Bookends Part 3: Or Family Values

That following Friday afternoon, Twilight and Cheerilee decided to take Rain Shadow and Wind Walker to visit Canterlot. Plus it’d been over a month since Twilight’s mother visited and she’d heard that Shining Armor and Cadence were in Canterlot to meet with Princess Celestia. They’d not seen Twilight or Cheerilee since the procedure.

As Twilight had found, most Pegasi didn’t enjoy train rides as being too slow. So Twilight and Cheerilee talked the older mares into a nice ride with nice conversation, and a late lunch in the dining coach.

Rain Shadow related how much she’d relaxed since she was free to go home without fear.

Wind Walker was contacted by Rain Shadow as soon as she’d decided to return to Baltamare. Being she had no attachments, she’d met Rain Shadow in Ponyville and then moved in with her right away. She’d been living in Cloudsdale and jumped at the chance to be reunited with her first and only love. She said she always knew things would work out and she’d be with Rain Shadow eventually.

She’d unfortunately met Rain Shadow’s ex-husband and quickly found out about his temper and tendency to use violence. So she was genuinely impressed with Twilight’s actions in standing up for Cheerilee and Rain Shadow against such overwhelming odds, and at such a high cost to herself. Wind Walker said she could see why Twilight was Rainbow’s best friend.

The two had to work hard to get all the legal issues cleared up with Rain Shadow’s liberation from her oppressive marriage. She even joked she was so relaxed now she had to be careful because she was starting to put on weight.

At the station, there were four ponies waiting on them, Twilight’s father and mother; Night Light and Twilight Velvet along with Shining Armor and Cadence. As soon as they disembarked the train, the family was all over them like parasprites on a bushel of apples. Wind Walker was introduced to everypony and all said how happy they were to have her there.

Twilight thought it kind of funny, even though they were as glad to see her, Shining and Cadence were really focused on Cheerilee along with Night Light and Twilight Velvet. The rest of the ponies thought it amusing as well.

But it could be forgiven, it was Shining’s biological child and the couples only claim at any child for now, even if it was technically to be a niece or nephew. Twilight did half-seriously remind her mother and father she was carrying a child also and it was their grandfoal as well.

“I can understand their feelings,” said Wind Walker, “that’s why I was so thrilled when I found out the two of you decided to do this. I feel in a way, now Rainy and I are together, they’re going to be like my grandfoals too.”

“You’ll always be considered a grandmother to our foals,” said Twilight, “and like another mother to me. It’s so special to have three mothers!”

Wind Walker hugged Twilight a very warm and loving hug, a tear rolled down both mares’ cheeks.

“Hey Twilight!” said Cheerilee laughing, “I’m right here and you’re in the embrace of another mare… Again! And my mother’s partner this time.

Don’t you ever get enough at home? It’s like I said in the past, what a horny little mare I’m married to!”

“Yes,” laughed Rain Shadow, “I don’t know what to think of that.”

All the ponies assembled laughed.

“Well if Twilight can wait,” said Twilight Velvet laughing, “why don’t we take your things to our home and get you girls comfortable for the evening. You can do some tours in the morning.”

“Luckily you’ve a princess and prince for a sister-in-law and brother,” said Cadence with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, “we have the use of one of aunt Celestia’s wagons and four of the Palace Guards to drag around pregnant mares. We wouldn’t want them to have to walk or anything inconvenient, especially Twilight the Younger.”

Again the ponies laughed, Twilight hugged Cadence warmly, but whispered for her to hear only;

“And like I said before, bite me princess.”

“I’ll leave that for Cheerilee to do,” whispered Cadence back.

The hug was tightened as proof that she was only kidding. It was proof of just how much the two loved each other.

Then Cadence gave a wicked chuckle;

“I warned you about that princess stuff Twilight,” said Cadence out loud, trying to sound stern, “now you’ll pay the price.”

Twilight knew she was joking around, but it didn’t stop her from being concerned.

Cadence levitated her tiara and sent it in the direction of Twilight’s muzzle. But it stopped short.

“Your brother is married to a princess,” said Cadence, “that makes him a prince. If your brother is a prince, then technically that makes YOU a princess. So by my Royal Command, you’re required to wear this tiara all the waking hours of your day until you depart for Ponyville. Oh, and don’t worry about me, I’ve a spare back at the house.”

With that the tiara floated atop Twilight’s head. All her companions broke out in riotous laughter at Twilight’s incredulous look on her face.

Cadence chuckled and said;

“Please ponies, please! Show proper respect to Her Highness!”

Cadence then bowed to Twilight. The rest of the extended family followed her example. It was embarrassing enough for her family to do this in a public place, but there were a number of passing ponies who saw the group of ponies bowing to a pony wearing a tiara so they stopped and bowed as well.

They all rose up, helped Twilight and Cheerilee into the wagon, and they started off for Twilight’s parents home.

“Just wait until aunt Celestia and Luna see you,” said Cadence, winking at Twilight, “they’re going to have a ball.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Twilight.

Later at the Sparkle home the group settled in for the evening. Cadence wouldn’t let Twilight take off the tiara and told her she was serious about her wearing it while she was in Canterlot. And if she argued about it, she’d make it a permanent requirement.

There was a delicious evening meal accompanied by a fine crystal berry wine brought from the Crystal Empire which was technically over one thousand years old. Cheerilee and Twilight were disappointed because they couldn’t have alcohol while with foal. Cadence promised she’d give them several bottles after the foals were born.

Afterward they sipped more wine and talked into the night. Rain Shadow and Wind Walker, whom all were instructed to call Rainy and Windie (except Cheerilee, Rainy was still mom, although Twilight had gotten in to the habit of calling her mom as well) were so happy to be accepted into this family of accepting and loving ponies. Plus it was the first time Windie had interacted with a princess. She was surprised and pleased by the casual and warm personality of Cadence.

The only problem which came up in the evening was Twilight’s bed, although comfortable for Twilight and Cheerilee prior, was now too small to accommodate two mares and their added baby girth.

Rainy and Windie said they wouldn’t mind sleeping close in Twilight’s bed and letting Twilight and Cheerilee have the larger guest room bed.

“Just don’t be playing with Twilight’s toys,” said Twilight Velvet, “she gets upset when somepony gets them out of order!”

“Especially her My Little Chipmunk figures,” joked Cheerilee. She couldn’t help but put that dig in.

“Mom! Cheeri!” exclaimed Twilight.

The family could tell Twilight was starting to become sensitive to all the teasing everypony had been dishing out since her arrival.

“Sorry Honey,” said Twilight Velvet, “we tease you because we love you so much and are so happy to have you and Cheerilee here. And you can’t blame the rest of us for being excited for the coming foals.”

The rest of the ponies apologized and promised they’d tone it down. But Cadence told Twilight she still had to wear the tiara.

The next morning there was a large breakfast for everypony. Twilight Velvet asked Twilight and Cheerilee if it’d be okay for her to show Rainy and Windie around Canterlot. She wanted to get in some mother to mother time with them. Rain Shadow and Twilight Velvet had become quite good friends while Twilight was in a coma.

Night Light had work he had to check on at the office. Shining Armor and Cadence had Crystal Empire business to attend to at the castle. Plus Cadence told Twilight and Cheerilee the princesses were expecting them to visit, and she didn’t think it was a suggestion. And she reminded Twilight there were enough Palace Guards, both off duty and on, around the city that she’d know if Twilight took off the tiara.

The pregnant mares found there was a cart waiting to take them around. They decided not to fight it but Cheerilee did get a good laugh when the Guards pulling the cart bowed to Twilight and would address her as princess. Twilight was well known to most of the Royal Guard and so she had a sneaking suspicion Cadence had put them up to it.

They were taken to Canterlot Castle and were ushered to the throne room doors. As Twilight approached she saw the guard bow. A voice from an intersecting hall was heard;

“Gets old quickly, doesn’t it?”

It was Cadence passing by.

The doors were opened for the two mares and they were told they were expected.

As they entered the magnificent throne room, Cheerilee was still in awe. There before them on the dais were the two princesses. They looked at their guests, then at each other, and then back at Twilight and Cheerilee, mostly at Twilight.

Celestia was able to control her mirth for the most part but Luna almost fell off her throne.

“To what do we owe this honor, Princess Twilight?” asked Celestia, who couldn’t control it any longer. It was the hardest Twilight had ever seen her teacher laugh before.

“Our niece told us what she’d commanded you to do.” Said Luna, laughing so hard she was gasping for air, “but we didn’t think you’d look so funny, especially with that look on your face.”

Twilight was on the verge of tears, she didn’t suffer the mood swings to the degree of Cheerilee but she could become quite sensitive quickly.

“Your Highnesses,” said Cheerilee gesturing at Twilight. This was to make them look how Twilight was reacting.

The princesses descended the dais and rushed to hug Twilight.

“Oh Darling, Darling Twilight,” said Celestia, “we only laugh because we love you and Cheeri so much, we meant no harm.”

“Sweet Twilight, you know how we feel about you.” said Luna, referring to things said to Twilight when she was in the coma, “understand we jest like this only with equals. There are very few ponies, ever, we’d interact with like this.”

“I think it’s time you took us up on our offer,” said Celestia. “I think it’d help to understand this better.”

“We’re honored, Your Highness,” said Twilight, “but Cheeri and I are deeply committed to each other.”

Celestia smiled;

“As I said before, you don’t understand yet what we’re offering. You’ve always trusted me, my most beloved Twilight, please trust me now.”

Cheerilee and Twilight looked at each other, they nodded and Twilight looked back at the princess.

“We’d be honored,” said Twilight.

“Guard!” called Luna.

The door opened slightly and a guard entered.

“No admittance until further notice,” said the Princess Of The Night.

“As you command,” replied the guard.

The doors closed and Luna secured the door on the inside with her magic.

Three tiaras floated to the thrones.

“I’ll deal with my niece if she says anything,” said Celestia with a smile.

The four ponies walked to the wall behind the dais and opened the hidden door. They entered the princesses’ inner sanctum.

The place was as Twi and Cheeri remembered it. Tia and Lu led them to the large bedroom/living quarter. They all lowered themselves to the cushion. Twi and Cheeri weren’t too comfortable with their baby-bellies in the way.

“Feel free to sit up or lay down,” said Tia, “there’s no ceremony or custom here, be comfortable.”

The two pregnant mares sat on their haunches as their hosts snuggled close to each other. Tia and Lu kissed a long and loving kiss then looked at Twi and Cheeri.

“I know you haven’t understood what it was is were offering,” said Tia, “we want you to experience love at the immortal level, like we do. But now we’d like to experience something we never have, something we can never do ourselves. And we need your permission to do so.”

“You want to experience our pregnancy,” said Cheeri.

Lu and Tia smiled and nodded their heads.

“How would we do all this?” asked Twi.

“We’d use a spell that temporally switches minds between bodies,” said Lu, “you’d experience our feelings, knowledge and power. You can make love to each other as we do. There’s no way to explain the difference unless you experience it yourselves.”

“We, on the other hoof, would get to feel a new life inside ourselves.” Said Tia, “we’d be able to feel things you perhaps take for granted or don’t even notice out of being used to it.

It’s a curse of ours. Like many mares, my sister and I are incapable of bearing children. But after all, we’re mares and the desire to have children is part of the mare’s make up, despite us not being able to do it.”

“We’ve never been as close to ponies we could offer this. We’ll understand if you say no. And you’d be able to back out at any time.” Said Lu, “but Tia and I decided to ask this of you because, even though we’re immortal, we may never get the chance again to have close friends who we could do this with.”

“We’d be forever in your debt,” said Tia. The emphasis on forever was noted and Twilight made a mental note to ask about it later.

The looks on both their faces showed this wasn’t something they were asking lightly. And they could tell this was truly something their hearts desired.

Twi was curious about what her teacher was hinting at, and Cheeri was moved by their plea to experience the feeling of a new life inside them. Twi looked at her rose colored wife who nodded her head.

“Tia, Lu,” said Twilight, “we’d be honored to do this.”

Twi had seen the princesses happy on many occasions, but she’d never seen them like this. They became as giddy as a couple of school fillies.

“What do we have to do?” said Cheeri.

“Just make love,” said Tia, “don’t be embarrassed, we’re about to become so familiar that such an act in front of us will be inconsequential. We’ll feel the same; you don’t yet know or appreciate the level of familiarity this will bring us.”

Tia and Lu started to kiss passionately, and with no small amount of trepidation, Cheeri and Twi started to kiss as well. At first they were self-conscious, but as the passion started to rise and the innate desire for each other kicked in, it became no problem at all, even with the two Alicorns doing the same just a couple of feet from them. In fact, the moaning coming from the two Alicorns was arousing.

Cheeri’s hoof was at Twi’s marehood, Twi was starting to kiss down Cheeri’s neck. They worked themselves, lying on their sides, to have the other’s marehood in front of their muzzles. As they were exploring each other with their tongues, there was a golden glow. Suddenly Twi felt a surge of her innate magic level. She’d had her eyes closed; she opened her eyes and saw the marehood in front of her was surrounded by a white coat color! Her own hooves, which were holding open her lover, were a dark blue. Cheeri had discovered at the same time she was now working on a dark blue marehood. They raised their heads and looked at each other. Twi saw that it was Tia looking at her.

“Cheeri?” asked Twi.

“Yes,” replied Tia/Cheeri, “is that you Twi?”

“It’s me,” replied Lu/Twi.

The two smiled and continued to make love. Twi noticed the difference in size of Tia’s marehood, something she’d never even thought about. The taste was slightly different as well, not unpleasant just the personal natural musky taste and smell of a mare’s clean private part. Truthfully, it was more arousing than Twi was expecting. Her mind actually strayed to thinking what it would be like if Tia were in the body. The technique she was using was the same Twi was used to from Cheeri. How would it be different if it were Tia on the ‘giving’ end? Cheeri later confessed to the same thoughts about Lu.

As they got deeper into it they could start to feel the world around them as they never had. Twi could recognize the raw power Lu commanded. She could feel her memories, and desires. She was surprised at just how much Lu was attracted to her. But the level of love felt for her sister was unbelievable.

Truthfully, Twi was a little disturbed when she found out her teacher’s lover was her own sister. But the explanation of how with them being immortal and couldn’t count on any other lover for any length of time. The only pony she could count on could only be her sister. She also sensed this arrangement might have to include Cadence in the future, after Shining Armor was gone. There was a brief sense of sadness for her brother.

As they continued, she felt the orgasm build, it was nothing like she’d ever experienced. As it grew closer, the boundaries of mind and body dissolved along with the boundaries between her, her lover and the two princesses. Their minds and bodies became one. The physical world disappeared; they were suddenly one being with multiple minds. The universe exploded into pure light, time didn’t exist.

It was an eternity of pure bliss.

‘I told you, my most beloved, it wouldn’t be what you’d expect.’ Twi heard in her mind, it was Tia.

‘You two now know us unlike any other pony ever, even Star Swirl the Bearded never achieved this,’ said the part of her mind that was Lu.

‘I’m so overwhelmed,’ said the part of the mind that was Cheeri.

‘You’re experiencing something no Earth Pony ever has,’ thought Tia. ‘you feel the magic innate in Unicorns but Twi can tell you she, as powerful as she is, doesn’t have this level of power.’

‘As overwhelmed as the two of you are,’ thought Lu, ‘exercise the power you now have and feel the level of awe that we now feel in your bodies.’

‘We weren’t ready for the fullness you two feel; after all you’ve had almost six months to ease into it.’ Thought Tia, ‘but the most glorious thing is to feel the movement of another being inside of us, just to feel the heartbeat is the greatest feeling we’ve ever experienced.’

Twi and Cheeri could feel what Tia and Lu were feeling. They’d never realized that if they tuned their awareness good enough that they could feel the heartbeat of their foal.

‘There’s one more thing you should know,’ thought Lu, ‘be still and see if you can feel it.’

All four minds went quiet. Twi and Cheeri felt it almost at the same time. There weren’t four minds there, there were six. Two new minds at perfect peace and happiness, minds which registered pure love for the being supporting them, the contentment of the womb. There were no words, but what they were thinking was understood.

‘Wait!’ cautioned Lu, ‘if you go deeper, you’ll know everything about them. If you want the sex and race to be a surprise, then go no farther.’

‘My Love,’ thought Cheeri, ‘to have felt their minds at peace and contented, knowing they’re healthy and happy is enough for me. I can wait another five months; we’re over half way there.’

‘I agree, my Darling,’ thought Twi. ‘But thank you for this gift…’

‘I can feel your minds,’ thought Tia, ‘you don’t know how to address us after reaching this level of intimacy. In public it’ll be necessary to address us as you have. But alone, and in casual circumstances, even outside this sanctuary, we’ll always be Tia and Lu. We’d like it if now you’d consider us as sisters and lovers, but at a much deeper level, not at a carnal self-serving level.’

‘You won’t understand the depth of this now,’ thought Lu, ‘and it’s our wish that you don’t fully understand this for a very, very long time, but our minds will forever be linked. This will also have consequences for the near future. You’ll understand in the right time.’

Twi and Cheeri caught the very smallest of understanding of what they were being hinted.

‘As much as none of us will want to,’ thought Tia, ‘we have to return to our own bodies. But we hope after this, you’ll want to join us again.’

Twi and Cheeri both felt the other want to respond in the positive.

‘Your thoughts are understood,’ thought Tia. ‘Now we return.’

Twi opened her eyes as the last of the orgasm wash over her. She was now pleasuring Cheeri. After catching their breath, all four mares sat up and looked at each other and smiled.

“Tia,” said Twi, “was there any particular reason we entered the bodies we did?”

Tia blushed brightly.

“It’s because my sister won,” said Lu, ever so slightly annoyed, “we both wanted you to experience what making love to us would feel like. Please don’t be upset at us Cheeri, you now know from being linked to us, the level of love we feel for both of you. It’s silly really, but the tradeoff was I got to use your body to make love to Twi’s.”

Cheeri thought for a moment. She knew in the past it might have hurt her feelings, or even feel she and Twi had been unfaithful but now she understood things at a much deeper level.

They were linked now and it was as if they were interchangeable. The love she felt for the princesses was now almost as great as her love for Twilight. And she felt the love from these two Alicorns were just as great for herself.

“It was my honor Lu,” said Cheeri with a smile, “maybe next time Twi and I could be in on the decision making.”

The fact that Cheeri had suggested there’d be a next time, thrilled both the princesses. They’d harbored fears it’d be Cheeri who’d resist.

Lu hugged Cheeri and kissed her. It was more than a ‘thank you’ kiss. Cheeri was surprised at first, but she felt with the level of intimacy they’d achieved, it really was all right, including the tongue in her mouth and the hoof at her marehood. So Cheeri returned the level of the kiss to Lu. Cheeri marveled at the pleasure she felt rubbing Lu’s love organ, with it actually being Lu. The two climaxed quickly.

It was almost amusing, when they broke the kiss; they saw Tia and Twi were finishing similar actions.

“Good gracious!” said Cheeri, still in the embrace of Lu and her own hoof still on/in Lu’s marehood, “I turn my attention away from you for one moment, and I find you making out with another mare. And this time the ruler of Equestria! Don’t you ever get enough?”

“Shall I send her to the dungeon?” asked Tia slyly. “Or just banish her to the Everfree Forest?”

“No Tia,” said Twi, “I’m going to have to show her just how much I don’t get enough.”

They all laughed as they got up and departed the inner chambers. The final laugh was as they were leaving, Cadence’s tiara appeared on Twilight’s head.

“You mustn’t forget your dignity, Your Highness,” said Luna.

“I’d reply, ‘bite me princess’,” said Twilight, ‘but I now know it’d only lead to something else and I’m kind of spent already.”

All the ponies laughed, Celestia and Luna were still laughing as the throne room doors closed behind them.

Later at Twilight’s parents’ home, they were asked how their visit with the princesses went. They told everypony there were no words to explain. It did appear Cadence knew some of what they were talking about and they remembered the hint of what was to come with her.

The rest of the weekend visit went joyfully for all. Cadence and Shining still showed Cheerilee more attention than they did Twilight. They also explained that they planned to have Cheerilee and Twilight’s eleventh month free and they’d be staying in Ponyville or Canterlot to be there for the birth. This started a talk on who was going to be there for the birth itself. Cadence, Rain Shadow and Twilight Velvet all wanted to be there for Cheerilee, as well as for Twilight.

Twilight joked with so many ponies who wanted to be in the delivery room, Cheerilee and she might have to wait outside.

Then it was mentioned as soon as the foal was able to travel, Cheerilee (and Twilight) would have to come to the Crystal Empire. There the Crystal Ponies were also expecting to be introduced to the princess and prince’s foal.

When Twilight and Cheerilee were alone that night, the couple started to feel the demands on their pregnancies were starting to be more than they’d planned. They’d originally wanted only their wife to be there for them, and maybe their mothers. They didn’t think there were so many other ponies who felt they needed to be there too.

The only thing which helped hold them together under the building pressures was the memories of the minds they’d felt when they were joined with Tia and Lu. Especially the feeling of the minds of their Darlings inside them which they could still feel ever so slightly in their minds.

As time went by they’d find this was only the beginning of expectations.