Bookends Part 2: Or Making Dreams Come True

The hospital bed was narrow but Cheerilee found she could snuggle close enough to Twilight to be comfortable without undue pressure on her injured body. It was hard to maneuver but the two found ways to make love without compromising the casts and bandages. Cheerilee did have to do most of the work, but she found with the adjustable bed, she could position herself so Twilight could do for her.

It’s a good thing Twilight hadn’t been on a heart monitor for weeks now or the nurses would’ve been interrupting them several times.

Now they lay side by side, Cheerilee embracing Twilight. Thankfully there were side rails to keep them from rolling out of the bed.

“Did you and the princesses have this planned?” asked Twilight.

“No Honey,” said Cheerilee, “it was as much of a surprise to me as it was you. But I think it was a wonderful wedding gift...

A wedding!”

“I only wish I had a ring for you,” said Twilight.

“I have you; alive, awake and now fully mine.” Said Cheerilee with a smile and a tear. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.

But if you really feel it necessary, I like sapphires.”

Both laughed, Twilight tried not to laugh too hard, it still hurt.

“Well, if we’re putting in our orders, I like rubies. Just keep an eye on them incase Spike gets, as Pinkie puts it, snacky.”

Again they laughed.

“Twi?”

“Yes Darling?”

“Do you think we might later regret the princess springing this on us?” asked Cheerilee, “we never talked about such a thing. I mean now if we had a falling out, we can’t just go our separate ways.”

Twilight looked a little confused.

“Were you expecting to leave me? Did you find another mare while I was out?”

Cheerilee delivered a very light love tap.

“I love you Twilight, I never expected we could be married. Now, it feels so natural.”

“Well don’t get the idea just because you’re now a Sparkle I’m a husband.”

“You sure? Perhaps I should look to see if the princess did anything to you.”

With that Cheerilee carefully moved down to Twilight’s ‘nether regions’.

“Find anything?’ asked Twilight with a giggle.

Her answer was a tongue in her marehood.

“That feels so much better,” said Twilight, Cheerilee knew exactly what Twilight was talking about.

There was a knocking at the door, interrupting what was going to be another ‘round’. Cheerilee got out of the bed, a little stiff. Went to the door and opened it.

“Mrs. Sparkle?” asked the nurse.

Cheerilee smiled at the name;

“Yes?”

“Sorry to bother you but we’ve waited as long as we can, we do have to check your wife, change the bandages and give her medicine to her.”

“Of course, go right ahead, I need to get us some breakfast anyway.”

“That’s been arranged.” Said the nurse with a smile, “it’ll be here soon.”

The nurse went in, checked Twilight over, changed a couple gauze bandages and gave her a couple of pills.

A little later another nurse brought in a couple of plates for Twilight and her. It was apparent it was more than normal hospital fare.

“Princess Celestia had this delivered. Don’t tell anypony that we allowed Champagne.”

Twilight and Cheerilee were eating the non-hospital breakfast and drinking the delicious Champagne. They were still giddy about the previous day’s happenings and the night of love despite being in a hospital bed.

There was a knock on the door and it opened. Twilight’s doctor poked her head in and asked if it was okay to come in.

“Yes doctor,” said Cheerilee.

“Oh! Champagne!” Said the doctor, with a sly smile. “I guess with such blatant disregard of hospital rules, I’m just going to have to send Mrs. Sparkle home.”

“Home!” said Twilight and Cheerilee together.

“Yes,” said the doctor, “now that Twilight is awake and doesn’t appear to be in much distress, there isn’t much we can do here now which can’t be done at home and with some physical therapy and follow-up's. It’s clearly apparent she’ll be watched after and with all the ‘exercise’ last night, she should do well at home.

Finish up your breakfast, by the time you’re finished the paperwork should be done.

That way we can give the bed to somepony who actually needs it.”

The doctor turned to go but Twilight called out.

“Before you go doctor.” Said Twilight with sudden trepidation. “Did you get the results of that one test? The one I asked about yesterday?”

Cheerilee just looked confused. But the doctor smiled.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner Mrs. Sparkle. I’m glad to tell you that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.”

“Thank Celestia,” said Twilight as she let out a large breath of relief. The doctor turned and left.

“What was that about?” asked Cheerilee.

Twilight took her hoof and smiled.

“You don’t have to worry about being married to me but having to raise your brother or sister.”

Cheerilee was shocked, she hadn’t even thought of the possibility. How Twilight was able to act so calm with such a possibility hanging over her head, she didn’t know.

“Don’t think you’re getting out of raising a foal,” said Twilight. “We’ll need to talk about it, but I remember one late snowy night a beautiful mare told me she’d be open to the possibility of adoption.”

Cheerilee kissed Twilight so hard, it almost hurt.

A wheelchair was issued to Twilight, and Princess Celestia’s cart was waiting for them. There was several of the medical staff along with many of Twilight’s friends from the community waiting for her outside. There were cheers and applaud as Twilight was loaded on the cart. Princess Celestia was seated and Twilight and Cheerilee sat with her. She gave a command and the guard pulled them to the library. Ponies lined the way cheering as if it were a victory parade.

At the library there was a large Welcome Home banner was above the door.

The princess told Twilight and Cheerilee she had to return to Canterlot for now, but she’d be checking in on them. Then she kissed Twilight and Cheerilee.

After Twilight levitated herself onto her wheelchair, the princess took off. Everypony waved and they all went into the library.

To her surprise, the library wasn’t decorated for a party. All her friends were there waiting for her.

“Welcome home Twilight,” they all called out.

“No party?” said Twilight laughing.

“No!” said Pinkie, sounding hurt. “Everypony said you needed to rest yet.”

“I appreciate the thought,” said Twilight, it did lighten up Pinkie’s mood. “And I expect a party later.”

“No problem,” said Pinky, throwing a hug around her.

“Ouch!” said Twilight, “still got some healing to do Pinkie.”

“Sorry Twi,” said Pinkie, not sure how she should feel.

“It’s okay,” said Twilight, “I’ve had worse.

A LOT worse.”

Twilight looked around the main library floor. She could almost point where every blow was delivered. Where the horrible violation occurred. All the blood had been cleaned up, but in Twilight’s mind the blood stains were still fresh. Cheerilee saw the look on Twilight’s face, she knew this would have to be dealt with.

“Thank you everypony,” said Cheerilee, “Twilight still needs rest to get better. I’d really like it if we could have today just to get her accustomed to being back home. I promise anypony who wants to visit tomorrow will be welcome.”

Everypony agreed with Cheerilee. They all gave gentle hugs and left Twilight with Cheerilee, Spike and Rain Shadow.

“Well Honey,” said Rain Shadow, “I was invited to spend the night at Sweet Apple Acres. I’ll just get a few things and be on my way.”

“I was going as well,” said Spike.

“Rain Shadow?” said Twilight.

“Yes Twilight,” answered the mare.

With her magic, Twilight moved the wheelchair over to the pink Pegasus.

“Thank you for what you risked in standing up for and warning Cheeri,” said Twilight. “That took guts, and I really do know how much and what you risked. I just want to let you know I love your daughter so very much. I hope now we’re married, you’ll consider me a daughter as well.”

“I know I could’ve done more to protect her in the past. I’m so ashamed of it. But I’m so glad Cheerilee now has a marefriend...

Sorry Twilight, a wife like you to protect her. I thank Celestia I’m now free of past oppression.”

The past flashed through Rain Shadow’s mind. She realized with past terror gone, she now had a future with two very loving ponies. It felt so good.

“Twilight, you gave me my daughter where before I couldn’t have a relationship with her. Her father was proof it’d be better if she was with a mare who loves her rather than being with a stallion just for appearances.

I’d be proud to consider you my daughter. Two daughters are more than I’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Thank you… Mom,” said Twilight.

A look of joy crossed the older mare’s face. A joy she’d not felt for a very, very long time. She wiped a tear away and hugged Twilight lightly. Twilight returned the hug, Cheerilee came over and joined the hug as well.

Rain Shadow had forgotten what love and friendship could feel like.

She started remembering a very special pony from the past.

Later Twilight and Cheerilee sat at the kitchen table. Cheerilee had made a light lunch and tea. In spite of her claim of not being able to cook, it was quite tasty.

It felt like years since they’d sat there talking about the summer, the day it happened. And an eternity since the late evening, sharing daisy sandwiches, chamomile tea and dreams one late fall night.

“When I said I’d move in with if you didn’t wait on me,” said Cheerilee with a smile, “I never realized it’d be me having to wait on you.”

“Nopony is making you,” said Twilight.

“Yes there is,” said Cheerilee with the look of love in her eyes. “It’s my heart that does. With the unconditional love you’ve shown, I’ll never be able to pay you back for what you were willing to sacrifice for me.”

Twilight motioned Cheerilee closer. Cheerilee walked around the table to Twilight. They kissed deeper than they had since the incident. They broke the kiss and Cheerilee was panting.

“Debt paid,” said Twilight.

“Sorry Twi,” said Cheerilee with a tear in her eye, brushing back Twilight’s forelock, “I never want to be free of that debt.”

Twilight pulled Cheerilee gently on her lap. As they kissed, there was a purple glow around them, the next thing Cheerilee knew was they were in their bedroom. This time the teleportation wasn’t as disorienting, perhaps the distance or perhaps having gone through it once.

“What a horny little mare I’m married to!” said Cheerilee snickering and getting off Twilight’s lap to help her to the bed. “If I knew how you really were…”

“You would’ve made love to me that first night,” said Twilight.

“You’ve got that straight,” said Cheerilee, laying Twilight on her back and then straddling Twilight’s head. Cheerilee put her face at Twilight’s marehood while hers hovering at Twilight’s muzzle.

“So are you going to talk?” asked Cheerilee, “or are you going to…”

Cheerilee was interrupted with a tongue deep inside her.

“Good girl,” said Cheerilee as her own tongue dove into Twilight.

The weeks went by fairly normal. Twilight got stronger and was able to help out around the library, cook meals and keep up with all the well wishers, along with other business.

The important event coming up was Rainbow and Big Mac’s wedding. Rainbow was falling all over herself to make sure Twilight could be there as her Best Mare.

Twilight complained to Rainbow it was Rainbow’s wedding, she shouldn’t fuss so much over herself. But Rainbow pointed out Twilight and Cheerilee’s wedding had been sprung on them without warning and she didn’t get to have any of the fun working up to it, so she wanted to share her fun with her best friend. Rainbow, in spite of her past actions, was really a sentimental softy and Twilight did appreciate the thought.

Big Mac, who’d been one of the few close friends Cheerilee had in Ponyville in the past, asked her to be his Best Mare.

It was a week before the wedding and Cheerilee was sitting in the waiting room while Twilight was having the casts removed from her hind legs. Both mares were excited.

Cheerilee was reading an old copy of Scientific Equestria when her eye caught the title of a pamphlet in the literature rack on the wall. Wishing she could levitate like her wife, she got up and retrieved one. Cheerilee looked it over, then reading it again, she thought she’d burst. She’d keep it for now, and let Twilight know what she was thinking after all the excitement was over with Rainbow and Big Mac’s wedding. No need to distract Twilight from all the activity that Rainbow was throwing at her for now.

It wasn’t long before Twilight came out, she was out of the wheelchair, on her own four hooves. She was wobbly and her hind legs looked skinner but she was managing as well as could be expected.

“Okay, Mrs. Sparkle,” said the doctor, “just take it easy at first. No running for at least a couple of weeks. And for Celestia’s sake, no more bar fights!”

All the ponies laughed as Cheerilee came up.

“I’ll keep an eye on her doctor,” said Cheerilee, “but no promises. She can be a real spitfire when she’s had one glass of wine.”

“We’ll talk about that one, Darling” said Twilight, not really annoyed.

“No, we won’t,” said Cheerilee, “but I’ve something we’ll talk about. But we need to get through Rainbow’s wedding first. And I promise, you’ll like it.”

Twilight just looked questioningly at Cheerilee as she leaned on her for support as they walked out the door.

As they arrived at home, there outside the library was Rain Shadow and another Pegasus mare. Cheerilee thought she might recognize the mare but hadn’t seen her for a long time.

Twilight thought to herself she could see a striking resemblance to Rainbow Dash.

Rain Shadow had her saddle bag packed and on her back.

“Girls,” said Rain Shadow, “I don’t think you need my help anymore. Twilight is all but healed and I do have things to clear up back in Baltamare.

Twilight, I want to thank you again for what you did for Cheerilee and me. You probably saved our lives and the lives of some other future victims. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Take care of your wife for me, and we’ll be back from time to time. I promise our next appearance won’t be followed by trauma. Just remember you’ll always have a place in our hearts.”

“We, our, mother?” asked Cheerilee.

“I’m so sorry,” said Rain Shadow, embarrassed, “everypony, this is Wind Walker, a very old and close friend from before I was married, you’ll see more of her.”

Cheerilee looked confused, Twilight started to snicker. She’d figured it out.

“Cheerilee,” said the mother, “when I told you I had no problem with your lifestyle from the beginning. Let me just put it this way.

You come by it honestly.”

Cheerilee thought a moment, then the thought hit, her face reflected it.

“You’re a mare-lover mother ?” asked Cheerilee.

“Wind Walker and I’ve loved each other from the time we were in school. My parents made me marry your father to hide their perceived shame.

And you see what became of that.

That’s why I finally stood up to him (everypony swore never to give voice to the fiend’s name ever again). When I heard what he was planning, I couldn’t let the same thing happen to you that happened to me, my lovely daughter.

When he accused me of infidelity when you were born an Earth Pony, it was partially true. And I’m somewhat ashamed, but it wasn’t with a stallion. Windie and I had seen each other secretly from time to time, but not for a while now.

There’s only one good thing to come out of the marriage, one which made it worth everything I went through.

And that’s you my sweet daughter, and you too Twilight. I couldn’t be prouder of each of you.”

Rain Shadow and Wind Walker gave the younger mares a hug. Just before leaving, Wind Walker spoke up for the first time;

“Girls, don’t repeat our mistake. Be true to yourselves, don’t try to please anypony else. Just each other.”

The two mares shared a kiss, perhaps for the first time in their lives in public, then they flew off.

Cheerilee and Twilight just looked at each other and laughed, kissed then went inside.