Chapter 1: Remember When?
Location: Friendship Castle, Ponyville, Equestria, Planet Equin.
Home
Two pairs of tiny, sock clad feet padded down the vast and towering crystal halls of their home. Both tiny individuals wore excited smiles, eager to start the morning with glee and great excitement. Out of the two, the filly on the right had a coat as white as snow, her pink mane and tail fluttering behind her as she ran, which matched the same color of her pink pajamas. Next to her, her twin, a little dark blue filly with a light blue mane and tail, wearing her favorite space themed pajamas, and carrying her favorite baby blanket ran next to her sister. They had a location in mind as they rounded the final corner as they eyed the door excitedly.
"Come on Eli!" the little white filly encouraged her sister.
The two little fillies slid up to the door, the little white filly grasped the door handle, turning it with a click and pushing the heavy wooden door inwards with the help of her sister.
"Mommy! Daddy!" the girls cheered, running into the bedroom and jumping onto their parents bed, bouncing excitedly and waking the one peaceful inhabitants under the covers. "Mommy! Daddy!"
Twilight and I groaned exhaustively as two little fillies jumped up and down on the bed, causing the mattress to bounce under us. My wife grabbed her pillow, scrunching it around her head to try and drown out the noise, leaving me to take control.
"Girls…" I groaned out, drowsily rolling onto my back. "Girls… girls… calm down!" I rubbed my tired eyes, sighing as my daughter Aurora climbed on top of me, sitting on my stomach as Eclipse pushed on her mothers shoulder, urging her to get up. "What are you two doing?" I asked.
"Did you forget Daddy?" Eclipse asked excitedly as she glanced over her shoulder. "Today is our first day of school!"
I glanced at Twilight, who rolled onto her back, causing Eclipse to sit on her belly as well. "So you two thought it was a good idea to wake us like this?" my wife questioned.
"Only your kids would be this excited to go to school," I quipped playfully.
She slapped me on the chest, causing me to grunt and chuckle. "They're your kids too you know."
I continued to laugh at my wife's expense, a smile showing from beneath her arm as I rolled my head to look at the clock. But that couldn't be right? It read six o'clock. No wonder I felt so tired.
"Girl's it's six in the morning," I groaned, causing my wife to also groan in annoyance. "Why are you two up so early? School doesn't start until eight…"
"We couldn't wait daddy!" Aurora said excitedly.
My head hit the pillow with a thump as I took a deep breath, lifting my daughter. "Here…" I sighed, exhaling. "I'll cut you two a deal." I opened my eyes, smiling softly between my girls. "If you two let Mommy and Daddy sleep for another hour. I'll make you your favorite breakfast."
Both fillies gasped in excitement, their eyes sparkling and little mouths watering.
"But you two have to stay quiet and let us sleep," I told them, pausing. "Would you two like to join us?"
Both Aurora and Eclipse nodded, beaming with their little smiles, prompting me to lift the covers and prompting them to quickly crawl forward and in between Twilight and I. We rolled onto our sides, each embracing a filly. I hugged Aurora close as Twilight hugged Eclipse. Between the two of us, we shared a tired, but loving smile between one another before trying to go back to bed.
I snuck out of bed about forty five minutes later, leaving my three girls to sleep for a little while longer as I snuck off into the kitchen. I gathered the necessary supplies and began cooking up a meal. I mixed and poured it into perfectly sized pancakes that sizzled in the pan. Within a few minutes, I had a small stack, ready and waiting. I set the stack in the center of the dining table not too far away, pouring three glasses of juice, two apples for Twilight and Aurora and one orange for Eclipse.
I had just finished pouring the Eclipse's glass as the doors opened, the twins eagerly skipping inside.
"Pancakes pancakes!" they cheered, running up towards the table and climbing into their seats.
Twilight wandered in with a yawn, padding up and hugging my side, kissing my cheek and nuzzling my neck.
"Morning honey. Sleep well?"
"Mhmm!" she nodded, kissing my cheek one last time before glancing back at the girls. Both Aurora and Eclipse stacked their pancake piles high, licking their lips in anticipation. "Girls!" Twilight chastised, causing both of them to flinch. "That is way too much!"
Both girls giggled nervously, grabbing several pancakes and placing them back on the center plate, leaving only a stack of two on each of their plates.
"Now thank your father."
"Thank you Daddy!" they thanked excitedly.
"You're very welcome." I took my wife in my arm, guiding her to the kitchen. I still had some more to make, because my little alicorn's were going to decimate that plate. "I started a pot of coffee for you if you'd like," I informed my wife, gesturing towards the warm pot of brew, which my wife quickly gravitated towards. I went back to the stove, getting another set of pancakes going.
A loud yawn and the soft clip clop of hooves came from the door as Starlight wandered inside tiredly. She slinked over towards the coffee pot like a zombie, pouring herself a cup before snaking back out without as much as a hello.
Just another morning, not talking until coffee.
With another stack of pancakes, Twilight and I headed back into the dining table. I set the new stack down as Starlight took the last couple that were on the first plate. The girls however, almost drunkenly slumped back in their seats, satisfied smiles upon their faces, their little bellies bulging.
"Girls I suggest you two go get dressed and get ready for school," I suggested, setting a couple of cakes on my own plate as Twilight did the same.
Excited, my twins jumped from their seats, rushing out of the room their full bellies quickly forgotten. I laughed, shaking my head as I poured a generous amount of syrup on them before handing that off to my wife.
"So you got any plans for the day Starlight?" I asked, cutting into my own cakes and stuffing my face.
She nodded, holding a hoof to shield her mouth, swallowing. "Trixie and I were going to go shopping today. What about you two? Got any plans."
"A nap," we replied in unison.
"This is going to sound bad," I commented. "But I think it'll be nice to have a little time to ourselves. We haven't really had any time together, alone, since the girls were born."
Twilight nodded. "I remember when Flurry was a foal and she was such a handful."
"Didn't she nearly destroy the Crystal Empire?"
"Yes!" both mares said in unison with a nod.
"Thankfully Sunburst's findings helped to prevent Eli and Aurora from following in Flurry's hoofsteps," Twilight explained as she stuffed her face with a forkful of syrupy hotcakes. "But they are still a handful. Aurora is so curious about everything and is getting ready to start practicing magic along with flying."
"And Eclipse has been trying to fly more and more," I added. "She's gotten good at magic, but I've had to pull her off a few to many chairs." I sighed, setting my fork down with a click and rubbing my face. "I love them and I have no regrets. But this has been more stressful than any fight I've ever been in." I paused, a tired expression dawning my features. "Being a parent is a bitch."
Starlight snorted as Twilight giggled along, silently agreeing with a gentle nod of her head. I cut up the last of my pancakes, mopping up the syrup left on my plate and stuffing my face with the heart clogging goodness. From there, Twilight cleared the table with her magic, Starlight bid us farewell and we left to go and get dressed ourselves.
Once we were set, Twilight and I grabbed the girls and set out for their first day at school. I laughed as I held onto Aurora's hand as she skipped and jumped along, her little wings buzzing as she did her best to try and keep a hover.
"Look daddy!"
"I'm watching," I beamed, gently swinging her forward, lifting her into the air.
Next to me, Twilight smiled, watching as Eclipse bit her little tongue, levitating a ball in her light blue aura. It was clear how much of her mother's magical traits she inherited. She loved magic, comparative to her sister. Aurora was more into watching me train and wanting to know how to fight. She was a ball of energy and had no intention of slowing down anytime soon.
Six years old now.
Both of my girls were six years old and getting older. Hard to believe it had been a decade since fate brought me here.
And yet here I was, playing with my daughter as I escorted her to school. She looked so adorable in her little pink dress and slip ons while her sister wore a pair of blue jeans and a purple shirt and sneakers.
Before we knew it, Twilight and I were at the school house. Standing out front, Missus Cheerilee stood in front of the door, waving as several parents, both human and pony conversed as kids and foals ran about, screaming and playing.
We seemed to approach at the perfect time as Cheerilee began to speak with a clap of her hooves. "Welcome everypony!" she greeted, causing all the parents to gather their children and silence them. "I hope you are all excited for your first day of school?" The children cheered as Twilight and I shared a knowing glance. "I have a wonderful semester planned out for us, so I do hope you're all excited and ready!" her attention switching towards the parents. "Parents, I'll be sending home a few forms for you all to read and sign and please, if you child has anything I need to know, please let me know. Other then that, you're free to go, just make sure to be back at three when school ends."
Twilight and I nodded, dropping into a squat and hugging each daughter respectively. "Have fun you two!" I encouraged, hugging Aurora, then Eclipse. "I'll be here to pick you up. Remember, I love you!"
"Love you too Daddy!" Aurora smiled as she grabbed the straps of her backpack and stepped back to let her sister receive her hug.
"You be good now. Love you!" I beamed.
"Love you Daddy!"
Twilight hugged them both, squeezing them and playfully shaking their tiny, giggling forms. "I love you two so much!" She quickly kissed both of them on the head as I stood up. "Have fun and make lots of friends!"
"Love you Mommy!" they replied in unison before Twilight released the girls, letting them turn and run off towards the school.
For the first time in a long time, it was Twilight and I.
She embraced my arm, resting her head on my shoulder as we watched our children run off and into the school. Missus Cherilee smiled, guiding them inside. She spotted us in the crowd, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she waved. Twilight and I returned the gestures with ones of our own.
Just inside the windows, I saw Aurora and Eclipse take their seats. Nearly immediately, they were swarmed by the rest of the class.
I turned towards my wife, staring deeply into her gaze. They were safe. Especially with our secret guard watching both them and us. Well, we had the next several hours to ourselves, so I took my wife by the hand and led her home. It felt strange, walking in mutual silence. No little toddlers trying to pull you along or pointing out something random.
"I already miss them…"
I smiled, my heart longing for them as well. I squeezed my wife, nuzzling and kissing her ears, assuring her that they were going to be fine. Twilight nodded, taking a deep breath an assuring herself that they would be fine. So we worked our way back to the castle and making firm on that promise of that nap we suggested that morning.
I eagerly stripped down to my underwear, Twilight keeping her under tank top, losing her pants and bra, climbing in with me. With a sigh each, she rested her head on my chest and a leg over my own as I rubbed her back.
But no matter what we did, we couldn't get to sleep.
"Well… shit…" I mumbled.
"Yeah…" Twilight agreed.
We lied there, me staring up at the ceiling.
"Hey… you remember when Aurora took her first steps?" I asked, trying to make some conversation.
"How could I forget?"
***
"Come to Daddy!" I beamed, waving my hands to encourage my daughter. Opposite of me, Twilight sat on her knees, holding Aurora by the sides as she swayed, uneasy on her little feet. She blinked at me, giggling as she sucked on her thumb. Sitting next to me, Eclipse giggled as she toppled over the little tower of blocks I built her. "Come to Daddy!"
Aurora giggled at my playful tone, holding out her arms to me. She took her first, tentative step, swaying uncertainly as Twilight kept her hands at the ready in case she fell.
But she wasn't needed.
Aurora took another step, me cheering her on even more as Twilight there with her arms into the air, cheering with unbridled excitement. My heart swelled with joy as I continued to encourage and wave her forward. Her little wings unfurled every once and a while, working with her to keep her balance. One foot at a time, she giggled her way towards and before I knew it, she was right in front of me.
I caught her in my grasp, lifting her into the air. She giggled with glee, probably not knowing what was going, but she was giggling along with it anyway.
"Way to go!" I cheered, bringing her in close and blowing a raspberry on her belly, causing her to squeal and giggle at the ticklish sensation.
***
"Remember Eclipse's first words?" Twilight asked as I nodded.
"She was so adorable," I reminisced.
***
"Cally! Cally come in here!" Twilight squealed, frantically waving her arm.
I ran into the kitchen, sliding to a halt, at first I was wrought with fear, but I immediately calmed down upon finding my girls in their high chairs, bits of cereal strewn out in front of them. Twilight bit her lip, holding her hands close to her chest as she bounced with excitement.
"Eclipse said her first word!"
My eyes bulged, my heart rate skyrocketing with unbridled excitement.
"Did you say your first word!" I gasped, bending over and tickling her belly with my finger, causing her to giggle ticklishly. "What did you say sweetie?"
We had been working with them for a while now, but every time they tried to speak, it came out incoherent. Eclipse babbled and giggled, sputtering as she grasped a piece of cereal and stuffing it and her fingers in her mouth.
Twilight placed her hands on her knees, leaning towards the baby. "Come on honey. Tell Daddy what you said. Can you say Mommy?" Twilight paused, hoping for a response but all she did was giggle at the attention. "Can you say Mommy?"
"Mommy!"
I inhaled sharply, overjoyed beyond all belief. Eclipse giggled excitedly, waving her arms with equal amounts of joy! Or she was just joining in the excitement.
"Mommy!" she repeated, pointing her finger at me.
I snorted, chuckling at the mix up. "No no, honey!" I leaned back, pointing across my chest towards Twilight. "That's Mommy!"
"Mommy!" she giggled, pointing at me again.
Oh boy…
"Daddy!"
Twilight and I went stiff, chills running up our backs as our eyes slowly met. There was only one person that could have said that. Our gazes shifted down towards Aurora, who much like her sister, munched away at her cereal.
"Daddy!" she spoke, waving her little arm at Twilight.
***
"That was one heck of a day," I commented as Twilight let out a reminiscing sigh.
"I remember when I found you passed out on the floor with them on your chest," she reminded me. "You three were so adorable."
"Wasn't that shortly after they were born?" I inquired.
"It happened more than once, but that one I'll never forget."
***
Twilight wandered through the halls of the castle, looking for her missing husband and foals. She tried, looking everywhere and even going as far as asking her student, but all of it was to no avail. She was beginning to worry, but she soon found them in the playroom, all of them asleep on the floor.
She held a hand to her muzzle at the adorable sight. Her husband lying on his back, clearly exhausted. For the days after the birth, he had been doing just about everything for her and the twins. When they cried, he was there. Diaper needed changing? Yep, he was on that. Twilight needed a meal or someone to cuddle? On it. She really had only been needed when the twins needed to be fed or to be watched after for a little bit. She tried to protest at first, but the pain was to much, so he often answered their calls in the dead of night, getting less and less sleep.
Right now, it looked like he had been exploiting their nap time, but even in his sleep, he still protected them. His larger, gentle palms cupped his daughters backs, holding them close. She didn't want to wake them, but it was time for everyone to eat. So, she eased her way over to her husband, carefully falling into a squat and pushing her husband.
I groaned, drowsily opening my eyes to find my wife leaning over me with a gentle, loving smile.
"Good morning," she greeted as I blinked the drowsiness from my eyes, my blurry vision focusing as I returned my wife's lovely smile.
"What time is it?"
"Time for them to have lunch," she replied. I nodded, gently patting the girls awake. They whimpered, wiggling, clearly not liking the fact that I woke them from their nap. Twilight stood up, heading over towards one of the chairs in the room as I stood up, caring them over as she began removing her top.
***
"You three were so adorable."
I smiled, hugging my wife as she gave me a squeeze. We had dozens of memories like this and remembering each one just what we needed today. We continued to lie there in mutual silence, her rubbing little circles with her finger on her chest as I rubbed her side. As she adjusted her leg, she just about kneed me in the groin. I inhaled sharply as her knee nearly caused indescribable amounts of pain.
That made her wonder though.
"When was the last time we had sex?" she asked.
I hesitated, thinking about that one. "Uhhh… a while ago? Why? Is that an offer?"
"I mean we're already halfway there, the castles empty, and we don't have to get the girls for a few more hours," she listed.
There was a pause as those words slowly sank in.
It got steamy real quick after that.
***
I sat down at my desk with a grunt, spinning around and facing the stack of papers that pilled on the edge. All of it was full of intergalactic requests, dealings, and other issues. My wife leaned up against my desk, gently sipping from a glass of water.
"Don't you have a meeting here in a couple of days?" she asked, lowering her glass.
"Friday," I replied with a face rub and a sigh. "Some high end military guy, a colonel or general something from the Andromeda, Andrally… Monamana… system." I grabbed a handful of papers, lifting them and thumbing through them. "Some dude in a nearby system that apparently wants to put a base here. I've got it here somewhere." I released the stack and rested my elbow on my desk.
"Does he realize that you have no authority to allow such a thing?" she questioned.
"Pretty sure the dumbass never read the report," I commented, resting my cheek on my knuckles and glancing up at my wife with a look of discontent. I sighed, leaning back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "I also have a meeting the same day with…?" I trailed off, swiping up a sheet and reading it's request. "A General Kenobi and General Skywalker. Whoever the hell they are."
"Probably a request along the same lines," Twilight mused.
"Likely," I agreed, tossing the sheet of paper back on my desk before glancing at the clock. It was creeping up in that time for me to get going. "Either way, I guess we'll learn what those two want when I meet them." Kicking out, I stood from my chair, kissing my wife as I pushed my chair back into place. "Have fun at your meeting."
I bid my wife farewell and headed into the streets of Ponyville. With my second trip to the school house on the way, it was amazing how much this little town had expanded. A fair number of human's had immigrated out of the Origin system and into this little corner of the universe. Of course there were other species as well, but they were few and far between. Ponyville had expanded to twice the size in a decade.
Man, twelve years.
If one looked hard enough, you could still see the faint echoes of the battle that once haunted this town. Unfilled bullet holes still dotted walls. I could still hear the gunfire, the screams of the survivors, and that galleon that loomed overhead like the angel of death. Sometimes I could see my friends as they ran, plumes of dirt shooting into the air. Every once and a while, Suger Cube Corner was a fireball.
A story that I would tell my girls, but today was not that day.
Once I made it to the school, I sat down on a nearby bench, waiting patiently for class to end.
"Fancy seeing you here."
I glanced towards the voice, watching as Serenity sat down with a sigh. "Kinda hard to avoid when your kids are going here," I quipped, leaning over and sharing a hug with my friend. "Mariah doing good?"
"Oh she was excited to have the girls join her this year," Serenity commented as she crossed her legs. "Is Radiance old enough yet? I didn't see her this morning."
Spike and Rarity's daughter. Another little hybrid. A dracony as we classified her, she is such a sweetheart.
"Not for another year."
"Ah."
The bell rung at that instance, signaling the end of the school day. The door opened and out flooded the entire class of screaming children and foals piled out of the school house running excitedly towards their parents. Serenity and I waited patiently in our spot, eyes scanning the crowd. She seemed to best me to the punch, waving her hand towards her daughter. Mariah giddily led Aurora and Eclipse our direction, their little faces beaming with joy. I smiled, leaning forward and holding my arms out wide.
"Hi girls!" I greeted excitedly as I hugged my babies, embracing them with utter joy before kissing the tops of their heads. "You two have fun at school?"
"Yeah!" Aurora squeaked excitedly, her smile beaming with excitement.
"We had a lot of fun daddy!" Eclipse added, eager to tell her many stories. "And Mariah is with us!" she added, pointing towards one of their best friends who was currently hugging her mother.
"Daddy can she come over and play?" Aurora requested eagerly hoping for a play date.
"Sorry girls," Serenity apologized, causing their smiles to turn into frowns of sadness. "But we have some things we have to do tonight. But maybe this weekend?"
I shrugged. "I'll have to talk to Twilight. But we might be able to make something work?" I offered, earning a nod from my fellow parent.
With hope restored, Aurora and Eclipse jumped about excitedly, their wings buzzing. I leaned forward, getting down to their level and waving them over with a finger. I glanced around, making sure nobody could hear us. "How about this?" I whispered, causing my babies to take an eager half step closer. "What do you two say if we went out for ice cream?"
They gasped, eyes sparkling with glee at the offer of free ice cream. They didn't hesitate, nodding their heads like crazy as I stood, my back cracking in the process.
"I have a meeting Friday, but I'll see if we can't set something up," I said, turning my attention towards Serenity who nodded in understanding. "You two could have a girls night. We could probably get Radiance to come too."
From there we parted ways with Serenity heading home hand in hand with Mariah as I eased Eclipse onto my shoulders while I held onto her sister. Just like all kids do, they reminisced about every little thing they did today. They told me about the friends they made, the games they played, and the overall fun they had today. Like the good father I was, I listened with rapt attention, only speaking in short sentences and lots of wows as we wandered through town with only one destination in mind.
But what caught my attention most was what they said their teacher was doing.
"And and and then Missus Cheerilee began humming this really pwetty song!" Aurora said excited. "It went like. Hm. Huhmm hm hm huhmm."
"No she didn't!" Eclipse countered. "It was more like hmmm. Hmm. Hm. Hahmmmm."
I smirked, knowing exactly the tune they were trying to replicate. Without a word, I began to whistle the tune. A simple tune that only the residents of Ponyville would understand. At first, nobody paid any attention to us as they went about their business within the market. So I continued to whistle until he transition into the humming. I glanced towards Aurora, smirking as her eyes sparkled with excitement, silently wondering how I knew that exact song.
"Cold: the air and water flowing…"
I paused, glancing to the left, spotting Big Macintosh manning his booth, his wife Sugar Belle watching him curiously. I turned towards the stallion, our eyes locking. Deep down, we both knew what was about to come next. It was in the air, might as well finish it.
"Hard: the land we call our home!" I sang, causing not only his wife to look towards me, but several others in the crowd to watch as well.
"Push to keep the dark from coming feel the weight of what we owe!" we sang together in harmony, our low, baritone voices echoing around the market.
But before we could continue, a chello began to play, followed by a harp as two angelic voices added to the music.
"This: the song of sons and daughters,
Hide the heart of who we are!
Making peace to build our future!
Strong united working till we fall!"
Octavia and Lyra, two of the most premier musicians in town paused, smirking at the two of us as Mac and I shared a knowing smirk. I shared a knowing nod to him before I glanced at the two mares, all of us yet again sharing a nod. All around a crowd had gathered, watching intently at the unplanned signing. But all around the crowd, I could see many of the residents that still lived here step into the limelight.
Lyra and Octavia began to play, their music echoing throughout the market. Ponies from all around, began to sing. The echoes of banging tools could be heard, drumming to the beat.
"Cold: the air and water flowing
Hard: the land we call our home,
Push, to keep that dark from coming,
Feel the weight of what we owe!" the boys sang in a low, deep harmony as I clenched my hand as a show of strength through unity.
"This: the song of sons and daughters
Hide the heart of who we are!
Making peace to build our future!
Strong united working till we fall!" The ladies finished in a higher harmony, the music coming to an abrupt end.
The gathered crowd waited in silent anticipation with bated breath.
"And we all lift!" I continued, low and resonating as I searched around the crowd, eyeing each and every survivor, their faces beaming with tears of joy. They all took deep breaths, ready to end it together.
"And we're all a drift, together! Together!
Through the cold mist, till were lifeless, together! Together!"
The music continued to play out, coming to its eventual end. I shared a wink with Big Mac as he returned it with one of his own. I waved to the girls, both looking well as they nodded their heads in acknowledgment. They closed their eyes, playing a random tune, eyes glistening with gentle tears. I was rather thankful that I could do them both justice. Lyra had been the one that day that took a bullet right through the side. I saved her life and she was kind enough to forgive me for putting her in that situation.
I glanced down at Aurora, who's eyes sparkled with glee before I titled my head up at Eclipse, smirking.
"That the song girls?"
They shook their heads vigorously.
"You have a pretty voice Daddy."
"Thank you sweetie," I smiled down at Aurora, lifting her up with a grunt, holding her close to my chest. "Come on, let's go get some ice cream."
A short walk later and the three of us ascended the steps and wandered into Sugar Cube Corner. The place was reasonably full, but not bad enough to be uncomfortable. I had done my best to help the Cake's to rebuild. It was almost an exact rebuild, nearly a perfect match to the building that once stood here. But they wanted a slight expansion in the back, to which I obliged and built a decade ago. It was so good to see them flourishing.
Behind the counter Pinkie manned the register. Her husband's tail could be seen through the doorway to the kitchen. Their son, Little Cheese, sat in is playpen next to the counter, playing with some letter blocks. The little yellow colt had the same coat as his father and the pink hair of his mother.
Were doomed, Pinkie was bad enough, marrying Cheese Sandwich made it worse, their son was going to destroy the world.
I pray to whoever is listening it's quick.
I set Aurora down first before lifting Eclipse from my shoulders and setting her down. From the front desk, Pinkie gasped when she spotted us, trotting around the counter.
"Cally!" she cheered, rearing up and hugging me tightly. "Hi girls! How are you?" she beamed, sitting down and hugging the twins lovingly.
"Goooood!" they beamed, gladly accepting the hug.
"You look like you're finally slowing down Pinkie?" I joked, causing the mare to nod her head in agreement.
"Cheesy has been such a hoofful. Right honey?" Pinkie explained before she asked her son. Her little boy was so engrossed with his toys that he didn't care. Little Cheese was coming up on one year now. He was the youngest of the children now.
Flurry Heart was twelve now, with my girls coming in next at six. Radiance followed behind them at five. Although my nephew -Ember and Rhino's son- Kurt, was seven, the same age as Mariah. Applejack's boy Bright Mac -named after his grandfather -her father- was four. Dash's boy Blitz was three. Fluttershy had recently adopted a filly by the name of Silent Night, a little bat pony, who was two. Then again Luna and Discord's boy Artimus was nine. Then Little Cheese here was one.
A gaggle of children.
In ten years, the girl's, except for Fluttershy, had followed in Twilight's lead. They had branched out, found husband's and married. I'm almost positive Twilight and the girls made a plan to all have children that would grow up together.
"So what can I get you three?" Pinkie asked joyfully as she stood, wandering back around the counter.
"Get what you want girls," I offered, to which Aurora and Eclipse excitedly pressed their faces to the glass where the ice cream was located.
"Can I have two scoops Daddy?" Eclipse eagerly asked. I smiled, nodding as her sister gasped in excitement. "Uhm… I'll have a chocolate and a vanilla!"
"And I want raspberry!" Aurora ordered.
"What do you two say?" I chastised as Pinkie began to serve up the girls their respective bowls.
"Thank you Auntie Pinkie!" they thanked excitedly, grasping their respective bowls of frozen goodness and running off towards an open table. As they climbed into their seats, spoons in hand as they eagerly began to munch away at their snacks.
"I'll just have a dream float," I ordered, resting numerous bits onto the counter that Pinkie took and placed in the register. I thanked the mare, made a request for my wife that I would take home for her and I sat down with my girls.
***
Later that night.
"Daddy…"
"Daddy! Please wake up!"
I groaned, waking up to the gentle little shove on my arm. I squeezed my eyes, rubbing them with my fingers. Rolling onto my side, I was a bit surprised to see my girls standing next to the bed. Eclipse held her favorite blanket close as Aurora held her teddy bear, both of them were very clearly in distress.
"Girls what's wrong?" I asked drowsily while glancing at the clock. It was one in the morning.
Then came the flash of lightning through the curtains, followed by the crack of thunder. Both Aurora and Eclipse whimpered, hugging one another close as they desperately fought back tears.
Ah, that would do it.
"Oh… come here you two," I whispered, holding out my arms and picking up Eclipse first, easing her onto the bed, followed shortly after with Aurora. They were quick to scuddle under the sheets and get as close as they could to me. Rolling over, I draped my arm over their little forms, assuring my daughters that they were safe.
But I felt the distinct lack of a third body.
Lifting my head, in the dimly lit room, I noticed that my wife was nowhere to be found.
"Girls, do you know where your mother is?" I whispered, concerned. Two little head shakes confirmed that they didn't know. "I'll be right back," I assured them as I shimmied out of bed, much to my girl's displeasure. "You two stay right here," I smiled, kissing them both right below their horns. I also turned on the light for them so it was a lot less scary.
With that, I wandered out into the hall and headed for the likely location of where my wandering wife would be.
Opening the door to her study, I smiled gently at the sight. Twilight was hunched over her desk, her head resting on her arms, snoring softly, an open book resting in front of her. I wandered up behind her, clicking off her lamp and easing her back and rolling her chair out. Carefully, I eased my arms under her arms and legs, lifting her out of her seat and carrying her bridal style.
Twilight whimpered, rolling her head, taking in her surroundings before she looked up at me.
"You fell asleep at your desk," I gently informed her, kissing the top of her head, right between her ears. My wife groaned exhaustively, knowing full well she wanted to break that habit. "Come on, your daughter's need their mother."
Her ears perked at that as she went stiff in my arms. "What happened?"
There was a crack of thunder and two screams that beat me to the punch.
"You get ready for bed," I told her, kissing my wife tenderly on the lips as I set her on her feet. I opened the door, leading her back into the bedroom. "We're here girls," I reassured the shivering lump in the center of the bed. It wiggled more extensively as a pair of tiny little heads poked out while I sat down. "Daddy's here," I whispered as Aurora and Eclipse dove into my embrace.
I hugged their little shivering bodies close to my chest, assuring my daughters that they were safe in my arms, just as I had done that night they were born. My hands were gentle as I rubbed their little back, right between their wings, just how they liked. I awkwardly, rolled into bed, holding a filly in each arm, waiting patiently as my wife changed and brushed her teeth in the bathroom. Within a few minutes, she climbed into bed.
I eased the girls between us, hugging them close as their soft little breaths indicated that they had fallen asleep.
Amazing how a parents love and comfort can ease a worrisome heart.
Twilight hugged Aurora close as I hugged Eclipse. I nuzzled my little girl's head, her tiny little ears tickling the sides of my face. They were so adorable, I just never wanted to let them go.
"Love you," I whispered to my daughter.
"What about me?"
I glanced up at my wife, who wore a look of heartache. I knew it was fake, as I rolled my eyes, shaking my head with a playful smile.
I did my best to lean over while not disturbing the girls so that I could kiss my wife. "Love you two you adorkable nerd." She rolled her eyes and shook her head, but her gentle smile betrayed her intended look of disappointment in me. "Love you too honey," I whispered, kissing Aurora's head as well.
