A Dreamy Hearth's Warming

Chapters

Hurry Down to Appleloosa To-knight
The Day That Holds All Wishes Together
A Happy Hearth's Warming to All, And to All a Good Knight
We Wish You a Happy… Hearts and Hooves Day?

Hurry Down to Appleloosa To-knight

A surprise trip to Appleloosa had not been part of my Hearts and Hooves Day agenda. In fact, it was about as far from it as possible. Today was intended to be very special and very quiet. Coral Knight was going to spend the day with her self-proclaimed Grammy Luna, and Clem was destined to sleep his day away with his aunts Winterspear and Iridescence.

It would have been the first Hearts and Hooves Day in years that Crystal and I were going to be alone. Between Coral's self-decided guard training and trying to encourage Clement to be interested in more than napping and relaxing, being a parent was exhausting. I had been really looking forward to some private time with my wife and I knew she had been, too.

There was always the next year, though, and it was rare for Dream Pop to show up unannounced with an invitation like this. I felt like I owed it to her after all she had done for me in the past.

In a way, part of my plan had come to fruition. Crystal and I got to cuddle the whole trip while Dream Pop entertained our foals with stories about her adventures in Equestria. She'd had a lot over the years. I'd settled down, and she'd sped up.

As we pulled into the Appleloosa station, Coral set her small forehooves on the window and peered outside. "This is where you're from, Dream Pop?" she asked.

Dream Pop pressed up against the window right beside her. "You bet! I'm not here much, but it will always be the place I call home."

Coral's nose wiggled. "That is good, I guess. It doesn't look very defense-ibible, though. There aren't even any walls!"

Crystal looked over at me with one brow raised.

I could practically read her mind from that silent look. "I can't help it if she likes playing the same kind of games I play. You know as well as I do that this behavior seems to be genetic."

My wife sighed and started to stand. I helped her up and said, "All right Coral, Clem, I need you two to be on your best behavior today. We're going to be guests. Let's not insult our hosts by decrying the lack of fixed fortifications."

Coral huffed, "Fine!"

Clem idly pushed his hoof against his sister's face. "I'd just fly over them anyway."

"You can't fly over anything," Coral shot back.

Dream Pop scooped Clement up in her hoof and giggled. "He can't yet, but he will! He'll be a strong flyer like his dad! Just like you'll be good with magic! Now come on, you two, let's go!"

As the three of them hurried off together, Crystal lingered behind with me. "You know, she's actually not much younger than me," she said.

"I do, what's your point?" I asked.

"We're not old ponies," was her response.

I nuzzled her cheek and took her hoof in mine. "No, sweetie, we're not. Don't compare yourself to Dream Pop. She has the energy of four ponies half our age. Besides, can't we both just pause and enjoy the fact that somepony else has willingly stolen our children and seemed happy about it? This is the first moment alone we've had in forever."

Crystal idly poked my nose and grinned at me. "You're terrible."

"I know, but—"

She put her hoof over my mouth. "Don't you dare say it, Silent Knight!"

With a grin, I moved her hoof. "We've already got a third one, and if sh—"

The hoof poked my mouth again. "I said no!"

I shrugged and stood up to my full height so she couldn't stop me from saying, "As you like. I'm just saying, you seem to really enjoy making them, so they're not irreplaceable."

Crystal mock-glared at me and the two of us made our way off the train and onto the platform where Dream Pop stood with our foals, already able to keep them under control better than I could. She was a foal psychologist, after all. I'd have to compare notes with her later.

"Ready to go home?" Dream Pop asked.

"Lead the way," I replied as we all headed off together. Appleloosa was small, especially compared to Canterlot, so it didn't take us long.

Dream Pop's family home was right off the town square at center of Appleloosa. As a matter of fact, it was constructed directly across from the town hall. Much like the other buildings nearby, it was comprised wholly of wood. It was painted a cheerful yellow color from the base to the pitched roof.

Crystal knew more about architecture than I did, so I wasn't sure what type of house it was other than three stories tall and narrow. It certainly wasn't designed by the same pony that had done our home, the one that had fallen out of favor until my wife bought one of his houses and renovated it. Now, everypony in Canterlot wanted one. It had done immense things for our property value, too.

"Your family's house is lovely, Dream Pop," Crystal said.

"Thank you! We built it ourselves after the original building that was here burnt down," Dream Pop explained as she trotted up the front steps.

Coral asked with a curious tilt of her head, "What was it before?"

"Oh! That's a fun story. It was originally a cat ho—"

The door opened, thankfully interrupting Dream Pop before she could finish that thought. A middle-aged teal mare stepped out onto the porch and squealed "Dream Pop!" in delight before throwing her hooves around the mare.

"Momma!" Dream Pop squealed with equal delight, the tones almost matching perfectly.

Momma Pop shared little in common with her daughter, other than the shocks of light pink that stood out in her hot pink mane and tail. Her eyes opened and focused on us over Dream Pop's shoulders. "Oh my word, darlin', I know I was getting onto you about settling down, but this is a bit much."

"What's that, Momma?" Dream Pop asked before looking back at us. "Oh! No, it isn't like that at all." She started to giggle as she let her mother go. "Although, well, they are family. Anyway, go inside so I can properly introduce our guests!"

"I wasn't complaining, honey, but all right. You do your thing. You always do," Momma Pop said before going inside.

Crystal looked over at me, a brow arched. This time she was questioning what we were doing here. I wondered the same thing.

"This was not part of my plan," I said flatly.

Coral Knight nodded resolutely. "It was not in the dos… dosy… dosy-yay."

Dream Pop motioned with a hoof. "Come on, everypony. It's introduction time," she said as she skipped inside.

Crystal set a hoof on my flank and gave me a light push. "Secure the room, Colonel."

"Aye, ma'am," I replied before heading up the stairs and into the house. That is where I found several other ponies looking at me, their curiosity rather obvious on their faces.

"Okay, everypony," Dream Pop started as I looked at the shockingly similar group.

First and foremost, there were four other mares that all shared the same colors as Dream Pop, just in different places. There was also two stallions, one middle-aged that I assumed was her father, and one that looked younger than me.

"This is Colonel Silent Knight, Captain of the Canterlot Guard, Celestia Cross Recipient, Adviser to Princess Luna, and Former Commander of the Black Dragoons," Dream Pop announced in an extremely formal way. It was like when I was part of Luna's House Guard and went to galas with the princesses.

I blinked in surprise, unsure what to say. That was fine, apparently, because the tallest mare said, "A coltfriend. How interesting."

That was when Crystal came in through the door with Coral and Clem, raising every brow in the room.

Dream Pop continued, "And this is Crystal Wishes, Founder of the Flower Foundation, Best Selling Romance Author, CEO of the Pure Leaf Press, and a board member for Jet Ventures."

The tall sister grinned. "I withdraw my statement. Now it is interesting!"

Dream Pop wiggled her ears before motioning to Coral and Clement. "Cadet Coral Knight and her little brother Clement Knight."

Crystal and I lingered near the threshold, unsure of what to make of the situation. We seemed to be on display for evaluation. Before I could react, Dream Pop started pointing a hoof.

"All right, now string bean over there is my oldest sister, the Honorable Sweet Tart. She's a Barrister of the Crown and the Chief Justice of the Central Canterlot Circuit Court. And he isn't my coltfriend!" Dream Pop squeaked.

Sweet Tart bobbed her head briefly, bouncing her rose-pink mane that matched parts of Dream Pop's. "As you say."

The hoof then jabbed to the next sister, based on height in descending order. "And this is Bubblegum. We call her Double Bubble, though, because she has two PhDs: one in Equestrian Literature and the other in Applied Mathematics. She's the next oldest."

Bubblegum smiled at us and said in a soft, sweet voice, "A pleasure to meet you both."

"Next, and after me I might add, is Pop Rocks! She's an Archaeologist and Ethnologist. One of the top ones in her field! She has even been to Saddle Arabia like you, Crystal!" Dream Pop explained before pointing out the smaller mare that shared a light pink coat color with Sweet Tart, but had a short blonde and orange mane.

"Charmed," Pop Rocks said.

Dream Pop's hoof then shifted to the last mare who had the same creamy orange coat color as her. The little mare practically vibrated with excitement as Dream Pop said, "And that is Sugar. She's an Orthodontist and Oral Surgeon. We call her Sugar Rush 'cause, well—"

Sugar's response was extremely fast and unintelligible. All I caught was ‘super' and ‘you.'

"She said that she is super happy to meet you," the younger stallion said.

"And that is my little brother Toast," Dream Pop added, introducing the stallion whose coat looked the color of bread with a mane that indeed seemed toast colored. "He's a pediatrician."

"Just," Sweet Tart added with a light smirk.

Toast's nose wrinkled. "I do important work!"

Dream Pop just kept going like nothing happened. "And these are my parents, Pretty Palette and Doohickey!" She pointed out the pony that had greeted us and the older stallion. Good to know my detective skills were still on point.

Coral looked up at her mother and said, "I've already forgotten who all of these ponies are."

Honestly, I had to agree there. It was way too many ponies way too fast.

Crystal looped a hoof over our daughter's mouth. "Shhh."

Doohickey, Dream Pop's father, came over to me and offered a chocolate-colored hoof. "Welcome to our home for this special occasion. You must be good friends to my Dream Pop if she invited you along."

I bumped my hoof to his and smiled. "Yes, sir. She and I have been through a lot together."

Coral marched up to me and said, "Colonel, I'm going to check the perimeter and make sure everything is buttoned up."

"All right, Cadet," I replied idly before turning to Pretty Palette. "On behalf of my family and myself, I want to thank you all for inviting us into your beautiful home for this special occasion."

Pretty Palette flushed and waved a hoof at me. "Any friend of Dream Pops is a friend of ours. Especially special friends."

Dream Pop giggled and shook her head. "It isn't like that, Momma! I told you that already."

Coral worked her way past Sweet Tart and Bubblegum to check one of the windows. "This seems secure, Colonel."

Bubblegum's brow arched, and she leaned down to my foal. "Sweetie, you're very diligent, but do you even know how to spell colonel?"

My little filly, in her endless wisdom, looked over at Dream Pop's sister and smiled. "No, ma'am, I'm only just a little older than three," she chimed before hurrying off to the next window.

"All right then! Everypony is here, so let's get to the mingling. Toast, Silent Knight, why don't you come with me," Doohickey said, motioning into a parlor off the main room.

"Certainly," I replied as the three of us trotted off.

Sugar called out after us, but it was indistinguishable to me again. She spoke too fast. I caught something about ‘stallions' and ‘Toast.'

The parlor was clearly the area the stallions kept to on a daily basis. Everything was made of wood. From the hardwood floors, to the plank ceiling, to the panel walls, it was rustic wood everywhere.

Two big easy chairs sat in front of a stone hearth that was filled to the brim with pictures. There were a few sitting pillows as well, but those didn't seem like they got a lot of use.

Toast stretched and then plopped himself down in one of the easy chairs. "It's really nice to not be as outnumbered as usual."

Doohickey smiled and shook his head. "Come now, Toast, your sisters aren't that bad." He then looked over at me and his voice lowered. "I see you've got a colt and a filly. You best hope that one on the way is another colt. Never let them outnumber you."

I chuckled and trotted over to the mantel to examine some of the pictures. "I'll keep that in mind. My wife assures that the current one is a filly though."

"You'd better stop there, then. Although it took me six times to get Toast, and he was worth the wait," Doohickey said, and that yielded a smile from his son.

"Coral hardly fits the princess mold, so I think Crystal feels outnumbered already," I replied idly while snooping. I was curious about these pictures because every single one seemed to include Dream Pop.

There was Sweet Tart at what looked like her law school graduation. She was a young adult, wearing her robes and holding her diploma. Beside her was Dream Pop, also in robes and holding a diploma. Only, she was a filly and probably only a few years older than Coral.

In another picture, I found Bubblegum at her graduation ceremony. She had a doctoral diploma in her hooves. Once again, I was looking at a young adult next to a now older but still filly-aged Dream Pop.

Then there was Dream Pop by herself, probably around the age Crystal started at Canterlot Academy. She had on robes with more cords than I knew existed, holding two diplomas.

Toast cleared his throat. "We keep them chronological for guests. It's easier to explain that way."

Dream Pop was in every picture. Every time one of her sisters had earned some sort of diploma, she had, too. At least in the picture of her and Pop Rocks they appeared to be in the same place in life.

Doohickey settled beside Toast and chuckled. "All of my foals are talented, which is a mystery to me. I'm good at what I do but I'm no genius, and neither is my wife. Dream Pop, though, she's something else altogether."

He had a fond look on his face that I could identify with. Both Coral and Clement made me proud. My daughter was dedicated and diligent to the guard life, but she also understood the importance of friends and family. And even though my son seemed like he was lazy, in reality he was just content. He didn't stress out about anything and I could respect that.

Toast nodded in agreement with his father. "That's one way to put it. Every time one of us took an interest in something, she did, too. She said she'd never know what she wanted to do until she did everything. Sweet Tart went to law school, so Dream Pop followed her. I went to medical school, and she followed me.

"Although, in her defense, she'd already been through most of that training with Sugar. I think by the time she got to me it was just so I didn't feel left out. It was nice to have her there, though," Toast explained.

"Since all of your daughters and son seem to have important jobs, I imagine that is why your holiday moves so often?" I asked.

Doohickey rocked back in his chair. "That's the size of it. Palette and I don't really travel or leave the town too often, and Toast works here in Appleloosa. The girls, though, they're all over Equestria and sometimes the world. We take any chance to see everypony together when we can."

As a relatively new father, it was tough to imagine my own foals being gone for more than a few hours, much less weeks or months. What would I do without Coral literally following in my hoofsteps, or Clement nestled on my back? I wasn't sure how Doohickey could be so calm about it. My kids were still foals and just the thought of them leaving gave me anxiety.

It was definitely something to mull over, but now wasn't the time. I finished snooping on the photos and settled in front of the fire to give Doohickey and Toast my full attention. "Well, I'm honored to be a part of the reunion."

Doohickey's bushy moustache twitched as he grinned. "Now, let me give you some advice just in case you end up with another filly…"

The Day That Holds All Wishes Together

Dream Pop watched the stallions go into the other room and, once they were gone from sight, whirled around to face all the mares with a big grin on her face. "Okay! It's time!"

Since everypony else seemed to know what that meant, Crystal just sat down quietly on the sofa with Clement in her lap and watched as Pretty Palette pulled out a thick book. Coral continued to patrol the perimeter, but she did linger close to keep an eye on the proceedings.

"Gather 'round, girls," Palette began as she flipped through the book until she seemed to find her place. "It's time to fill out this year's page!"

Dream Pop wiggled into place on the sofa between Crystal and Sugar. "Don't worry, Crystal. I think you're a shoe-in to win!"

"Win what, exactly?" Crystal furrowed her brow, but before Dream Pop could reply, Pop Rocks scoffed.

"Oh, you'll eat those words, Dreams. I've got this year on lockdown."

Sugar tittered and squealed something that made the other mares laugh. Crystal just tried to smile and nod along politely.

Palette clapped her hooves. "Settle down now, girls." She met Crystal's gaze and explained, "Since my fillies are too important to remember to write their momma—" At her mock glare, they rolled their eyes and sighed. "—I gotta hear about what they've been up to somehow. So I thought, why not make a game of it?"

"So we play 'Two Fibs and the Truth'!" Dream Pop chimed in with a big grin. "The goal is to fool everypony into not being able to guess which of three things actually happened to you since last Hearth's Warming. And then Momma writes down the truths in the Candy Book."

Crystal idly ran her hoof along the feathers of Clement's little wing. "That's a cute idea, but how do I fit into this?"

The bright smile Palette flashed her could have melted snow. "By Dream Pop inviting you, you're an honorary Candy filly, of course!"

"What about me?" Coral said as she trotted over, posture and gait all in perfect form. "Can I play, too?"

Palette reached down to pat her on the head. "Why, of course, sweet thing!"

Coral clicked her hooves together and stood at attention. "Then I wanna go first!" She paused, then added at Crystal's admonishing look, "Please."

"Oh, she is just precious," Bubblegum said with a soft giggle.

With a flustered scrunch of her nose, Coral held her head high and proclaimed, "This year, I fought a dragon, I drove an airship, and I stormed a castle."

Slowly, all eyes turned to Crystal with brows raised, questions unspoken but loud and clear. She cleared her throat and smiled at Coral. "Coral, dear, the point of the game is to tell two fibs and a truth."

It would be a lie to say she didn't relish in the brief amusement she saw on Dream Pop's sisters' faces. Oh, they must all be tall tales, she could hear them thinking, so she waited just a moment longer before she continued.

"You're not supposed to tell three truths."

Pastel's eyes went wide and, without looking away from Crystal or Coral, she closed the book in her lap. "Well, I think the game is gonna have to pause for this."

Coral stared up at Crystal with stubborn defiance. "But I want to win, and Colonel said to never tell a lie."

"But—" Crystal interrupted herself with laughter and shook her head, waving one hoof. "All right, I suppose that's fair. Why don't you tell everypony about your three truths, then?"

"Yes, Mama." Coral strode to the middle of the group to begin her report. "First, I fought a dragon when I was staying with Grammy Luna and Twiglet Sporkle—"

Auntie Sunny was teaching Coral bad habits again, it seemed. Crystal snorted before correcting, "Twilight Sparkle."

Coral just rolled her eyes and kept going. "She showed up with what I thought was an invading dragon. I managed to pin him down before Grammy told me he was a friend, not a foe."

Pop Rocks, the second youngest of Dream Pop's sisters, snickered. "I've wrestled with dragons before on one of my expeditions. You've got moxie, filly."

Expeditions. Crystal clicked her tongue against the back of her teeth as she tried to remember who Pop Rocks was. The archaeologist, then? She was certainly the tomcolt of the group with her short-cropped mane and tail.

"I know." Coral puffed up under the praise. "My great-grandpa let me fly his airship. He gave me a bitterscotch for a successful flight, too."

Bubblegum gave a placating sort of smile, the kind Crystal knew she would face at every parent-teacher meeting when Coral started primary school. "Butterscotch, sweetheart."

Coral's lips rounded and her ears perked with understanding. "That makes a lot more sense than bitterscotch." She cleared her throat and finished, "And I stormed a castle with Colonel when Grammy Luna and Celestia foalnapped my brother."

Once again, all eyes turned to Crystal to seek answers she didn't have. She just offered a small laugh and shrugged—their family was not a normal one by any means, but she suspected Pretty Palette understood what that was like.

"And what about this brother of yours, hmm?" Sweet Tart asked, steepling her hooves under her chin and leaning in. "What adventures has he been on?"

Coral rolled her eyes. "Clem? He doesn't do anything."

"Not true." Clement puffed out his little wings and sat up tall in Crystal's lap. "I do lots. When I wanna."

"Yeah." Coral paused for a dramatic flair, then continued, "Lots of boring stuff."

"Nuh-uh."

"Yeah-huh."

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"Okay, children," Crystal interrupted with a tired sigh. This wasn't what she had wanted to do today. In fact, this was the exact opposite of what she had wanted. "That's enough."

Clement snuggled against her and glared over his shoulder at his sister. "She started it."

The sisters all looked at one another before Sugar tittered something in her fast-paced, squeaky little voice that spurred them into fits of laughter and giggles.

"Oh my gosh! He is just like Tom!" Dream Pop slapped her knee with one hoof.

Before Crystal could ask, Toast came storming out of the parlor with an expression between anger and dismay. "My name isn't Tom, and whatever you're talking about, it's not true!"

Bubblegum practically whinnied with amusement. "A colt who doesn't do very much and prefers to just laze around while his sister fights dragons, flies airships, and storms castles? Tom, this foal is you."

Toast's ears drooped and his mouth flapped open and closed a few times while Clement just nestled in for a nap, long since resigned to not caring.

"I don't laze around," Toast said, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I'm a pediatrician."

"Just," Sweet Tart chimed with a grin.

Toast jerked his head back up, ears pinned flat against his mane. "I do important work! And I'm not boring!"

"Says the pony whose name is Toast." Pop Rocks rolled her eyes.

"My name is Toast, like the celebration!" He gestured a hoof at his flank, which featured a popped champagne bottle. "I'm a celebration!"

Pretty Palette dropped the book on the coffee table with a resounding thump! The room went silent as all attention fell on the mare, who smiled and said, "Well, I think that's the cue that it's time for dinner. Come on, fillies and colts, get your flanks to the table!"

Crystal waited for the room to clear before she gingerly scooped Clement up and set him on the floor. "Come on, sweetie. Aren't you hungry?"

"But it's not time for dinner," he muttered and flopped down as if his bones had gone soft.

"Mama said we have to be good guests." Coral poked him in the side. "If they say it's dinner time, then it's dinner time."

Crystal tried not to smile too fondly; she loved both of her foals too much to show favor. "She's right, Clem. Dream Pop's family just does things differently than ours."

Clement relented with a sigh as he forced himself upright. "Okay, Mama."

The two foals led the way while Crystal lagged behind. Sitting for so long on the sofa had her back aching, and she was dreading having to sit at a dining table. But when needs must, Crystal always endured.

She saw Silent already at the table with Dream Pop's father, and the sight of him momentarily overrode the pain with a loving warmth. Coral took the seat beside him without reservation, and the tension Crystal thought she glimpsed in his face melted away.

His head turned to—she assumed—seek out his other foal, but instead their eyes met while she slowly made her way around the table. A smile broke across his muzzle that spoke of love, of everything the day was supposed to be and still could be if they just made a break for it.

With a soft huff of a laugh, Crystal took the seat across from him with Clement at her side. "I really must thank you," she said, her attention shifting to Palette, "for letting us take part in your family's Hearth's Warming."

Palette tittered and waved her kerchief before she set it in her lap. "Ain't nothin' to it, dear. Now, if everypony could just settle down, Daddy Doo can get started on the speech."

Giggles made their way around the table, but each mare and stallion took a seat and turned to look at the head where Doohickey stood in front of his chair.

"Another year's come'n gone," he began, his voice tired yet full of fondness, "and look at where we are. My daughters and son keep growing, keep changing. I consider myself a lucky old stallion to know that no matter where life takes you all, I can count on this day to bring you all home.

"It warms my old heart to know that Momma Pal and I raised such fine foals. And while we're proud of you girls, going far and wide to do real good work in this world, credit needs to go where credit is due."

Doohickey turned a smile that wrinkled the corners of his eyes on his son. "While you all were gone to the far corners of Equestria, Toast was here doing good, too. He's too humble to brag about himself, so I'll do it for 'im."

"Dad," Toast said, simultaneously withering under the gazes of his sisters and smiling from the words of his father.

With a chuckle, Doohickey continued, "Toast's no stranger to delivering foals, but he got a rare opportunity this past winter. One of the buffalo came to him, saying that their chief's daughter was in a bad way. She'd gone into labor early, and they were worried they'd lose the calf if somepony didn't intervene.

"So Toast went out in the dead of night without question. Turned out it was twins what was giving her so much trouble. Toast delivered the both of them, two big healthy calves, mother just fine to boot. Chief was so grateful that he made Toast an honorary buffalo."

There was a moment of silence before heads turned to Pop Rocks, who ducked low in her seat and mumbled, "Yeah, that's a big deal in their culture. A really big deal, actually."

Doohickey's grin shone bright beneath his bushy orange-and-grey moustache. "There you have it. Momma and I are proud of all our foals, filly and colt alike. And most of all, we're real grateful to have you all here today. In return for the present of your presence—"

All the sisters groaned, and Crystal suspected the joke was long since old.

"—let us say thanks and happy Hearth's Warming with this meal."

Just like that, hooves began to fly in all directions as food was divvied up and passed around until each pony had more than a full plate in front of them. It was almost hard to believe that just moments earlier, the siblings had all been fighting; now, they were smiling, laughing, and enjoying one another's company while they ate.

Crystal watched as Coral fussed over ensuring that her peas didn't touch her mashed potatoes, that the butter didn't fall off her bread roll, and that her apple dumpling was in the perfect center of the plate.

As usual, Clement was the opposite of his sister and was content with his plate just as it was, mingled food types and all. He was already halfway through his dumpling before Coral started on hers.

"If I may ask," Silent began as he mixed onions and chives into his mashed potatoes. "I find it interesting to learn how other parents named their foals. If it's not too personal to ask, of course."

"Not at all!" Palette waved her fork in a tight circle, giggling. "For Doo and me, it was so easy! They all chose their own names. Whatever I craved while pregnant with 'em, well, that was what they picked!"

Crystal blinked and looked around the table. Sweet Tart, Bubblegum, Dream Pop, Pop Rocks… When her eyes met Sugar's, the little mare squeaked and laughed.

"Exactly right, sweetie." Palette nodded. "By the time I got to Sugar, I was just eatin' sugar by the hoofful straight out of the bag. I was real grateful when Toast just wanted plain, simple toast. My dentist sure was, too!"

Doohickey eyed Coral and Clement as the two ate, their habits at complete odds. "What about you two?" His moustache twitched as he chuckled. "Can't imagine you used the same tactic as us with names like that."

Coral shot upright, one hoof raised high in the air. "Mama named me Coral 'cause my mane made her think of the ocean and she thought I was really pretty like a coral reef. And Colonel gave me the Knight name 'cause he knew I'd be an amazing guard just like him!"

"I got named from my great-grandfather," Clement said between bites of apple dumpling.

Coral shot him a light glare. "Lucky."

Crystal had to smother a laugh as she reached over to smooth Clement's ever-wild mane. "I'm so sorry that you don't like the name I chose just for you."

"No! I didn't mean that!" Coral's eyes went wide and she jumped up, her forehooves planted on the table. "I love my name, Mama! Honest!"

"I know, dear, I know. I'm just teasing you." Crystal smiled and turned her head to Palette. "These dumplings are absolutely divine."

Palette returned the smile with one three times as bright. "Oh, thank you! It's my specialty. In fact, it's part of why Doo married me at all!"

Crystal's ears twitched as excitement thrummed through her. She ignored the amused grin on Silent's face in favor of keeping her attention focused on Palette. Let him laugh at how predictable she was—she had a story to learn. "Is that so?"

"Why, yes. It feels just like yesterday when I met Doo…"

A Happy Hearth's Warming to All, And to All a Good Knight

Dinner with Dream Pop's family had been enlightening, both as her friend but especially as a parent. It amazed me to look at where Pretty Palette and Doohickey had started and compare it to where they ended up. I could also tell that my wife was wholly enamored with their love story.

Crystal was sitting on the couch next to me, her hooves wrapped around mine, with a vacant stare off into the horizon. It was a look I'd seen hundreds of times. She was writing in her mind. At this point, she was probably halfway through the story.

I sipped my tea and smiled as Sweet Tart finished telling everypony about her achievements for the year. She then turned to Dream Pop. "Do we want to know what all you've done, Miss Overachiever?"

Sugar popped in and chirped a long string of noises that were still unintelligible. The others giggled.

Pop Rocks nodded. "Yes, I'm just waiting for the year she comes home and tells us that she saved all of Equestria from a catastrophic event."

My ears shot up and I lifted a hoof, "Well—" That is when my eyes met Dream Pop's and she was shaking her head no and waving a hoof.

"Well?" Doohickey asked.

Dream Pop evidently did not want to upstage her sisters more than she already did. I smiled and said, "Well, this has been a lovely day. We'll need to be getting the foals home soon, though."

Pretty Palette softly patted the arms of her chair. "What is your hurry? They can always sleep here."

Crystal softly laughed and shook her head. "Oh, no, ma'am. These two are a hoofful on a good day. It is best to have them in their own beds," she said absently, her mind clearly still on the story.

Toast nodded knowingly. "Foals like routines and consistency. They'll be better off at home."

Sweet Tart waved a hoof dismissively at her brother. "Fine, but not until Dream Pop tells us if she is seeing anypony."

"Oh, yes, please. Can you stay just long enough for that? I've heard a rumor that she finally saw somepony," Bubblegum put in happily.

Pop Rocks snorted. "You mean Sweet Tart was gossiping."

Sweet Tart set a hoof on her chest. "I do not gossip. I share the facts as I receive them."

Sugar tittered and chirped in reply, eliciting a gasp from Sweet Tart.

Dream Pop squeaked and held up a hoof. "It was just a few dates, that is all. There isn't anything to tell."

Crystal's brow arched, finally pulling her from the fantasy she was writing in her mind. "What's that, now? You haven't said anything to us about a few dates."

"Intriguing," Sweet Tart said with smug satisfaction in her voice.

Dream Pop tried to wave off the suspicions. "I guess it is. Honestly, though we just went to a few museums and one cart pull."

The last bit yielded giggles from all of the sisters.

"A cart pull, really? What kind of stallion are you seeing," Toast asked.

Dream Pop's ears wiggled and she corrected, "A mare, actually. She's a little younger than me and likes to pull, so I went and watched."

Crystal and I exchanged glances. We hadn't heard a word of this, but it wasn't really our business.

Coral stretched out her lanky limbs and looked up at me. "Colonel, are we going home soon?"

"We are," I replied, petting along her back.

Bubblegum peered at her sister. "Do you even like mares?"

Dream Pop shrugged. "I don't not. I'm still figuring all of that out. They don't exactly teach it in school."

Doohickey chuckled. "You take your time on this one, sweetie. You certainly didn't with anything else."

The others laughed, Sugar tittered, and all was well again.

"Now, I'm sure Silent Knight and his family need to be on their way home," Doohickey said, standing up.

Dream Pop perked up. "Me, too!"

Pretty Palette sighed as she stood. "It always goes so fast. You can't stay, Dream Pop?"

She shook her head no, "I'm sorry Momma, I'm due to meet a group of students in the Everfree Forest tomorrow to look at all the new growth."

"I understand, dear. We'll miss you, though." Pretty Palette then turned to Crystal and I. "It was a pleasure to meet y'all. Perhaps Dream Pop can bring you again next year."

"That would be lovely," Crystal replied as she gathered Clement up and nestled him between my wings. He was sleeping soundly.

I smiled, offering my hoof to Doohickey. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

He bumped it and nodded. "The same. Remember, do not allow them to outnumber you."

We shared a chuckle and I replied, "I'll do my best. Thank you for your hospitality. Perhaps next year, we can host you all in our home."

Coral Knight marched up to Doohickey and offered him her little hoof. The two then bumped and she parroted, "Thank you for your hos… hospit… totally."

Doohickey looked down at her with a big grin. She could weaponized her cuteness. I hoped she didn't.

"Sure thing, little filly," the old stallion said.

Dream Pop helped Crystal onto her hooves and the two of them exchanged polite goodbyes with everypony else before all three of us and the foals found ourselves outside.

As we trotted towards the train station Coral chimed in, "Your family is really fun, Dream Pop."

"Well, thank you! They're super great, and I'm so glad that the four of you were able to join me. I've wanted you to meet them for a while," she replied.

My ear flicked. "Oh?"

Dream Pop flushed and actually looked bashful. That was new. "Of course! It is like bringing my two families together."

Crystal softly gasped. "Aww… that is so sweet! We love you, too, Dream Pop." Crystal slipped her hoof around our friend and squeezed her tight.

"Hey!" Coral pointed ahead of us. "There is the train! We'd better hurry."

She was right. The train was already at the station and getting ready to leave. Crystal groaned, "I can't hurry anywhere, sweetie."

"I'll stop it!" Coral shouted as she galloped off.

"Coral, wait!" I called before rushing after her. The jostling and bouncing woke Clem and I could feel his small hooves grab onto my mane.

When I arrived, the quick little filly was standing her ground in front of the conductor. I heard her say, "You're just going to have to wait! My dad is Silent Knight, Captain of the Canterlot Guard, and you can't leave without him and my mama."

The conductor was holding his watch and about to speak when I slid to a stop on the platform. "Coral, you know you're not supposed to gallop away from us," I admonished in my best stern father voice, but I was just glad she was okay.

"But, Colonel, this pony is going to send the train on without us! He doesn't know who you are," my daughter huffed.

I set a hoof on her head and softly patted. "I'm sorry, my daughter has not learned humility yet. If you can wait a moment longer, I would appreciate it. My wife is pregnant and can't move fast."

The conductor smiled. "I wouldn't want a pregnant mare to miss her train. We'll just top off the water tank and be on our way. That should give you another few minutes."

"Thank you," I replied with a grateful bob of my head.

Coral pushed at my hoof and glared up at me. "I don't understand."

"I know. I hope you will when you're older," I replied before scooping her up and trotting back down the platform to meet Dream Pop and Crystal. "All foals accounted for, Mom."

Crystal grinned, though I could tell she was immensely relieved. "Well done, Colonel. Now help me get onto the train, please."

Dream Pop squealed, "Oh, I'll do that! You just watch the foals."

"You've got a deal, doctor," I teased while Dream Pop led Crystal onto the train. I carried Coral close to my chest and Clem had already fallen back asleep.

My daughter was squirming in my grasp. She didn't like being carried. She never had. The filly wanted to do everything herself. Finally, enough was enough and she protested, "Daddy, stop. I won't run. I promise."

I set her down on the train and stepped across to board. "All right," I replied, looking to where the sun was setting out in the west. Hearts and Hooves Day was almost over, and my plan had fallen apart. Dream Pop was happy, however, and she never asked us for anything. I was grateful that I at least got to spend the day with my wife and foals.

Coral and I found the two mares already settled in when we entered the car. My beautiful wife patted the spot next to her while exchanging a glance with me. Before I could occupy it, Coral jumped up into the spot.

Crystal laughed and looped a hoof around the filly. "Did you have fun, sweetie?"

"I did! Dream Pop's family is nice." Coral looked between us with a serious face. "We should have a bigger family."

I settled Clem onto a pillow next to Dream Pop and flopped down onto the floor between everypony, since there wasn't anywhere else left for me. "We're doing that already, Coral. You'll have a new sibling soon."

"When? I'm ready!" Coral chimed.

Crystal stroked her belly. "Very soon. A month or so."

Coral's nose wiggled. "That isn't soon!"

Dream Pop chimed in. "It is, though! You can enjoy counting the days. We can even make a game out of it."

That caught my daughter's interest and for the rest of the train ride she was thankfully occupied with discussing the rules of the game with Dream Pop. My eyes were on Crystal. She was as beautiful as the day I'd met her. Older, sure, but our love had grown stronger as we shared our life together.

She was a great wife who had supported me through so much, and an even more amazing mother to our foals. There's a saying that ponies don't repeat the mistakes of their parents and Crystal made sure she was no exception. Where her mother had pushed her to walk a certain line, she allowed Coral and Clem to be who they wanted to be.

She caught me staring and her cheeks flushed. She always knew when I was looking at her, and she always knew it meant I was thinking of her fondly.

The door to the car slid open and a conductor stuck his head in. "Next stop, Canterlot, folks!"

"Time to go," I said softly, my eyes still locked with Crystal's. I stood and helped my wife to her hooves. "Come, my love."

"Of course, Mr. Knight," she replied, taking my hoof in her own.

Once the train came to a halt, Dream Pop scooped up Clement and started to herd Coral out the door. "Okay, little foals, let's go together!"

We walked hoof-in-hoof to our home, soaking up the remaining spirit of the day. All of Canterlot was decorated for Hearts and Hooves Day, and the pink-and-silver decorations sparkled in the light of the setting sun.

Dream Pop unlocked the door with her key when we arrived and walked the foals in. Crystal and I lingered outside of the door a moment. Our eyes met and I leaned in for a soft smooch. My wife met me and our lips pressed softly together.

A rush of fond memories washed over me and I grinned against her. "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day," I whispered.

"Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, my love," she replied.

We trotted in together to find Dream Pop on the couch snuggled up between our foals. They were asleep, which was a small miracle.

Dream Pop whispered, "Thank you for coming with me. It meant a lot."

"Our pleasure," Crystal replied.

"Why don't you two go to your room? I'll put these two to bed and keep an eye on them. That way you can have a little of your holiday alone still," she said.

Crystal and I exchanged glances. That was far more like my plan had been. And yet…

Dream Pop hugged herself and continued in a whisper, "I know it wasn't convenient, but it just meant so much to me. You two have been a big part of my life in Canterlot. I just couldn't imagine being so far from you on such an important day. Getting everypony together is like nothing else."

Crystal set a hoof over her heart, her ears wiggling.

"Go on, you two, I've got this," Dream Pop said, looking up at us with a smile.

I took one look at my wife and knew what was going through her head. How could we go off alone now?

My head turned back to Dream Pop. "It is Hearth's Warming, isn't it? We couldn't imagine being separated on such a special day. Not even a few rooms away. Why don't we take the foals and call it a night together?"

"Really?" Dream Pop gasped. "That would be super great!"

Crystal nodded. "Of course. Come along, let's go."

We headed into the bedroom and nestled onto the bed. Crystal scooted up against me while Dream Pop curled against her. Coral snuggled into my hooves, and Clem perched himself on our sides.

Today was meant for Crystal and me to be alone together. This morning, it had felt like all I wanted was just one day away from my foals so I could be with my wife. Now, I realized they were going to grow up someday and head off on their own paths without us.

I also realized how much my friends were a part of my family. It was easy to take that for granted, especially when you become a parent. Dream Pop was as much a sister to me as Runic was a brother, but I didn't spend enough time with of them. I was going to do my best to fix that starting tomorrow.

I couldn't imagine being apart from my loved ones. No matter what, while I still could, I wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. All of them.

After all, that's what Hearth's Warming is really about: not the day it happens or the gifts that are exchanged, but the ponies you spend it with.

We Wish You a Happy… Hearts and Hooves Day?

Crystal Wishes allowed herself to wake up slowly, because as soon as she acknowledged she was awake, the now-daily aches and pains were sure to follow. Instead, she wanted to relish in the soft embrace of her pillow, the soothing weight of the comforter, and the warmth of the body beside her.

"Good morning," Silent Knight's voice, heavy with sleep, rasped from somewhere within the sheets. How he could sense that she had woken up would remain a mystery long into their old age.

She gave a noncommittal groan in reply. It was enough to set off the persistent pain in her back, which earned another groan, less fond and more disgruntled.

Silent shifted and she watched as his blue mane was the first thing to surface from the nest of pillows and blankets, followed by a smiling muzzle that pressed to her cheek. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes to relish in the feeling of his lips brushing against her coat. As he worked his way down—trailing along her jaw, neck, and chest—she gave a contented sigh and smiled when he reached his destination.

"And good morning, princess," he mumbled against her stomach. "How are my girls?"

Crystal grunted and cracked open her eyes to peer down at him as he fawned over the swell. "I think she's testing me."

With a quirk of one brow, Silent looked up to meet her gaze. "Testing you?"

"Mmhm." She tried to hide her fond amusement behind a frown. "I swear she is intentionally settled in such a way so as I can't ever forget she's there—as if I even could in the first place!"

In the quiet of the house, there was a subtle sound: a sound that a younger pony would have easily dismissed, but Crystal was not a younger pony. She knew their quiet moment of bliss was over. The careless exclamation had started a chain reaction of events that, by then, were so engrained into their morning routine that they almost felt scripted.

There was a distant clatter of small hooves; Crystal shifted to sit up against the headboard.

The doorknob turned; Silent moved to free up the center of the bed.

"You're awake!" Coral Knight announced loudly to the room, as if they needed to be told. She marched forward and jumped onto the comforter that tried to engulf her little form, but she navigated the fluffy seas undaunted. "Good morning, Mama." She looked up at Silent and saluted. "Colonel."

Silent's hoof moved in a light, automatic salute. "At ease. Status report?"

Coral nodded curtly. "I checked all the entries. No intruders. House is secure."

It was hard not to smile at the way Coral revered her father, and Crystal made no attempt to fight the warmth that bloomed in her chest. "And what about Clem?"

"Here," a soft, dozy voice said from the doorway. The grey pegasus foal leaned against the frame, his blue-and-blonde mane spiked at all different angles.

Coral gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "Cadet Clement Knight wasn't present for the morning security check. Again."

Clement Knight stuck out his bottom lip in a sweet little pout. "Was sleepin'."

"Come here, cirrus-head," Crystal cooed.

The toddler made his way from the door to the bed, his legs mostly cooperative but his wings refusing to help him make the jump. Crystal reached out with her magic to get him to where he could crawl the rest of the way, and once he was at her side, he flopped down as if boneless.

While Crystal fussed over his untamable mane, Coral began to march the perimeter of the bed and continued her report. "Fridge is good. Pantry stocked. Operation Breakfast is a go, Colonel."

"Operation Breakfast?" Crystal paused her preening to shoot Silent a light grin. "Did your cadet just ruin the surprise?"

The color from Coral's face drained. She looked up at Silent with big, frightened eyes that he had absolutely no chance of surviving against.

"All part of the plan," Silent said, giving Coral an exaggerated, conspiratorial wink. "Good job."

Coral relaxed and puffed up with pride under the cherished praise. "I'll check the forti"—her nose scrunched up—"fortini"—she huffed—"fortinifications!" With another salute, she bounded off the bed and marched out the door.

Meanwhile, Clement snored at Crystal's side, and Silent chuckled. "Well, my love." He leaned over to nose her cheek before he put the sleeping Clement onto his back and climbed off the bed. "Are you ready for your surprise?"

Crystal hummed in acknowledgement, following after him with a warm, fuzzy feeling in her chest. Every day with her family was a gift, but Silent always made Hearts and Hooves Day special. Years of marriage had done little to damper their relationship; in fact, she felt it grew stronger with each passing anniversary.

Coral's high-pitched shriek tore through her thoughts. "Intruder!"

Both Crystal and Silent looked at one another with wide eyes before they broke in a full gallop down the hall. Crystal's magic grabbed Clement so Silent could surge ahead, his body rigid and ready for a fight.

The moment he crossed the threshold into the living room and saw whoever had broken into their home, however, all of the tension fell away. His head tilted one way and his wings relaxed at his sides. "Dream Pop?"

Crystal came up beside him just in time to see the mare in question sitting on their sofa, hooves raised, and under threat of fire from Coral's little horn. She could barely contain a giggle at the sight. "Oh, Sil, I think we're too old for this kind of Hearts and Hooves Day surprise."

Though Silent shot her a confused look, Dream Pop burst into laughter. "Wow!" she managed between gasps for air and giggles. "I mean, if that's what you're into, that's super okay, and I'm definitely flattered, but no thanks!"

"What?" Silent raised a hoof to rub between his eyes. "What's going on?"

Dream Pop snickered and grinned. "'Tis the season to be naughty."

With a gasp, Coral spun around to stare up at Crystal with wide eyes. "Does Mama need to go to the naughty corner?"

"No, sweetie, no." Crystal struggled to keep a straight face. "This is a different kind of naughty."

Coral's lips curled into a rounded shape. "Ooh, like when Colonel sometimes span—"

"Yes!" Crystal interrupted quickly, heat rushing to her cheeks as she cleared her throat. "Yes, something like that." She crossed the floor to pat the filly on the head and returned her attention to Dream Pop. "Not that we don't enjoy seeing you, but what are you doing here?"

"I let myself in," Dream Pop said, and when they just stared expectantly at her, she added, "With my key!"

Silent's ear flicked. "Your key? What key?"

"The key you gave me when we were renovating this place." Dream Pop reached into her little kitty face satchel and retrieved a key that she waved in the air. "You never asked for it back, so I assumed it was mine to keep!"

"That checks out," Silent said before he looked over at Crystal. "Okay then."

Fatigue already started to sink deep into her bones as Crystal returned Clement to his favorite spot on his father's back. Today was meant to be a private day between her husband and herself with minimal interruption from the foals. That plan already seemed foiled and the day had hardly even started.

Silent gave her an encouraging smile, then walked toward the kitchen door and called over his shoulder, "Cadet Coral, come along. Let's continue with Operation Breakfast while Mama talks to Dream Pop."

Coral nodded curtly and marched after her father. "Sir, yes, sir!"

Dream Pop giggled as she watched them leave. "It's super cute how she's like a little miniature Silent. Every day she gets more and more like him."

"Yes, it is," Crystal said idly, walking over to her preferred beanbag chair. It was easier to lower herself onto and much more comfortable than trying to settle onto the couch. "What brings you by?"

"Oh! Right to business. I guess that's why you're, well, you, huh?" Dream Pop grinned. "I'm here to invite you to Hearth's Warming with my family."

"Hearth's Warming," Crystal repeated without any attempt to hide the confusion in her voice.

Dream Pop nodded. "Yep! With my family."

There was a long pause before Crystal frowned. "Dream Pop, today is Hearts and Hooves Day."

"Yep!"

Crystal lifted her gaze to the ceiling to try to stifle her grin. It was time to treat Dream Pop like a lazy Clement who couldn't decide on breakfast. "Okay," she said in a soft voice, meeting Dream Pop's gaze again, "while we'd be happy to join you, today isn't Hearth's Warming. Today is a special day where I get to eat lots of chocolate and enjoy quality time with my husband. Okay?"

"Oh." Dream Pop blinked once, twice, then laughed. "Oh, I see where the confusion is! I almost forgot that most ponies celebrate Hearth's Warming on Hearth's Warming." She waved a hoof, laughing again. "Sorry, no, because everypony in my family has super busy schedules, Hearth's Warming can happen any time of the year! And this year, it's today!"

"Today." Crystal's gentle smile fell into a wary frown. "As in, you want us to spend the day—today—with you and your family?"

It was difficult to hide the slight irritation that began to bubble to the surface. Regardless of how dear Dream Pop was to her and Silent, this was not the kind of surprise she'd wanted today of all days.

Dream Pop clapped her hooves. "Exactly! There's a train that leaves in an hour, so if you wrangle up the foals and pack now, we can be at the platform with time to spare!" She tilted her head toward Crystal's stomach and added with a wink, "Besides, I think you and Silent have had more than enough quality time as it is."

The seemingly simple request came with ramifications that Dream Pop didn't seem to appreciate. Hearts and Hooves Day wasn't just about love.

It was about chocolate. And quiet. Coral took the day as her mission to be on her best behavior and let Mommy and Daddy enjoy private time together. She didn't always succeed, but at least she tried, and it was the thought that counted for something.

Tomorrow, however, Coral would be back to impromptu leg sweeps, wooden swords, and fighting with her brother over his lack of proper military discipline.

Despite the momentary dismay, Crystal had to admit that Dream Pop never asked for anything frivolously. Whenever she did make a request of them, it was for a purpose.

And more than that, both Crystal and Silent owed Dream Pop so much that it would be truly despicable of them to turn her away.

Slowly, reluctantly, Crystal smiled. "Sil," she called, turning her head, "how far along are you with breakfast?"

There were sounds of clattering and a surprised yelp before Silent appeared at the doorway, Clement still curled between his wings and Coral wearing a bowl on her head that dripped pancake batter onto the floor.

"Sorry," Silent said with a light, crooked grin. "My cadet was trying to show me how her magic had improved."

Coral's voice echoed around the inside of the bowl. "And I would've had it, too, if it weren't for that pesky interruption."

Stifling a laugh, Crystal shook her head. "It's all right. We'll be having breakfast on the train today, it seems."

Silent tilted his head and swiveled his ears toward her. "The train? I didn't plan a train ride for today."

"I did!" Dream Pop chimed, waving one hoof.

"Yes, Dream Pop has invited us to spend Hearts and Hooves Day with her family to celebrate Hearth's Warming, it seems." Crystal pushed herself out of the beanbag chair, groaning lightly from the persistent ache in her back.

After a long, thoughtful pause—where he likely did the same math she had—Silent relented with a nod. "All right. Where are we going, then?"

Dream Pop replied with a small giggling snort, "Appleloosa, of course!"

Silent looked at Crystal, who looked right back at him. His brow furrowed to ask if she was certain this was okay, and her eyes crinkled with a smile to assure him it was all right. As his expression softened, they said together, "Of course."