The Derpy I Know and Love

Pinkie Pie was surprised to get an invitation to a get-together she didn’t plan.

“A party Twilight?” she asked, “and I didn’t get to plan it?”

“No, this isn’t quite a party. It’s just a gathering of our friends for an important announcement.”

Twilight would say no more, so Pinkie thought she’d explode before Saturday, and that was tomorrow.

The rest of Twilight’s friends, except Rainbow, were intrigued but not as much on edge as Pinkie. Spike didn’t attend because he was already aware, plus it was later and there was Owlowiscious to look after.

Sugarcube Corner’s main floor was large enough for one of Pinkie Pie’s parties. But now, instead of confetti, streamers and balloons, there were several tables in a group. On which was punch, sandwiches and other treats. There were cookies, cupcakes and muffins. In spite of common thought, the cookies were more to Muffins’ liking than the muffins.

At one group of tables were Twilight’s friends. There was Rainbow Dash (near the head table, being she was in on what’s going on), with Applejack and Rarity. Then there was Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Big Mac who was looking very unsure seeing how close Muffins and Twilight were setting together. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Dinky Star sat with the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

The other group consisted of Muffins’ friends. By the head table was Amethyst Star (Sparkler), Carrot Top (who Muffins had to let in on earlier), Octavia (a school friend of Pinkie Pie’s as well) and Vinyl Scratch. Then at another table were Dr. Hooves (who turned out to be Muffins’ brother), Lyra and Bon-Bon Heartstrings

Seated at the head table were Twilight and Muffins sitting so that they could face everypony.

The guests sat around nibbling on the treats, talking low to their neighbors. Not quite certain why they were here.

With her magic, Twilight tapped a spoon on a glass for everypony’s attention, then she and Muffins stood up.

“I’m not sure if everypony knows each other,” started Twilight, “but you’re the closest friends and family we have in Ponyville.”

“I think it’d be a good idea for you to get to know each other better.” Said Muffins.

Odd looks from most seated. Rainbow and Carrot Top facehoofed.

“Just say IT for pony sake,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Say what?” asked Sparkler.

Twilight took Muffins hoof, some eyebrows raised.

“Twilight and I’ve been seeing each other for some time now.” Said Muffins, “we’re in love and we want you all to be the first to know.”

Most of the assembled applauded. Sparkler sat open mouthed. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Dinky giggled, Bon-Bon and Lyra looked at each other and smiled a knowing smile while applauding. Nopony noticed that Applejack and Rarity had given each other the same look.

Then Sparkler jumped up and hugged her mother.

“I’m so happy for you, mom.” She said.

Everypony else came up to congratulate the couple. Big Mac gave a very short congratulations and excused himself. Twilight looked at Applejack.

“He had a crush on Derpy, sorry, I mean Muffins,” she whispered.

Lyra and Bon-Bon said something about welcome to the herd.

Rarity spoke up.

“Twilight, Darling, when did you discover that you liked mares?”

“I don’t,” Twilight replied.

“But Sugar Cube,” continued Applejack. “Didn’t notice that the pony you’re dating is a mare.”

“This hasn’t anything to do with a choice between stallions and mares. I’m in love with Twilight and that’s all that matters,” said Muffins.

“The same goes for me,” said Twilight, “I was never drawn to anypony before. I can’t now think of being with anypony else.”

With that the two kissed publicly for the first time. Bon-Bon and Lyra cheered the loudest.

Applejack raised her hoof. All looked her way.

“Sugar Cubes, Rarity and I want you to know we do understand what you’re saying completely,” said Applejack looking at Rarity. Rarity smiled and gave a little nod, Applejack continued;

“But heck! You call that a kiss? That ain’t nothin’!” she smiled.

Then putting a foreleg around Rarity’s neck, AJ planted an equally passionate kiss on Rarity. And to most of the ponies’ surprise, Rarity didn’t pull away. In fact she pulled AJ closer.

Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and the rest burst out in laughter. It was Rainbow’s turn to be dumbfounded.

“I thought I was the only one of the group that was a mare-lover! Think of all the fun we’ve missed. What a party it would’ve been. Rarity, AJ, Twilight and myself. And heck, Pinkie’s only requirements for a ‘partner’ is they have a pulse. It would have been awesome!

And with the right amount of wine, we might’ve gotten Fluttershy to play as well.”

Fluttershy blushed, but did smile.

Everypony laughed.

Later, after the party broke up, Twilight, Muffins, Sparkler and Dinky were sitting around after the rest had left.

“Is there something you want to ask my Darlings?” asked Muffins.

“Are you really sure about this, mom?” asked Sparkler. “I know ponies don’t look at it as badly as in the past, you know, two mares. But I know there’re still ponies who’d try to make things hard on you.”

“I’m more sure of this than anything, my sweet. We love each other so much that we could face such challenges together.”

“And you Miss Sparkle? Will this hurt your standing with Princess Celestia?”

Twilight froze for a moment, she never thought of telling the princess.

“I guess I have a letter to write to the princess.” Then looking at Sparkler, “but I don’t care. I love your mother. She’s all the world to me now.”

Sparkler hugged Twilight’s neck.

“That’s all I wanted to hear.”

At that moment, Twilight felt a tapping on her foreleg. There was Dinky looking up at her.

“Are you going to be my mommy too?” she asked.

Twilight and Muffins looked at each other. Tears welling in their eyes.

“I sure hope so.” Said Twilight bending down to look her in the eyes. “Would that be okay with you…

Cookie?”

It was the first time Twilight called Dinky by the nickname that only family used. Cookie’s eyes went wide and threw a hug around Twilight’s neck. With that the four of them shared a group hug. Twilight was so happy she could burst. It was more than she’d ever hoped for.

A readymade family, with love!

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’m sorry I haven’t written about this sooner, but I’ve learned a little more about friendship than I ever expected.

I’ve found the pony of my dreams and I’m pretty sure this is the pony I want to spend the rest of my life with. I know as my teacher and friend you wish all the happiness for me.

But there’s something more and I’m sorry to have my doubts, but I was afraid you might think less of me when you found out the pony I love is a mare.

You know her, she’s Muffins Star, the pony who was at the Canterlot Institute of Science. The pony who survived the accident.

I’m not sure how this all happened, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

I remain your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight, Muffins and Spike sat around the front room of the library. It was tough waiting on the princess’ reply.

Twilight waited a week to send the letter while Muffins and Dinky moved in. Sparkler’s duties had her staying at the different pony’s houses where she was working. But she’d come by for meals and the occasional overnight. Dinky found a friend and playmate in Spike and Spike liked having a young pony around the place looking up to him.

“The wait is unbearable!” said Twilight at last. “I wish it was over, win, lose or draw!”

Muffins took Twilight’s hoof.

“It’ll be okay My Love. Spike just sent the letter an hour ago.”

“But what if it isn’t okay?” said Twilight in terror. “What if she throws me in a dungeon? Or she banishes me? Or she banishes me and then she throws me in a dungeon in the place she banishes me?”

Spike put a claw to his head.

“Not this again.”

“You don’t know the princess like I do. Any moment now, there’ll be a knock at the door. Followed by the entry of two of the palace guards, that’s followed by a Captain of the Guard. They’ll put a spell on me and drag me out of here never to be seen alive by any pony ever again!

It only gets worse from there!” Twilight was on the verge of tears.

“Don’t be silly,” giggled Muffins, kissing Twilight’s hoof.

At that moment there was a loud hard knocking at the door. The door flew open and there stood two palace guards. Three sets of eyes opened wide, three jaws dropped. In marched Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard and Twilight’s brother.

Twilight was about to faint, Muffins could feel her fear and trembling, Twilight looked deathly pale.

Shining Armor announced in a professional voice.

“Their Grand Royal Highnesses. Princesses Celestia and Luna. Rulers of Equestria!”

Twilight thought, ‘this is it’. It was going to be worse than she’d imagined. No trial, the princess would enter and pronounce judgment right then and there.

Twilight wondered how cold it was going to be on the moon. Or how hot Tartarus will be.

But instead of a royal and regal entry, Celestia rushed in, Luna walked behind and stood with Shining Armor. Celestia’s golden magic aura encased the two mares and drew them to her. She embraced them both. Luna and Shining stood back and looked with amusement.

“My Darling, Darling Twilight!” she said more excited than Twilight had ever seen her. “I couldn’t be happier if I was your mother!”

Then addressing Muffins, who was quite in shock.

“And I’ve thought of you so many times over the years, hoping happiness and love would find you. This is beyond my fondest dreams!”

There were streams of joy running down the princess’ face. Celestia hugged harder, her strength was incredible.

“Then me being in love with a mare doesn’t bother you?” asked Twilight.

Celestia released the hug and looked at Twilight.

“Why child, does it bother you?”

The wisdom of the ages came through in that simple statement.

“Twily,” said her brother, “we all couldn’t be happier. Mom, dad and Cadence were ecstatic and told me they expect to meet this special mare soon.

But I’m a little disappointed that I had to find out from a piece of paper.”

He winked, reminding Twilight of the scolding she gave him when she discovered he was getting married from a wedding invitation.

“I too share your joy my children.” Said Luna with a sly look. “The two of you must come visit with me. Remember the night and ALL that goes on there is my domain.”

Everypony, except Spike got the innuendo and laughed.

“Twilight, you said in your letter, this is the pony you want to spend the rest of your life with. You truly feel this?” asked Celestia.

“Yes ma’am, I’m more sure of this than anything.”

“And you, my Dear,” Celestia said to Muffins, “Is this also your feelings?”

“I don’t think any other pony could make me happier. My children love and accept her. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anypony else. That says a lot being I did love Shooting Star so much, Your Highness.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear,” replied the princess. “When do we make the wedding?”

Twilight and Muffins looked at each other;

“Wedding?”

Both smiled.

“I guess this is something we have to talk about.” Said Muffins.

The princesses and the others couldn’t stay long but Twilight promised to let the princess know what they decided.

After the princess and others left. Twilight told Muffins she’d an errand to run. She kissed Muffins and trotted off at a happy pace.

Twilight was a pony of habit and organization. But for some reason, meal times weren’t part of that routine. She’d eat only if she remembered to, between books or her research. Now with two to three (when Sparkler was staying, like this night) more ponies living there, meals were like clockwork, thanks to Muffins, who turned out to be a great cook. As the little family sat around the table. Twilight felt it was a good time and place for the talk.

“Sweetheart, Sparkler, Cookie, Spike,” she started, “I know the five of us haven’t been together for very long. But I think Celestia was right, what do you think about the two of us getting married?”

“Two mommies!” exclaimed Dinky.

“I can’t think of any reason not to, and I want you both to be happy.” said Sparkler.

“You know I want you to be happy, more than anything,” said Spike. “I never had a mother, but you’ve been raising me, so you’re the closest thing to a mother I’ve had. And I’m glad of it. I’m so happy for you.”

“And you Honey?” said Twilight looking at Muffins.

“Are you asking?” Muffins said raising one eyebrow.

“I talked to Rainbow Dash about the anatomy of Pegasi.”

Muffins look confused. She thought Twilight had been examining Pegasus anatomy quite closely.

“It’s an easy thing for Unicorns because we use our horns, but I understand on your wing, the very first flight feather is attached to a finger-like structure.”

Muffins nodded with a even more confused look.

Twilight then reached out, took Muffins left wing with her hoof and knelt down.

“Muffins Star, I can’t think of living my life from here on out without you. Would you do me the ultimate honor of being Muffins Sparkle?

Will you marry me?”

With that, Twilight levitated a diamond ring from out of a drawer in a chest by the wall. It paused just before Muffins.

Tears were streaming from Muffins eyes. Not to mention Twilight’s and Sparkler’s.

“Yes! Oh Celestia, yes!”

The ring vanished and reappeared on the structure of Muffins wing.

Twilight and Muffins kissed more passionately than they ever did in front of the kids.

“Hey! Cookie, Spike, want to go to Sugarcube Corner?” asked Sparkler. “My treat!”

Muffins and Twilight giggled at the gesture. Without waiting for them to leave, there was a purple flash and they were no longer in the room. But movement was heard upstairs.

“Gross!” exclaimed Spike jokingly.

“Let us get out of here,” said Sparkler with a smile.

The kids came home hours ago. Sparkler had put Dinky to bed. She explained Mommy and Twilight wouldn’t be able to kiss her good night, but she assured her she’d get extra kisses in the morning.

Muffins and Twilight were laying in bed. Muffins was looking at the ring on her wing.

“You didn’t need to do that, My Love.”

“You’re displeased?” asked Twilight.

“No, no, no!” said Muffins kissing Twilight.

“Just because I gave you a ring, don’t think of me as the ‘husband’” said Twilight, “or haven’t you noticed?”

Muffins giggled.

“I’m not sure,” she said with ‘that look’ in her eyes, “maybe I should check again.”

Muffins turned and examined Twilight’s nether regions, then started kissing the way that drove Twilight wild.

“Nothing yet,” said Muffins between kisses, “Maybe I should check closer.”

“Perhaps you’re the ‘husband’ said Twilight, “I think I’ll have to check you.”

Twilight wondered what she ever did before Muffins.

Muffins and Twilight were seen everywhere together. There were some odd looks to see the very reserved Twilight and the pony everypony called Derpy in playful banter, standing very close, hardly one was seen then without the other.

Many noted the diamond sparkling on Muffins wing. Somehow it was being impressed on the little community it was improper to refer to the blue-gray mare as Derpy. Rainbow Dash had been almost belligerent to narrow-minded ponies that they shouldn’t refer to her friend (even Rainbow never thought she’d ever refer to Muffins like that) as anything but her real name, Muffins!

All noted how happy the two were.

The other odd thing noticed was the farm pony Applejack was seen at Carousel Boutique a lot yet never wore any dresses. She was with the very beautiful Rarity most of the time.

Even the slowest ponies were starting to realize four ponies they had preconceived notions about were all wrong. Here were four ponies who were very happy, more than they had ever seen prior. And for all appearance, none of them cared what others thought. Which for the most ponies’ part, they were all happy to see these hero ponies of Ponyville happy.

It was about a week later, Princess Celestia was in constant contact with Twilight. Mostly concerning wedding plans.

Muffins was honored to have letters (through Spike) from the princess about her thoughts on the wedding. She commented how much easier it’d have been when she was at the post office to just have a dragon in each household. Muffins had quit the Weather Team and the Equestria Postal Service when she moved in with Twilight. She helped out at the library, and Twilight’s stipend from the Crown, more than covered the bills and food for three extra mouths to feed. The new arrangement gave Dinky more time for friends. She became an official member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. To the delight of all involved.

Twilight tried to insist she wanted a small service in Ponyville. But the princess all but made it a Royal Command the wedding would be a state affair at Canterlot Castle. It was demanded due to Twilight’s official position as the Royal Apprentice. Also Equestria owed so much to Twilight and her friends, it could be no less.

Now, Twilight, Muffins and the kids were going to Canterlot to finalize the arrangement. They all agreed on Hearth Warming Eve for the wedding. It’d be a later service so Princess Luna could attend. Besides wedding business, Twilight and the rest were going to visit Twilight’s parents. It was time to introduce Muffins and the kids to them.

They were going to drop in on Rarity as well. Rarity had temporarily closed Carousel Boutique and moved her operations to Canterlot ever since Princesses Celestia and Luna had requested she make them dresses for the wedding. This had been Rarity’s dream to design dresses for the princesses, (Twilight may’ve mentioned something to Celestia). There was also the two Brides’ dresses, two Best Mare dresses, ten Bride’s maids dresses, four Flower Filly dresses.

It being late fall, and nothing much going on at Sweet Apple Acres, AJ had an excuse to go with Rarity to help her ‘run errands’ and help out. But everypony understood the real reasons and after all, Rarity only requested one bedroom.