Bookends Part 2: Or Making Dreams Come True

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walked away from the classroom window giggling.

“Ewww!” said Scootaloo.

“I don’t know,” said Sweetie Belle, “I think it’s kind of sweet.”

“What’re you three laughing about?” asked Diamond Tiara.

“Another scheme to get rid of your blank flanks?” said Silver Spoon.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon laughed as if something incredibly witty had been said.

“Go bother somepony that cares,” said Scootaloo.

“No Scoot, I think we need to call a truce on this ‘n’,” said Apple Bloom.

“And why’s that?” asked Diamond, unsure of this turn. Never had any of the Cutie Mark Crusaders ever suggested such a thing.

“Look in the window.” Said Scootaloo.

“This better not be a trick,” said Diamond suspiciously.

“No trick Diamond,” said Sweetie Belle.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, walked to the window, looked in and after a few moments returned to the CMC.

They just looked at each other for a minute and then they started to laugh.

“Wow,” remarked Twilight, breaking the kiss, “it just gets better.”

Cheerilee giggled and scooted off her desk.

“I wish we could take up where we left off this morning,” said the teacher, nuzzling Twilight and giving another small kiss, “but I’m sure the students have seen us, but like you said, I don’t care. But I’ve the rest of the school day to finish. Can we meet back at the library? I promise not to run out on you this time, it’s Friday after all.”

Both ponies giggled again.

“I’ll be waiting on you. I’ll have dinner ready, if my cooking doesn’t run you off. I guess I need to have a talk with Spike.”

“I’ll see you there,” said Cheerilee.

They exchanged another small kiss and Twilight walk to the door. Cheerilee, for the first time really looked at Twilight’s flanks. She was imagining the treasure hidden behind Twilight’s tail. It was making her tingle ‘down below’. Before Twilight went through the door she stopped. Cheerilee then noticed that Twilight had been looking over her shoulder at her.

“Like what you see?” asked Twilight, twitching her tail for a better view.

“We can talk about that later.” Said Cheerilee with a smile.

“You bet we will,” said Twilight with an equal smile.

Twilight walked on, Cheerilee decided it was time to call the kids back in and finish the day. She was sure she’d have no problem with staying on task now.

As Twilight was leaving the school yard she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with their frenemies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nearby, looking at her, whispering and giggling.

‘I’d better talk to AJ and Rarity at least, before their sisters exaggerate,’ thought Twilight.

Then it struck her, if this was anything else personal, she’d have trouble talking to her friends about it. But this was liberating. She couldn’t wait to tell them! She heard Cheerilee ringing the bell for the students to come in.

As Twilight walked the road back to town, she could swear that her hooves weren’t in contact with the ground. There was a rose colored Earth Pony taking control of all her thoughts. She’d never felt like this before. There was a word that kept coming to mind, a word she never thought she’d feel. She didn’t want to give voice to it as of yet, it had to be too soon to think she could be like this. After all, that’s what she’d read.

As Twilight came into town, Rainbow Dash was flying over. She banked sharply and flew down to Twilight.

“Twi!” said Rainbow, “what’s up?”

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight.

“I could see your smile from two hundred feet up,” said Rainbow with a smile, “you win the Equestria Lottery?”

“Even better,” said Twilight, “could you do me a favor? Could you find our friends, and if they’re not busy, have them meet me at Sugarcube Corner?”

“Sure thing Twi,” said the blue Pegasus as she took to the sky.

It was about a half hour later when the six friends were sitting at a table. Twilight was so giddy she could barely sit still.

“Okay Sugar Cube,” said AJ. “We’re all here like you asked, so wha’s up? ‘You look happier than a pig in mud’.”

“Yes Darling,” said Rarity, “I was almost blinded by your smile when I came in.”

“Did the newest Daring Do book arrive?” asked Rainbow Dash.

The other ponies just looked at Rainbow, she slouched down just a bit and blushed.

Twilight took a deep breath.

“Everypony, I’ve found the pony of my dreams,” she said. “I’m really sure this is the one.”

Five ponies sat open mouthed.

“That’s great news,” said Rainbow, “it’s Davenport, the stallion at the Quill and Sofa Shop, isn’t it?”

“I bet it’s that brainy stallion, Dr. Time-Turner Hooves,” said Pinkie Pie.

“Is it that very talented artist, Claude Ponet,” asked Fluttershy.

“It’s not that dork Gizmo. Please say it isn’t,” pleaded Rarity.

“It ain’t my brother is it?” asked Applejack. Rainbow gave an odd sideward glance.

“Not even close girls,” said Twilight, “it’s Cheerilee!”

The five friends sat silent. They looked back and forth between themselves.

Twilight’s heart started to sink. Had she misjudged her friends, had she just alienated herself from them?

All of the sudden, smiles grew on their faces. Her friends got up and rushed to hug her.

“That’s great,” said Fluttershy, “she’s such a nice pony.”

“I bet there’s a story to tell,” said Rarity, giving voice to her curiosity. Everypony knew that Rarity loved details, the juicier the better.

The girls all sat back down; Twilight related the events of the previous evening, the glorious morning, the misunderstanding and the confirmation of their feelings at the school. She also related Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle would probably have something to report.

After letting it sink in, Twilight continued.

“So you’re all okay with me liking a mare?”

“Darling,” started Rarity, “there’s nothing wrong with the two of you dating. It’s only important how the two of you feel. And I can tell that it’s making you happy, more happy than we’ve ever seen you.”

“Twi,” said Rainbow, “times are different, anypony who’d say anything about you being with a mare, well, they have their head so far up their flanks, they’ll be bumping into everything.”

“Twilight,” said Fluttershy, “you told me once there are about nine or ten mares for every one stallion in Equestria. Ancient equines had entire herds of mares as a harem. But now, even if every stallion had two mares, there’d still be thousands of lonely mares.

I think if two mares weren’t allowed to find companionship or more with each other, then that’d be wrong.”

It was Fluttershy’s turn to have everypony look at her with blank expressions. They’d never heard Fluttershy talk like this.

“Soooooo,” said Pinkie, with a deceptively innocent smile, “is she a good kisser?”

“Wait, what?” said Twilight blushing. “I…”

“No need to answer,” said Pinkie, then in her singsong voice:

“♪ I-can-see-that-she-is! ♪”

“Do you love her, Darling?” asked Rarity.

Twilight went blank. She’d just fought with this concept before running into Rainbow Dash. She’d tried not to consider exactly what her feelings were other than wanting to just be with Cheerilee.

“I... I don’t know, we just started sharing our feelings last night,” said Twilight, “isn’t it too early to say?”

“That’s up to you,” said Rarity, “but just ask yourself; how would you feel if you could never be with her or even see Cheerilee again.

I think you’ll find your answer.”

The friends all congratulated Twilight and hugged her before going back to their business. Twilight sat for a good hour and four cups of tea, just considering what Rarity had said.

After the way she felt when she thought Cheeri had run out on her. There must be something, or at least the start of something. Something she’d never felt for anypony before.

The realization of this made Twilight smile so much it hurt, but she didn’t care.

Twilight then went straight home. She had to get dinner together, she also had to talk to Spike and she had one more task to do.

“Okay Twi,” said Spike, “it must be important or very bad for you to ask me to sit down for a talk.”

“Oh Spike,” said Twilight with a smile, “it isn’t bad, but it’s important.

Ever since I hatched you, you’ve slept in my room. I’ve a bit of news which will have to change that arrangement.”

Spike looked confused;

“Am I snoring that bad?”

“No silly,” said Twilight with a giggle, “I have a new marefriend, and she’ll be staying the night with me. How often is to be determined. I thought it might be less embarrassing to all involved.”

“Do I have to sleep in the library?”

“No Spike,” said Twilight with a smile, “we’ll turn one of the store rooms into your own room. It’ll be yours alone. One has a nice window in it and we can get you a real bed if you want, you can even put pictures of Rarity all over the walls if you wish.”

The two laughed at that.

Then it hit him;

“Wait! Did you say marefriend? As in a girl? How’s that even work?” asked Spike scratching his head with his claw.

“Yes Spike, do you know of any other kind of mare?” said Twilight, “and it works very well, thank you. Do you have a problem with mares?”

“I guess not, I just never thought of you with a mare. Actually I’ve never thought of you with a stallion for that matter,” said the dragon.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” said Twilight, a bit hurt.

“No Twi, I didn’t mean it that way.” Said Spike, “it’s just you’ve never made any time for such things. Who is she?”

“It’s Cheerilee,” said Twilight happily.

“The teacher?” asked Spike with a laugh, “Wow! She’s a looker and smart. I think you’ve hit the jackpot.

Are you sure there’ll be enough room in the library for two brains that big?”

“Oh Spike,” said Twilight laughing.

Twilight busied herself in cooking the best dinner she could manage, it was an eggplant parmesan and a green salad. Twilight then went about gathering the good plates she kept for special occasions. And because of the special occasion, Twilight put a small dish of gems by Spike’s plate.

Then after a little bit of thought, she wrote a note and left it under the plate she had set for Cheerilee.

Then she and Spike busied themselves cleaning up the library. They were putting the cleaning supplies away when they heard the bell at the door.

“She’s here!” said Twilight jogging in place. Spike couldn’t remember ever seeing Twilight this excited. It truly made him happy for the pony that was like a sister/mother/best friend.

“Cheeri!” said Twilight joyfully trotting into the main library.

“Twi!” said Cheerilee just as excited.

They rushed together, put a foreleg around each other’s neck and gave a warm kiss.

“I guess you weren’t kidding,” said a voice.

They both turned and saw Spike standing there smiling.

“Hello Spike,” said Cheerilee, “I guess you’ve heard the news.”

“I have and I’m so glad for the two of you.”

“Thank you, Spike,” said Cheerilee, “I hope it wasn’t too big of a shock. It kind of was for us at first.”

The three got a laugh out of that.

“Well,” said Spike, “I have to finish up my chores before dinner. I’ll just have to leave you two alone.”

Cheerilee and Twilight giggled at the obvious ‘leaving them alone’.

“How was the rest of your day, Cheeri?” asked Twilight. “Any issues with the kids?”

“Most of the fillies wouldn’t stop giggling, but other than that it was so much better than before you came to see me.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I hope you don’t mind, but after seeing the girls giggling at me, I thought it’d be best to let my friends in on the news. That way there’d be nothing blown out of proportion,” said Twilight. “Didn’t want parents contacting the school asking why the teacher was ‘getting it on’ with the kids watching. I guess you could’ve told them it was a practical demonstration concerning the biology lecture.”

The two giggled.

Cheerilee kissed Twilight again;

“I’d be disappointed if you were hiding it.” Said Cheerilee, nuzzling Twilight, “especially after what you said at the school.”

Cheerilee and Twilight walked into the living quarters of the downstairs, their sides and flanks touching. Cheerilee could smell the dinner finishing up.

“Oh my,” said the teacher, “it smells great! I’m doubly glad of my choice of marefriend. Whenever I get to cook, I usually burn the salad.”

The two laughed at that.

“Can I go freshen up, I brought some personal items in my bag.”

“Cheeri,” said Twilight, “you’re welcome to use my rooms. You don’t need any permission to do so. My home is your home. I’ll be hurt if you didn’t treat it that way.”

They kissed and Cheerilee went up the stairs from the kitchen to Twilight’s upper rooms.

Twilight put the food on the table, poured some wine for Cheerilee and herself, and water for Spike. She’d never before caught herself humming as she worked, but now she was. Twilight didn’t even recognize the tune, but her heart was telling her it was the right thing to do.

She called out for everypony to come and eat.

Spike and Twilight sat at the table, Cheerilee came down the stairs and joined them. Twilight noticed Cheerilee had fixed up her mane and put on a little bit of makeup. Twilight could also smell a light amount of perfume. Cheerilee gave Twilight a look that made her weak all over.

“Wow!” said Spike.

“You look and smell beautiful!” said Twilight, reaching out her hoof and placing it on Cheerilee’s.

Cheerilee leaned over and kissed Twilight.

“Thank you,” she said, “you don’t know how much that means to me.”

They ate the delicious meal that Twilight had prepared, Spike was thrilled because Cheerilee paid attention to him as well. He’d been a little afraid he’d be ignored.

“That was delicious,” said Cheerilee. “I’ve not had a home cooked meal like that in a long time. So much better than at the boarding house.”

“I’m so glad to hear it, Cheeri,” said Twilight blushing at the praise.

“See,” said Cheerilee snickering, “I knew you did more than write poems.”

“You didn’t tell her about that, did you Twi?” asked Spike.

“Yes she did,” said Cheerilee, “and I think they’re cute.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” said Twilight, starting to blush again. “Because I wrote one for this occasion.”

“Let’s hear it,” said Cheerilee, “but I might just grade it this time.”

“It’s okay Spike, it’s safe,” said Twilight, then turning to Cheerilee she said, “it’s on the paper under your plate.”

Twilight was so excited for Cheerilee to read it from the moment she’d written it. Twilight levitated Cheerilee’s plate enough for Cheerilee to retrieve the note.

Cheerilee opened it, read it;

Then she read it again.

There were tears rolling down her cheek, as she read it out loud;

“There’s something that I must do,

Something that’s just for you,

My sweet Cheerilee,

I need you to see,

Just how much Iloveyou!”

Cheerilee paused, just looking at the note. Then she looked up at Twilight,

“You love me?” asked Cheerilee, her face outshining the sun.

“I know it’s quick,” said Twilight, “but I don’t know how I could ever feel more for any other pony. I’ve never told anypony outside my family that.”

“No pony ever has told me they love me,’ said Cheerilee, “maybe my mother but never my father except perhaps when I was very young.”

Cheerilee broke down crying.

“I love you too Twi!” said Cheerilee, “I love you so much! Thank you! Thank you!”

Unashamed, she leaned over and kissed Twilight with all her soul.

They broke the kiss, their brows pressed together. They both had identical looks of complete contentment on their faces. Then Cheerilee turned to talk to Spike;

“Sorry for acting this way in front of you. Realize Twilight is the pony I’ve always dreamed of. In less than twenty four hours she’s made me happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Spike,” said Twilight, “would you mind…”

“Hey Twi!” interrupted the dragon giggling. “Why don’t I move my bed down here tonight?”

“You’re the best,” said Twilight.