Rainbow Dash's POV.
I was finishing up my shift with the other Weather Pegasi, it was time to get everything ready for winter, which meant that Hearth's Warming was coming up. I couldn't help but smile a little at the idea.
A few months ago I had finally come clean to Scootaloo about being her mother, something that I had always meant to tell her but never got the chance until then. It had been a good few months though, we had become a real family and it was great.
I came in for a landing by Fluttershy's house as Derpy finished her daily rounds and gave her a wave. "Hey Rainbow Dash, how are things going with Scootaloo?" The mailmare asked with a smile.
"Great, she's really looking forward to Hearth's Warming," I said with a smile. "She's with her friends right now, so I'm going to pick her up after I see Fluttershy."
Derpy nodded and flew off again to continue with her rounds. I trotted over towards the front door to Fluttershy's home and knocked on the door, it had been awhile since we had started dating and I was glad to have a chance to come visit her.
"Hey Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said with a smile as she opened the door and gave me a quick kiss. "I just finished with the animals, would you like to come inside?"
"Sure," I said with a smile as she we headed inside, I looked around for a moment, honestly I was kind of hoping that Angel wasn't around, for some reason that bunny didn't seem to like me. "Are we still on for visiting Cloudsdale in a few days?"
"Yeah, are you sure right now is the right time to tell our parents?" Fluttershy asked as she closed the door.
We had already told our friends that we had been dating awhile back, but we hadn't had a chance to tell our families yet. We were going to visit them in Cloudsdale anyway for Hearth's Warming, so we had decided that it was the best time to do it.
I nuzzled Fluttershy gently and smiled. "Don't worry, it'll be just fine," I said with a smile before I added jokingly. "Though I'll have to break your brother's heart."
Fluttershy giggled a little at that. "I'm sure he'll get over it," she said and nuzzled back. "How about Scootaloo? Is she excited to have her first Hearth's Warming with her mom?"
"Yep, if she was any more excited she'd make Pinkie Pie look calm by comparison," I said with a laugh as I hugged Fluttershy. "She's a great kid, and she looks forward to meeting your parents."
Fluttershy smiled at that, ever since we first got together she had done great with Scootaloo. I was happy that I had found such a great marefriend who was willing to help me out with my daughter.
"I really am glad you told her," Fluttershy said with a smile. "The past few months have been great for both of you."
I smiled at that and gave Fluttershy a long kiss, this was going to be the best Hearth's Warming ever.
00000
Scootaloo's POV.
Me, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were at the clubhouse in order to exchange gifts before Hearth's Warming. With me visiting my family in Cloudsdale and my friends were doing their own things, this was going to be our only chance to do this.
"So, how did Granny Smith take the news that your sisters are dating?" I asked as I gave them the gifts I had gotten them, Applejack and Rarity had been dating for awhile now and had come out to their families a few days ago.
"She nearly had a heart attack," Apple Bloom said with a shake of her head as she passed me my gift. "It took her a little bit to get over it, but she's come around to it."
"Yeah, now we just have to worry about my parents," Sweetie Belle said with a chuckle. "We're all going to be celebrating Hearth's Warming at Carousel Boutique, so we'll see how that goes I guess."
"Ah'm sure yer parents will be fine with it," Apple Bloom said with a smile as we started opening the presents.
Sweetie Belle got me a new helmet to go with my scooter, it was painted blue with rainbow marks along the side. Apple Bloom got me a new poster of the Wonderbolts featuring mom, I couldn't help but giggle at that a little, I doubted mom would let me put it up though.
"Oh wow, thank yah," Apple Bloom said as she opened the gift from me, it was a new bow that I had made by Rarity that was red with yellow trim to match her coat. "It looks great."
"Yeah, thanks Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle said as she checked out the record I had gotten her. "You're the best."
I smiled as my two best friends hugged me and I hugged back, I couldn't be happier than I felt right that moment. These two were the best friends I could ask for, they were like my sisters more than anything else, and I was glad to be able to spend time with them.
I looked at Sweetie Belle for a long moment as Apple Bloom pulled away as we lingered on our hug. What would she say if I told her how I really felt about her? I had a crush on her for awhile now, but I couldn't figure out how to tell her.
"Hey, look up," Sweetie Belle said and I glanced up and blushed a little when I realized some jokester had put mistletoe right above our heads.
"Very funny..." I said with a blush as I looked at Apple Bloom. "Did you set this up?"
"We both did, and you know the tradition," Sweetie Belle said with a smile as she kissed me on the lips, I felt my face becoming warm as I blushed.
I couldn't believe it, I was kissing Sweetie Belle! I had been imagining what this would feel like for awhile, but I didn't actually think we'd be doing it so soon. And it was her idea too!
"Scootaloo, are you okay?" Sweetie Belle asked as she pulled away from me. "I thought that would make you happy."
"It did, I'm very happy," I said with a blush. "I just, didn't expect you to do it is all. How'd you figure out how I felt about you?"
Sweetie Belle smiled and nuzzled me gently. "You're not exactly subtle about it," she said with a smile as she wrapped a foreleg around me. "And I feel the same way about you."
"Aww, ya'll are so cute together," Apple Bloom said, which caused us both to blush. "Come on, lets have some fun before we have ta head home."
"Sounds good to me," I said with a smile.
00000
Rainbow Dash's POV.
I helped Fluttershy finish getting packed before heading home, I still had awhile before Scootaloo got home so I made myself a quick snack. I couldn't really cook anything fancy, but I at least could grab something small.
After awhile Scootaloo came home. "Hey mom, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure squirt, what's up?" I asked her, she looked at me for a long moment as a blush creeped onto her face. "Are you okay?"
"Umm... I kissed Sweetie Belle today," she said with a blush, I just looked at her for a long moment. "Well, really she kissed me, we were under some mistletoe and... well, it kind of happened."
"Well, how do you feel about her?" I asked her with a knowing smirk, it was obvious that Scootaloo had a crush on her friend.
"She's, well, she's smart, funny, a great friend, really cute and... umm..." Scootaloo said with a blush, she must feel weird saying this to her mom. "I think I'm in love with her..."
I chuckled a little and ruffled my daughter's mane as I pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry about it Scoots, its natural to think that way, I'm just glad you were willing to tell me," I said with a smile. "So, she feels the same way about you, huh?"
"Yeah, she does... what should I do?" Scootaloo asked.
"Just take it one day at a time, at least once the holidays are over," I said with a chuckle. "Don't worry, you'll do fine, and we need to get ready for the trip."
Scootaloo smiled and hugged me. "Yeah, lets get some dinner, I can't wait to see grandma and grandpa again."
I smiled and we headed for the kitchen to try and figure out what to have for dinner.
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Scootaloo's POV.
I held on to mom tight as we flew to Cloudsdale with Fluttershy, while I still kind of wished that I could fly, I had gotten used to being flightless for the most part. I had been to Cloudsdale a few times with mom, but this would be the first time I met Fluttershy's family.
This was really nice, I was really just enjoying the feeling of the wind running through my mane, even if I couldn't fly myself. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the moment, keeping a grip around mom.
"Are you okay back there, squirt?" Mom asked me, which caused me to open my eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just enjoying the flight," I said with a smile. "Are we almost there?"
"Yeah, we'll be there in a few minutes," Fluttershy said with a nod.
"I'll bet Mom and Dad can't wait to spoil their granddaughter," mom said with a laugh. "I bet they're going to shower you with kisses and presents."
I smiled at that, I had grown up in orphanages so I was still kind of getting used to the idea of having grandparents. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming at times, but it was really nice.
"So when are your parents going to be there?" Mom asked as she looked over at Fluttershy.
"Oh they're on their way home today, so they'll be here sometime tomorrow," Fluttershy said. "They went to visit Zephyr, so, yeah."
"He's going to be disappointed when he finds out we're dating," mom said with a laugh, I giggled a little at that, mom had told me that Fluttershy's brother had a crush on her. "But I'm sure he'll get used to it... after being overdramatic for awhile."
"Don't worry, my family will come around to the idea quickly," Fluttershy said with a nod as we came in for a landing outside of the now familiar home of my grandparents.
"Mom, Dad, we're here!" Rainbow said as she opened the door to the house.
"Rainbow, Scootaloo!" Grandma said as she came in and hugged both of us. "Its so good to see you two again."
"Its good to see you too mom," mom said with a smile. "And you remember Fluttershy, her parents will be here tomorrow."
"We look forward to it," Grandpa said as he came in with a smile. "We have your rooms all set up for you."
"Why don't you go check out your room, Scoots? I'd like to talk with your grandparents a little bit," mom said as I climbed off her back.
"Okay!" I said and ran upstairs.
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Rainbow Dash's POV.
I smiled a little bit as Scootaloo ran upstairs, it was hard to believe that it had been less than a year since I had taken her in. Things had been crazy sure, but it was nice to have a chance to just be a family.
I turned to look at my parents and gave them a nod. "Did you get the, special present ready that I asked you to get?"
"Of course we did Dash," Dad said with a smile. "I had to call in some favors, but we've got it all ready for her."
I smiled a little, I had heard about this a couple of months ago and ever since then I had looked into getting one for Scootaloo. I just hoped that she would like it, especially given how hard it had been to find.
"I just hope she'll like it," I said with a smile. "Its not really a permanent solution, but it'll at least help her out."
"Dashie, what matters is that you got it for her," Fluttershy said with a smile and my parents nodded in agreement.
"We're proud of you, Dash," mom said with a smile as she hugged me. "You've done a great job with Scootaloo, and we couldn't be happier."
I smiled and hugged her back, it had been hard for them to get used to it at first, but they had really done a great job in welcoming Scootaloo into the family. Of course it would probably help if they didn't insist on spoiling the kid, but they were grandparents, I guess I could let it pass.
"Just keep up the good work and you'll do fine," Dad say. "Now come on, you should head up and check on Scootaloo while we get dinner ready."
I nodded and headed upstairs.
00000
I smiled as I opened the door to Scootaloo's room, we had re-purposed my old bedroom for her (not that it required much redecorating), so I'd be sleeping in the guest room. I smiled a little when I saw her reading one of my old issues of X-Mares comics.
"Hey mom, I didn't know you read comics," Scootaloo said with a grin.
"Oh yeah, back when I was your age, don't tell Twilight or I'll never hear the end of it," I said with a chuckle as I sat down next to her.
"We'll see," Scootaloo giggled as she hugged me. "So what did you get me for Hearth's Warming?"
"That defeats the purpose of getting you a present if I tell you," I said with a grin. "Don't worry, I get a feeling you'll love it."
Scootaloo smiled a little at that and nodded. "Okay, I'm sure I will if you got it for me, when are we opening presents?"
I couldn't help but laugh at my daughter's enthusiasm, she really was a lot like me when I was her age... okay maybe me at just about any age. I ruffled her mane and smiled, I knew she was excited for Hearth's Warming.
"The day after tomorrow, you can wait," I said. "It won't kill you to wait."
"Can't... go... on... must... have... presents..." Scootaloo said over-dramatically before she fell over.
"I think you've been hanging around Rarity's house too much," I said with a laugh before tickling Scootaloo, causing her to break down giggling.
"Okay, okay, I'll wait, just stop with the tickling!" Scootaloo says through her giggles as I finally stop.
"Come on, lets go downstairs for dinner," I said and we headed back downstairs.
00000
The next day at dinner, we had all gathered together for dinner before Hearth's Warming the next day. Fluttershy's parents, who I just realized that I actually didn't know the names of, had joined us for the night and were now talking with my parents.
"Umm, when do you think we should tell them?" Fluttershy whispered to me as she placed her hoof on mine.
"Soon, we'll tell them soon," I said, all of a sudden I felt more nervous than I had ever felt in my life. "Just, uh, let them get settled in a bit."
Fluttershy nodded as Scootaloo gave us a smile, that helped a little. I couldn't believe I was so nervous about this.
Finally everything seemed to have settled in as they finished most of their dinner. I took Fluttershy's hoof and she gave me a nod.
"Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Shy..." I said. "There's something me and Fluttershy want to tell you."
"Of course dear, you can tell us anything." Mrs. Shy said with a smile. "Is everything okay?"
"Oh, yes of course..." Fluttershy said with a blush. "Its just that me and Rainbow Dash, for awhile now we've been..."
What Fluttershy said next was quiet even for her, it was cute when she did that, but now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
"We're, dating," I said to clarify. "We have been for awhile now, we've been wanting to tell you, and well, this was the best chance."
"Well, that's wonderful," mom said with a smile and the others nodded in agreement, me and Fluttershy smiled and hugged each other. "Besides, its about time you two admitted it."
"Yeah, you weren't really that subtle about it," Dad said with a chuckle. "Well, we're happy for you both."
"See, I told you there was nothing to worry about," Scootaloo said with a smirk.
I looked deep into Fluttershy's eyes, and was surprised when she kissed me on the lips. I didn't care that our parents and Scootaloo were watching, I closed my eyes and kissed her back.
It felt amazing.
00000
Scootaloo's POV.
"Come on Scootaloo, its time to get up," mom's voice said as she gently tried to shake me awake.
"5 more minutes..." I groaned as I rolled over on my side away from mom.
"Well, if you don't get up now, you don't get to open your presents," mom said with a grin, which caused my eyes to open widely.
"Ohmygoshitsharthswarming!" I said and jumped out of bed, galloping past mom and down the stairs towards the living room.
Grandma, Grandpa, and Fluttershy and her parents were all sitting around waiting for us. They smiled when I entered, followed closely behind by mom.
"Geez Scootaloo, I think you were even faster than me back there," mom said with a laugh as she came in and ruffled my mane. "Are you ready for your presents?"
"Yep!" I said excitedly as I took a seat between Fluttershy and mom, grandpa started passing out the presents.
I couldn't help but smile, I had spent so many years in orphanages imagining what it would be like to celebrate Hearths Warming with a family. The last few months had been amazing, it was like a dream come true.
I opened my presents, I got a copy of the newest Daring Do book from mom, some new stuff to fix up my scooter from my grandparents, a Wonderbolts poster from Fluttershy, and a picture of us all as a family.
I laid back against mom and smiled, this was the perfect day. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the moment.
"Hey Scootaloo, there's one more present here for you," Grandma Firefly said as she picked up another present under the tree and brought it over to me.
"Really, for me?" I asked as I looked at it curiously, it was from my whole family by the looks of it.
I opened it up and blinked a little in confusion, it was a harness with strange attachments running along it. It looked like it would fit a Pegasus filly about my size, but I didn't actually know what it was.
"Umm, what is this?" I asked curiously as I examined it.
"Its a new piece of equipment designed for Ponies with conditions like yours," grandpa Blaze said with a smile. "It allows the user to draw magical energy from these special batteries attached to it."
"Wait, does that mean..." I started to say in awe as I realized just what this meant.
"That's right Scootaloo, as long as its charged, its going to let you fly," mom said as she wrapped her wing around me. "Its only a temporary solution, but it can be recharged easily."
I couldn't help it, I cried as I buried my muzzle into mom's mane, it was what I had always wanted.
"Thank you, all of you..." I said. "This means a lot."
Mom smiled and we headed outside. Mom helped me into the harness and I took a deep breath, I really hoped this was going to work.
"Its okay Scootaloo, I'll be right by your side," mom said and smiled.
I nodded and flapped my wings, and for the first time in my life, I flew under my own power.
Author's Note
Happy Holidays everyone.
