Cadance had come to love the early shadows of night that would befall her world during autumn evenings. The world turning a softened orange and bright pink by the dying flares of a sun wearied from a long summer, setting man and nature aglow to add to the numerous colors of nature already present on the earth below. Something about this small fraction of beauty paired so well with the coolness of the air that would come at the sun’s departure. These were the days of change, warmth fading slowly away alongside brilliant bursts of color amongst the leaves and proclaiming that even her own ways must now turn as well.

It was a gentle change, at least today. Perhaps that was best when she considered what sort of day it was for her.

Twilight slowed their ride and made the turn up into the driveway, pausing only for the patient wait of a garage door in need of repair to make its ascent before pulling into the shadowed corner of their world and coming to a halt. The calm vibrations of the engine beneath ceased and the world became just a little quieter, the silence kept at bay only by small breaths and a sigh that permeated the air. The young woman took away her glasses and rubbed her eyes, pushing drowsiness aside that had come from what little drink she had consumed.

“Well,” she said, “I hope you had fun. I know it wasn’t a big deal or anything, but I figured…”

Cadance felt the pause in her beloved’s words. “You figured what?”

Twilight shrugged. “That maybe something quiet would be a little better for starters. You know, just for today.”

“I had a great time with you, as always,” Cadance assured her. “It was a lovely gift, Twilight. Thank you.” She knew her graceful spouse was not much of a wine connoisseur, but that had yet to stop Cadance’s own enthusiasm for the subject. It meant a great deal that Twilight was willing to indulge her hobby and be in good spirit throughout. “I always do like La Vin.”

“Mmf… I wish I could make sense of it like you do,” Twilight remarked. “You just seem to notice everything in it, I can’t manage.”

“If you liked wine more, you might,” was the reply. “It’s a taste thing, that’s all.”

Twilight settled her keys back into her purse. “I guess so. But it’s fun for you, so that’s enough for me.”

“I guess so.” Cadance’s exit from the passenger seat was completed with a slow stretch, muscles put back to work and revived from their entropy. “So… what else have you got planned, hmm?”

Twilight blinked. “Planned?”

Cadance smirked at the feigned innocence. “So that’s it for today? Just a quick little visit to a wine bar? Something that small doesn’t sound like you…”

“Really? OK,” Twilight said, pushing through the door and entering into the darkened world of their home, the sound of her purse rattling as it was set upon the island.

Notice that she didn’t have to unlock the door, Cadance told herself, the smile on her lips beginning to grow. Twilight was not the best actor in the world, and past history said that making a show of specific moments in their lives was something she tried to do, occasionally to the point of grandiose. Not that Cadance had ever minded; the sweeping acts of affection were always fun, even if Twilight couldn’t always manage them perfectly. They came from the heart and were always genuine. That definitely counted in Cadance’s eyes. And so, with today in mind…

“SURPRISE!”

The enthusiastic roar of voices was expected and yet somehow a surprise, the dim world of her shadowed home suddenly alive with light and color as Cadance’s first step into the living room was met by cheers. Everywhere she looked there were faces to be seen, marked by welcoming smiles that befitted their festive adornments. Just as Cadance had suspected, Twilight had kept a trick up her sleeve and proved herself a wondrous distraction; she just hadn’t expected something of this caliber. There were so many decorations- and so many people! Friends both new and old were there to greet her, and all seemingly glad to do so.

Headmost of the crowd was the familiar face of an old friend, bearing that trademark smile that spoke to softened warmth, made all the gentler with the passings of time. Celestia’s hands were full as she took steps towards the coffee table, taking care with each movement as she slowly set the luxurious cake before awed faces, stepping away only to lean back and grab an elongated knife that had been stashed on the windowsill. “I think the birthday girl gets first pick,” she said. “And you’d better hurry, Pinkie’s been bragging about it so much that she’s made everyone hungry for a slice.”

Cadance’s eyes shown as she settled on the couch before the tempting accolade, letting its appearance be marveled at for a little moment longer. It was a magnificent thing to behold; a double-leveled cake bearing the softened pinks of thin icing, the edges marked by a deep-red ring of tube frosting. Small raspberries topped the baked delicacy, gently pressed into the thin coating and adding to its ocular appeal, all of it held together by the brightly glowing 50 that sat atop the very center with a flame swiftly burning.

Before Cadance could at last make the move, she felt the presence of additional weight settling beside her and then the sensation of softened lips pressing gently against her cheek, she held fast by the hand that cupped about her chin. The feeling of Twilight was the only thing that could have given her pause, a reason to turn attentions away from this beautiful confection. After all, there was only one person who could make such a day feel so good, and she would not have turned from such affections for anything.

“Happy birthday, Princess,” Twilight murmured, the gleam of candelight making her eyes flicker all the more brightly. “Ready to make a wish?”

Cadance, however, only laughed and blew out the singular candle in a swift puff that was capped by applause. “What could I possibly need to wish for?” she asked, meaning every word. This little house in which she sat held everything that she cherished in the entire world, not an ounce of it in need of the slightest bit of improvement. The things and places and people that she knew and loved were more than she could have possibly imagined.

Knife was taken to cream icing and cut through, a plate ready to carry the sweetened treasure to eager lips, Cadance taking the first bite and giving a tremor at the burst of flavor that met her senses. Rich cocoa that dwelled in the moist breading, so perfectly tinged by the flavor of cream cheese icing and the juicy crunch of berry that gushed through it all. She’d had the pleasure of partaking in Pinkie’s numerous baked machinations over the years, but this new creation might truly be the one that surpassed them all. All so rich, so delicate to the touch, and oh so delicious. “Wow…”

Twilight laughed. “Goodness, is it that good?”

“Oh my gosh, yes,” Cadance breathed, going back for a second bite just to affirm the matter. She could have happily settled into the activity and consumed the tempting slice in a matter of seconds if it were not for the many eyes that had come to settle upon the cake itself, clearly eager to discover the truth for themselves. “Well- who wants some?” she asked of her companions, reaching for knife and plate so as to begin serving out portions. “Thank you, Pinkie Pie, thanks so much- to all of you!”

A clean cut and a hefty slice was first set in the hands of her beloved bride, Cadance only ceasing in her efforts so as to find Twilight’s lips for a kiss, hoping that the simple gesture would be enough to speak to all the love and gratitude she felt within her in that moment. There were so many reasons to celebrate today, so many things that tried to prevent its passing. Yet here she was, alive and still joyfully in love; that was reason enough for her to celebrate even the smallest things.

She allowed herself time to be lost in the consistent din that was human conversation, sound pulling her this way and that as Cadance simply sat and drifted in their midst. The sight of friends and family all about her, enjoying themselves in pleasantries with one another was one she knew she would cherish the rest of her life. Those she cherished were comfortable and in good cheer, she blessed enough to be found in their midst. With all that had transpired in her life, it was a greater gift than she ever could have believed would come her way. To simply let it pass before her eyes was all she really needed right now, content to let a full stomach and a small trickle of fine wine to keep her at ease. Perhaps it would have been even better if Twilight were at her side, but the unexpected hostess was finding her attentions were needed elsewhere. And what an excellent job she’s done, Cadance thought. Make sure you tell her, she really deserves it. This must have taken so much effort- and speaking of effort…

The familiar, yet now-rarely seen sheet of starlit-blue hair came pushing through the crowd to find her, accompanied by a young woman with a bright gaze who now stood a full head taller than when Cadance had last seen her. Perhaps one came forward more willingly than the other, but the sight of them was still a pleasure to behold. After all, it had been the span of a few years since they had last seen one another.

“Luna, hello!” The hug that bound the two older women together spoke to absence and warm feeling, held fast even as they took the time to look over one another as old friends. “It’s wonderful to see you again, thank you so much for coming!”

Luna’s features were still sallow from the jetlag, but her smile showed no sign of weariness. “It was a perfect excuse to take a little vacation,” she replied. “Tia tipped me off, of course I had to come- happy birthday!”

“Ooh, thank you. It’s been just a wonderful day.” Though there was plenty more words to be shared with one another, the third member of their little chat was more than worthy of recognition in her own right. “Nova- goodness, look at you!” Cadance cried, taking in the appearance of her young companion. “Your mom wasn’t joking, you really did get tall!”

The youthful teen gave only a half-smile, still too much a young girl to fully open up and let her more gregarious nature reveal itself to a family friend. The long, dark hair she had possessed as a little girl was now absent, washed over in a thick pink dye that coated the length of her pixie cut. However, even teenage moodiness would not stand for long in the face of someone so intently joyful, Nova taken into the arms of Cadance and finding herself capable of returning the gesture- if only half-heartedly. “Happy birthday, Cadance,” Nova said quietly. “Hope it’s a good one.”

“It has definitely been good,” Cadance replied, though there was one absence of word that she couldn’t fail to notice. “But Nova, am I not your Aunt Cadance anymore?” She could recall the time spent with the girl when she was still young, happily playing the role of a doting relative.

Nova’s half-smile turned to a half-grimace instead, eyes darting about the room as though fearful someone would overhear and rain down mockery. “Do I have to say that now?” she asked.

Cadance laughed, remembering the long-lost days of her own teenage attitudes. “No, you don’t have to,” she said, though still holding the young girl by the shoulder. “But I’ll always be your aunt, even if you don’t want me to be.” A small flicker upwards, accompanied by a grin. “I like the hair, by the way. It suits you.”

The compliment was unexpected but welcome nonetheless, Nova’s face brightening at the remark. “Thanks! Mom and Dad hate it, but it was a blast to get done.”

“Please don’t start,” Luna sighed, “You’re thinking about law school for college, how do you think they’ll look at you if you walk in looking like a punk rocker?”

“They’ll think it’s awesome, that’s what!”

Cadance laughed all the harder as she watched mother and daughter settle into their respective sides, the argument between them clearly a long-standing one that would endure far beyond the realms of the living room. “She’ll miss you when you move out,” the sweethearted woman teased. “And you’ll miss her, I promise. I missed my Mom, too.”

“Keep telling her that, please,” Luna replied. “She doesn’t believe me or Jasper at all about how we were as kids.”

She could see the stories incoming from a mile away, and the teenage girl was in no mood to hear any of them yet again. Nova gave her mother a squeeze of the shoulder and said, “We needed to get going, remember?”

“Leaving already?”

“It was a long flight,” Luna answered. “Is it alright if we come by on Saturday and visit for a bit? We’re staying at Tia’s till Monday, all we’ve got are a couple school visits…”

“Yes, of course you can! We’ll see you then.” Cadance gave both women another embrace before letting them make their way to the door. “Thanks for coming by, it was great to see you!”

The night was filled with the comings and goings of familiar faces and longtime friends, Cadance happy to meet and greet every single one that came her way. All words spoken were kindhearted, whether they be boisterous or gentle; best wishes were given and received happily as the party continued on into the night. It mattered not how many times she heard simple words spoken over and over, the mere fact that she was hearing them was a gift in Cadance’s eyes. So many times before, she had wondered that perhaps she would never really reach this day, or that it would be a dread specter in a lonely life. Instead, she received each new tiding with love and gratitude, letting the words spur the ghosts away that had long waited to haunt her.

It was close to midnight when the house was at last left all but empty, Cadance and Twilight playing host for a little while longer to a genial, though somewhat tipsy, Celestia. Her keys safely secured for the evening, the exhausted wives sat beside their oldest friend on the concrete steps of the porch, letting the cool air of the fall night brush against their faces ever so gently.

“How much further is this guy?” Twilight said, glancing down at her phone to check for the time of arrival. “I swear, if he’s just going slow to make you want to cancel…”

“He’s not, don’t be silly,” Celestia said, brushing the younger woman’s phone away as though it were doubt. “It’s late, he’s just trying to be careful!”

“He’s been at the light outside the neighborhood for like five minutes!”

“It might be broken. Oh gosh, what if he got in a wreck?” The thought came upon Celestia in a horror, she suddenly agitated and set to nerves. “Oh, and it’ll be because of me, I’ll feel awful!”

“He’ll be fine, don’t you worry,” Cadance murmured, more content to lean against the wall and let her eyelids droop. Far past her usual bedtime, the call of the bedsheets was beginning to grow raucous. Shower first, please. “It’s just a slow light, Twi, don’t be grumpy.”

“I’m just saying! After last time-” Twilight let her words slip away and she gave a groan, peering out into the dark in the hopes that she would spot him. “Oh well.”

“Mhm. Oh well.”

The trio sat there in silence, letting the night pass by as they patiently waited for one last departure. Cadance’s struggle to remain awake was becoming a real battle, the comfort of the crisp darkness soothing to her body warmed by alcohol. Twilight continued to glance down at her phone and wonder, waiting for movement on a screen to transpire before her eyes. Celestia, listing this way and that, suddenly took to her feet and gave a low breath as a shudder coursed through her form.

“This really happened,” she quavered. “I really got to see you make it this far.”

Cadance was roused from near slumber and perked up at the sound of tears. Celestia’s eyes were screwed shut, yet not enough to prevent a pair of fat droplets from streaming down her cheeks and leaving a salty burn. “Tia, are- it’s OK, you’re OK.”

“I know.” Her smile was watery but genuine underneath, the eldest woman looking down upon her companions and delighting in the sight of them. “Tonight was perfect. Really, it was. And… I’m so glad for both of you. I always wanted you two to be happy, and you get to be happy together. That means more to me than you’re ever going to know.”

The words were brought about by inebriation, dormant feelings given extra strength by lack of inhibition. Twilight had to bite her lip to hold back her own emotion, while Cadance possessed no desire to conceal the slightest thing as her eyes glistened from the unexpected kindness. “Thank you for being here, Tia,” Cadance said. “It meant a lot to have you here.”

As the bright beams of distant headlights grew closer, Celestia made her goodbyes and departed home, hastened away by helpful hands and allowing the two hostesses to at last give the long, draining sigh that sealed a completed day.

“Well,” Cadance groaned, “I think it’s time for bed.”

“Amen.” Twilight’s pleasant expression melted away and turned haggard, exhaustion crushing her form into submission. “Forget cleanup, I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Dishes were strewn across kitchen countertops, stained and carrying miniscule scraps that had failed to be consumed. Glasses lay half-drunk as they sat in the sink, the scent of wasted liquor rising to meet unsuspecting nostrils as the bitter tang began to reek. Open packages and unsealed food were left to lay until sunlight came, untouched by the pair of tired brides that had enjoyed their night to its fullest capacity.

Cadance’s shower was swift, she hardly taking a moment to dry her hair before collapsing onto the pillows with a huff. Twilight found energy only for brushing her teeth, any further hygiene forgone until morning came and strength return to spent form. There was no reason to glance at phones, or even read; no strength of mind or spirit could be found that would tempt them to such endeavors. Instead, wife found wife and came close, willing to spend the first minutes of this long slumber comfortably nestled next to one another as eyes closed and remained shut.

“Cadance?” Twilight asked.

“Mhm?”

“How was today?”

Cadance let the memories flow by, sealed behind darkened eyelids. From her awakening to this last fall underneath covers, she saw it all pass before her: a carefully prepared meal of french toast with cinnamon coffee, a bouquet of rose awaiting her at her desk, a comfortable glass in a cozy corner of her favorite wine bar, and the best party she had ever experienced, made complete by the sights and sounds of people she loved. All of it, every single bit, made sweeter by the beautiful beloved that she called the love of her life. When only a solitary day was all it took to drive away the long-buried fears of age, what hope did those fears have? She was growing older- day by day. She was aging, held fast in a body that was starting to fail. More days were likely behind than there were ahead. But she was loved, deeply loved; her world was at peace even after countless struggles and sorrows that had seemed so willing to break her in two. And right now, the simple feeling of Twilight beside her was all that it took to take a day that had once been dreaded and turn it into something wonderful.

“Today was perfect,” Cadance whispered, leaning over to place a kiss on Twilight’s head. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

She gave one last slow breath and her conscious mind disappeared into a slumbering world, knowing that there was nothing else that needed to be said.

Author's Note

One last time, with my two favorite ladies.

I like writing this. It felt nice to just be sweet and simple.

Keep reading, I guess. Shout-out to the guys who follow me just to downvote.