The Derpy I Know and Love

The cart got to Twilight’s family home in no time at all. It was a modest home but big enough to have raised two foals with room to spare.

There in the door were two ponies. A stallion of blue with indigo mane and tail. And a mare of blue-gray/lavender with purple and white mane and tail who was a spitting image of Twilight except for the color, both were smiling.

“Twi-Twi” said the stallion, Twilight cringed, “so good to see you, you and your friends get in here.”

With that they turned and lead the way in.

“Twi-Twi?” asked Muffins in a low voice.

“Don’t ask.”

A voice behind, one of Luna’s guards, called out.

“We’re leaving now Lady Twi-Twi, we’ll return at the appointed time.”

They quickly shot up into the sky. Twilight just facehoofed while the others laughed.

As they entered they noticed Shining Armor and Cadence were there waiting as well. Twilight started the introductions.

“Mom, Dad, this is my fiancée Muffins Star, Muffins this is my mom Twilight Velvet and dad, Night Light.”

“I see your father Sweetheart,” said Muffins with a grin, “but where’s your mother? I only see your younger sister.”

“Twilight!” Said Night Light in an unexpected stern voice, “you can NOT marry this pony!”

Twilight was in shock, she secretly feared that her parents weren’t as open-minded as she’d hoped. She feared rejection, scorn, and loss of the love of her family. But her father chuckled and said:

“She’s obviously a pony that’s much too good for you.”

“I’ve tried to tell her but she won’t listen,” said Muffins.

Twilight gave one of those faces when she’s put off her schedule.

“Continuing on, these are her, or I should say now, OUR children.

“This is Amethyst Star, we call her Sparkler.”

“A pleasure, I’m sure,” said Sparkler.

“So polite!” Said Twilight Velvet.

“And this is Dinky Star, we call her Cookie.”

“I can see why,” said Twilight Velvet, lifting Cookie with her magic, causing Cookie to giggle. Twilight Velvet hugged her tight.

“I could just eat her up!”

Twilight’s father tussled Cookie’s mane.

“Told you so,” said Twilight to Muffins.

“And Honey, you remember my brother, from when he gave us all a heart attack,” said Twilight, motioned to Shining, “and this is his wife Princess Cadence.”

“Cadence please!” said Cadence, “Twilight, if you call me princess again, I’ll shove my tiara up your muzzle.”

“I’d love to see that,” said Muffins, receiving a hug from Cadence.

Dinky was in awe. After being in front of Celestia and Luna, here was another princess.

“Are you a real princess?” she asked.

Cadence bent down to look the filly in the eye.

“Yes Sweetheart, I am. But I think I’d like it better if you’d call me Aunt Cadence.” Then looking at Sparkler, “I hope you both will. I used to be Twilight’s foal sitter when she was Cookie’s age, I love her so much. Plus my husband and I owe our happiness to her.”

“I’d like that. A real extended family is something we three have dreamed of.”

The older ponies smiled, a tear played at Twilight Velvet’s eyes.

Rarity cleared her throat behind them all.

“Sorry,” said Twilight, “you remember two of my very best friends, Rarity and her marefriend Applejack.”

“So glad to see you again.” Said Rarity.

“Likewise” said AJ.

Rarity turned to AJ.

“Applejack Honey, please remove your hat in polite company.”

“Awe! Quit your fussin’.” Replied AJ.

“Darling, were you raised in a barn?”

“As a matter of fact, I was. You know that.”

“That I do. However, would you like to go back to sleeping in one?”

Twilight never saw her friend remove her hat so quickly. All laughed. Twilight then noticed something.

“AJ, are you wearing...

Makeup?”

AJ blushed.

“It’s just a little mascara and blush, Rarity said I needed to make a good impression.”

“And she looks delicious,” said Rarity giving AJ a little kiss on the cheek.

“Maybe I should tell Twilight what you had to do for me to let you put the makeup on me.” Applejack said with a sly grin.

“Applejack! Not in front of the children!”

More laughs all around except Dinky of course.

After a great meal, they sat around talking. Mostly Night Light telling embarrassing stories about Twilight and Shining Armor. The two siblings were in a constant state of facehoofing. Cadence had taken Dinky in another room and was entertaining the little filly. They could hear them in the next room;

‘Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake!

Clap your hooves and do a little shake!’

Peals of laughter rang constantly. Cadence so loved children.

The talk got around to the wedding, who the Brides Maids were. Cadence had walked back into the room at that time.

“That reminds me.” Said Twilight. “Cadence, would you do me the honor of being my Best Mare?”

“I’d love to Twilight. But don’t you have other closer friends?”

“Yes I do, but after the Grand Galloping Gala Ticket Fiasco, I don’t want to pick one over the others. They all agreed to be Bride’s Maids.”

“I’ve a question to ask also,” said Muffins, then turning to her daughter, “Sparkler, my beautiful daughter, you’ve stuck by me for so long and I’ve leaned on your strength so many times, perhaps more than you may ever know. Would you honor me by being my Best Mare?”

“Yes mother,” Said Sparkler tears welled up in her eyes, “It’d make me so happy.”

Then looking at Dinky.

“And you Cookie, would you like to be a Flower Filly? We’re going to ask your friends to do it as well.”

“Yes mommy, I think that’d be fun!”

“Then there’s only one more item.” Said Twilight, “would you give me away Daddy?”

“I’d be so honored.” He replied. “Has Muffins asked her family yet?”

Muffins looked down.

“I’m an orphan,” she said. “My brother and I were left at the Canterlot Children’s Home when we were very young. We were discovered together, we were never sure if he was really my brother but that didn’t matter. Time-Turner and I always stuck together. For whatever reason, neither of us were adopted, as is the case of many foals.

We excelled at school and so we helped the younger foals with their schooling until we were old enough to leave. I got a job at the Canterlot Institute of Science and he went on to higher education. But he’s always been there for me, so I’m asking him.”

Night Light looked at Muffins.

“Sweetheart, you have a family now. You, your children, and even your brother are welcome here. And if you ever call us other that mom and dad, we’ll be very disappointed.”

Twilight Velvet nodded her head in agreement.

“I think I’d like my new daughter to help me clean up in the kitchen.” Said Twilight Velvet.

“I’d love to,” answered Muffins.

“I can help too,” said Twilight.

“No, you have guests here. You need to attend to them. But if Cadence would like to help that’d be nice, you too Sparkler.”

“I’d be happy to.” Said Cadence, Dinky followed as well.

“Me as well,” said Sparkler.

The rest of the evening went well. There was a lot of laughing coming from the kitchen. But there was plenty in the living room. At last it was time to leave. Dinky didn’t want to leave her new grandparents, but it was explained that they’d always be her grandparents now and she’d be back a lot.

Outside, Luna’s cart was waiting. Dinky was asleep before they reached the castle. Twilight and family went to their suite and Rarity and AJ to theirs.

Rarity was surprised to find Princess Luna waiting for them.

“Rarity, I understand you’ve finished my gown. May I try it on?”

“Certainly, Your Highness.” Said Rarity, “but isn’t it a little late for this?”

“Princess of the Night, remember?”

“Sorry, of course.”

Princess Luna was a beautiful mare as was Celestia. Rarity had a hidden fear the gowns she’d made might detract from the fact.

“It’s lovely,” said Luna, “We’re pleased. Have you made the Brides’ Dresses?”

“Yes Highness, they’re over here. The brides requested matching gowns as not to detract from the other.”

“A wise choice,” replied the princess. What of the Bride’s Maids?”

“I’ve not started them as of yet, Highness”

“My sister had a suggestion. She asked for your convenience and for her pleasure, if you can make the Bride’s Maids dresses similar to the Brides. With all the mares present in the wedding party, she said it’d add, symmetry.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Said Rarity, “it’d be my pleasure.”

Rarity was a little perplexed but a suggestion from the Crown was as good as an order. AJ was just smirking.

Twilight and family stayed a few more days. They visited with the princesses, and Twilight’s family especially at meal time. But the time came for them to go back to Ponyville and take care of their duties. It was just over two months until the wedding. Twilight and the rest of the wedding party did have to make several trips back to Canterlot for fitting with Rarity or for business with the princesses.