Oh, Shining Armor *

Chapter 6

Orion had never felt happier. He reflected on everything that had happened the past couple of months. Twilight passed her entrance exam and was accepted into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. To top it off, his daughter also got her cutie mark while she was taking the test.

Anything she saw her father doing with Cadance was completely wiped from her mind, as the young filly was completely dedicated to her studies. From what Orion understood, Celestia had taken Twilight under her wing, so to speak.

Dazzle was currently spending time with Twilight. Orion's wife was staying at Canterlot Castle as part of a “Motherhooves Meet-n-Greet” for the mares of students. It was a chance for moms to see what that expensive tuition was going towards. It was an overnight event, with Dazzle returning tomorrow morning.

“For how much this education's costing me, the breakfast they serve my wife had better be pretty, damn fancy,” Orion thought to himself.

Orion couldn't complain, though. Considering what he'd been through, everything was working out better than he could have hoped.

Most importantly, it had been months since Orion could last remember seeing Cadance. He finally felt as though he had secured his marriage. Even though her foalsitting services were no longer required, Orion was grateful that Cadance had never returned to his home. To see her again would be uncomfortable. He now felt confident that the filly was too embarrassed to ever show her face.

In Orion's mind, the last time he saw Cadance was after he rejected her, and she left crying. What Orion could not recall was what happened the next day. The Want it Need it spell had caused Orion to forget everything that happened while he was under its influence. Cadance enchanting him and the subsequent molestation were beyond the stallion's powers of recollection.

Even his son's life was looking up! Shining Armor had recently been accepted into the Royal Guard Academy. He had spent the last few weeks enjoying his remaining freedom, before having to adjust to a rigorous, military lifestyle.

Orion felt a bit sentimental. Here his children were, embarking on their journeys of higher education and discovery, while he and is wife stayed behind. Orion realized that once Shining Armor left, he and Dazzle would become empty nesters, to borrow a Griffin expression. It made him feel old. He wanted to be surrounded by the sounds of foals again.

“Well,” Orion mused, “That's what grandfoals are for.”

As he arrived home from work, Orion heard Shining Armor's voice coming from their back yard. He was talking to...somepony? Orion's heart did palpitations. He recognized the other voice. It was Cadance.

Orion stood there shocked as he listened to the sounds coming from outside. His son was grunting and straining.

“Hungh!” Shining groaned, “Uungh!”

“Harder, Shining Armor, harder!” the pink filly squealed, “Push faster!”

“I'm getting tired.” the colt said.

“Don't stop.” Cadance giggled, “It's too much fun!” Orion listened, horrified.

“They're doing it outside where anypony can see!” Orion thought, mortified, “I wanted grandfoals, but not this soon!” He ran out back to break up the coitus.

When Orion stepped outside he saw his son pushing Cadance...on their swing set.

“Wheee!” Cadance said rising higher into the air, “I feel like I'm flying!”

“But you're an alicorn,” Shining Armor said, chuckling, “You can already fly.”

“Oh yeah,” Cadance said, giggling.

Orion was confused. Here was Cadance, only she wasn't acting like when he last saw her. Now, she seemed more like an innocent little filly.

“Hey dad,” Shining said, pulling the swing to a stop. Taking Cadance's hoof in his, the gentlecolt helped her off the swing.

“I've got some great news,” Shining Armor said, “Cadance and I are dating now!” Orion's heart leapt into his throat, He watched Cadance nuzzle his son's neck. His mouth went dry and he broke out into a cold sweat as he remembered the feeling of her nose rubbing against his balls.

“What's the matter dad?” Shining said, his face falling, “Aren't you happy?” Orion's tongue felt like sandpaper.

“I...uh...,” the blue stallion stammered. Sensing what the problem might be, Cadance sent Shining Armor off.

“Shining,” she said in a playful voice, “Could you go start some popcorn?”

“Sure thing, Mia Amore,” Shining said, their noses touching.

Once Shining had walked inside and closed the door, Orion and Cadance were all alone. The filly took a step forward. The stallion took a step back. Cadance hung her head.

“I'm so sorry about my behavior earlier,” Cadance said, sadly. Orion wasn't expecting this.

“I've always looked up to you, Orion,” Cadance said, staring into the stallion's eyes, “I now realize it was just a stupid infatuation.”

Orion lowered his guard. Was she serious? Did Cadance really want to leave that incident behind her?

“I need to love somepony my own age,” she said, somberly, “I found that love with your son.”

Orion felt a lump form in his throat. As he listened to her words, Orion felt himself becoming more at peace with the idea of Cadance and his son being together. He had know for sometime how Shining Armor felt about the filly. He had seen the way his son watched her when she was still foalsitting Twilight.

“After all I've put you through, I would understand if you never wanted to see me again,” she said, sorrowfully, “but I'm asking for your blessing. Can Shining Armor and I be together?”

Too relieved to speak, Orion simply nodded. Cadance beamed. She looked like she was going to cry.

At last the other horseshoe had finally dropped. There were no more skeletons in Orion's closet. No more panicking with every ring of the doorbell. Cadance wanted to bury the past, and Orion was only too happy to grab a shovel.

Shining reappeared at the door.

“Popcorn's ready!” he said, “Ready to watch the movie?”

“I'll be right there!” Cadance called back. Staring into Orion's eyes, she whispered, “Thank you for giving me another chance.” Orion watched as Cadance joined her coltfriend inside.

“Have fun!” Orion said, “What movie are you two going to watch?” Shining Armor was glad to see his dad being supportive now.

"Cadance must have resolved whatever the issue was." the colt thought.

“We're going to watch Daring Do and the Raiders of the Lost Ark," Shining Armor said, "It's my favorite!”

“Mine too,” Cadance said, smiling as the back door closed behind them.