I was exhausted after the party. “How does Granny keep track of everypony in the family?” I idly asked myself as I crawled into my bed. “Even Mom Pear was managing to keep up with all the names.” After Twilight’s mood had improved and we returned to the party, we had both been introduced to almost everypony in the family. “Crazy how none of them even cared I was an alicorn.”

“Course not sweetie they’re family.” My dam mumbled before drifting back off to sleep. She and my other direct family members had all decided that they would crash in my room at the castle while the extended family veritably took over the guest wing.

I smiled and climbed over Scootaloo and Lyra to join the family cuddle pile. Aside from the Apples being a primarily earth pony clan there were still other Unicorn and Pegasus members. To my surprise there was even a griffin who had married into the family. The griff and his Apple family mare even had a young hippogriff daughter.

The griffin in question was apparently a guard for one of the port cities but I didn’t remember much else. “Even my alicorn brain couldn’t keep up tonight.”

“Stop talking to yourself and go to bed colt.” Mom Forest grumbled then wrapped me in a wing.

Using some magic I adjusted my pillow and got comfortable under her wing while mumbling. “I was trying to talk to y’all.” She gave me a squeeze in apology.

While my room in the castle had quickly become my second home, Celestia and the castle staff ensured it was comfortable, having my family around tonight made it feel even more so. Pony cuddle piles are great. I nuzzled my mom and drifted off to sleep.

Imago laid down next to her partner and groaned blissfully, she feeling bloated and love-drunk. Her and her small hive had received a buffet from the recent party.

“Are you feeling alright lovebug?” Celestia looked at her worriedly she had never seen Imago acting like this. I still can’t believe that old nag brought the entire clan for the holidays.I know! Isn’t it wonderful?

They had met and mingled with so many ponies throughout the night. Celestia’s extended family, Imago’s changelings, and Luna’s thestrals had all been in attendance for the bulk of the impromptu holiday party. Dawn has brought quite a few changes to our life. It’s a good thing many of the Apples know how to cook, what with most of the kitchen staff being gone. She thought about Twiligh’s brief breakdown during the event. I just hope our faithful student can overcome herself.

Imago blinked slowly at the question she had been asked then responded to her Princess when it eventually registered. “I’m fine.” She buzzed one wing and rolled over playfully. “Just so~ full.” She gave Celestia an adorable smile reserved for her alone and ran her hooves sensually over her stomach before she wrapped her forelegs around the solar princesse’s neck and gave it a quick kiss.

Celestia felt a tingle roll down her spine and her wings threatened to flare. She gave Imago a proper kiss in return but huffed when she was pushed away.

“Ug, sorry Tia. Much too full.” Imago hiccuped and a pink mist floated from her mouth.

Celestia huffed and poked Imago’s bulging stomach playfully. “You started it.”

“I know. Sorry.” Imago nuzzled her, hiccuping again. “I’ll make it up to you when I’m not bloated.”

Celestia accepted the apology and wrapped her wings around Imago, gently stroking her stomach as they cuddled. “Your princess finds that acceptable.”

“Ow.” I rubbed my muzzle with my foreleg and cracked an eye open to find a small hoof illuminated by the morning sun an inch from my face. Said hoof belonged to Apple Bloom who had wiggled her rear end facing my way and had just kicked me in her sleep. “Bloom watch where you kick.” Thank harmony for modesty charms I don’t want to see my little sister’s plot.

I only got a mumble in response from the sleeping filly. Sighing I sat up and looked around to find most of the family no longer in the room but they did leave a note. Looks like everyone went to get breakfast.

“Where’s moms?” Scootaloo asked as she sleepily grabbed onto my side as I stood up. She and Bloom were the only ones left behind with me.

“Breakfast Scoots.” I gave her a nuzzle and hefted her onto my back. “They let us sleep in.” I stretched out and hopped off the bed causing her to ‘ouf’ when we landed.

The sound got Bloom to wake up and followed behind us sleepily. “Breakfast?” She yawned.

“Yeah, I’ll lead the way.” I lead us towards the dining hall, having to bump her now and then to keep her from walking into things.

When the three of us arrived my eyes went wide. The dining hall was bursting with laughter and lively conversation from the whole family being in attendance. At some point mom Forest’s family must have arrived as they were also sitting at the dining table.

The noise finally woke Bloom up fully and she rushed off to join some of the other young fillies while I felt Scoots nervously burrow into my mane as she was still riding on my back. “You alright sis?”

She nodded. “It’s… so crowded.”

“No different than last night.” I tried comforting her with my wings.

“Mama Forest was with me then.” She puffed up her cheeks.

“Then let’s go find her.” I laughed and began traversing the hall in search of our parents. Family members greeted us along the way and I eventually spotted Lyra speaking with Morning Dew.

“Morning.” I gave them both a loving nuzzle when we reached them.

“Morning Sweetheart.” Dam nuzzled back. “And good morning my sweet filly.” Dam plucked Scootaloo from my back with her magic and put the filly onto her own. The short flight through the air made her giggle excitedly. Scoots still couldn’t fly, just some short gliding, but it was normal for her age.

“Morning Dawn.” Lyra nuzzled my side. “Eat yet?”

“Nope just got up.” I turned towards my dam. “Why didn’t you wake us?” I pouted playfully.

“You three looked so cute and we figured you could find your own way here since the rest of us were hungry.” She began straightening my mane with her magic. “Also we tried about an hour ago and you wouldn’t get up. Even put up a shield around you and bloom in your sleep.” She huffed then nodded when my mane looked better.

“Fair enough.” I flicked an ear. “Well I’m going to grab something to eat.”

“I’ll join you.” Lyra followed along as we found an empty spot.

“So did Bon Bon make it up?” I looked around the room as we sat down. It appeared to mostly only be Apple family members or changelings in the crowd.

“No she was busy with holiday sales.” She hung her head. “She can’t afford to miss out on the bits.”

“Well dang.” It was hard to keep a smile off my face as a loaded plate was set before both of us.

“It’s fine, I’ll see her soon. What about your herd?” She playfully bumped my side as we ate.

“Only Twilight and Trixie could make it. Fluttershy and Rainbow are back in Ponyville for work. I did send them gifts though.” I said between bites.

“Wasn’t there another unicorn in your herd?” She tilted her head.

“Eh, kinda?” I made a so-so motion with my wing. “Rarity and I don’t have much in common but she is fun to tease.” I tapped my chin and Lyra gave me a deadpan look.

“You shouldn’t play with a filly’s heart.” She pointed her fork at me.

“Hey.” I held up my hooves. “I’m not, we just haven’t really talked much is all.”

As the conversation lulled we continued eating and watching the younger foals run around as their parents tried getting them to eat.

Further down the table I noticed Celestia watching everypony with a look of pure joy. The two of us locked eyes and shared a smile before I was tackled from behind by Bloom.

“Dawn come play!” She nuzzled my back.

“Sure.” I was about to get up before Pear grabbed Bloom by the scruff.

“Oh no you don’t little one.” Her voice was muffled from the mouthful of scruff. “Eat first then we’re doing gifts after breakfast. Y’all can play then.”

“No~, brother save me.” The sight of Bloom flailing her fore hooves while being carried away was so cute I had a hard time not laughing.

Lazily I took to the air and followed after them. “Don’t worry Bloom I’ll save you.” I kept myself just out of reach while Pear rolled her eyes and continued towards the foals table.

Author's Note

Sorry for the short one. Haven’t had much time to write but the story is not dead and I have plenty of ideas.