hungry and decided to try eating the grass, and much to their surprise found it to be quite sweet and delicious. Once their hunger was sated and their thirst quenched from the lake, they set out and circled around the lake, it took most of the day and in the end they found nothing to help them determine where they were.

Returning to their makeshift home, they determined that the next day to follow the stream from the lake as it made it's way down the valley. That plan turned out to come to an abrupt end when they found that a mile down the steam tumbled off a rather large cliff, and after a bit of exploring they determined that it would be impossible to work their way down.

The next day they decided to take a break and go for a swim in the lake. The water had a bit of a chill to it but they found it felt rather good. Their swim soon turned into a bit of fun roughhousing, that quickly escalated to making out, culminating with them making love on the shore. Over the next couple of day's they explored the entire valley and found no foreseeable way out. It seemed that they were stuck here.

Time stretched on, and they found things to do, at night Caramel would teach Goldie some more sign language by the fire, and during the daytime it they weren't working on improving their new home they would go swimming in the lake, or chase each other around the grassy fields. One day Caramel found a large crevice and started working on sealing off to create a place to store food for the winter.

Caramel walked along a large slab of rock that ran along the southern edge of the valley, looking around he admired the neat rows of grass grass that he had just harvested, and was now drying out on the slab to make hay. It's been just over two weeks since they arrived in the valley, and life here was peaceful and quiet.

Looking up he saw that much of the day had passed during his time away and he decided to head back to see how Goldie was doing. Today she was picking raspberry's they had found along the creek that ran from the lake. Working his way down, Caramel passed though a small copse of trees and came to a stop as he looked at the view that lay before him. The entire valley stretched out below him, the crystal lake sparkling in the low hanging sun.

Looking to the side he saw Goldie lounging on her belly under a aspen tree as she looked out over the valley, watching the sun sink lower towards the horizon. Caramel smiled as he walked over to her, and settled himself out next to her and nuzzled her behind her ear.

"Oh Caramel, what are we going to do?" Goldie asked with a sad sigh, as she leaned her body over to rest against his side. She had been a bit depressed over the last couple of days and efforts on his part to brighten her mood had only had minor success.

"We'll get though this, just keep your spirits up." Caramel kept his voice strong and confident, even though he was feeling a bit down himself.

Looking over at him, Goldie's eyes were moist from fresh tears she had shed. "I miss Cinnamon, I hope she's doing okay."

Pressing himself closer, Caramel nuzzled her cheek, he missed Cinnamon too. "Chisel and Lilly will take care of her, so there is nothing to worry about."

"I know, I know. It's just I wish I could hold her again." Goldie lamented, letting out another sigh.

"I'll find us a way back home, I promise." Caramel assured her.

Looking back over at him, Goldie gave him a weak smile. "I know your doing your best." Looking back forward they both watched as the sun set.

Once it vanished over the horizon, Caramel gave Goldie a little nudge. "Come on, lets get back to camp and have some dinner. Then we can work on your sign language again, your getting pretty good at it.." Caramel praised her as they both stood and started down towards their home camp.

After dinner, Goldie seemed distracted and only put in half the effort in her sign language lessons then normal, after a short while she gave up and said she was tired and she was going to go to sleep. Caramel saw the mood she was in and didn't argue. Moving over to a pile of leaves and grass that made up their bed , Goldie settled herself onto it and looked over to Caramel.

"Are you going to stay up?" She asked.

Shaking his head, Caramel rose and moved over to join her. "No, I'm pretty tired from my searching today." Settling in next to her, Caramel felt Goldie rest her head onto his shoulder. Laying there quietly for a moment Caramel turned his head back for a moment. "We'll get back home, I promise I'll keep looking until I find a way." He assured her again.

Lifting her head from his shoulder for a moment, Goldie gave him a quick kiss to his lips. "I know you will." She said before she settled her head back down onto his shoulder. Caramel watched her for a time before he settled his head down into the bed of leaves and closed his eyes, listening to Goldie's slow breaths as she slept. Sleep was slow in coming to him this night.

Caramel was walking beside Goldie down a country road towards her parents home. He felt a bit nervous about seeing them, but his resolve was set and he wasn't going to back out now. Cinnamon rode in a saddle carrier on his back, happily burbling to herself, as she enjoyed their walk though the country. She was wearing a green dress with white lace, and tied to her head was a little white bonnet that Lilly had thought Cinnamon would look absolutely adorable in.

A rather loud flatulent sound erupted from Cinnamon, causing Goldie to startle slightly. "Wow, that was a loud one."

Caramel nodded and turned his head back to look at Cinnamon. "Yeah, you could say that again. I felt it." Good thing they were walking into a head wind, Caramel thought.

"Well we're almost there, we can change her diaper when we get there." Goldie said, turning off the road onto a dirt driveway.

Turning, Caramel followed her as they walked up the drive to her family's farmhouse. The house was a well cared for two story farmhouse, with a porch on the front that faced the road. So far nopony had come out to greet them, but Caramel guessed that it was probably for the best, at least until he changed Cinnamon's diaper.

Stepping up to the porch, Caramel nosed open the diaper bag on Golden's back, and pulled out a small blanket. Gripping it in his mouth, he stepped up onto the porch and laid it out. Golden moved over and helped him extract Cinnamon from her carrier and laid her down onto the blanket.

"We need to be careful, if we get anything onto her pretty dress, aunt Lilly is going to kill me." Caramel said worriedly as he pulled Cinnamon's dress back to clear it out of the way. Golden moved over next to him and took off the diaper bag and set it down, flipped it open she reached in and rummaged around for what they needed.

Undoing the diaper, Caramel pulled it open. "Wow! It looks like she did a double load, and she's about to have a containment breach. Quick! Grab one of those rags I packed, we'll use it to hold this mess." Caramel said as he started to work, Golden pulled out the rag he wanted and laid it out, Caramel began tossing the fouled wipes onto the rag.

Caramel heard the door open behind him. "Honey. Our daughter brought home a stallion... and he's changing a filly's diaper on our front porch." A feminine voice said from behind them. With Cinnamon's rump pulled up in his clamped fetlock, and some wipes held ready in his mouth, Caramel looked back over his shoulder.

Standing by the front door, a very large purple lavender stallion with a plum colored shortly cropped mane stood next to a very light cerulean colored mare with moderate heliotrope mane. They were Goldie's parents Taproot, and May Flower.

Spiting out the wipes he held in his mouth, Caramel grinned at them. "Ah...Hi. I ah....I'll be right with you in a moment." Caramel said nervously. He couldn't believe this was happening, they finally arrived to tell Goldie's parents the news of their marriage, and here they find him changing Cinnamon's diaper on their front porch.

"Don't mind us, you go on and see to the filly." Taproot's deep voice said, sounding amused of all things.

Out of all the times he imagined this important meeting with her parents, he never thought it would happen while he was hoof deep in a dirty diaper. Nervously, with the two watching over his shoulder, Caramel worked on cleaning Cinnamon's dirty rump.

Goldie looked up at her parents, as she passed over some more wipes to Caramel. "Um... Mom, Dad, you remember Caramel of course, and the filly with the dirty diaper is Cinnamon." She said, giving introductions.

"Hello." Caramel said waving a hoof over his shoulder for a moment before returning to Cinnamon. "Oh! Eww, I put my hoof right into it. Goldie, use a wipe to get this off my hoof will you?"

Hurrying as best he could, and with the help of Goldie, Caramel finally had Cinnamon cleaned and in fresh diapers. Standing, Caramel turned to Goldie's parents as he held Cinnamon, Goldie quickly brought herself to his side.

Taproot considered the two, his expression now unreadable. "So, what brings you to our home?"

Caramel gave Goldie a quick glance. "Well sir, I came because we have something to tell you two."

Taproot looked to his daughter and lifted an eyebrow. "Oh really? So what is it you want to say?"

For some reason Caramel was having trouble seeing, everything had a hazy look now, it was as if everything became blurry all of a sudden.

"Well... we would like to announce to you two that we..." Goldie paused and shook her head, it seemed that she too was having the same problem as him. Everything in the distance was now completely washed out, and as he looked, both Taproot, and May Flower began to fade away, like they were made of mist. Next to him Goldie was rubbing at her eyes as she too started to fade. Lifting his hoof Caramel gaped in horror as he was able to see through it, even Cinnamon was fading.

"You will not open his head and examine his brain! I will not allow it!" A feminine voice said sternly. Caramel couldn't tell where the voice was coming from, but she somehow sounded familiar, but he couldn't place her.

"I assure you, I will put it back just as I find it. He won't even notice it was gone." A male voice said, arguing with the female voice.

Everything around him faded away to blackness, and Caramel suddenly opened his eyes. He was laying in bed, in what looked to be in the same room he and Goldie had been sleeping in when they were over at aunt Lilly's two weeks ago.

"What's this about examining brains?" Caramel muttered as he blinked his eyes. He couldn't believe how groggy and cotton brained he felt. Next to his bed, Princess Twilight stood facing Twirlshine as they appeared to be arguing.

When he spoke Princess Twilight let out a gasp and her wings fluttered out in surprise, as she whirled about to face him. Stepping closer to his bed, Princess Twilight lifted her hoof and pulled down on his cheek just under his eye so she could lean in close to look closely into it.

"Mr. Caramel, how do you feel? Are you lightheaded or hear buzzing in your ears?" She asked as she felt at his head.

Before he could answer, she suddenly levitated a thermometer up and stuck it into his mouth. Next to him Goldie let out a yawn and scratched at her eyes. "What's going on?" She asked then blinked as she looked around. "We're back!"

Twirlshine stepped around the bed to her side, a curious expression on his face. "What do you mean when you say, we're back?" He asked.

Goldie blinked as she looked around confused. She was surprised to see Princess Twilight standing next to Caramel who was also looking around confused, with a thermometer in his mouth. Blueberry stood from a chair on the other side of the room and quickly slipped out the door, hopefully to find Lilly or Chisel.

"Princess, I don't understand. What's happening?" Goldie asked looking over to Princess Twilight for answers. "And what is Twirlshine doing here?"

Princess Twilight moved around the bed to her side. "Last night, Twirlshine came to my home wanting to ask me questions about an unusual bonding spell that he apparently found in a research journal from a hundred years ago. Apparently he's been recklessly using it without the proper research." Princess Twilight held a tattered book up in her magic. "From what I was able to discover, the spell was devised by a mad wizard who was studying ways to make ponies absolutely devoted to him, by binding their hearts to him. He never made it too far with his plan before he was arrested and committed to a hospital for the rest of his life, but before he was locked up, he did manage to create some dangerous spells and potions like the Love Poison, in which when the two ponies drink it they become so in love with each other that they are unable to think of anything else until they loose all function to care for themselves and eventually die. The other spell he created is the Want it Need it spell, which I am sorry to say that I myself had some dealings with."

"Are you saying Twirlshine cast one of these spells made by a mad wizard from a hundred years ago on us!" Caramel exclaimed, next to him Goldie sat up alarmed. Twirlshine backed up a few steps as his ears drooped down.

Princess Twilight ruffled her wings at his sudden exclamation before she motioned with her hoof for them to calm down. "Please, its not as bad as you think. I have looked it over and found that the spell was just a tool the wizard had devised for researching the heart during his time at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. He based the spell on some research he did on the Crystal Heart he found in the old archives. He postulated that the Crystal Heart bound all the crystal ponies hearts together and drew its power from them, he was looking to do the same thing but with himself as the Crystal Heart. I believe that if it had worked he might have become as powerful as a Alicorn, if not becoming an actual Alicorn in the process."

The door opened and Blueberry entered with aunt Lilly right behind her with an anxious expression on her face, when she saw them she let out a relieved smile. "Oh thank goodness your both awake, I was so worried when I heard Cinnamon's crying this morning, and found you two in some sort of coma with those glowing lines all over your bodies." Aunt Lilly quickly came to their bed and hugged both Goldie and Caramel. "I didn't know what to do, and sent Chisel to Princess Twilight to see if she knew what was happening."

Caramel looked at her confused. "What are you talking about this morning? Goldie and I were both trapped together in some mountain valley for fifteen days!"

"Wait, what!?" Princess Twilight exclaimed, looking at the two in surprise. "You two were in a coma since sometime last night, what is this about being trapped in a valley?"

Caramel and Goldie exchanged confused looks, then Goldie told of what happened to them when they went to bed during the night. She told them of Caramel nightmare without giving the history behind it, and how she was in it with him. Aunt Lilly covered her mouth in horror at the description of what was happening to Caramel in the nightmare.

"This is totally amazing! A total Psychosomniummorphic Merger! They shared dreams!" Twirlshine exclaimed excitedly looking up from his notes.

Princess Twilight used here magic to clamp Twirlshine's mouth shut. "Please don't interrupt. Please continue, what happened next?"

Licking her lips, Goldie told of how they woke up by the lake, and how they spent the next fifteen days living there. Exploring the area and making the best of their time there. "It was real, what we went through there really happened."

Twirlshine was making notes in a small book as they depicted the events of their time in the lake valley. "How do we know that it wasn't just a dream?"

Goldie looked to Blueberry and suddenly thought of something that might prove that their time there was real. Lift up her hooves she began making signs. "Hello Blueberry, it's nice to be able to talk to you now."

Blueberry's head shot up as her eyes widened in astonishment. Her hooves danced on the floor in happiness before she started to sign back. "How is this possible? You only started to learn yesterday!"

Goldie smiled. "Caramel's a wonderful teacher." Turning to Twirlshine she then spoke out loud. "Whatever happened to us, it wasn't a dream." Goldie said confidently. "Every night, Caramel gave me lessons in sign language. If it was just a dream then how did I learn if in just one night?"

Princess Twilight suddenly lifted her head up strait and let out a exclaimed laugh. "I think I know where you two where, I believe you two might have been in the astral plane."

"W-What?... what do you mean??" Goldie managed to ask. Caramel was also staring at her, waiting for her to explain herself.

Princess Twilight thought about it a moment, as she organized her thoughts, this happens at times, she would make an intuitive leap of logic before thinking it all through. "Let me start at the beginning and work this all through. When I examined the bonding spell, and I found nothing to say that it was designed to go beyond the act of allowing two hearts to share their feelings with each other, and when it's was done, the spell would leave an imprint on the two so that they will still feel the connection."

Princess Twilight began to pace as she continued to think it though. "Something happened with you two, something that went beyond what the spell was designed to do, your hearts are so connected right now they are virtually acting as one. When Caramel had his nightmare, he inadvertently reached out for help and he pulled Golden into his nightmare, she in turn rushed to help him and somehow managed to rip them both out of the nightmare and into another plane, very likely a world of her own making. A place where they would be safe."

"If I brought us there, then why did it take us fifteen days to get out?" Goldie asked.

"Moving into different planes is tricky and hard to do, otherwise other ponies would be doing to too. I myself managed to go to another plane physically when I ascended into an Alicorn." Princess Twilight unconsciously unfurled her wings slightly as she spoke. "You two only went to one metaphysically, and then only partially, you were still strongly linked to this realm, normally time has no meaning in the astral plane, you could have spent a thousand or even a million years in one without any time passing here, but since you two where only there partially, half a day passed for your fifteen day's there."

"Are we in any danger? Should we be worried?" Caramel asked in concern, Goldie nodded.

Princess Twilight pursed her lips as she thought. "Normally I would say no, but you two are messing around with the power of the heart, the very fundamental powers of life itself. I don't know enough about this field of magic to even try to make a guess."

The door opened and a light heliotrope unicorn mare with a moderate purple mane with aquamarine highlights stepped in, levitating in her magic next to her was a fussing Cinnamon who let out contemplative cries.

"Excuse me, the filly started crying." The mare said. Caramel didn't know her name be he remembered seeing her around town recently, mostly in the company of ether Princess Twilight or her dragon assistant Spike.

Goldie held out her hooves for Cinnamon. "Oh you pour thing, come to mamma, I've missed you so much."

The unicorn mare levitated Cinnamon over to Goldie, who happily snatched her out of the levitation bubble, and hugged and kissed the filly, happy to see her again. Pulling back the blanket, Goldie started to position herself to nurse Cinnamon.

Aunt Lilly turned and held her hoof to the door. "Okay, lets give her some privacy."

And as Twirlshine sputtered in complaint, aunt Lilly boldly shoved him out the door, Caramel motioned for Blueberry to come closer and have a seat next to the bed, and as the others left, Caramel filled her in on what had just been discussed.

Next to him Goldie let out a pleased sigh. "Oh this feels so good, they were feeling really full." Nestled up to her teat, Cinnamon nosily suckled.

Latter, when they came downstairs they heard a sudden commotion in the living room.

"You are not taking them!" Aunt Lilly shouted angrily, stomping a hoof. She was standing before Princess Twilight with her muzzle close to hers.

Princess Twilight gestured for her to calm down. "She is the leading expert in this field, if there is any pony that can help them with this it will be her."

Aunt Lilly shook her head. "But can't it wait a little while? They haven't even seen Goldie's parents yet, and then there is arranging for Fudge's funeral to do."

"I understand that there are some pressing matters, but I believe that this shouldn't wait." Princess Twilight said with a hint of urgency.

"What's going on?" Caramel asked as he stepped the rest of they way down the stairs, Goldie and Blueberry following behind.

Aunt Lilly looked over and gestured to Princess Twilight. "She want's to take you two to the Crystal Empire!"

Caramel glanced over to Princess Twilight in surprise. Behind him Goldie signed to Blueberry what was just said.

Princess Twilight turned to face him and Goldie. "Princess Cadence is the leading expert in the field of the heart, I believe that she has the best chance of getting answers to what has happened to you two, and as to whether it may be something dangerous."

Caramel glanced back to Goldie, not sure what to do. They had just spent two weeks in what was apparently the astral plane, and now that they were back, Princess Twilight was looking to take them away again.

"I'm sorry, but I believe this shouldn't wait. There is a train leaving in less then an hour and I want us to be on it." Princess Twilight said, looking at the two.

"Caramel, I think we should go." Goldie said as she stepped up next to him. "My parents will be angry, but I think we need to get some answers. What if this happens again and we spend ten thousand years stuck in the astral plane."

Caramel saw that she was truly worried about this happening, and he understood her point. What if they did spend ten thousand years away only to come back and only an hour had passed, every pony they knew would be strangers to them, lost to ten thousand years of lost time.

Princess Twilight watched the two as they considered her option. "If it would help, I could have Spike go out to your parents and deliver an official message from me telling them that I needed your help with teaching the Crystal ponies the newer modern ways of farming."

Goldie considered it, but looked troubled at this idea. "I don't like the idea of lying to my parents."

"Well it wouldn't be a lie if we actually do it." Princess Twilight said looking at the two with a smile.. "Golden Harvest, Caramel, I officially ask for your help in advising the Crystal ponies in modern farming practices. You two will be compensated for your help of course."

Goldie blinked as she thought it over, turning she looked to Caramel. "What about Fudge's funeral?"

"Don't worry about her funeral, we'll take care of it." Uncle Chisel said stepping into the room from the kitchen. "After all, we were the ones to arrange Fudge's and Caramel's parents funeral back when they died."

Aunt Lilly shook her head as she moved to her husband. "I'm sorry Chisel, but I'm going with them, do you think you can handle it on your own?"

Chisel gave her a nod. "I'll manage, go on and keep an eye on those two, make sure they come back home."

Princess Twilight turned to Chisel. "I'll have a talk with Rarity, she would be able to help you with arranging the funeral. I'll also have Spike help out as well, he'll be handy with the notification letters." Princess Twilight offered.

"Thank you, I'll appreciate any help they can give me." Chisel said with a respectful bow of his head.

Princess Twilight turned to the light heliotrope mare, who had been standing quietly to the side watching. "Starlight, please find Spike and have him come see me, then go to the train station and arrange for..." Turning she looked around. "Is it only you three?" She asked looking at Caramel, Goldie, and Lilly Pad.

Blueberry reached over and lightly nudged Goldie, then pointed to herself.

"Four, Blueberry is coming as well." Goldie corrected.

"Arrange for six of us." Princess Twilight said before Twirlshine stepped over.

"What about me? I'm coming as well!" Twirlshine said.

Princess Twilight looked a little vexed as she looked at Twirlshine, but then she let out a sigh. "Seven of us to go to the Crystal Empire."

Starlight paused before going, looking at Princess Twilight. "Are you sure?" She asked dubiously with a distasteful glance to the scruffy unicorn.

Princess Twilight gave her a nod. "Yeah, he may be useful."

Starlight spoke over her shoulder. "I'm not too sure about that." She said before moving out the door.

Caramel spoke up. "We are going to need a few things before we leave."

Princess Twilight looked to him. "Oh?"

"Cinnamon's diaper bag is short of supplies, unless you want her to run out of diapers or wipes before we get to the Crystal Empire we are going to need to stop at the store." Caramel said.

"Oh, then please be back as quick as you can, I want to leave here in twenty minutes." Princess Twilight said.

As Caramel turned to leave, Goldie gave him a quick peck to his cheek. "I'll stay here, I need to write a letter to my parents to let them know where I am going."

Giving her a smile, Caramel headed to the door, where uncle Chisel fell in beside him. "I'll come with you, we need to talk about a few things before you go." As they passed the front door, uncle Chisel snagged his straw hat off a peg, and set it on his head.

****

This town is as stupid as the last one, Bitternut Dandy thought as he looked around Ponyville. He searched all throughout Galloping Springs and had come up with nothing, nopony he had given her description too had ever seen that worthless sister of his. When he went back to that B&B and talked with that fat old mare who ran it, she glared at him and threatened to call the constable if he didn't leave.

His thoughts kept dwelling on those stupid ponies that he had watched leave at the train station in Galloping Springs, especially that third one who had looked at him with frightened eyes. He was used to seeing fear in a mare's eyes, especially after he had a bit of fun with them but something about hers seemed familiar. Ponyville had been the next stop on the trains trip to Las Pegasus, so they had ether gotten off here or in Las Pegasus.

As he moved down a street he felt he had traversed a dozen times now, he suddenly saw the pony he was looking for, the stallion with the three blue horse shoes cutie mark. Quickly Bitternut hid himself behind a nearby corner and peeked out. He watched as the stallion went into a store with a dark tan colored older stallion that was wearing a straw hat.

Leaning against the wall, Bitternut waited until the two left the store carrying some shopping bags. As they walked down the street, Bitternut stepped out and followed. They stopped for a short time at a second store, where the stallion reemerged with a larger bag on his back.

Bitternut followed them until they came to a house. Looking around he found a bush to hide behind as he waited, hoping that the mare with the scared eyes would come out. Sure enough, the front door reopened and a group of ponies came out, none of them were who he was looking for until finally the last one came out and Bitternut suddenly grinned. It was her! She was no longer wearing that dress that covered her wings or that stupid hat. Her color was still purple but it had lightened up with more of her blue showing through. That was clever of them to have dyed her coat to disguise her, he had to give them a bit of credit, it had almost worked.

His grin faded as he snarled. There were way too many ponies for him to make his move, he was going to haft to wait for the right time to grab her, his eyes widened when he noticed that one of the ponies in the group was a Alicorn. That must be Princess Twilight Sparkle the princess of stupid friendship, he thought as he watched them walk down the street heading towards the train station.

A little dragon rushed up and spoke with the princess for a time as they walked down the street, after the princess passed him two letters he hurried off, passing right by Bitternut as he leaned against the side of a shop. Once the little dragon was safely past him, he resumed following the group until they stopped in front of a fancy looking shop with a sign that read, Carousel Boutique.

The princess and the older stallion with the straw hat went inside, while the others waited. Bitternut ground his teeth as he watched his sister as she flailed her hoof around as she spoke to the mare with carrots for a cutie mark. Gazing at her, Bitternut felt his stallionhood twitch in his sheath as he remembered the feel of her plump round bottom as she pressed down into his lap, now that was a mare that could use a bit of his brand of fun to show her what a true stallion was like.

His thoughts were interrupted when the door to the boutique opened and a white unicorn hurried out and rushed over to speak to that annoying dirt stallion for a short while before she gave him a hug, Bitternut sneered at the sight of the mushy sentimentality he was receiving. What was so special about that dirt stallion that all the mares seemed to like him so much? Bitternut felt that he was a hundred times a better stallion than that mushy foal toting sorry excuse for a stallion.

Bitternut shook his head to bring himself back to the task at hoof, the group was now walking away from the boutique. As Bitternut followed he had to fall further back because the white unicorn and older stallion with the straw hat had fallen behind the group to speak together. What could that sexy mare and that old warn out stallion have to talk about?

The group made their way to the train station. Stepping up to the small platform the group met up with a unicorn mare that was waiting for them, moving quickly Bitternut hid himself behind a luggage carrier to listen in.

****

"Your sure you can handle the funeral arrangements? I just feel horrible about leaving." Aunt Lilly said to her husband.

Uncle Chisel smiled and shook his head at her. "Don't you fret none about it honey, Miss. Rarity here has said she would be glad to help out. Just stay with Caramel and Goldie and keep an eye on them, they'll likely need you." Chisel leaned in close to his wife and gave her a kiss. "And keep Blueberry close, she's young still and needs somepony to watch over her."

Lilly gave her husband a knowing smirk. "You know I will do that anyways."

"I know, I just thought to say it anyways." He said to Lilly before he waved to Caramel, Goldie, and Blueberry. "Have fun in the Crystal Empire, and bring back a souvenir." Chisel hollered out.

As ponies started to board, Caramel stared out at Ponyville as he waited to board. Goldie moved over next to him when she saw the look on his face.

"Are you okay?" She asked looking over at him, concerned that he was troubled about something.

Caramel let out a sigh. "Yeah, I'm okay. Its just... you know."

She nodded her understanding at what he was getting at. "Yeah, I know." Goldie replied knowingly, they had hardly arrived at home before they are now being whisked away to a kingdom in the north.

"Right, lets do this." Caramel said with a strong nod of his head, moving forward he helped Goldie on board before following her in.

Caramel had thought that the train ride to Fillydelphia was long, but it was nothing compared to the ride to the Crystal Empire. Caramel, Goldie, and Blueberry sat together, as aunt Lilly told stories of Caramel's and Goldie's foalhood antics together. Princess Twilight curiously moved closer and listen in, while Starlight Glimmer sat by herself as she read a book. Twirlshine had papers scattered all about his seat as he madly made notations while scanning though some reference books he had brought along.

As Caramel signed to Blueberry what aunt Lilly said as she told her stories, he thought of all the good memory's the aunt Lilly was bringing up. He had forgotten their disastrous idea to paint the fence, or that time they put a hole in the wall when they slid down the stairs on a toboggan.

Across the aisle, Caramel heard the melodious laughter of Princess Twilight, looking over he saw her wipe tears from her eyes.

"You two where quite the pair." She said, looking over at Caramel and Goldie.

Grinning Caramel scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah well, we were young. And we kind of didn't think things through"

Princess Twilight smiled as she looked off wistfully. "I was a bit of a bookworm when I was growing up, and missed out on being a reckless troublemaker like you two."

Caramel exchanged glances with Goldie as they both grinned. "Well it's never too late to start." He said looking back at Princess Twilight.

She felt a bit uneasy about the smiles they were giving her. "Wait!? What are you two thinking of?"

Twirlshine shuffled his paper's and set them to the side, lifting up one sheet in his magic he considered it as he pursed his lips. The sheet held a magical formula and some math equations. There was something he was missing, and he just couldn't figure it out. What was it that made these two different?

His thoughts were interrupted when suddenly the air tingled with magic and something soft and very cold fell down on top of him burying him up to the tips of his ears. Quickly he pushed himself up, forcing his head out of the pile of snow he was now buried in. The sound of laughter came to him as he looked back at the others, to his utter amazement he saw Princess Twilight rolling on the floor as she laughed, her horn still glowing from the spell she had just cast. All the others were all looking and laughing as well, even Starlight Glimmer was snickering behind her hoof.

Muttering to himself, Twirlshine struggled and kicked his way free of the snow, turning he started digging for his papers. You would think that being a princess she would have more respect for a brilliant mind like his. As he scraped the snow away with his hoof, the snow suddenly started to glow as it dissolved into a mist, and in a few moments it was all gone, leaving his papers dry and undamaged.

Princess Twilight joined Caramel and his little family, and shared a story of her own. As she told them the story of how she tried to study Pinky Pie Pinky sense, Starlight Glimmer moved over and sat next to them to listen in.

Cinnamon began to kick up a fuss and aunt Lilly passed her over to Goldie so she could feed her, Caramel watched her move back a seat so she had the room to nurse her. Goldie's milk had come in nicely, and faster then the doctor thought it would, and even though Goldie was happy to nurse Cinnamon, she did complain about how her teats were feeling sore. Doctor House Call had warned that this would happen and advised that it would pass in a week or two.

They spoke and told storied for a time, until dinner was brought in from the dinning car. Taking Cinnamon from Goldie, Caramel let her eat first. Sitting by the window he held Cinnamon up so she could look out the window, but she soon grew board and started to fall asleep. Seeing her tiredly blinking her eyes and rubbing at them with her little hoof, Caramel thought that it was now time to unveil the new purchase he made earlier that day.

Pulling out the diaper bag, he flipped open one of the sides and pulled out a strangely folded, soft pink object.

"What is that?" Goldie asked curiously looking over at him, as he set it down on the seat.

"This is Cinnamon's new bed, watch this." Caramel said as he took a strap in his mouth and unhooked it, suddenly it sprung open and became a bassinet, complete with a hood. "I got a travel bassinet. Now Cinnamon has a bed whenever she needs one, and when she's done with it, it can then be folded up and packed back in the diaper bag."

Bending down, Caramel set Cinnamon into the bassinet. Taking a blanket, Caramel tucked it around Cinnamon who was already asleep.

"Oh Caramel, this is just wonderful." Goldie said, smiling down at Cinnamon. Caramel was happy she liked it, and by the look of Cinnamon, she seemed to like it as well.

They weren't due to arrive in the Crystal Empire until early morning, so when it drew late, many of them retired to the back bunk car. Being a princess had its benefits and one of them was the ability to arrange to have an entire bunk car reserved for herself and her guests. Unlike the private sleeper car, the bunk car was simply a long train car with a series of small, doubled stacked single beds rowed along each side with a aisle down the middle. Each bed had a courtesy curtain that could be drawn closed to give a sleeper some privacy.

Setting Cinnamon in her bassinet into one of the bunks, Goldie slipped into the bed strait across from her. Since the bunks were too small for two, Caramel yawned and got into the next bunk down from Goldie, and aunt Lilly took the bunk next to Cinnamon and across from Caramel. Blueberry signed her goodnights to them all as she climbed into the bunk above aunt Lilly. Soon the bunk car was filled the the light snores of sleeping ponies.

Lilly was having trouble sleeping. Feeling slightly nauseous from the moving train, Lilly rolled out of bed. A rather loud snore came from Caramel's bunk causing Lilly to grimace, pulling the curtain aside Lilly looked in and saw Caramel laying on his back with his mouth splayed open as he let out another loud snore, with a shake of her head, Lilly lightly poked his side, causing Caramel to let out a grunt before he rolled over onto his side, where his snores then ceased.

Looking above her own bed, she drew the curtain aside to look in on Blueberry. Seeing her blanket kicked down low, Lilly smiled took the edge of her blanket in her teeth and drew it back up to cover Blueberry. Turning she checked Goldie's bunk and found her missing, as well as finding Cinnamon's bassinet empty.

Moving to the next car, Lilly found Goldie humming a lullaby as she sat rocking Cinnamon. As Lilly stepped closer, Goldie turned and looked back at her with tired eyes.

"Everything okay?" Lilly asked, sitting down next to Goldie.

Goldie smiled and leaned her head into Lilly's shoulder. "It seems that Cinnamon decided that she wanted to stay awake for a while." Goldie explained. "Caramel was up with her earlier, and just went to bed not too long ago."

"Yeah, I just saw him, he seemed pretty wiped out." Lilly said, putting her hoof over Goldie's shoulder. "Being a parent is pretty tiring."

With her head against Lilly's shoulder, Goldie nodded silently. "As well as being absolutely wonderful, I wouldn't give it up for anything."

Tightening her grip around her shoulder, Lilly turned her head and kissed Goldie on the top of her head. "Don't you ever forget that." Lilly said, her thoughts going to her barren womb and how she had to give up her dream of having a foal of her own. "How about you pass her over, I'll watch over her while you get some sleep. In a few hours your going to meet Princess Cadence and it would be best if you got plenty of rest first."

With a grateful smile, Goldie passed Cinnamon over to Lilly. "Thank you aunt Lilly."

"Don't think nothing of it. Go on now." Lilly watched as Goldie left, leaving her alone with Cinnamon. Looking down, she saw all the similarities Cinnamon had with Fudge, her eye's and the shape of her jaw, and the numerous little things she saw all over that made her look so much like her mother. The shock of Fudge's death was still fresh, she remembered the last time she was with Fudge, it was when she came over for the Heart's Warming Eve dinner when she was seven months pregnant. Lilly remembered how much she glowed with happiness as she so much looked forward to the foal she was having.

It was strange how Fudge always refused to tell her who the father was, and at one point she even said that it was from a one night stand with a stallion she had met at a local club, but Lilly knew that she was only deflecting the question.

She felt tears fall from her eyes as she remembered the last time she saw Fudge when her and Chisel waved goodbye to her at the train station as her train pulled away. The air was cold, and the Heart's Warming decorations were still hung up all though town. Caramel stood beside her and Chisel as he also waved goodbye to Fudge who was sitting, waving back from the window she was sitting at, the long green scarf that Chisel and her had given her, hanging from around her neck.

Sitting back in her chair, she let her tears silently fall as she looked out the window at the night sky as it rolled by. It was a while before she looked down and saw that Cinnamon had fallen asleep at some point. Standing, Lilly moved back to the sleeping car, and as carefully as she could, she set Cinnamon back down into her bassinet. As she straitened up she noticed that Goldie's bunk was oddly empty, curious, Lilly pulled aside Caramel's curtain and smiled when she saw that Goldie had somehow crammed herself in with him. Caramel was pressed back against the side of the train as Goldie laid half over his chest, with her head snuggled up into his neck.

Dropping the curtain Lilly shook her head, oh to be young again.

Author's Note

This begins the Crystal Empire story ark.
If your wondering why I am referring to Twilight as Princess Twilight. Its because I am telling the story from Caramel and Golden's point of view, and they would see her as Princess Twilight.

Chapter 11

Caramel's neck was killing him. Lifting his hoof he rubbed at his neck as he twisted his head about.

Sitting in aunt Lilly's lap, Cinnamon burbled happily as she waved her hooves about. "I can't believe you crammed yourself into Caramel's bunk." Aunt Lilly said with a shake of her head as she admonished Goldie, who was sitting across from her. "You knew the bunk wasn't big enough for the both of you."

With her head hung down, Goldie shifted awkwardly in her seat next to Caramel. "I'm sorry, I don't even remember doing it." She said apologetically. Feeling bad that she had given Caramel a stiff neck, she moved over behind him and began to rub at his neck, trying to help him work the kink out.

Outside the window, the sun had just risen above a snowy landscape that now surrounded the train as it moved north. There apparently was always snow here, and travel through the frozen outlaying lands was strongly warned against, due to the dangerous creatures that were known to attack ponies, like the roving packs of Polar Wolves, or the Giant Snow Apes.

In the aisle, Starlight Glimmer was pacing around with a anxious like energy. She hardly seemed able to sit peacefully, as she continued to move about.

"Is everything all right sweetie?" Aunt Lilly asked as Starlight passed by their seat. "You've been wearing a hole in the floor with all that pacing you've been doing."

Starlight Glimmer gave a little jump and danced in place for a moment. "Yeah, everything's fine, perfectly fine." She said with a smile that did little to convince them that she was anything but fine. Moving to a seat she quickly sat down, and nervously bounced her leg as she looked out the window.

Smiling, aunt Lilly shook her head. "I'll bet you that there is a stallion behind all that." She said while looking back to Caramel and Goldie. "So, are you two nervous? Your going to be meeting the princess of the Crystal Empire after all."

Goldie leaned over Caramel's shoulder and lightly kissed his cheek before moving around to sit back next to him. "I think I am more nervous about what may be discovered about this spell we are under then meeting the princess."

"I just wish I brought a camera." Caramel said absently.

Goldie scowled at him and jabbed him in his side.

"What?" Caramel said rubbing at where she jabbed him. "Yeah, I'm worried about the spell as well." He added hurriedly.

Just then Princess Twilight stepped into the car and stretched her back out, and with a flutter of her wings she settled them back into place. "I'm so excited! I'm going to see my niece again!" She trotted forward happily and looked over at them. "Your just going to love her when you meet her."

"Oh that's right, we're going to meet the new imperial cutieness, aren't we." Aunt Lilly said happily.

Coming in from behind Princess Twilight was a blurry eyed Blueberry as she yawned and rubbed at her eyes. Apparently she wasn't much of a morning pony, Caramel thought with an amused grin.

Goldie sat up straighter and pointed her hoof out the window. "Look, were passing through the weather barrier!"

Caramel and aunt Lilly turned and looked out the window, sure enough the snow suddenly ended as it turned into lush green fields of grass and flowers. Soon they started to pass small farms that dotted the outlaying land, each one with an usually small field that were in various stages of readiness for planting. Goldie scooted closer to Caramel as she leaned over to get a better look out the window. All about, they could see beautiful spires of large crystal growths jutted up out of the green fields and along the roads.

"What are those crystal spire things?" Caramel asked.

Moving over, Princess Twilight looked out the window. "Their pretty aren't they? The crystal ponies call them guardian pillars, they grow all over the Crystal Empire, and its considered bad luck to knock one over, or to damage one." She explained happily. "You see, this entire area is rich in natural magics that wells up from deep underground, and this natural magic nourishes the crystals, prompting them to grow to enormous sizes."

Suddenly they rounded a small hill and the city of Crystal Empire came into view. Goldie and aunt Lilly both gasped at the sight of the sparkling city. Caramel was very much awed struck, it was truly a beautiful sight, every structure he could see was made of varying shades of crystals that sparkled and shone in the early morning sunlight. In the center of the city stood the tall palace tower with every facet of crystal glittering with a majestic elegance that left every pony to view it, breathless.

Goldie was leaning into his side very hard now, as she gazed out the window. Suddenly she pulled back and whacked Caramel in the shoulder. "We are totally moving here!" She announced suddenly.

Caramel couldn't bring himself to respond to her declaration, for he was very tempted to go along with her idea. Behind him, Blueberry pressed herself up to the window and gazed out with unblinking eyes at the sight, her breath fogging up the window.

Ahead the station came into view. The train slowed as it approached the station, soon pulling to a stop alongside a crystal platform. Goldie was still pressed against him as Caramel struggled to extricate himself from her so that he could collect Cinnamon's diaper bag.

Blinking at the brightness of the sparkling crystal buildings, Caramel stepped off the train. Goldie and Blueberry had already rushed off ahead of him as they gazed around at the sights. Often one or the other would point out something and sign something to the other excitedly. More and more the two were acting like sisters Caramel thought as he watched the pair as they looked though a shop window at some fancy dresses.

Aunt Lilly stepped off the train carrying Cinnamon. She paused next to him and looked around. "Now I'm wishing I brought a camera." She said out loud.

"I know, right?" Caramel said with a grin.

"It's quite the sight isn't it?" Princess Twilight asked as she walked up next to them with Starlight by her side. Caramel couldn't help but notice that Starlight was shifting excitedly from hoof to hoof.

"It truly is, and if were not careful we'll loose Goldie and Blueberry. They look ready to fly off to places unknown if we don't keep a careful eye on them." Caramel said while eyeing the two mares as they rushed across the street to look at some custom made designer saddle bags.

Princess Twilight nodded as she looked around. "It's still early and most of the store's haven't opened yet, there's a nice little dinner just down that way we can stop at and have some breakfast." Princess Twilight gestured to the side. "Afterwards we can see some of the sights, that will give me time to get a message to Candace and Shinning Armor that we'll be stopping by to see them."

As they walked down the street to catch up with the two wayward mares, a figure slipped off the train and dashed over to hide behind the corner of the station. Peeking out, the figure watched as they all moved off down the street, his eyes following his target, now all he had to do was wait for the right time to grab her, the figure thought to himself with a grin.

As they all sat in the dinner eating breakfast, Princess Twilight wrote out a letter and slipped off to find a city guard to take it to the palace for her. Caramel carefully maneuvered a strawberry onto the end of a spoon he had sitting on the table, Goldie curiously watched as Caramel sighted down the spoon. Lifting his hoof, Caramel then brought it down onto the spoon, catapulting the strawberry across the table and into Blueberry's bowl of milk and oats.

Blueberry jumped in her seat at the sudden splash the strawberry made when it entered her bowl, when she looked over to see where it had come from, all she saw was Caramel looking innocent as he chewed his mouthful of pancake.

Goldie shook her head with a giggle and pointed an accusing hoof at Caramel as she ratted him out to Blueberry.

"Traitor." Caramel said to Goldie as he grinned at her. Blueberry, looking over at the pair, smirked as she realized what was happening and fished the strawberry out of her bowl, looking up she stuck her tongue out at him before she ate it.

Sitting in the booth behind him, aunt Lilly turned and whacked Caramel in the back of his head. "Don't play with your food." She admonished him.

"Yes, aunt Lilly." Caramel quickly said, as he rubbed the back of his head. It had been a while since she had last whacked him. It was just like how she used to reprimanded him when he was younger.

"And don't slouch." She added over her shoulder.

Caramel suddenly straightened his back, as he sat up straight. "Yes, aunt Lilly." Next to him, Goldie began to snicker at him.

"And Goldie sweetie." Aunt Lilly said turning her head to Goldie. "No pony likes a tattletale."

"Yes, aunt Lilly." Goldie said, lowing her head down.

Once they all finished breakfast, Princess Twilight took them out and showed them around the shopping district.

"Whenever I come to the Crystal Empire with Rarity, she always drags me down here to do a bit of shopping, and of course to visit The Crystal Spa, which is famous for its mane care and styling methods." Princess Twilight explained as they walked along.

"Ohhh, I can really use a spa right now." Goldie said as she checked herself out in the reflection of a nearby shop window.

"Actually that sounds like a really good idea. We'll be meeting the ruling family of this kingdom and it would be nice to not look like we just slept on the train." Aunt Lilly added as she stepped up next to Goldie. Holding Cinnamon up aunt Lilly looked down at her. "And it will be a good opportunity to introduce the joys and pleasures of a spa to this little filly."

Caramel resisted the urge to moan out loud. All the mare's with the exception of Blueberry were chatting happily as Princess Twilight lead them to The Crystal Spa. Caramel was last through the door as they all entered the spa, coming to a stop he looked around and saw some very strange sights.

Atop of a pair of tables, two mare's were being wrapped in what looked like seaweed, with another mare lounging back with some kind of paste spread all over her face with two slices of cucumber over her eyes. A stallion with a white towel draped over his back opened a door, and as steam poured out, he stepped in shutting the door behind himself. Why do they do these things? Caramel wondered.

Aunt Lilly spoke with a unicorn mare that walked up to them and after a short conversation the unicorn mare waved over some spa workers who happily lead the group into the back. Caramel looked around and saw some chairs he could sit in while he waited. Just as he sat down a pretty pegasus mare walked up to him and held her hoof to the side.

"Please come this way sir." She said to him.

Blinking in surprise Caramel gave his head a shake. "Oh! It'll just be them. I'll wait here for them to finish."

The pegasus mare smiled at him as she touched his shoulder, urging him to follow her. "I'm sorry sir, but they were very insistent that you be included, and if you were thinking of trying to get out of it, then Mrs. Lilly said to tell you that you don't have a choice. So if you will come this way, we'll get you started with a nice mineral bath."

Caramel glanced over at aunt Lilly and saw her looking back at him, she then gave him a stern look as she gestured for him to follow the pegasus mare. Letting out a sigh, Caramel gave in and let the spa attendant lead him away.

The mineral bath she was speaking of turned out to be a warm pool of funny colored mud. Laying against the side of the pool, Caramel hummed to himself as he relaxed, finding that soaking in warm mud felt better than he thought it would. A light tap at his shoulder made him open his eyes and look up, standing above him was the pegasus spa attendant, Velvet Petal.

She waved for him to climb out, once he was out of the mud she directed him to stand over a grate where she and another helper used curved flat edged wooden scrapers to scrape the mud from his coat. Once they had him relatively cleaned off, she took him to a shower where she sprayed him all over to wash off the rest of the mud, once she finished cleaning she took him to a normal bath that smelled of rose petals and had him climb in. The water was perfect, and his skin tingled as he submerged himself.

"There are natural conditioners in the bath that will make your coat shine and feel silky smooth." Velvet Petal said as she applied a shampoo to his mane and began to scrub it in.

As Velvet Petal worked on his mane, Caramel looked around and saw that aunt Lilly was holding Cinnamon so a spa attend could carefully work on her little hooves. On the other side, both Goldie and Blueberry had their faces covered in some green colored past, and the last time he saw Princess Twilight and Starlight Glimmer, they were being lead into a back room by a pair of well toned stallions with white towels draped over their shoulders for a nice massage.

Running water over his head, Velvet Petal washed his mane out, having him then step out of the tub she rubbed a towel over his body as she dried him off. He was then passed off to a yellow unicorn mare who set him in a seat and used a blow dryer to dry him the rest of the way, then with a comb and brush, she got to work on his mane and tail as she worked out all his little knots and kinks.

Caramel could not recall ever feeling this fresh and vitalized before, looking down at himself he saw his coat had a nice glossy shine to it and whenever he moved his head his mane would ripple and flow along with his movements, even swishing his tail made it move about in light waves.

Sitting down, he waited for the others to finish. The reading materials that they provided were old and mostly mare related, finding a Equestrial Geographic, Caramel began flipping through its pages and found an article on the creatures of the frozen northlands of the Crystal Empire.

It spoke of the Polar Wolves, and how they were related to the Timber Wolves found in the wild forests like the Everfree Forest near Ponyville. And just like how the Timber Wolves would feed on the life energy of their prey, the Polar Wolves would feed on the warmth given off by a living body. They would clamp their ice teeth down on their prey and draw out all the heat until nothing was left but a frozen corpse.

Caramel shivered at the thought of having a pack of Polar Wolves snapping and biting at you until you collapsed from cold and exhaustion, where they then surround you and the last thing you feel is their cold icy teeth clamping down onto your body, where whatever warmth you still posses get pulled out of you.

Next the article spoke of the mysterious Giant Snow Apes, and how not much was known about them. Pictures of them were rare, for they tended to shy away from ponies, preferring to keep their distance, as their great white shaggy fur coats helped them blend into the snow with remarkable efficiency.

When the article described the Shivernakes, it gave him the shivers. A single bite from one would leave its victim with a frostbit around the wound and their venom would freeze the blood, and the victim would be racked with shivers until their heart would give out from the strain. Shivernakes tended to hide in the snow and bite at passing ponies, and not much was known about what they fed on.

And the last creature in the article was about the Windigos. Apparently they were still being spotted whisking around in the northern wastelands, but as long as you didn't feel any negative hate or anger they tended to leave you alone, and any feelings of love or happiness seemed to drive them away.

The sound of hoofsteps aproching caused him to look up and spot aunt Lilly as she walked up to him carrying Cinnamon. It looked like ten years had been taken off of her, aunt Lilly's lavender peach coat looked bright and silky, and her hooves had been manicured until they glistened.

"Wow, aunt Lilly, you look amazing." Caramel said as he admired her.

Cinnamon was burbling excitedly as she squirmed in aunt Lilly's grasp. When Caramel looked at her he suddenly gasped as he leaned in closer and rubbed a hoof along her coat. She wasn't white, there was a very slight cream color to it that was hard to make out.

"Ahh, you seem to have noticed her color." Aunt Lilly said, noting his sudden interest.

"She's... not white?" Caramel asked, feeling a bit stunned at the revaluation.

"They use special herbs and minerals in their shampoo's and conditioners that will brighten and enhance a ponies natural color, and apparently it drew out the cream color in Cinnamon's coat. The spa attendant says that Cinnamon's natural color should darken slightly and become more noticeable as she grows older." Aunt Lilly explained.

"Oh I feel so much better." Goldie said as she and Blueberry joined them.

Caramel couldn't help but admire the pair, both their mane's now had a lively bounce to them, and somehow they managed to return Blueberry's coat back to her original light cornflower blue color. They both had a healthy glow about them now, and they looked to be more energized and happy.

"You two look incredible!" Caramel said as looked over the two. Lifting a hoof he signed the same to Blueberry, who blushed at his complement.

"Your looking pretty good yourself there stud." Goldie replayed as she stepped up close to him and nuzzled him affectionately.

"Oh good, your all ready." Princess Twilight said as she walked up to them with Starlight Glimmer by her side. "Cadence sent back a reply to my message and she is waiting for us."

"Then I will take care of the bill." Aunt Lilly said as she passed Cinnamon over to Goldie.

"Oh my! Don't you just look absolutely adorable!" Goldie exclaimed as she lifted Cinnamon up and nuzzled her belly. Suddenly she paused as she looked closely at Cinnamon.

"Yeah, I noticed that too. Apparently she's a very light cream color." Caramel said when he saw her scrutinizing Cinnamon's coat.

"I never noticed that before." Goldie said stunned, as she started to closely look at Cinnamon's mane to see if there was any change there as well.

Just then Aunt Lilly finished and rejoined them. "Okay, all set." She said to Princess Twilight.

"Right, lets be on our way, Cadence is waiting for us." Princess Twilight said as she started for the door.

They could see the sparkling spire of the palace as they approached the center of the city. Being the tallest structure in the city it was hard to miss, and it was deceptively farther away then you would think. Caramel took Cinnamon from Goldie when she grew tired from walking on three of her legs. Goldie smiled at him gratefully as she walked along next to him, relieved that she could walk on all fours again.

Blueberry walked next to aunt Lilly, as the two pointed out various sights to one another. Idly Caramel looked about, he couldn't help but notice that none of the crystal ponies he had seen so far shined or sparkled like crystals, all the ponies he had seen since he had arrived looked just like normal ponies.

As they drew closer to the palace Caramel noticed that it was sitting on four swept out legs, with Crystal Empire banners hung down from the archways. Crossing though a large courtyard, Princess Twilight lead them under the palace where they got their first view of the Crystal Heart.

There were Crystal Guards stationed around the open area under the palace where the Crystal Heart was on display, as well as flanking the doors that lead up into the palace from the four legs. Letting out a collective gasp of awe, the group stepped up close to the Crystal Heart, where it was floating in the center under the palace.

Stopping next to Goldie, Caramel held Cinnamon up so she could look at the pretty stone. She burbled happily and flailed her little hooves at the shinny heart as it floated just before them. It was about the size of a pony's head, and it slowly rotated showing them the fine facets and angles that sparkled with the late morning sun.

"It's so beautiful." Aunt Lilly said, and next to her Blueberry signed a few words that meant the same thing.

Caramel felt Goldie lean into his side, turning he smiled at her as he nuzzled her behind her ear where he knew she liked it. Unnoticed by the pair the Crystal Heart began to pulse with a pink light.

"Twilight!" A voice cried out excitedly.

Hearing her name being called, Princess Twilight turned and happily rushed up to a light pink Alicorn, where much to all of their surprise they then started to dance in place while singing a rhyme.

"Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" They ended with a very unprincesslike shake of their rumps at each other. It was quite the sight to see, two Alicorn princesses acting like two schoolyard filly's as they greeted each other.

"Twilight! Why didn't you send word you were coming sooner?" Princess Cadence asked as she hugged Princess Twilight.

As Princess Twilight explained what her visit was about, Caramel and Goldie heard a little voice call up to them.

"Hi." The voice said shyly.

Caramel and Goldie both looked down and saw a little rosey shaded pink filly looking up at them with the most adorable eyes they had ever seen.

Bending down Goldie smiled at the little filly. "Why, hello there, what's your name sweetheart?" She asked.

The filly scrunched up her face as she thought about it, after a short time she then let out her breath and looked back up. "Name? What is name?" She asked cocking her head to the side in confusion.

Turning to Caramel Goldie bit her lip. "She is so adorable." She said before looking back to the filly. "Sweetheart, what does your mommy call you?"

The filly smiled. "Sweetheart!" She pointed her hoof at Goldie. "Mommy calls me Sweetheart!"

Caramel grinned at Goldie as she blinked in surprise. "Goldie, are you keeping something from me?"

Goldie shot Caramel a, not the right time glare, before looking back to the filly and giving her a smile. "I'm sorry, but I'm not your mommy. Do you know where your mommy or daddy is?"

The little filly smiled and nodded, pointing her hoof at Goldie. "Mommy!" Then she turned her hoof to Caramel. "Daddy!"

Goldie lifted her eyebrow at Caramel. "Now who's the one keeping secrets, huh?"

"Yeah, yeah, It's only funny the first time." Caramel said with a grin. Lifting his head up he looked around "I wonder where her parents are?"

"I think I am going to have something to say to them when they do show up. It's completely irresponsible of them to just let their little filly wonder around like this. How can a parent be so careless with their foal?" Goldie muttered.

"Ahh, Goldie." Caramel said calling out for her attention, his tone sounded confused. "Where is everypony?"

Goldie gave him a glance. "What do you mean? Did they all leave without us?"

Shaking his head, Caramel spun himself around as he searched all the directions. "I mean where is everypony? Not just our little group, but the guards, and all the visitors and tourists that where just around us a minute ago." Nodding his head out towards the city. "All the streets are empty as far as I can see, everypony seems to be just... gone."

Goldie was also looking about, seeing that Caramel was right, and that there was absolutely no ponies in sight. Looking over at Caramel "What's going on?" She asked, sounding worried.

"I don't know." Caramel tried to keep his voice calm, but he wasn't sure how successful he was. Looking back at the filly, Caramel started to wonder if she could be behind whatever this was. Sitting down he smiled at her and gestured for her to come closer. "Do you know what happened to all the ponies that were here with us?" He asked, keeping his voice soft and pleasant.

Approaching him, the filly paused and silently shook her head at his question. Looking closely at her he couldn't see any malice or cunning in her eye's, she just seemed like a normal little filly. Looking up at him with her wide eyes, she stepped closer and reared herself up and rested a hoof against his leg as she looked closely at Cinnamon.

"Who that?" She asked curiously as she leaned in close to Cinnamon.

"This is Cinnamon." He said, bending down slightly so she could look at Cinnamon more easily.

"Why so tiny?" She asked, looking up at him for an answer.

Goldie stepped up next to Caramel and sat down. "Because she is still just a baby, it will take time to grow bigger."

"Bigger like me?" The filly asked looking over at Goldie.

Nodding, Goldie smiled. "Yes, bigger like you."

The filly looked back at Cinnamon. Bending down she lightly kissed Cinnamon. "I like Cimmamim, she has lots love for mommy and daddy. I can's feel it" Lowering herself back down she let out a yawn and turned to Goldie. "I is tired now, wants be held." She held her hoof up, imploring Goldie to pick her up.

Not sure what to do Goldie glanced at Caramel for a very brief moment. It was undeniable that there was something very unusual going on, but as to whether the filly was responsible was unclear. From what they could tell, she seemed to be just a normal little filly, who was lost and wanted to be held. Making up her mind Goldie scooped the filly up and held her cradled in her hooves.

The filly let out a big yawn, as she nestled herself into Goldie. After smacking her lips a few times, the filly's eyes drooped shut as she drifted off to sleep.

"And since you were having trouble getting the farmers to adjust to more modern farming practices I thought that Caramel and Golden could look things over and offer some advice." Princess Twilight voice suddenly rang out, continuing her conversation with Princess Cadence like it had never stopped.

Blinking in surprise Caramel and Goldie both looked around. They were both standing just in front of the Crystal Heart just like they were a few minutes ago, and the filly was nowhere to be seen, having vanished right out of Goldie's cradled leg.

"What the!?" Goldie exclaimed in confusion. Every pony was back where they were when they last saw them, it was like no time had passed since the moment they met the filly.

Blueberry was standing to the right side of the Crystal Heart from them and she was looking over at the pair with an inquisitive look. "Everything alright? You both look like you just saw a ghost." She signed to them.

"Did you notice anything unusual? Or see a little filly? Goldie asked, hoping that Blueberry might have seen something.

Blueberry shook her head. "No, nothing unusual, nor any filly besides Cinnamon." She answered as she looked the two over. "Why? Did something happen?"

Sitting back onto his haunches, Caramel leaned back so he could sign while holding Cinnamon. "We'll fill you in latter." Turning to Goldie. "I think we should just keep this new event private for now, we have enough on our plate already."

Goldie looked at him as she thought about it. "Are you sure? It could be important."

"Whatever that was, it seemed different." Caramel explained. "This time we weren't alone. Cinnamon was there with us, as well a the strange filly too." Caramel rubbed at his chin. "I'm not sure but it sort of felt like we were being reached out to."

"By the filly?" Goldie asked.

"I... think maybe so." Caramel said thoughtfully. "If it was her, she didn't seem to be trying to hurt us."

"Caramel, Goldie!" Aunt Lilly said as she stepped up to them. "That's enough gaping at the sights. Come along, Princess Cadence would like to meet you." She said nudging the pair towards the waiting princess. Pausing she pointed her hoof to Blueberry and gestured for her to follow. "Come along, your not getting left out."

Caramel didn't know how he should act in front of Princess Cadence. Should he bow or kiss her hoof? Suddenly he worried if he should do both.

Goldie glanced at him and let out a sigh, and nudged him with her shoulder. "Stop tensing up, your walking like you don't have joints, and that's making you look silly." She murmured to him.

"Sorry, I'm just a tad nervous." Caramel whispered back.

"Well stop it." She growled at him. "Try thinking of something relaxing, like when I'm nibbling on your neck when we're alone in bed together."

Caramel started to turn red as he came to a stop. "That is the opposite of relaxing!" He sputtered at her in a loud whisper.

"I don't know, I kind of find it relaxing." Goldie murmured with a smile.

Caramel had to shake his head to clear it of the naughty thoughts he suddenly had running through it, before he resumed his approach to the princess.

Princess Cadence was still chatting with Princess Twilight when Caramel stopped with Goldie just before them. He couldn't help but compare the two princesses as they stood close together. Princess Twilight was average height and pretty in a plain sort of way while not wearing any accoutrements of her office as princess of friendship. In contrast Princess Cadence was very tall and regal, her mane well cared for and styled so that is flowed down in an elegant cascade. Around her neck she wore a slim gold necklace and sitting atop her head she wore a small gold tiara set with a amethyst stone in the front and a large and very rare purple pearl set into the tip.

"Its too bad you missed it, she's been walking for a week now. When she took her first steps Shinny looked like he was about to bounce off the walls, he even bought all the guards a round of drinks to celebrate. Now he spends half the time chasing her around until he collapses in complete exhaustion." The two laughed, before Princess Cadence continued. "For a diapered little filly, little Flurry sure can get around and find trouble. Just yesterday she was found wandering around a ledge just outside her nursery. The guards had to restrain Shinny from trying to climb out onto a ledge that was half his width to get her, luckily the pegasus guards were quick to act and no harm came to her, or Shinny. We now have a magical seal on the window keeping her from magicking it open or passing through it, at least I hope so." She paused as she scratched at her chin in thoughtful worry.

Princess Twilight noticed Caramel and Goldie and realized that they were waiting. "Oh, here are the two I was mentioning." Princess Twilight held out her hoof to the pair. "This is Caramel, and Golden."

Looking over at the two, Princess Cadence smiled. "Thank you for your offering to help out with my farmers, they have been quite stubborn about giving up their traditional ways of farming and adopting the more modern ways that are available now."

Feeling that it was the appropriate thing to do, Caramel bowed his head down, while next to him Goldie gave a little curtsy. "We are happy to help out with whatever we can." Caramel said polity.

"That's right Princess, we're at your service." Goldie added with another curtsy.

"Now, Twilight also mentioned that you two have a spell on you, and she wanted me to take a look at it." Princess Cadence glanced over at Princess Twilight with a somewhat amused expression. "It's not often that I know more about something then she does, so this is kind of a treat." Princess Cadence said as she started to look around. "Twilight, didn't you say you brought the unicorn who put the spell on them, with you?"

Princess Twilight nodded and turned her head to look. "Well yes I did, he's right over...?" Princess Twilight paused as she looked around, her brows furled as she thought back to when she last saw him. "Starlight? Have you seen Twirlshine around?"

Starlight Glimmer pursed her lips and shook her head. "No, sorry I haven't."

Princess Twilight looked to the rest of the group. "Have any of you seen Twirlshine?"

They all looked around at each other but none offered an answer. Goldie turned and signed the question to Blueberry who thought a moment before she nodded.

"Blueberry says that she saw him." Goldie announced.

"Really? Where?" Princess Twilight asked.

Goldie asked and watched as Blueberry replied. "She says she saw him on the train, still asleep in the sleeping car." Goldie said.

Everypony stood mute as they all stared at her.

"Did we leave him on the train?" Aunt Lilly asked, breaking the silence.

"Do you suppose he's still there?" Starlight asked, her voice sounded dumbfounded that this could have happened.

"Sargent!" Princess Cadence called out, and a guard with silver in his helmet plume quickly stepped up to the princess. "Please go down to the train station and see if..." Princess Cadence turned to Princess Twilight. "What was his name?"

"Twirlshine." Princess Twilight answered, shaking her head in disbelief that everypony had forgotten him and left him behind.

"See if you can track down where Twirlshine got off too." Princess Cadence ordered.

"Yes Princess." The Sargent said with a salute before hurrying off.

A pony in a nice suit hurried up to Princess Cadence and urgently started to speak to her.

Princess Twilight was still in shock over forgetting Twirlshine. She felt so bad about it, she was considering going down to the train station herself to help search for him, and to apologize to him for being so rude to him. Turning she took a few steps to catch up with the Sargent that had left when she suddenly ran herself into a wall.

Stumbling back she fell onto her rump. Rubbing her nose, she blinked at what she had just run into, and her eyes widened as she saw the golden yellow coat and blue mane of Flash Sentry as he smiled down at her.

Her cheeks turned red as he reached his hoof down to help her back up onto her hooves. "We need to stop meeting like this." He said as he helped her up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I wasn't watching... I didn't see..." Princess Twilight's thoughts all jumbled together as she tried to compose a coherent sentence. She couldn't believe that she was babbling, she never babbles.

Goldie watched the exchange between the two and started to smile, leaning over she gave Blueberry a nudge and gestured her head for her to watch as well.

Princess Twilight was blushing up a storm as she took a deep breath and let it out in a calming exercise that Princess Cadence had taught her. "I'm sorry for bumping into you." She managed to get out.

Flash Sentry smiled and shook his head. "Don't be, It's always nice to run into you."

"Twilight, I'm sorry but there is something I need to see to, oh! Lieutenant Flash, perfect timing." Princess Cadence said as she gave a sly glance at Princess Twilight. "Please escort Twilight and her guests to the guest rooms in the palace."

"It will be my pleasure to do so." Flash Sentry said as he saluted. Turning he addressed the group. "Please follow me." He moved off towards one of the doors that were in the palace legs. Princess Twilight, with her wings ruffled paused a moment to gather herself before she quickly followed after.

Caramel followed after with Goldie staying by his side. Once they passed through the large double doors into the swept out leg of the palace, they found there before them the largest circular stairway they had ever seen. Walking to the center, Caramel stared up in wonder, not only did the stairs circle around they also followed the slanting slope of the palace leg as it went upwards. It was all made from crystal, as it looked like it had all been grown into shape, flowing upwards in one continuous structure, with no seams or mortar points to weaken it.

"Don't you dare do it." Goldie warned Caramel as she stepped up close to him.

"What?" Caramel said defensively.

Planting her hoof to his chest, she lowered her ears at him. "Don't you what, me." She growled at him. "I know what your thinking and your not going to slide down the banister, so get that thought out of your head." She said, with a stern voice.

Caramel couldn't help but give her a slanted grin as he looked back up. "Don't worry, I wasn't thinking of riding the banister down, which is a good idea by the way." He said with a playful shoulder bump. "What I was thinking of, was whether a sled would be able to go all the way down the stairs, and what that would be like."

Goldie blinked at him for a moment, before she looked up along the giant slanting circular stairway, wondering what that would be like. With a shake of her head she banished the thought. "No. Your not going to do that ether, no matter how fun that sounds. We are guests here and we are not going to wreck the palace, so your going to be on your best behavior, and so help me if you embarrass me then I am going to have the guards throw you into the dungeon. I'm sure they have a dungeon here somewhere. Who knows, perhaps they even have a nice oubliette I could use."

Swallowing, Caramel nodded as Goldie took her hoof from his chest.

"Good, now come along sweetheart, lets not get left behind." Goldie said with a smile.

Behind the pair, two guards who where flanking the door glanced at each other.

"That does sound fun." One guard murmured to the other.

"Your going to get us thrown into the stockade again." The other replied with a sigh.

After a exhausting number of steps they finally made it to the first floor. Stepping out into a large hallway, Caramel and Goldie followed the group as they made their way towards what seemed the center of the palace. Passing through a large archway, they walked out into a large open atrium where a pair of grand staircases wrapped around the sides to join in the center as they came back around to the next floor.

The floor of the atrium was made of crystal just like everything else, but somehow they managed to create a colorful geometric design in the center that was absolutely stunning to look at. Pausing, Caramel lightly scuffed his hoof on the floor in wonder, it appeared the colors were set deeper into the floor then the surface they were standing on, and the effect was awe inspiring, how they manage to make this a thousand years ago, he couldn't fathom.

Climbing up the grand staircases the group came out on a large landing that had several hallways leading off in several directions. Flash Sentry indicated down the hallway that lead to the right.

"That way is the kitchens and staff apartments, and the hallway in the center leads to the grand ballroom and throne room, the hallway to the left is where the library, main dinning area and sitting rooms are." Turning he lead the group around the landing that overlooked the atrium below to the last hallway to the back. "This way leads to the royal quarters and private guest rooms, please follow me."

Caramel felt a nudge and looked over at Goldie and she grinned at him. "Did you see that? Princess Twilight can't keep her eyes off of him."

"Who? Lieutenant Flash?" Caramel asked glancing at the Princess, trying to see what Goldie meant.

Goldie let out an exacerbated sigh. "I swear, don't you ever notice these things? Even Blueberry noticed." She said as she moved off to walk along with Blueberry.

Caramel could only blink and shake his head. Why mares got excited about these things he would never know. Switching Cinnamon to his other hoof, Caramel followed after the group.

Flash Sentry lead them down the hallway to a large room with several hallways branching out from it. The room had a comfortable seating area with large cushioned couches, with elegant carpets strewn about, next to it was a large arched double glass doors that lead out onto a porch that had several tables and chairs set up for ponies to have brunch or tea while enjoying the majestic views of the city.

Off to the side was a large room that branched off, with most of its walls covered with book shelves, stuffed full of books. A small fireplace was set in the corner so a pony could enjoy a little fire while reading in a padded chair.

Sniffing the air, Caramel looked down at Cinnamon. There was a familiar fragrance coming off of her.

"Aunt Lilly, do you know where is the diaper pack is? I need to change Cinnamon." Caramel asked, finding her down the hall inside one of the guest rooms.

"Oh, its over on the bed." She said, pointing over to where he could see the pack sitting atop the bed.

Taking the pack, Caramel spread out a blanket and started changing Cinnamon. He was amazed at how quiet she had been lately, she was only a little fussy during the walk over to the palace, surly she was starting to get hungry. Finishing with Cinnamon, Caramel set off to find where Goldie had gotten off to.

He found her with Blueberry as they both sat in one of the couches as they both surreptitiously watched as Flash Sentry and Princess Twilight quietly talking together next to the open door to the porch. With a shake of his head, Caramel walked over to the pair.

"Cinnamon should be hungry." Caramel said holding her out for Goldie.

"Oh, it has been a while hasn't it." Goldie said and she took Cinnamon. "Come on sweetheart, lets get some food into you." Adjusting herself, Goldie placed Cinnamon down at her teat, and in a few moments, loud wet smacking sounds announced that Cinnamon had latched onto her teat and was eagerly nursing.

Sitting across from them, Blueberry lifted her hoof and excitedly started signing. "She touched her mane again, that's the tenth time now!"

Glancing at Princess Twilight, Caramel saw her brushing back her mane as she spoke to Flash Sentry. "How long are you two going to watch them? He asked, signing his question.

To answer, Blueberry pressed her hooves to her cheeks and made kissing sounds.

"She's right, they are totally adorable together." Goldie added.

"Twiley!" A male voice called out.

A white unicorn stallion rushed up to Princess Twilight and swept her up in a hug.

"Twiley, why didn't you send word that you were coming? I would have met you at the station!" He said before he set her back down. Flash Sentry was now standing at attention just to the side.

Smiling as she once again brushed back her mane, Princess Twilight got her balance back. "Shinny, you don't haft to meet me at the station every time I come to visit. I didn't send word this time because I sort of just rushed out when I found I needed Cadence's help with something."

"My sister Twiley actually needs help with something? Have I finally seen the day?" Shinning Armor said jokingly as he grinned at her.

Princess Twilight smirked and shook her head. "Nopony is perfect, even I need help, and I believe that Cadence knows more in the field of the heart then I do."

Shinning Armor's ears perked up as he suddenly looked at her sharply. "The heart!? Are you saying your in love with somepony!" Shinning Armor suddenly demanded, his voice becoming stern. "Who? Do I know him? He didn't do any funny business with you did he? Because if he did, I have a nice dark hole I'll throw him in for the rest of his life!"

Shinning Armor was puffing out his chest as he panted for breath, it looked like he was ether going to have a panic attack or a total freak out. Princess Twilight had backed up a few steps during his tirade, and Flash Sentry had actually stepped in closer, looking like he was ready to step between Shinning Armor and Princess Twilight.

Caramel felt a tapping at his shoulder and saw Blueberry urgently signing at him. "What did he say? What's happening?"

Quickly Caramel filled her in, as Princess Twilight's wings flared open, with a hard glare at her brother. Lifting her hoof Princess Twilight poked him in his chest.

"Brother, I am a grown mare and who I am or am not in love with is my business, and none of yours. If I find that you have ever threatened or hurt any stallions I may just so happen to like, then I am going to have more then harsh words to say to you, I will make your life a living Tartarus, so don't be sticking your nose into it or I just might take it off! Are you understanding me?" She was leaning in on him as he retreated back.

With his ears pressed down submissively, Shinning Armor quickly nodded as he withered under his sisters gaze. Nearby, Flash Sentry watched the exchange with wide eyes as he wisely chose to stay out of it.

"Good." Princess Twilight said, lowering her hoof. "Now the reason we are here is because of those two over there, Caramel and Goldie. They had a odd spell cast on them and its having some unexpected results, and I brought them here to see Cadence, and get her opinion on it." Princess Twilight explained as her voice returned to its normal soft tones.

Shinning Armor blinked a few times at her before he began to blush in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I was being an idiot."

Nodding, Princess Twilight patted him on his shoulder. "It happens to all of us at some point. You more than normal." She said give him a jab.

Just then Goldie let out a surprised squeal that made every pony jump and look over in alarm at her. Clutching at her chest, Goldie panted for breath. "I'm sorry, it's just she surprised me."

Curious, Princess Twilight and her brother Shinning Armor moved closer to see what had surprised Goldie. What they saw made them gasp in shock.

"I don't know where she came from, she was just there suddenly." Goldie said, looking back.

Nestled against her side, a second little filly was now nursing alongside Cinnamon. She was very light pink with a violet and light blue mane. A little stubby horn could be seen atop her head with a pair of little wings tucked away along her sides.

Caramel glanced about, trying to figure out how the foal had managed to get all the way to Goldie without anypony seeing her. "She's pretty sneaky to not get noticed by any of us."

Shinning Armor looked down at the scene with a mortified expression. "I am so sorry about this. Flurry is supposed to be in her crib taking a nap." His horn lit up and Flurry lifted up in his magic.

"Wait, not like that!" Goldie exclaimed just at Flurry was pulled forcefully from her teat, causing Goldie to let out a painful cry when the filly popped free.

Flurry immediately kicked up a fuss and let out a very loud cry. Caramel and the rest in the room flinched at the shear volume the little filly was able to reach with her wailing. Princess Twilight turned to her bother and gave him a very sound whack to his shoulder.

"You idiot! You never pull a foal off a teat like that!" Princess Twilight exclaimed. "Do you know how much that hurt Goldie!?"

Withering under her verbal assault, Shinning Armor flinched back. Princess Twilight then took Flurry in her magic and brought her to herself, taking her into her hoof she made shushing sounds as she rocked her.

Feeling completely stupid again, Shinning Armor looked over at Goldie. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to hurt you." He said apologetically.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Goldie gave him a forgiving smile. "Its alright, the pain's already fading a bit."

Flurry continued to wail loudly, kicking her little hooves around in a fit as Princess Twilight tried to calm her, finally she gave a sigh and looked over to Goldie. "Goldie, I'm sorry for asking this but do you mind if she..." She paused as she wondered if she was asking too much from her.

Goldie understood what she meant and smiled as she nodded her head. "It's okay, I don't mind."

Princess Twilight let out a relived sigh as she lifted Flurry up in her magic and set her down next to Cinnamon, Goldie flinched for a moment when Flurry fond her teat and begin suckling.

"Was that wailing coming from Cinnamon?" Aunt Lilly asked as she walked down the hallway to them. "I've never heard her scream that loud before, is there something wrong?"

"We had an unexpected and sneaky guest who has taken a liking to Goldie, and didn't like it when she was taken away." Caramel explained as aunt Lilly walked up to them.

Aunt Lilly paused and blinked at the sight. "Oh my..." She said in disbelief. "Is she who I think she is? She must be, how many other baby alicorns are there around here."

Looking up, Goldie smiled. "Well aunt Lilly, meet her imperial cutieness, Flurry Heart."

After a short while, both Cinnamon and Flurry were both sound asleep. With Shinning Armor's permission, Caramel and Goldie carried the two to the royal nursery and set them both down inside a crib. The moment they were set down, they both roused enough to moved in closer to each other so that they could cuddle together.

Shinning Armor was gaping at the sight, as his little filly was finally going to sleep without a giant Equestrian shattering fuss.

A short time latter they all sat down to lunch that was brought up to them by the kitchen staff. The private dinning table was loaded down with a small buffet of food for them to choose from.

Goldie had snagged a fruit bowl and was already eating, when Caramel sat down next to her with his plate of mashed potatoes, beans in molasses sauce and a baked sweet potato with butter and cinnamon on top. All around the table the others were already digging into their chosen meal.

"Where is Starlight? I haven't seen her in a while." Goldie asked, as she slid a bowl of lettuce over to Caramel and poked at him to eat his greens.

Princess Twilight looked up from her salad. "Oh, she's off to met a old friend of hers." She answered, before she smiled smugly. "It was one of my friendship lessons that finally got her to reconnect with him, and renew their friendship." She said proudly.

"Wait, could that be why she was acting strange on the train?" Goldie asked curiously. "Is she sweet on him?"

Pausing with her magic holding her fork half way to her mouth, Princess Twilight looked at Goldie thoughtfully. "I'm not sure, she hasn't discussed him in that way to me, but I suppose it could be possible."

Just then Princess Cadence stepped into the dinning room and looked around. "I hope every pony is having a better day than I am." She said as she wearily sat down at the table with a sigh.

"Having problems?" Princess Twilight asked.

Lifting up a fruit bowl in her magic, Princess Cadence brought it to herself, as she shook her head. "Nothing new. It's just lord Round Stone being the perpetual thorn in my side he's always been since I assumed the throne." She said as she took a bite out of her fruit bowl. "He's resistant to any change towards modernization, and he continuously fights to have things return back to ways they were before Sombra took over."

"Let me guess, with his family on the throne." Aunt Lilly said.

"That's right." Princess Cadence said nodding. "And get this, he and his group of supporters want to turn the Crystal Empire back into a serfdom."

"Your kidding!" Princess Twilight exclaimed, dropping her fork. "That backwards system kept ponies in the dark ages for over two century's in Trottingham, why in Equestria would they want to bring it back here in the Crystal Empire in this day in age!?"

"For power of course." Princess Cadence replied bitterly. "Thankfully, the majority of houses support me, so his side is nothing but a headache."

Looking over, Princess Cadence considered Caramel and Goldie. "Your timing was actually quite fortuitous. I have set aside some land and I will be making a call for volunteers to come and farm it. I need ponies like yourselves to teach them how to use the new farm equipment I've had shipped in."

"We'll be glad to help out and do what we can for the ponies of the Crystal Empire." Caramel said with a bow of his head.

"Great, I'll be counting on you two." Princess Cadence said gratefully. "Now, on to the next piece of business. After we're done with lunch, Caramel and Golden, please join me and Twilight in my study so that I can be filled in on this spell you two are under. Twirlshine has yet to be located so we'll just haft to make do without him."

"Thank you, your majesty. We appreciate your doing this for us." Goldie said thankfully.

Princess Cadence's ears swiveling around as she suddenly started blinking in confusion. "Say, why don't I hear the piercing cry's of my precious daughter?" With a glance over at Shinning Armor, Princess Cadence cocked her head. "And why aren't you and the staff chasing her around like your usually doing at this time?"

Shinning Armor gave her a smile. "Right now, she's being a good little filly and taking a nap."

Princess Cadence gave him a disbelieving look. "Oh really. And how did you manage to do that?"

"Well apparently she's taken quite the liking to their little filly, Cinnamon." Shinning Armor explained. "And they both decided to have a slumber party."

"You should look in her crib." Aunt Lilly said with a smile. "They are making the most adorable filly pile together."

Princess Cadence blinked a few times. "Oh my, oh my. That does sound like something I would like to see."

Standing outside the palace, Bitternut stared up at the gleaming structure. He couldn't believe how bad things have gotten. How was he going to reach his half sister now he wondered. "Your going to haft to come out of there sometime, and when you do..." Bitternut ground his hoof into the courtyard, once she's back in his grasp, Bitternut promised himself that he was going to make her pay for all the trouble she caused him.

Chapter 12

Princess Cadence's study was a large well furnished room, half of which was her office, and the other half was a comfortable sitting room, she used for meetings. Just behind the sitting room a pair of glass doors sat open, letting in a cool breeze from her private patio deck that overlooked the city.

"That is quite the story you two have." Princess Cadence said, looking across at them from her seat on her couch. For the last hour, Princess Cadence had been listening to a detailed account of what happened to them since the bonding spell that had been placed on them during the Midnight Dance "Twilight, where did you say he found this spell?"

"Twirlshine found it in a research journal from a unicorn named Cracked Marbles."Twilight answered. "Cracked Marbles was apparently researching the power of the Crystal Heart, and designed the spell to be a research device so he could try to figure out how to make himself into a living crystal heart." Princess Twilight said.

Princess Cadence sat up straighter in her seat as her ears became alert. "Why have I never heard of this!?" She asked incredulously, shooting an alarmed look at Princess Twilight. "Is such a thing even possible!?"

"In theory, I believe that it may be possible." Princess Twilight answered with a thoughtful nod. "He was a bit of a mad genius, and quite inventive with some of his spells. Luckily, he got himself locked up for practicing dark magic before he got into too much trouble."

"What about the spell in the research journal? Could that one be dangerous?" Princess Cadence asked sounding worried.

Twilight shook her head. "It wasn't designed to be, but Twirlshine tinkered with it, as well as using it recklessly without the proper research. That's why I brought them to you. You know more about the magic of the heart than I do." Princess Twilight asked.

"Hmm, don't sell yourself so short. You learned about the magic of friendship and that not too different from the magic of love. Both of them are the power of bonding with those you care for." Princess Cadence said as she stood. "Caramel, Golden, would you both please stand in front of me, I would like to cast a sensory spell on you two and see if I can get a better sense of what's going on."

Standing, Caramel stepped up to Princess Cadence with Goldie moving in next to him. Feeling Goldie's apprehension, Caramel took a slight step to the side, and pressed his shoulder into hers, offering her a bit of comfort. She seemed to appreciate his gesture as she silently leaned back into him.

"Now this won't hurt a bit." Princess Cadence said as she unfurled her wings and touched both Goldie and Caramel on their forehead. Her horn lit up as she cast her spell.

At first Caramel didn't really feel anything, only a slight buzzing that made his teeth itch. Then he felt something lightly brushed up against the bond. Closing his eyes Caramel focused on what was happening, the light touches continued as it moved around, probing at different spots around the bond. Caramel found her probing to be a little uncomfortable, for they reminded him of the sensation of being groped.

As the probing continued, Caramel increasingly struggled to fight down his since of unease, he knew that Princess Cadence wasn't going to violate their trust, but still, he found her probes into his and Goldie's private area to be a bit unsettling. He could feel that Goldie was feeling much the same but she was handling it much better then he was.

Princess Cadence suddenly intensified her probing as she pressed into their bond harder, pushing her way into it. Caramel gritted his teeth as a sense of panic began to come over him, he was definitely feeling violated, and Caramel was struggling to hold onto his calm. Goldie felt Caramel struggling to control himself and quickly wrapped her leg around his, trying to let him know he wasn't alone.

With a final push, Princess Cadence slipped her spell into their bond. Now that she was in, she began to work her way towards the core of it. Caramel's sense of being violated suddenly increased ten fold. His breath was coming in quick shallow gasps, as his tensed muscles began to quiver with the strain.

Next to him, Goldie tightened her grip around his leg. "It's okay, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you." She said, trying to reassure him.

Caramel could feel Goldie's love for him through their bond, and he desperately clung to it as he used it to keep his center. Deeper in Princess Cadence's spell probed, touching them in their most private of area's. He didn't know how much more of this he could take, it was only because of Goldie's support that he had lasted this long.

Suddenly Princess Cadence's spell slipped in close enough to the core to finally touch it, and the moment it did, everything exploded. Agonizing pain shot through both Caramel and Goldie as everything suddenly disappeared in a blinding flash.

Caramel didn't know how long he was unconscious, but when he came to, he found himself laying in a bed of grass. Blinking his eyes open, Caramel let out a groan. He had never been struck by lightning, but if he was to imagine what it would have felt like, then what he had just felt when Princess Cadence touched the core of the spell would come very close. Every cell in his body tingled as he rolled himself over onto his back, it felt like ants were biting him everywhere at once, including the inside of his body.

His worry for Goldie drew him up onto his shaky hooves, he could still feel her through the bond, but for some reason it felt numb. Looking around Caramel was surprised to find that he was back in the lake valley. At first he wondered how he ended up back here, but as he thought about it, he realized that it was likely his fault. When Princess Cadence's magic touched the core of the bond, there was some kind of feedback surge, and Carmel panicked. He remembered desperately wanting to escape from the blinding pain, and wrenching himself away in some way he couldn't recall.

Taking a few experimental steps, Caramel turned his head about to get his bearings. If he was here then it was likely that Goldie was too, and everything in him was telling him to find her. Once his legs stopped shaking, Caramel decided to set off for their old home, figuring that Goldie would likely go there to look for him.

Not trusting his legs enough to chance a fast gait, Caramel settled for a brisk walk with the occasional risk at a short trot. The lake was a short distance away, but by the time he arrived at its shores, he felt winded and a bit wobbly. Slowing his pace, Caramel made his way along the shore of the lake, taking care to place his hooves firmly in the soft sand so he wouldn't stumble and fall.

Caramel was about half way to the old camp site when he felt a strange kind of tugging. Pausing, Caramel looked up into a nearby grove of young aspens. It was a very strange feeling, it felt like something was pulling at him to go up into those trees.

Shaking his head, Caramel dismissed the strange urge and took a couple of steps away before he paused again. The strange compulsion kept nagging him, driving him into going up into the trees. Letting out a irritated grunt, Caramel gave in and walked up the slope into the trees.

It was a young grove of aspens and was rather thick. Caramel had to struggle to make his way through. Ducking and weaving, Caramel moved in deeper until he broke into a small clearing were he found Goldie laying prone in the grass. With his heart leaping up in his chest, Caramel rushed up to her and quickly checked on her.

Letting out a relieved breath, Caramel was heartened when he found that there was no apparent sign of injury, and her breathing was steady and even. "Goldie?" Caramel called to her as he gave her a shake, but she remained unconscious. He gave her a harder shake and lightly slapped her across her cheek but still she did not respond. He needed to get her back to their camp.

Struggling to lift her up, Caramel managed to set Goldie across his back. Once she was in place, Caramel began to work his way out of the clearing. It took a while to weave his way out, but he managed to find a small path that lead out through the trees.. Once he was back at the lake shore, he made sure that Goldie was secure on his back before he turned and started out for their makeshift home.

His legs still felt weak and wobbly as he strained to carry Goldie. It was just over a mile to their makeshift home, and Caramel was determined to make it there without faltering. When he was about half way there, Goldie began to stir.

"What?... What happened?" Goldie murmured, weakly lifting her head up.

"I'm not sure. "Caramel answered, turning his head to look back at Goldie. "How do you feel?"

Goldie let out another groan. "I hurt all over, and for some reason my mouth tastes like old cheese."

"I don't know about the cheese thing, but you should start to feel better after a little bit." Caramel said.

"I hope so." Goldie answered, weakly adjusting herself on his back.

The sound of flapping wings suddenly drew their attention as something pink landed near them. Looking over they were surprised to see Princess Cadence standing nearby.

Settling her wings into place, Princess Cadence looked at them in relief. "I'm so glad I finally found you two."

"Princess!? How did you get here?" Goldie asked in disbelief.

Giving her head a shake, Princess Cadence looked around. "I'm not sure. When my detection spell reached the core of your bond, it suddenly felt like I was sitting on a angry thunderstorm. The amount of raw magic that surged out of you two was truly amazing, and might I add, just a bit scary."

Both Caramel and Goldie's ears shot up in surprise. "Magic!? But we're not unicorns, we don't have any magic!" Goldie exclaimed.

Princess Cadence smiled and shook her head. "That's a bit of a misconception, but we can go into that latter. Both of you need to rest and recover from that surge of magic you both just had. Lets go to the house so you two can lay down."

"House!?" What house?" Caramel asked, shooting a look around. If there was a house here last time, he was sure he would have seen it.

"Just around the next bend, there is a house sitting a little ways up the slope." Princess Cadence answered, gesturing with her hoof.

Caramel and Goldie were confused about how a house could possibly be here, but he didn't have the energy to argue the point and decided to trust that Princess Cadence was right about there being a house there. Setting off, Caramel followed Princess Cadence. His legs felt like jelly, but he continued to carry Goldie anyways, refusing to let her down.

Once they rounded the bend and the house came into view, Caramel came to an abrupt stop as he looked up at it. "But that's impossible!"

"What?" Goldie asked, while Princess Cadence looked back.

"Its the house my parents rented by Lake Pinto for our family vacation." Caramel said looking up at the house with wide eyes what were moist with unshed tears. "I remember my dad took me and Fudge out onto the lake in a little row boat, and rowed us around while mom waved at us from right there on that front deck."

Princess Cadence looked thoughtful as she looked from Caramel to the house. "Hmm, this gives me an idea on where we may be right now." She said thoughtfully, before she started up towards the house. "Lets get into the house first though."

The house had a large porch that overlooked the lake, stepping up the steps to the front door, Princess Cadence opened them and ushered Caramel and Goldie inside. The main room was a large two story room with large exposed beams and a huge stone fireplace set against the back wall.

Walking over to one of the couches, Caramel helped Goldie off his back onto the soft couch, where she laid back with a relived sigh. Caramel was quick to join her as he settled himself in next to her. Glad to finally be off his hooves, he didn't want to admit it, but he almost didn't make it.

"I'll go see if there is any tea I can make." Princess Cadence said, disappearing into the next room.

After a short while Princess Cadence returned carrying a tray with her magic. Setting it down on the coffee table, She poured out two cups of tea from a steaming pot, and levitated them over to Caramel and Goldie. "I hope I made it okay, I don't make tea very often."

Taking the cup in her hooves, Goldie held it up and sniffed it. "Hmm, green tea, nice." She said before she took a sip.

Caramel sweetened his from a pot of honey Princess Cadence had on the tray, and took a sip. Green tea wasn't his favorite, but he found the tea she brought to be rather pleasant.

"So, you say that you know this house?" Princess Cadence asked, taking a seat in the padded chair across from them.

Caramel nodded, and looked around the room. It was just as he remembered it. "Yes, during my family vacation. We stayed here for two weeks when I was young colt."

Princess Cadence pursed her lips, as she looked thoughtful. "So, would you say that this place hold a special place in your heart?"

"It's one of my treasured memories. It was during my time at Lake Pinto that Fudge taught me how to swim, and mom helped me make my first batch of cookies." Caramel turned and gestured towards the fireplace. "At night, we used to sit by the fireplace making smore's, while dad read us a story from Mane Grey."

Princess Cadence smiled wistfully, her eyes taking on a distant look. "I remember a time that was much like that. I will always hold that precious moment in my heart." She said, blinking her moist eyes. "I believe I know where we are."

You do? Where?" Goldie asked.

Standing, Princess Cadence walked around to stand just before Caramel and Goldie. They looked up at her, wondering what she was doing.

"It explains where we are, and why this house is here." Princess Cadence said with a smile. "Twilight was wrong, this isn't the Astral Plane, this is the Empathic Plane." Unfurling her wings, she reached both of them out and touched both Caramel and Goldie on their chests, right over their hearts. "You see, we are here."

They both blinked in utter confusion as they gazed down at where she was pointing at their chests.

Princess Cadence giggled at the stupefied looks they were both giving her, as she refolded her wings back in. "This whole world we are in, is inside both of your hearts." Looking out the window, Princess Cadence gestured with her hoof at the scenery. "And from what I can see of it, both of you have a kind and beautiful heart."

"We are inside our hearts?" Caramel asked, trying hard to understand what she was getting at.

"A realm that is as wondrous as it is mysterious." Princess Cadence said looking back. "Very few ponies have ever gotten to experience this realm, and even less of them experienced it with another. I've only heard of one pony who got any meaningful study of it, and that was three hundred years ago."

"Princess Twilight thought the Astral plane might be dangerous, could this Empathic plane be dangerous too?" Goldie asked, sounding concerned.

"If this was the Astral Plane then she would be right, there are Thingwraiths that prowl around that plane and pray on the unwary or the unprepared." Princess Cadence answered. "But this realm is of your own making, built inside your own hearts. Fashioned and shaped by what you truly are inside." She turned and looked out the window again. "Imagine the heart of a pony who is a selfish conniving liar, who is unloving and cruel. I would image that that pony's heart would look very different."

Goldie gave a shudder, and moved closer to Caramel. "Oh, how horrible, I just thought about Bitternut Dandy."

"Bitternut Dandy?" Princess Cadence asked, looking back questioningly.

"Blueberry's brother." Caramel answered. "A pony who is everything you just described."

"He clipped Blueberry's wings!" Goldie exclaimed. "It'll take her another month to grow in new ones."

"Hmm, this sounds like something I should hear about." Princess Cadence said seriously. "But it will just haft to wait for now."

"Wait? Wait for what?" Caramel asked her curiously.

To answer him, Princess Cadence smiled and lit her horn up with magic, bending her head down she then touched Caramel with it. Immediately he began to yawn, and before he finished, his eyes dropped shut, fast asleep.

"If only that sleep spell worked on Flurry." Princess Cadence said wistfully, before she turned to Goldie. "I'm sorry, but you two massively over strained your hearts when you pulled me in here, and I cannot risk you two straining yourselves anymore then you already have." She then touched Goldie too. "Sweet dreams." She said to Goldie who slumped over onto Caramel, as she joined him in sleep.

Using her magic, Princess Cadence carried the two up to the bedroom at the top of the stairs. Setting them both out onto the bed there, Cadence covered them with a blanket.

Looking down at the pair, Princess Cadence took a breath and let it out as she prepared herself. After hearing their story, and seeing the realm of their hearts, Princess Cadence had a hunch about something, and she was about to see if what she suspected was true. Her horn became brighter as she cast a new spell. It was one of the most complex spells she had ever learned, and it always gave her a terrible headache afterwards.

With a bight flash, Princess Cadence released her spell. At first nothing happened, but then slowly both Goldie and Caramel started to glow. It started out dim and undefined but soon grew in both size and brightness. Standing back, Princess Cadence watched as the glow that surrounded the couple start to take on vibrant colors, looking like the two was surrounded by their own personal aurora's.

Blues swirled into green which then turned into yellow and orange. Every pony's aura had his or hers own color pattern, distinct to that individual, no two ponies ever had identical aura's, not even twins. But as she observed the couples auras shift through their patterns, one thing stood out that was very unusual. They mirrored each other.

Their colors and patterns moved in perfect unison, merging together and growing stronger, quickly taking up most of the room. The pair was so bright now that Princess Cadence was now having trouble looking at them.

"Interesting, this explains a lot." Princess Cadence said to herself, sounding a bit awed at the sight. "It seems you two were made for each other."

Wincing as she clutched at her head with a hoof, Princess Cadence let her spell drop. "Oh ow-ow-ow, my head is killing me. Time to lay down for a bit." She said to herself as she stepped out of the room, closing the door behind herself.

When Caramel awoke, he felt he should be angry for being spelled to sleep. But he found he felt so good, he decided that Princess Cadence deserved a bit of forgiveness for her actions.

Stretching out his legs, Caramel let out a long yawn before blinking the sleep from his eyes, when he looked around, he found himself all alone in bed. Dropping his head back down onto the pillow, Caramel closed his eyes and focused onto his bond with Goldie, and instantly felt her. Her mood was light, and she was happy. Distant sounds of laughter drifting up the stairs to his room, confirming what he sensed. It appeared that she and Princess Cadence were having a rather lively conversation together.

Rolling over, Caramel pulled a pillow over his head. It was probably best if he didn't get involved with mare business he thought to himself, as he tried to get back to sleep. Apparently, Goldie had other idea's as a few minutes latter she flung the bedroom door open and hurled herself onto him.

"Get up sleepyhead!" Goldie shouted as she swiped his pillow away.

Caramel let our a groan and pulled another pillow over his head, only to have Goldie pull that one away from him too.

"Come on, get up! You've slept for almost an entire day, come down and eat something." Goldie said happily.

Goldie had left herself wide open and Caramel was going to teach her what happens when you wake a stallion. Caramel suddenly attacked and grabbed Goldie, rolling himself over onto her and pinning her down.

"What are you...!?" Goldie started to say, but was interrupted when a grinning Caramel blew a raspberry right into her belly.

Letting out a very cute squealing laugh, Goldie squirmed under him as she writhed under his assault. Caramel was relentless, as he went for her most sensitive parts. Once he had her breathless, Caramel changed his attack and moved up and went for her throat, finding her special place, Caramel began to nip and nibble at where her jaw met her throat.

Goldie suddenly stopped laughing as she let out a little moan of pleasure. Caramel felt her relax under him as he started to kiss her along her jaw to her lips where she eagerly took his lips with her own. Caramel could feel her melting under his embrace, her breath deepened as she let out another pleased moan.

Suddenly she broke the kiss and pulled back as she quickly regained her senses. "No, we can't do this! The princess is just out there and the door is open."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, she's the Alicorn of love after all." Caramel murmured, bending back down to nibble the base of her ear.

Goldie gave a little shudder as she gasped, trying to fight off her growing arousal. Her nose was heavy with his scent from where she had it pressed into his neck, and she could feel his stallionhood jabbing into her belly now. She was on the verge of giving in and letting him have his way with her.

"Is everything alright? I heard a commotion." Princess Cadence's voice came to them as she ascended the stairs.

Goldie's eyes flashed open and she suddenly shoved Caramel off of herself, unfortunately she pushed to hard and Caramel went tumbling off the side of the bed where he crumpled to the floor with a loud thump.

"Goldie? Are you two okay?" Princess Cadence asked as she quickened her ascent up the stairs.

"Everything's fine! I was just have a little trouble getting Caramel out of bed." Goldie called out. Looking over at Caramel, Goldie gave him a apologetic smile for pushing him so hard, but then something suddenly caught her eye, and she sucked in a breath. Caramel's stallionhood was still fully out, and very visible!

Hurriedly Goldie grabbed a pillow in her teeth and hurled it into Caramel's face.

"What?" Caramel said, pulling the pillow down.

"Cover yourself up you pervert!" Goldie hissed urgently, gesturing down at his flagging stallionhood.

Seeing what she meant, Caramel managed to place the pillow over himself just as Princess Cadence looked in.

"Am I interrupting something?" Princess Cadence asked, an amused smile coming to her lips as she looked at the scene before her.

Goldie shook her head and climbed out of the bed. "No, I just needed to kick Caramel out of bed."

Princess Cadence nodded, and gave Caramel a amused look as he sheepishly waved at her. "Well, I hope your well rested."

"Oh, I'm feeling much better. Thank you." Caramel assured her.

"Well that's good." Princess Cadence said, giving the pillow he was clutching to himself a cursory look. "I was a little concerned that you may have been over strained, so I'm quite relieved to see that your so full of... energy." Her horn lit up as she started to close the door with her magic. "I'll just give you two some privacy.

Goldie was now blushing all the way to the tips of her ears. "Princess, its not what you think!" Goldie called out as she moved to the door.

"But it is what she thinks." Caramel said to Goldie, giving her a silly grin.

Pausing, Goldie turned back to Caramel with a frustrated look, before rushing out and leaving him alone with his pillow.

It seemed everything was smoothed over by the time Caramel walked into the kitchen. Goldie and Princess Cadence were chatting animatedly with each other as he walked over to the counter to see what they had prepared. Diced cantaloupe with a salad. Sitting down at the small breakfast table Caramel started to eat his meal.

Glancing over, he listened to Princess Cadence as she talked with Goldie in the nearby solar room.

"Magic is a funny thing, it can come in many forms, and do some amazing things. As I said before, all ponies have some sort of magic. Pegasi can manipulate clouds, allowing them to walk on them and move them about. Unicorn's can harness the magic within themselves and focus it for certain tasks, using their horn as a channel for the release of their magic." Princess Cadence explained.

"And what about Earth Ponies?" Goldie asked.

"Earth Ponies have a more raw natural magic that runs deep to their core. Earth Pony magic focuses on the body, making Earth Ponies more hardy and healthy, as well as giving them greater strength and stamina."

Goldie nodded as she listened. "And what about the magic that brought us here?" She gestured out the window.

"That one is a little tricky, it seems that you two have been taping into a different source of magic." Princess Cadence said, setting her tea cup down. "There are many sources of magic, like nature, the elements, even life itself is a type of magic. Twilight discovered that there is magic in friendship, and I have found the magic in love." Turning herself, Princess Cadence placed her hoof against Goldie's chest. "The magic you two are drawing on is different then mine or Twilight's, though I do sense that it is very similar in nature."

Goldie glanced down at where Princess Cadence was touching her chest. "Similar in nature?" Her voice sounded astonished.

"Yes." Princess Cadence said nodding. "You see when there is a connection between two ponies hearts a spark of magic is created and shared. This is the same whether it is in love or friendship, for both are a type of connection." Taking her hoof from Goldie's chest, Princess Cadence dropped it down to her lap. "The magic you two are drawing from is similar to this but also different."

Reaching up, Goldie touched her chest right where Princess Cadence had been just moments before. "What is it we are drawing our magic from?" Goldie asked. Caramel had stopped eating as he leaned forward to listened, very much wanting to hear her answer.

Princess Cadence took a sip of her tea as she thought about it, setting it down she then turned to Goldie. "That is a answer the two of you must discover for yourselves."

"But why not tell us?" Goldie asked, her voice sounding both hurt and irritated. "If you know the answer then why won't you share it?"

"I'm sorry." Princess Cadence explained. "But the reason I can't tell you is the same reason I can't tell a pony what their talent is. It is something that must be discovered on their own or it has no meaning."

Caramel was a little peeved that she didn't give them the answer, but as he thought about her explanation he found that is made sense. If somepony had told him when he was a colt, that his talent was to be helpful to others, then he would never have fully unlocked his talent, and got his three blue horseshoe cutie mark in helping hooves. Plus he would probably always have doubted that it was his true talent, if he hadn't earned it like he did.

Goldie still seemed to be a little irritated, but she seemed to accept Princess Cadence's explanation. "I think I understand. Thank you for sharing what you could." She said politely.

"I'm sorry, I truly am." Princess Cadence said apologetically, trying to sooth Goldie.

"No, its okay." Goldie replied earnestly, giving Princess Cadence a reassuring smile.

After that the two went back to chatting about little things like foals and stallions. Caramel finished his meal and got to work washing the dishes. It was about then that Goldie came into the kitchen and kissed him as she left to show Princess Cadence around the valley. Setting out the clean dishes to dry, Caramel wandered around the house to see what he could find.

The pantry was surprisingly well stocked, but as Caramel thought about it, he realized that it was probably due to his time he spent here with his mother as she walked him though making cookies. Looking out back, Caramel found a nice little garden full of ripe vegetables and melons.

Picking out a watermelon, Caramel gave it a few taps and smiled, before picking it and bring it into the house. Setting it down onto the counter, Caramel pulled out a knife from the drawer and got to work. When he finished, he had a full pitcher of cool watermelon punch ready for Goldie and Princess Cadence when they got back from their walk.

Looking around, Caramel wondered what else to do. Seeing the stove, Caramel smiled when he had an idea. It was a old style stove that burned wood, finding the matches and kindling, Caramel soon had the oven warming nicely. Searching through the pantry, Caramel pulled out all the ingredients he would need for making oatmeal cookies. Setting out a mixing bowl, Caramel began adding in the ingredients, as he cracked open and added the two eggs, Caramel wondered for a brief moment about where the eggs had even come from, shaking his head Caramel let the thought go. It was probably best to not to think about things like that it too much, it would just confuse him.

Once he had the cookie dough ready, Caramel began to arrange them on a baking sheet. Memories of the time his mother walked him through all this for his first time ran through his mind, causing him to smile when he realized that in just a few years it'll be his turn to share this with Cinnamon. Caramel found he was really looking forward to that day.

Closing the oven, Caramel set timer. Now all he had to do was wait, walking out into the living room, Caramel looked around. Something sitting on the mantle caught his attention. Walking over Caramel picked up a familiar looking book. He couldn't believe it, even this was here? Looking at the title he wasn't surprised to find that is was the same book his father had read to them by the fire. Valley of the Wild Ponies by Mane Gray.

Sitting down, Caramel slid his hoof over the cover of the book. It was one of his favorite books. It was here by this fireplace, that his father had read it to him for the very first time. Looking down at the cover, Caramel promised himself that he would read it to Cinnamon someday, just like how his father had done for him.

By the time the door opened and Goldie and Princess Cadence walked in, Caramel was on the third chapter. Sitting on the kitchen counter a full plate of cookies waited to be munched on. "Did you both enjoy your time out?" Caramel asked looking up.

"Oh Caramel!" Goldie exclaimed as she dove over the couch into his lap and smothered him with a kiss. Caramel was thoroughly out of breath and quite pleased by the time she released his lips and looked at him excitedly. "Cadence says she knows how we can get back!"

Caramel blinked in surprise and shot a look over at Princess Cadence. "You know how we can get back!?"

Princess Cadence smiled and nodded. "I believe I do." She said before she lifted a hoof in caution. "But I don't want to attempt it until I am sure you both are fully recovered. Pulling me in here, put a huge strain on you two and it will take the same effort to get me back out."

"So, how long do you think we should wait?" Caramel asked, feeling a bit disappointed that they had to wait.

"I think by tomorrow it should be okay." Princess Cadence answered before she turned her head and sniffed the air. "What is that delicious smell?"

Goldie's ears perked up at Princess Cadence's question, before she too sniffed the air. "Cookies!" She suddenly exclaimed, clambering up over the back of the couch, and falling to the floor. Gathering herself up, she dashed off to the kitchen. "You made cookies! Oh, Caramel I love you!"

"I also made some watermelon punch." Caramel called out, grinning at Goldie's foal like exuberance. Turning, Caramel gestured with his head to Princess Cadence. "Please Princess, have as much as you want."

"Please, call me Cadence." Princess Cadence asked with a polite smile. "After all, you have brought me into a very personal and special place, we might as well be friends."

Setting his book down, Caramel met her gaze "I would be happy to call you a friend, Cadence." Caramel replied, returning her smile.

Just then Goldie dove over the couch and tackled Caramel. "Thank you for the wonderful cookies!" Goldie said before mashing her lips to his.

"Goldie! Swallow before you kiss me!" Caramel exclaimed in disgust, once he managed to break away from the kiss.

"What's the matter!? I just wanted to share." Goldie said happily locking her lips to his again.

Cadence let out a giggle as she turned to go to the kitchen, glad that Shinning Armor was never that silly with her.

Latter, after Goldie got bored of teasing Caramel, she suggested that they play some Matriarch at the kitchen table. Caramel wasn't very good at card games and was about to pass but Goldie didn't give him a choice, and dragged him to the table.

Caramel stared down at his cards and internally groaned. They had been playing for several hours now and Caramel had yet to win one game. Placing his hoof down on the table. "Okay, I'm in." Caramel said as he slid the last of his crackers forward into the pot.

Cadence smiled, looking like he had just fallen into her trap. "All I got is a pair of Knight Champions and three Maidens in Waiting." She said setting her cards down.

Caramel dropped his cards down and shook his head with a sigh. "I'm out, only a pair of duke's."

Goldie sat quietly as she studied her cards for a extended time, before she slowly set them all down. " A full Court!" She exclaimed happily, hopping in her seat with excitement. She won again.

Cadence looked over at Caramel, and leaned over at him. "Your wife is a little scary when it comes to games." She whispered to him.

Caramel rolled his eyes a little. "Yeah, she's a little scary with other things too." He replied, watching as Goldie leaned forward to rake in her winnings.

Letting out a sigh, Caramel stood and stretched. "It's about time I started dinner."

"I know a few things when it comes to the kitchen, would you like some help?" Cadence asked, also standing.

Giving Cadence an appreciative smile, Caramel lifted up a basket he had sitting on the counter top in his mouth. "Sure, how about you give me a hoof in the garden."

Goldie suddenly blinked as she watched the two start to leave. "Hay! I want to help too." She said rushing over.

Caramel gave her an appraising look before holding out the basket to her. "Here, you can hold the basket for us."

"Hold the basket!?" Goldie said in outrage. "But isn't there something else I can do?"

Caramel thought that a little revenge was in store for all the gloating she had been doing during the games. "You don't want to be helpful and hold the basket for us? Then how about you just stay here and count your crackers, we'll be done in little bit."

"Wait!" Goldie said hurriedly, snatching the basket from his mouth with hers, and heading for the door. "I'll be happy to carry the basket." The moment she stepped out the back door and saw the garden, she suddenly dropped the basket and gaped all around.

"What's the matter?" Cadence asked, seeing the look on Goldie's face.

"Its!... Its my very first garden!" Goldie exclaimed. Moving over to a patch of carrots, she reached out and spun the wings on a bluejay wind spinner that was sitting on a rod poking up from the patch of carrots. "My mom and dad gave me a small area on the side of the house to work on, and without any help, I grew this entire garden." Reaching down, she clamped her teeth onto the greens of a carrot and pulled one free from the rich soil. Dropping it free from her mouth onto the flat of her hoof Goldie looked down at it. "I won the junior growers award at the county fair because of the carrots I grew here. That's how I got my cutie mark."

"You've obviously kept this place dear to your heart." Princess Cadence said softly, looking out over the small garden. "That is why its here."

"You made a wonderful garden." Caramel said, moving up next to Goldie. "Lets see what fest we can make from it."

With Caramel directing what he wanted picked, and with Cadence's magic, Goldie's basket was soon full. Once they were back in the kitchen, Caramel began setting out assignments.

"Goldie, finely chop half of this union with the celery, carrot and zucchini." Caramel said as he took them out of the basket and set them on the cutting board. Turing around Caramel waved Cadence over "And Cadence, please cut the bell peppers in half and clean out the centers."

Cadence lifted the bell peppers out of the basket with her magic. "The red ones or the green ones?" She asked, holding up both color groups.

"Both please." Caramel replied as he added wood to the bottom of the stove.

As they worked, Caramel set out a pot on the stove and added the vegetable stock he found in the pantry with some rice. Setting out another pot on the stove, Caramel added water to boil. "Goldie, when your done, saute the veggies you've been chopping until they are soft."

Wiping the tears out of her eyes from cutting the union, Goldie nodded. "Right, I'll get on that."

"Cadence, please take a garlic from that herb bin over there and chop it up." Taking a knife, Caramel cut a shallow x in the bottom of all the tomatoes before adding them to the boiling water, a minute latter he took the pot and poured it out into a strainer. Next he worked on taking the skins off the tomatoes.

"You really seem to know your way around the kitchen." Cadence said, watching Caramel work.

"I only picked up a little bit from my sister, she was the real cook." Caramel replied as he took out a masher and mashed the skinned tomatoes into a paste

"Don't count yourself so short." Cadence said pointing her hoof at him. "A lot of stallions I know can't even boil water, let alone find a pot. And here you are crafting an entire dinner from a few items from the pantry, and some pickings from a small garden."

Caramel didn't know what to say, the meal he was making wasn't that hard. Being one of his sisters favorites, he learned how to make it so he could treat her on special occasions. He could still recall the look on Fudge's face when she came home to find him standing by the table with a full pan of freshly made stuffed bell peppers sitting ready for her.

"Its just something I learned to make for my sister." Caramel said, feeling himself starting to tear up from the memories that this was bringing up. Fighting to regain his composure, Caramel turned away and added the tomato paste he had just made to the vegetables, as well as some basil,oregano,bay leaf,pesto,salt,and pepper.

As he stirred the pan, Caramel felt something press up against his side. Looking over, he met Goldie's gaze as she looked up at him with her beautiful wide eyes, of course she would sense his feelings and come to him. She reached over and sympathetically nuzzled the side of his neck. Appreciating the comfort she was giving him, Caramel smiled at her and gently kissed the top of her head.

Returning to the dinner, Caramel added the cooked rice to the pan with some grated cheese and mixed it all together before he spooned the rice mixture into each of the pepper halves, making them nice and full. Pouring the remaining sauce over all the peppers and sprinkle the remaining cheese allover the top, Caramel put it all into the oven and set the timer.

Sitting down to wait, Caramel watched as Goldie and Cadence worked to make a salad to go with dinner. Cooking it only took a half hour, and both mares were sitting eagerly at the table as he served their dishes.

"My head cook has been to the best culinary schools, where he graduated top of his class. He was head chef in five of the highest rated restaurants in Canterlot before he started to work for me. Every dish he makes is a work of art, with every flavor delicately balanced to bring out its greatest potential." Cadence said. "And never, in all the time he has been working for me did he make a dish that I found this good."

"Its just stuffed bell peppers, there's nothing really all that special about it." Caramel argued back, not sure why she was blowing this so out of proportion. Ever since they started eating dinner, Princess Cadence kept heaping praises on Caramel for the meal he made.

Below the table, Caramel felt something strike his leg hard. Looking over sharply at Goldie, Caramel saw her glaring at him. "Just say thank you." She hissed at him.

Realizing that he was being rude for dismissing her praise, Caramel quickly looked back to Cadence. "Thank you, I'm glad you like it. Its a bit of a special dish for me."

"I can see why its your sisters favorite." Cadence said with a nod before she leaned in slightly. "I would very much appreciate it if you gave my chef the recipe, if it wouldn't be too much to ask."

"No, no, its okay, I'll be happy to." Caramel quickly said, nodding his head. If she really liked his simple stuffed bell peppers that much, he'd be happy to give her cook the recipe. It would be nice to have a meal his sister loved being enjoyed by others.

When they finished dinner, Caramel gathered the dishes and started to wash them. Cadence offered to help, but Caramel waved her off and said for her not to worry about it, that he'd handle it. Shooing the mares out of the kitchen, Caramel got to work.

Stepping out onto the front porch, Cadence sat down in one of the chairs that looked out over the lake. The sun was sitting very low now, and was about to dip behind a small mountain at the end of the valley. Below, the lake was glittering like jewels, as it reflected the last of the suns rays up towards the house.

"Princess?" Goldie said as she stepped out of the front door.

"Please, just Cadence." Cadence said, looking back at Goldie. "What can I do for you?"

Stepping closer, Goldie glanced back towards the front door for a moment before she came to a stop near Cadence. "Cadence... I... I would like to ask you about something..."

By the way she anxiously shifted herself about on her hooves, Cadence could tell that Goldie was nervous about something. "Goldie? Is something bothering you?" Cadence asked in concern.

Goldie didn't answer at first, licking her lips she seemed to be gathering her courage for something. Swallowing, Goldie looked up at Cadence, her eyes almost seemed frightened. "Is... is my feelings for Caramel... real?" She finally managed to ask.

Cadence was certainly surprised by the unexpected question. She sat up in shock. Where was this coming from? She wondered. "Goldie, of course its real, why would you ask such a thing?"

Goldie glanced back to the door again to make sure they were still alone. "You got a good look at the bonding spell, right?"

Princess Cadence gave a nod. "I got a good look at most of it, the core was quite a complex knot of overlapping spell patterns, but the bulk of the bonding spell was quite clear."

Goldie moved closer and sat next to her. "Was there any part of the spell that might be forcing me into feeling love for Caramel?"

Princess Cadence shook her head emphatically. "No, definitely not. That would break the laws of the universe." Cadence said, trying hard to stress the impotence of her statement. "No magic, no matter how powerful, can force a pony to fall in love with another. The universe will not allow it."

The tears that Goldie had been holding back started to slip loose. "So... whatever feeling I have for him are real?" Her voice sounded hopeful.

Giving her a smile, Princess Cadence reached up to brush her hoof across Goldie's cheek as she wiped at the tears that were now flowing freely from her eyes. "Absolutely." She replied reassuringly. "There is no doubt that your feelings are yours and yours alone. Even I can't force ponies to fall in love." Cadence explained. "I have a handy little affection charm that I have used on occasion to strike a spark between two ponies to get them to notice each other, but that is as far as I can take it. Even love potions can't provide real love."

Goldie suddenly broke down, flinging herself forward she buried her face into Cadence's shoulder as he clutched at her tightly. Cadence blinked in surprise at suddenly being hugged, but quickly wrapped her hooves around Goldie, as she attempted to comfort her.

"Thank you, thank you." Goldie murmured into Cadence's shoulder. "I've been so worried since this all started that my feelings were just the product of a spell. You have no idea how relived this makes me." Goldie pulled back as she rubbed at her nose, giving Cadence an embarrassed smile. Relief was very evident on her face.

"Goldie, there is something I've been meaning to tell you two, but I've been waiting for the right time." Cadence said. "I guess now would be an ideal time to share it."

Wiping at her eyes, Goldie blinked at Cadence. "What would that be?"

"When you and Caramel were resting yesterday, I cast a spell on you two that allowed me to see both of your life forces." Cadence explained. "From it, I was able to discover that the two of you fall into a rare and very special group of ponies that occur only few times during a generation."

"What group is that?" Goldie asked, sounding a little breathless as she waited for Cadence to answer.

Princess Cadence smiled broadened, she had been looking forward to this since the moment she discovered what they were. "Have you ever noticed that whenever your near Caramel you feel like everything is right? Like your now whole?"

Goldie nodded, still looking at Cadence with a puzzled look. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Tell me, do you remember when you first felt this way?" Cadence asked.

Goldie paused as she blinked thoughtfully. "I think... no, I know it was when I first met him. My dad brought me into town and found he was having trouble watching me, so Lilly took me to her office where Caramel was playing. The moment my eyes fell on him I felt something click deep inside myself, It was like I met my other half."

"That's because you did!" Cadence said with a smile. "You see, you and Caramel are Soulmates."

"Isn't that just an old wives tail?" Goldie asked, her tone sounding like she was having a hard time believing it.

Shaking her head, Cadence continued to smile. "Its very, very real. And its because of this, I believe, that the bonding spell had such a strong effect on you two. The pair of you already had a powerful bond."

Goldie nodded slowly. "How rare is this? Have you met any others?" Goldie asked, suddenly sounding interested.

"So far, I have only found one other pair. Myself and Shinning Armor, and now you and Caramel." Cadence answered. Movement to the side caught her attention and she looked over to see Caramel quietly standing by the door.

Goldie noticed the movement as well. "How!?... how long have you been there?" She asked, sounding a little alarmed.

"For most of it." Caramel replied softly. Stepping closer, Caramel looked at Goldie, his eyes meeting hers. "Why didn't you tell me you were worried about that? I would have understood."

Goldie's eyes widened, suddenly mortified that he had heard. "I... I just..." Her lip began to quiver as tears welled up in her eyes. Dropping her head down she stared down at the floor, finding she was unable to met his eyes anymore. "I should have come to you... I was such a coward, I should have trusted you." She paused to take a shaking breath. "I was just so scared that my feelings might not have been real and I... I don't know what I was thinking." Goldie confessed. "I was being stupid."

"Your right, you were being stupid." Caramel said, his words making Goldie flinch despite the softness in his tone. "But not as stupid as I was when I kept my secret from you." Lifting a hoof, Caramel wrapped it around Goldie's neck and drew her in. "We're new to this, so mistakes are bound to happen. We just need to learn from them and move on."

Princess Cadence, feeling like her presence was trespassing on their private moment together, silently slipped off to give the couple some time alone. Those cookies were calling her name.

****

The house was dark and silent, all the occupants having gone to bed some hours previously. Outside, the moon hung high in the night sky, its soft silvery light illuminating a figure that walked along the shore of the lake. As the waters lapped at the sandy shore the figure stepped by with a fluid grace that was as beautiful as her long flowing mane that draped halfway down her sleek form.

Rounding the curve, the figure left the shore and approached the slumbering house. Ascending the steps, the figure silently opened the front door and entered the house. The mysterious intruders hoofsteps were silent as she climbed the stairs to the second floor where she turned and made her way down the hall to one of the bedroom doors.

Stepping inside, the figure crossed the room. Stoping close to the bed, she looked down at the two ponies sleeping there. Unfurling her wing, the figure reached it out and with a loving tenderness that was almost motherly, she lightly brushed back Caramel's mane from his forehead with the end of her wing. Bending her head down, she gently touched her horn to Caramel and held it there for a short time as the air cracked with magic.

Lifting her head back up, the figure moved around to the other side of the bed where Goldie lay. Reaching out her wing, the figure then brushed it down the side of Goldie's cheek, suddenly something seemed to catch the figure's attention. Taking her wing from Goldie's cheek, the figure pulled the blanket down and tenderly set her wing down onto Goldie's stomach. After a short time, the figure smiled in surprise and lowered her head down and laid it next to where her wing was touching.

The figure remained like that for a short time before she raised her head back up with a tender smile on her lips. Moving back up, the figure touched her horn to Goldie, and just like with Caramel, the air cracked with the use of powerful magic. Finished, the figure gently kissed Goldie and pulled her blanket back up and tucked it around her. Just as quietly as she came, she stepped out the door, leaving the sleeping couple oblivious to her visit.

Closing the door, the figure turned and moved to another bedroom door and opened it. Stepping in, the figure moved over to the bed where Princess Cadence lay sleeping.

"Please wake up, Princess Cadence. There are things we need to discuss." The figure said, and with her hoof, she gave Cadence a nudge

"What!?" Cadence muttered as she blinked her eyes open. Lighting up her horn so she could see, Cadence looked up at who had waken her. When her eyes fell on the figure, she abruptly jerked up in her bed with a rather coarse exclamation. "Who!? Who are you!?"

The figure sighed and shook her head. "Princess Cadence, you of all ponies should know who I am."

Cadence stared at the Alicorn that was standing only a few steps from her. She was sure she would know if there was another Alicorn out there besides her two Aunts and her sister in law. A sudden alarming thought came to her, The Changing Queen would certainly be able to make herself into a Alicorn, after all she successfully impersonated Cadence for several days before she was discovered by Twilight. But how could she be here?

The Alicorn mare pursed her lips in irritation as Cadence failed to recognize her. "Perhaps you require a hint." She said. Her horn began to glow.

As the air became thick with her magic, Cadence sensed the familiar presences, and her jaw dropped open as she suddenly knew who was standing in her room. "You!? But how is this possible!?"

"Look at where we are." The Alicorn said, gesturing with her wings. "Here of all palaces, you should expect this to be possible." Holding up her hoof, the Alicorn mare forestalled any further questions that Princess Cadence looked like she was about to ask. "Time is short, please join me downstairs, I have a task for you." Turning, she quietly left, her hoofsteps making no sound.

Slipping out of bed, Cadence quickly joined the Alicorn mare downstairs in the living room. "What is it you want me to do?" She asked.

The Alicorn mare unfurled one of her wings and pointed it up the stairs. "The two that slumber. You will keep them in the Crystal Empire until the next new moon."

Of all things for her to want, Princess Cadence never expected that She, would want that. "That's four weeks from now! Why do you need them to stay in the Crystal Empire for so long?"

The Alicorn mare tucked her wing back to here side, as she considered Princess Cadence and her question. "My spell has been abused and corrupted. This is something I cannot abide." She said, her voice sounding angry. "I will correct that which is mine, and the time to the new moon is what I require."

Princess Cadence blinked in confusion. "Your spell? Are you saying that the bonding spell that tie Caramel and Goldie together is yours?"

"That is correct." The Alicorn said stiffly, giving her head a slight nod. "I created the spell to fill a need long ago, but somepony has corrupted its true propose and now the two that are slumbering above us, are in peril. Balance must be restored to the Hearts Harmony spell or they will not see the foal that quickens within her womb draw breath."

Goldie was pregnant!? Cadence took a sudden breath as her heart attempted to leap from her chest. Despite the dire warning that was just given, sudden joy bound up and tried to explode from her. Fighting down her elation, Cadence forced herself to focus. "Please, is there a way you can help them?"

The Alicorn mare smiled, her anger and irritation vanishing. "There is." She said with a nod. "And I've already started."

Relief washed over Cadence. "Thank you." She said in appreciation.

Her face became serious, almost solemn looking. "Be aware that there is no guarantee that my efforts will be successful, so it is imperative that you keep them in the Crystal Empire until the new moon."

Cadence bowed her head and set her hoof over her chest. "I will do my utmost to do as you've asked." She said using the old oath stance.

"Good." The Alicorn mare said, pleased. Turning she started for the door. "My time here ends. Do not tell them of me, nor of the danger they are under, it will only hinder my work, and endanger them needlessly." She said over her shoulder.

Cadence was a little disappointed that she would haft to keep Her a secret. It would have made it easier to keep them here for the required time if she was able to tell them about all of this. As she watched the Alicorn leave a sudden thought came to her. "Please! I have one more thing to ask, before you go."

The Alicorn mare paused a moment and looked over her shoulder at her.

"You said that you created the spell to fill a need." Cadence said quickly. "What was that need?"

The mare smiled. "To create the Crystal Ponies of course." Turning her head back, she moved to the door. Before passing through it, she suddenly broke up into glittering lights that faded out within a few moments, leaving Cadence alone.

Looking up the stairs, Cadence let out a sigh. There was no way she was going to be able to get back to sleep after this. Seeing a book sitting on the end table next to the couch. Cadence sat down and lifted the book up in her magic. "Valley of the Wild Ponies, by Mane Gray." She read the title out loud to herself. Opening the cover, Cadence began to read.

Author's Note

*This chapter took much longer then I thought it would. It wasn't because I took a brake or anything, in fact, I worked on it every day, its just I had trouble at several parts and I had to make extensive revisions before I was happy with it.

*Valley of the Wild Ponies by Mane Gray is a reference to the book Valley of the Wild Horses by Zane Grey.

*Stuffed Bell Peppers is good. Try some.

Chapter 13

Caramel felt something tugging on his ear. Attempting to return back to sleep, he tried to ignore it but it annoyingly persisted, making it impossible for him to return back to the pleasant dream he was having just moments before. Finally, unable to stand it anymore, Caramel opened his eyes and found the diapered rump of a foal pressed up against the side of his muzzle.

"What the...?" Caramel muttered in surprise at finding that Cinnamon was sitting against his muzzle, while the rest of her was draped up and over the side of his head atop of his pillow. The tugging on his ear was accompanied by a loud wet sucking sound. Lifting his hooves, Caramel lifted Cinnamon down from his head. As he did so, his ear suddenly got yanked as it pulled free from Cinnamon's mouth, who let out a contemplative whine at being robbed of her newest binky.

"Now, how did you get up there?" He asked the filly, setting her down onto his chest.

Cinnamon continued to whimper and cry, as she let him know how upset she was at him for taking away her binky. Trying to calm her, Caramel rubbed at her back. Seeing something brightly colored tucked into the folds of the blanket next to him, Caramel snatched up her dropped pacifier in his mouth and quickly positioned it around and poked it into Cinnamon mouth, where she abruptly quieted down and happily sucked.

"Finally up I see." An amused sounding Goldie said from the door.

"Are you the one responsible for this?" Caramel asked suspiciously, lifting a eyebrow at her.

"I would never do such a despicable thing." Goldie denied with a completely strait face. Crossing the room she picked Cinnamon up. "Its just that for the last two days since our return from our little private world, you've been spending most of your time in here sleeping, and Cinnamon's been missing her daddy terribly."

"Okay, okay. I get the hint." Caramel said stretching out his legs. With Princess Cadence's guidance, they were able to return back to the normal world, but not without some consequences. It had totally exhausted both Caramel and Goldie to the point that they were in a deep sleep for most of a day. Goldie quickly recovered after that, but Caramel had a slower time returning back to his hooves.

Slipping out of bed, Caramel moved up to Goldie and took Cinnamon from her. "If you want to spend time with daddy, than lets go take a bath. Your a bit of a stinky filly right now." With a smile at Goldie, Caramel bent his head over and wiped his filly slobberd ear across the side of her neck.

"What!? Eeeww... What did you just wipe on me!?" Goldie exclaimed in disgust, wiping at her neck with her hoof.

Chucking, Caramel quickly made his escape and slipped into their private bathroom and shut the door. A moment latter, something thumped into the door, as Goldie threw something into it.

"You disgusting stallion!" Goldie yelled at the door. A moment latter, Caramel heard their room door thump shut as she stormed out.

Turning on the water to the overly large tub, Caramel began to strip Cinnamon of her diaper. "Now remember, the bath is not a potty, so no peeing this time, alright?"

Latter that day, once they had all finished lunch. Princess Twilight and Shinning Armor took Goldie and Blueberry out to survey the land that Princess Cadence was proposing to use for their farming demonstrations. With Cinnamon in her carrier atop of Goldie's back, Goldie kissed Caramel goodbye before following the group down the hall.

Aunt Lilly stepped out of her room and walked over to Caramel. "You ready?" She asked.

"I am, but Flash Sentry still hasn't arrived." Caramel answered.

"Sorry I'm late." Flash Sentry called out, as he hurried down the hall to them. Turning his head, he looked about. "Did I miss Princess Twilight's leaving?"

"Sorry they just left." Caramel answered, and almost laughed at the look of disappointment that crossed Flash Sentry's face. Goldie and Blueberry were right, Flash Sentry definitely fancied the lavender Princess.

"Don't you fret none, you can see your darling lass latter when we meet back up." Aunt Lilly said with a smile.

Red blossomed onto his cheeks as Flash started to blush. "Yes, well then, are you two ready to go?" He said, trying to change the subject.

"We were just waiting for you." Aunt Lilly said, still smiling.

"Oh, alright then. Please follow me." Flash Sentry said turning and walking down the hall.

Following Flash Sentry, they descended down to the main atrium, and started across.

"Mrs. Lilly!" A surprising familiar voice suddenly called out.

The moment Caramel heard the voice, cold terror shot though his body. Reacting without really thinking about it, Caramel frantically dove behind Aunt Lilly and hid himself.

A very large dark tan colored stallion trotted over, a duffle bag slung over his back.

Giving Caramel a cursory glance as he hid behind her, Aunt Lilly paused and waited for the Stallion that was crossing over to them.

Flash Sentry stopped and turned back when he noticed that they were no longer following him. "Is everything alright?" He asked curiously.

"Everything's fine, please just wait moment." Aunt Lilly said to Flash Sentry before she turned back to the aproching stallion. "Trail, what are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for my sister, have you seen her?" Oregon Trail asked, coming to a stop. Caramel kept himself low, trying to stay out of sight.

"Well, she's out with Princess Twilight and her bother Prince Armor, surveying some fields they wish to use for a demonstration." Aunt Lilly answered. "We'll be meeting her latter, after we examine the equipment in the warehouse. If you would like, you can accompany us."

Caramel gut dropped, he couldn't believe aunt Lilly was throwing him under the wagon like this. How was he going to get out of this now?

"That would be great, thank you." Trail said in relief. "I'm glad I found you, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to... Caramel? What are you doing back there?" Trail asked, looking over the top of Aunt Lilly.

Drat! Why did he haft to be so tall? Caramel cursed.

Standing up straighter, Caramel smiled and laughed as he scratched the back of his head. He needed to think of something fast! "Oh hello Trail, I felt a rock in my hoof and I was trying to pick it out." Caramel said with a smile. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Yes indeed. It is quite fortuitous." Trail agreed, apparently not catching on that Caramel had been hiding from him.

"I take it that you know him?" Flash Sentry asked curiously, eyeing the large stallion.

Caramel moved around Aunt Lilly. "This is Oregon Trail, Goldie's older brother. Trail, this is Lieutenant Flash Sentry. He's going to escort us out to the warehouse."

"Its a pleasure to meet you." Flash Sentry said holding his hoof out. "Are you here to help out your sister and Caramel?"

Reaching out Trail hooked his fetlock around Flash's and shook. "Our father was worried for Goldie and wanted me to keep an eye on her."

Flash Sentry cocked his head. "Doesn't he trust Caramel to do that?"

Caramel began waving his hoof at Flash Sentry, trying to get his attention.

"Caramel?" Trail said. "Well, he's a nice enough fella and we like him just fine. It's just that father thought it would be best if family was with her."

Caramel was slashing at his throat now, desperately trying to stop Flash.

Flash Sentry, not noticing Caramel's gestures, cocked his head in confusion. "I don't understand, wouldn't her husband count as family?."

Oregon Trail froze, his ears shooting up. "Husband?... What husband?"

Caramel let out a deep breath. It was bound to happen, might as well come clean, he just wished that Goldie was here. "Me." He said stepping closer. "As of five days ago, Goldie and I were married."

Oregon Trail gaped at him, his expression unreadable. Slowly he stepped closer. His large hooves clumping loudly onto the hard crystal floor. Drawing up close to Caramel, Oregon Trail looked down at the much smaller stallion. "You... married my sister?" His voice had suddenly gone deeper.

Craning his head back, Carmel looked up at Oregon Trail. "Yes, yes I did." He knew he should be afraid. Oregon Trail was twice his size, and very protective of his sister. But as he looked up at him, Caramel felt a calmness come over him, feeling like he excepted his fate, whatever it was.

Oregon Trail lifted his hoof. Caramel gritted his teeth as he prepared himself. He would not back down nor show any weakness, he loved Goldie and no matter what happens to him, his feelings for her will always remain.

With a surprising quickness, Oregon Trail's hoof suddenly struck out. Caramel was expecting a crushing blow to strike him across the side of his face, but what actually happened caught him completely by surprise. Oregon Trails hoof wrapped around his neck and pulled him into a crushing embrace.

"Brother!" Trail cried out, his grip felt like he was cracking bone. "I have a brother! Mrs. Lilly, I have a brother!" He said to her.

Aunt Lilly let out a relived sigh, then smiled. "Yes sweetie, you do, and if you don't let up a bit, I'm afraid that he's not long for this world."

Realizing how much he was crushing Caramel, Trails quickly released him. Collapsing to the floor, Caramel struggled to draw in breath. "I... thought... I was a goner." Caramel managed to wheeze out.

"I'm sorry Caramel, I got a little excited there." Trail said patting Caramel on his back. "I've always wanted a brother but all I ever got was sisters. You have no idea how happy this makes me."

"Well." Caramel said, climbing back up onto his hooves. "Since I've never had a brother ether, I guess I have a little bit of an idea what it's like."

****

Goldie scrapped her hoof through the dirt, and lifted it up to sniff at the soil she held, sticking out her tongue, she tasted it. This was not good. "Prince Armor, didn't you say that this land used to be one of the best producing fields in this area at one time?"

"That is what the records say." Prince Armor replied, moving closer he looked at the soil she held.

Letting the soil fall from her hoof, Goldie let out a sigh. "The soil a bit low on nutrients, probably from over farming. I bet they never even rotated the fields." She said as she kicked at the ground

"Is that a problem?" Prince Armor asked.

Letting out another sigh, Goldie looked around as she considered his question. "With a bit of proper maintenance, this field can be restored, but it will take some work."

Nearby, Princess Twilight was looking over a water wheel that was set into a small stream. Walking over, Goldie heard Princess Twilight muttering to herself as she poked and pried at various parts of it.

"How does it look?" Goldie asked.

Stepping back, Princess Twilight shook her head. "Not good. All the metal has rusted into a single unmoving mass, and most of the wood has rotten off. It would be easier to build a new one."

"Well, I would have been surprised if it was good news." Goldie said with yet another sigh. They were supposed to show the farmers here how modern farming was done, but it was now looking like they were also going to haft to start from scratch. "I wonder what else will go wrong?"

"Hello sis." A very familiar voice said from behind her. "Guess who I ran into?"

Goldie let out a mortified yelp as she spun about, almost loosing her footing and falling into the stream in the process. "Trails! What!?... what are you doing here!?" Her heart was pounding in her chest in near panic.

Trails was smiling a really big smile, obviously enjoying himself. Caramel was standing next to him and too his credit he looked a bit guilty. "Father wanted me to come and keep an eye on you, but apparently I didn't haft to, because you have your nice strong husband who can do that for you now." Reaching out his hoof, Trails hooked Caramel and dragged him into his side.

Goldie's breath caught in her throat. "You know?"

"Oh yeah." Trails said with a happy nod. "Little bro here let me in on it. And you know what? I couldn't be happier for you."

Goldie blinked in surprise, not expecting her brother to be so reasonable. "You are?"

"Of course I am." Trails answered. "I remember how close the two of you were, and I knew from the first moment I saw you two together that this was going to happen someday, I'm just surprised it took so long."

"Well I'm glad we didn't disappoint." Goldie said snidely, giving him a grin. "Well since your here, we can use your help." She turned and gestured towards the water wheel.

After examining the water wheel, Trails felt confident that he would be able to make a new one. Walking back to the other side of the field, they all approached Blueberry as she laid comfortably on a blanket waiting in the shade of a tree. She had one of her wings unfurled and draped over something that was next to her. Goldie smiled, she couldn't help but think that Blueberry looked so much like a hen with a chick.

Giving Blueberry a smile and wave in greeting, Goldie stepped up close to the blanket. "Trails, come here, I want you to meet somepony." She said over her shoulder at her brother.

Bending down, Goldie began to speak to Blueberry's outstretched wing. "Hay sweetie, you hungry?"

At first, nothing seemed to be happening but then a little nose peeked out from under Blueberry's wing.

"That's it, come to mamma." Goldie urged, watching as Cinnamon slowly began to crawl her way out. Next to her, Trails gasped as Blueberry pulled her wing back and reveled Cinnamon. "Come on, you can do it." Goldie continued to urge the filly.

Cinnamon let out a mewling cry as she struggled, then much to Goldie's surprise, Cinnamon gathered her legs under herself and shakenly lifted herself up for a moment before flopping back down.

"Oh, what a mighty effort you did there." Goldie said, scooping Cinnamon up. "Mamma's so proud of you." Turning, Goldie smiled and held Cinnamon up for Trails to see. "Trails, I would like you to meet my daughter, Cinnamon."

Oregon Trail was gaping open mouthed at her and the filly she was holding up. "What?... How?... Who?... When!?" He stuttered out, confused. It seemed his brain just couldn't handle it anymore and decided that now was a good time to take a walk. His eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the ground.

Blueberry blinked in surprise at the unconscious stallion next to her, reaching her hoof out and nudged his still form a few times. Not knowing what else to do, she began to fan him with her wing.

Caramel shook his head at his wife. "Goldie, that was horrible of you."

Smiling down at her brother, Goldie nodded. "Yeah I know, but it was really fun too."

Trails felt completely out of sorts. He came here to watch over his sister, and he quickly found himself overwhelmed with events. Goldie was now married with a foal, and apparently close friends with the princess of the Crystal Empire. Sitting in a chair off to the side of Princess Cadence's office he watched as everypony gathered for a meeting.

His eyes roamed over to the pretty deaf pegasus as she talked with Goldie, her hooves moving in quick gestures that made no sense to him, but apparently Goldie now understood. When did Goldie learn sign language? He wondered. When he had come too from passing out, Blueberry had been leaning over him with a look of concern on her face. She, was easily the most beautiful mare he ever met, and he had no idea how to talk to her.

As he sat gazing over at her, Blueberry suddenly glanced at him and their eyes met. Trails heart suddenly leaped up in his chest, she had just caught him staring at her. Not knowing what to do, Trails nervously smiled and gave her a little wave, and was surprised when he saw her blush and look away with what looked like a small smile on her lips.

Any more musings on the matter was interrupted when Princess Cadence walked in, followed by Starlight Glimmer. The two moved around the room where Princess Cadence sat down in a large ornate chair, with Starlight Glimmer sitting by Princess Twilight in a nearby couch.

"We just had a very disappointing meeting with the landed gentry and some of the lesser lords." Princess Cadence announced glumly. "It appears that Lord Round Stone has been asserting his influence over them and now they are all refusing to update their farming practices to modern times."

"But why would he do that? Doesn't he want the Crystal Empire to be prosperous in these modern times?" Goldie asked.

Princess Cadence let out a sigh. "Lord Round Stone is the leader of the isolationists. He wants nothing to do with the outside world, and he and those that believe the same as him use their influence to force others to follow along, much like with the lesser lords and the landed gentry who have large loans owned by Lord Round Stone and his cohorts."

"Why are they so against Equestria?" Caramel asked curiously.

"Look at things from their point of view." Princess Twilight spoke up. "A little over a thousand years ago, they were conquered and enslaved by King Sombra. When Princess Celestia and Luna overthrew him and banished him into the Arctic north, he cursed the Crystal Ponies by entrapping them within the shadows, casting them adrift though the ages, lost in the darkness. When they finally returned, a thousand years had passed, and so much of the world they knew was changed. There was new technologies and new sciences that was both wondrous and terrifying." She paused as she looked around the room. "I don't blame them for wanting to return to how things were. Change, especially drastic change, can be scary."

Trials could see her point. Change could be hard for some ponies to accept. He remembered back when he was a colt, there was a old stallion that lived on a small farm not far from his parents. The old stallion absolutely refused to go to any doctor or hospital, saying that no modernistic witch-doctor, with their newfangled needles would ever be as good as his time tested home brew medicine that had been passed down through his family line since his great grandmama's time.

Trails remembered the old stallion complaining for a month about a pain in his gut, and one day, Trails dad was asked by somepony in town to take a package out to him. When they pulled up to the old stallions house, Trails dad had him stay in the wagon as he went up to the house. When the old stallion failed to answer the door when his dad knocked, he went inside.

After a few minutes, Trails got tired of waiting, and ran up to the house and looked in through the door. He saw his father taking a blanket and draping it over the old stallion as he slept on the floor in his kitchen. Seeing Trials looking in, his dad looked a little upset that he didn't stay with the wagon. Without saying a word, Trails dad took him back home, where he sat him down at the table and gave him a cookie to eat while he spoke with his mom, who was pregnant with Goldie at the time, in the other room. After that, his dad left to go back into town.

His mother then sat down with him and explained about what had happened to the old stallion. For the first time, he learned what death was.

"But change is also necessary." Princess Cadence said. "If the Crystal ponies are to be prosperous, then they need to learn new things, and grow. That is why I want to start with farming. Ponyville is a tiny fraction of the Crystal Empire's size, but it harvests a thousand times the amount of crops then the Crystal ponies."

"So what do you want us to do? If their not going to even listen to us, what's the point?" Goldie asked. "Its not like we can tie them up and force them to change."

Her question was left hanging, all the ponies looked around at each other expecting somepony to come up with an answer. Surprisingly it was Blueberry who stood up and offered an idea.

"What!?" Caramel exclaimed in both astonishment and amusement, as he watched her as she signed. "Only a daughter of a casino lord would come up with a idea like that!" He said as he started to laugh.

"What?" Princess Cadence asked, looking over with interest. "What's her idea?"

Caramel, still smiling, told them all Blueberry's idea.

"It is a risk, but it's also a good idea." Princess Cadence mused thoughtfully, turning to Goldie and Caramel. "What do you think? Is it feasible?"

"Well, I looked at the land all the way up to the barrier and its seen hard times. The entire dale was once very fertile, but due to over farming, the nutrients have been depleted, but I don't see why it can't be restored with a bit of maintenance."

"And I'm sure we could get some volunteers to help out, especially if they got a percent of the harvest." Caramel added.

Trails decided to add in his two bits. "I can have a working water wheel built and installed in no time. There is already a site ready for one, and with a little work, we can have the channels repaired and working in just a few days, if I had help."

Princess Cadence stood and slowly walked across the room. Stopping before a large painting she looked up at it as she contemplated her choice. Trails could see that the painting she was looking at depicted the country side of the Crystal Empire, it showed little farms scattered throughout the land, with ponies working out in the fields.

"The Crystal Ponies are a proud and noble race of ponies. They have come through many harsh trials that have made them stronger." Princess Cadence said, breaking her silence. "They are in a new world, and if I allow them to run from it and cling to their past like a foal clinging to a security blanket, then they will never grow and walk on their own. They need a push, and I think that this may be the push they need to start moving into this new world. I'll send a summons to Lord Round Stone, and met with him tomorrow." She turned and smiled at Blueberry. "You ready to roll the dice?"

When Goldie signed the Princess's last comment to Blueberry, she gave a strong nod, and pawed her hoof across the floor, showing her readiness.

Princess Cadence smile widened at Blueberry's show of spirit. Turning she then addressed Goldie. "Golden Harvest, I would like to appoint you to the position of Secretary of Farming Management, and put you in charge of this project."

Goldie gaped at the Princess, totally speechless. It took a few nudges from Caramel to finally get her to break out of it. "I... I don't know what to say."

"Yes, say yes." Caramel loudly whispered at her.

"Oh! Ah, Yes." Goldie answered quickly. "I'd be honored."

"Wonderful." Princess Cadence said happily. "Tomorrow, I would like you to be with me when I meet with Lord Round Stone. And since it was her idea, I would like for Blueberry to be there as well."

"Yes of course, we'll both be there." Goldie answered, bowing her head.

After that, Princess Cadence excused herself to go and talk with Princess Twilight. With a happy smile, Caramel leaned in and gave Goldie a congratulatory kiss before walking with her out of Princess Cadence's office.

"Caramel, Goldie!" Aunt Lilly called out to them. Hurrying over to them, she held out a letter to Caramel.

"What's this?" Caramel asked as he let her deposit the letter onto the flat of his hoof.

"Its the... notification of your sisters funeral." Aunt Lilly answered softly. "With Rarity's, and Pinkie's help, Chisel was able to get everything ready. Even Fluttershy volunteered to help after she heard about it. She wanted me to tell you that the next time you deliver her animal feed to her place, she's going to have a special hug for you."

"She always nice when I make my deliveries, she tips me with cookies." Caramel said with a forced smile. Looking down at the letter, Caramel felt like he had swallowed a stone. From resent events, he had managed to put his sister out of his mind, but the letter that now sat on his hoof suddenly brought it all back to the forefront.

"I'm so proud of you sis!" Trails exclaimed as he swept Goldie up in a hug. "I can't believe it, my little sis is in charge of a daring governmental project that would ether make or break the economic backbone of a entire society!"

"Trails!" Aunt Lilly called out to him. "Stop heaping psychosomatic stress onto your sister, she needs your support right now more then ever."

Trails ears wilted a bit, at Aunt Lilly's rebuke. "Your right, I'm sorry." He said apologetically, setting his sister back down. "Since your the big boss now, there is some things I want to suggest, if you want to hear them." He polity offered.

Goldie blinked at her brother's sudden helpful offer. "Sure. What's on your mind?"

Caramel didn't listen to the rest of the conversation. Taking the letter in mouth, he slipped off to his room. Closing the door, Caramel moved over to the bed and sat down. Setting the letter back down onto his hoof he looked down at it. The rock he swallowed still wasn't sitting well in his gut, as he slowly broke the seal on the letter.

Taking out a folded piece of paper, Caramel took a breath and opened it. The letter was gorgeously penned, likely Rarity's work. The contents described Fudge's life up to her death, then it announced that she would be laid to rest alongside her parents in Fillydelphia. Caramel glanced at the date, and saw that the funeral would be in two days. Only two more days until he put another family member into the ground.

Lowering the letter down, Caramel noticed that there was something poking out of the envelope. Sliding it out he found it was a picture of his sister, Fudge. Letting the letter and envelope fall to the floor, Caramel held up the picture and gazed at it. He missed her so much, there was so many things he wanted to share with her now. He could practically hear her laughter as he imagined talking to her over a home made dinner with Goldie sitting by his side.

Suddenly he wondered if there would come a day where he couldn't remember what his sisters laugh sounded like, or even what her smile looked like.

Out in the main drawing room, Goldie suddenly paused, as she talked with her brother and Aunt Lilly. She felt that something was wrong. Reaching up her hoof, she set it onto her chest where she felt a deep cold sensation settling in.

Aunt Lilly and Trails looked at her curiously as she suddenly stood. "Excuse me, there is something I need to do." She said to them, before she hurried away. Passing by a reading chair, Blueberry glanced up at her as she hurried by, her curious expression became alarmed when she noticed the worried look on Goldie's face.

Goldie rushed to her room and opened the door, inside she saw Caramel laying on the bed with something clutched to his chest. Closing the door, she hurried to him, glancing curiously at the letter and envelope that sat strewn on the floor.

"Caramel?" She gently called to him as she sat next to him, touching his side. "What's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, Caramel let it out with a shudder. "I'm going to forget her laugh." He suddenly said, his voice was filled with a deep sounding anguish. "I don't want to forget her laugh, or the way she smiled with that little curl on the side of her mouth. I don't want to forget the way she smelled when she hugged me. I don't want to forget, but it's going to happen. Its going to happen and there is nothing I can do to stop it"

Caramel had been going though bouts of depression, and Goldie had been doing her best to help him though them, but this time it seemed much worse then normal.

"Oh, Caramel, that's not true." Goldie said, laying down next to him and wrapping her hooves around him, hugging his head into her chest. "She will always live on in you, just as she will live on in Cinnamon. You are both a piece of her, and she is within both of your hearts. When Cinnamon is older, it will be you who will tell her about her mother, and there is no way you will ever forget a single minute detail about her, because you loved her dearly, and she in engraved into your very being. Nothing, not even time will ever take that from you."

Caramel remained quiet for a time, his breath warm against her chest. Then he slowly began to move as he curl himself around. Goldie knew what it was that he wanted, and pulled her hind leg back and offered him the succor he needed. Holding herself open to him, Goldie felt his warm lips wrap around one of her teats, as he drew it into his mouth. Once he was properly latched on, he gently began to suckle.

Slowly Goldie brushed her hoof through his mane as she began to hum a tune. They had tried this a few times before, and discovered that both of them immensely enjoyed the intimate act together, as it brought them both an extreme sense of comfort and affection. Right now Caramel was seeking both of those from her, and she was happy to give him what he needed.

Laying her head against his side, Goldie listened to his heartbeat while she enjoyed the sensation of his nursing. His suckles were slow and measured, not at all like the more frenzied suckles of a hungry foal. The feeling of his large tongue as it rubbed up, and pressed into the bottom of her teat with each of his suckles sent warm waves of pleasure throughout her body. Closing her eyes she concentrated on the pleasant feeling of his drawing milk from her teat, and listened to him swallow the warm creamy nourishment he took in.

After a time, Caramel finally released Goldie's teat, and looked over at her as he licked his lips. "Thank you." Caramel said in gratitude and nuzzled Goldie's cheek affectionately, before he lowered his head back down and latched onto her other teat.

Resisting the urge to gasp, Goldie shuddered in pleasure as she felt her milk let down under his ministrations. She had no words for how good this felt, as with each suckle he drew more her milk into his mouth. . "Take as long as you like. I'm happy I can do this for you."

Blueberry felt her cheeks burning. She had snuck over to their door to check on them because she was worried from the look she saw on Goldie's face when she rushed by her earlier. Finding the door unlocked, Blueberry had cracked it open to peek in, and what she saw transfixed her in amazement. Never before had she ever witnessed such a tender loving moment between two ponies. The look Blueberry saw on Goldie's face as Caramel nursed from her was absolutely blissful.

Shutting the door, Blueberry looked around. Aunt Lilly was working on some of her crocheting, while Goldie's very large big brother, Trails, was sitting at one of the desks, drawing out some plans he had for the project. Moving off down the hall, Blueberry went to her room, and started to paced around. She couldn't believe how strongly the sight of that intimate loving moment had affected her.

Such a thing was alien to where she came from. There was no lust or pain involved, no selfish demands made over the other. It was just two ponies lovingly communing together. A sense of jealousy came over her, as she found wanted something like that for herself. The feel of a gentle stallion pressed against her, as they affectionately pleased one other. She desperately wanted that but she knew that it was something she would never have, for what pony would ever want a defective pony like her?

Nibbling her lower lip, she continued to move around. During her time with Caramel and Goldie, she had learned so much about what it should be like between two loving ponies. Even though they sometimes teased each other, it was never done to hurt to demean the other, and forgiveness was always quick to be given. Support between the two was never asked for but always given. This too was something Blueberry had never seen back at home.

Her father had had his share of mares, and some of them even lasted a few weeks. But never did she see her father ever offer comfort or show affection to any of them. At one time, her father got angry and yelled at one of them. Frightened of her father, the mare huddled in the corner and cried, terrified that he might hurt her. Annoyed at the crying mare, her father hurled his cup at her, narrowly missing her head and shouted something at her, which caused the mare to quickly rush across the room and disappeared out the door. Blueberry never saw her again.

Love. True love was something she had never witnessed before, until she met Caramel and Goldie. Her bother, Bitternut's idea of love, was whatever dark crevice he could shove his stallionhood into for a few minutes. One time, Blueberry got first hoof experience with his brand of love, when he came home drunk one night.

With his stallionhood lewdly dangling down between his legs, Bitternut started moving towards her. Terrified of the look she saw in his eyes, Blueberry tried to flee but he only chased her down and pinned her to the floor. The horror that washed over her when she felt him mounting her was overwhelming, and no matter how much she struggled, Blueberry couldn't break free from his greater strength. She found herself completely helpless.

She whimpered when she felt his stallionhood poking at her, as he tried to find his way in. Luckily he was too drunk to aim right, and only managed to shove it between her inner thighs. Thankful that he couldn't tell that he had missed, Blueberry endured several minuets of her bother drooling on her back, as he thrusted himself between her hind legs. Until finally he clamped his teeth painfully onto her crest, as he shoved his stallionhood as deep under her as he could, and held it there, where, to her horror, she then felt his warm seed spurt out onto her belly and legs. With each spurt of his musky scented seed, Bitternut thrusted his hip into her, as he pumped his stallionhood, trying to drive his seed deep into her but only succeeded in saturating her belly further.

She felt his drool run down onto her withers as he let out a satisfied huff that stank of stale beer. Occasionally, Bitternut would give a slight shudder and buck of his hip, but this only lasted a short while. Having his need satiated, Bitternut pulled his softening stallionhood out from between her thighs, and climbed off of her. Staggering over to the couch, Bitternut flopped down onto it and instantly fell asleep.

Blueberry was left shivering in terror, and despite what had just happened to her, she was relieved that she had gotten off so lightly. Quickly she made her way to the bathroom where she spent the next couple of hours in the bathtub scrubbing her coat, trying to get the stink of him off of her.

Crossing to her bed, Blueberry flopped down onto her mattress and hugged her pillow. Even it if was impossible, Blueberry desperately wanted what Goldie and Caramel had, a true loving stallion that cared for her. Burying her face into her pillow, she started to cry.

"Trails, would you please find Blueberry and tell her that dinner will be brought up soon. I'll find Caramel and Goldie, and let them know." Lilly Pad asked as she put her croshay away.

Standing, Trails felt a sudden sense of nervous alarm. He wasn't sure how to act around Blueberry, and was convinced he was going to do something stupid and embarrassing. "How do I tell her? I don't know how to talk to her."

"Just do this." Lilly said as she touched her lips with her hoof then she touched her leg and slightly slid her hoof down her leg. "It means dinner.

Trails watched carefully, making sure he would remember the sign, and was about to go when it suddenly hit him. "Wait!? You know sign language too?" Did everypony know it but him!?

Lilly smiled and gave her head a shake. "Only a little. Blueberry has been showing me a few signs over the last couple of days, but I've only picked up a few of them." Turning, she headed off to find Caramel and Goldie.

Trials knew where Blueberry's room was, due to the fact that it was just across the hall from his room. Walking down the hall, Trails paused by her door and knocked. After a few moments when she didn't answer, he tried knocking again. Not getting a response a second time, he was about to try a third time when it suddenly hit him that she was deaf. No matter how much he knocked, she wouldn't be able to hear it.

Feeling stupid, Trails sat his rump down on the floor and scratched at the back of his head, as he considered what he should do. He thought about slipping a note under her door, but quickly dismissed the idea as being too silly. Finally, he decided that he just had to be brave and open her door.

Lifting his hoof, Trails held it over her door latch, and paused as he wondered why his heart was beating so hard. Holding his breath, Trials touched his hoof to the latch and pressed down. With an audible click, the door popped open. Trails skittered back a few steps as he stared at the door, convinced that Blueberry would angrily throw open her door, and accuse him of being a pervert.

When nothing happened, Trails stood and gingerly stepped up to the door and pushed it open just enough for him to stick his head around. With his eyes shut, Trials stuck his head through and waited. When nothing happened, he slowly cracked his eyes open, and saw Blueberry laying on her bed.

Perhaps she was taking a nap? Shouldering the door open, Trails moved into her room. He was a few steps in when he notices that she appeared to be crying. Freezing in place, Trails started to panic. He thought about getting Lilly or Goldie to come and help her, even Caramel would be better suited at this then him.

Turning he started for the door, but then he caught the sounds of her weeping coming from behind him. His heart went out for her, and he danced in place with indecision. He wanted to help her, but he had no way to talk to her, but then... did he really need to talk to her to help her? He wondered. Making up his mind, he went to her desk and took a box of tissues in his mouth.

Carefully, Trails lifted his hoof and lightly touched Blueberry's shoulder. Her reaction to his touch was instant. She let out a started squawk and whirled around to looked up at him.

Trails shied back for a moment. Suddenly regretting his decision, as he saw her looking up at him with her tear soaked eyes wide with fear. Not knowing what else to do, Trails clumsily thrust out the box of tissues at her.

Blueberry blinked at his sudden offering. The fear she had in her eyes faded as she realized he was trying to help her. She reached out and took the box of tissues. Lifting up her hoof, she touched her lip and dropped her hoof down slightly.

Sitting his rump down on the floor, Trails lifted his hoof and mimicked the gesture, and for the first time, he saw her smile. The sight of it nearly made his heart stop. She was normally quite pretty, but when she smiled it was like the sun had just peaked over the horizon.

Still smiling, Blueberry touched her chest and repeated the sign she did before, then she pointed her hoof at him, before she bent her hoof in a way that looked like she was scooping something, and pulled it in to her chest.

Trails thought he understood what she was telling him. The first sign was, thank you and the second was, your welcome. Nodding his understanding, Trails hooked his hoof like how she showed him and brought it to his chest. "Your welcome."

There was that smile again. Trails couldn't believe that he was doing it, he was actually talking with her. Smiling back, he met her eyes as they sparked cheerfully, with all signs of her weeping now gone

Looking at him curiously, Blueberry pointed her hoof at him as she shrugged as she pointed down at the floor.

It took Trails a few moment to puzzle out that she was asking why he was here in her room.

Remembering what Lilly had shown him, Trails touched his lip then slid his hoof a short ways up his other leg, in what he assumed meant dinner.

Blueberry blinked at him a moment, then let out a giggle. Trails wondered for a moment if he did the sign right, but was interrupted when Blueberry suddenly hopped out of bed and walked to the door. Pausing, Blueberry turned and looked back at Trails with a, are you coming, look.

Realizing that he was just sitting there by her bed staring at her, Trails gave a started jump and moved off to join her.

****

It was late, and Princess Cadence had to stifle another yawn, as she followed Flash Sentry down the palace hallway.

"Has he been questioned yet?" Princess Cadence asked, keeping her stride even and stately despite the rush.

Flash Sentry shook his head. "No, your majesty. The guards took him straight here when he arrived at the palace." Turning a corner they approached a door that had two guards posted on ether side.

"Good." She said before she paused a moment to look at Flash Sentry. "Please make sure that Twilight doesn't hear about this... at least for the time being."

"Yes Princess." Flash said with a bow. Turning he gestured to the guards to open the door.

Taking out a key, a guard unlocked the door then pushed it open, stepping aside, he then saluted as Princess Cadence stepped through.

Inside, was a small guest room, with a bed and sitting area, along with a door to the side that lead into a small bathroom.

Standing from his seat on one of the couches, an older unicorn bowed his head down. "Princess, its a honor."

"My apologies for holding you here, I trust you've been comfortable at least?" Princess Cadence asked politely.

Straightening up, the unicorn looked around his room. "Oh, ah... Yes, the room is quite comfortable, but.. I don't see why I am being held. I just had a horrible couple of days when I accidentally was left on the train, and ended up all the way over in Manehatten. It took a while for me to get the bits to buy a ticket back."

Princess Cadence gave him a friendly smile. "That is one of the things I came to talk to you about, Mr. Twirlshine." She held out a wing to indicate a chair. "Please, may I sit so we can discuss a few things?" She wanted him to feel like he had some control, so that he would be relaxed. It was important for him to be relaxed. At least at first.

"Oh! How rude of me. Please have a seat, would you like something to drink? Perhaps if I ask one of the guards at the door..." Twirlshine offered but stopped when Princess Cadence smiled and held up a hoof, while she gently shook her head.

"I thank you for the offer, but will decline." She said politely, as she settled herself into the chair. "Now, Mr. Twirlshine. I understand you are from a small town called Galloping Springs."

Twirlshine sat down across from her on the couch, and absently nodded his head. "Um, that's right Princess."

"Please tell me about it, I just love hearing about new places." Princess Cadence asked with a smile. It was something she learned from her aunt Celestia. By using small talk to get a base sense of his body postures and voice intonations when he was being honest, it would be easier to catch when he was stressed and trying to hide things.

Twirlshine tapped his hoof to his chin as he thought about it. "Well, its a small sleepy town with many friendly ponies who'd be happy to chat your ear off if you ask about the weather. The land there is poor for farming, but great for sheep ranching. Galloping Springs boast some of the largest sheep ranches in all of Equestria, and most of the wool that is used in the textile trade comes, from there."

"That's interesting." Princess Cadence said, carefully watching Twirlshine. "Where you also born there?"

"Yes, I was." He answered. "My father died when I was very young, so my mom raised me there on her own." He explained. "Later I showed an aptitude for theoretical magic and was accepted into Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. After I graduated, I lived in Canterlot until my mother passed away, and I decided to move back and take up my mothers position as town mage. It allowed me to make a living while I worked on my projects."

Perfect, Princess Cadence thought, now she could start to dig into the dirt of the matter. "Projects?" Princess Cadence asked curiously. "You mean like the Bonding spell, you use during the Midnight Dance?"

Twirlshine blinked at her, then shook his head. "No, the Bonding spell was just something I came across at one point when I looked though a old book. The mayor came to me one day wanting to do something special with the Harvest Festival, so I told her about the spell, and she thought it would be a great idea to use as a marriage gimmick to bring in tourists."

Princess Cadence noticed that his body became a little bit more ridged and stiff, his eyes shifted around now, only meeting her gaze for a moment. "I see." She replied nodding. "So it was the mayors idea to use the Hearts Harmony Spell then?"

"Well, yes." Twirlshine said with a shrug. "The town was on a decline and she was desperate to bring in tourists..." Twirlshine paused and suddenly paled, as he realized the name she used for the spell.

"That's right, I know what spell you used, and what it was made to do." Princess Cadence voice lost its soft friendly edge. "I would like to know how you came across it, and what you meant to do with it?"

Twirlshine shook his head with a distraught look. "I don't know what you mean?" He said in a pathetic attempt to play dumb.

Princess Cadence let the air crackle with her magic, causing Twirlshine to cower back in his seat. "Don't play games with me! You have taken the Hearts Harmony Spell and altered it, using hapless ponies to experiment on, and I want to know what your trying to accomplish!?"

Twirlshine shook his head again. "I'm not doing any of that! The spell is just how I found it in Cracked Marbles research journal! I swear it!" He cried out, a terrified look on his face.

Princess Cadence let out a bolt of magic that shot across the room and destroyed the nightstand by the bed. "Don't lie to me! I had a close look at your spell, and its no longer a true Hearts Harmony Spell! Its been adjusted to do something else. What where you trying to create!"

"Nothing! I... I..." Twirlshine stuttered to a stop. Princess Cadence could see him shaking with agitation. With a flick of his eye, he looked at the door as he foolishly contemplated escape, but with a final crackle of Cadence's magic, Twirlshine finally dropped his head down in defeat. "She... she said that it was for the good of Equestria, and that we'd be hero's"

Princess Cadence held her breath. The truth at last. "Who?... who told you this?"

"It... it was Quill Stoke." Twirlshine admitted. "It was about fifteen years ago. She came to me with Cracked Marbles research journal. She wanted me to finish his work and create our own Crystal Heart."

"I worked on it for years, and I thought I was getting close." Twirlshine continued. "I managed to find a fragment of the original spell to create the first Crystal Heart but something was missing. Every time I tried it, it would just die and fall apart. It was like I was planting a seedling in a desert without water. Finally I hit upon using Cracked Marbles research bonding spell to create a space where the Hearts Harmony spell could take root. And it worked."

"The Hearts Harmony spell was finally implanting like it was supposed to do but still I found there was one last thing missing, one final component, and I was hitting a wall." Twirlshine licked his lips, before he gave a irritated shake of his head. "Quill Stroke was getting impatient with my progress, and she wanted results. I argued with her that if she wanted me to go faster, then I needed test subjects to experiment on. The next day, she came to me with the idea of using the Spring Festival to get what we needed. And the Midnight Dance was born."

"For years I implanted the spell in couples, with widely varying degrees of success. In most cases the Hearts Harmony spell would just sit inert and unresponsive. Other times it grew for a short time, before stopping. It was frustrating! And I was beginning to think that it wasn't going to work, but Quill Stroke was confident that we just needed to find the right couple, who had the final part to complete the spell." Twirlshine paused and smiled. "Then it happened! Those two wonderful ponies showed up. It was like fate had delivered them right to us... to me."

A fevered light came to Twirlshine's eyes. "Those two were perfect. The spell was implanted and it was flourishing. By the next day they were already showing signs. I followed them to Ponyville and continued my observations but I was limited with what I could do with Princess Twilight there. On the train, when every pony was asleep, I managed to sneak close enough to observe the spells progress and was overjoyed at the results I saw." Looking up, Twirlshine unflinchingly met Princess Cadence's eyes. "In a month or two at most, the spell will reach a critical mass and transform them into the worlds first Coupled Crystal Hearts!"

Princess Cadence thought she was going to throw up.

"Just think of it! They would become more powerful then any Alicorn in existence, capable of protecting all of Equestria from all outside harm, forever." Twirlshine boasted proudly.

Princess Cadence had heard enough, if he uttered just one more word she felt she fry him to ash on the spot. Her magic erupted out and flung every piece of furniture into the walls, smashing and breaking many of them. Grabbing Twirlshine off the floor where he had fallen, Cadence held him suspended in the air before her with her magic. Standing from her chair, Cadence slowly approached him. Twirlshine was quacking in fear at the sight of her wrathful eyes as she drew closer. "You will end this now! Lift the spell from them or so help me!" She ordered

"It's already too late! It can't be stopped!" Twirlshine exclaimed, his eyes wide with terror.

Princess Cadence heard the door slam open as her guards rushed in, likely alerted from the commotion she made. She ignored them as she drew Twirlshine closer until his face was just before hers. "You filthy piece of wasted pony! What you have done is unforgivable!" She shouted in his face. "They are good honest ponies, that just wanted to live their lives and be a family. But because of what you have done, they will no longer have that!" Cadence felt hot tears streaming down her face now. "Right now, within Goldie, a new life is just starting to grow. And because of what you have done!" Cadence wrapped her magic around Twirlshine's throat and started to squeeze. "That new life will never take a breath! Never to be loved or held, and because of you, an entire family is being destroyed!"

"But it's for the good of Equestria!" Twirlshine chocked out. "The sacrifice of two insignificant ponies, is a small price to pay for the good they can do for us all."

Anything else he could have said was chocked off as Cadence tightened her magical grip on his throat. "I will hear no more of this! They are my friends, I will see you pay for what you have done!"

"That is quite enough." A voice suddenly said, and everything abruptly went deathly silent.

Princess Cadence blinked in surprise as everything suddenly froze in place. Twirlshine, his face fixed in terror, sat unmoving in her magical grip. Flash Sentry and all the Crystal Guards that had rushed in with him where standing like statues, as they all stared forward with unblinking eyes.

Looking like she was made from mist, the Alicorn mare drifted though the frozen guards, and stopped just before Cadence. Lifting her hoof, the Alicorn mare gently wiped at the tears that ran down Cadence's cheeks. "My pour little princess, I was hoping you wouldn't discover this truth."

"Its true then?" Cadence asked, her voice quaking. "What he said? Its going to happen!?"

The Alicorn mare turned her head and looked at the frozen Twirlshine. "That is what he intended to happen, but I am doing my best to alter that fate."

"So, you can stop it!?" Cadence asked, daring to hope.

Looking back at Cadence, the Alicorn shook her head. "The stone has been cast, and nothing we do will be able to stop it from tumbling down the mountain." Lifting her wing, the Alicorn then smiled. "The trick is, what happens when it reaches the bottom." She then tapped Cadence on her nose with the end of her wing. "Have faith in me daughter, I have a plan."

Cadence rubbed her hoof over her tickled nose. "Why... did you call me daughter?" She asked, confused by the affectionate address.

"Because you are of my blood." The rosy pink Alicorn answered meeting her gaze.

Cadence felt a sudden jolt shoot through her body, how could what she had said be true?

The Alicorn mare gave her head a sad nod. "I understand your not knowing this, but before the Hearts Harmony spell, I was once a young unicorn mare named Tranquil Spring."

Cadence was surprised that she recognized that name. When she became princess of the Crystal Empire, she scoured the archives for any shred of of history dating to a time before the Crystal Ponies had settled in the north, and had very little luck. But she did find that within the royal gardens, there was a small time worn statue of a unicorn mare cradling a foal. Cadence was always drawn to the statue whenever she walked the gardens, finding the simple beauty of the mother cradling her daughter to be peaceful and relaxing. At the base of that statue, there was a engraving that simply read, In Honor of my Mother Tranquil Spring, May her Heart Always Shine. Cadence had wondered who that pony was, now she found herself looking right at her.

"Chaos ran rampant during that time." Tranquil Spring started to explain. "My dear husband fell during one of the chaos beast raids that frequently happened during that time, but not before he left a beautiful gift within my womb. She was born latter that fall, and I named her Autumn Light." Tranquil Spring paused as her gaze became distant. "Autumn was my everything, I loved her so much. It wasn't long after that when our enemies found us again. I had to act quick if I was going to save Autumn and the other ponies, so I gave my daughter into the care of my younger sister and cast the Hearts Harmony spell on us all, with myself as the terminal focus."

"The Crystal Ponies were created that day, and I... I became the Crystal Heart." Tranquil Spring looked back up and met Cadence's eyes again. "I saved them all, but at the cost of myself." Lifting her hoof she tenderly touched Cadence's cheek. "You are the daughter of my daughter, a decedent of my line." Bending in close, Tranquil Spring tenderly, much like a loving mother would, kissed Cadence on her forehead.

Cadence was stunned by the revaluation. She never would have guessed that she would have discovered a long lost relative within the Crystal Empire, let alone it being one of the most powerful arcane treasures in the known lands, rivaled only by the Elements of Harmony.

Feeling tears well up again, Cadence reached out and abruptly hugged Tranquil Spring, crushing her to her chest. Feeling her worm soft body pressed into hers, Cadence started to bawl, and cry into Tranquil's mane as her emotions suddenly flooded out.

Tranquil Spring gently returned the embrace. "Oh, my pour little princess, whatever is the matter?" She asked tenderly.

Cadence continued to wail into Tranquil's mane, and it took a extended moment for her to gather herself enough to respond. "I... I almost did a horrible thing!" Cadence managed to sob out. "I was just so angry, I wanted... I just wanted him to pay!"

"Shh, I know, I know." Tranquil said soothingly. "He did something very bad, and I understand why you felt that way." She brushed her hoof down Cadence's mane. "And I couldn't be prouder of you, my daughter. Your passion for the well being of your friends is very noble."

Cadence struggled to bring her feelings under control. What Tranquil had said helped, but she still felt horrible for trying to hurt Twirlshine. "Why... why are you doing so much to help them?"

Pulling back from the hug, Tranquil once again wiped the tears from Cadence's cheeks. "I sensed them the moment they passed into the Crystal Empire. I was a bit worried about their intentions, so when they arrived at the palace, I spoke with them."

"You did!?" Cadence asked in surprise, wondering why Goldie or Caramel never mention this to her?

"I appeared to them as a little foal, that was all alone. I wanted to see what they were like, so I tested them." Tranquil explained. "I found them to be a remarkably trusting and caring couple, full of love for each other and for those they took in as family. A worthy trait I wished to see saved."

"Whatever help you need, just let me know, and you'll have it." Cadence offered, meeting Tranquil's gaze.

Tranquil smiled, and lightly patted Cadence cheek. "Such a good and loyal daughter, you make me more proud every day. Just keep being their friend, and make sure they stay within my province until the new moon."

Cadence suddenly sucked in a breath in horror. She forgot about the funeral! "How could I have been so stupid!?" She exclaimed. "They're leaving to attend Caramel's sisters funeral the morning after tomorrow. They'll be gone for a day!"

Tranquil Spring suddenly looked alarmed. "This must not happen, or else it would be disastrous for them." She said imperatively. "You must find a way to keep them here."

"But how am I to do that!?" Cadence asked, as she racked her brain on how she could do that without totally ruining her friendship with them. She knew that it was to help save them, but the horrible idea that she would have to deny Caramel the opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one left a terrible pit in her stomach.

"I'm sure you will find a way." Tranquil said confidently, before she gave Cadence a kiss on her cheek. "My time here draws to a close, it is very difficult to keep us between heartbeats for as long as I have. Remember my daughter, I am always here for you." She said as she tapped her hoof to Cadence's chest. A moment latter, her form broke apart and she faded away.

Twirlshine suddenly let out a gargled scream as he abruptly crumpled to the floor. Flash Sentry and the other Crystal Guards rushed around and surrounded Twirlshine.

Cadence stood over the pathetic form of Twirlshine as he wept huddled in a ball. Turning to Flash Sentry, Cadence gestured down at the wretched stallion. "Lieutenant Flash Sentry, lock Twirlshine in the dungeon, and make sure he is only given hay and water until I talk with aunt Celestia about drawing up charges for his crimes."

Flash Sentry saluted. "Yes, Princess." He then reached down and dragged Twirlshine up off the floor. With the other guards moving in to help, he briskly escorted Twirlshine out of the room.

Cadence let out a calming sigh as she watched them go. Walking over to the only chair that was still intact, she sat and stared out at the wall. What was she going to do? She wondered.

Author's Note

For those who never experienced it, or just think its gross or weird. The act of adults nursing is actually quite common, and does not always go along with sex. Many adults enjoy nursing for the close intimate feelings that come from the act. It can be very pleasant for both parties.

For those that didn't catch it, when Trails signed what he thought was dinner, he slid his hoof up his leg instead of down. He told her, breakfast. That is why she let out a giggle.