Four months later...

"Get anything good for hearts and hooves day Twilly," Shining asks his little sister.

"A got a lot of chocolates!" Twilight giggles. "Mostly form the guards and maids. Aunt Marmy gave my strawberry moose thought. How's Mr. Bedrock handling Papa Levi's training course at the academy?"

"He wanted to start over from scratch so he could keep up with Aunt Marmy but having the guard training already put him better shape than some of the cadets but other than that he eats just as much mud as all of us," Shining says popping a cherry into his mouth. "Cady gave me a... big ole heart box of chocolates to and she said that I would get another surprise later, until Levi overheard and said no."

"He seems to know a lot about what you and Cadence get up to," Twilight says suspiciously. "And every time I ask him he says I 'll know when I'm older or to ask daddy, who then says, 'look a t the time...’ and runs away somewhere else."

"You'll know when your older," Shining said with a nervous chuckle.

"But I wanna know now!" Twilight wines.

A large bullfrog lets out a croak, 'You'll get there someday kid,'

"What's Michigan doing here?" Shining points at the frog.

"Cady brought him by," Twilight giggles as she pulls the frog in with her lavender magic given him a hug. "Mama say he can stay in the pond in the back as long as he doesn't cause too much trouble."

"She used Ole Rusty didn't she," Shining points out.

"Yep," Twilight nods. "He's been good and he keeps the bugs in check so he's been here for about a weeks. I thought I'd let him in for a bit as long as he with me. Fetch Michigan," Twilight says throwing a piece of her chocolate up into the air

Michigan didn't move an inch except to open his mouth and out shout his long tongue catching the candy. The frog reels his tongue in and proceeds to swallow the candy whole with a very loud gulp.

He lets out a croak. "Mmmmm.... chocolate...."

The Sparkle siblings only laughed.

"How are you doing Twilly, since Aunt Marmy isn't around so much anymore?" Shining hesitantly asks.

"Aunt Marmy can't watch me all the time and neither can Papa," Twilight sighs. "They have their own stuff to do. Aunt Marmy has Mr. Bedrock and Papa has Princess Celestia and the new foal coming, and we can’t forget Spike too." Twilight stand up, "But they have members watching the house and they warded it themselves. I don't even know what magic it is they used."

"That's odd, something you can't figure out," Shining poke his little sister causing her to giggle. "I suppose Levi and the Princess told you not to mess with it or we would've had smoke fill the house already," Twilight blushes a bit.

"That's enough candy you two," Twilight Velvet enters the room. "You both have lessons tomorrow so go brush your teeth and off to bed with you."

"Yes ma'am," the sibling say in unison.

"Come on, dear I'll put you out in the pond," Velvet walks over to the figure and lift him in her magic.

The frog croaks, "Joy... Where my box when I need it..."

Meanwhile up in the castle...

Levi trotted through the halls of the castle with Spike on his back. The little drake had become quite attached to the human turned mock pony. The little whelp had even started to call the human/pegasus 'dada' which he gladly cried over. Even though he came off as a stern cold individual he was actually a big softy, to his kids at least.

"You think Mama has had her snackcSpike?" Levi asked his adopted son.

"Baboooo -_-"

"So cute," Levi chuckles. "Well, Cady is over at Twilight's house tonight to watch our little Sparkle while her parents go out and with my Corps watching the house she and Shining can’t get up to anything," He evil smirks, "Plus the boy doesn't want any extra hard lessons over the coming days that are still cold. hehehehe...."

(Levi's face)

"Hehehehe... >_<" Spike copies

Suddenly a made came in a mad dash down the hall straight for Levi, "Sir Levi, Sir Levi..." She calls out.

"What is my good mare?" Levi turns to see the maid skid to a stop just in front of him.

"It's... it's the... princess..." She huffs. "She... she..."

"Calm down," Levi hold up a hoof, "Deep breathes..."

"But the... princess... she's gone into labor!" She blurts out.

"Oh, yes good then..." Levi says then his eyes shoot open, "SHE WENT INTO LABOR!"

"Yes," The vigorously needs. "She's in the infirmary being attended by Dr. Brown at this moment, Shall I take the prince from you sir?"

"No, it's best if his stays with me for now," Levi looks at Spike who'd dug his claws into Levi due to the shout. "Send out guards to these locations and have tell the ponies "A star is coming.," I will go to the infirmary." He orders pulling out a piece of parchment from his suit pocket.

"Yes sir," The maid take the paper and dashed off again.

Levi put a hoof to his head, "Marmy, it's time. Gather those who are able and come to the castle. Get the Sparkles here tomorrow and Cadence to. It's time," He sighs, "Hang on to daddy Spike."

"Baboo..." the drake hallows with a manically laughs Levi galloped through the halls.

The Infirmary...

Levi arrives just in time to meet with Doctor Brown.

"What's going on?" He asks frantically.

"Good to see you again Mr. Ackerman," Brown nods taking a clipboard form a nurse. "According to this she has only just gone into labor and is doing fine. We'll call you once we've finished getting thing settled and have the princess properly setup."

"I want to be there," Levi demands.

'I don't think anypony could stop you, even if they wanted to," Dr. Brown says flipping through the papers. "The princess made it quite clear she wants you by her side as soon as possible anyways. As soon as somepony familiar arrives to take young Spike from you, we'll get you a robe and cap then get you to her."

"I thank you doctor," Levi nods, "I am sorry for being short with you."

"You're not the first excepting father I've dealt with and you certainly won't be the last," Brown waved it off. "But you are the first who I am certain would follow up on his threats to hack me to pieces if something goes wrong," he jokes.

"I would make certain that it happens," Levi says coldly with a single nod.

"Hehehe..." Brown chuckles in a cold swat before walking off.

Not long after The Sparkles followed by Cadence, Marmy, Bedrock, Cadence, and Michigan the bullfrog showed up.

"Levi," Light steps up, "We got here as soon as we could. How are you?"

"Worried beyond all reason," Levi says flatly.

"Does he ever show any emotion outside happiness?" Bedrock asks Marmalade through a corner of his mouth.

"All the time." Marmy rolls her eyes and jabs the stallion with her elbow. "You're just never around to see it."

"I've told you I have duties to perform, just like you do Marmalade!" Bedrock shot back.

The couple had been having spats more frequently as of late. Marmalade wanting to strengthen their love had very much tried in putting forth the effort to spend more time with Solid, even going as far as to as Levi for some down time, but he would always come up with an excuse of some sort. Bedrock did honestly want to spend more time with Marmalade, he did deeply love her, but he also had a his own comments to those back home he had to keep.

His family needed all the money he could pull in. They were deeply in debt that had been left to him, his mother and baby sister after his worthless father skipped town not long after Bedrock sister had been born. Turns out they were his second family, he a bastard child born to a former noble stallion and the father that had raised him wasn't even his birth father but somepony who just looked after his mother and himself. His baby sister was in fact his only his half-sister. After his 'father's' loan sharks caught up to him after his sister was born his 'father' vanished without even a word. The loan sharks decided to pill the debts on his mother and tried to take her as payment but he step in and swore to pay the debts off and has been ever since.

The sharks did still try and take his mother but quickly found the Solid Bedrock was far stronger than the average earth pony. At the age of seven he garnered the name, "Hoof Duster" for being able to knock down many with barely even a single blow. Not wanting to fall in with the wrong crowds Solid enlisted in the local guard due to the pay and to take the burden of house and feeding him off his mother. He saw his family when he could which become few and far between. His baby sister would be about a bit younger than Cadence and Shining Armor now.

Levi once approached the stallion privately about this and got the full details for Bedrocks mouth himself. Levi being the one to know who his family was involved with already knew the details but wanted to know the story and see if the stallion would hide it from him. To be fair there was good reason, those being his own, but Solid told his marefriend's grandfather everything. He had yet to tell Marmalade and Levi believing him to be the right one to tell her was none other than Solid Bedrock himself to do so. The elder let them be.

Levi in fact was frighten and nervous beyond all belief. Those who knew him could tell he was doing his best at masking it, even then the human masked as a pony was barely holding himself together.

Cadence steps up, "I'll take Spike off your hoof Uncle," She says levitating the giggling whelp off Levi's back on to her own, " Auntie needs you be her side right now. You foal needs you right now. Go we'll be here and won't go anywhere."

Marmy walks up and hugs her grandfather wrapping in a deep loving embrace, "Go and be with her. The gods above know you have been waiting for a day like this for a long time Grandpa," she pulls back, and she looks up with her deep blue eyes,

"You both deserve this..."

"Thank you Marmy," Levi says returning the embrace.

Bedrock looks at the display and thinks back to his own family. He then looks at the mare he loves having decided.

The two Strawberries break apart and he looks to ever, "Thank you everypony for coming here, but now I must leave to be with Tia. When Ii return, hopefully I will be much... softer..." her turn and trots off following Dr. Brown.

Bedrock walks up behind Marmy and place a hoof on her shoulder causing her to turn and look, "I... I need to... Uruaaaaggh, get it together rock for brains!" He says knocking himself in the head with his hoof before he looks at Marmalade full of conviction, "I need to tell you something very important. Would you please here me out?"

"I will always be here to listen to you Solid," Marmy wipes her eyes. "Because I love you."

"I love you to Marmy," Solid said softly. "I have from the first time I saw you. And because I love you, I need you to know the truth." He took a deep breath. "No more secrets. I haven't been avoiding. The reason I haven't been around is because..."

Some hours later...

Everypony was currently in the waiting area, or what would classified as the waiting area. The guards had decided it was best to let everyone in one of the guest sweets close to the medical wing. Currently all of the adults were talking while Twilight, Shinning, and Spike were currently sleeping while Cadence was trying to busy herself by reading a book.

"I wonder who'll she'll take after?" Twilight Velvet ponders.

"I think she'll take after both of them," Nightlight places a hoof on his chest.

"If we're going by looks then either way," Solid shrugs. "If she takes more after the princess or more after Mr. Levi, who are good looking ponies in their own right, the foal well look beautiful either way."

Everypony in the room chuckles at Solid's comment.

"What? "he looks around to everypony confused till his gaze comes to Marmy. "Am I a missing something?"

"It's an inside joke," Marmy chuckles. "It has something to do with my family but mostly my grandfather and his... past," she twirls her hoof. "I wish I could tell you more love but I'm not aloud to unless Grandpa so I can," Solid was about to commented buts Marmy quickly pops her hoof over her coltfriend's lips, "Its more than just a secret Solid. You've more than earned my trust to tell you but this isn't just my secret to tell but Grandpa's as well as my family's but mostly Grandpa's. Either way know that I will still be here at the end of the day."

"If it's that big a deal then I won't pry except for one thing."

"Go ahead and ask then," Marmy smiles.

"Is this a secret that everypony here knows but me?"

"I'm afraid so son," Night Light speaks up. "Like Marmalade said it has more to do with family. We know mainly due to external circumstances and dealings with Levi on," he looks at his daughter. "A much more personal level."

Solid tilts his head and then looks at little Twilight. "Oh right... the... incident... Sorry..."

"You have nothing to be sorry about dear," Velvet pats his leg. "But like Night said, we know to to excruciating events. Levi was hired to be Twilight's bodyguard by the princess and he in turn trusted Marmy to watch her in his stead when he had other things to oversee. She took a liking to them both so much that she soon saw them as extended family, and they in turn did the same." She looks at the moon, "I was flabbergasted when he asked us to help raise his and the princess's daughter, let alone be the child's godparents."

"We owe the Strawberry family a debt we can't begin to repay," Nigh Light adds. "And yet he waves it off as if it were nothing. Then he practically adopts Twilight and Shining as they are one of his own. The least we can do is accept the honor of helping raise the future princess."

"And if any nobles tries to us her we can always use the fallback plan," Velvet humphs with a nod.

"Fall back plan?" Solid raises an eyebrow.

"We have a bonified national treasure that my wife has had passed down to her in the family since the time of the Unification," Night Light proudly agrees.

"Is it like a family sword you threaten ponies with?" Solid scratches his head.

"Something like that," Cadence says with a shudder. "If you ever see be warned Mr. Solid, Ole Rusty is a force of nature. I should know. Ms. Velvet used it before on a frog once."

"Don't remind me Cadence," Night Light swallowed hard as his wife simply smiles.

"Ole Rusty?" Solid looks at Marmy.

"I've heard about it but never seen it," Marmy shrugs. "Even the princess holds Ole Rusty in a high regard."

"If it has survived that long and you can still use it then it must be a fine weapon," Solid approves. "You should be proud of it and I hope to see it but never have it used on me."

"Oh, I am dear," Velvet nods. "And you just might. Just don't ever do anything to hurt Marmalade and you'll have nothing to fear from Ole Rusty," she lightly chuckles.

Solid swallows hard.

Then Michigan let out a croak, 'Human inbound.'

Twilight's head immediately pops up from the frog’s notice, "Papa Levi is coming!" She excitedly pronks around the room before Cadence levitates the filly onto her back. "I hope he has my new little sister! I can't wait to teach her all the stuff I know and read her books and do math!"

"You'll have to wait for that dear," Velvet hops down. "She's still to little to know words."

Just then Levi opens the door, but its just him.

"Awe...." Twilight says disappointed.

Levi chuckles then motions to the doorway, "Everypony follow me so you can meet Stella." He says as he trots out. "She's sleeping with Tia in room at the moment so you have to be quiet."

"Like at the library?" Twilight adds.

"Yes Little Sparkle," Levi nod. "Would you like me to take Spike Cadydid?"

"He's fine Uncle," Cadence Smiles. "He's still sleeping on Shinny’s back tight now," Levi turns his head to see the snoring whelp.

"I'll take him when we get to the room that way you and Shinning can go see your can little cousin,"

"Thank you, Uncle," Cadence smiles.

"Sir," Solid speaks up causing Levi to look over his shoulder at the guard. "There are things I want to discuss with you as soon as you are able and they are very important."

"Mhm..." Levi noted the sternness of the stallion's voice, "Very well Solid, but later. Now we have a foal to see." he motions to Celestia door. "Please be quiet when you go in. Shiny, give me Spike."

"Yes sir," Shining says levitating the whelp onto his uncle's back.

"You six go in but be very quiet," Levi scolds. "The baby is in her bassinet."

"You not coming in too?" Night Light says in shock.

"I've had my time with my little girls for now," Levi smiles. "Tia and I held her right after she was born. I will have much more time coming soon. For now, It’s your time to see her. Go on. Spike won't stay quiet for long."

All six of the adults with Twilight in toe on Cadence back walked in very quietly and made their way over to the little white and pink bassinet not far from a snoozing Princess Celestia.

They were awe struck.

The filly had was unicorn. Her mane and tail were a sparkling silk black with hints of contrasting iridescent colors that would come and go as you would move depending on what angle the light hit. Her coat color was a radiant amber the graded into a vibrant picton blue around her hooves. Compared to booth of her parents she was quiet small, but even for normally foal standards she was a bit on the larger side. Her facial features were actually a mixture between the stern and narrow gaze of her father and the soft and supple muzzle of her mother.

"Twilight looks over Cadence's head, "She's so big," she says quietly.

"Looks like you were right dear," Velvet whispers to her husband. "She looks like them both."

The foal starts to squirm and the her eyes flutter open and she lets out a little sneeze. Her eyes were strange in the fact that the radiated the color of a bright vivid cyan blue. This surprised everyone as nether of her parents had blue eyes

"I've never seen a foal with such bright blue eyes before," Solid tilts his head tilts. "Marmy are beatify but that filly's eyes are nearly glowing."

"Are all of you admiring my little delight?" Everypony turns to see Celestia setting up under her blankets looking at everypony with a tired but soft smile. "She's quite something isn't she."

"She's beautiful Auntie," Cadence turns. "You and Uncle should be very happy with her."

The was a brief but soft knock at the door. "Sorry to intrude Tia but you have more company," Levi comes in with Spitfire in toe. "She was brought right here," he turns and see the little filly away and shaking off her blanket. "Looks like somepony is eager to meet everypony. Come on Spitfire."

"What about everyone here?" she motions.

"We already know private," Solid spoke up.

"Commander Bedrock sir," Spitfire salutes. " Why are you here sir? And You know sir?"

"At ease," Solid holds up hoof. "I was told everything by her highness and Mr. Ackerman. I'm here because I was asked to come by my special somepony." He motions to Marmalade. "We can discuss it later though. Right now, just know you're amongst friends and family you can trust. Now come and say 'hi' to your little sister."

"Yes sir," Spitfire drops the formality. "And thank you sir." She smiles walking over to the filly who cutely tilt here head at the entourage before. "Can... can I hold her?"

"Go ahead Spitfire just be careful," Celestia smiles. "She is a bit bigger than most foals."

Spitfire nod, "hello," she smiles as Celestia levitates the foal into her sister forelegs, "I'm... your big sis..." she nuzzles the foal who happily giggles.

"She so perfect," Celestia lays her head down and looks at Levi as he trots over, letting Spike crawl onto the bed next to his mother while she looks at the group. "This is perfect."

"Yes, she is," Levi says sitting down. "This is her family after all."

"I wish... all my girls were here to see her," Celestia sighs softly. "And not just Sunset and Summer but Stella's aunt too..."

"I know Tia," Levi places his hoof on Celestia's foreleg. "But for now, let’s just enjoy what we have in front of us..."

'I’ll find a way to bring Sunset home to you... somehow...'

"Oh yes before I forget," Tia cracked an eye at Levi. "The maids were complaining about somepony have left burnt gouges in the floor tiles leading from half way across the castle to the infirmary.," Levi's face went a bit pink and he looked to the ceiling, "Thank you for coming to my side so quickly my handsome stallion," Celestia giggles and kiss his cheek.

Meanwhile everypony was doing there best to suppress and 'awe' or stifle their laughter.

Even the moon seemed to be a bit brighter with a blue hue to the point of almost blocking out the shadow of the Mare in the Moon.

It truly was a a great day...

Author's Note

Been a bit hasn't it... sorry but this was a bit of a harder one to put into words. Know that his is will be the end of the early days of Twilight and company. The next time our friends come in will be later n in the years, possible during Twilight days in high school to the her time just out of school before the event of Ponyville. Have idea or want to see something specific let me know in the comments or shoot me a PM.

Til next time,

Ghost Alvasa signing off!